• Date: September 28, 2173


  
• Time: 9:15 AM


  
• Location: Unknown


  

  ''Lone invader! Surrender yourself now, and you shall meet a painless death!''

  The newcomer stated as he aimed a compound bow at the Ghost Operative. In return, Tale did the same with his MK12 Battle Machine Rifle as he aimed at the newly arrived combatant. Meanwhile, as the intense stare-down occurs between the two, Vee materializes a miniature avatar in front of Joan.

  [Joan, do you see that tree on the side?]

  Looking to her right, the young girl noticed the ginormous tree that Vee pointed to. Nodding in acknowledgment, the A.I. smiled as she saw Joan understanding where to go.

  ''Yes.''

  [I want you to hide behind it. While we handle this situation.]

  ''Mister Tale is gonna beat the bad man, right?''

  [Don't worry. My partner will make sure this situation is resolved.]

  Hearing this, Joan nodded before running to the sidelines before the confrontation between the Ghost Operative and the wyvern rider commenced. Seeing this, Vee dematerialized and appeared on her partner's H.U.D., having sent the young one somewhere safe. It was time for the A.I. to provide relevant information for her operative.

  ''Vee, give me info about this elve.''

  [One second.]

  Vee immediately scanned the wyvern and its rider standing before them. The armor plating dawned by their enemy was similar to Renaissance-era armor plating; it was full body armor from head to toe. However, the A.I. smirked, knowing the armor plate wouldn't stop her partner's battle machine rifle. After scanning their enemy, she returned to her partner to give a report.

  [That armor is practically useless. You're clear to engage...]

  [...Kick his ass, Tale.]

  The Ghost Operative then obliges by pulling the trigger. Multiple rounds burst out of the barrel of his rifle and headed toward the wyvern. Likewise, the aggressor released his arrow, soaring toward the operative, but the arrow wouldn't penetrate the power armor. At the same time, Tale fired a burst of hypersonic rounds that wouldn't penetrate the wyvern's armor. Instead, the incoming fifty-caliber rounds broke what looked like an energy shield. The reptile roared as the rounds impacted its chest and raptured its ribs. He then took this opportunity to close the gap between them and run full speed toward the rider and his wyvern. Observing the Ghost's advance, the rider pulled his partner up, hoping to evade the attack.

  ''Up!''

  The rider commanded, but it was too late. As the wyvern ascended, Tale leaped and collided with it. The weight of the operative would send both combatants crashing back to the ground and knocking the wyvern unconscious. Dust and smoke obscured the vision of the rider after the fall. Getting off his mount, he was immediately choked by the operative. The elve's eyes widened, not noticing his opponent looming over him after the crash.

  ''Damn- Damn you!''

  Cursed the wyvern rider as he manifested a ball of fire on his right hand. Noticing this development, Vee appeared over her partner's H.U.D. to warn him, but it was too late. The elve's hand was already near the Ghost's face before the A.I. could warn him.

  [Tale! This guy knows-]

  Cutting Vee off was the sound of an explosion near her partner's face. The fireball exploded directly at Tale's helmet and sent him backward. Meanwhile, the elve was freed from the operative's grip as he recuperated his strength.

  ''Argh! What- What was that?''

  [Psionic attack detected! The enemy combatant created an energy source directly on his palm and exploded it at us!]

  Psionics is a unique phenomenon where Kaynian Warlocks manipulate the laws of physics to conjure devastating attacks, bending reality to their will and wreaking havoc on any unfortunate soul nearby. If this individual could wield psionics, it meant only one thing: he was at a disadvantage.

  ''Armor status?''

  [The energy dispersal special coating took most of the blast.]

  ''Good.''

  Immediately, Tale fired another burst at the elven rider, but the rounds were blocked by an energy shield. This surprised him as he had seen the same thing happen earlier with the wyvern, but now it was with its rider. Meanwhile, Vee gasped as she saw the energy shield shimmer. Not only did the wyvern possess one, but the rider as well. It seems that she may have underestimated their opponent.

  [Tale, you need to end this fast! He has an energy shield!]

  Hedding his partner's warning, Tale continued his assault and fired at the enemy combatant. The energy shield of the elve would shatter as the firepower delivered by the Ghost was too much. But the wyvern rider would be spared as the operative's weapon would run out of ammo. He would seize the opportunity and flee the scene.

  'Damn it, I'm out!'

