Miyako stuck close to Satomi as Estelia got out of the wall's chamber first. This time, Miyako was to follow Satomi's lead in this operation. It was her first time doing something like this, after all. Personally, she thought it was absurd that they would attempt to take down an entire bandit fortress with just the four of them. No normal person would even think of such a thing.
However, she still decided to help. Because it was the right thing to do. And also, because, for some reason, she trusted they could pull it off. Still, Miyako didn't have experience doing something as high risk as this. So she was feeling incredibly anxious. She was worried that she would mess it up. She clenched her sword's hilt tightly, pushing back the nervousness growing inside her.
Complete stealth was something she had not trained much, nor did she even ever focus on it. However, it was different for Estelia. Just now, Miyako had a glimpse of how Estelia worked, and she couldn't help but feel astonished. She noticed that when Estelia walked, the sounds of her footsteps were nonexistent. How she was light on her feet was incredible.
"Alright, wait 30 seconds before moving out. Don't worry. We'll take out the spotters above, as planned."
The plan was that both Miyako and Satomi would eliminate those on the ground. Meanwhile, as they moved, Estelia and Nira would take out enemies positioned above. All so both Miyako and Satomi could move more freely without worrying about unseen observers.
"Got it."
Estelia stepped outside, and she jumped up with a sudden burst of wind that helped her launch back up to the top of the wall.
Was that another magical spell?
"Spell casting, and ninja-like abilities. How varied could one's abilities be?" Satomi said.
"She is quite talented, isn't she?" Miyako wryly smiled.
Satomi nodded. "Too talented that it's too baffling. At her age, it should be impossible for someone to have top tier skills in two disciplines."
That was true. Miyako was trained in swordsmanship, and she was older than Estelia. However, she was still behind someone like Satomi in strength. She still had a lot to learn as a warrior. However, Estelia was already strong enough to defeat a group of elite warriors, and was both a mage and a ninja. Miyako truly could not comprehend how Estelia was able to achieve all those. Were training and education that different in her own kingdom? Even if that was the case, it was still hard to comprehend how it was even possible to achieve it.
They waited for thirty seconds before they moved out. As they moved, Miyako noticed a shadow zipped above them, it moved too fast. It was likely Estelia moving, executing enemies that were on a lookout.
Miyako followed behind Satomi as they went through a small opening between buildings, crouching low. There were likely enemies inside the buildings, but they were not the target for now. As per Estelia's instructions, they were to kill those lurking in the outside around the area first. And they must absolutely be undetectable. Otherwise, the mission might as well be a failure.
Faint sounds of people talking reached Miyako's ears, and Satomi raised her hand, gesturing for them to stop. She shifted closer to the wall, into the darker shadow, and Miyako followed suit. Miyako snuck a peek and saw three men chattering, sitting down next to a fire. Seeing their number, Miyako grew worried about how to take them out with just the two of them.
"The new batch that arrived a couple of days ago was pretty good," said one bandit.
"Yeah, but I think we were a bit too rough on them."
"We'll get new ones."
Satomi leaned a little forward and looked to the left and right, checking if it was clear. Afterward, she turned to Miyako.
"Milady, I'll take care of the two on the right. You handle the one on the left."
Miyako nodded with a stiff expression. Readying herself, she placed a hand on her sword's hilt and took a deep breath. She waited for Miyako's signal.
"Go."
Moving as quietly as possible, Miyako rushed towards her target from behind. She swiftly pulled out her blade and stabbed him in the back while covering his mouth. The man tried to look behind, trying to see who struck him. But Miyako pushed the blade further in and slightly coated it with magic, shredding his internal flesh. A moment later, he stopped moving.
Pulling out her sword, the corpse dropped to the ground. She turned towards Miyako and saw her pulling out her blade from her two targets' throats. Satomi sheathed her blades and started pulling the bodies into a hidden corner quickly. Miyako used one hand and dragged the body to the same place where Satomi put them.
Miyako couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
That was a good start.
She was worried that she would make a mistake. That would have been utterly terrible.
"That should do. Let's continue on, milady."
"Yes."
They continued on, lightly jogging as they moved. Miyako was closely observing Satomi, learning from her as much as possible. How she moved, how she looked around, how silent she was. As Miyako was a trained warrior, she didn't find it too difficult to adapt.
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Satomi paused and returned to hide by the wall. She raised two fingers, indicating that there were two enemies coming. Satomi pressed close to the wall and held out her open hand. Miyako followed and waited, slowing down her breath.
Miyako took a peek and saw the two enemies turn in the other direction. Satomi waved her hand inward, indicating for them to move. As the lady guard moved, Miyako followed closely behind her. Satomi pointed at the one on the left, pointing which Miyako was to eliminate.
Miyako rushed her steps as the pair of enemies kept walking, completely unaware of their upcoming demise. Once her target was within reach, she covered his mouth and instantly stabbed him in the back chest. A moment later, he stopped moving. But suddenly they heard footsteps nearby.
The both of them quickly turned towards the source of the sound, only to see a bandit facing their direction. He froze in place, surprised to see them. Satomi was about to attack her, but it might be too late. Before she could reach him, he may have shouted already to alert everyone. Even the slightest noise was enough.
"Int—" Suddenly, a shadow descended upon him. He was pinned to the ground, eating dirt. And he was stabbed in the back of his neck. It all happened so fast that he failed to alert his allies.
