Chapter 92: | 092 | War For Liberation Part 11: Destruction
In the interior of the plantation colony, Servusarator. Amidst the weakening storm of the fading night, a crimson radiance gleamed over the land. Turbulent flames shrouded the black plains with a fiery light threatening to consume all.
It was a horrifying sight to see, akin to a scene from hell itself.
Within the all-devouring fire, rubbles of a building stood with wreckage and ashes surrounding it. It was none other than the central barracks of Servusarator.
It was the final line of defense separating the central and the western sides of the island. With its devastation, the rebellion was free to expand its tendrils to the west.
"So that is the Sierra Strike… Horrifying." Espada mumbled under his breath while gazing upon the destruction brought about by the United Navy.
In a mere instant, a formidable fortress became a crimson hell.
It was the first for Espada to see such power firsthand. Even though he had heard rumors about god-like humans, it was different to see a heaven-defying power personally.
For some reason, it gave him a sense of dread. Despair, hopelessness, and fear.
Fortunately for the beastfolk, though… At the very least, these humans from the United Navy were on their side. Not against them. Otherwise, no matter how much Minokins they fill into the rebellion. It would be instantly destroyed in one single moment.
"Now that we have taken care of the barracks. We should be free to head towards the western fortification in Point A." First Lieutenant Campbell stopped observing the inferno stranded in the night and wanted to continue their mission.
"How many clicks do we have to go through before reaching our target?" Campbell questioned his subordinates as they had a time limit until the arrival of the Spear of Longinus.
"There should be 70 clicks in the distance, Sir. Point A is in the far reach of the western side. It should take a couple of hours until we reach the designated target." The Marine explained to the first lieutenant, who nodded in understanding.
"Alright, let's go and not waste time. We don't want the landing to be unknowingly delayed." First Lieutenant Campbell slowly walked out of their position, headed towards the far west.
The Marines followed their first lieutenant, while Espada only glanced at them. His sight never left the fiery inferno as he wanted to ingrain such power inside his mind.
After taking his time, Espada finally turned his attention to the leaving Marines and followed. There was still a liberation that needed to be done.
As the group walked through the plains and near the devastation, they could feel the warmth of the inferno not so far from them.
Espada watched the flames with interest, trying to find something from them. But it was at this moment, he realized something crucial. The giant Minokin noticed that no bodies of the guards could be seen. There was nothing other than fire.
There were no armors to honor, corpses to respect, and any remains that could be cried upon. It was tragic, but the giant Minokin wasn't affected by it.
He would have done the same if he had the power to do so.
The group walked past the devastated barracks and continued on their journey westward.
While walking along the plantation, the giant Minokin noticed a lone wooden carriage. Espada looked at it for a second before an idea emerged inside his mind.
"Sir Campbell, do you desire transportation?" Espada inquired of the first lieutenant who was leading the Alpha Vanguard Task Force.
Campbell stopped walking and looked back at the giant Minokin with a raised eyebrow. He wondered what Espada was trying to say or do.
He then noticed the giant Minokin looking in a certain direction. The first lieutenant followed Espada's eyes and saw a lone wooden carriage. It was then he realized what the giant Minokin meant.
"Are you sure you wish to do so?" Campbell questioned since the capabilities of the Minokin to easily drag carriages and plows were the primary reasons for their enslavement.
It would be strange for the Alpha Vanguard Task Force to demand such actions from recently liberated slaves.
Fortunately for the task force, though. Espada was a rational Minokin who was willing to set grievances aside to do the job. Regardless of his personal thoughts about being used as transportation or a tool, there was something that he needed to do and that was to liberate.
The faster the Alpha Vanguard Task Force reached the west. The better their chances of victory and liberation would be. It was simple logic.
"If I have to for the sake of liberation. I shall do so. This isn't the time to let feelings take over one's decisions." Espada responded to the first lieutenant with his rough voice.
Hearing the determined words of the giant Minokin, First Lieutenant Campbell had no choice but to accept the offer. He glanced at his men and ordered them to head to the wooden carriage.