  He cursed as he took out the exhausted drum magazine and replaced it. After doing so, he saw the silhouette of the aggressor fleeing to the forest. Noticing this, he would give one order.

  ''Vee, track him!''

  [On it!]

  Vee tracked the elve's heat signature and displayed it on her partner's H.U.D. The loud footsteps alerted the fleeing rider of his pursuit, but no matter how fast the rider ran, there was no escape. Despite the MK48GV3 Power Armor's half-ton weight, Tale reached an impressive speed of sixty kilometers per hour. However, the rider realized the futility of escaping and took cover behind a tree.

  [He's behind that tree!]

  Taking the initiative, Tale pulled the trigger, firing at the designated cover of the fleeing rider. It only took seconds, but the tree was littered with holes from the battle machine rifle's automatic fire. After expending half his ammunition, the Ghost Operative approached the cover of his opponent and found him not there. However, unbeknownst to the operative, the rider was invisible through psionics. Looking around his surroundings, he found the disappearance of the enemy combatant as perplexing as he searched for him.

  ''Vee, conduct a scan.''

  [Affirmative...]

  [...Okay, let's see. Where are you- He's behind you!]

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The Ghost immediately turned around and fired. Meanwhile, the rider was shocked at how the operative knew where he was. Only a few bullets struck the rider, breaking his energy shield and causing severe stomach concussions. Coughing up blood, the elven combatant struggled to maintain his balance. Dropping to the ground, he saw his adversary point his weapon at him. However, unbeknownst to Tale, his adversary already had another one of his attacks ready in his hand.

  ''Surrender yourself.''

  ''Never!''

  The elve shouted just before pointing his palm at the Ghost, unleashing a powerful psionic push, and flung him at a nearby boulder. The half-a-ton power armor of the operative landed back first, creating a crater on the boulder he landed on. But it wasn't over. The rider would apply more psionics to his attack as Tale did his best to fight it, freeing his limbs and pushing himself forward. His armored body fought against the psionic might of the wyvern rider.

  ''AHHHH!''

  [Tale!]

  Vee watched her partner's unwavering determination as he approached his opponent, taking one step at a time. The force of the psionics could shatter solid rock, but she guessed it wouldn't have much effect on her partner's power armor. However, the wyvern rider channeled more psionic energy into his attack, enough to push Tale a second time and destroy the boulder. The operative would be covered with bits and pieces of debris as he lay on the ground motionless yet still conscious.

  ''Argh! Vee, status.''

  The operative stated as he picked himself up, his body was beaten, yet he stood tall with his weapon. Looking at his surroundings. There was at least fifteen meters of space between him and the rider. Breathing heavily, he saw the exhausted state his opponent was also in. It seems he was not the only one suffering from their confrontation.

  ''Vee, how can he-''

  [Use psionics like Kaynian Warlock? I have no idea, but let's worry less about him and more about you! Your body had just taken a beating!]

  ''Negative! I have to face-''

  [Tale! Look at him! He is as exhausted as you!]

  Staring at his opponent, he saw the elve exhausted, with blood on his helmet and hatred in his eyes. Even though he was standing and could engage the enemy combatant, he couldn't argue with his partner's logic. Tale needed to recuperate. Thus, he kneeled to one knee, allowing his body to patch itself via his natural healing factor. Meanwhile, the wyvern rider would stand up as the Ghost Operative kneeled. It was time for him to flee and warn his kind.

  ''Yoooor-moooo-taaaay-oooom!''

  The elve shouted as a shadowy silhouette loomed over him. Landing in front of the rider was his wyvern. A powerful gust of wind blew out any debris near the reptile's landing area. Afterward, it would lower its head, allowing its partner to mount. The rider took one last look at the Ghost before commanding the wyvern to fly away. The creature immediately gained altitude to hasten its leave as its injured master needed medical attention from wherever they came.

  [See, even that bastard wouldn't pick a fight with you anymore. He knows how dangerous you are.]

  ''Yeah, I suppose.''

  Tale stated as he saw the wyvern fly away, disappearing on the clouds. Taking his focus away from his newly fought opponent, he looked at himself to see how much damage he had sustained during his fight. And with a thought, his H.U.D. appeared before him with a complete diagnosis of his injuries. It read as follows.

