49 – Trample
Personal cars were considered a luxury over a decade ago, but they had become widespread now, and a common mode of transport.
And so the modern hotels had underground parking spaces for such cars.
In a corner of the vast parking lot.
Men emerged from several vans.
They were completely covered in armor and carried firearms.
‘The target is outside of the building. We will now offer support.’
Came the command through the earpiece, and all of them moved in unison.
They had been told to suppress the hotel if such an unexpected situation occurred at the hotel.
What they were doing was terrorism, but as long as their client got away, that was fine. And so there was no need for overly bold movement.
But as the situation became more chaotic, it may be necessary to kill the others. And that included women and children.
Normally, they may have hesitated at such a command, but they obeyed silently now.
The organization was made up of former soldiers. A private military company. On the battlefield, it didn’t matter if there were women and children. If you allowed such things to lower your guard, then your operations would not succeed.
They moved like cold machines, and so as soon as they exited the underground parking lot, they stopped, as ordered by the person in the lead.
“We’re under attack!”
Raising your voice like this meant it was an emergency.
Just then.
Fire rained down over their heads like napalm.
“Everyone, unsheath your swords!”
The voice echoed as the fire danced around them.
It was the teacher who taught tactics at the Viskinel Academy.
“Hah, hahh…!”
Leo Lampertz was the first to rush into the flames with his spear. And right behind him came Sigurd Yugnor.
Leo’s spear clashed against the sword of the PMC man.
As another tried to support him from the back, Sigurd moved in.
“They are pros! Leo, don’t charge in by yourself!”
“I know!”
Sigurd said as he blocked the sword.
Leo and Sigurd swung sword and spear as if protecting each other’s backs.
While they had both won in the Combat Technique Tournament, they were not strong enough to overwhelm an actual soldier. And they both knew it.
And so they erased the other’s openings and attacked at the same time. This coordination was perfect enough to give the enemy a tough time.
And they weren’t the only ones who charged.
Bailey and the others from the group battle. And….
“Hmph!”
A giant great sword swung down.
The giant figure next to Bailey—Roy Belms was also there.
“Thanks, Roy!”
“Hmph. At least it’s a worthy opponent. Don’t lower your guard.”
It wasn’t just the Viskinel, but there were students from the Imperial University as well.
“Prepare to fire!”
Behind them, one of the teachers gave orders to the students who prepared magic and guns.
In terms of numbers, they doubled that of the enemy.
However…
(Their defenses…!)
The students were still young.
And they were not at the level of veteran soldiers.
(Besides…)
One of the teachers turned towards a nearby building.
Just as a bullet shot through the air.
Clearly, there were other members of the PMC.
And they were sniping from a distance.
(Though, the president should be dealing with them…)
If they switched from sniping to direct attacks, it could ruin the balance.
And in any case, they would be at a disadvantage if the battle stretched on.
Not only due to strength, but there was a huge difference in management.
There was a miscalculation.
They thought the enemy would run away, if they were hindered.
At this point, their operation should be considered a failure.
However, there were no signs of that happening.
Also…
The balance was broken.
“Move. I’ll do it.”
One of the men stepped forward from the PMC.
He took off his helmet, revealing eyes that were sharp like a beast. However, he had no weapons in his hands. No, he had something like brass knuckles.
“Bailey!”
Roy was the first to notice it.
He moved in front of Bailey just as the man stepped forward.
It was as if the time in between had been removed. He was at zero range in the blink of an eye, and then swung down with his arm.
Thankfully, it hit Roy’s greatsword.
However…
“!?”
The blade shattered into pieces.
There was a loud crash as if he had been hit by a tank, and Roy went flying into the air.
“Roy…!?”
“Gah…hah…”
Roy rolled on the ground and spat out blood.
It wasn’t an instant kill, only because his greatsword protected him and because he had moved his body to the side at the last moment.
The teachers rushed to him with pale looks.
This was bad. An enemy the students had no chance of beating. Perhaps even the teachers could not…
(What should we do…?!)
They did not know.
What Gileus had truly meant when he said they should prepare for battle.
In this battlefield what they needed was time.
“Ah…”
Arnela Dilmont, who was supporting from a distance, raised her voice as she looked up at the sky.
Millie Alensen looked up as well.
And then, without a sound.
A single man descended.
“…”
The man with the brass knuckles looked at the newcomer cautiously.
However…it was too late.
“…Huh?”
Who had said that?
Before the man knew it, Yukito was behind him.
And without a sound, the man’s head went flying.
Time seemed to stop. and then the body crumbled to the ground.
“…Sorry to keep you waiting. But there are others waiting as well… So I’ll end this quickly.”
Yukito said as his blade swung.
The smell of blood and death was carried by the wind.
And they knew for the first time.
This man called Yukito… A fight to the death with someone who was actually strong.