Estelia.
She was coated in shadow, so Miyako couldn't see her face whatsoever. Estelia seemed to glance at the two of them before dragging the corpse behind a building. That was the last they saw her for the time being.
Miyako and Satomi quickly dragged the corpses out of the open and continued on.
They found a couple more opponents and quickly disposed of them. Miyako was quite pleased that she was doing well. She wouldn't know what to do if she ever messed up. It would have been depressing and completely disappointing.
They had yet to fully cover this half of the fortress just yet. The plan was to erase the enemies on this half part, then proceed to the other half.
As they went, looking for more enemies on the outside, they discovered one enemy sitting down. He looked nervous, a lamp placed on the wooden box beside him. He seemed to be muttering something nervously, but Miyako couldn't hear it nor understand him. It was then that a fog descended upon him and struck his throat.
Nira.
Another enemy came in from behind, but was then quickly struck down by Estelia from behind. The two of them swiftly hid the bodies. And with that, they vanished from sight. At least, that was what Miyako thought when suddenly—
"Miyako."
Miyako flinched, holding in a gasp, and frantically turned beside her, only to see Estelia standing there. She could not even sense her coming at all.
"Estelia, please don't scare me like that."
"... Apologies. But we have eliminated the rest of the enemies. It's time to take care of those inside the buildings."
"I see. You move fast."
"The faster we are done, the better. The less risk our actions being discovered." A fog descended behind her. "Nira, keep watch for enemies that will unexpectedly arrive. Take care of them promptly."
"Yes." She turned into a fog and ascended high in the air.
"Alright then, you take care of that building. That one's mine."
Miyako and Satomi headed for one building. The latter slowly opened the door, making as little noise as possible. Once they were inside, she slowly closed the door. The building had other smaller rooms, which Miyako assumed to be bedrooms.
The lobby was small, with metal plates and empty liquor bottles on the table. They each selected a room to take. Miyako entered the one she chose and slowly stepped inside. There were two bandits, sleeping on separate beds.
Quietly approaching, Miyako readied her sword and stood right next to one sleeping bandit. He was defenseless, easy to kill. He wouldn't even know it. She raised her sword, pointing it right at his neck. However, at that moment, Miyako hesitated, gripping the sword tightly.
Killing a man in his sleep…
It didn't seem to feel right. To just kill someone like this. It almost felt too… heartless. Too dishonorable. Taking down someone stealthily was fine, but this was an entirely different case. She had a hard time committing such an act. She had never done something like it. At the very least, she had to kill someone conscious.
Should I go this far…?
She didn't know. But deep in her heart, she knew she had to. However…
Why do I have to do this?
To stoop this low. She was a warrior, not an assassin. She never asked for this. A feeling of regret started growing inside her. But she shook her head, driving those thoughts away.
No… I shouldn't… I volunteered to help.
Indeed, it was her own decision that brought her here.
I asked for this.
She brought herself here. She knew this was going to happen. She just never realized how hard it would be to carry it out now that she was here in person.
I'm so stupid. To be hesitating.
If she didn't do this, she would jeopardize the mission. If she does nothing, she would mess it all up for everyone. If she messes up, it could put everyone in danger. That was why she must do it. Commit to it. To succeed, she must carry out what was necessary. She took a deep breath and gripped her sword tightly.
I'm sorry.
She brought down her blade, cutting through the unconscious man's throat. And he was dead, just like that, his blood flowing to his pillow and bedsheets. Not even a whimper. Seeing it, Miyako's breathing grew rough, sweating, and her chest started to feel a bit heavy.
And it woke up the man sleeping on the other bed.
"What's going on…?"
Miyako quickly turned around, and before she could reach him, Satomi's blade cut off the bandit's head. His blood spilled on his bed, the head dropping back to his pillow. Miyako swallowed nervously and took a deep breath. If Satomi wasn't there, he could have alerted his allies. She almost messed up because of her hesitation.
Satomi walked up to Miyako and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Milady, are you alright?" she whispered.
"Y-Yes…"
Satomi looked at the man that Miyako killed. "... Is this too much for you?"
"No, I… I can handle it." She clenched her fists.
"Are you sure?"
"I have to do this, Satomi. It's my decision to come here." She had to bear the responsibilities of her choices.
"... Very well."
She steeled herself and stepped out of the room, and proceeded to the next. She walked over close to a person sleeping and pointed her blade down at him. Taking a deep breath, she pushed down her blade.
And she proceeded to the next, and the next, and the next. The scent of blood started filling up the building. And the more she killed in their sleep, the more she felt the weight in her chest. But she endured it and persevered. She pushed aside the guilt, the pain, the hesitation.
And before she knew it, the whole building was done. All enemies had been dealt with. However, this was only one of the many.
She stepped outside the building with Satomi. At the same time, Estelia walked out of a different building that she first entered.
"Estelia…"
Estelia narrowed her eyes at Satomi. "Are you alright?"
"... Yes."
"... Okay. I have taken out a second building. You go check out the buildings there, and I'll take that area there." She pointed each in different directions from each other.
Estelia moves fast.
She acts without hesitation. It was amazing she could be that decisive.
Yet, here I am.
"Move quickly. We're wasting a lot of unnecessary time."
And thus, gathering as much strength within herself, Miyako continued on to the next building.
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