Kuaack!

Befitting his reputation as the Flash, Rhineland managed to deflect some of the oncoming bolts as he charged. But searing pain shot up his shoulder and sides, and the horse tumbled forward. Rhineland jumped off from his saddle, rolling as he landed to lessen the impact of the fall.

Hold your fire.

Rhineland saw the dead bodies of his companions as he rolled on the ground. He grit his teeth and charged with what sounded like a mix of a battle cry and a scream. Rivelia ordered the agents to stand down and stepped forward to personally face his will.

Clang!

Their swords clashed together, and Rhinelands face widened with surprise and confusion when he confirmed Rivelias face.

Lady Rivelia? What is

Rivelia grimaced, watching Rhineland fall deeper into confusion. She was certain after meeting his sword. Rhineland was not a turncoat.

Sir Rhineland, I know youre confused but listen

Rivelia attempted to reveal herself and explain the situation, but Rhinelands face twisted as if hed realised something.

I see, thats what it was.

What?

You filthy nobles. I thought Pendletons were different, but you are all the same.

Sir Rhineland, please calm

Shut up! I will never submit to you!

Rhineland mercilessly swung at Rivelia with his sword. Seeing his reckless behaviour that neglected any sort of defense, Rivelia believed there was a misunderstanding. She parried his attacks, trying to convince him in between swings. But her words didnt reach Rhineland.

What are you even doing.

Isaac sighed at the sight and signalled one of the nearby agents to come over. He stole the agents crossbow and pulled the trigger. Rivelia was wearing a defensive coat, but Rhineland wasnt wearing any armour.

Kuhuk!

Stab!

Multiple bolts drove themselves into Rhinelands side, and he collapsed onto the ground. Rivelia saw the bolts bounce off from her coats barrier and turned around.

What are you doing!

Isaac glossed over Rivelias angry stare and threw the crossbow back at the agent before walking up to the two.

How long are you going to play around?

Rivelia blocked Isaacs path as if to protect Rhineland and shouted.

Sir Rhineland is not a turncoat!

So?

We have no reason to kill him!

Isaac clicked his tongue annoyingly and pointed at the burning camp as he stared right back at her.

What bullshit is that? Then did those retards die because they were turncoats?

Thats

Move.

Isaac coldly ordered Rivelia, who was stumped for words, and she meekly moved aside. Isaac stared down at the squirming Rhineland before lighting his cigarette and crouching next to him.

You want one too?

Cough. Is that you, Sir Isaac?

Rhinelad spoke with a quivering voice as blood spilled from his mouth. Isaac looked at him emotionlessly and breathed out some smoke.

For your information, its not the Pendletons.

Rhineland struggled to look up at Isaacs face. Looking back at Rhinelands lifeless eyes, Isaac spoke without a shred of emotion inside.

Its Central.

Rhinelands eyes opened wide, and Isaac stood up.

Hold on, it wont take long.

Grab!

It was unknown where Rhineland gathered the strength to do so, but he grabbed at Isaacs leg and begged to Isaacs emotionless eyes.

Please, let the princesses

Rhinelands hand dropped before he could finish his sentence. Isaacs eyes shook for a moment hearing Rhineland. He watched Rhinelands body slip away and quietly muttered to himself.

The kids should live, the kids should

Leaving behind Rhinelands corpse, the group boarded the airship for the second destination. When they arrived, Rivelia figured out Isaacs intentions.

This is not acceptable.

Rivelia blocked Isaacs path, and Isaac made a bloodthirsty smile.

Why?

What do you mean why! There could be civilian casualties.

Nothing new there. Unlucky civilians die all the time. Dont tell me you believe there havent been any civilian casualties throughout all of Centrals history?

Those were unavoidable casualties. But this is a village completely unrelated to our mission!

What do you mean, unrelated? This is one of the Marquiss supply bases.

You know Marquis Lichten isnt charged with anything!

Faced against Rivelias continued rejection, Isaac sighed.

The Counts army was annihilated after an ambush. Is that normal?

No.

At least you know that. Then how will the Count react? Theyll obviously point towards the Marquis as the culprit. Hell file a complaint to the Department of Administration. Then, Central will be involved, and the war will be on pause until the investigation finishes.

How are we supposed to find the demon and his turncoats in that situation?

Are you saying that the Marquis must also suffer damages so the Count cant blame him as the culprit?

Thats right.

Isaac was pleased to see Rivelia finally understand and nodded. She spoke hesitantly through her grit teeth.

I will take command this time. If we infiltrate stealthily and only eliminate the guards

No, the village will be wiped out entirely.

Are you out of your mind?!

Rivelia blurted out at Isaacs order to massacre civilians, and Isaac responded, irritated.

