Chapter 8
The Great Retribution
1
This time, Greylancer had confirmation of his intuition.
For the OSB who plan on invading the Frontiers, the administrators of each Frontiers were the strongest enemies and thwarters to their plan.
Rather than monitoring the Capital, the so-called "local governments" cast a keen look on the entire Frontiers. When the OSB and others learned that the greedy people, including Duke Dylaum, were blinded by the resources of the Frontier Districts, they began a plot to place them under the control of the Capital as they realized it was the only way to make the invasion more effective. They realized it was a once-in-a-lifetime to improve on their skills, and that's where the rebels come in.
There wasn't no way this could be managed from the vast Frontier Districts or the Capital. In fact, the "Direct Control Plan" submitted to the Privy Council included a major withdrawal of administrative facilities and personnel.
This was to turn the Frontiers into a land of freedom, away from the hands of the Nobility.
An alliance between OSB and the rebels was formed at this point.
However, the rebels were aware of the following fact that humans were to be a hindrance by being bait.
That to make them lose value by using "bait" for the Nobility was the only way to wipe them out.
To poison their blood.
A poison that affects only Nobles.
It was impossible not to think of it.
However, a discrepancy in the plan had occurred. With the Sacred Ancestors blessing, the Humans had the poison in their blood quickly detoxified and were able to flee to the Central Zone.
And there were two, perhaps three powerful enemies of the "Direct Control Plan" for the Frontier Districts.
It was now or never.
It was inevitable that such determination would draw attention to the Grand Evening Party, to kill Chairman Aurelius, Elder Jargen, and Lord Greylancer.
Given the timing, the decision had to be made before the spread of the poisonous blood. But there was no doubt that this was a well-thought-out plan.
Regardless...
Greylancer bowed to the three agents and left the room.
He entered the great hall and walked slowly to the northern wall, leaning against it.
For about ten minutes, people had greeted him yet no one spoke to him. It was creepy.
"I wasn't expecting you to be attending this Grand Evening Party."
The one who finally spoke to him was Chairman Aurelius.
"Excuse me for troubling you..."
"...Did something happen?"
"Preposterous. You'd be mistaken to think of me as a troublemaker."
"Is that so?"
Said Chairman Aurelius with a broken face,
"By the way, as an administrator of a Frontier District, what do you think of the Capital having direct control? I'm aware that this isn't something you'd want to talk about at this Grand Evening Party, but I like to ask for your frank opinion. Everyone else is against it, except for Dolmenra of the East."
"Dolmenra's a fleeting vote."
"That I think so, too. Even so, regardless of how much of a fuss the greedy-driven Direct Control faction makes, the Frontiers will remain the Frontiers so long as I and Elder Jargen are here. I'd say it's a relief."
"Then we have nothing to worry about."
The old man wordlessly grabbed Greylancer's arm and shook it.
That moment, the symphony of a waltz echoed through the halls.
It was "a dance with you at midnight".
However, the hall had chosen silence.
The shadows in the ball gowns and long dresses had shifted their positions and waited there.
After the introduction, the musicians placed their instruments on their lap and waited their time.
The head of the Capital appears.
"Please have an exciting night."
They said with the following statement,
"I'd like to introduce tonight's conductor and band."
They said.
"Alexander Minsky and his band!"
The hall shook with applause, as it would have not happened otherwise no matter what sort of dance any of them would have shown.
He was one of the top five conductors of not only the Capital but also of the world.
Even though this was for the Nobility, nobody has heard of him accepting a dance performance for ordinary people.
However, those among the Nobility here, those part of the dark society may have been aware of the great conductor's lack of economic sense and debauchery at the casino, and laughed at him with contempt.
Even Humans who possessed boundless fear of the Nobility's cruelty would lose themselves in ecstasy when they saw it. As they watched, they could not help but dance to it.
A waltz for the Nobility.
The best dance in the world, made possible for creatures other than this world.
A human who created not for Humans, but for Nobles.
Eventually, the lights went out and the nobles danced under the moonlight. No shadow was on the floor. There was a poet who said this was why it was beautiful.
After some time had passed, an old lady appeared and said something to Minsky.
The Nobility heard the great conductors' strange response.
"I and my band are not to be accompanied by a human playing the harp."
"We're not singers."