  *Blunt Force Trauma*

  *Fractured Bones*

  *Internal Injuries*

  *Concussions*

  *Muscle Strain*

  *Nerve Damage*

  Reading the texts before him, he saw how much pain his body endured during his fight with the wyvern rider. However, if given a chance, he could kill him with the knowledge that the rider has psionic capabilities. Looking down at the dirt, he realized his performance against the new combatant was below average, as he had been caught off guard and paid the price. Tale sighed as he stood up, securing his battle machine rifle on his back.

  ''I underestimated him.''

  Sensing her partner's depression through the neural interface, Vee comforted him. And with a virtual smile, she tried to cheer him up by being optimistic. Tale sensed his partner's emotions through the neural interface, but as before, he couldn't understand why she was happy for him. He failed, after all.

  [No, we underestimated him...]

  [...We didn't even realize that he could do psionics. Please, don't beat yourself about it. Because I failed, too.]

  However, unbeknownst to the super soldier and the A.I., the young girl, Joan, followed the operative's massive footsteps. Which led her to the forest where he was currently standing. Of course, Tale's advanced physiology would allow him to detect the young one before she could even notice him.

  ''Miss Vee! Mister Tale! Where are you!''

  Joan shouted as she searched for both of her saviors. When she saw them rush to the forest without saying a word to her, the young girl took it for granted that things were not going well. This prompted her to venture out in search of both of them. Following the path of destruction, she would eventually reach the final area where the wyvern rider and the Ghost Operative were locked in their climax.

  [Oh, that little...]

  [...Didn't I tell her to hide?]

  Of course, Vee wasn't pleased to hear Joan's voice drawing near as she told her to hide and not follow them. However, the young one wasn't keen to follow her orders. Thus, the A.I. would probably punish the young alien for doing so. Of course, Tale was ignorant about why his partner was disappointed in the young one for looking for them. But he wasn't about to question her about it lest he let himself be the one to be taught a lesson.

  ''Miss Vee! Mister- Ah!''

  [Young lady!]

  The young girl was surprised by Vee's sudden appearance, which caused her to squeal when she heard her voice. Unbeknownst to Joan, the A.I. was prepared to scold her so severely that she would reconsider not following her instructions.

  ''Hi- Hi, Miss Vee.''

  [Joan, didn't I tell you to hide?]

  ''Yes, but I was worried...''

  ''...What if the bad man killed Mister Tale and you?''

  [Honey, that bastard would have to do something better than using telekinesis to put me and my partner down.]

  ''Telekinesis?''

  Joan's question caught Tale's attention. Her reaction suggested she knew what had happened. It might be a foolish or brilliant idea, but asking her wouldn't hurt.

  ''Joan. Is there something that we should know?''

  He asked, noticing her sudden shyness as she hesitated to speak. Joan's eyes darted to the ground, and she fidgeted nervously with her hands. Tale waited, sensing she had more on her mind than she was revealing.

  ''Mister Tale, please don't get mad at me.''

  ''I won't. I promise.''

  ''Do you not know about magic?''

  Her response turned Vee and Tale's perspectives upside down. The A.I. and the Ghost Operative exchanged bewildered looks, their expressions reflecting confusion. Joan's revelations challenged their understanding of reality, leaving them momentarily stunned.

  ''Magic?''

  [Magic?]

  

  
• Date: September 28, 1173


  
• Time: 9:30 AM


  
• Location: Elvania Airspace


  

  Adelard was exhausted and beaten. His confrontation with the invader left him in an undesirable state. The only thing that kept him on even footing with the invader was his magic, but even that didn't allow him to slay the invader. Now flying on his exhausted wyvern, he needed to inform headquarters about the lone invader.

  'Almost there...'

  '...I must report this to Marshal Eugene, and hopefully. She can assemble a fighting force to face the invader!'

  Over the distance, the silhouette of Ivershine City could be seen. It is the capital of the kingdom and the location of Elvania's military headquarters, named Fae. The protective walls were littered with mass drivers to deter dragons or invaders. Airships of all sizes were present. Among them was the Illustre, the lead ship in the Illustre Class line of airships. Surrounding the one-point-four-kilometer-long ship of the line were various airships, from heavy and light frigates to the smallest corvettes.

  *1× ENS Illustre Ship of the Line*

  *2× Léandre Class Heavy Frigate*

  *9× Javelot Class Light Frigate*

  *18× Chateau Class Corvette*

  Seeing the mighty city and its defenses, the commander communicated with the control tower via telepathy magic. It wouldn't be long before he connected with an operator present on the tower.

