Chapter 16 – Amatsuki Empire of the Fallen Sun

“They have a special sealing crest…!”

Spears of light were flying towards us from the pursuers. Somehow, my master managed to cut them down but the people around were shaken. However, the situation didn’t allow for any delay.

“Hurry! Cross quickly!”

Already, some, including Karan-dono, had started crossing the bridge. I observed the bridge closely, seeing it for the first time in a while.

‘Consider wielding a spear on horseback, the enemies can’t cross the bridge unless they form two columns, even if there are many of them…!’

Forcing it into two columns was difficult. For safety, it would be better to cross in a single file. And though it was made of wood, it couldn’t be burned now.

‘Cutting it down… not impossible, but it takes time…! In a situation with so many pursuers, it’s challenging…!’

Perhaps because the empire managed it, the bridge was quite sturdy. In that case…!

I sprinted halfway across the bridge and stopped there. Turning around, I drew my sword.

“Vyril!?”

My master, who was at the rear, sensed what I was thinking.

“Line up! That’s my duty! You go ahead!”

“…No, I won’t.”

“What…!?”

“No, I can’t take it anymore…! I’m not going to lose my precious…..place! Just surviving without doing anything, figuring out what to do from there, how to live on the plains…! I don’t understand anymore! The power I’ve gained until today…! If I can buy time for everyone here, that’s all I ask for!”

Saying that, I activated the engraved mark, causing black gauntlets to appear on both hands.

I have indeed become stronger. But with this strength, I couldn’t protect the empire. I couldn’t grasp the future I desired.

However, If I can buy every minute and second for everyone here. For the sake of this moment today, I can finally stand proud of the strength I gained.

“I don’t have the intention to die…! I’ll live, find meaning in my own life… and to find value in it! Master, please…!”

It was the first time I openly rebelled against my master. But my master understood my determination with kind eyes.

“Then, my last disciple. You and I will stay behind here.”

“Yes…!”

“I won’t allow you to die. You’re still young… Good. Once you’ve stacked up a decent number of enemy soldiers and horses here, we’ll cross the bridge.”

Although the bridge was wide, stacking up horses and enemy soldiers would make it difficult for horses to pass through. During that time, we would move to the other side and drop the bridge. That’s the plan.

“…Here they come!”

The Imperial Army indeed formed two columns and began crossing the bridge straight towards us.

“Hmph! Prepared to sacrifice yourselves, huh!”

“Let’s trample them down!”

Spears swung from horseback. I lowered my stance, sprinted and slipped under the spears. Then, leaping upward, I beheaded an enemy soldier.

“……….!”

I cut the horse’s legs as well, causing it to collapse on the spot. Warm blood splattered, and the metallic smell was nauseating. However, more enemies were coming one after another.

“You scoundrel!”

“Such barbarians from the frontier!”

Against the next spear swing, I deflected it sideways with my sword. Moving forward, I closed the distance and used all my strength to slash through the enemy soldier’s torso along with the horse.

“Guu…!”

Looking over, my master was also taking down enemy soldiers and horses.

Can we do it…!? No, the enemies are still numerous. On the other hand, we are only two and our stamina has its limits.

“Oi, what are you doing! There are only two of them, charge all together! Crush those Imperial dogs!”

A man who seemed to be the enemy commander shouted orders loudly.

This is bad…! If they all come at once, we won’t stand a chance…!

Even if we can cut down one or two, we’ll be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. But the enemy soldiers seemed somewhat confused.

“Hurry up! Can’t you hear my orders!”

Again, angry shouts echoed and cavalry charged towards us. At that moment, the bridge shook violently.

“Ku…!”

“You’re being reckless…! Vyril! Be ready to run at any moment! I don’t know if the bridge can hold!”

Horses and soldiers armed with weapons have considerable weight. It seemed the enemy was cautious about the number of people crossing the bridge at once.

However, now a significant number of cavalry is charging, shaking the bridge violently. The footing is precarious and securing a position is challenging…!