"You have quite the spirit for someone who plays around with music."
Said Greylancer quietly.
"But you know so little of the world."
That moment was when he noticed a change in the surroundings.
All eyes in the gallery darted in one direction.
A woman with black hair and a white harp stood in front of the door on the left side of the band. The moonlight made the white dress stand out vividly as if they were someone who was chosen by the heavens.
Tae.
The woman wordlessly pushed the instrument, stopping right next to the band and fixes it in place as an attendant brought over a chair.
Then, the performance begins.
Once again, Greylancer came to realize that the woman was a Human.
Girls who wander in the moonlight, with their white shrouds rippling through the air, would have their blood sucked by the Nobility.
Young men would invade a Noble's castle to try and drive a wedge in only to be attacked. Priests would drive a stake into their heart and bury the lovers in a cemetery with the stake placed above ground at the request of the family. This way, they would not forget their sadness and anger. Eventually, all of the victims buried here have stakes exposed above ground, with the cemetery later becoming known as the Castle of Stakes.
However, the lovers would not sleep peacefully. On a moonlit night, the mound would be pushed aside by white hands that extended from underground, and the resurrected lovers would begin their waltz around the cemetary.
They didn't know why they danced.
It was kind of pitiful.
Even so, they held hands gently, took unaccustomed steps shyly, occasionally stumbling, dancing into the night until dawn.
Once Tae's fingers left the strings, nobody moved.
The Nobility began to dance, but soon stopped moving and listened for the harp.
The thoughts of the creatures they didn't know sank into their hearts with a graceful rhythm without wavering. The countess clung to the archduke's arm, the baron gently cradling her head.
All that was left to do was simply wait for the performance to end.
Minsky was the first to move.
The great conductor approached Tae with a unique gait of slightly tilting his head.
"Alexander Minsky was a fool."
They said.
"I seem to have forgotten the meaning of music. I am now frightened of your beautiful performance and my own foolishness. I and my band wish to join in your play."
He turned to his band.
And the great conductor smiled for the first time in a while. All of his musicians were seated, their instruments at the ready, waiting for the moment to accompany him.
"Elder Jargen."
Someone called out to him. The elder turned his head to see a dark blue and golden giant towering before his eyes.
"If it's alright, I'd like to ask you to join me for a while."
Said Greylancer.
Quietly stepping outside to the hall, Greylancer led the elder to the hall opposite to them.
Seeing such a lone figure in a space comparable to the great hall, Elder Jargen frowned and asked Greylancer.
"Is this Chairmen Aurelius? What is he doing here?"
"I was waiting for you."
The other elder sternly spoke.
"Are you sure of this, Greylancer?"
"I am sure of it."
The Great Noble's reply seemed to have thrown the other elder into a stupor. He looked at their faces, and gradually, his face became one of fear.
"Greylancer had identified you as an OSB mimic."
Chairman Aurelius stated to his longtime ally.
Elder Jargen peeled his eyes away.
"Don't be ridiculous! Where is your proof!?"
Greylancer calmly gazed at the angry eyes.
"I'll answer for you. First, you showed no signs of being moved by the performance that Human just played."
"What were you looking at? It hit me hard, almost making me reconsider being a Human."
"And next, you were able to wear a ring exactly like this one."
The elder looked up to the owner of the ring, recognizing the small tin ring held out before him.
"What sort of imitation is this, Greylancer? I don't wear such a ring."
Greylancer touched the middle finger of his left hand.
"Here."
Without a sound, the old man turned to dust and slumped to the ground.
"The intruder has been eliminated."
Greylancer looked at Chairman Aurelius. The remaining elder smiled bitterly.
"Don't sound so scared. How long have you known, Greylancer? About the ring?"
The old man raised his hand. A small tin-colored light surrounded his fingers.
"When I checked the number of visitors earlier."
Said Greylancer.
2
"I don't know what happened before you transformed into Chairman Aurelius, but why do you wear the ring in that form?"
In response to the Great Noble's question, the elder silently looks at his thick fingers.
"I'm not sure. Maybe I liked the words that were inscribed on the back. But when I was disguised as the owner, it couldn't be absorbed. Perhaps it was a little too thick for the owners fingers, so it got dropped when I went to correct it. I didn't have time to pick it back up when the enemy arrived, but I had no idea you would pick it up. So much for my luck. But if you had noticed me, then why do it in such an elaborate act?"
