And towards the back, more Titans were being summoned and the numbers had already exceeded 1,200.
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At a short distance away, Jack was hunting the Titans mercilessly but his efforts were similar to putting out a forest fire with a cup of water—futile. The Vampirified Titans would even bite and feast upon their dead comrades’ blood to heal themselves and stand up once more.
Asuka and Pest were fighting back to back but they already realized the severity of the conditions that they were fighting under.
“This is troubling……I don’t think I can last much longer……”
“Asuka, that’s not something I would have expected to hear from you. If you ever repeat that line, I swear that I will give you a sepsis[1] punishment game.”
“Ara, up till just now, you were the one who had that look of being close to tears weren’t you?”
“Guh. That’s your own imagination!”
Was I seen at that time? Pest’s face begin to color up with a shade of red as she continued to release her shockwaves.
However, there was no time for them to start bickering in their usual banter. Despite the help of the volunteers from the City, coming forth to battle the Titans, they were still unable to hold back the advancement of their enemies.
The duo were sweating heavily as they continued to meet the onslaught of the Titans. However, it was just a matter of time before they receive a fatal blow on themselves.
{“……Master.”}
“Yes? Were you struck by a good idea to turn this tide?!”
{“No, it’s the contrary. This city is already a lost cause. It’s time to gather your comrades to prepare for retreat.”}
“Uu……”
Hearing Almathea’s cool assessment, the duo clenched their teeth.
Asuka and Pest were clear about it as well. It was impossible for them to change anything with their current power at this point in time. Moreover, from the time that the Titans became immune to the weakness of Black Death, there would be no way to turn the tables……!!![2]
“But……Izayoi’s still fighting.”
At the time where everything is on the verge of collapsing and at the foremost of the battle’s frontlines.
Asuka had named the lad whom she had the most confidence in.
Having interacted with him thus far, she could understand that he is able to run further than anyone, be the first to meet the charge of the enemies in the frontlines for the sake of others and that his reasons for doing so has nothing to do with the rewarding feeling of having helped another nor was it out of heroism.
He had been born with a power that far exceeded the normal Man and fights for the justice that he believes in.
Those irises of his were filled with a sense of confidence and that was only to be expected. Having placed his utmost effort in everything he wanted to do, living his life with no regrets, Izayoi had no need to feel guilty at the slightest.
“If we were to……to retreat now, I will never be able bring myself to say that I’m his comrade for the rest of my life!”
If Izayoi is able to defeat the leader of the enemy’s camp, the tables of the battle would definitely be overturned.
And the number of people who fought with that thought as their only moral support were far from being the minority.
Then, what more can she, who stands under the same Flag as him, be doubtful about his ability to pull through.
{“Master! Even if you are okay, what about the others? The young lad who’s your leader and that [Moon Rabbit] wouldn’t have the ability to fight now, would they? If the Titan army were to storm into the Palace, the two of them would definitely become hapless sacrifices! Are you okay with that?”}
“Bu, But……”
Almathea’s substantial addition to her argument had caused Asuka to be stumped.
During the time of this conversation, the situation continued to worsen by the moment.
“This, This is bad!! The First Dragon Tower which stands as the corner for the Palace’s fortress has been broken through!!”
“What did you say?!”
“How can that happen……the last bastion that protects [Kouen City] has actually……!!”
The morale that held the Fire Dragons’ determination up till now was starting to crumble. If this were to continue, the morale would not hold out and it would just be a matter of time before the defense line crumbles in defeat as well.
The end of [Kouen City] was already apparent to all of them.
Giving a glance towards the streets behind, what met the eyes were the hungry scarlet flames which engulfed the houses instead of the warm glow of candles that used to line the streets.
(The Corridor of Displays that used to be such a pretty sight….. is already unrecognizable……)
Recalling those streets which had been filled with the warm glow of candles, Asuka closed her eyes in regret.
—Asuka’s ability to remain calm amidst this chaotic battle is due to her prior experience of chaos and ruin. To make it clear before any misunderstanding can arise, that is the experience which her grandfather had recounted to her, regarding the ruin and chaos of war, and it is not of her own experience.
Her grandfather who had experienced the days of war had recounted his experience to Asuka, whom he had wanted to be his successor to the financial conglomerate, on many occasions. Embroiled in the disaster known as war, the burning streets and smoldering people burnt in the attacks and many other similar stories. Her grandfather who was good at recounting his old stories had told her of the past, ever since she was a child.
—“The Kudou family is a clan that protects Japan from its invaders.”
Although it is a family motto that is passed down with great reverence, it did not mean that the family supported the idea of war during those warring days. According to her grandfather, this is because Japan had also been one of the aggressors and a victim of the war. Regarding the war that stole her grandmother away in death, her grandfather had recounted that past many times to emphasize on how it would only lead to a tomorrow that sees both parties bleeding and in pain.
Then, what purpose does this invasion hold?
One-sidedly imposing of unreasonable rules, allowing the single sided invasion and stealing to occur, what then would the tomorrow hold for them? What kind of justice would there be?
“I……do not want to escape and leave these people around me behind!”
“Justice stands with me.”—She wanted to shout out this line and fight till the end.
In the past, there had never been anyone who really seen her for what she was.
So now, at the very least, she wanted to be able to be proud of what she achieved in life and be able to lift her head and chest to move towards her definition of justice. Regarding that point, even though she had arrived in this different world, Asuka continues to hold true to that dream for it is the pride that Asuka carries in her heart.
But why is it that this desire—is so much more difficult in real life?
{“Master, please give your order. I can carve out a path in blood for you to allow you and your comrades to escape!”}
“……Yeah. If it’s you, it is indeed possible.”
Having said that, she had also arrived at a conclusion and she soon lifted her head.
“This is an order, Almathea. Bring Kuro Usagi and Jin back to the Community Headquarters.”[3]
{“……WHAT……?!”}
“It’s just as I say, I need to believe in Izayoi-san and fight till the end. That is the order from your master.”
{“……are you breaking the contract?”}
Bitterness had leaked into Almathea’s voice. It is not that she could not carrying out Asuka’s orders without a compensation in return. She had only agreed to obey because Asuka had proposed a befitting contract to her, the Mountain Goat Divine Beast who also stands as the Herald of Zeus.
Asuka shook her head with a smile as she signaled Almathea’s words to be unaffirmative.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I don’t intend to die here. As long as Izayoi-san wins, the tide of this battle will be turned against them. I’m only believing in it and intend to wait for it to happen.”
{“…… You still intend to hold by the contract, is that right?”}
“Of course. Moreover, I’ve not been able to make you fully obey me……you actually do not have any regard for me at all, right?”
{“Yes. I only think of you as a haughty little girl who does not commensurate to her powers and only knows how to scream and shriek in fear. …… But, you have compassion in your heart. I believe that we can get along well.”}
“Thank you—Go now, Almathea!”