Golden Cross: Chapter 5
Chapter 5. By the Brotherhood’s Name (2)
Pazzzzz! Kwang!
Whenever something flashed as light split, a group of three or four troops fell at once and they couldn’t move. They were dying even before learning what hit them. Eugene, too, felt fear now. Although he was a provost level swordsman, he knew nothing about magic. He was sure that his master Manuel would know how to defend against lightning, but Eugene did not know what to do.
Pa-aang!
At the enemy regiment on the hill, there was a sudden fiery explosion. As there was also great magician on our side in the Black Regiment, almost 50 enemy troops were burned to death from the flame of fire, at once.
“Whoaaaah!”
Our side’s morale went through the roof upon seeing that.
Suddenly, military songs broke out from here and there.
“The storm of the Black Regiment! It will tear up anyone! Tear up! The storm of the Black Regiment!”
The Black Regiment marched forward as they sang their powerful, confident regiment song. More and more troops lost their lives as the distance from the enemy forces on the hill narrowed. Paang! Tang! Taang!
The sounds of the shells from the rifles hitting the metallic plates were loud. The strong troops kept marching forward in formation with their long spears in hand even after the rifle shells hit them all over their bodies. Watching this scene play out, Eugene couldn’t help, but have respect for them. War was not won or lost simply by an individual’s power. Although the long spearmen were weaker, compared to Eugene, what they were demonstrating in this battle was professional and fierce.
“Whoaaaah!”
As the regiments neared each other, the sounds of screams and gun cracking became louder. Although the Black Regiment at the lower end of the hill was disadvantaged, they held up stubbornly well and they ultimately reached their enemy’s line. The gun men, now, fired their guns at each other in close proximity.
“Long spearmen, push forward!”
At the order of the regimental commander who was at the forefront, the seasoned older troops began the ‘push the pike’ maneuver. The long spears that were pointed to the sky were lowered pointing forward, and they pushed forward by mercilessly piercing their enemies. As the enemy troops also pushed forward with their long spears, there were loud noises of long spears, crashing into each other.
Thakthathathak-thathathak- Thak-.
“Kr-ahh!”
A troop that was at the forefront sat down screaming as his eye was poked by a spear. As the battle between the long spearmen ensued, the gun men retraced back to fire their guns. The thick black gun powder’s smell was nauseating that it almost made him vomit.
Then from the enemy line, a group of swordsmen jumped out, holding two-hand-held swords. They were double-paid mercenaries of the White forces, and it seemed that they have been hiding, beyond the hills, until now.
“Stop them!”
The double-paid mercenaries from our side immediately sprang forward as well. The most important task in a battle for the double-paid mercenaries was to play the part of the assault squadron against the enemy trenches, and demolish the long spearmen’s blockade. The great two-hand-held sword was also designed with the purpose of destroying the thick long spears that are held by the long spearmen. The double-paid mercenaries’ expected maneuver was to jump forward, and penetrate the enemy line by attacking the long spearmen’s flanks, as the two opposing groups of long spearmen were engaged in an active fight.
Chang! Chang! Chang!
As there were sufficient numbers of double-paid mercenaries on both sides, they were swinging their swords at each other, unable to attack the opponent’s long spearmen. Eugene, too, immediately sprang forward and engaged.
“In the brother’s name!”
Eugene yelled out the slogan of the St. Marco’s Brotherhood to announce his belonging as he rushed forward. There were 7 emperor certified sword schools, and there existed many more uncertified sword schools. As a result, the double-paid mercenaries had many different school memberships.
“My sword wants it!”
Then one swordsman, appearing to be very seasoned, sprang forward in front of Eugene who was running. Based on his slogan, he was a member of the ‘Lendal Friends of the Sword’, for sure. They, too, were certified by the emperor, and they were tough opponents as the high skilled ones were able to even bring about lightning. Of course, those with such skill levels wouldn’t be participating in the war, but the swordsmen of the Friends of the Sword usually commanded hedonistic sword skills.
