章 14: The Attack on the Capital 2
The sky above the Clover Kingdom's capital was filled with thick, dark smoke, rising in spirals and mixing with the orange glow of flames that spread rapidly across buildings and alleyways. In the middle of the chaos stood a figure, his long, unkempt hair falling around a face twisted in madness, an eyepatch covering one eye. His lips parted in a wide, toothy grin as he laughed, the sound cutting through the air like a blade.
"Hahahaha! Break it! Break it all! Burn this place to the ground!" he cackled, his voice echoing through the burning streets. Around him, waves of undead soldiers—rotting, hollow-eyed corpses wrapped in decayed armor—shambled and lunged at the terrified citizens, who scrambled in every direction to escape. The capital guards tried to form defensive lines, but even their combined strength was barely holding off the relentless swarm. People screamed, children clinging to their parents, desperate to flee the horrors around them.
"Mama, help!" cried a young boy, clutching his mother's hand as she dragged him toward a narrow alley, her face pale with terror. All around them, people tripped and stumbled, pushed forward by the crowds or held back by the crush of panicked citizens. A man reached for his fallen daughter, his hand trembling as he tried to pull her to safety. In the faces of the fleeing citizens, fear was etched deeply, their eyes wide and frantic as they struggled to evade the claws of the undead, whose hungry groans filled the air.
The man with the eyepatch, watching the chaos unfold, seemed to revel in it, lifting his arms as if conducting an orchestra of destruction. "Any country that doesn't recognize my worth is just asking to be razed! Let's see you ignore me now, Clover Kingdom!" he sneered, his laughter bubbling over again. His voice carried through the smoke and flames as he taunted the absent Magic Knights, daring them to come out of hiding. "You think you're tougher than me, don't you? Show yourselves! Come on, Magic Knights! Let's see how tough you really are!"
Meanwhile, back in the grand hall of the royal palace, a tense silence filled the room before being shattered by the urgent arrival of a messenger. "The capital is under attack!" he shouted, his face flushed with panic.
The nobles, captains, and guards in the hall froze, their faces shifting from shock to horror. Some stood abruptly from their seats, while others exchanged panicked glances, voices overlapping in disbelief. "An attack? Here, in the heart of the capital?" muttered one of the captains, clenching his fists.
"This is impossible!" another noble exclaimed, struggling to maintain composure. The entire hall was abuzz with murmurs and gasps, each person grappling with the gravity of the situation. This was the capital—the very heart of the Clover Kingdom, now overrun by a madman and his army of undead.
Amid the frantic discussion, a member of the Golden Dawn stepped forward, summoning his grimoire with a determined expression. He held out his hand as his grimoire glowed, flipping open to reveal a spell.
"Stone Creation Magic: Stone Model of the World!" he intoned. The air shimmered, and before him rose a detailed stone replica of the capital, complete with every street, building, and landmark. Flickering red dots, marking the positions of the undead and their mysterious master, pulsed throughout the model, each one highlighting the severity of the invasion. His creation cast a somber light across the room, illuminating the grim faces of those who gazed upon it.
A tense silence gripped the grand hall as everyone absorbed the gravity of the situation displayed on the stone map of the capital. Flickering red dots marked five separate locations, all overwhelmed by the enemy forces. The captains and nobles exchanged uneasy glances, their minds racing with questions.
"A force with this much magic appearing in five places at once, unnoticed until now…" muttered Charlotte, narrowing her eyes as she studied the map. "Someone with formidable spatial magic must have made them materialize instantly. Only a high-level magic user could coordinate this level of attack."
"Whoever's behind this planned carefully," murmured Nozel, a look of steely resolve on his face. "This wasn't a hasty move; they knew our defenses and waited for the perfect moment."
"Tch, what are you wasting your time for, talking about all this?" Zoro grunted, already climbing up a window with an eager grin. Without waiting for orders or further discussion, he pushed off from the ledge and leapt down, his figure vanishing from view as he plummeted toward the battlefield below.
"Wait—Zoro-san!" Noelle gasped, watching him disappear with a mix of concern and disbelief.
