Chapter 168: Brutal Melee

- Central Abelis, Marcobus City, Several Hours Later – Rose's POV –

Our discussion with Prince Arlen, interrupting our teasing of the adorable spooder, lasted a while after that, only ending finally just after dark. It hadn’t all been about the meeting with the Church. In fact, most of it hadn’t since we’d finished that part of the discussion within the first few minutes. We’d been told of the demands from the Church, as well as them showing off that “woman” that had fought Grandma. From what Arlen told me she seemed to be in perfect health, although the Church hadn’t seemed happy when Grandma herself had interrupted their meeting to show off her own good health as well, especially since they’d lost several thousand soldiers to gain only a small amount of land.

Either way the meeting had been almost entirely made up of the Church bragging about their so-called “advancements” that were beyond us so-called “animals”. It’d been a clear attempt to pressure the Alliance into ending the conflict early by intimidating the less powerful members into retreating. So blatant was the intention that even the normally logical Gnome delegate had apparently snapped at the Church delegation. I’d never met her personally, but I’d heard about her from Ein. Over the years we’d ended up talking fairly often whenever I went to do any of her “tests” per my agreement with the Gnomish Council. I’d grown fairly close with her, despite her insistence that we were only meeting because of her scientific interests and counted her as one of my friends. Albeit an abnormal one. To be honest Karen got along with her much more closely than I did what with their similar interests. Anyway, she’d told me all about the Gnome delegate, Councilwoman Gorvi, and how she had become the longest consecutive running politician in Gnomish history. Not councilwoman, politician. Apparently, it was extremely rare for a Gnome to take to politics so enthusiastically so most would only do the bare minimum and pass it on the the next “weirdo” to get a sudden urge to play politics. Because of this the council that ran Labyrinth City now was entirely made up of different individuals except for Gorvi herself. She’d been in her position for so long that most considered her the defacto leader of the Gnomish people, even the Gnomes themselves. Although Ein said that Gorvi herself was apparently not happy with that view.

Regardless though, the Church had been unanimously turned away by the entire Alliance. With both of the strongest members against negotiations at this point none of the rest of the Alliance could have spoken up but, based on what Arlen said, it didn’t seem like negotiations were on the table to begin with. I was curious about what the Church had meant by “advancements” though. Apparently, they’d even used the English word for it rather than saying it in Miscallin. While that might have been a coincidence something told me there was more to it. Was there a reincarnation helping the Church create weapons?

After that however, the discussion had turned to what we would be doing going forward…

[I’m surprised that we were assigned to take back the Plains that was lost the other day. Don’t you think the Church would be more aggressive to holding any territory they’ve recently gotten ahold of?] – Karen

[The decision was made partly from a political angle but also because the area is unlikely to have been as strongly fortified as the rest of the battlefield. The Matriarch ultimately lost that battle despite the heavy losses incurred by the Church to take it and if the Young Miss’s family doesn’t regain it themselves it could open the Amchier family up to criticism no matter how unfounded such words would be.] – Annabelle

[Wait so they’re sending Rose there because they don’t want anyone to complain to her family? That seems… heartless?] – Karen

[It’s quite common in noble families actually. But, given the relative lack of danger, think of it as more symbolic than anything else. I’m sure, if they actually were worried, Rose’s family never would have agreed to it. The only reason they did was because of the small chance of anything going wrong.] – Argent

[And it’s not like I’ll be on the front lines fighting against another Summoned Hero or anything. I’ve been told to limit myself to casting spells from behind the main force. Momma and Papa were quite insistent that I not put myself in any danger since they couldn’t be with me.] – Rose

[W-What about your grandfather, the Patriarch? Couldn’t he protect you?] – Urz

[The Patriarch has been tasked with hunting down the masked woman unfortunately. Because of this he’ll be unavailable for normal combat. He’s been told to remain on standby to allow him to quickly deploy to the location of the masked woman as soon as she’s spotted.] – Annabelle

[…protect her ourselves.] – Shade

[You’re right, Shade, we’ll be with Rose and can keep her safe, we have nothing to worry about.] – Karen

[Yeah! Even if that masked woman shows up, we’ll keep Rose safe!] – Argent

[You’ve never quite learned how to stop setting flags have you? Right, Rose?] – Karen

[Pfft! Agreed!] – Rose

Letting myself go as we laughed Argent looked around at us confused before she too joined in. One last night before the war started in earnest. One last laugh before we might not see each other again. We all knew that it was a possibility but, at least for now, we could ignore it as we spent the night together as friends. We didn’t end up sleeping the entire night, but it was worth it for the time spent together.

- Central Abelis, Plains of Opportunity, The Next Day – Rose's POV –

This was supposed to be simple, easy. I mean, sure, it was still going to be a battle but, based on what I was told to expect I’d have thought that the battle itself would mostly consist of the two sides taking potshots at each other as we fought over our entrenched positions. Not… this.

