Gate Guardian - Song of the Frozen Soul

PHASE 75 - SO WE REALLY DON'T NEED THAT COUNTDOWN!

PHASE 75 - SO WE REALLY DON’T NEED THAT COUNTDOWN!

Everybody was silent, unsure of what they have heard. Even I can’t believe that Rikkun is joking around at times like this.

“Tomorrow, we attack Helena!”

Rikkun repeated his words, and for some reason, his second proclamation had much more of an impact.

“W-Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?” All of us have question marks on our faces.

“R-Rikkun, are you sure?” I worriedly asked our leader.

“Of course.” Rikkun chinned up and held his hips, like a senator making a bold platform in the coming elections. “I’m tired of just waiting for our enemy to ambush us. It’s time for us to make an ambush instead! Besides, attacking first have the element of surprise!”

Everybody murmured to their seatmates. They discussed something like “Are we really ready to face Helena?” and “Did Alaric think this plan over?” After a while, I have seen convinced faces nodding to each other.

“So, any objections?” Rikkun said.

Everybody was silent as if they have completely put all their trust to the arrogant king. Almost everyone has this insured smile on their faces.

But not me. I’m the one who objected. I can’t afford to be reckless at times like this. The image of Rikkun dying again has already been tattooed permanently on my brain. If that happens again… If Rikkun dies again… I...

“B-But Rikkun…” I held my chest as I unleashed a worried voice. “I think we should just wait until we’re fully prepared with our defenses.”

“The best defense is a good offense.” Rikkun struck down my argument. “We can hit harder when our enemy is thinking that we’re not ready to attack yet.”

“But… but… What about the countdown to [Days before Helena Returns]?” I asked.

“Who told you to keep track of the countdown?” Rikkun made a smart-aleck reply.

“...Auuuu…” I cried and curled at the corner of the stage after being shut down by my own boyfriend. Everybody laughed in their seats.

Rikkun continued with his proclamation.

“We attack tomorrow morning, at seven, before Helena gets her breakfast so that she will fight empty-stomached. It can raise our chances of victory by a small amount, but every percentage counts. So make sure you eat at 5:30 and we’ll prepare the battlefield at six. Don’t bother training tonight, you guys have worked hard enough. You deserve a good night sleep.”

Rikkun took a short break talking. He made a long sigh. And then…

“Our main mission- to capture Helena Efilion has already commenced. It has already started when we all decided to train and work hard. So now… we’re finally approaching to the end game. Aether Crusade, best of luck.”

“Yeah!” Everybody cheered as they raised their fists with a smile. Everybody, but me.

I’m the only one who has a bad feeling about this.

<>

It’s already midnight. The crescent moon peeks from the slow-moving clouds. Our members are already asleep on their respective guest rooms in the shrine.

Rikkun is sitting in our favorite place at the peak of the mountain. From here, the city of Heightsburg can be seen. It’s already late at night, but the city lights are still twinkling like the stars above. It’s such a magnificent view to relax.