"Get in that wooden carriage. Our ally, Espada, will be helping us with transport."
Following his orders, the Marines swiftly got into the wooden carriage as Espada walked in front of it. He saw the ropes tied to the wooden carriage and couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
To think that he would be offering humans to get transported by him. A lot has changed in the darkness of the night. Whether it was good or not remains to be seen.
'I can't believe this.' He quietly thought to himself, though a smile slightly emerged from his thick lips.
With all of the Marines inside the wooden carriage, the giant Minokin began pulling it and rushing onward. The wooden carriage shook as the Marines held on tightly to its railings.
In mere seconds, they began moving at over 70 kilometers per hour. It was pretty fast when compared to the usual carriages.
Through the speed they had, it shouldn't take long before they reach their destination.
Meanwhile…
In the governor's manor somewhere in the interior of the plantation. Mercedes walked towards Laplace who was lounging on one of the pillars in the hall. She turned her head upward and saluted the dragoness before reporting the news from outside.
"The Bravo Vanguard Task Force has almost liberated the eastern side of the island. On the other hand, the Alpha Vanguard Task Force is nearing the western fortification."
Mercedes softly uttered while the dragoness maintained her uncaring expression. Though she remained aloof on the outside, the dragoness had thoughts on the inside.
'It looks like Operation Phantom Liberation is nearing its completion. News from the Port of Dawn has also come up. The Spear of Longinus has set sail, and it shouldn't take long before they arrive near the shores of the island.'
To think that an entire island could be conquered in less than a day. If it was through the Revolting Tide, this plantation would cost them over a week and thousands of lives.
'I wasn't wrong in joining them.' Laplace thought to herself as the edges of her lips slightly rose. But before she could enjoy her time atop the pillar, her eyebrows rose as she noticed something.
Mercedes's wolf ears also straightened and pointed toward a particular direction. She looked at the dragoness's cold eyes and realized what was to come.
"Enemies have sent their reinforcements, Lady Laplace. There should be about two hundred of them heading towards the manor. Do you want us to handle it?" Mercedes inquired, wanting to know the dragoness's answers.
Laplace thought about it for a short while before shaking her head. It would be a waste of time and annoyance if she decided to let her subordinates handle the reinforcing army from the outside.
"I'll handle it, Mercedes," Laplace uttered with a soft yet commanding tone. She slowly stood up from the massive marble pillar and stretched her limbs.
"It seems that they don't understand who they are fighting against. Their formation is tight, a perfect target for a blast" She remarked while her golden irises glowed with dimmed radiance.
After stretching her body, the dragoness disappeared from the spot, leaving the hall behind.
Mercedes could only watch and sigh at the display of power. Even though she believed that her lady was a beastfolk like her. The difference between a beastfolk and a deity was still significant.
"Lady Laplace should be able to handle it." The second in command muttered silently while gazing through the windows where a massacre would soon emerge.
Outside of the manor, Laplace stood on the rooftop with her gaze pointing at the approaching reinforcing army. It seems that they came from the town and were trying to take back the manor from what they presume as rebels.
With the amount of soldiers they had, any rebellion would have been crushed beneath their feet. Unfortunately for them, though. The United Navy was involved, along with herself.
"Let's start using my newly-gained blessings." Laplace grinned as electrostatics escaped the confines of her body. They surged outside like a wave, causing lightning to crack in the heavens.
*BANG!*
The entirety of the manor and its surroundings flashed. Its radiance unveiled the incoming army of reinforcements heading towards her direction.
She looked at them with a cold expression and ordered the heavens above.
"Strike them down! Don't leave anything or anyone behind!"
Her words roared throughout the night skies, causing dozens of lightning bolts to crackle in an instant.
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
The thunder shrouded the entirety of the night skies, setting the night ablaze with unrivaled brilliance.
The soldiers of the reinforcing army could only look up as hundreds of lightning bolts descended from the dark heavens.