Chapter Twenty-Six: The Epoch Empire

When I slipped back into Yune, I found even more dead—both the Porst and Sissus teams had been wiped out entirely.

It felt as though the sky were collapsing. I searched for Salvador, relieved to find him unharmed, and the young moose were all safe as well.

I snapped, “Didn’t I tell you all to stay hidden in Yune?”

Salvador answered, “Yes, yes, I did as you ordered, but Porst and Sissus insisted on acting. Sissus said that if we couldn’t find Officer Bella, we’d all die.”

I said, “So they went out on their own at night?”

Bella sighed, “Clearly you’re a novice. Why didn’t you appoint a deputy before you left?”

I suspected that even if Salvador had taken command, they wouldn’t have listened.

Salvador explained, “They waited until daylight to leave, and they had demon detectors, so they thought they’d be safe—but trouble found them as soon as they stepped out of Yune.”

He pointed to three other bodies on the ground. They wore long black robes and square hats, as though their heads were boxed in screens. Blood stained their garments, though the fabric remained crisp and unwrinkled.

I asked, “Did those three attack us, and we retaliated? Was it mutual destruction?”

Salvador said, “I stayed inside Yune... didn’t go out. Those three appeared before Porst and Sissus, who trained their guns on them... I hesitated, unsure whether to help, and in the end chose to observe...”

I said, “You did the right thing! They disobeyed my orders, but you did not.”

Feilher interjected, “Those three wielded mysterious powers. In a flash, Porst and his men were frozen, unable to move. They claimed to come from the Epoch Empire of Sacramento and demanded we hand over Yune.”

I asked, “What? Frozen still?”

Feilher’s face was grave. “Yes, but not like what happened beneath the museum. I saw Porst and his team bound by a giant black hand.”

I wondered if they were allied with Tanki and glanced at Bella. Bella said, “They came for Yune, not for the statue.”

I said, “Why not use Yune to crush them? Where was Woden?”

Salvador answered nervously, “He was... outside the vehicle, relieving himself.”

I exclaimed, “He couldn’t do that inside? Is the restroom just for show?”

Salvador shook his head. “I tried to persuade him—it’d only take a few minutes, he said. He wanted to stretch his legs outside the ‘iron box.’”

Only then did I realize Woden was dead behind the bushes. Few could operate Yune, and looking at him, I felt my commission slip away from me.

I asked, “What happened next?”

Feilher said, “We refused to obey, so they executed Porst’s team one by one. They declared that Black Coffin must recognize the Emperor of the Epoch Empire as the savior, the rightful human, and submit to their command—surrender without delay.”

I shouted, “Those bastards! Why didn’t Porst resist? Isn’t he half-demon? Was he too weak to even struggle?”

Feilher sighed, “They killed him before he could transform. Afterward, they killed Woden without hesitation. Salvador and I discussed it and decided to wait for you in the vehicle. The three killers kept watch around Yune.”

I asked, “How did they die?”

Salvador hesitated. “Someone killed them for us.”

The situation grew ever more bizarre. I asked, “Who? Was it a demon?”

Salvador said, “We slept for a while and didn’t see who acted. When we awoke, they were dead. It was daylight then, so it couldn’t have been a demon.”

At that moment, two figures emerged from the woods, clad in Sword and Shield Society armor—one tall, one short. The tall one removed his helmet and laughed loudly, “Longi, we meet again.”

I cried, “Milse? Is that you?” At the same time, I noticed the other’s badge—a sword and shield, the ducal crest. I felt a pang of apprehension as she removed her mask. It was Vasilisa, who smiled and nodded at me.

Salvador gasped, “Is that... the Duchess of Sword and Shield Society?”

Vasilisa said, “I once promised to send an envoy to Black Coffin and bear generous gifts, but upon reflection, I decided to come myself. Milse’s swordsmanship is unmatched—he killed the three murderers for you. Consider this a token of goodwill.”

Bella gazed at Vasilisa for a moment, her demeanor unusually solemn, as if sensing the extraordinary bloodline within the duchess. She bowed deeply. “It is an honor, ancient kinswoman.”

Vasilisa replied, “The honor is mutual, kinswoman. I hope you’ll allow us to travel with you. I assure you, we’ll abide by every law of Black Coffin and bear no ill intent.”

Bella asked me, “What do you think?”

Vasilisa was a fearsome and ancient demon—her entry into Black Coffin could bring either fortune or calamity, though within Black Coffin, there were means to counter her. At any rate, we had no grounds to refuse her; even if we retreated into Yune, it’d be pointless. Her power might not pierce Yune’s iron armor, but it could easily overturn it.

I said, “We have no choice, and I believe she’s telling the truth.”

We invited her and Milse into the cockpit. Milse shook my hand warmly, his manner exceedingly friendly. I glanced at his insignia and asked, “You’re a viscount now?”

