Chapter 13: The Fiery General

"There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: Recklessness, which leads to destruction; cowardice, which leads to capture; a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame; over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble." -Sun Tzu

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|GAWAINE|

"There's so many of them! What should we do, Mamoru?!" I shouted as I blocked one of the enemy's attack that's coming on my way.

"Let's head back first! We can't prolong this battle anymore! We'll suffer heavy casualties!" She shouted back while defending herself from the enemy attacks.

It's hard for us to fight in a long battle with our few numbers, we might be stronger than these demons but our stamina has limits.

I rushed towards to where lady Mamoru is to cover her back because she's having a serious problem by being surrounded by the enemies.

"Blondie! Let's combine our attacks, we can eliminate many enemies in one strike and use that time to make our forces retreat." That's a great idea, as expected from the Knight of the Moon. But it's still such a shame she often calls me Blondie and not my name.

We have a completely opposite magical attribute but we're the most suitable team when fighting. She's the moon and I'm the sun.

Lady Mamoru and I gathered as many magical powers within our bodies as much as we can to make a big explosion that can obliterate many enemies in just a single attack.

We crossed both of our swords and quickly chant our combination spell.

"We the day and the night of the moon and sun, carry our powers with our souls as one!"

"Combination spell! ECLIPSE!"

A huge ball of darkness covered with light generates at the tip of our swords, a massive ball of power capable of eradicating thousands of demons in just one explosion.

We release where the enemy's numbers are concentrated and with just that, we manage to blew up almost half of their armies.

While the enemies are in the state of shock, me and Lady Mamoru together with our army took that chance and retreat.

Even if we manage to eradicate half of the enemy's numbers, forcing the fight will only lead us to our demise, afterall, fatigue is already catching up to me and Lady Mamoru, and we also lost too many allies, I can't afford to risk their lives in this battle.

But it seems like our enemies also decided to retreat. They lost many men too, I guess we could call it a day for now.

"Looks like it's over... For now..." Lady Mamoru stated as she catches her breathe, but due to fatigue, her body started to become weak and she collapsed.

Good thing I manage to caught her before she completely fall to the ground. She did great, as expected from her.

I carried her in my arms and ordered our soldiers to head back first. I still have enough strength left to carry her to the castle that's why I decided that I'll be the one who'll bring her back.

When we arrived at the Castle, I lay her to her own bed inside her room, I brushed off the hair that was covering her face and smile.

"Rest well, Milady. You did well."

I immediately left Lady Mamoru's room to make a report for the King about our mission. While I was walking at the hallway, I bumped into Sir Tristan and Sir Lancelot who looks like they've just finished their missions too.

"Sir Gawaine, good thing you're here. Lady Merlin is asking for our presence at the throne." Sir Lancelot said and the three of us went to where Lady Merlin is.

When we arrive at the throne, Lady Merlin, King Luther, Queen Igraine, and the Minister was already there. I still have no idea what was going to happen but it must be something serious if most of the important people in the Kingdom is present.

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|MERLIN|

"It's been two months hasn't it? Brother Roland, Lady Azrael, Lionheart..." I stared at their graves with a faint smile on my face.

I wiped their graves with a handkerchief and placed a bouquet of flowers below it...

Durandal... Scarf... And an armor...

This is all that was left by the three of them along with their precious memories that will be inside our hearts forever...

It's been a while yet I still hasn't been able to move forward...

I'm sorry for being weak...

I still don't know if what I've been doing is enough to end this war, but I won't stop as long as this war is still existing...

Even King Luther is doing his best, leading his own army to repel the demons, but based on what I'm seeing based on the reports, we're not getting any good results.

"I know I still have an ace up my sleeves but I'm not sure if I'm going to use it now..."

"What do you guys think?" I uttered as if I was talking to the three of them.

I know they won't be able to answer me but, I just want a sign... Just give me a sign...

"Merlin, you're here too, huh?" I heard a voice coming not so far from here, where I saw King Luther walking towards my direction.

"You're here too, Your Majesty." I bowed to him and I panicked when I saw a big wound in his forearm. "King Luther! You're wounded! Let me treat you immediately!" I hurriedly cast a healing magic in his forearm to close the wound.

"Thank you, Merlin." He thanked me while rotating his wrist and shoulders.

"I'm at your service, Your Majesty." I said again and bowed to him but he just messed my hair and laugh.

"Merlin, it's only the two of us here. Why are you still so formal?" I can feel my face burning in embarrassment!

*Sigh* I always forgot about that! But sometimes? I get so familiar I sometimes called him big brother right infront of everyone...

"I'm sorry big brother, I'll keep that in mind this time." I uttered while still covering my face using my hands.

"Anyways, how's your mission brother?" I asked as I took a peak at him in between my fingers.

"To be perfectly honest, it's not going well. Even though Abaddon the Death left the battlefield because of the injuries he took from Lionheart. The one who replace him, Dark Mage Adromalech shows no remorse and continues to attack us from every direction." I see... This is indeed a big problem for us, if this continues, we'll be in big trouble.

I looked at him directly in the eyes and said. "Big brother. I'll do it now... I'll do a spirit summoning..." His face becomes even more serious and just nods at me in response.

"If that's what you think the best course of action is, I'll leave it up to you."

After our conversation there, the two of us decided to head back to the castle and prepare everything we have to prepare for the summoning ritual.

I entered the room of infinite knowledge to get the last and the most important piece of the ritual.

After taking the sword, I went back to the throne where the ritual will take place. And now, all that is left is to wait for the heroes to arrive.

After a few moments, the heroes arrive, excluding the Hero of Wisdom, Mistress Mamoru.

