The battlefield's atmosphere-charged silence deepened with tension, every knight watching as the weight of Gilbert and Alexander's confrontation settled over the war-torn ground.
Standing at a vantage point, Major Cade observed the standard with measured ease, alongside the two Advocate Great Knights, their presence imposing yet unreadable.
One of them, his tone polished, spoke with authority that came from years of command.
"Major Cade, are you to discipline your knight?" His gaze lingered on Gilbert as if expecting swift compliance.
Cade, ever unbothered, responded without hesitation, his voice nonchalant.
"Discipline him? For what? What I am more interested in is how a Knight came to wield a Dread Weapon."
At that, both Great Knights exchanged subtle glances. Then, with effortless grace, one of them spoke, his tone refined, carrying the smooth cadence of someone accustomed to delivering verdicts.
"You need not concern yourself with Advocate affairs, Major. What requires your attention is this- your unit, despite its infancy, has already assigned a town to be purged. And now, those under your command see it fit to raise arms against an Advocate." He paused, letting the words settle.
"Such matters, you must agree, are not a favorable precedent for a company of your stature."
Major Cade gave him a pointed glance.
"Is that a threat Great, Knight?" Cade asked emphasizing each word. A chill suddenly fell between them before Cade turned to look at the confrontation once more.
The tension remained unbroken, neither Gilbert nor Alexander relenting, their armor and weapons flaring with energy.
Alexander's courteous demeanor never wavered, but his eyes flickered with calculation.
"You remain firm, as expected but do you really think your still my match," he murmured, tilting his head slightly, as if studying Gilbert more closely.
Gilbert didn't respond, only adjusting his grip on his sword, electricity still crackling along its length, despite the strain on his body.
Alexander's smile grew, though barely perceptible
"Tell me, Gilbert-" he continued, his tone smooth
"What are you willing to risk for her?"
The moment hung suspended in silence, tension stretchered to its breaking point, until Alexander moved.
With precise, deliberate fluidity, his sword hand flicked, the motion sharp, unfolding in a blink.
The blade whispered forward, cutting through the air with terrifying speed, aimed straight at Gilbert's throat-
But Gilbert was already moving.
His dual swords flashed, even without his boosters his body shifting like liquid, intercepting the strike with a fluid parry, redirecting rather than blocking, taking several steps back as energy flowed through him.
Alexander pivoted instantly, the recoil seamless, his shield locking into position, shifting angles in calculated movements.
Gilbert twisted into a whirling advance, his swords flaring outward, the essence of the Asura Sword Style in motion, each strike slicing at openings, his footwork dancing around Alexander's disciplined defenses.
Alexander remained grounded, his stance low, centered, every movement sharp precise strikes bleeding into shield rotations, his control unwavering, absorbing Gilbert's attacks like a fortress in a storm.
But Gilbert wasn't slowing down.
A low sweep, then an upward arc, his swords cutting the space between them, forcing Alexander to move faster, and react quicker. For the first time, Alexander's polished demeanor cracked just slightly, a flicker of annoyance passing through his gaze.
"Your a good Gilbert, but its surely a pity you even further from my level now," Alexander said shaking his head softly.
There was a violent shift in battle's rhythm as Alexander activated his dread weapon.
A low hum rippled through the air, energy pulsing from the circuits of Alexanders blade.
Then, the battlefield changed.
Gilbert felt it instantly, the force pressing against his body, his movements faltering for a second an invisible repulsive field burst outward from Alexander.
The air twisted, his swords pushed back, the energy warping the space between- every motion Gilbert made suddenly fighting against unseen resistance.
Alexander pressed forward, his blade moving through the altered field like a predator moving effortlessly through deep waters.
Then in a flash, the polarity shifted, the repulsion fading into a gravitational pull, dragging Gilbert forward, forcing him off balance.
As Gilbert tried to adjust, Alexander exploited the opening, his sword flashing out, its trajectory hard to define as it capitalized on the warped physics around them.
Gilbert twisted in mid air using a short burst from his thruster, his body flowing with the momentum rather than resisting, his strikes adapting as he used the forced movement to amplify his own speed rather than being controlled by it.
Vivian's panic broke through the chaos, her voice sharp, horrified.
"How is that possible!"
Anastasia and Kean snapped their heads toward her, both reacting instinctively.
"How is what possible?" They spoke in sync, their confusion evident.
Vivian's breath hitched, and her movements hurried as she staggered backward, nearly losing her footing.
"His Dread Weapon, he shouldn't be able to activate it without being sucked dry!"
The words hit the squad like a shockwave, as they processed her words.
Alexander stood amidst the battlefield, unwavering as the repulsive field surged outward, forcing Gilbert, back sending dust debris scattered around them.
With calculated ease, Alexander turned his gaze to Vivian, his expression condescending as he acknowledged his former squadmate.
'Ah, Vivian," he murmured, his voice refined
"I see that even among lesser ranks, your intellect remains unclouded. A relief, truly- there are few in this world who persist in shining despite the company they keep."