"It was at the request of Elder Jargen."
"I see. He is a man who likes to play pranks."
The OSB who had disguised themself as the chairman must have known that the elder who became dust was a 3D image.
The long lance slowly rose.
"I'll ask you a question. Even if you answer, it won't help you."
"Are you with me?"
"Yes."
"Would you talk if you were me?"
"No. But if it were OSB, would you?"
"I'm still me no matter what form I change into. Nay, I become affected by the one I change into. Chairman Aurelius was a fine man."
The lance pierces his heart.
He went down the hallway.
Tae was standing quietly.
"What happened with the evening party?"
"It's still going."
"Without anyone dancing the waltz?"
Tae lowered her eyes.
"I'm just a boor who doesn't know much about music. Still, it was a good performance. I wished the Archduke could have heard it--the 'dark thoughts'."
"No."
Tae said.
"Are you saying the song you played before is different?"
"Yes. That one will reign them in for a while. No one has the will to be able to hear the 'dark thoughts'."
Greylancer turned towards the end of the hallway.
"Are you going?"
"I've been summoned."
"Could you not go?"
"What do you mean?"
"..."
"If I go, will I have the pleasure to return and hear your performance?"
"Then you're going?"
"Not exactly. I merely look forward to seeing how you feel."
As soon as he turned his back to Tae, Duke Dylaum appeared at the great halls door. Accompanying him were three guards. As soon as they were about to pass each other, the duke called out Greylancer's name.
"Stay up for the night a little longer."
Said Greylancer.
The duke's reaction was unexpected. He,
"What do you mean?"
Shruggd his shoulders.
"I just finished off an OSB. He coughed out the names of his filthy comrades in the Privy Council."
"Hoo?"
The duke seemed to be having fun. Despite his thick beard, he was also confident as well.
"After all that fuss, you'll be having a good sleep. One that you'll never wake from again, Dylaum."
"That's exactly where you are--"
The duke realized he would not reply back, for Greylancer had already shown his back to him.
When the door to the back opened, stars surrounded it. A part of the smoky blue globe of the earth peeked out beneath his feet.
The space bus, which can accommodate up to a thousand people, can transport anyone in the Capital in five minutes.
"Which way?"
The announcer asked.
"The Northern Frontier District, in front of the 'gate' of the Central Zone."
"A new program is prohibited. State your name, please."
"Greylancer."
"--Program complete. Commencing take off."
The voice from earlier rang in his ears, overlapping the announcement.
"I have the two brats who helped you in the Central Zone. Come to the wasteland west of the Dirty City at 10 PM in the Central Zone."
He didn't think on wondering out how they figured out the communicator's frequency.
"'Lancer' Elektra, huh? Seems like you finished up your treatment."
Greylancer stared out large window before him at the stars approaching him like arrows.
The Grand Evening Party was being held in a Floating City in geostationary orbit.
He had contacted them from the space bus as there was no one to meet him.
Only cyborg horses were available.
It took a whole day to pass through the "gate" and reach the Dirty City.
He slaughtered a "Man-Eating Eagle" with a kilometer wingspan with a particle cannon, knocked off the head of a "Runner" with a total length of 5 kilometers with a single sweep of his lance, and cuts through the "Netherworld Pond" flowing with poisonous mist to destroy the Dirty City. There was at least ten minutes before the appointed time when he arrived at the wasteland, where he could see the neon lights of the [Dirty City] in the distance.
The 50-kilometer wide plain was covered in black earth, with small dust particles rising here and there where the wind wiped them away.
A roar caught his ears. Greylancer's hand flashed and opened his fist. The small black of stone was extremely hot.
It was a meteorite.
"This is the graveyard of stars."
He heard a familiar voice coming from his right.
His red bandana stood out in the moonlight, and the light coming from his sole eye remained calm. The multi-barrel stakegun in his right hand had its muzzle pointed downwards.
"That's definitely your face. Sunhawk."
Said Greylancer.
"Why are you here?"
"Watch out!"
A tremendous impact and cloud of sand rose up between the two as they jumped. This wasn't a meteorite.
"Gunfire..."
Sunhawk told him, his voice melting somewhere into the earth.
