Book 4: Chapter 88 (1/2)

“Angel of War, the battle is about to begin. We ask that you assist us.”

Alice stood up, and Burc leapt onto her shoulder. She poked her head out of the carriage window. “I thought the city was still a while away.”

“It is,” the man standing outside said. “However, the Hungarians have deployed a small troop in the fields to block our path. No doubt, they’re there to buy time for their main force to gather in the capital.”

“Oh,” Alice said. She furrowed her brow. “Didn’t Suleiman say I was only needed to punch down walls? Why do you need my help all of a sudden?”

The man bowed his head. “The Padishah has discovered an anomaly on the battlefield. There are twelve people holding a sign. They belong to the church and wish to preserve the balance of the world by capturing you.”

“And Suleiman reacted by asking me to go out?” Alice blinked twice. Was this church enough to threaten Suleiman? If it was the force behind the Holy Roman Empire, wouldn’t he have had to clash with them anyway? “Why is he capitulating?”

The man’s nostrils flared. “Upon seeing the sign, our Padishah had the artillery set up and fire a volley at them.” The man shuddered, and his face became slightly pale. “They were bombarded; however, they were completely unhurt amidst the bombardment. That’s when he realized their powers were above the normal person’s, perhaps as great as yours.”

Alice’s eyes lit up, and she clenched her fists.

“Please, don’t get angry,” the man said. “Our Padishah isn’t selling—”

“Angry?” Alice asked and let out a smile that was more of a smirk. “Why would I get angry? Fortress walls are completely stationary. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a satisfying fight? And now you’re saying there’s twelve people who’re worth fighting against? This is the happiest day of the past three months!”

“You know,” Burc said after licking his paw, “I should’ve realized it when you first talked to me in cat language, but you’re really not a normal person in stature or in the mind.”

Alice turned her head and gave the fluffy, white cat a deadpan expression. “Do you ever have anything nice to say?”

“I praise you when you feed me, don’t I?” Burc asked. “Soon, you’ll be conditioned into feeling happy every time you give me food, a win-win situation for the both of us.”

Alice rolled her eyes and fed Burc a piece of jerky.