[Send reinforcements to the East Flank! They’re being overwhelmed! We’ll hold the center while we draw them into our pocket!] – Prince Arlen

[Yes, my Prince!] – Unknown Soldier

[Where did they get those?!? I didn’t even know this world had- Ah! Ow! That hurts!] – Karen

[Karen! Are you okay?!?] – Rose

[I’m fine, just grazed me, won’t even leave any damage. Putting that aside, those are what I think they are, right?] – Karen

[You know what those metal tubes are Rose, Karen? How do we fight back against them?] – Prince Arlen

Guns. The godsdamned Church had guns. Not many, only a couple hundred, and they weren’t very accurate, but they still had guns. When we’d started fighting this morning everything had been going well. We’d raided one of the newly built fortifications, easily routing the forces stationed there and had been about to take the next when a force equal to our own had poured out, laying suppression fire as they did so. We’d lost several dozen in the first volley before we were able to respond. Numbness overtook the panic as I gazed on bloody corpses once more, my brain focused on the more important problem of staying alive.

Luckily, for myself and those I cared about, either the range or something about the way weapons worked in this world, meant that, while the bullets hurt, they only left angry bruises instead of lethal wounds. Unfortunately, however, that wasn’t the case for most of our combatants.

[I- I- Shit! We need to gather everyone that’s resistant to their bullets and lead the charge. Everyone else will support us!] – Rose

[But that means…] – Argent

[That means the Young Miss will be putting herself in danger. Unacceptable. The Mistress would never allow it!] – Annabelle

[…keep safe.] – Shade

[This isn’t the time to argue! If we don’t do… something, this entire front will collapse! We’re barely holding on as it is!] – Rose

[She’s right! If we don’t deal with this soon, we’ll be completely routed! We need to act now! Corporal! Send out orders for anyone that survived these metal tubes to meet at the center, we’re pushing through!] – Prince Arlen

[Sire!] – Unknown Soldier

Ducking behind fortifications as bullets whizzed by overhead, I struggled with the logical choice to rush straight into danger. While most of my memories had long since faded except for important ones and, ironically, memes, I still had an almost instinctual fear of guns. In my past life I’d never actually come face to face with a gun but everything I’d seen on the news or in movies screamed at me about just how dangerous they were. Even in this world, protected by my own power, I still felt that fear. The images of tattered corpses after the first rush filled my head, and heart, with hesitation.

But still, we needed to do something soon.

- Central Abelis, Plains of Opportunity – Rose's POV –

Chaos. Pure and simple. After gathering as many as we could find of the people resistant to bullets, we found ourselves with only a few hundred against several dozen times that in number arrayed against us. Yes, we were supported by the same number or combatants on our side but none of them were able to stand up against the wave of lead filled death. But, left with no choice, we started our charge.

[CHARGE!] – Prince Arlen

[AHHHHH!] – Several Hundred Lamia

Preoccupied with surviving I didn’t even bother to pretend to chant, launching spells at the mass of soldiers ahead of me as we rushed the enemy. Our goal, a flustered line of musket men that looked surprised that we would try something so ridiculous. Luckily, it looked like none of them were particularly well trained and, besides a few that got off shots that went wildly off the mark, they broke soon after. Now though, we were well into the enemy line.

[We did it! Everyone, let’s finish this! Attack!] – Prince Arlen

[Bring it on!] – Karen

A melee, a pure, chaotic, melee. I’d always heard, in both my previous life and the historical accounts in this one, that this type of chaotic, total war was quite rare. In a battle, it’s generally difficult to tell friend from foe so most battles never got to the point of full-on melee. But this? This was a war of survival with who was friend and who was foe clear to both sides. If it was human, it would die. Because of this I made sure to keep my friends close-by for fear that they would be mistaken for enemies, especially Argent. I’d seen some of the dirty looks she’d gotten by soldiers around the camp and, while I didn’t think any would try anything, I wasn’t going to take any chances.

It terrified me thinking about the aftermath of this war, when we won would our side oppress theirs? Would we be even worse? All things that ran through my mind as I tried to distract myself from the blood that covered me as yet another “doll” exploded from the force of my punch. The looks of terror as I tore through the waves of humans with almost no effort. How easy it was to pop them like weak balloons. How fragile their bones were. All of it!

[Rose! Rose, stop! It’s over! We’ve pushed them back! It’s over!] – Karen

[K-Kare Kare? Oh gods, I-I’m covered in it! It’s happening again! Ahhh!] – Rose

When I came to, I was alone, surrounded by piles of what used to be humans. I’d done this. I’d killed these people. And this time I didn’t even have the excuse that I’d had in the Arena. I’d personally slaughtered living beings. They had their own lives, their own families. Some of them might have been here unwillingly!

[Get her back to camp! Now! We’ll deal with securing this spot! Keep her safe!] – Prince Arlen

[I’d do that even without your asking, Prince! She’s mine and I’ll protect her!] – Karen

[…you… do that. Thank you.] – Prince Arlen

[This way, Young Miss, follow us.] – Annabelle

I don’t remember what happened after that, I remember the feel of cool arms holding me as I cried, the comforting words of the people I love, but I don’t remember the words. The one thing I do remember, is one thing, repeated like a chant in my head, “your fault”. Then I blacked out.