My Throne of Light (Seven Knights Fanfiction)

Chapter 52: Height of Its Power

The whole woods were quiet as the three males passed by at dawn. They were on their way to a cliff leading to the sea. Perhaps the transport would be done by sea. However, before that, they knew Joker would be found by a hunter one way or another. The woods were too quiet for it to be natural; Rudy and Kris knew it could have been a trap.

Out of nowhere, a loud crack echoed in the woods as if someone just cocked a gun. Kris grabbed Joker by the back of his collar and jumped behind Rudy as he called forth his shields. Bullets rained on them for seconds; after so, Kris dumped the smuggler to the ground so he could rush in to attack. The blond ran to the bushes and delivered a slash to the gunner. However, a figure jumped out to evade. She cocked her rifle again to shoot at Kris, which he blocked with his sword.

"Kris, wait!" Rudy called on his friend who did jumped back from battle. "That jacket."

"Ahahah, you recognize this?" The woman swirled around to strut her jacket. "Then I hope you know what you're up against!" The gunner was a pretty young woman who wore quite provocative clothing. However, she sported a tailored jacket known among a member of a certain organization.

"Hmph" -Kris lowered his blade, not his guard- "a Crusader, huh." He glanced at Joker. "Looks like you're not a simple smuggler, are you, Joker?"

"Smuggler?" The girl twirled again to ready her gun. "He's not a smuggler, mister. He's a Dark Arts practitioner, and he's causing quite the uproar!"

Rudy flung behind him and failed to grab the man who just ran off. The brunet Knight ran after him as well as the other two. Joker, despite the weakness, was well enough to give a good chase in the woods. However, they did lose him; then again, they knew where he was headed. Given the circumstances, they were obliged to explain to the Crusader.

"So to help your friend, you seized the moment to get connections to people involved in the black market?" Ruri hummed as they proceeded to the pick-up location.

"You wouldn't know when you need them even though you work for the Light." Kris tried to justify his choice.

"Oh well, we, Crusaders, do have connections to those people, too, after all. I understand what you mean." She giggled. "But~ you just ran out of luck since he's a wanted man."

"Then again, someone who harness demonic powers." Rudy glared at nothing in particular.

They managed to get to the pick-up location on time; however, the sight was completely unexpected. The moment they got out of the bushes, they were welcomed by the image of May with Joker standing behind her. She was displaying quite a brave face while holding a huge multi-barreled revolving gun- and after starting it to fire in their direction. Rudy used his shields of light again as Kris and Ruri ducked behind them.

"Joker's mine! And you're not taking him anywhere!" May yelled audibly despite the roaring gun.

"May! What are you doing here!? Wait, it's us!" Rudy called out, trying to stop her from firing. However, he suddenly felt someone jump on his back, only to jump off from it.

Ruri slung her rifle from her waist and fired at the courier mid-air. May, hiding battle experience from everyone, was able to evade and change the direction of the bullets. The two women engaged in a killer gun battle all by themselves, leaving the Knights of Light out of it.

"Should we even interfere?" Rudy asked while at a loss for words while watching the two. He received a tap from Kris instead- as well as a gesture that Joker was escaping.

The males ran around the battling girls to chase after the smuggler who was already descending from the cliff. They slid down to catch up with Joker; but before Rudy could get his hands on him, another gunfire echoed in the area. This time, it came from a woman concealed in the high rocks. She hit Rudy by the hand, but he was saved by his sturdy gauntlets.

"I was told only the Crusaders were after you, but here we are, staring at the Knights of Light in the face!" The woman huffed. "I'm Victoria, and I'm taking this man with me!"

...

"A pirate in Asgar waters, huh," Kris whispered as they watched the woman take Joker to her ship which was concealed behind the scenery. "We should look into this."

"You sound like you're planning to escape soon." Rudy chuckled darkly as the ship started vanishing into the morning fog. Soon, he noticed two more people joined them at the rocks. "You just missed him, May."

The cat girl clasped her hands together. "I hope he gets to Aisha safely. Oh, I'll miss you, Joker."

Ruri burred in disappointment. "Man, I didn't get to catch him again." She then straightened before laughing. "Then again, my colleagues will be waiting for him in Aisha- so no shame in this! Ahahah!"

"NO!" May shrieked.

Rudy made a bitter smile as he watched the two women act like friends- as May shook Ruri and forced her to say it was a joke. He noticed Kris was doing the same.

"I'm surprised she came even though she knew she'll be fighting the Crusaders." Kris sighed as they continued watching.

"...I'm not though."