“Ye-yahhhhhht!”
The opponent swung his sword with a monster scream, and he was fittingly, being a member of the Friends of the Sword, used a long sword, rather than a two-hand-held sword. In fact, the long sword, too, was a heavy weapon, reaching 1.2 meters in length, but in the situation where two-hand-held swords made up the main choice of weapons, it was comparatively a faster weapon. Chang! Chang! Chang!
On top of that, he practiced hedonist sword skills. His incoming horizontal attack, targeting both temples, was truly as fast as lightning.
Truly, if he had been a Ritter level, he would have been flustered. However, Eugene was a Provost.
“Too weak! Kraaahap!”
With the self disciplining yelling sound as that of a wolf, Eugene countered with a series of astoundingly fast attack moves. That speed was incredibly much faster than the opponent’s hedonistic sword maneuvers.
“No, it’s impossible!”
Having barely defended against Eugene’s sword, the opponent was in awe. If an attack was made against him by executing the same speed attack with a two-hand-held sword as with the long sword, the result would already have been predetermined.
The swordsman of the Lendal Friends of the Sword keenly knew that his sword was shorter and lighter than his opponent’s. That has been the advantageous point, up to now, but by Eugene’s hedonistic sword skill, that has become his weakness, instead.
“Isn’t the Brotherhood known for sword skill with electrical power!”
Eugene gave him the right answer to his question.
“You and I are on different levels!”
Chu-aaang!
In the end, unable to withstand the pressure of the two-hand-held sword, the long sword broke off. The broken blade staked into the ground as it fell after spinning at incredible speed. The opponent stood mindlessly with the half of the broken sword in his hand.
“…..It’s my mistake for not recognizing your skill.”
“Do not resent me.”
After briefly responding, Eugene immediately swung the sword horizontally. To cause a powerful slashing, his body was instinctively bent in a bow shape. As Eugene swung the two-hand-held sword, everything came into his view in slow motion. He realized that he was about to make his first kill, and this moment has left a deep impression in Eugene’s mind. Slosh-.
The two-hand-held sword’s blade which had the natural elasticity jiggled in its reaction to the blade passing through the victim’s vertebrae. At the moment the opponent has been completely severed, Eugene saw the fat of his victim on his sword flashing in the sunlight.
Whirl!
After that, the time returned to normal and like a fountain, blood spewed out of the severed waist of the swordsman. Eugene calmly dried the blood off of his face. He has already expected that such moment would arrive when he had decided to join the war. Hence, he has neither feared, nor hesitated. He was a human after all, so he was most likely be impacted by this, but Eugene pushed those thoughts out to future time after the war, and sought out for another opponent.
“By the Brother’s name!”
He yelled out the slogan again, and executing the ‘lion’s walk’ this time, he rushed after another swordsman. Unable to put up any meaningful resistance to the surprise attack, the enemy swordsman, who was in the middle of a battle against one of the friendly swordsmen, fell to the ground.
“Eugene!”
Then a team leader of the double-paid mercenaries called his name. The team leader was a member of the Rose Swordsmen Society, and he was almost a provost.
“Please speak!”
“The side is in danger! Go clear them bastards!”
When Eugene looked at the area as pointed by the team leader, he saw four enemy double-paid mercenaries wielding the two-hand-held swords at the friendly long spearmen. As the long spearmen weren’t able to point the long spears towards the double-paid mercenaries, they were simply getting slaughtered. Over 20 men have already fallen to the ground, and there were litters of broken and shattered long spears being piled up on the ground.
“Ah, Aaaahk! Help me!”
When he ran over there to investigate, Eugene saw Maxen, Harrison, and Kunadal who he had run-ins with him earlier were also being attacked. Paack!
With a powerful single strike of the two-hand-held sword, wooden pole of the spear, thicker than 5 centimeters in diameter, broke off. If they were ordinary swordsmen, the best they could have done would be to bend the spear poles, but since the double-paid mercenaries were all Ritters, they had no trouble breaking apart the spear poles.
