Saikō no Chitsujo

Chapter 13: Humanity

Arata hovered beside the palace’s balcony, his eyes narrowing at the plumes of smoke that rose in several districts of the capital. “Who would dare to attack the capital?! Do they not fear the emperor?!” Honest yelled angrily breaking the silence.

Heavy footsteps echoed across the room, the angered Chief commander inspecting the young emperor with a frown.
“I am glad you are here, Chief Commander,” Arata uttered, nodding in respect.
Returning his greeting, Budo gazed out the window, his blue eyes hardening at the chaos before him, “Were you able to observe the cause, Arata-sama?”

Arata shut his eyes, inhaling deeply and going still. Sighing, scales formed from the edge of both eyes to the top of his cheeks, his cerulean irises darkening and his pupils stretched out, becoming slit, the tip of his ears growing small pointed edges. He stared at the capital, turning back to give his reply, “Though I am not entirely sure, I believe the assailants are by the northern and northeastern regions of the capital and another set,” another blast shook the capital as Arata pointed west, “is there. Am I correct, R-Terra-san?” Roland held his gaze, silently nodding in confirmation.”

“So, this is the plan, your majesty, you and the prime minister are to return to a safe space in the palace.”

“Understood,” the young emperor replied, his fear evident in his green eyes.

“Chief commander, I leave their safety to you.”

“it is already my duty Arata-sama. But as much as I wish to crush the ones who dared to do this, I trust that you young’uns would handle it well.”

Arata smiled coyly, his gaze malicious, “Of course, Chief commander.” Turning to Roland, he stated, “The palace and immediate surroundings, can I ask you to handle them?”

“As you wish, Arata-sama.”

Another explosion midair, sent powerful shockwaves about as the two blue hairs stared it down, “General, it would seem that some of the Yeagers have engaged the assailants, so I ask this of you.”

Esdeath glimpsed at him straight-faced, “What is it?”

“Please take a few soldiers and have them secure the affected areas before you regroup with the Yeagers.” Esdeath remained silent as she climbed the window frame. Leaping off, she replied, “Very well.” Watching briefly, he shot into the air, speeding to the location of another midair attack.

Wave leapt through the dust, throwing an armored kick, his imperial arm; Grand chariot, protecting him from the blast that tossed him into a nearby building. He shook his head, looking over his unscathed armor, a dull throb stemming from the back of his neck. Glancing around the house, his eyes widened at the woman and four children who huddled together, shivering in fear.
One of the children ran to him disregarding who Wave assumed was her mother’s screaming. “Kid, go back to your mom now ok. I’ll take care of that bad lady okay?” Wave hastily prodded the little girl to her mother.
“Run! Don’t let her near here!!” Wave yelled, sprinting out of the house.

“Oh, so there’s an audience♥,” a playful feminine voice sang, a red flash parting the smoke.

The projectile hit him square in the chest, the blast leveling the building completely. Wave stood with a grunt, looking back to spot blood spreading from beneath a cluster of rocks, a dismembered arm, one he recognized as the little girl’s own spurted out blood from the stump as he accidentally leaned on it.

At that point something snapped in Wave’s mind, his pained scream startling Run, “I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!” Run glanced from the enraged Wave to their opponent, finally getting a good look at her as his imperial arms; Mastema, flapped behind him, keeping him airborne.