• Date: September 30, 1173


  
• Time: 8:30 AM


  
• Location: ENS Javelot Wardroom


  

  Inside the wardroom of the light frigate were the key figures responsible for carrying out Operation Tip of the Spear. Adelard, the Champion of Elvania, codename Spear One. The esteemed ranger of the Military Guard's First Army, Hector, codenamed Spear Two; the most skilled frame unit spirit, Catherine, codenamed Spear Three; and finally, the champion's former rival, Pauline, codenamed Spear Four. In addition to the members of this elite group, the Javelot's Captain, Captain Pouvoir, was present along with his senior officers/wives: Weapons Officer Hermione and Anti-Air Officer Clémence. Lastly, the most important individual in the room, the Hero of Eldrant, stood tall at the far end of the table.

  ''Ladies and gentlemen, good morning to you all...''

  ''...Today, we will embark on a full assault on the invader and its device. The Javelot will accompany us and position itself within range to use its mass drivers on the device if the hero's companion can't deactivate it.''

  Adelard stated, gaining the nodding approval of his teammates and the ship's captain. After yesterday's emergency and the hero's return with the third priestess, their focus shifted to bringing devastation to their hated foe. However, they first needed to attempt to neutralize its device.

  {What is our plan of attack, Lord Commander?}

  Spear Two asked, showing clear interest in how they planned to escort the hero to the device while the enemy guarded it with its life. Whatever plan the commander had in mind had to be foolproof against their foe because if it wasn't. Then, Eldrant, their world will burn.

  ''We will create a diversion for the invader. Essentially luring him out and ensuring he faces us.''

  Projecting a three-dimensional image of the ruined settlement, its surroundings, and the Kaynian Device. The commander highlighted the light frigate and its current location, Diamond Forest. Then, the airship began to advance toward the village before stopping on its outskirts.

  ''We will achieve this by having the Javelot deliberately reveal itself to the enemy. Of course, the airship wouldn't engage yet. However, it wouldn't open fire as its purpose is merely to become a massive distraction while we drop to the ground...''

  ''...Meanwhile, the hero and his companions would bypass the invader via invisibility magic. Combined with our distraction, they should be able to walk forth undetected.''

  Immediately, everyone in the room understood what the champion wanted to achieve. By inducing so much magic, noise, and confusion on their adversary, the operative should be able to bypass without problem. We must direct our foe's attention away from the device long enough for the hero to deactivate it.

  ''Commander Adelard, if that's the case. We must direct our foe's attention away from the device long enough for the hero to deactivate it?''

  ''Indeed, Spear Two...''

  ''...That means our firepower, skill, and magic must be unleashed on the invader. We will not hold back.''

  Turning to the captain and his officers. Adelard knew they'd want to have a go with the alien lord and its device. However, the plan centers around the hero and his companions. He'd have to put them as their last resort. However, this time, the option to call for immediate bombardment on the lone invader if they encountered trouble was present.

  "Captain Pouvoir, your airship will remain on standby until the hero or I signal otherwise. But if our confrontation with the invader goes awry, we will call on you to provide support."

  "Understood, Lord Commander. When you call for aid. My crew and I will respond with overwhelming firepower."

  ''I will hold you to that then...''

  ''...Any more questions or clarifications?''

  The commander asked, and no one raised a hand, meaning they understood the plan of attack. Smiling, Adelard was confident about their success now that everyone was finally knowledgeable about the assault's plan. Now that everything was set, it was time to confront the threat seeking to destroy the world.

  ''Very well, let us commence the assault!''

  

  
• Date: September 30, 1173


  
• Time: 8:35 AM


  
• Location: Udel Village Outskirts


  

  Coming into view, the silhouette of the light frigate, ENS Javelot, immediately discouraged any avian creature present near the edge of Diamond Forest as its engines roared. Of course, on the other side, just several meters away from the ruined village. The alien lord stared, shocked at the sight of the elven airship.

  "Commander Adelard, we are positioned at the forest's edge."

  The captain stated through a communication orb while the commander and his team stood on the outskirts of Udel Village. Spears One, Two, Three, Four, and Priestess Lumiere were present, while the Hero of Eldrant was nowhere to be found.

  ''Good, keep your distance, captain.''

  ''Aye, commander...''

  ''...Good luck, and may the Pantheons bless you.''

  Cutting off communication with the captain, Adelard immediately established a connection between him and the blade spirit, Sarroth. Within moments, the connection was made, finally letting the hero and his companions know that they were about to conduct their assault.

  {Ah, champion of my daughter, are you about to proceed with the distraction?}

  ''Indeed, Lady Sarroth...''

  ''...Please relay my message to the hero.''

  {It is done.}

  ''Thank you.''

  Cutting off with the Former Queen, the commander turned to his teammates before giving an affirming nod. It was time to charge forth and lure the invader away from his device.

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  ''Let's begin.''

  The elves of Tip of the Spear swiftly advanced toward the ruined village. With their wyvern partners, Spears One, Adelard, and Spear Four, Pauline took the lead as they flew uncontested. Trailing behind were Spears Two, Hector, Spear Three, Catherine, and the young priestess, sprinting to the best of their ability to keep up with the commander and his rival. It didn't take them long to pass through Udel Village with their speed and determination. It wouldn't take long before the Kaynian Lord made his presence known.