“Aaahk!”
Although the long spearman who was next to Maxen fought back drawing the accessory sword from his waist hoister, but he was killed in an instant. The horrifying two-hand-held swords of the double-paid mercenaries ripped through a part of the breastplates before wreaking havoc on his flash.
“No!”
When Maxen who was the next in line to be attacked screamed out, Eugene who was running toward them executed the lion’s walk skill, and got to Maxen. He looked as if he had instantly teleported the short distance. At the moment of Eugene’s appearance with a flash of light, his two-hand-held sword was swung again. One of the double-paid mercenaries urgently turned back, feeling the danger, but he was too late to defend against Eugene’s strike. He fell to the ground with a slashing wound from his shoulder to his navel.
“Careful! He is different!”
The three other double-paid mercenaries who were slicing up the long spearmen nervously held their two-hand-held swords as they stared at Eugene. Although it was 1 vs. 3, they recognized Eugene’s skills, and were not in a hurry to engage. Eugene, too, was not foolish enough to thoughtlessly launch at the three Ritters who were tensely standing there. As they were reading each other for a suspended moment of time, an incoming shell from somewhere crushed through the head of the double-paid mercenary who was positioned at the front. There were so many Reiters firing their guns right now, it wasn’t unusual to get blindly killed by some stray bullets like this, at all.
“Yeehaap!”
In that moment, Eugene catapulted forward using the lion’s walk.
“Not good enough!”
The opponent boldly approached with a vertical swing. His intention was to split Eugene up in half instantly, but Eugene wasn’t someone who would easily fall for it. Even as he was executing the incredibly fast walk skill, Eugene was able to move to the opposite side of the direction of the opponent’s movement, and countered with a ‘break and slice’ skill as he swung. It was truly a graceful attack that could be seen in all battles.
“Aaaahk!”
The opponent’s arm detached off as he screamed. Maxen, who was watching Eugene while he held his long spear in his hand, was startled stiff as a man’s severed arm fell on his face.
“Darn! O, god!”
And even before Maxen finished shuddering, Eugene took down his last opponent.
“Kr-aahk!”
He, too, couldn’t do anything against Eugene other than fall to the ground with a single scream. Having recomposed himself briefly, Eugene quickly surveyed the situation. White smoke from the black powder filled the area, and the two opposing regiments were pretty much on even footings as far as the battle was going.
‘What should I do?’
Eugene felt a sudden jolt of shock when he fell into a brief thought. His vision became dark, and the scenery shook greatly. And in his ear…
‘Kaaaanggg!’
A sound of metallic cracking noise filled his ear.
“Cough!”
When he came back to his senses with a cough, he found himself on the ground. He couldn’t breathe for a while as there was so much pain in his chest.
“Damn!”
Hurriedly checking over himself, he realized that a bullet hit his breastplate, leaving cracks that looked like a spider web. He must have fallen and rolled on the ground several times from the shock of it. Fortunately however, Eugene’s breastplate was a quality certified one with over 4 millimeters in thickness. Although there were some cracks, the bullet did not penetrate through. Letting out a sigh of relief, he stood up off the ground. Although he was feeling pain in his body, his agility has not been compromised.
“Will pay you back.”
Thanks to his unseemly fall to the ground, he now knew exactly what to do.
The most important task at this time was to demolish the heavy gunners who were positioned on that hill. Eugene immediately ran to the friendly double-paid mercenaries. It was a very good time for them as they have just chased away the enemy’s double-paid mercenaries.
“Everyone, follow me! This is the best time to demolish the enemy’s heavy gunners!”
Having have just defeated the enemy double-paid mercenaries, the double-paid mercenaries of the Black regiment instantly came to life. And then they realized that the gunners which Eugene was pointing to would become their attractive preys. Although the heavy gunners were 50 meters away for their safety, all that the Ritter level double-paid mercenaries had to endure, based on their agility and speed, was a single iteration of baptism of shells.
