34 『Black Scripture』 (1/2)
A day later and the wall was partially built by dawn, the first layer of black colored concrete had been laid down and the second was on its way. This alone would slow down just about any ground going hostiles from immediately entering the Village. Ten feet of concrete and cement getting in their way.
About a day ago, the Black Scripture had been dispatched according to the scrying tools.
Their assignment was clearly to subjugate the new threat which had emerged in the Northern outer reaches of the Re-Estize Kingdom. However, something very menacing had been noticed when the newly named Vertum saw an extra-member of the group.
It wasn't the half elf, the extra-seat of the Scripture, it was an elderly woman in a dress. A dress that he knew, the Downfall of Castle and Country, also known as the Ruiness Beauty.
It was the item used to mind control any being, no matter their living or undead status. While he had no idea if it would work on a player, he was sure his NPCs would be at risk.
They needed to take that woman out before they could be seen, before they could assume control of them. Vertum knew exactly who and what he needed, a long range attack from the Honor Guard Marksmen Corps.
However he had no idea how strong they really were. He only knew that the only strength that the woman had was the World Item she wore. They had to take her out and the others would likely fall in line... Right?
Vertum caressed his chin as he looked over the Mirror of Remote Viewing, whilst sitting in this throne.
Under the advisement that this had to be finished with by the time they decided to go to E-Rantel later this day, he continued to observe.
There were only eleven original members of the Black Scripture, as he had one in custody and it seemed the other wasn't being sent out. That must be because of the pressure from the Platinum Dragon Lord.
He knew plenty of the political landscape by now as he continued to study the world from his underground lair as well as the village above ground.
The night before, Vertum had ordered to have the Villagers evacuated into the underground City for their own protection. This was also to make sure they didn't get in the way.
So as he was watching, he took note of the one moving in the front of the group along with the other Knights of the Scripture. The Captain had a very androgynous figure, despite being heavily armored and carrying what appeared to be a spear.
They were using player made items, that was clear as day. The quality was unmistakable, which made it so he couldn't underestimate them either. Could it really be that they were descendants of players?
Waving his hand, using silent magic, he called forth a larger screen which showed the area between the half-built walls and the Black Scripture who were entering the effective range of eight hundred meters.
Lying prone on the flat surface of the currently ten foot high wall, forty Honor Guards took aim with their magic sniper rifles. It seemed the Scripture hadn't noticed them just yet, but he was sure they'd catch on soon enough.
”Vertum-sama, we have our target locked in our scopes. We are awaiting for further instruction.” Silva who was seated behind the wall, watching the scene, sent a Message to their beloved creator and leader of the Guild, the Empire.
”Understood, Silva. Our immediate target is the woman in the tan outfit, it's the World Item. We have to eliminate her before attacking the rest. Otherwise we'd be left open to her ability.”
”The Honor Guard has their target selected.”
”Good, fire at six hundred meters, insync.”
+ + +
The Captain shielded his eyes from the morning sun as he looked off into the distance at the edge of the plains bordering the Great Forest of Tob. ”They started building a wall?”
”There wasn't a wall in the last report of that place.” The Second Seat scratched their chin curiously, looking over the black structure which still seemed under construction. ”It doesn't seem as if they used chrono-magic.”
”Time Turbulence, are you sure? Then, how are they building it so fast...?” The third seat looked side to side, not seeing any Kingdom troops around. They were currently unable to see the soldiers who were lying prone on the dark surface of the wall.
”It seems a bit too quiet...” The Captain commented as the flatlands made it so they couldn't see over the wall from where they stood. His eyes drifted along the sky, no Dragon in sight.
The fourth seat also looked about from where they were situated, now seven hundred meters from the wall. She was hovering ambiently. ”I'm going to see if I can get a clearer view of the village from a higher altitude.”
She ran a hand through her long blonde hair, her fingers running over her wing-like headdress.
”You do that, but be careful!” The Captain ordered and watched as the Fourth Seat, the Divine Chant, begin to elevate in position. However as she was raising well above to Village, she narrowed her eyes.
She saw no one in the village, but before she could report this, a bolt of magic ripped through her forehead. She had been shot and hardly had enough time to react.
”Divine Chant?” The Captain stared at the female form which seemed to stay floating in the air for a few moments after seeing the mist of blood. That was when her body came plummeting toward the ground.
Cedran, a hulking brute and the Eighth Seat, moved to catch her frantically. Yet when she came crashing down into his arms, his jaw nearly dropped... She was already dead. They all seemed to group around as he went to shout, ”Captain, we--!”
From the corner of his eye, the Brute could see a wall of magic bolts, and entire wave of them. ”CAPTAIN!”
All of the Scripture members turned their heads from their fallen colleague only to furrow their brows. What was this? It wasn't just one wave either, there were several more shots following. They didn't even hear magic being cast, and there was no time between shots that indicated spells being cast by incantation!
”Ta--” The first wave of bolts whizzed passed the group, towards the one target behind most of the members. Within an instant, blood came spewing upon the squad of elites, the wielder of the World Item had been immediately beheaded!
”We're retreating! Collect their corpses and re--” The next wave would clash with their armor.
The seventh seat was immediately thrown to the ground, a half dozen magic bullets smashing into her. Blood began to show through her school uniform, staining it harshly.
As the ninth seat went to help her back up, a bullet ripped through his skull.
Anyone who chose to try and help another, was immediately exposed. There was no cover out here, only plains and the ever so cleverly placed shrub. They were out in the open.
Just went the third seat was about to use a shield creation spell, a number of bolts tore through his own personal protection. His buffs almost meant nothing as he was continuously hit by barrages of magic attacks. ”WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE!?” He spat just as he was sent to the ground, crippled by the attacks and in critical condition.
The fifth seat, Quaiesse Hazia Quintia, was beginning to panic. ”My summons won't do anything against these attacks!” He looked to the Captain who was orchestrating the evacuation efforts of the lesser knights accompanying the Scripture.