39 – A Stare Down

Nathaniel stood on top of the fort, looking into the distance. Meanwhile, several soldiers carried out surveillance using binoculars.

"Here you are." Sheila approached the young man. "You're not usually in a place like this."

"The last few days, I was thinking." Nathaniel was still looking into the distance. "I doubt Zashrend will stop. I'm certain they'll try to retake this fort. That's how they are."

The fortress is one of the entrances to Celestenia. Because it is between two high hills, people cannot pass on either side. However, that route is the nearest to the capital. That's why Zashrend has a high interest in this place.

Sheila looked at Nathaniel's serious face. "But maybe you should relax a bit, so you don't get stressed at important times. People started living in this town again.. I heard there's a bar that just opened…. Ah, you don't like alcohol."

"Aside from not liking it, I also want to always be sharp in all conditions."

Sheila rubbed her chin. "Let's see... Apart from bars, there are only regular restaurants, and I also found a cake shop."

Nathaniel's body flinched, triggering Sheila to raise an eyebrow.

"I didn't know you liked cake." The brown-haired woman chuckled. "Then I will buy you a cake. What kind of cake do you like?"

The captain cleared his throat. "I didn't say that I…."

A sound similar to an explosion interrupted Nathaniel's words. A cloud of dust rose nearby as a soldier dropped to his knees.

Nathaniel and Sheila rush to it and find part of the wall destroyed. There's an arrow stuck there. It was thicker and longer than a normal arrow, and made of metal.

"Are those armored Armors!?" a soldier on the other side shouted while using his binoculars.

Nathaniel grabbed the soldier's binoculars. As soon as he used it, the captain gulped.

In the distance, powered armors marched while carrying swords and spears. There are also some who carry bows and arrows.

Giant arrows hit the fortress, causing loud booms. There was even one that passed over his head.

"They have very destructive arrows!!!" Sheila ducked.

"Sound the warning signal!!! We are under attack!!!" Nathaniel gave an order, then rushed downstairs with Sheila.

The sound of trumpets signaling danger came from the fort.

"Is what you said true, Cap!?" Sheila asked as she and the captain ran towards the armor garage. "They came wearing powered armors!?"

"There's no mistake." Nathaniel hissed. "They are carrying the Zashrend flag."

Sheila sighed. "Shit, we can't trust Zashrend. The peace treaty was their way of catching us off guard while they built their powered armor squad."

As soon as they arrived at the garage, Nathaniel shouted to the pilots. "Zashrend's troops are coming in powered armors! Deploy all the armors we have!"

The pilots stopped their activities, then got into their respective armors. Nathaniel put on his special armor, raised his giant sword, then led his troops towards the gate.

"They have arrows with high destructive power!" The captain warned his men. "Their aim is still bad, but be careful! You don't want those arrows to go through your head!"

They ran out when the gate opened. Some of them fell under arrows from Zashrend's troops.

"Keep going! There are more of us than them!" Nathaniel raised his voice. "We can win this! For the glory of Celestenia!!!"

The troops in powered armor cheered, and a clash ensued. Members of the Celestenia and Zashrend troops exchanged attacks using swords and spears.

And Nathaniel defeated several of them in just a few seconds. The captain swung his sword faster than his opponents, even though his weapon was much larger.

Then, a soldier—also in powered armor—jumped at him. Nathaniel used his sword to block the claws of that soldier. His appearance is somewhat different from his comrades. Several silver trims decorated his armor.

Nathaniel had no chance to attack. He could only block and avoid the claw attacks from various directions. But in the end, the captain knocked down his opponent down with a kick.

But Nathaniel didn't attack immediately, and took a stance first. His opponent performed acrobatic-like movements that were difficult to predict. If Nathaniel's speed wasn't on par with that soldier, he would have lost.

"I am Zach Woulfe." The clawed warrior hissed. "Do you know Desmond Woulfe, my father? I want to know how he's doing."

It quite surprised Nathaniel that his opponent was chatting in the middle of the war. "I know Desmond Woulfe, and he's fine. Celestenia always treated prisoners of war well."

"I hope you're not lying."

Nathaniel checked the surroundings. Despite the greater number of Celestenia's armored troops, the battle was balanced. Looks like Zashrend's powered armors are better.

"Vice-captain Sheila!!!" Nathaniel shouted at the top of his lungs. "Lead them for a while!!! I have to fight this gentleman!!!"

"Sure thing, Cap!" Sheila answered amidst the war crowd.

Nobody interrupted the stare down between Zach and Nathaniel. Nathaniel asked that no one interfere in his fight, in fear of someone getting hit by his giant sword.

It seems that Zach also asked his comrades not to take part in his fight, although the reasons may be different.

After observing each other for a while, the two stepped forward. This time, Nathaniel was ready, so he could deliver the attacks.

But that doesn't mean Zach just avoided slashes and sword thrusts. He also counter-attacked Nathaniel several times. And one of his attacks hit Nathaniel's chest armor.

Nathaniel found that Zach's claws had penetrated his armor quite deeply. A little more and it could tear the skin.

That was a big warning for Nathaniel. Just one mistake and the consequences are very fatal. He has to beat his opponent fast.

But Zach's fast acrobatic movements were so difficult to follow. Nathaniel had only encountered one other person with such crazy movement: his older sister. But Zach is more dangerous because he uses powered armor and a giant claw.

Nathaniel swung his sword for the umpteenth time. This time Zach ducked.

Instead of using his claws as Nathaniel had expected, Zach kicked the captain's hand. Nathaniel's sword slipped.

Zach didn't waste that opening. He delivered consecutive attacks to his opponent, who did not have time to pick up his weapon.