9.3 Frontline

I smiled sheepishly as I nodded back to the elder, ignoring the same looks of trust coming from the rest of the riflemen as I trotted my way back to where I left Lise. With two bayonets in tow, I ran through whatever plan I had in my head in terms of how to actually try and breach the front line with just the two of us running at them like madmen. My katana sorely lacked stopping power, something that I actually had to fix as soon as possible for me to not just have a spear in blade form like a fvcking idiot. Lise, meanwhile, had a shortsword that was already proven to be able to withstand blows from a Primzahl like it was nothing. Taking these into account, we'd be okay in the defense department if we knew how to block and parry like a pair of pros. To breach the front line, perhaps the fear of the rifle would be enough to soften them enough for us to pass?

"Lise," I called out as I reached my destination, "You doing okay?"

"Still fine..."

I frowned as my little sister gave me the best smile she could muster amidst the scorching heat that was ravaging us to kingdom come. Although, she did look like she was faring better in the heat now than the last time I left her. Perhaps she'd finally adapted.

"Lise," I leveled to her shorter frame as I handed her a bayonet. "Can you fight?"

I already knew what her answer was going to be, but an elder brother could only dream that her younger sibling would take the easier way out of harm's way, right?

"Of course... Brother..." Lise panted amidst the heat, her posture suggesting that she was in perfect fighting form in contrast to her heavy breathing. "I'll never leave you alone... Big Brother..."

Aackk! The cuteness was still in full effect despite her haggardness! "Okay, Lise."

I found myself ruffling her hair like old times before motioning her to follow me. Through the thick of the front line, Lise tailed me dutifully, grabbing hold of what was left of my tattered shirt once more before letting go as soon as we reached the back of the shieldmen. With a gulp, I turned to my little sister, intent on giving her the plan of attack for this stunt of ours.

But first... "I don't expect you to fire your rifle, okay?"

While Lise was able to fire off a few rounds after Baccus's redesign made it lighter on the Wesen reserves, I was still skeptical of her ability to not overdo it. Of course, if it would possibly save her life, then by all means, I'd let her shoot stuff to her heart's content. But for now...

"Okay..." Lise simply nodded. "I'm more used to my sword anyway."

"Good, but do use it if you think it'll help you."

"I know, Brother," my sister smiled as she hefted the rifle onto her back. "I'm not stupid. I know how to fight."

Ignoring the subtle jab at my poor judgment-making skills, I mentally sighed as I pulled her closer to one side of the vat valley, the heat radiating from the orange glow by our side making it harder for us to breathe.

"Listen, We're gonna charge ahead at the enemy," I briefed her. "Follow behind me just until we've managed to break past their front line."

"Once we get past them, what do we do?"

I chuckled as Lise didn't even think to question what I was going to do to get us into the thick of it in the first place. "We wreak havoc."

Once we got inside, we'll have to rely on pure skill and endurance to fight off a possible horde of Dezimals. We needed to cause as much chaos as humanly possible. It'll be insane. Suicide, even. But it was the only idea I've got and I might as well do it.

I heard Lise get into position behind me as we maintained our pace alongside the shieldmen. On my signal, we'll be running at full sprint toward possible death. But as I ready my rifle for the opening salvo that I needed to use, there was strangely no fear that was even attempting to root me into place. Sure, the anxiety and pressure were still there, but I didn't feel anything else after that.

"Watch each other's backs, right?" Lise asked behind me, reminding me that I had never uttered that phrase in a good while. "And don't get killed?"

"Yeah..."

With a slight crouch, I prepared myself for the insanity that we were about to face together. I knew that my little sister was crouched behind me as well, ready to follow me into hell if it meant helping me in the slightest. With each step of our march, we drew closer to our target, the impenetrable wall imposingly blocking our way toward freedom. And as the seconds ticked by, I felt my muscles coil into a familiar stance...

"Ready..." I whispered.

Wait for it... Almost there... Just a few more meters of marching...

...

....

"Now!"

With a start, I took off, my feet almost leaping off the ground as we rushed ahead of our front line. The roaring heat of the surrounding vats washed over my face as each step felt like a lungful of humid, super-heated air. My hair flapped through the wind, my eyes struggling to remain open as I scanned desperately for a spot to launch our potential opening attack.

"Stick close!" I shouted. We only had one shot at penetrating this wall. Better make it count. "On my mark, Lise!"

"Got it!"

It wouldn't be long now till we hit the blockade, perhaps just a few more seconds of running at full speed as the looming visage in front of us grew larger with each leap and bound. Already, I could see them start to react to our sudden approach, some in their front line already lowering their halberds in anticipation of our oncoming assault. In response, I hefted the rifle off my back and pointed it squarely at one specific point: the most left-side guard that was right beside a smoking-hot vat.

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