Parcels Arrived

"These two individuals... Truly courageous... Deceived us all! I was convinced he aided us in dispatching the deranged woman! Yet, it appears they are allies!!" Dialla remarked.

"Absolutely absurd... He even had the audacity to demand repayment for his debts!" Victor interjected.

"Debts?! I've repaid his debts with my eye! I'll tear him limb from limb in this skirmish!"

A soldier, disengaging from the confrontation with Ayukawa and the assassin, approached Dialla to deliver a report, "Captain Dialla, we stand no chance against those two behemoths! Our forces are on the brink of being overwhelmed!"

"Indeed! I've witnessed it myself! Utterly worthless! Inform everyone to retreat, position the tanks at the forefront, and crush them beneath our treads! I'd like to see how they fare against tanks with their puny knives!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The soldiers retreated as Ayukawa and the assassin attempted to pursue, only to sense imminent danger ahead. They swiftly pivoted and sprinted back. The tanks formed a formidable line, maintaining minimal gaps between them, advancing like an unstoppable juggernaut, obliterating everything in their path.

The assassin saw the incoming threat and ordered, "Quick, fellas! Flee for your lives! Head to the eastern entrance now!" 

"Understood, leader!"

"Now they're deploying tanks just to deal with the two of us! Hahahahaha!! Do you grasp the significance of this?" the assassin inquired, sprinting alongside Ayukawa.

"I have no interest in idle speculation! Our focus should be on halting those tanks!" Ayukawa responded.

"Frankly, I'm not concerned. I have faith that the lady officer will handle them!"

"I doubt it. She appears to only have a sawed-off with her!"

"What?! Really?! I assumed she'd be armed with at least an RPG or bazooka!"

"How did you know her preference is heavy weaponry and gear?!"

"Come on! One can't engage in warfare without identifying the enemy's leader! Hahahahaha!" 

"You don't strike me as someone who pays much attention to such details." 

"Hahahahaha! Sharp as ever! Not just your eyes! I confess! I overheard about her from one of my fellas! I recall... Wait... Let me recollect..." the assassin paused, attempting to recall.

"Take so much time to recall about it?! What a brainless... Oh right, I forgot you're a walking corpse!"

"Don't be so harsh on me! Ah, yes! I remember now! The comrade who informed me was a former soldier! He cautioned me about the Lieutenant overseeing this city's security. He described her as immensely dangerous and formidable! Her fighting style is devastating! You must've witnessed her prowess in combat!"

"Indeed, I can only say we're fortunate to have her on our side."

"Hahahahaha! Speak of the devil... There she is, waving at us."

Ayukawa waved back and warned, "Rosseaulyn, run! They're closing in behind us!"

"I've spotted them! But we're still evacuating people to the east! Despite my urging for haste, casualties are mounting and slowing down the evacuation!" Rosseaulyn explained.

"Officer, are you suggesting we need to stall for more time to evacuate the civilians?" The assassin inquired.

"Yes, Mr. Assassin! We need more time!"

"I still have the ace up my sleeve, but I'm not sure where to play it..."

"That means you're powerless against them!" Ayukawa retorted.

"No, I haven't lost it! It simply hasn't arrived yet!" The assassin clarified.

"What is it then?!"

"It's... HERE THEY ARE!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!" the assassin exclaimed and pointed at something.

"What is it?!" 

They continued running until they reached the bottom of the slope on the main street and Ayukawa was finally able to see what's at the top of the slope. The assassin let out a sinister laugh, pointing at a row of trucks lined up at the top of the slope. Rosseaulyn immediately comprehended the assassin's ace card.

"Those trucks... They're carrying gasoline, aren't they?!" Rosseaulyn asked.

"You're... Hahahahaha!! Absolutely right!" The assassin twirled around, reveling in what he believed to be impending victory.

"Rosseaulyn! Do you think these trucks and the gasoline can withstand the might of those tanks?!" Ayukawa asked.

"I suppose... Maybe... Yes?" Rosseaulyn hesitated.

