Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 8

Chapter 8: There Are Times When You Have to Make Some Noise
  『Claude!』
  『Roger!』
  
  Without needing to be told, Claude twists the handle of the Thunder Spear with his Clawsolas’ right palm, connects the fuse to the explosive-filled spearhead, and dashes out in a low stance as swift as lightning.
  
  His aim is the right forelimb of the Earth Dragon, which has shifted its attention to the damaged Clawsolas 2. He unleashes a spear thrust, putting all his acceleration and the Clawsolas’ weight behind it!
  
  『Uoooooh!』
  “Guh!?”
  
  The spearhead deeply pierces the thick limb of the target, which reacted only a moment too late. The tip explodes inside the flesh, blowing away one of its four limbs.
  
  “Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
  
  Unable to support its massive body, the Earth Dragon collapses with a scream. The Hellfire breath that spills from its maw spreads along the ground, lightly scorching the armor of the giant knight that had leaped back immediately after the attack.
  
  『Hot!?』
  『Kyau!』
  
  Claude’s body, synchronized with the Clawsolas, feels the heat of the flames, and he involuntarily grimaces.
  
  While thinking that the sensory link is both an advantage and a disadvantage, he throws away the broken Thunder Spear, quickly draws his iron sword, and holds it at his hip. He charges at the struggling Earth Dragon, ramming it with the Clawsolas and thrusting the sword into its forehead.
  
  “Gah… Giii, Iaaaaaaaaaah!”
  『Uo!』
  
  He feels the sensation of piercing the skull and penetrating the brain. However, the Earth Dragon violently shakes its head, flinging him away. But it seems to have been its last stand, as the dragon-type Aberration soon collapses to the ground, lifeless.
  
  『D-did we… take down a large dragon-type on our own?』
  『No, it’s because its attention was focused on Lloyd and Eleia.』
  
  『Well, it’s a little easier to accept if you put it that way…』
  『Onii-sama is destroying the core of the Spirit Gate, so he has the greatest achievement!』
  
  Claude inwardly praises Eleia, who never forgets to be considerate of her brother, and moves to their side, kneeling on one knee with the Clawsolas.
  
  This Clawsolas 4 has also been damaged by the flames that scorched some of its artificial muscles. It’s not unscathed, but they’ve managed to overcome the immediate crisis.
  
  『…It’ll be a problem if another large-type emerges from around here.』
  『Hey, don’t say such things!』
  
  『Well, the remaining large-types are being handled by the Captain and the others.』
  『…Either way, it’s better to leave this place. Lend me a hand, Claude-dono.』
  
  In their current state, with both Clawsolas damaged, even medium-sized or smaller Aberrations could pose a threat. So, Claude helps Clawsolas 2 stand up and they retreat from the rocky area near the water source, hiding themselves in the Great Forest.
  
  After keeping a safe distance and observing the situation for a while, a horde of Aberrations, lacking any large-types, comes fleeing from the direction of the main force. Two Clawsolas and cavalry soldiers follow in pursuit.
  
  As they charge into the rocky area and take control of the situation, Claude and Revia slowly approach Clawsolas 1, which is standing still, gazing at the remains of the Earth Dragon Drake.
  
  『Whoa, Lloyd, your Clawsolas is a wreck! And Claude’s is wounded too… Hmm, but if you defeated the Spirit Gate and the dragon-type, it’s a small price to pay.』
  
  『I’m sorry, Xenos-sama… I caused moderate damage to the Clawsolas 2 that was entrusted to me.』
  
  Xenos interrupts his apologetic subordinate with a wave of his hand, his voice filled with frustration and exasperation.
  
  『Clawsolas 5 had its belly bitten by a Disaurs and is completely destroyed, don’t worry about it.』
  『…What about Rudick and Milia?』
  
  Lloyd asks in a voice that suppresses his emotions as much as possible. The Captain shakes his Clawsolas’ head slightly from side to side.
  
  『I don’t know. There’s no way to check during battle. We left the infantry and magician units behind. By now, the maintenance crew should have arrived and are probably trying to pry open the hatch… but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.』
  
  『No way…』
  
  Revia’s voice, laced with agitation, reaches Claude’s ears. He’s reminded of the simple truth that casualties are inevitable in war. Then, his pseudo-eyeballs catch sight of Clawsolas 3 holding a dull-colored lump that has been broken into appropriately sized pieces.
  
  『Fragments of the floating polyhedron…』
  『Yeah, the White Fox Lady is eager to get her hands on them. She said she absolutely needs them.』
  
  Following the Captain’s instructions, seemingly based on the principle of owing favors, they collect several fragments. Then, Cavalry Captain Aldo approaches on horseback and shouts towards Clawsolas 1.
  
  “Captain, it seems like the Aberrations have fled towards the border! What are we going to do?”
  『If they’re going somewhere else, we don’t care. Let’s retreat.』
  
  “Understood!”
  
  As soon as he replies, the Cavalry Captain draws a single-shot breech-loading signal pistol from the holster at his waist, raises it above his head, and fires a grass-green smoke grenade.
  
  Without much delay, the hundred or so cavalry soldiers who were guarding the area around the rocky terrain gather beneath the Clawsolas and begin to retrace their steps, leading the way.
  
  Observing the scout soldiers who are properly mixed in with the horsemen, they too have accomplished their objective and rejoin the following infantry and maintenance crew… There, they are informed of the deaths of Clawsolas 5’s dedicated knight and mage.
  
  After tending to the wounded and holding a memorial service for all the fallen, including the other casualties, a somewhat lavish dinner and a moderate amount of alcohol are served. Everyone celebrates each other’s safety and valiant efforts as if to dispel the gloom.
  
  “We can’t get through this without making some noise… It’s a harsh world.”
  “But if we don’t fight, we’ll just be waiting to die, right?”
  
  Revia’s words, spoken as she sips her fruit wine like a small animal, ring true. There must have been people on Earth who risked their lives for their country and its people, too.
  
  As Claude looks around at the soldiers gathered around the bonfire, enjoying the company of their comrades, he pays them his utmost respect. Then, Revia suddenly offers him a skewer of chicken… essentially yakitori.
  
  “This is really delicious. Eleia brought it over.”
  
  “Excuse me for interrupting, Claude-sama.”
  “Thanks for your help earlier. It was pretty dangerous.”
  
  The silver-haired siblings, holding plates and wooden mugs in their hands, join them. The somewhat lively night gradually deepens. Then, they spend a whole day on emergency repairs for the Clawsolas. Having fulfilled their duty, the Lizel Knights begin their journey back to the royal capital, Asia.