Chapter 28: Puppet Nation Jistav
Today was the day that the attack would take place, Clayman would be stuck in the Walpurgis and would be left to Rimuru.
After being teleported to their locations the plan began. To take care of those who could pose trouble the shadow squad split up in their own directions and headed to their targets. Souka was in charge of taking care of their first target, Yamza.
…
"How can it be that there is not even a single human around?!?" With the warning that Milim gave them, a week should not be anywhere near close to the required time to mobilize such a large number of people. Even with the use of space magic, it would be near impossible to move more than a quarter to half of all of them. Search for them, they must have hidden in secret places to make it appear as if they have left."
"Yes Sir!"
Once Yamza was left by himself he got ready to meet with the dragon faithful under Milim.
'Those people are obsessed with Clayman's slave. What a waste, at least we can take their supplies and they can't say anything about it because we have a note from their leader. A whole kingdom falls under our control so easily. To think that these people call themselves the descendants from dragons, how far they have fallen.'
Readying his equipment he was about to exit when his senses screamed danger. He tried to grab his sword only to find out that if he moved his arms he would lose them. In fact, any movement and he would lose his life. He could feel the thin object wrapped around his neck and knew he was trapped.
"I- I surrender. I am willing to- ugh-"
Before he could finish his sentence his head had fallen off. Yamza, one of Clayman's strongest servants, had fallen without even having a chance to fight back. No matter how good he was with the sword, or how high tiered items he may have, once he lost his head it was all lost. Without ever being able to know who killed him.
Following their orders, they had executed a clean strike. "Leave no room for error, once you have the target, finish them so as to not have a 'power up' situation" just as their lord had taught them. Emerging from the shadows Souka and four others emerged from their hiding place. One of them went to the body and took all of his possessions. Once Yamza was left with nothing, another one grabbed his body and prepared it for transport. They had seen that their lord could gain strength from those he defeated. So they would not leave him here to rot.
Using thought communication Souka informed the rest of their group.
<<Souka here to Group B. Assassination of the target successful. Attack force, remain on standby. Proceed to use sleep breath on the rest of the people in this camp. Prepare them for capture. Those that resist the skill attempt to knock them out using force. If it appears to be too much of a problem and it would bring danger to the mission lethal force is allowed. Communication over.>>
…
Souei was currently escorting Shuna and the newly created holy division with Hakuro. Their target was the skeleton king Adalman, Clayman's index finger. From the information their lord had given them they were only to eliminate him as a last resort. Their lord had commanded them to attempt to convert him and make him join our side.
From the information they had gathered the skeleton king used to be a cardinal when he was alive. If their information was correct Souei could see why their lord had requested them to try to recruit him. His strength would no doubt be of great use.
The mist around them had become thicker since the moment they entered, and the moment they had been waiting for had arrived. The mist cleared to reveal that they were surrounded by hundreds of skeletons. Standing in the distance was the man they had been looking for. Stepping forward Shuna spoke.
"Why is it that you continue to serve Clayman? Wouldn't you rather work for someone who is good to their people? Who doesn't treat everyone around him like puppets? Someone who has improved their life so much that even their own lives would not be a payment for everything he has done for them? My Lord has told me to give you this invitation, and he will break the binds that make you Clayman's servant. He is willing to break the binds that hold everyone here captive."
"You, you do not know what you are saying. If only a fraction of what you said was true… But it doesn't matter. I am tasked with defending this castle, and so defend I will do. You also know of the control that is placed upon me, but it is impossible to break from it. Demon Lord Kazalim has placed these binds himself. Now let us begin"
Placing their hand together in prayer Shuna and the Holy Division used the new holy magic that they had created.
"I offer this prayer to you, our god. We seek your divine powers. To allow us to cast this spell. God's field."
A large wave of holy magic spread out and surrounded the entire army of skeletons. They were all trapped in a magic barrier now. This sight was a huge shock to Adalman, he had just seen monsters using Holy magic. Something that should have only been reserved for the humans, those who followed Luminous.
'Was my faith a lie? Is Luminous really not the only god? I had been abandoned by Luminous on that day. Did Luminous forsake me? Could it be that my faith was not enough? How could monsters so easily cast a barrier like this? And this holy aura all around me. Only the most faithful of servants could use such strong Holy magic. Could it be that it was my fault? Was the reason I left to die because I did not have enough faith?'
However, his thoughts were interrupted by the scene that followed. The girl standing at the front of the group raised her left hand in a fist. Sitting on her ring finger was a ring that shone brightly. A blinding white and blueish light filled the room, and then she spoke.
"Please hear my request and clear the curse from everyone around us."
'Of course, it should be done in a second. Also, I can feel your worry for me from here. I am doing good so don't worry, and you are doing great. Let me help finish this' Rimuru's voice sounded in her head. A warm smile appeared on her face as she heard it.
Inside the ring, Raphael was doing her magic in figuring everything out.
[Analysis of the curse has been completed.
Beginning the process of removal…
Removal complete]
The ring on her finger shone one last time before going dim. The whole field began to crack until it crumbled into pieces as its job was completed. Everyone inside could feel the change inside of them. Every undead turned to look at their leader Adalman in wait to see what to do.
Adalman dropped to his knees. He might not have a face yet pure shock could still be discerned on his skull. It was surprising how much emotion he could display. It looked like he had lost all of his strength and was processing everything that had happened. Free of the chains Kazalim had placed he was now free to do anything he wished. And with the final gears turning in his mind he decided to "Follow his heart"
"I surrender to you. From now on my faith in Luminous is no more, I have seen the light of your god and it has brought me faith larger than what I have ever had before. Please allow me to serve him with all of my followers."
Caressing the ring on her finger, Shuna had one thought.
'Mission successful"
...
Benimaru began to command his army. With the unique skill he had received during the harvest festival, Generalissimo, he was the perfect person to lead the main army. Tough a lot of the forces had been given to other groups his mission was to enter Jistav and completely capture it.
They had orders to avoid killing and only knock out their enemies. The reason their lord had given them was in fact, pretty reasonable.
"The people over there don't have the best living conditions. While they are not in the worst positions it doesn't change the fact that Clayman has no affection for his subjects. They are treated the same way Clayman treats almost everyone, like puppets. I intend to match the conditions in Jistav as to what we currently have in Tempest. I am sure that once they see that we do not intend to take advantage of them they will not mind the change in leadership. They have had it pretty rough since they pissed off Milim so I am sure they will appreciate the improvement…"
Benimaru could only chuckle silently. If you are on his lord's good side or seen as someone innocent he will treat you kindly. But piss him off and he will kill you all. Benimaru didn't understand why he had not ordered the annihilation of the attacking forces but after feeling the curse marks that most of the attackers had using magic sense he understood. Once they were finished they would be released from the curse and then they would be responsible for their following actions.
With his army behind him, they smoothly took over the whole city and defeated the ones who attacked them. In just one day they had achieved a complete take over of Clayman's territory. All that they needed now was to wait for their lord to return.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
BonAurevoir
BonAurevoir Double chapter in one day, I am going to bed. Also, I know the Shuna Fight might be a bit cringe but eh, it is what it is, I like how it turned out. Hopefully you liked the chapter. See ya
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