"Lady Merlin, Lady Mamoru won't be able to come. She's still resting after consuming almost all of the mana she has." I see, they must've fought a tiring battle for her to be like that.

"I understand. I'll start explaining what will about to happen." I took a deep breathe and look at each and everyone of them.

"We're going to do a summoning ritual. We will summon a spirit that will help us in battle, but if the summon failed and we summon a hostile creature, I was hoping that the heroes could take it down."

"This might be a bit risky but our situation is pretty dire. We must use everything we have to end this war. That is all."

All of them has a serious look on their faces, and I think it would be fine. I believe in the powers of the heroes and me and King Luther is also here. We can fight if it goes out of our control.

"I'll start the Ritual now." I stated and place the sword that I took inside the room of infinite knowledge in the middle of the summoning circle.

I also poured a bottle of holy water mixed with a powdered magic crystal that contains a huge amount of concentrated mana.

I made sure that the mana flow in the magic circle is stable, and once I secured everything that is needed, I put a few drops of the King's blood and use the sword as a catalyst for the summoning itself.

Everything is ready... I must start the chant...

"Ye who wield the almighty sword from another world. Hear thy call upon thee, grant us thy strength oh great spirit, ye who seek greatness once more! Grace us with your presence! Spirit from the drifted world, heed my call!"

"Spirit summoning! Hero of aegis!"

The sword we used as a catalyst started to float and a blinding light emerges at the center of the summoning circle!

It worked! The summoning worked!

All of us stares at the magical light in awe, when a muscular hand grabs the hilt of the sword...

Little by little, we saw a figure of a man, dressed with a fine clothes not common in our Kingdom...

When the light coming from the man ease up, he slowly opens his eyes, and with that, I feel an intense amount of pressure coming from him and his eyes are burning with rage which gives me shiver down to my spine...

The man gritted his teeth in anger and my eyes widen when he starts to scream and swing his sword wildly as if he was fighting someone!

"Mga traydor! Mga mamamatay tao! Mga lapastangan!" Huh?! This is... An other worldly language!

"Sarili nyong kababayan ang pinapatay nyo! Mga punyeta! Wraaaaagh!" He continues to shout some words that none of us knew the meaning...

None of the heroes were able to approach him, as he continues to scream and swing his sword.

When he started to calm down, he looked at each and everyone of us with an intimidating aura...

When he locked eyes with Sir Gawaine, in an instant, he dashed towards sir Gawaine and attack him with a full front assault! Luckily, sir Gawaine manage to block it with his sword.

None of us were prepared for that... His speed and strength is out of this world...

"Amerikano! Nasaan ako!? Anong klaseng lugar to!?" He shouted at Sir Gawaine but we can't understand what he was saying... "Sumagot ka!"

"Calm down old man! Let's talk!" It's no use! If we can't understand his language then he won't be able to understand us too!

"Anong sinasabi mo?! Sandali... Hindi ingles ang lenggwahe mo?" He stared at Sir Gawaine in shock and looked at us once more with face full of confusion. "Kakaiba ang mga damit nyo. Hindi yan ang uniporme ng mga Amerikano o Espanyol... Lalong hindi yan ang uniporme ng mga Pilipino..." I don't know what he was saying but it seems like he's starting to understand that this is not his world.

Due of confusion and shock, he frustratingly wiped his face with his palm and looked at us with eyes full of uncertainty.

I slowly walk towards him and grabbed his wrist gently as he looked at me with a puzzled expression on his face. I smile at him to make him feel at ease even for a little.

"Sabihin mo, binibini, sino kayo at nasaan ako?" It seems like he's asking a question but I can't understand what he was saying.

I closed my eyes and put a spell on him called 'all learning' using this spell, I can make anyone learn our language and norms in just a moment.

"I'm sorry but, I didn't understand what your trying to earlier because we use different language, but I guess you can understand me now right?" I asked which made his jaw dropped in surprise.

"Sa hindi ko malamang dahilan, naiintindihan ko ang sinasabi mo..." I still can't understand what he said because he used his own language again, but I think he's just surprised that he can understand me right now.

"I still didn't understand what you just said, can you please speak in Rumnian language?" I asked him gently and smiled at him once more.

"Naiintindihan ko... No, I mean, I understand." He said and looked around again "Forgive me for my rude behavior earlier, I was just surprised on what I see when I open up my eyes. I though you're all enemies." He added and returned his sword to it's scabbard.

"We're at fault too for summoning you all of a sudden, great warrior." I uttered and bowed to him as an apology.

"It's fine, young lady. Anyway, who might all of you be, and where am I?"

Everyone gathered around me and stand infront of the summoned warrior who's still a bit confused about the situation.

"You're currently inside the Royal Castle of the Kingdom of Enthopia, this world called Earumnia. I am Luther Enthopia, The King of this Kingdom." King Luther stated as he bows to the warrior and extended his hand.

"Nice to meet you, King Luther." The man gladly shake it and asked.

"So, what business do you have with me?"

"We humbly ask for your assistance to use your strength and help us win the war against the demons for the sake of this world." He bowed once again and when we see that all of us bowed our heads too including the heroes.

"Please, help us fight this war." All of us asked in chorus.

When I looked up, I saw a grin formed in the lips of the warrior and fixed the thing that he's wearing on his head.

"If the King himself will go this far as to bowing infront of me while in the presence of his people. I can't say no, can I?" He stated as all of us looked up to his gallant figure.

"Allow me to introduce myself." He said and fixed his clothes and placed his hands on his forehead as a form of salute.

"I'm the Commandant General of the Philippines, they call me The Fiery General."

"I am General Antonio Luna."

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End of chapter 13