  ''Adelard! Ahead of us!''

  Pauline pointed out, and with vision magic, the Champion of Elvania spotted the familiar silhouette of their hated foe in the distance. Adelard gritted his teeth, anger surging as he recalled what had happened to his closest comrades.

  ''Spear Two! Spear Three! Draw him out!''

  Adelard ordered, and the frame unit spirit and the esteemed ranger quickly took the lead. Holding their weapons tightly, a compound bow for Hector and an omni-staff hammer for Catherine. Together, they would oblige the commander's command.

  ''Understood!''

  ''With pleasure!''

  Immediately, the Kaynian Lord would leap forth to their position. Luckily, they were able to dodge and disperse around. After missing them, the frame unit spirit would take the initiative and swing her omni-staff hammer at the still-standing invader. However, the alien wouldn't stand idle as he immediately dashed away from the bone-crushing attack as it made contact on the ground.

  ''I got him!''

  Hector shouted as he nocked and fired three arrows simultaneously. However, the alien lord's energy shield blocked the projectiles, preventing damage. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the alien, he was surrounded in all directions. From above, the wyvern riders circled as they observed their enemy's movements.

  'We've surrounded him and, with the rest in position, the hero and his companions could go forth to the device...'

  '...We only need to keep up with the invader to save Eldrant!'

  Looking at his former rival, he gave the signal, and with a nod, Spear Four understood what they would do next. They would perform a dive as their wyvern partners prepared to unleash their fiery attack. In return, the Kaynian Lord assumed his stance, ready to confront five advancing elves simultaneously.

  'Think a stance is gonna help you!'

  Adelard thought as he and Pauline unleashed their partner's flame on their enemy as they performed a nose dive. After attacking, they would quickly pull themselves into the air and circle their adversary, seeking confirmation that he was indeed hit. Then, he saw a silhouette standing in the fire he and his colleague had created. The invader was still alive, but this time annoyed.

  'We'll just have to keep pummeling you with our attacks until your magic shield shatters!'

  Realizing their attack was merely an inconvenience, he used telepathy magic to order his subordinates to follow up. If they were to succeed, they needed to coordinate their attacks accordingly.

  ''Hector! Catherine! Give the invader no mercy!''

  As the smoke cleared, the alien lord's virtual interface warned of an approaching combatant, but he reacted too late. The frame unit spirit's hammer already made contact with his passive energy shield as another boom echoed due to the collision. However, the absorbed kinetic force was transferred, causing him to be flung to the side.

  ''Argh!''

  Seeing the opportunity before him. The ranger immediately followed up with a barrage of arrows, concentrating his fire on a single spot on the opponent's shield. Though his arrows wouldn't do much, he would weaken it by a percentage or two as he continued to unleash accurate marksmanship.

  'This will be your end, invader...'

  '...For my sisters!'

  Meanwhile, positioned far from the battle, the young priestess had prepared to unleash her magic. Manifesting the power of the wind around her, she would conjure a fire whirl and send it to the occupied alien. The union of fire and wind magic would make for a devastating attack as the fire whirl closed in and began wreaking havoc on the Kaynian Lord's energy shielding.

  "Is t?t eall t?t gē frumcynn cunnan!"

  Shouting within the fiery whirl, the invader released a powerful psionic shockwave that destroyed the magic surrounding him. Emerging unharmed, the alien immediately summoned its energy saber, igniting it with psionics.

  ''Defensive positions!''

  Immediately, Spears Two and Three held their guard up as their hated foe quickly closed the distance between them. However, the target of the invader was the frame unit as he leaped and gave a quick three-prong strike. Effectively pushing the elven mech, the attack wasn't strong enough to break through the magic shield protecting Catherine.

  "Tū steorfest, fūlness!''

  Giving a taunt to his opponent, the alien lord quickly pressed his momentum as he delivered a series of calculated strikes, slashes, and thrusts that would whittle down the frame unit's magic shield.

  ''Hold on, Spear Three!''

  Coming to the spirit's aid, Spear Two fired upon the Kaynian Lord with his arrows. Though these arrows were unique, they were experimental magic arrows. Only having three at his disposal. Hector would see it used in this dire situation as he nocked all three before letting them loose. All three arrows landed successfully on the alien's energy shield as ice, fire, and lightning magic erupted, creating an explosion.

  ''Ack!''

  Getting blasted to the side allowed the frame unit to make her escape. However, the alien lord wouldn't let her as he immediately recovered from the explosion and raised his hand, exposing his palm before unleashing psionic lightning.

  ''AHHH!''

  The spirit dropped to her knees, enduring the invader's psionics as her magic shield shattered under the accumulated damage from earlier strikes and the recent magical attack. Seeing one of his adversaries succumb to her wounds. The Kaynian Lord quickly raced to her position before leaping forth and embedding his energy saber on her back.

  ''NO!''