Milse said, “Yes. I insisted I wasn’t qualified, lacking experience, but the duchess promoted me nonetheless.”

I asked, “How long do you plan to stay in Black Coffin?”

Milse replied, “Not long. If we reach an alliance, we’ll send a new ambassador. If not, we’ll return to headquarters soon.”

I prayed to heaven for a successful alliance—it would be an invaluable bargaining chip for me in days to come.

With Woden dead, I despaired over the cockpit. Salvador said, “I can try. Woden gave me a brief rundown.” He pressed a dozen buttons, gripped the steering wheel, and Yune started up, moving smoothly ahead.

It was an unexpected delight. If Salvador could master Yune, we’d no longer depend on Black Coffin’s inept drivers.

Salvador said, “I’ve always dreamed of driving across endless plains, heading for the farthest horizon. Maybe it’s tied to childhood memories of fleeing. I think I’m destined for Yune.”

He would become my confidant, so I showered him with praise. “No wonder you’re Lamia’s brother—I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. But stay focused; watch out for overturning, you’re not a veteran yet.”

Salvador glanced at me—I wasn’t sure why. Perhaps he misunderstood my use of ‘veteran driver’; the boy was more enigmatic than he seemed.

Vasilisa expressed her wish for an alliance to Bella. Bella said, “I’d be glad, but it depends on the governor and the elders.” After a pause, she added, “I’ve heard your name, ‘Vasilisa’ of Sword and Shield Society. Rumor has it you serve humanity, even killing your own kind.”

Vasilisa answered, “I only kill those who cross the line—those who slaughter humans indiscriminately. If left unchecked, the world would discover us, treat us as threats, and we’d face extinction.”

Bella smiled. “True, but we could resolve this internally.”

Vasilisa looked out over the desolate wasteland and said, “In the end, there’s no real difference.”

Bella said, “Even we don’t know how the world came to this.”

Vasilisa replied, “Earlier, you encountered the priests of the Epoch Empire. We’ve fought them many times.”

Bella asked, “Are they dangerous?”

Vasilisa said, “They’re arrogant beyond belief, claiming dominion over this land. I don’t know their territory, but lately they seem intent on invading this region.”

“They’re already our enemies,” Bella said.

Vasilisa replied, “They have strong forces, ample weapons, and are always seeking lost ancient technology. Though I don’t know much about Black Coffin, I doubt you could face them alone.”

Bella chuckled, “Is your Sword and Shield Society powerless against them, too?”

Vasilisa said, “I’m confident I could slaughter them like lambs, but overconfidence nearly killed me once.” With that, she glanced at me.

Milse said, “They use devices like psychic blades—driven by the mind, manipulating objects, even shaping them. If I hadn’t ambushed those three priests, I might not have prevailed. Their weaponry can create barriers of will, blocking my psychic blade.”

Bella asked, “Do they think Yune belongs to them?”

The duchess replied, “They believe everything of value on the California wasteland is theirs.”

Bella asked again, “Don’t you want Yune?”

I was startled, fearing she might offend Vasilisa, wondering how to smooth things over. Vasilisa shook her head. “We only wish to keep it from the Epoch Empire. Our Sword and Shield Society exoskeleton armor can handle heavy cargo.”

Apart from Black Coffin and Vaga, our technology lagged behind Sword and Shield Society—perhaps even further behind the Epoch Empire.

Bella asked, “Have you considered joining forces with the Epoch? After all, we’re all human.”

Vasilisa said, “Even at the peak of human civilization, war was inevitable. Better to take precautions and eliminate their threat than be swallowed up.”

Bella seemed about to say more, but I quickly gestured for her to stop. Her words seemed meant to provoke Vasilisa, pushing us toward disaster—perhaps a shadow of rivalry between women, like Betty and Lamia, conversation laced with subtle barbs.

But Vasilisa was no easygoing Lamia; she was a witch of monstrous cruelty.

Bella smiled and said to me, “You should tally your accounts.”

I asked, “What accounts?”

Bella said, “When we return, I’ll credit you with twenty million, but under your brilliant leadership, the rangers were nearly wiped out—you’re responsible for compensation and survivor benefits.”

It felt as though I’d been struck on the head; stars danced before my eyes. “Why should I be the one to pay?”

Bella said, “To wear the crown, you must bear its weight. You volunteered to lead—so the responsibility is yours.”

I could only feign ignorance, protesting, “I wasn’t aware of this rule.”

Bella laughed, “Didn’t you read before signing? The ranger exploration regulations are all clearly stated.”

I said, “I never had time to read it—this is a tyrannical clause! Can I sue?”

Bella pouted, “Sue whom? The governor? The law was set by the governor himself.”

My heart sank, heavy as a dead fish, never to rise again.