Chapter 394: Ambush
Slya had changed much from the brooding lady she was some days ago and now her face was flush with both pride and joy. She knew she wasn’t as smart as Tiber and couldn’t really help Vale with all of his grand schemes, but what she could help with was her fighting spirit and she was only too happy to display it!
At the moment she stood at the front of her flying ship, her right hand resting on her sword as she faced the ninty nine warriors. Radiant Warriors.
All of them were dressed in light armor, all carried different weapons but if one watched closely they would see and feel a familiar energy between all the weapons as if they were linked together.
Following Vale’s order, Slya carried out a short but aggressive recruitment, finally selecting all the warriors to carry the ’Radiant Weapons’. Although majority of her new warriors lacked training of fighting with their weapons, and they’ve only had short training, they are still all from the army and won’t do badly.
"We have been given the honor of accompany Lord Vale Athrimir in this battle, do not disappoint me." Her voice was as hard as her face as she dropped what appeared to be a warning.
Her flying ship was hovering above the air in front of the palace, together with the others, making a total five. All were filled with Errant Knight and Knight rank, but none have the numbers of the Radiant Sky. With the main army freed, at least each ship carries a total of Ten Errant Knights and thirty or forty Knight rank. Only two of the ships have Master Knights, Valtor and Eryndor.
In a way, the Master Knights, and Vale are the core of the force. The Radiant Sky comes second.
Just then the palace door opened and Vale came out with Tiber. He didn’t wear any armor, he only wore a purple shirt and trousers with a dark cloak. He already removed all his bandages but his face was still pale, this eyes though, they burned with crimson intensity.
A simple sword hung by his waist, swinging gently with his steady but slow movement. It was apparent that he wasn’t fully healed and Tiber that was walking beside him was there to stabilize him in case.
His magic powers might be fully recovered, and his soul improved because of his own Soul Manipulation, but his physical condition was still lagging.
Beside him Tiber was dressed in all black with a solemn look on his face. He carried a long, pole shaped material warped in clothes on his back.
Vale stopped just before the step that led down the palace and stared at the gathered forces. There wasn’t a lot of them, only five ships and two Master Knights. There wasn’t really time for speeches, and besides, there was no need, not for a battle like this.
They all could see the intensity of his eyes and his will, that was enough. He only gave a single firm nod that was returned by resounding salute.
He climbed aboard Slya’s flying ship and looking around at the straight back Knights. "Have you give a name to the ship, Slya?"
"We’ll just add Radiant to anything that has to do with us. It seems the people like it." Slya replied.
Tiber snorted. "I think you like it too. You must have wanted a name change since!"
"Well...Vale really did not know how to name things." She replied.
And her reply shocked the gathered knights. Slya can talk to the Clan leader like that? They looked at her with renewed respect. It might be said that Vale Athrimir’s name was currently on the rise, his tale was one of inspirational and goal to others. To them, Vale was someone that was exiled and quite frankly, shit on, and yet he still managed to crawl his way back up! How many times has he been beaten and yet only to rise?
That kind of rumors have spread among them and they have began to see him as a large figure. More so among the Radiant Sky, because he was the leading force in the making of their weapons!
Vale smiled back and went to the head of the ship. "Then I’ll always remember to write to you about such things as name."
"I’ll await your orders," Slya said with feigned solemnity. "But before that, let’s talk about something that’s close to naming."
Vale nodded with curiosity but at the moment, he turned and raised his hands. "Move!"
All the ships rumbled to life.
Valtor’s ship short forward first, as the vanguard it went ahead, followed by another ship and then Radiant Sky. One other ship followed behind them before Eryndor brought up the rear.
The flying ships are not military made, and those aboard don’t really have that type of training either. They could only do things according to their experience, and so with such formation, they began to move forward.
Their speed was incredible and they covered a lot of ground quickly.
Slya and Tiber moved closer to Vale. "Ahem. About what I’m saying, I think you should change your crest, Vale. Don’t use the usual Athrimir. You should have your own that’s exclusively to what you’re trying to build. Something that’s unquestionably yours!"
Vale blinked. That was really something he has never thought about, a crest that’s his own? Something that belongs exclusively to him. Something that is Vale.
Slya pressed her voice low as she gestured. "This is bigger than Athrimir, Vale. You don’t have to change Athrimir but you can always change your flag. Besides, that family never held any love for you."
It took a while before Vale finally nodded. How could he deny the truth in what he heard? Besides, he’s not only the Clan leader, he’s also the family head of the Athrimir Clan! The only one remaining!
Just then, an idea struck Vale so strong that he froze, his eyes widened. Why had he never thought of this? Slya and Tiber were already linked to him by the Infernal Dominion. Why not just make them his Family Members?
That way he won’t be the only Athrimir! Besides, they’re his subordinates that he would always plan to make use of, why not make it final?
"Slya, Tiber," Vale’s voice turned serious. "When everything is settled down, I will adopt you two into the Athrimir family."
"What?!"
"You can do that?!"
Their shocked expression brought a chuckle to Vale’s face. "Well, I’m the head of the Athrimir family so yes.....!"
Just then, everyone sensed as something suddenly appeared directly in front of Valtor’s ship! It was so unexpected and sudden that they were helplessness as bolt of energy suddenly rained down on the ship, nearly sinking it in the barrage. Wiping out almost all of the Knights aboard!
The thing that appeared was equally a flying ship! But vastly different. It was long and sleek, with head shaped like a bird of prey, different enchantments words were etched on it, and formations floated around it, all brimming with power.
Shockingly, this was a Master Knight rank flying ship! None of their ships stood a chance against something like that! No wonder none of them could detect it, how could their ship isn’t that advanced!
Maybe if Vale was at the front he could have with his eyes, but it was Valtor and now they suffered so suddenly.
But although Valtor was caught surprised, he responded quickly. He managed to block alll the attacks that was rained on him personally. It was clear that he was the main objective of the attack!
He raised his hammer and gravity answered his call. The bird like flying ship suddenly froze and then dipped as if it was carrying too much weight, countless formation flared even brighter to counter it but Valtor was a Master Knight, and his attack is a physical material type.
But a flying ship of that standard must have precaution against something like that. Sure enough, every single enchantments on the ship seems to shine brightly, space twisted and warp around it as it suddenly disappeared! Only to appear several pace away, immediately sending another bombardment.
Vale gritted his teeth. "Quickly, Slya. Make quick there so we’ll assist him! Having that rank of a flying ship is quite unexpected but they must have only one!"
"The enemy must have good information on us," Tiber added. "They attack Valtor first because his technique is a good counter to any flying ship. They wanted to take him out quickly but they underestimated him and he wasn’t caught unaware."
As their ship sped forward, a voice suddenly joined their conversation. It was Georg, still restricted. "That ship must be really expensive, although it’s a Master Knight rank, it has the special effect of teleportation. That’s quite unusual!"
He was in the ship before and now came out because of the commotion.
Vale’s eyes narrowed when he heard that. "In the Hinterlands, who can have that kind of flying ship?"