"My arm fell off."
Greylancer responded. He had not moved from his original position. No matter how accurate it was, a bullet would not kill him.
"So how's the results of your foolish power up coming along? This alone won't do anything to satisfy you."
This taunt came from the Great Noble who held no regard for the existence of his enemies.
Two figures approached from the neon lights.
Once was a man in a long coat wielding a spear in hand, the other was a man with round glasses and a rifle already attached to his shoulder. The old flintlock's firing pin was raised.
They were Elektra and Hansen.
"Where are the kids?"
Greylancer first asked.
Elektra laughed with his fangs peeled back.
"A Noble among Nobles, a warrior who would slaughter anyone who dare go against his beliefs, even those of his own flesh and blood, would care for a child? And that of Humans, those pests!"
"Even I owe a debt to those pests. Where are they?"
Elektra raised his right hand.
Slowly, the girl and boy slowly descended from above, stopping just ten meters off the ground. On their backs were translucent wings. They were "angel wings", simple flying tools made by processing a gravity-powered substance called baraf. The amount of substance could be adjusted to change the flight's duration, and since it could be bought with pocket money, they were often used for safe short flights.
"Put them down."
Greylancer demanded in an earth-shaking voice. Elektra laughs.
"I'm sorry. Where is that pride of a Noble who went and asked? By doing that, you forfeited your victory."
He looked up at the two with maddened filled eyes,
"Besides, those two brats are good pests. They didn't ask for your help. Not even yelling out for help for any, so why would I let them go? Those wings will be gone in five minutes, and if you don't take care of us by then, that sister and brother will be flattened."
"What of the other one?"
Hansen asked.
"He'll be the first to die, of course. We've already got him in our sights."
"Have you met them before?"
"No. But thanks to the surgery, I can now see through our targets."
"I see. Be careful not to hit anyone else."
The giant body ran.
Elektra rolled his eyes. Greylancer was before Hansen.
The long lance's thrust roared out, but Hansen ducked and jumped out of the way. An incredible feat of agility.
"Eat this!"
He fired his long gun into the air. His stance remained the same.
Somewhere on the ground came a human grunt.
As soon as he landed, he smiled.
Six holes had appeared all over his body, two of them to his forehead. With just that alone, everything from the neck up was obliterated. And the body, which had turned into rags, was thrown three meters to the ground.
A figure rose up from the spot where the cry of pain came from. It was not Sunhawk but rather, an elder bald man.
"So that's how you managed to survive."
Greylancer said with a wry smile.
"Humans are little pests, after all."
Elektra thrusts his lance into his chest. He flips, repositions his hands and feet at the same time, and slams the long hilt into the back of his neck. Though it looked to be a sure hit, Elektra ducks and dodges out of the way. Perhaps this was what Greylancer was waiting for.
He stops spinning his beloved lance while ignoring its inertia, and flings it forth without pulling back.
As soon as he landed, it pierced through the left side of Elektra's chest and his back as he leapt back.
Elektra coughed. Each time he did, blood blood would come out.
"Amazing, Greylancer. Right in the center of my heart. And now, I'm going to transfer my life to the other one."
That moment, the changes that occurred throughout Elektra's body coincided with a new heartbeat.
First, a black veil covered his eyes. Second, the face was followed. Third, his body and limbs were also stained in black.
"Now your attacks will be neutralized. This new element of life will bring forth all new kinds of useful things."
The new creature bared its fangs. It had double the fangs as before.
Then, there was a roar.
The new Elektra winded up, and ran at the Great Noble.
The sound of compressed air being released shook the large body. All six wedges were repelled.
"A mere child's play, Human Hero. While you're playing with your toys here, your precious brats are running out of time."
Two pairs of eyes looked to the air.
In spite of the horror of being lifted up in the air, they never screamed or cry for help. But now, their faces had urgent expressions on them.
"I'm your opponent."
Sunhawk dared while attempting to sprint, only to be stopped by his enemy,
"You fool!"
The tip of Elektra's spear he used to thrust with may have been imbued with magical power.
Sunhawk's body was torn in two. Then, his spear stabbed those two as well. They became four. Then he became eight.
There were sixteen--nay, thirty-two Sunhawks that surrounded Elektra wielding stakeguns. All of their positions were different.