Its you who should come back to your senses. The Count lost an entire army. But the Marquis only lost a single supply base? Do you really think they can accept that? What if they suggest that this was an inside job? We have to do it properly. If there are civilian casualties, the Count cant point to the Marquis as the culprit. Thats when we show up.

That is absurd.

Dont worry. It seems most civilians have already left the village because of the war. Those left are employees tasked with managing the supplies. Theres only ten or so of them.

Civilian casualties are unacceptable regardless, be it ten or a hundred!

Rivelia continued to reject the end result of civilian casualties, so Isaac sighed in defeat.

I guess theres no choice. Step aside.

You cant do this!

Sigh! Hey, damsel, Ive said it clearly. Step aside.

I will report this to the higher-ups.

Fine. Ill give you 10 minutes. Contact them.

With Isaacs approval, Rivelia immediately rushed to the airship to contact the higher-ups. Isaac watched Rivelias back, and when she disappeared he lit his cigarette and looked at the village as he spoke.

Move in. Leave no survivors. Kill them all.

But

Kainen spoke out hesitantly, and Isaac immediately took out his shotgun and fired at Kainen.

Bang! Kainen stumbled from the force of shotguns pellets. Isaac looked coldly at the dumbfounded agents, who didnt expect Isaac to really shoot, as he spoke.

You retards were promised a future in return for absolute obedience. Has watching that childish damsel throw a tantrum given you the impression that you are in the same situation? I dont need your opinion. Move in.

The agents grit their teeth and put their hoods back on. They moved in toward the village, which was showing signs of commotion because of the loud explosion. Enemy! someone shouted, and screams ran rampant inside the village.

Isaac put his shotgun back and smoked as he waited. The screams stopped even before Isaac finished his first cigarette. Isaac chuckled and stepped into the village.

They really are useful when it comes to hunting humans.

Isaac glimpsed at the dead guards littered in front of the village gate. He walked to the village plaza with a slouched attitude, but when he saw his agents gather a group of survivors and wait hesitantly, he frowned.

Lets see, are they all civilians?

Isaac looked at the group who wore casual attire instead of military uniform. He tilted his head and began counting them.

Huh? Im sure I was told there were seven, but only six are here. Ones hiding. Find him.

Some of the agents scattered into the village, and Isaac took out a new cigarette as he asked.

And are you guys deaf or something? Im sure I told you all to kill everyone. Or are you so appalled that youre going to give up everything?

Do we really kill them?

I have no idea who you are with that hood on. Who are you?

Kainen hesitated for a moment, then took off his hood and spoke.

We should at least wait until the higher-ups give us their approval

Kainen tried to buy some time, even risking his identitys exposure. But he shut his mouth when Isaac took out his shotgun.

Oh, please sir, we are just civilians. Please spare

Bang!

A middle aged man immediately begged when he felt Isaac approach behind him ominously. A wave of pellets lodged itself into his back.

Uwaach!

He killed him!

Please help me!

The civilians screamed and tried to escape when they saw the body burst to pieces with a loud explosion, but they were stopped and thrown back into the village plaza by the agents.

Isaac shot the back of another man. He then reloaded his gun and moved on to the next.

Isaac did not discriminate between his victims, whether they begged, cursed vengefully, or soiled themselves in panic. When Isaac pulled the trigger on the last victim, he heard an enraged shriek.

Isaac!

Isaacs face spun backward with a smack! and his body flew into the air, landing on a pile of crates.

Ill kill you!

Rivelia found the civilians, whose bodies had been torn to tatters by the shotgun. She drew her sword and rushed at Isaac.

Clang!

Kainen and other agents managed to block Rivelias attack, a strike which was wholeheartedly intended to kill.

Move aside!

The agents faces stiffened at Rivelias scolding. They shook their head and disobeyed her command. In fact, they slowly started surrounding her.

Rivelia glanced behind to see that the agents were intent on facing her. She bit her lip, and a droplet of blood, infused with her fury, crawled down her chin.

You dare try to stop me when all of you have witnessed what that man has done? What happened to the pride of being an agent of Central?

The agents kept silent, and it was Isaac who answered her as he climbed out of the pile of boxes.

Kukuku. Does pride bring food on the table? Its only those with full stomachs that speak of honour and pride. Ouch. That really hurts. I guess you really are a sword master?

Though the defensive coat managed to protect him against the brunt of Rivelias attack, it failed to dissipate all of its impact. Isaac spat out the blood that had pooled inside his mouth.

Isaac!

Anger lit in Rivelias eyes. Isaac found a box that was still somewhat intact and crossed his legs as he sat down.

What, you want to kill me? Then do it. A humans gonna do what they want to do. Isnt that right? But youll need to take care of these retards first before you can kill me.