Ch 327: Oak, and Ash, and Thorn.
While the convoy is taking a rest while Harriet and Luna are fixing a cart with magic.
"Why did you want to make them burn it?" Mari asks
"They refused to keep moving. It was my only option. Until Harriet woke up and said she could handle it in a few minutes." Itami says
"Can't we ask for backup vehicles this slow movement is bothering me." Shino says
"We're technically past the front line, though they might let us off the hook with America and Koa helping with logistics. Yet if we were to bring a large enough unit here to move them. We could attract the enemies attention and it will be a spontaneous battle more unplanned combat and more runaway military costs. The villagers here will be caught in the crossfire. That's assuming our radio which had its antenna break could reach base." Itami says
"So the most we could do is give them a hand." Itami says
"Someone's coming from up ahead." Mari says
===========================
Meanwhile with Harriet.
"Great the new transfigured axel is in." Harriet says putting the car down.
"You're seriously strong." Soichiro says
Harriet stretches her muscles before she suddenly gets into a combat ready stance with her scythe fully extended and deployed. Luna aswell holding her staff like one would a quarter staff.
"You felt it too?" Harriet asks
"Yeah, almost as strong as the ancient dragon." Luna says
"It's no longer tied to the cycle of life and death. Immortal too?" Harriet says
"I should've felt that too." Luna says
"You're still learning the hollows gave me a boost and a cheat. Maybe it's friendly?" Harriet asks looking over to see a swarm of crows fly away.
"That had to have been teleportation." Harriet mutters wondering how that happened.
Suddenly a bunch of kids bursts out of the transport rushing to Rory Mercury. All of them shouting stuff like priestess and Orcale.
"If kids swarm to her." Harriet says
"Not evil." Luna says with a nod.
The two walk up to her.
"An ancient fire dragon made us flee our village." an older woman says.
Rory locks eyes with Luna as she suddenly dissapears from her spot swinging her halberd down at Luna.
There is a clang as the black and green scythe stops the halberd mid swing to the surprise of the villagers.
"You shall stop if you don't wanna die." Harriet growls as she pressures Rory with her magic which is dark in nature since she is the goddess of death.
Rorys eyes widen in horror.
"Emroy-Sama?" Rory asks her voice quivering
Harriet puzzled decides to unseal her omniscience.
In response to figuring out what's going on Harriet suddenly has a giggling fit at the misunderstanding.
"Dear now is not the time to be laughing." Luna says as her staff starts to glow preparing to attack with magic meant to kill immortals. Before she feels Harriets emotions knowing it's okay to power down the staff.
"No it's good, it's just I see how you got Emroy mixed up with me, but I am not Emory. we could talk later maybe with no mortals around." Harriet says to Rory as the villages look like they are about to worship her.
"But this girl." Rory says
"She's in no way related to zufumut, though mother may wanna do something about a demon pretending to be a god of light." Harriet mutters the last part yet both Luna and Rory hear her. Luna not exactly happy since light should fall under life.
"We calmed down now?" Itami asks as the members of the third recon team have their guns trained on Rory.
"Yes we are good." Harriet says
"Ok I was worried for a minute." Itami says as they all put down their guns.
Rory suddenly locks eyes with Itami.
Harriet quickly powers her eyes with magic and sees destiny's string between the two.
"Hey, I'm already yours, come on." Luna says hugging Harriet from behind.
"I know, its just Lapis is getting older." Harriet says
"Lapis is 10." Luna deadpans.
Right, Harriet says as they jump back into transport. Harriet sitting on Luna's lap.
Rory sitting on Itami's.
=============================
"We've gotten word your majesty, the allied kingdoms have failed to repel the invaders on Arnus hill." The advisor to the emperor says
"We expect over 100,000 casualties among them."
"All according to plan. Our neighbors can no longer threaten the empire. Burn every village and town from Arnus to the imperial city. Poison their wells and take their food and livestock. That would leave any army vulnerable." Molt the emperor says as he visibly relaxes.
"Scorched earth tactics... that will decrease our tax revenue." The advisor says
"Do it anyway." The emperor says knowing the losses are a sad but necessary.
(A/N: this reminds me of what the Soviet Union did when Germany invaded them in ww2 they literally moved their entire manufacturing base and did scorched earth to stress the German supply line eventually leading to a deadlock till Germany was bled dry of oil and other needed supplies.)
Suddenly the doors at the end of the throne room open up.
"Father!" Princess Pinya shouts walking in.
"Daughter? What do you need?" Molt asks
"It's about Arnus of course, I have learned about the miserable defeat of the allied army. The enemy is making camp on the empires holy ground, what are we doing at a time like this!" Pinya shouts
"We will use this opportunity to take back the hill." The minister says lying through his teeth.
"Take back the hill? What of the enemy invasion!" Pinya shouts
"Pinya you are correct." Molt says
"However we know very little about the enemy who is occupying Arnus hill. This is perfect, could you and your order scout their position?" Molt asks
"Me with my order?" Pinya asks
"Yes if it's more than just a plaything, of course." Molt says
"I understand your majesty." Pinya says a little mad at her fathers words.
======================
Meanwhile with the convoy.
Harriet is taping the roof of the slow moving humvee rhythmically.
"I don't even know how many rules you are breaking right now but please stop." James says
"You could hit me with this thing at 80mph and do zero damage so shut it." Harriet says as she goes back to tapping.
"Of all the trees that grow so fair, old England to adore. Greater are none beneath the sun, than oak and ash and thorn." Luna sings
"Sing Oak, and Ash, and thorn, good sirs
all on a midsummer's morn.
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and thorn," Luna and Harriet sing together.
"Are they singing?" Itami asks
"Oh no," Huston mutters.
"Yew that is old, in churchyard mould, he breedeth a mighty bow
Alder for shoes do wise men choose, and Beech for cups also
But when you have killed
And your bowl it is filled, and your shoes are clean outworn
Back you must speed for all that you need to Oak, and Ash, and Thorn." James sings along
"Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn" Harriet, Luna, and James sing
"Elm, she hates mankind and waits, 'til every gust be laid
To drop a limb on the head of him that anyway trusts her shade
But whether a lad be sober or sad, or mellow with ale from the horn
He'll take no wrong when he lyeth along 'neath Oak, and Ash, and Thorn." Harriet sings
"Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn
Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs
All on a midsummer's morn
Surely we'll sing of no little thing
In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn" Mari finds herself joining along in the song with Harriet, Luna and James.
"Oh, do not tell the priest our plight
For he would call it a sin
But we've been out in the woods all night, a-conjuring summer in
We bring you good news by word of mouth, good news for cattle and corn
Sure as the sun come up from the south, by Oak, and Ash, and Thorn" Harriet and Luna sing together
"Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn good sirs
All on a midsummer's *roar!*" they all stop singing as a giant red ancient fire dragon is staring down at them.