"I may have jumped the gun on celebrating... I forgot Kothern possesses the most advanced military technology... It slipped my mind..." the assassin conceded.

"Mr. Assassin, you'd better pray it works. Otherwise, everyone will perish... Including you! I won't allow you to escape; you'll be buried alongside the people if you fail!" Rosseaulyn's tone was stern.

"Wait, what?!" 

"You thought you could simply walk away from the consequences if you fail? Don't forget, you're the one who ignited this chaos!"

"And you're the one who injured my leg!" Ayukawa added.

"I thought we were comrades now! Shouldn't we at least act like a team?" The assassin protested.

"Cut the crap!" Ayukawa and Rosseaulyn retorted in unison.

They gathered with the truck drivers at the top of the slope, awaiting the opportune moment to retaliate against the tanks. While the assassin exuded confidence, Ayukawa, initially energized, began to show signs of exhaustion. Rosseaulyn noticed Ayukawa's labored breathing, indicating she was struggling to catch her breath.

!

ChatGPT

"Ms. Ayukawa..."

"I'm fine!"

"Nope... Even a deaf person could hear your breath... And you've reached your limit."

"Ayukawa, did I really injure your leg that badly?" the assassin inquired.

"If I had any extra strength right now, I'd tear off your leg in return!" Ayukawa retorted.

"Nah! I'm not mocking you! I genuinely care about you! Hahahahaha!!" 

Rosseaulyn intervened, kicking the assassin and leading Ayukawa aside. "Ms. Ayukawa, just ignore the idiot and take a rest here for a while..."

"I'll do my best until this battle is over... Huuh..." Ayukawa remarked, her exhaustion evident.

'These two women... I never imagined Kothern had such resilient women...' the assassin thought.

The truck drivers gathered around the assassin and said, "Leader! Apologies for the delay! There were numerous buses clogging the roads, so we had to take a detour."

"Never mind! At least now I can guarantee the fireworks show will still go on! We just need to ignite them all!"

"Sure, leader! Hmm? The female soldier over there..."

"Oh! She's one of us! No worries!" the assassin reassured.

"Are you kidding me, leader?! She's Second Lieutenant Winton!"

"Yeah! I knew!" 

"She's the leader of the military!" 

"Yeah! I knew!" the assassin reiterated.

"She is—"

"YEAH! YEAH! I KNEW! But she's not our main target right now; it's Dialla! DIALLA!" 

"Dialla? Oh... I've heard about him before... Back in my days when I was still a soldier in the military... So, Dialla is the one who commanding this war..."

"Exactly. So, you were also a soldier?" 

"Yeah."

"Hahahahaha!! Interesting, no wonder so many of you are skilled in combat! It seems there are many ex-soldiers here!" 

"I overheard your conversation! I had doubts about myself when I arrived here, but now I'm certain my guess is right." Rosseaulyn said.

"Ma'am... Should I say it's good to see you again? I doubt you'd recognize me..." 

"Actually... I noticed many familiar faces when I first arrived in the slum. I thought it was just my imagination, but it turns out many here used to be in the military..." 

"Well... Most of us couldn't live up to the expectations of our superiors, so we left the military. You know, things like genocide and massacres in another country... That's what we were involved in..."

"Yeah, I'm aware... I've never been proud of being a high-ranking soldier of Kothern."

"Your reputation precedes you among us. You're different. Is that why you always wear a different military uniform?"

"Who knows... I'd probably just say it's a matter of preference..."

"Hahahahaha!! What an intriguing conversation between you two! I'm starting to take more interest in you, officer!"

"DISGUSTING!" Rosseaulyn exclaimed.

"Hey! I meant interest, not affection!" 

"Still disgusting!" 

"Whatever..."

"They're here, Mr. Assassin! Quickly, get back to your job!" Rosseaulyn urged.

"Yeah, I heard it! Everyone, do you have a brick in hand?" 

"Yes, leader!" the group responded.

"Remember, release the handbrakes of the trucks and place a brick on the acceleration pedal!" 