  ''Unknown rider, this is Fae H.Q. Control Tower, do you read?''

  ''Copy, this is Commander Adelard requesting immediate landing over.''

  ''Permission granted, Lord Commander. Pad number two is clear for landing.''

  ''Aye, control tower.''

  ''Welcome back, my lord.''

  Receiving his clearance and pad number. Adelard then proceeded to land gently. The crews were shocked to see the wyvern's magic shield unresponsive. Dismounting his partner, he could feel its exhausted breath and deep pain. As crews rushed to his wyvern to apply aid, the wyvern lost consciousness.

  ''No...''

  ''...What are you elves doing? Move!''

  He commanded, and the crews did their work. Taking off his wyvern's enchanted armor and applying healing potions. The wyvern would then be placed on a levitating platform and moved to an emergency room. Observing his partner in distress. The champion clenched his fist, realizing it was his fault for how things had turned out. However, he would brush off his feelings as he turned to meet his subordinate, Marie.

  ''Lord Commander!''

  ''Marie, I assume that Marshal Eugene is waiting for me?''

  ''Yes.''

  ''Then let's not keep her waiting.''

  The duo proceeded inside the headquarters, passing through numerous checkpoints without issues. However, as they approached the marshal's office, a sudden pain compelled the champion to stop.

  ''Argh!''

  ''Lord Commander!''

  Adelard might be spared from the invader's iron-barreled sword. But his magic reserves were depleted, and the consequences of magic fatigue would be catastrophic. The enchanted armor had its separate magic reserve powering the magical shield. However, during his battle with the invader, it continuously shattered, draining the magic reserve of the enchanted armor. Thus, to counteract this, he had tapped into his magic reserve, draining him of magic. Which was the source of his pain.

  ''Ugh! I- I am alright...''

  ''...Let us proceed.''

  ''I- Very well, Lord Commander.''

  Bypassing the last checkpoint, they would be greeted by the great doors of the marshal's office. The doors would then open by themselves, probably through magic. Entering the office, both Adelard and Marie saw the marshal.

  ''Ah, Commander Adelard. Please come in.''

  The marshal spoke, wearing a red uniform with a cutout exposing her bosom. Her red hair and crimson eyes complemented her appearance. She also had a coat draped over her shoulders, adorned with numerous medals and trinkets.

  ''Marshal!''

  ''Marshal!''

  Adelard and Marie saluted in unison, their faces reflecting a straightforward mood as they acknowledged the marshal's presence. The atmosphere in the room shifted, filled with a mix of respect and anticipation as they awaited her command.

  ''My thanks for bringing the commander here, Rider Marie...''

  ''...You are to leave us alone.''

  After lowering her salute, Marie turned to comply with the marshal's command. Heeding her superior's order. The wyvern rider would take her leave as the doors opened and closed, leaving only Adelard to report his findings.

  ''What are your findings on Udel Village commander?''

  "Marshal Eugene, upon our arrival at the village, we found it already in ruins, along with the remains of the ravagers."

  ''Ah, yes. The infamous ravagers, elve eaters.''

  Adelard nodded, catching his breath for a second before continuing. With the knowledge of an invader here on Eldrant, his report to the marshal must not be taken lightly. Knowing how many lives were at stake, the Champion of Elvania would do everything to save all of them.

  ''Right after searching the village. I issued my subordinate to return to H.Q. and report our findings.''

  ''Yes, your word matches her. Continue.''

  Taking a step forward to the marshal's desk, he would place one of the pieces of evidence found on the wyvern's corpse. Picking up the small object, the marshal found it odd to know how this small piece of metal could have ended the infamous ravagers, but looking at the champion. She needed not to wait long for her to hear the truth.

  ''This was found on the wyverns corpses, and I found the perpetrator responsible.''

  ''And who or what was it?''

  Eyeing the marshal's crimson eyes, Adelard wanted her to understand that this was important. And It was, as Eldrant would once again find itself under threat from the invaders.

  ''Fifteen minutes ago. I engage in combat with an invader here on Eldrant.''

  The marshal's eyes widened as fear and anger became her expression. Clenching her fist, she couldn't just dismiss Adelard's words. After all, he is the champion, the eyes, ears, and voice of Her Majesty the Queen. Raising her fist, she slammed her desk as she realized the gravity of the situation.

  ''Tell me everything!''

  To Be Continued.