"This is my chance for those two!"
The thirty-two voices shook the wasteland, inviting Elektra to attack. The number of rebels increased each time.
A scream rang above his head.
"Sunhawk!"
The daughter's mouth let out a cry that would have otherwise not uttered the name of someone who had feelings for the one they called out the name to.
The "angel wings" lost their effect, and the sister and brother fell to the earth like pebbles.
3
Greylancer jumped.
He held them right as they were five meters above ground.
"You!"
As they turned to run to the landing spot, a spear was sucked into the neck of the black creature. The weapon, which also had a spearhead attached to its hilt, fell to the ground but Elektra lost his jump for a moment.
"You're in my way!!"
Elektra pulled out the spear from his chest and flings it at the Great Noble.
It easily landed on his feet, causing the Noble's upper body to stumble slightly.
Elektra rushed in the moment he threw it.
Greylancer melted into one like his enemy and felt flat on his back a few meters away.
On his mount, Elektra brandished his long lance.
"This is the end, Greylancer."
"Indeed. You are defeated."
The voice of the Noble ran through Heaven and Earth.
Elektra looked at his chest. His spear grazed Greylancer's cheek and pierced the ground.
There was only one flaw in his immortal body clad in the invincible armor--an arrow shaft of about five centimeters long was protruding out of the wound where Greylancer pulled back his spear.
It was the deadly weapon Greylancer pulled out of his chest from the moment when life and death intertwined.
Black blood splattered on the Noble's face and chest.
A thick oder filled the air.
"This time, I didn't miss."
Greylancer said as a reminder and stood up. There was no need for him to push Elektra. With a powerful blast of the night wind, it turned the body of his powerful foe to dust and carried it away.
He looked out over the wasteland.
Sunhawk was standing there.
When their eyes met Greylancer's, he raised his right hand and gave a thumbs up. It wasn't just a sign of victory. Both Human and Nobility fought together here.
Ralph ran towards Sunhawk, while Jennifer was a little hesitant to follow.
There was another man who saved the daughter.
Giving her a small nod, she ran towards him.
"Let's go."
Said a voice above her.
"Thank you very much."
The girl pressed her cheek against his sturdy chest.
The thick smell of iron and salt filled her nostrils.
His iron arm lifted up her dainty body and lifted her high.
The girl looked up at the fearless face and smiled like that of a white flower.
His private room in the Vistoria was shrouded in blue darkness. The eastern sky was faintly white. Soon, light will rule the world.
Greylancer closed the door and sat on the sofa comfortably. His movements were the same. The only difference was--
"I'll surely turn you to dust."
A boy cried out.
"How will you repay this debt, Great Noble?"
Those pair of eyes were filled with anger and contempt.
that refrain of hatred will repeat over and over.
Still, he was very tired. A hint of a shadow mingled in the air.
"Tae?"
He asked.
"Correct."
"What are you doing here?"
"Tonight, I'd like to tell you something. A story of the 'dark thoughts'."
There wasn't a response, nor did she wait for one. She wondered if the shadow was listening to the whispering strings.
The tone was neither of sadness nor anger from the Grand Evening Party.
It wrapped its pale fingers around the souls of those who heard it, carrying them to the ends of the depths.
The end was not even of despair. It was to be aware to the bones that they are alone. That the universe is of no life, and that there was no hand that would help them.
A memory of Greylancer brought him back to the memory of blood.
The smell of iron and salt from the girl named Jennifer.
Why was it so sweet?
Then, Greylancer realized he was in the middle of nothingness. An absolute solitude that mocks despair.
The long lance falls from his chest.
Just before the tip could hit the floor, his fingers wrapped around it.
The void mocked Greylancer.
Somewhere, anger was rising.
It was the anger of despair.
How much of the void was there? Such despair was like sweet candy.
He saw as his hand that held the lance trembled, his eyes glowing red.
"What dirty ears."
Tae quietly said.
Her presence was withdrawing.
"The sky in the east is dawning."
The voice came from around the door.
"It may be a dark dawn."
"Go."
Said Greylancer. It was his usual voice. The door closed. There was no light in the room to reach him.
Among them, Greylancer was the only one who looked like a shadow that awaited the dawn.
The dawn which greeted the endless night.
(Fin)
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