Vivian scoffed at him but he simply returned his focus to the battle.
Gilbert's body ached, his radions nearly depleted but he refused to fall- his dual swords singing through the air, as he adapted to the unpredictable repulsion and magnetic forces Alexander wielded.
Alexander, however was relentless, his strikes calculated, his shield movements perfectly timed, his Dread Weapon twisting the battlefield itself into his advantage.
Then- Gilbert made a misstep, as he fumbled slightly his body weak.
Just a fraction too slow, his left sword met resistance from an unexpected repulsion pulse, and at that moment, Alexander capitalized.
His blade flashed forward, Gilbert twisted trying to dodge but a shield bashed alongside the repulsive force throwing him off balance and onto the ground.
Before he could recover, Alexander's sword pressed down, the edge locking against Gilbert's armor, forcing it down it passed through him like butter, pinning him to the earth, forcing him to stillness.
The field settled, and energy no longer fluctuated.
Alexander exhaled steadily, looking down on Gilbert who tried but failed to remove the sword.
"You fought well, Gilbert," he murmured, his tone still polished.
"But should know our standing would always make resistance futile. The outcome was always inevitable."
As he finished his words he walked past Gilbert going towards Lorelai, each of his steps beating across the hard ground.
BANG
The air shuddered beneath the sudden crack of gunfire. Alexander's steps halted, his gaze coolly shifted upward, where Adam was perched, his sniper locked, his silence screaming volumes more than any words could.
Alexander sighed, unimpressed, his expression barely changing as he glanced across the tense battlefield.
"It is cute when one of you tries to rise above their station, but all of you?" His lips curled slightly.
"It's simply disgusting."
Before anyone could react, Wolfgang moved.
"Don't worry I will deal with them," He said, raising his shotgun but a spear tip halted his advance, its crimson edge stopping just shy of his path.
Wolfgang's gaze flicked downward, following the weapon's shaft until he reached the steady grip of its wielder.
William.
Standing firm, with an unreadable crystal but his intent crystal clear.
Wolfgang's face twisted but the look was not fury.
"Really?" His voice carried frustration buried beneath his words.
"Have you fallen this low dear William? A peasant's attack dog?"
William didn't flinch his stance unwavering, visor locked unto Wolfgang, carrying neither resentment nor regret.
"We have both chosen our path," he declared, his voice strong, the weight of conviction woven into each syllable.
"You have chosen betrayal as your path, and I shall walk the path of loyalty I've chosen."
The battlefield seized with tension. The other Advocates, sensing the escalating hostility, moved in with measured steps but they were intercepted by the White Horn squads, Knights shifting into formation their weapons drawn.
Steel gleamed in the dim starlight, trigger fingers steady, eyes locked onto figures they never imagined facing as enemies.
Just as a brawl was going to commence between each company their leaders made their presence known. They stepped forward cutting through the impending storm.
Major Cade moved with unwavering authority, his stance commanding, he stopped beside Gilbert his eyes sweeping over is fallen form as he grabbed onto the sword pulling it out of his frame. The movements awaken him.
The Advocate Great Knights, equally composed, emerged with deliberate precision, the one who didn't speak placed his hand on Alexander's shoulder getting him to stand down Wolfgang followed suit.
Neither spoke immediately. Neither had to.
Their arrival alone was enough to force every soldier present into unmistakable pause. The battlefield, once charged with immense conflict settled into a tense standoff.
"White Horns! Stand down." Major Cade commanded
The White Horns followed his words falling into formation, the High Knights standing just behind Major Cade.
The Advocates mirrored the motion, their ranks locking into place.
The cleared battlefield caused Gilbert to be the only one remaining out of line. Still on the ground, his presence a strong contrast.
The Advocate Great Knights glanced at him, their gazes sharp before shifting toward Major Cade.
One Great Knight stepped forward, his posture poised, words spoken with perfect composure.
"So Major back to what we were saying before. What shall we do about this gross insubordination?"
Cade didn't flinch. His grip tightened on the Dread Weapon, his gaze steady as he scrutinized it especially the pommel, treating the conversation as secondary to the blade now in his possession.
"The concerns of the White Horns," Cade stated evenly, his tone flat. "Are none of your business."
Silence stretched for only a moment before the same Great Knight spoke again, his tone cool but anger edged in his tone.
"Are you out of your mind, Major? He attacked an Advocate. Also, return the sword please that is property of the magistrate's office."
But Cade simply continued studying the blade, treating it with more significance than a problem caused by a knight under his charge.
After several seconds more of studying the sword he threw it to Alexander who caught it.
"Good sword," He said with a glimmer of appreciation. "Knight 141 shall be punished according to our standards no need for you to worry a report shall be sent to the Magistrates office for convenience."
The Great Knights exchanged a glance before they turned back to him.
"And the thing over there?" He pressed
Major Cade made an exaggerated movement of looking around before turning back to them."What thing? I see no things that belong to you among my Knights." Cade said in an amused tone.