“Kid. That’s a good proposal!”
“Let’s go! We can win if we can demolish them!”
“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa!”
When Eugene pointed to a good target, everyone’s morale was boosted. There were a lot of double-paid mercenaries in the Black regiment. That was why they were able to suppress the opposing double-paid mercenaries with ease. Of course, many would lose their lives during the charge. However, if tens of them were to get close then those heavy gunners would fall into chaos and become confused. The only weapon that a long gunner held was a short sword on his waist hoister. For the double-paid mercenaries who could wield the two-hand-held sword as if it was one’s own body part, they were easier preys than gentle sheep. Eugene yelled loudly to everyone.
“Let’s hurry! If the long spearmen block us by reading our intention, we’ll lose our chance!”
If the double-paid mercenaries’ intention to charge was read by the long spearmen, they would mobilize to protect the gunners. And the gunners would also try to run and hide behind the long spearmen, as well. Right now, in which time the two opposing long spearmen were fiercely engaged in a fight, was the best time as they were preoccupied. Hanging his two-hand-held sword on his shoulder, he lowered his body and dashed forward with all his might. He also performed the lion’s walk skill during that charge that he was repeatedly unseen and seen again, as he approached them.
“Whoaaaaaah! Let’s show them the power of the sword!”
“My sword seeks blood!”
After him, several tens of double-paid mercenaries followed, holding their two-hand-held swords.
“Load and get ready!”
Hence, the commander of the opposition’s heavy gunners felt pressured. He had to have his unit ready for the double-paid mercenaries charge, much earlier. However, as they were engaged in shooting combat against the opposing long gunners, he did not have the time to pay attention to the double-paid mercenaries who were fighting in the middle. On top of that, as he knew that they normally fought against the long spearmen, it did not even cross his mind that they would come after his unit.
“S**t! I’ve made a big mistake!”
The heavy gunners, next to the officer, were barely able to move their hands as their hands shook. Some of them even dropped the black gun powder as they became jolted by the rushing double-paid mercenaries while they were loudly yelling.
“Fools! Wake up!”
The officer howled at them.
“The double-paid mercenaries can easily be killed with a single shot! Got it?”
“Yes!”
“All at ready!”
Following the command, the heavy gunners placed their guns on the gun stools. Being on a tightrope, the commander hurriedly ordered.
“Fire!”
“Pang! Papaang! Pang! Pang-pang!”
The two hundred or so guns that were pointing straight ahead spewed out fire at the same time. The readied heavy guns all fired at once. From those powerful shots, several tens of the rushing double-paid mercenaries were perished before their time.
“Kr-aaaahk!”
“Aaahk!”
They were all skilled swordsmen with over 10 years of training under their belts, but it was of no use before the power of guns. The two-hand-held swords, losing its owners, flew up in the air from the impact. The swords which spun in the air then fell, staking into the ground and shaking, and they looked sad as if it has just lost its lover. According to the swordsmen, the sword was like his woman and wife. Thus, rather than the name of two-hand-held sword, they were also called the ‘bride of battlefield’. At this moment, many swords have lost their owner and lover. However, the officer who was observing the situation unfold did not look satisfied. In fact he turned bluer.
“No, no!”
The problem was that about 20 double-paid mercenaries have survived and were rushing towards him. Some were bleeding from their bodies, but their morale didn’t look broken, at all.
“Blood for blood! Strike them!”
“Whoaaaaaah!”
One swordsman, among them, noticeably came into their views. Whenever his image disappeared, he would reappear 5 meters ahead from the last spot where he was seen, and perhaps, that might have been the reason why he didn’t even have a single scratch on him, despite the baptism of concurrent gun shots.
“Aaaaaahk!”
And when that young swordsman disappeared again, a powerful two-hand-held sword came swinging down on the officer’s head.
“By the Brotherhood’s name!”