CHAPTER 1
THE DESCENT OF HEAVEN LORDS
Part
1: A Certain Butler’s Worry
617nd YEHS,
Bright-Half, 3th month, 3th day, Noon, not that
the 『Nameless
State』 follows
the Midzu calender practice...
A certain gentleman stands in top of a certain Golden
Wall, looks at the scene of carnage below through the parapet opening. He is
wearing a simple but ornate English Edwardian-era butler uniform. His name –
given by a high ranked Heaven Lord – is Mitteherz. He was told that
the meaning of his name is “Loyalty”. So truthful to his name, even in
the long absence since the Heaven Lords departed from the mortal realm, Mitteherz loyally protects the 『Holy Land』 from
foreign forces just like in the past.
The enemy army is already routed and retreated, and
just like usual, after the last enemy soldier reach a certain distance, the Purple
Fog start to gather and fall down like an advancing dividing curtain.
Touching this fog is fatal, so Mitteherz gives order to 『Gate Knights』 to stop pursuit the enemy, evacuate the
casualties and retreat to safe distance. The Purple Fog soon will engulf the
whole top wall and the front gate plaza but for some strange reason cannot go
behind or inside the wall, so with the other 『Gate
Knights』,
Mitteherz withdraw to the Inner Gate Room.
Inside, three Knights clad in Golden Armor stand
before him, giving him the latest situation report. The enemy previously sends
about 100.000 soldiers to attack the West Gate as a diversion. While the whole 『Gate Knights』 are
preoccupied by this, they receive spirit message that the enemy had sends its
much larger main army to breach the South Gate. Leaving only 200 Knights and 2 『Guardian』 to
defend the West Gate, Mitteherz and the rest of the Knight went to reinforce
South Gate in hurry. Luckily the enemy is very weak unlike the other Heaven
Lords’ Holy Knights that attacked in the past. The enemy’s equipment and skills
is also very poor. Even without the Heaven Lords presence, he is confident that the 『Gate Knights』 can
repel the enemy just like the six previous attacks with minimal casualties.
“We
surmised the total enemy is about 1.000.000 soldiers. We decimated about
400.000 soldiers before the enemy ranks break and routed. The damage received
by the wall is insignificant but the Gate durability is reaching its limit. If
the enemy attacks the South Gate again we can’t guarantee it won’t be breached
by the enemy.”
One
of the Golden Knights, Commander Freiheit reported.
“If
those cursed Purple Fogs are just not there, we can pursue and completely destroy
the enemy's rear rank and prevent subsequent enemy attacks.”
The
other Golden Knights, Commander Lichkeit yell angrily.
“We
must still be vigilant. Even though the enemy member is weak, but their numbers
is huge. We mustn’t underestimate the enemy, or we will end engulfed by them
and brought ruin to ourselves.”
The
last Golden Knight, Commander Gleichheit calms his comrade.
“I
give you three the freedom to act as your discretion gives. Keep up the good
work to protect the 『Holy
Land』.”
Mitteherz
accept the Commander’s reports and thoughts. They are veteran that had seen
countless battles far more horrible than the last battle.
“Give
me the casualties report.”
This
is the one aspect that gives Mitteherz hard time.
“We
lost 105 Knight’s lives, 35 Knights is gravely injured, and 354 Knight is
lightly injured.”
Gleichheit gives his report, he is glad that the
casualties are this small since the enemy outnumbered their knight corps by
1:500. But, hearing this make Mitteherz frowned. It is not that he naively
believed he can win battle without sacrifices, but because the sacrifices
itself is relatively significant and irreplaceable. The original 2000 strong 『Gate Knights』 now
only had 1567 active members left, but with the new 494 casualties, their
current ready to musters is only 1073 or half of its original strength. This is
bad in case the enemy decided to attack again, this attrition war is
unsustainable for the current『Gate
Knights』.
Without the Heaven Lord’s Divine Blessing, no new 『Gate Knights』 can
be recruited, since the Divine Blessing gives the 『Gate
Knights』 their great physical and magical ability.
If the number decreased further, defending the gate will be difficult with depleted 『Gate Knights』 capability.
The last resort is to defy the Holy Principle and draft the Common People to
take weapon and help fighting the enemy. But, Mitteherz had doubts about their
battle performance. But if he could, he wants to keep the Common People daily
lives undisturbed, they already had their hands full since the shutdown of
World Servers throw the entire economy and livelihood out of windows.
How
long can he protect the 『Holy
Land』?
This makes Mitteherz head had tension headache every day. But this is his holy
duty and he will carry it out until his last breath.
“We
will conduct the Glorious Fallen formal funeral tomorrow. Please give the
Castle’s Condolence and appropriate material compensation to the bereaved
families. Send the wounded to get treated by the Healer, any knights deemed fit
for duty to quickly return to his post. Keep a state of high alert for spirit
message about further enemy attack.”
Mitteherz
gave his order.
“Yes,
Sir Keeper!”
The
Three Commander answered strongly.
“I
declared this meeting is adjourned.”
“Glory
to Heaven Lords.”
The
four of them shout together.
Leaving
the Inner Gate Room, Mitteherz gaze on the silhouette of 『Holy Land』 City
in the horizon. Not long after, a gentle voice greets him from behind.
“Blessing
from Goddess to you, Sir Keeper.”