“Aaaaah!”

Nevertheless, since the enemies are still coming, there is no choice but to continue the fight.

I try to congest the cavalry, crouching down to target the horses’ legs and make them collide. But at that very moment, the bridge shook even more intensely.

“Uwa!”

“Hyiiiiin!”

“Steady, now!”

The area where we stood was around the middle of the bridge, the most turbulent spot.

The bridge, which had been swaying up and down a moment ago, was now swaying significantly from side to side. Unpleasant creaking sounds continued from various places.

Due to the intense shaking and a horse panicking, the movement of enemy soldiers came to a momentary halt.

“Vyril! We can’t help it in this situation! Let’s cross to the other side at once!”

“Okay!”

Just as we turned to face the rear, my master, who had already advanced a bit, suddenly felt a strange sense of floating.

“……………..!!”

Then, screams coming from behind. There was no mistake, the bridge had finally collapsed.

“Ku!”

The bridge, now split in two, had the footing gradually becoming vertical. I moved forward as much as I could with agile movements, managing to grab a rope on the edge just when the bridge became completely vertical.

“Guh!?”

While I didn’t fall, being held by the rope slammed my body against the cliff on the opposite bank.

My master, who had also grabbed a rope higher up, showed a relieved expression upon seeing me.

“They saved us the trouble of cutting down the bridge. Let’s get up quickly!”

“yeah…!”

As my master was originally higher up on the bridge, he quickly climbed up. Putting my sword back in its sheath, I started climbing the rope using both hands.

‘Thank goodness…! Somehow, everyone was able to cross safely…! With this, the enemy won’t be able to chase us for a while…!’

I felt a sense of meaning in the strength I had gained for the first time. Holding onto that feeling, I aimed for my master waiting above…

“Vyril!”

My master’s shout echoed in my ears. At that moment, the spear of light I had seen before pierced right next to me.

“Wha…!”

Turning around, I saw the man who seemed to be the enemy commander leaping and shouting something.

He must be furious that we managed to escape. He undoubtedly aimed for me, who hadn’t yet climbed the bridge in retaliation.

“Hurry! Come up quickly!”

I can’t afford to become a target like this…!

I continued climbing the bridge in haste. However, the next spear of light that came flew right above me.

“Ah…”

That spear pierced through the rope I was holding. I could see my master, with wide-open eyes, peering down at me.

But the distance between us was rapidly increasing. And then…

“Gua…!?”

I was sucked into the swiftly flowing river below.

■

“…Maibar,you fucker!”

Adrldon, the commander of the Ironclad Knights, harboured strong anger at Maibar’s unauthorised actions. Even before the sun had risen, Maibar had mobilised the cavalry and engaged in military operations without permission.

Chasing a suspicious group that emerged from the northern capital was fine. However, if it was Maibar, he would undoubtedly resort to ruthless actions, even if civilians were in that group.

It wasn’t that Adrldon denied such actions themselves. The history of the empire has been one of rule by strength and exploitation by privileged classes. It wasn’t a matter of good or bad; it had been the way history had accumulated.

But now was not the right time and the opponent was not right. Adrldon didn’t want to unnecessarily provoke the Imperial citizens further, especially outside of battles against warriors.

Even if Adrldon, the supreme commander of the invading army, thought that much, it could be said that there was meaning in the strength of the warriors and their previous fighting style.

“I hope I make it in time…”

He had already ordered his own troops to follow. He had instructed them to provide ample protection if they found anyone who had escaped from the capital.

Thanks to this, he would have to reconsider the deployment of his forces for capturing the capital. After all, in all likelihood, the empire would not surrender.

“…Four… no, five days…”

He estimated the time it would take for the Imperial Army to fully control the capital.

However, after this, the Imperial Army faced more resistance than expected, taking a total of 20 days to completely occupy the capital.

Furthermore, the imperial family chose to commit suicide in the end and the empire would face guerrilla warfare from the warriors for an extended period.