Scorched Borderland
Rusty Yoke
Scorched Borderland, Rusty Yoke
Taco, we've handed out the weapons to all the town residents!
Thanks for your hard work. How is that lady doing?
The delivery went smoothly. It's a girl. Both mother and baby are safe.
Thank goodness they're okay... All right, back to your positions.
Copy that!
The town gate is barricaded with construction materials and furniture. Soldiers are building fortifications and digging trenches, making the final preparations for battle.
Everyone, prepare for battle!
The military command resounds across the sky, striking everyone's tense nerves on the battlefield.
Remember! Our enemy is an entire battalion of Pilgrims. They're giants and even more vicious and bloodthirsty than ordinary Angels!
Some of us are fighting Angels for the first time, so remember, no matter what happens, don't make eye contact. They will control your mind, and once that happens, it's almost impossible to break free.
He lets out a long breath and falls silent for a moment.
Clank... clank...
Disturbing sounds suddenly rise from the wilderness outside.
Many of the hastily assembled recruits feel lost and terrified by the deathly rhythm and the approaching battle. Their bodies begin to tremble uncontrollably.
The enemy may be powerful! But we cannot retreat!
Taco looks toward the tightly sealed gate ahead and raises her left hand—
It's the signal to notify the entire army to get ready and take aim.
Rusty Yoke is the only settlement left in this entire area after the Cataclysm! Behind us are countless refugees. They are the last survivors of human civilization!
As the Iron Army's "Final Ember," we must prove to the Sanctuary that humanity isn't docile lambs to be slaughtered. There are those who will fight back!
Clank, clank, clank, clank—
In the final countdown of their lives, the warriors, their nerves stretched to the limit, burst out war cries tinged with despair.
Show them our fury, my brothers!!
Unleash our creed and fury upon our enemies!
Fight with honor, let none die in vain!!!
BOOM—
A carriage wrapped in crimson sheets comes charging in at breakneck speed, sending the closed gate flying.
A massive blast roars through the silent battlefield, sending up a cloud of dust.
Two "humans" are sitting on that carriage.
...Huh?
...?
A figure in a gray robe looks over the crowd and yanks the reins, bringing the cart to a clattering halt in front of the town's military formation.
The sudden stop forces several milky white heads to roll out from the cart.
Angel Pilgrims... How did they kill so many?
Back at White Creek, we sacrificed thirty men just to take down one...
The soldiers freeze at the sight of the towering pile of heads, jaws dropping as shocked gasps ripple through the ranks.
Wait, that person on the cart...?
...Wa... Watanabe??
Taco's face twists in disbelief, his left arm still frozen in midair.
Taco? What are you doing here?
Watanabe looks at the soldiers and nods, the joy on his face plain to see.
Yeah, we're old friends.
He holds back a relieved smile and scans the crowd, as the air fills with the warmth of a long-awaited reunion.
Quick! Go tell everyone!
Mister Watanabe is back!!
Rusty Yoke
Town Hall
Town Hall
The endless daylight brings the Sanctuary's harsh judgment through every window, like leeches greedily draining the last bits of patience and hope people have.
The Cataclysm's massacres slandered and erased the past. Survivors slowly forgot that this place, now bound by endless laws, once witnessed the glory of civilization.
Form a line! A line! Order!
Supplies are scarce. One scoop per person! Anyone caught fighting over food will face military punishment!
A small figure weaves through the crowded lines of refugees, squeezed shoulder to shoulder.
He carefully cradles a cracked bowl, staring intently inside, careful not to spill a single drop of the precious food.
At the back of the crowd, two children about his size wait eagerly, craning their necks in anticipation.
Stanley's back!
See! I told you if we took off his prosthetic, no one would recognize him!
Shh—everyone quiet! Where's the new mother?
Over there. She's holding the baby.
Come on, let's quickly take her—
Stanley turns around and runs straight into a tall figure.
...
...
The group exchanges uncertain glances before falling into silence.
Um...
It was my idea! We—
Watanabe raises a finger to his lips, telling them to be quiet.
He hands the broth to the children.
...?
Mister, you...
A brave cowboy deserves the most handsome reward.
He pulls down his hat brim, shows a faint smile, and steps aside to make way for the children.
Now go.
Th-thank you, sir!
The cowboys stride forward, heading toward the places that need courage and kindness the most.
In an inconspicuous corner of the hall, soldiers crumple linen paper into balls and take turns tossing them into the mouth of an Angel's head nailed to the wall.
According to Taco, soldiers call this game "Feeding the Tiger."
Right now, he is surrounded by several seasoned veterans bombarding him with questions. Their eyes are sparkling with curiosity and excitement.
Oh my god, it's Gray Raven. Let me pinch myself... Oh my god, it's Gray Raven...
I never thought I'd live to see you in person...
How did you pull off that train heist not long ago? And what was the whole battle at Scherman Bastion about?
Oh yeah, and what's with Mister Watanabe's totally awesome mechanical arm? Is it some kind of advanced tech from before the Cataclysm?
Mister Watanabe won't tell me anything—
A flash of surprise crosses everyone's faces.
Oh, come on, you're being way too modest! Ever since you hijacked the Hell Train, the name "Gray Raven" has been spreading across the entire Scorched Borderland, just like that great hero from thirty years ago!
Most of the people still resisting the Sanctuary have taken up the "Gray Raven" banner from before the Cataclysm. Look! We've got one right here!
Taco pulls a carefully folded banner from his pocket, grinning widely. He opens it to reveal an iconic image—black and white wings and a shield, bold and unmistakable.
(Tch, if this freckle-faced redhead with the gelled hair knew who I really was, he'd probably get so excited he'd scream loud enough to shake the Supreme Heaven.)