  Adelard shouted as he witnessed the execution of one of his comrades. The invader's energy saber easily pierced through the back plate of the frame unit before pulling it out. Spear Three was officially deceased. The green lights adorned its design slowly faded into gray, and its spirit operator was no longer present.

  ''You bastard! I'm going to kill you!''

  With fury burning inside of him, the Champion of Elvania quickly performed a nose dive. Though his fellow wyvern rider wouldn't follow, seeing how their hated foe had just ended the life of one of their own.

  ''Adelard, wait!''

  Pauline pleaded to her former rival but fell on deaf ears. She knew that Adelard wanted revenge for what happened to his subordinates, especially Marie. However, seeing the might of the invader before her, it wouldn't be wise to face him alone.

  "Cuma, frumcynna! Wiemet mē on gefeohte!"

  Adelard responded in kind with his wyvern's flame directed at the invader. Immediately, his opponent was engulfed in flames. However, unbeknownst to him, the alien merely brushed the attack. Worst of all, the commander was still committing to the nose dive.

  "Ic tōslite tē on styccum!"

  ''Bring it on, invader!''

  Then, instead of pulling up, the champion leaped off from his wyvern partner, allowing the reptile to fly away while he unsheathed his sword mid-air. Afterward, his blade would collide with the Kaynian's Energy Saber, and cackles of magic and psionic energies erupted. With the velocity he had gained during his fall, the kinetic force the commander delivered was enough to push the Kaynian Lord slightly.

  'Not enough.'

  The champion thought as the invader shoved him away with force. However, instead of crashing, he managed to land feet first and quickly recovered. Standing tall, he held his sword coated in magic to prevent it from being sliced in two by his opponent's technologically advanced weapon.

  "Wiemet mē, frumcynna!"

  Unable to respond to his adversary, Adelard understood the invader was challenging him to a duel. Thus, he obliged, charging forward while the alien lord advanced to meet him.

  ''As you wish!''

  The Kaynian Lord swung, delivering precise strikes. However, the champion expertly parried these attacks, retreating as his opponent aggressively pressed forward. Seeing the defensive posture of his adversary, the invader intensified his assault by applying heavy slashes and thrusts in their duel. This time, Adelard would find it hard to parry the incoming heavy attacks due to the body ratio between him and the alien lord; he was clearly at a disadvantage.

  "Wāclic!"

  Shouted the invader as he continued to push back the Champion of Elvania with ease. However, it didn't take long for the commander to regain his bearings and hold his ground. Adelard may not have been as strong as his opponent, but his speed allowed him to dodge. Suddenly, he would quickly use his agility to counter the alien's strength by peppering the energy shield of the Kaynian Lord with light attacks.

  'The invader's shield is a problem I must take care of first!'

  A potent fireball manifested in his left hand, and, with one smooth motion, he hurled it directly at the invader's face. The explosion from the magic attack, amplified by Adelard's exceptional magical strength, was strong enough to weaken the alien's energy shield significantly. Smoke obscured his opponent's silhouette. However, the commander was unaware that his success would soon become his greatest mistake.

  "Tū dyrst!"

  Appearing from the smoke, the Kaynian Lord emerged with his energy saber raised high. This was something that Adelard couldn't dodge as his adversary had forgone any defensive measure and merely wanted to injure him for dealing such damage. Thus, with a clean strike, the alien successfully decapitated the right arm of the Champion of Elvania.

  ''ARGH!''

  Despite his magic shield, the invader's attack overwhelmed him, forcing him to his knees. Pain ruptured his body as the alien lord stood before him, his sword still held tightly on his detached right limb. A shadow loomed over him, and when he looked up, he saw his adversary's face.

  "Swā ic cw?t, tū scealt sweltan."

  Raising his energy saber again, the alien would slay another opponent of his. However, unbeknownst to him, the commander's subordinates wouldn't stand idle and come to his rescue. Spear Two and the young priestess would conduct a barrage of projectile base attacks in the form of ice magic icicles and arrows. This unexpectedly saved the champion as the Kaynian Lord's energy shield was compromised by the sheer volume of projectiles fired.

  ''You're an idiot, Adelard!''

  Pauline voiced out as she landed behind him; a gust of wind blew over his back, and he felt the rough landing of a wyvern. Hopping out of her partner, the former rival of the commander came to him and quickly shoulder his left arm, allowing him to stand up.

  ''Never do that again! You hear me, Adelard?''

  His rival shouted, but her words were indistinguishable to him, drowned out by the shock coursing through his body. Hastily, he was thrown over the saddle while Pauline mounted and began to take control of her wyvern.

  ''Spear Two! Priestess Lumiere! I have the commander! Fall back!''

  Via telepathy magic, she contacted the ranger and the priestess. Afterward, both immediately withdrew from the battlefield as the alien lord recovered from the damage he had taken. Fleeing swiftly, they disengaged and returned to the ruined village. Meanwhile, the commander silently contemplated his choices as he saw the silhouette of the invader getting smaller and smaller.

  'I shouldn't have gone alone against the invader. What a fool I am...'

  '...Only the hero can stop the invader, now.'

  To Be Continued.