"I'm going too!" Asta declared, his voice brimming with determination as he clenched his fist. "There are people out there who need our help!" Without a second thought, he dashed out of the hall, his footsteps echoing down the corridor as he sprinted toward the chaos outside.
"Count me in!" added Leopold, his fiery spirit igniting as he followed close behind, eyes blazing with intensity. "I can't just stand here while our kingdom burns!"
As the others watched them go, Fuegoleon stepped forward, his demeanor calm yet commanding. He addressed the remaining Magic Knights and captains with a firm, steady gaze, his voice resonating with authority. "Listen carefully. We need to act with precision. Captain Nozel, lead the defense on the western front. Captain Charlotte, cover the southern area."
Each captain nodded, already preparing their strategies. Fuegoleon continued, "Our primary goal is to evacuate the citizens and contain the damage. All squads, prioritize saving lives and driving back the undead forces. I'll take the lead on the eastern front. Stay vigilant—our opponent is dangerous and unpredictable."
"Understood," replied Nozel, his tone as cold as steel. He turned on his heel, his grimoire already floating beside him as he prepared to take command of his squad.
.....
As the Magic Knights poured into the streets, the city erupted with the sounds of magic and battle cries, creating a cacophony that echoed against the burning buildings and smoldering remains. Each squad worked in unison, sweeping through the hordes of undead with precision and power, clearing them from every corner of the capital.
Fuegoleon Vermillion moved with calculated precision as he took the eastern front. Flames danced around him like a royal cloak, and with a fierce wave of his hand, he summoned his grimoire, which flipped open to a marked page. "Fire Magic: Leo Red Lotus Creation!" A giant lion formed from roaring flames sprang forth, bounding through the ranks of undead, incinerating anything it touched. Fuegoleon's lion roared with intensity, tearing through the zombie horde, leaving a trail of scorched ground in its wake.
Fuegoleon's face was composed, yet his eyes glinted with fury as he commanded his magic to fan out, creating a firewall to prevent the undead from advancing. "Fire Magic: Crimson Blaze Barrier!" he called out, raising his hand. Pillars of flame erupted from the ground, forming a blazing barricade that contained the undead forces, trapping them in place as his squad moved in to eliminate them.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Roselei, leading the southern defense, moved through the streets with an air of deadly elegance. Her grimoire hovered beside her, pages fluttering as she activated her unique spell. "Briar Magic: Crimson Vine Ensnarement!" A mass of thorned vines shot forth from the ground, growing rapidly and snaking through the ranks of zombies, piercing and entangling them as they struggled. The vines glowed a deep crimson, pulsing with her magic's strength, and wrapped around the undead, trapping them before shattering them into pieces with sharp, tightening thorns.
Charlotte's eyes narrowed as she surveyed her work, and with a flick of her wrist, she summoned another powerful spell. "Briar Magic: Crimson Rose of Destiny!" Enormous, enchanted roses formed from her briars, their petals radiating a dangerous glow. The roses blossomed around clusters of zombies before detonating in bursts of sharp thorned shrapnel, wiping out groups of undead with devastating precision.
Nozel Silva, meanwhile, took charge of the western front. As he advanced, his aura was one of cold, unbreakable authority. His grimoire shimmered beside him as he raised his hand, summoning silver liquid from the air. "Mercury Magic: Silver Rain Barrage!" he commanded, and countless droplets of liquid mercury shot toward the zombies, piercing them with lethal precision. Each droplet drilled through the undead, leaving no chance for recovery as the silvery liquid returned to him, gathering into a floating sphere of mercury awaiting his next command.
Spotting a dense horde advancing near a bridge, Nozel's expression grew sharper, and he commanded, "Mercury Magic: Silver Star of Purification!" The mercury shifted, forming a massive silver star that hovered over the zombies. It radiated a blinding light before descending onto them, liquifying into mercury as it consumed and obliterated the undead in a controlled flood.
Across the battlefield, various knights unleashed their unique spells with skill and intensity:
Leopold Vermillion, Fuegoleon's younger brother, fought fiercely alongside the other knights. "Fire Magic: Spiral Flame Burst!" he shouted, and a spiraling tornado of fire exploded from his grimoire, consuming dozens of zombies in a swirling vortex of flames. His youthful zeal shone through as he continued to push forward, slashing through the undead with focused determination.
