1140 Martyrs Part 2 (1/2)
Nailisi could not help but ask, ”there are people among you Cloudflow people fit to serve in a death squad?”
A death squad had at one time meant nobles who graciously accepted impossible or suicide missions, throwing themselves at the face of death for noble causes. The definition changed to mean nobles who were not afraid of sacrifice due to responsibilities they bore. The definition changed again to become what it was presently, which meant people who were willing to die to accomplish their missions, which literally made them soldiers going on suicide missions.
Nailisi's impression of the Cloudflow people was that they were afraid of death. She was not the only one who thought so. That black metal grand swordmaster's expression shifted back and forth from indignant frustration to blatant fear.
They were unable to muster the courage to defend their people, and so they simply said, ”the people followed Grand Duke Jatan at a very young age. The Grand Duke's orders serve as infallible truth to them. There were many baffling feats demanded of them during their training, like the Grand Duke would have them march even though there was a thousand meter tall cliff right just steps away. Those who dared not follow his orders would be cast out of the squad.”
”Wouldn't the death squad be all dead by then?” Sika was dismissive of such methods of training. One did not necessarily need to resort to such measures to nurture courage.
The Caucasians never did anything like that, but there were no cowards known to run away from battle in any battle they have fought.
”There will always be some who survive,” the grand swordmaster wore a bitter smile.
”What are the people like, in terms of fighting capacity?” Sika had no interest in asking boring questions. Any country would have several who were not afraid of death. It was hardly surprising, especially given how the death squad was nurtured from a very young age, meaning they lacked critical thinking of any kind.
The grand swordmaster ground their teeth.”All of them learned the secret art of the Grants. They are incapable of using sword aura, but capable of using magic armor and are immensely strong. If I fought one of them, I'd surely be able to win. If I fought two of them at once, I'd definitely die.”
They had truly sold the grand duke out with the words. No one who did not serve Grand Duke Jatan would know about details like that.
”Alright, big sis, let me have a go.” Nailisi summoned two demons, recalling the magic bugs that surrounded the grand swordmaster.
”What's your name again?”
”I'm Shakko.”
”Alright, Shakko. Fight the two demons, and fight them with all you've got, because they might actually kill you. But if you end up killing both of them, I'll kill you.”
Shakko's expression looked very troubled. Nailisi threw them a sword, which he took. ”Where should I stab if I did not want to kill them?”
”Anywhere but the heart.”
Shakko acknowledged her and thrust at the demon before them. The demon held a massive halberd. Shakko jumped and the demon blocked their attack with the halberd. Shakko's sword bounced off the massive weapon.
The demon's arms went numb from the attack. While demons were undoubtedly strong, they were incapable of standing off against a black metal grand swordmaster's sword aura.
Shakko was terrified of death. The sword bent after bouncing when they thrusted. Shakko's body drew an arc in the air, before lashing out at the other demon.
The second demon punched, which glanced at the side of the sword. Shakko punched in retaliation. Fists of two different species clashed, and the one who was sent flying was the demon.
Sika was surprised and said to Nailisi, ”good foundations indeed, but why would that fellow turn out to be like that?”
”Big sis, being able to fight well doesn't mean being brave.”
Shakko was already in danger. The other demon straightened themselves and lashed out with a straight thrust. Shakko's sword burst with sword aura in order to boost the next attack.
The sword was brought down onto the halberd, but was stuck. The demons were battle-hardened veterans with ample tricks on their sleeves. The halberd was not repelled by the sword. The demon twisted and the blade on the side of the halberd tangled the sword instead.
Shakko's strength exceeded a demon when they burst with sword aura. However, the demon that Shakko had thrown off earlier pounced and grabbed Shakko's head.
Shakko let go, but the demon had already caught them. The demon's tail stuck right before Shakko's throat.
”What do you think, Shakko? What would be the outcome if my demons fought with the death squad?” Nailisi asked gleefully. The two demons were not all that exceptional, but they worked together, the grand swordmaster was immediately cornered when their judgment lapsed.
”Three demons like that would probably be able to kill one of them. If they came out unscathed, six of them could take on one.” Shakko answered truthfully.
Nailisi imagined the fights for a little bit. The death squad members were indeed very powerful and were armed with magic armor. There was no need for her demons to tangle with such powerful enemies.
She gestured and had the demon let go of Shakko. ”Shakko, you have two choices here. Leave us and run, but the Grand Duke will come for your head. Or you could follow me instead.”
”Follow you?” Shakko looked at Nailisi rather sheepishly.
”Yeah. My demons need sparring trainers. Their technique looks rough. Your job would be to fight the demons every day, and I assure you that no harm would come to you. How about that?”
Shakko looked rather dejected. ”I'd just run then.”
They saw a female archer holding an arrow in her hand as soon as they finished saying that. Shakko trembled. The very reason they were unable to fight the demons was because they had been shot in the abdomen by Eleanor. While the injury was quickly patched up, it still held them back when they fought.
The sky was clear then and they were over a thousand miles in the air, looking down with alchemy binoculars. The arrow came absurdly fast, piercing through the magic beast and into their abdomen.