Standing at the head of the modern army. Rimuru's aura flared slightly. Their eyes glowing, but Rimuru calmed down, aura dying down as they turned their head to the side. "Be ready everyone."
Yang nodded lightly, her semblance activating, her hair glowed her eyes red. "All set, man...I got a fire burning fiercely within me, and its itching to come out."
Tanks sat interspersed with summoned beasts plated in steel. Infantry stood behind overlapping barrier screens projected by synchronized mage teams. Artillery crews awaited coordinates with disciplined stillness.
Within Rimuru's body, Raphael spoke.
<
"Collateral?" Rimuru asked.
<
Rimuru nodded lightly. "Alright everyone! On my command, move out!"
"Hell yeah, now we're talking!" Yang barked.
Giving the signal, Rimuru led the army into the capital, the gates busted open and the imperial army itself charging head on. The ballista's firing spears, molten flaming debris and rocks.
A tank treads over the wooden barricades. The JSDF soldiers taking charge as they fired guns, threw grenades. Explosions filled the area as smoke roes into the air.
Zorzal clenched his fists. Anger rising up within him. "Damn you....damn you!"
~~~
Western Tower One shattered at its apex, runes fracturing like glass under pressure. A heartbeat later, Tower Two followed. Then Three. The tanks tread onward after each missile was fired.
Yang ran through the imperial army, bashing their heads in. She took notice of Zorzal fleeing deeper into the castle. "Yo, boss man!" She shouted. "Where are you going?"
Rimuru took notice, not saying a word. They moved quicker than the naked eye. "Focus on pushing the enemy back, leave Zorzal to me!"
"Aye, aye captain!" Yang spoke. "You heard the slime, push forward."
Yoji nodded his head at the command, he was going to go into the castle to search for Rory, but it seemed Rimuru had beat him to the punch.
Imperial mages scrambled, attempting to reroute mana flow, but the lattice destabilized too quickly. Defensive shielding along nearly half the western perimeter flickered and collapsed entirely.
"Okay, now that...was cool." Yang spoke as she noticed an imperial knight coming up from behind Tuka. "Oh no you don't."
Before the knight could swing his mace at Tuka, Yang boosted herself forward with her Ember Celica the shotgun shells infused with dust, boosted the blonde brawler towards the knight. "Tuka, heads up!"
Tuka noticed Yang coming towards her, she was going to ask what she was doing. But Yang landed a punch on the knights side with her mechanical fist, the iron of the suit cracked as Yang smirked. "Heh, this is what I'm talking about."
The knight grunted, balancing his footing, he growled under his helmet. His mace raised up over head. Yang noticed, her eyes burning with a fiery passion. A grin played at her lips, she pushed Tuka aside. "Not today Romeo."
Tuka stumbled as she dropped her bow. She quickly grabbed it, reaching for an arrow. But Yang didn't say she could interfere. Yang cracked her knuckle and exploded. Her fists began punching quick and fast into the knights gut. The knight coughed up blood as he doubled over in pain. "You little-"
Yang didn't even give the man time to say more, she pulled her mechanical arm back, and rammed the knight so hard in the gut, it would've been seen as an act of murder. But Yang's arm didn't tear through the armor nor the flesh. The knight puked up blood and fell over onto the ground.
~~~
Ballistae loosed enchanted bolts in synchronized volleys. Siege cannons thundered from behind the walls. Flame constructs surged forward like tidal waves meant to engulf the approaching army.
The sounds of war raged on in the background, Rimuru ran through the castle, tracking Zorzal. "Raphael."
<
"Give me an update on Rory." Rimuru spoke under their breath.
There was a slight pause, a moment of silence, then Raphael spoke.
<
Rimuru's eyes dimmed lightly. "Time estimated?"
There was another pause then Raphael answered.
<
Rimuru's aura deepened, a small vibration shook the area, the castle rattled and crumbled under pressure.
Zorzal felt the sudden pressure, he was pushed down onto the floor. He grunted as he struggled to stand. "What the hell?" He winched as he slowly stood up, leaning against the nearest wall. "What is this?"
Rimuru was stalking closer by the second, Zorzal limped. The pressure was getting stronger, Zorzal tried to resist the pressure. But then, part of the upper floor above him was torn away. Rimuru broke a chunk of the floor off from under their feet, flinging it through the roof of the castle.
Yang noticed the chunk hurling towards them. She quickly rolled out of the way, whatever imperial soldiers were pushing forward towards them. Were soon flattened under the chunk.
"Eww....talk about pancaked to death." Yang spoke.
~~~
Within the lower levels of the castle, Rory sat there. Restrained by chains. Her cell shook as the ceiling above her head crumbled, small chunks of brick and dust fell.
The chains restrained her magic, she was bloody, her black hair messy. Her Lolita dress torn in places. An imperial high priest adjusted his robes nervously. "The ritual is nearly ready," he whispered.
Rory glanced up, blood trickled down from her lip. The ceiling shook more, the pressure from Rimuru's aura could be felt. The priest stumbled, eyes widened in terror and horror. Zorzal managed to make it down to them.
"Kill her! Now!" Zorzal barked.
The priest glanced at him. "But sir, the ritual isn't-"
"I don't care! Kill her!" Zorzal snarled as he pulled a sword off the wall. "When I give you an order, you listen."
Rimuru was drawing closer and closer. "Status."
<
Rimuru noticed the sudden pause. "Raphael?"
<
Rimuru stopped in their tracks. "How much?"
There was a pause, Raphael was calculating.
<<90% Unable to keep Scarlet stable, she stirs.>>
Rimuru's eyes widened, how? No, that didn't matter. They shook their head. "Increase restrains on her, we can't afford this mission blowing out of the water."
<
Rimuru let out a shaky sigh, but proceeded. They hurried downward, caving in the floor each level collapsing until Rimuru reached the lower level. The dust surrounded Rimuru, but they stepped through. the ritual stopping. Zorzal glared at Rimuru as they locked eyes, this was the final act, the final boss. Rimuru knew Zorzal wouldn't make this easy, they just hoped that they could keep Scarlet restrained just a bit longer. "Your reign of terror ends here Zorzal, you will pay for your war crimes."