“Luther and his precious Order.
A bunch of cowards who only know how to stand on the sidelines and watch.”
Lion El’Jonson was still somewhat resentful after they had rejected her proposal at the previous meeting.
“I’m only doing this because you suggested it.”
In her view, if The Order had already fallen into enemy hands, then launching a campaign to retake it would simply be a waste of resources.
Destroying it outright seemed far more reasonable than trying to save it.
“Still, I trust your judgment, Wizard.”
Lion El’Jonson turned toward the nearby knights.
“Prepare two—no, one of the fastest Calibanite warhorses.
The Wizard and I need to reach Aldurukh immediately.”
Then she looked at Merlin.
“You’re coming with me.
I’m not good at dealing with those sanctimonious people.”
“Only one, my Lady?” one of the knights asked.
“That’s right.
One.”
“The rest of you, remain on high alert.
The Wizard and I will return soon.”
With a tone that left no room for argument, Lion El’Jonson pulled Merlin down from the ramparts.
“Do I really have to go too?”
“Yes.”
“Come with me.”
—If she wanted to investigate the secret behind that inexplicable curse, she needed to keep the Wizard close at all times.
Everything was for the sake of uncovering the truth.
In Lion El’Jonson’s eyes, there could be no secrets.
…
On the outskirts of Caliban, along the gravel road connecting the scattered human settlements, Luther led the knights of The Order home at a leisurely pace.
“If I’d known, I would’ve stayed in New Spring Town for the feast.
Then we wouldn’t have to hurry back while eating dry rations.”
One of the knights complained.
Luther’s excuse that they needed to return quickly because he was worried about Aldurukh’s defenses wasn’t particularly convincing.
Aldurukh, the stronghold of The Order, was the largest human settlement on Caliban.
It was defended by thousands of fully armed knights, an even greater number of squires, and the strongest fortifications available to them.
Unless every Great Beast on Caliban attacked at once, it was difficult to imagine anything seriously threatening Aldurukh.
“So why did we have to leave early?”
“Grand Master, you said before we came that this meeting was meant to strengthen our relationship with the Order of the Round Table.”
“…”
Luther remained silent under the knight’s questioning.
“You even told us that if your daughter were still alive, she might have grown up to be like Lion El’Jonson, inherited your legacy, and become a true knight.”
“Enough.”
Luther finally broke his silence.
“I misjudged her.
Lion El’Jonson is far more…
dangerous than I imagined.”
He had indeed taken an interest in Lion El’Jonson and the Wizard Merlin beside her and had even considered recruiting them.
But during his conversations with the two, Luther had encountered exactly what he feared most.
“Lion El’Jonson’s way of thinking is completely different from ours.”
“Different?
“Her thoughts…
don’t seem human.”
Luther’s expression became serious.
“I’m not jealous of her strength.
I’m talking about the way she thinks and the way she views humanity.
It’s as though she is some cold existence standing above humanity and looking down upon it.”
“Cruel.
Tyrannical.
And terrifyingly cold and rational.”
It was almost as though she truly knew that she was not an ordinary mortal, but part of some greater creation.
In the future, perhaps she would become like the Great Beasts, oppressing all the people of Caliban.
Only she would be even more ruthless, even more cruel, and even more efficient.
“I don’t trust her.”
“And I trust even less what she might do to us humans once the Great Beasts are gone.”
“Imagine what kind of bestiality she might unleash once the Wizard is no longer there to keep watch over her.”
“Sigh…”
Luther sighed and looked up at the darkening sky.
“She’s just like the universe above our heads—dark and indifferent.”
“The universe?
What’s that?”
The ancient records of The Order stated that the knights of Caliban had originally come from beyond the stars.
And according to ancient prophecy, once the Dark Angels descended upon this world, Caliban’s fate would already be sealed.
“Prophecy?
Grand Master, you’re becoming a little paranoid.”
“I agree that Lion El’Jonson may be arrogant and cold, but she’s hardly as evil as you’re making her sound.”
“Even if that really is her nature, I think the Wizard may be able to guide her onto the right path.”
“I hope so.
I hope so.”
Luther gave no definite answer.
Perhaps he really had become somewhat paranoid lately.
He wondered whether it had something to do with the nightmare that had been appearing again and again.
In the dream, he saw a daemon with a mechanical head and eyes burning with fire.
It grinned as it wielded a forging hammer, reshaping the planet Caliban beneath its blows.
He saw Caliban’s once-lush primeval forests twisted and transformed in the hands of that evil mechanical daemon, becoming a mechanical hell filled with endless torment and madness.
He saw many things.
He tried to struggle free of that hellish vision, but nothing worked.
The mechanical daemon merely let out a shrill, mocking laugh as it mercilessly whipped the wailing slave-creatures beneath its feet.
It was horrifying.
Luther didn’t know what the dream meant.
A revelation?
Or a warning?
But he had a vague feeling that if Lion El’Jonson were truly allowed to continue and completely unify Caliban…
Then a world defiled by steel, machinery, and daemons would be their future.
He didn’t know why he had reached that conclusion.
But Luther’s wariness toward Lion El’Jonson continued to deepen.
…
Luther and the knights continued along the gravel road at a leisurely pace.
He was still lost in thought.
Or were the prophecies and dreams genuinely warning him about what would happen in the future?
“Grand Master!”
“Look over there!”
At the knight’s shout, Luther immediately looked into the distance.
Blazing fire and thick smoke were rising into the night sky.
“Those are the Firekeepers’ warning beacons!”
“Aldurukh is under attack!”
“Something’s wrong…
Quick!
We need to get back immediately!”
Luther’s expression changed, and he urged his Calibanite warhorse into a full gallop.
How was this possible?
Aldurukh was considered nearly impregnable and had endured countless attacks, large and small.
What kind of assault could force the Firekeepers to raise a distress signal of this magnitude?
As Luther and the others drew closer, the scene at the edge of the battlefield filled him with dread.
“What happened here?
Where is everyone?!”
The plains outside the city were littered with the corpses of Great Beasts and human knights.
The battle had been far more brutal than Luther had imagined.
And yet everything seemed to have already ended.
Under the faint light of the night sky, the battlefield was silent.
Judging by the situation, the fighting was over and the survivors had already begun clearing the battlefield.
What on earth had happened?
The closer Luther came to the fortress, the more bodies he saw piled across the ground—humans and Great Beasts alike.
His heart sank further.
Had Aldurukh managed to hold?
What kind of monster could have attacked their city like this?
“I am Luther, Grand Master of The Order!”
Entering through the fortress gate, which had been damaged in several places, Luther shouted upward beneath the torchlight.
“What happened?!
Who attacked our fortress?!”
Rumble—
The heavy gate opened in response.
But the person who emerged was not the deputy Luther had left behind to defend the city.
It was Lion El’Jonson.
Her armor was stained with blood.
“Why are you here?!”
“You’re back, Luther.”
Lion El’Jonson looked at him with contempt.
“Unfortunately, you’re one step too late.”
Luther froze.
Then he understood.
He understood everything!
Those bastards!
They had used the meeting as bait to lure him away, then taken the opportunity to bring the Order of the Round Table here and seize Aldurukh!
“LION EL’JONSON!!!”
Luther roared, drew his blade, and slashed at her.
It really helps the fic grow!