"Got it!"

"Great! Hahahahaha!! The fireworks show is about to begin! Get ready! On my count! Five! Four! Three! Two... And one!! Release the first truck!!"

"Yes, leader!"

The truck, laden with a full tank of gasoline, hurtled down the slope at breakneck speed, ultimately colliding with one of the tanks. The impact ruptured the container, spilling its volatile contents. The ensuing spark from the collision ignited the gasoline, triggering a powerful explosion.

From their vantage point atop the slope, the assassin and Rosseaulyn observed the chaos unfolding. The explosion successfully disabled the tracked vehicle, preventing it from moving any further. However, the tanks behind it showed no signs of halting their advance, even as the path ahead was engulfed in flames.

"They're not going to stop, are they?" Rosseaulyn remarked.

"Officer, don't forget, we're dealing with a ruthless commander! He won't rest until he eliminates me! Hahahahaha!! Release the second and third trucks now!" 

"Releasing!" 

Two more trucks, each carrying a full tank of gasoline, were set free down the slope. The resulting explosions were even more devastating than the first, causing several tanks to halt in their tracks. Yet, many others continued to press forward without hesitation.

Undeterred, the assassin continued to release the trucks, systematically targeting and destroying the advancing tanks. The relentless barrage of explosions not only incapacitated the military vehicles but also caused collateral damage to nearby buildings. Some structures collapsed, obstructing the path of the main street.

The combination of damaged tanks and rubble from the collapsed buildings formed a formidable blockade, effectively halting the progress of the remaining tanks. Their path forward was now completely obstructed, rendering them unable to continue their advance.

"Is my fireworks show over so soon? I still have some left unlaunched! Hahahahaha!!"

"Yeah, leader! We did it!"

"They've stopped! Hahahahaha!! My plan is working! Without those tanks, we can easily take out those soldiers!"

"I don't think they're just going to stay put... At least it buys us some precious time." Rosseaulyn cautioned.

"I suppose they'll send all their remaining forces for a final assault on us. They're no match for us without those tanks!" the assassin theorized.

"Are you sure you can handle a thousand of them?" .

"Not just me, of course! Ayukawa and you, as well as myself! Together, we can make it possible! Three against a thousand!" 

"Ayukawa seems incredibly exhausted. I doubt we can pull off your crazy plan..."

"Oh really? But her eyes remain sharp... She doesn't appear tired. It's just my prediction of their movements, after all. I wonder what Dialla will do next. Hahahahaha!!"

"He'll definitely make his move soon... If only Ayukawa could've kicked him to death earlier, I'd be ecstatic... Sadly, he escaped." 

"Did you notice he has a blinded eye?"

"Yeah..."

"I'm the one who did it! Hahahahaha!! I thought I had taken his life that night, but he only lost an eye. He's a coward, good at escaping... He's managed to cheat death!"

"What are you trying to say? Is he a cat with nine lives or something?" 

"Who knows? Want to test it out later?"

"I won't aim for his life directly... He owes me tons of explanations!" 

"There's a car approaching them from behind! I believe that's him!"

Dialla and Victor arrived at the chaotic scene, witnessing soldiers frantically assisting in rescuing those trapped within the blockade. Dialla's expression twisted with anger as he struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before him.

"What the hell is going on here?!! What's happening?!" Dialla demanded, his voice laced with frustration.

"Captain! They destroyed our tanks with trucks and gasoline!" a soldier explained hastily.

"Why didn't you just shoot them down before they could do it?!" Dialla barked.

"It all happened so suddenly... We couldn't react in time..." the soldier responded, his tone tinged with remorse.

"IDIOTS!! And what's happening now?! Why is everyone rushing around?!" Dialla's fury intensified.

"Many of our men are trapped under the rubble! We're trying to rescue them!" the soldier replied urgently.

"Forget about them! They're just trying to slow us down! We can't afford to stop here! I have a better plan, listen carefully! Everyone, regroup!!" Dialla commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos as he began to strategize the next course of action.