Chapter 52: ~A battle without resistance.~ (1/2)

***Arcane Academy, Eastern Planes***

***Jazira, The Immortal Empress***

“Advance my troops! The victory will be ours! ~Nyahahaha!~”

“Please try to moderate yourself. The people will start to have strange thoughts.” Tjena rebukes me with a faint smile.

I regain my composure and watch the Gate spewing out my warriors. Operation ~Sneak Attack~ was a full success! The plan was to use our access to the Academy's gate-network in order to relocate our troops directly into the Academy.

Normally nobody would think of using a Gate to move armies. That's because you would have to leave everything behind which is bigger than a man. And Gates can be easily shut down if there is an enemy attack coming through them.

Of course the Academy took precautions against such an invasion, but they didn't put me into the equation. According to our plan, I stepped through the Gate to the Academy and disabled the guards on the other side immediately with a barrier.

Then my troops followed in rows of two while silently running through the Gate. Everyone was instructed to keep silent as long as possible.

We are playing our ace in hope to conquer the institution which controls the most valuable military asset on this continent. “If this works out, the fight for world dominance should be almost over.”

Tjena pulls a grimace. “What about this Ascathon? Don't you think that somebody who is able to play with the bodies of others like marionettes, is a serious danger.”

“One thing at a time Tjena. Don't be so moody, he let you go after all. So we should at least be able to work out an agreement.” I cross my arms in front of my chest.

“If you say so, it doesn't change the fact that I feel a little raped.” She looks down at her legs.

“It was your own fault. And I even healed your legs for this campaign. You are lucky. I would have waited for them to heal on their own otherwise.” I turn and start walking towards one of my generals.

“Her highness is wise and righteous.” Tjena's voice is a little sarcastic, but I forgive her.

The general of this campaign looks up as I approach him. “My Empress?”

“I think we have enough people on this side of the Gate. Please continue the offensive in a more aggressive manner. It would be bad if we were caught on the wrong foot.” I want to be at the vital spots of the city before anyone has an idea that we are attacking.

“The objectives haven't changed?” The general asks.

I nod. “The most important targets are the headquarters of the Inquisition and the capture of Headmaster Sagittarius … ~alive~.”

The general nods and starts to give orders to his men.

I smile at Tjena and start walking down the street, while placing my hands behind my back. “It should be easy to capture Sagittarius. He is surely sleeping safe and sound in his bed.”

“There is still the question why you want him alive?” Tjena makes a point.

“Aaah. This old story. You see, about two hundred years ago … don't look at me like that, I know that you weren't born by that time … I infiltrated the Academy. To get access to their Gates. I spent about thirty years here.” I muse about the past for a second and continue.

“During that time Sagittarius courted me. ~Ah, he was so nice!~ He was in the prime of his time and I will never forget that bashful smile on his face.” I place a hand on each cheek and smile. Then my sight falls on Tjena, who looks shocked.

“You had an affair with the enemy!” She calls out and looks around fast. Seems like nobody heard her.

“Well. It lasted as long as it lasted. And he wasn't the headmaster of the Academy at that time. We parted when he found out about my true identity. I had to depart suddenly. Of course they tried to find out what I did here during those thirty years. But I guess they wouldn't know about everything I found out or did, even if they had kept proper records.”

*VROOOOM*

Suddenly a pillar of fire erupts a few buildings down the street. It climbs a hundred metres up into the sky before finally dispersing. I snap my fingers. “Aw. Damn! They woke Sagittarius up! I told them to be as silent as possible.”

Tjena's eyes widen at the view in front of us. “I have never seen such a huge fire tornado spell!”

This awakens old memories. “~Ahahaha.~ The good old Sagittarius. That's like I know him! You can go and deal with some small fry Tjena. I will take care of Sagittarius.”

I invoke a levitation spell before Tjena has a chance to answer and jump. The spell transforms my light jump into a long parabolic flight. The end of my jump places me perfectly on Sagittarius's estate.

The old man is standing between the remains of his house and a few of my soldiers are lying here and there in all sorts of positions. Sagittarius is wearing a fluffy nightgown and has a jelly bag cap on his head. “I see, you are still wearing that tawdry stuff to sleep. It amazes me that it didn't disperse to dust during the years …”

He turns around and looks at me. “YOU!”

“~Yes!~ I personally came to greet you! And I brought my army too.” I clap my hands while walking closer.