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“Lukaus Custoria?”
“That… irregular? Wait a minute.”
The soldiers at the entrance to the checkpoint were confused. A veteran soldier standing behind me frowned when he saw me.
“If you’re going to the upper floors, do it alone and quietly, and don’t cause any trouble.”
A soldier who I knew came up to the yellow line. Of course, I had never spoken to him before. I literally only knew his face.
“I’m sorry, but I… … came here to cause trouble.”
I stared at him askance. The soldier frowned and went inside.
There was chaos at the entrance to the checkpoint. The soldiers were busy contacting their superiors. They had no idea what to do about me.
“Whaaaaaah! It’s Luca! The real Luca has appeared!”
“I knew you were on our side!”
Behind me, the protesters roared. Those who recognized me began to repeat my name. They chanted my name like waves.
Yes, I am the person who is in the news these days. If you are interested in gossip, you have probably heard my name at least once.
“Noble Hunter!”
“Luca! Luca!”
They called me Luca, not Lucas.
-My name is Lucius Custoria. Every citizen of the Empire is entitled to the protection of the Empire’s shield… … This is the right of the Imperial citizens proclaimed by His Majesty the First Emperor, Dino Kratzia.
Suddenly, a medium-sized hologram appeared inside the protest. Someone had filmed my words and actions and played them back as a hologram.
I, with my life-size proportions, repeatedly declared the rights of the imperial subjects. My voice spread far and wide.
Emboldened, the protesters gradually moved closer to the border. Each time, warnings to shoot grew fiercer.
Ta- ang! bang!
The soldiers fired into the air, causing the protesters to momentarily cower.
Thud, thud.
A man walked out from inside the checkpoint. I tried to access the upper network to confirm his identity.
Chijik.
My retina display was filled with static. My access to the upper network was gone. It seemed Kinuan had already taken care of it. It was now completely taken.
‘Lieutenant Colonel Schwell Cassert, probably Checkpoint 7 Commander.’
I looked at the man’s name tag and rank. If he was a lieutenant colonel, he would be the head of the checkpoint. And one of the badges on his chest was a golden sword. That meant he was from the Royal Guard. I guess I’m meeting my senior here.
chuck.
I gave a brief salute. Lieutenant Colonel Cassert also saluted me and walked to the border.
“Even for someone of such high reputation, this is an abuse of authority. No matter how great you may be, you are still just a cadet. It is not your place to interfere with the passage through the checkpoint. Well, that is pointless talk. You are not a fool who cannot understand this, so are you here to commit insubordination?”
How involved is Schwell Cassert in this situation?
Not all the military and the Royal Guards have rebelled against the Imperial Family. Rather, the majority are unaware of the current situation.
A very small number of people are cautiously taking the lead. Once the coup is successful, the neutral forces will naturally join the winner.
‘Most people probably understand the current situation as a simple riot and unrest.’
However, there are likely to be collaborators here and there who are secretly manipulating the situation to ensure the coup succeeds. Colonel Cassert could be one of those collaborators.
“I don’t want to rebel. I’m just representing the legitimate rights of the people of the empire. They want safety and protection. They’re not rioters.”
The right theory was flowing out of my mouth. However, the right theory is just the right theory. Reality cannot be overcome with the right theory. Naturally, I do not believe the right words I just uttered. They are just plausible excuses.
The reality is cruel. There are dark people hiding inside the protesters. They are just waiting for the opportunity to turn the protest into a riot. It would be wise not to let them in.
“The rioters are among them. The upper areas are not completely safe either. More than 30% of the district is under lockdown due to the riots. This is unprecedented. And… … .”
Lieutenant Colonel Cassert hesitated for a moment before communicating with someone. He took a step back and raised his hand.
“… …Lukaus Custoria. Your right of passage has just been taken away. If you cross that line, I will shoot. Please respect your life.”
It seemed like an order had been given from above.
The checkpoint’s security and defenses were strengthened. Soldiers lined up along a hundred-meter-long perimeter. The elevators and stairs behind them looked like a castle wall.
Kiing, kiing.
There was a heavy metal sound. It was a sound that even silenced the courage of the protesters. Those standing in the front line of the protesters all stepped back without fail.