Asta charged into battle, wielding his anti-magic sword, which glowed ominously. With powerful swings, he dispelled spells animating the zombies and cut through their ranks with raw, unstoppable strength, leaving shattered remains in his path.
Yuno, from the Golden Dawn, flew above the battlefield with his Wind Magic. "Wind Magic: Tornado Fang!" he called out, creating a concentrated, swirling tunnel of wind that swept across the zombies below, lifting them off the ground and tearing them to pieces with razor-sharp currents. His calm demeanor belied the power of his attacks as he cleared the undead.
"Thats the Magic Knights for you!"
"What awesome magic I've never seen anything like it"
citizens exchanged looks of wonder and relief, whispering words of admiration. They had lived under the Magic Knights' protection for so long, yet never before had they seen them in action like this. Their hearts swelled with pride and gratitude, the fear in their eyes slowly replaced by hope.
.....
Zoro strode forward with a calm, menacing presence, his sword resting casually on his shoulder as he approached the masked man. The air around him seemed to hum with restrained power, his single eye locked onto his target, unwavering and intense. The masked man, who had been gleefully cornering a frightened little girl, turned to face him. At first, he merely glanced over, but recognition quickly dawned on his face, followed by a glint of excitement in his eyes. He froze for a moment, taking in the sight of the infamous swordsman.
A twisted smile spread across the man's face, and he let out an unsettling, guttural laugh. "Oh, I didn't expect it to be you of all people who finds me first," he sneered, his voice laced with a sick sort of glee. "The demon of the Clover Kingdom, Zoro himself. How thrilling," he continued, his voice low and dripping with malice. He seemed to savor each word, almost as if tasting them, relishing the danger standing before him. "Just imagine the looks on their faces—the people who believe you're invincible—when I bring them the news that I've killed you."
The masked man's fingers flexed, his eerie grin widening, his eyes glinting with sinister intent as he watched Zoro closely. His voice turned into a whisper, dark and foreboding, barely audible over the chaotic background. "I can't wait to see their faith crumble, to watch their hope die along with you." His laugh echoed in the street, sending chills down the spines of those nearby, even as the little girl cowered behind Zoro, her tear-streaked face peeking out, seeking safety in his presence.
Zoro didn't flinch, his gaze steely and unimpressed by the man's taunts. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, a faint, almost amused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he gripped his sword a little tighter. "Ah, you think you can kill me? You sure have piqued my interest" Zoro said as his fingers tightened around the hilt of his second sword, drawing it from its sheath with a slow, deliberate motion.
Vermithra, buzzed around him in eager excitement, her lightning crackling with energy as she darted in and out of the battlefield. Her wings flickered with a mix of impatience and frustration, a stark contrast to Zoro's calm, focused demeanor.
"Ne, ne, what should I do? Should I blast him?" Vermithra chirped, her voice buzzing with a mix of eagerness and restlessness. She hovered around Zoro's head, circling like an excited bee. "I haven't had a good fight in so long, I want to fry something!"
Zoro didn't respond immediately, his eyes fixed on the masked man and the grotesque zombie before him. A faint smirk played at the edge of his lips. He wasn't going to rush this one. The thrill of the fight was just as much about pacing, about savoring the moment as it was about the power he wielded.
"No, just wait here," Zoro said calmly, his voice devoid of the usual brashness. He slowly adjusted his grip on his two swords, each of them a reflection of his combat style. He wasn't going to end it too quickly. He hadn't had a proper fight in a while, and the masked man was certainly an interesting opponent.
Zoro, with a deliberate slowness, began to walk toward the masked man, both swords held firmly in his hands. There was no rush. His stance was relaxed, his movements deliberate, his heart pumping with the exhilaration of battle. He wasn't using Haki—not yet. He wanted to feel the sharpness of his swords, wanted to test himself. It had been too long since he fought without holding back.