Mitteherz turn his head behind and found a young woman
with long blond hair that was parted into two that resting in her shoulders.
She is wearing an elegant frilled light green colored maid uniform. Her name is
Gemirea, one of 12 『Guardian』 that receive some of the Deity Power
from the Heaven Lords. Many men admired her for her looks, but for Mitteherz
it’s irrelevant.
“Blessing
for you too. How are the Knights conditions, Miss Gemirea?”
Mitteherz sees her white apron is stained with red
blots in various places. As one of 『Fille
d’Printemps』,
Gemirea had high proficiency in healing magic, so she helps on the rear rank as
medical support personnel when the battle ends.
“The
wounded Knights conditions are improving. I estimated that most of them can
make full recovery in two or three days, but I think 27 of them are debilitated
in such way that they cannot perform their duty as Knights anymore.”
Gemirea
said with a sad tone. They said among the 『Guardian』 that she had the kindest heart, and they
are not wrong.
“If
only the Heaven Lord is here, then the Lords can restore their bodies back to
health, and even revive the fallen knights. If they just here, we could avert
this miseries.”
Gemirea said bitterly, not because of malice or
regrets, but because her desperate faith in her Lords ability. Even if the 『Guardian』 and
the 『Gate
Knights』 had
some skill in Healing Magic but they cannot regrowth lost body parts or reverse
deaths. It’s the realm of the Heaven Lords who can tamper with Mortal Souls and
Vessels with their Divine Blessing.
“Refrain
yourself from the thoughts Gemirea. While I know your feelings but don't let it
cloud your heart with despairs.”
Warned Mitteherz. Unfulfilled hopes lead to despair.
He knows that since the departure of Heaven Lords more than 2 years ago, most
people hearts are visited by doubts and ill thoughts about their situation.
Some even says that the Heaven Lords had abandoned them and enjoying watching
them drowned in confusion and misery. Thankfully no riot had occurred for the
last two years.
“I
seek you forgiveness, Sir Keeper. I know it was selfish of me to desire the
Heaven Lords' assistance just only in this place when they had greater duty to
battle the False Gods for our safety.”
Gemirea truly regret her selfish desire. She realizes
that she doesn’t have authority to order Heaven Lords to do what she wants. It’s a
foolish thought. She should be thankful that the Heaven Lords give her place
of refuge and to be her home.
“I
think the Heaven Lord won’t prosecute you for this, so will I. Although I
understand your thinking, but we must wait patiently and do our duties just like
what we do all this time. Such is our place and positions that was given to us
by the Heaven Lords. Don’t you agree Gemirea?”
Mitteherz
said this from the bottom of his heart.
Before Heaven Lords descend from the Creator Goddess’
Will, the whole universe is at the mercy and whims of the cruel False Gods. The
Heaven Lords battle this False Gods and restore the Ailing World and protect its inhabitants. They build 『Holy
Lands』across
the many worlds to be the place for Common People to live on. In return, the
Common People works to help supplying the Heaven Lords to completely liberate
All Creation. Such is the mutual gives and takes between Common People and
Heaven Lords, a divine being that surpass them in many aspects.
“I
understand, Sir Keeper. I too will perform my duty until the Heaven Lords
Descent.”
“I
appreciate your effort and work, Miss Gemirea. I expect many great deeds from
you.”
Suddenly eight brightly light pillars shoot from the
High Heaven to 『Holy
Land』 Castle.
Mitteherz, Gemirea, the 『Guardian』, and other high ranked people then
received succession of spirit messages inside their mind.
17-08-0002;
12:00:00 【Yusis
– had logged in】
17-08-0002;
12:00:00 【Iusticia
– had logged in】
17-08-0002;
12:00:00 【Haimona
– had logged in】
17-08-0002;
12:00:00 【Terranova
– had logged in】
17-08-0002;
12:00:00 【Alciel
– had logged in】
17-08-0002;
12:00:00 【Stellahymne
– had logged in】
17-08-0002;
12:00:00 【Melbiena
– had logged in】
17-08-0002;
12:00:00 【Unapietra
– had logged in】
“!!!”
Almost everyone who receives the messages is flabbergasted.
The
Heaven Lords… Had descended!
“Gemirea,
quick! Contact the Castle! Ask the 『Guardian』 to greet the Lords and prepare
proper reception ceremony! Raise the Alert Level and increase the castle
security! Ask all 『Guardian』 and 『Gate
Knights』 not in Gate Watch duty to return to the
castle swiftly! Also release official statement to the People about the Descent
of Heaven Lords!”
Mitteherz
quickly gives his command.
Gemirea didn’t waste any time to give any verbal
response, but promptly send spirit message relaying Mitteherz orders to 『Guardian』 and
other high ranked people. Mitteherz feels really glad, like a heavy burden and
lingering doubts finally dispelled completely. His usually frown full face now
had a joyful smile on it, the kind that Gemirea haven’t seen since a long time
ago.
⋞⋟≼≽⋞⋟≼≽⋞⋟≼≽⋞⋟≼≽⋞⋟≼≽⋞⋟≼≽⋞⋟≼≽⋞⋟≼≽⋞⋟≼≽
(For the CJK challenged: Mitte/Middle {中} + Herz/Heart
{心} = Loyalty {忠})