‘Full armor Mirmidon.’
Two pitch-black armored corpses stepped forward. Compared to the Legion, they were merely called standard or mass-produced, but they were clearly one of the Empire’s most elite units.
The atmosphere changed with the appearance of the armored Mirmidon. The gun that the Mirmidon held was so large that it could be called a cannon. The muzzle was large enough to fit a human head. Its firepower was not enough to blow away a head, but to blow away a human whole.
“The sword of the empire is turning its blade on the people it is meant to protect.”
At my words, Lieutenant Colonel Cassert only laughed.
“No matter what you say, we will defend this place. That is my duty and theirs. Do you think the soldiers of the Empire are so easy that they turn their guns here and there because they are fooled by the words of a young punk? If the direction of the guns changed every time because of a few words filled with idealistic ideas, the Empire would have collapsed long ago. The reason the Empire was able to endure so firmly despite numerous threats is because of the heroes who silently stood their ground.”
The eyes of the soldiers who had been shaken by Lieutenant Colonel Cassert’s words changed. They realized their mission. A competent commander gives soldiers a good cause.
“We can’t just block it out.”
I said as I took a step closer. The Mirmidon’s muzzle was pointed at me.
“Even though you are a member of the Royal Guard, you are still so arrogant. Do you think you can break through this place with your own strength?”
I closed my eyes. I listened to the sound. It felt as if the hair on the back of my neck stood on end like antennae. It was as if I had developed a sense organ that I had never had before.
Swish.
I opened my eyes and looked behind me.
People were gathering despite the strong wind and rain. Even the elderly who had not participated in the protest were seen. One by one, people gathered together to form a huge stream.
“You can gather spilled water with your hand, but you cannot gather overflowing water.”
I can’t change the existing flow with my own strength. So I have to create a new flow and confront it.
The great flow of the crowd is difficult to control. Even I do not know what benefits and losses this flow will bring. I may be swept away to my death by the turbulence I created.
But I needed the confusion of not being able to read even an inch ahead. I had to take it even if it put me in danger.
In order to thrust a knife at the neck of a strong opponent from an inferior position, there must be a variable. The more difficult the variable, the greater the effect.
‘… … The great principle of Aki’s Victory.’
Always keep chaos by your side.
Kinuan’s state was like that. He was an uncertain being. He was both an ally and an enemy. He was weak and strong, and all his words and actions were truth and lies at the same time. Kinuan, who wore the armor of chaos, used possibility as his weapon.
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Compared to Kinuan, I’m still far behind. That’s natural. I’ve only just taken my first step.
Gulp.
I wiped the blood flowing from my nose with my thumb. The headache was becoming so chronic that it was almost too much trouble to mention.
“Come inside, Lucas. I’ll talk to you later.”
Sensing something was wrong, Lieutenant Colonel Cassert turned to the side to make way for me. The two Myrmidons also lowered their guns.
The size of the protesters was growing abnormally. They had gathered after hearing rumors that I would be confronted by soldiers at the checkpoint.
The crowd may think they gathered of their own accord, but they were led by my will.
‘Ilay is doing her job.’
The people that Ilay had planted in Akbaran were moving. My life-size hologram image was also filmed by the people that Ilay had planted.
Illei’s power and influence are not that great. Normally, Illei’s ability cannot create flow.
But now, he could create a flow with his own strength. The country was created at the center. With just a slight push, the flow grew like a snowball rolling on its own.
‘My role is important now.’
Since Eli had pushed, it was my turn to roll.
“According to the orders from above, I cannot go inside, right?”
“… … That is within my discretion. If you refuse to come in, I will take you in by force.”
It was a tense situation. The protesters could turn into rioters at any moment. And the size of the protesters was growing. Soon, they would overflow and become uncontrollable.
“It would be difficult to force them to do anything without killing me.”
I put my fingers on the hilt of the knife, and put my other hand inside my coat as if I were going to pull out a pistol.
I shifted my focus. My five senses ignored the protesters. Their shouts and curses were cut off and disappeared.
… … It’s quiet.