Vermithra, frustrated by Zoro's decision, flitted off to the side. Her wings buzzed violently as she darted in and out of the battlefield, her electrical energy crackling violently. "Stupid Zoro! Baka Zoro!" she muttered, releasing all her pent-up frustration on the zombies swarming the streets. Her tiny body crackled with lightning as she flung bolts of energy, each one reducing the zombies to ash.
She shot another bolt of lightning into a group of zombies, frying them on the spot. "I'll show them! I'll deal with all these zombies myself if he won't fight properly!"
Meanwhile, the masked man's voice rang out, cool and calculating as he looked at Zoro. "Number 4, Jimmy," he muttered. A huge figure loomed from the shadows—a massive, hulking zombie wrapped in tattered bandages, its grotesque body towering over Zoro. Its eyes glowed with a sinister, cursed energy.
The masked man smirked. "That green-haired guy is your prey this time, Jimmy. Go get him!"
Zoro clicked his tongue in annoyance as the giant zombie lumbered forward, its massive fist swinging toward him. It unleashed a torrent of cursed energy, sending blasts of dark, twisted energy hurtling at Zoro. Zoro didn't even flinch. He effortlessly cut through each blast with one fluid motion of his swords. His blades cleaved through the energy with ease.
"Tch, what's with this creepy stuff?" Zoro muttered, his annoyance growing. He cut through the zombie's energy blasts again, the cursed energy evaporating into thin air.
"Go back, kid," Zoro called to the little girl hiding behind him, his voice firm but with an underlying note of protectiveness. "Hide somewhere safe." Vermithra buzzed close to her, still irritated with Zoro's reluctance to use his full power, but she obeyed his orders to stay close to the child.
"Vermithra, protect her," Zoro said without turning around, his voice leaving no room for argument.
The girl, despite Zoro's intimidating presence, refused to move. She clutched his cloak tighter, determined not to leave his side. Her eyes, full of trust, locked onto Zoro's back.
"Damn brat…" Zoro muttered under his breath, but he didn't have time to argue. The masked man's anger flared. He waved his hand again, sending more cursed energy blasts in Zoro's direction. Zoro simply waved his swords in the air, sending massive wind blades cutting through the blasts.
The giant zombie, Jimmy, charged at Zoro, but with a single swing of his sword, Zoro cut through the beast. The zombie fell apart into dozens of bloody chunks. However, much to Zoro's surprise, Jimmy's body didn't stay cut. The pieces began to reassemble, reforming the creature as if nothing had happened.
As Vermithra finally took the girl to safety, Zoro's focus shifted back to the masked man. His eyes were filled with a predatory gleam as a hungry smile spread across his face.
"Don't get cocky," the masked man hissed, his voice filled with frustration. More zombies appeared in the street, summoned by the masked man's magic, all charging at Zoro in an attempt to overwhelm him.
Zoro's grin only widened as he slowly sheathed his Sword Enma and took a firm grip on his Wado Ichimonji. He stepped forward with purpose. His sword was now coated in the pitch-black sheen of Armament Haki, the energy crackling along its edge like a storm ready to strike.
Without missing a beat, Zoro moved into action. His swords sliced through the zombies with brutal precision. Each cut, empowered by Haki, severed the zombies into lifeless pieces, and this time, they didn't reattach themselves. The masked man watched, his eyes widening in shock and fear.
"What is that?" the masked man screamed, his face contorted with disbelief. "How did your sword turn black? How can it stop my zombies from reattaching themselves? You have no magic! This can't be right!"
But Zoro didn't waste any time with a response. He didn't need to explain himself. The masked man's scream faded into the background as Zoro's form blurred with incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from his position and appeared directly in front of the masked man.
"One Sword Style: Divine Sword Slices," Zoro muttered, and with a single, fluid strike, his sword cleaved through the massive zombie Jimmy. The beast exploded into a thousand small cubes of flesh, each piece falling to the ground like confetti.
The masked man stumbled back in horror, his face pale as he watched his creation crumble into nothingness. "W-what… what the hell is this power?"
Zoro's smile widened as he stood tall before the masked man, his sword still glinting with the residual power of the attack. He wiped a bit of blood from his lip, savoring the thrill of the battle.
"So," Zoro said with a grin, "how about I cut you now?"
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