My eyes and ears were focused solely on the soldiers. Their arms and hands kept twitching. At first glance, they seemed to be waiting for orders.
But the soldiers’ emotional signals were clear signs of agitation and fear.
The soldiers at the checkpoint had no qualms about committing ‘mass killings’. Even children were mixed in among the protesters. Even the elderly had gathered in the hope that they would be able to enter the upper areas.
“If the water is overflowing, there is no need to collect it. No, there is no need to collect polluted water.”
Lieutenant Colonel Cassert muttered, his pupils glowing eerily.
Damn, as expected from someone who was a former Royal Guard, he’s quick to make decisions.
chuck!
Lieutenant Colonel Cassert raised his hand and ordered the soldiers to prepare to fire. The soldiers raised their guns with difficulty and aimed them at the protesters.
“Tsk, I guess we should drive them out before the herd gets any bigger. It can’t be helped.”
Lieutenant Colonel Cassert sighed and drew his pistol. If his superiors lead by example, Imperial soldiers will pull the trigger even if they don’t feel like it.
‘We need to buy more time.’
At first, I was only going to confront them. My goal was to maintain this situation and spur the crowd of protesters.
But Lieutenant Colonel Cassert was no pushover.
A small sacrifice prevents a great sacrifice. Even if a few hundred people die here, it is better than a mob of thousands or tens of thousands.
This would be Lieutenant Colonel Cassert’s judgment.
‘It’s difficult to break through the checkpoint with just my bare hands.’
Guarding the checkpoint are Lieutenant Colonel Cassert and his soldiers, as well as two Mirmidons.
My doubly divided tactical thinking formulated a battle plan. A head-on confrontation was impossible. I had to capture Lieutenant Colonel Cassert and take him hostage.
‘But Lieutenant Colonel Cassert would rather die than be taken hostage. He’ll tell you to kill him.’
The following accident negated the success of the plan. A better plan must be devised.
‘We must continue the standoff while preventing massacre.’
No suitable method came to mind right away.
And I used up all the time that was given to me.
Creak.
Lieutenant Colonel Cassert was pulling the trigger. He was aiming at the protesters, not me.
Key- Ing!
My hand moved as well. My cruciate slightly crossed the line and I swung my pistol diagonally.
Thud!
The bullet tore through the air. The pistol spun around in pieces before falling to the ground.
I didn’t make any additional attacks. If I cut down Lieutenant Colonel Cassert’s body, there would be no conversation and we would immediately enter a combat situation.
“As expected from his reputation, he is quick and sharp.”
“It should be better than someone who retired from active duty in the Royal Guard.”
If only the circumstances had not been like this, we could have had a nice conversation.
Swish.
Lieutenant Colonel Cassert stepped back without saying anything else. He raised his hand next to the Myrmidon. The Myrmidon’s muzzle pointed forward.
When Lt. Col. Cassert lowers his hands, high-powered projectiles will begin.
‘There is no other way.’
We have to fight. If the protesters disperse or are neutralized here, I’m finished.
I prepared for the fight by pulling up the output.
Wow!
At that moment, the sound of an engine echoed through the sky. An air vehicle was flying at incredible speed.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on the aerial vehicle.
Kiiing!
The aerial vehicle staggered and even shook. It even crashed into a tall building.
It was a very unstable flight. The no-fly order was not issued for nothing. If there had been as many aerial vehicles as usual, there would have been a series of major accidents.
The aerial vehicle, which had passed through the wind and rain, was close enough to the ground to be clearly visible to the naked eye. The aerial vehicle was unable to land.
The underside of the aerial vehicle, which was maintaining a precarious flight, opened and someone descended as if falling. The first thing that was visible was a crimson cloak.
Lieutenant Colonel Cassert and I realized the situation faster than anyone else. We knelt on one knee and saluted.
Kuung!
His magnificent cloak fluttered as if defying the heavy rain and gravity. The yellow border cracked beneath his feet as he landed.
“Jin, the Crimson Crown Prince?”
People were shouting in the front ranks of the protesters. They were swearing rudely, forgetting even to be polite.
Francesca Kratzia appeared in this place. His pupils were golden and glowed with majesty.