Morigan hides inside the satchel, silently using his magic to judge the people around him.
Since you don't know how the residents feel about magical pets, it's safer to keep it out of sight for now to avoid any trouble.
...And the gold coins you dropped from the sky... We were able to retrieve quite a few. I used them to buy weapons and supplies from the demon wanderers, which helped solve the town's emergency.
Without you, these refugees definitely wouldn't have survived until today.
(Wow, this old man reeks of blood. He was there when humans killed the Locust Flame Demons, but those demons deserved it for feasting on sweet braised brains. Good riddance.)
A familiar figure approaches the crowd as everyone talks about their battle achievements.
Oh, Mister Watanabe, you're back.
Watanabe silently sits down on the sofa beside you, slowly releasing his tightly clenched fist.
...I found this in an abandoned barn outside town.
A dark red light gleams before everyone's eyes.
It is a small cluster of translucent, blood-red crystals. A menacing skull is carved into its surface, sending a chill down everyone's spine.
A Bloodlight Crystal...
I knew it... Death of Iron! Those bastards!
Taco's brow tightens as he slams his fist on the table, as if venting the lingering fear from his earlier encounter with the Angels.
The Angels have limited troops. They can easily kill off humans on open land, but they struggle against guerrilla forces scattered throughout the Scorched Borderland.
So, the Iron Army, as puppets of the Sanctuary, finds rebel strongholds and large human settlements, and guides the Angels by placing Bloodlight Crystals.
Once the Angels arrive, people either run, or...
The veteran glances at the wicked crystal beside him.
Hearing that name again, a question rises in your mind, and you need the answer now.
That's because...
We were all once members of the Iron Army.
The young man lowers his head, answering with reluctance.
I have some questions about that as well.
Taco, after my duel with "Death of Iron," what happened within the Army?
When Watanabe asks the question, everyone exchanges glances, their expressions turning serious.
At that time, everyone thought Mister Watanabe and Generalissimo Gyrfalcon had been... killed by Death of Iron. Anyone who suspected it was treason was dealt with in secret.
Death of Iron became a completely different person... He issued crazy orders, demanding the army to "clear" nearby villages and towns of defenseless civilians.
The Iron Army is the guardian of the Scorched Borderland... We couldn't take it anymore... We would never take such orders.
So, we decided to rebel.
We planned to launch an uprising under cover of night, but when our plan was exposed, we had to act early and were forced into a long exile.
The old veteran leans back on the worn sofa, eyes scanning the room.
Those of us still breathing are all here in this town.
We thought we'd reached the end of the road, but then we heard from refugees that a rebel leader flying the Gray Raven banner had appeared, and there was a warrior by his side who looked just like Mister Watanabe!
In places we couldn't see, all kinds of people are still fighting back! This world hasn't given up yet!
He gives a cheerful smile and speaks with pride.
Since Death of Iron was able to place this crystal near the town, that means our intel was right and the Iron Army did pass through here.
Maybe... after the heavy losses from the Hell Train incident, they need to regroup and avoid more losses?
Death of Iron probably knows this is our stronghold. Leaving the Angels to deal with his stubborn old subordinates is a wise decision.
...Wait a minute, Mister Watanabe, Gray Raven, you're not going to go after the Iron Army yourselves, are you?
Taco suddenly speaks up after realizing what the two of them plan to do.
I still have a score to settle with Death of Iron.
...
Are you familiar with this area? Which direction is the Iron Army most likely to have taken?
Follow the dried riverbed west. When you reach the crossroads, you'll see a dead willow tree with a noose hanging from it. Look up and you'll see the "Halo Fortress."
...Halo Fortress?
That's where the second Generalissimo fired the Halo Cannon, killed the Cardinal Deity, and overturned the Dawn Laws.
Humanity owes its current "good times" to him.
He falls silent, offering no further explanation, neither justifying nor criticizing that fanatical era.
Nobody knows.
The old veteran closes his eyes and lets out a sigh.
...That's a superweapon with the power to kill gods. If we could get our hands on it, we'd have a better chance against the Archangel.
Watanabe looks at you and suggests quietly.
The Iron Army has been gathering elite forces lately. That fortress... It's probably an impenetrable stronghold by now that not even a fly could get in. Plus, we lack heavy weapons. A frontal assault would be suicide.
And... Mister Watanabe, your situation is also not looking very good.
Taco casually picks up a crumpled ball of linen paper and carefully spreads it out.
On the wrinkled paper is a portrait of Watanabe, with large words written in blood: "KILL ORDER, 100,000 Mammon."
Word got out that you're still alive, so the Iron Army has issued a kill order across the entire Scorched Borderland.
The Iron Army, Angels, bounty hunters, fanatics, and possibly even the tribespeople... Every faction under the Sanctuary's control is trying to hunt you down.
Then my staying here will only put you all at unnecessary risk.
But... we won't let you fight alone either.
Flickering in Taco's eyes is an unwavering determination to resist to the very end.
Mister Watanabe, Gray Raven, the morale is really low right now. Rusty Yoke... needs a new leader.
We need someone to help us consolidate resources and break through the siege. With so many mouths to feed, we'll starve if we stay trapped here.
Before the Iron Army and the Sanctuary make their next move, Rusty Yoke remains a relatively safe stronghold. We'll have time to plan our next steps.
Are you willing to lead us out of this predicament?
Watanabe shows no surprise at the request, which sounds more like a plea. He nods slightly and then looks to you for your opinion.
When they hear your response, the soldiers sigh with relief and their expressions soften.
Before coming up with a strategy to turn this situation around, you need to announce your goals first.
...
The veteran stays silent, placing his battle-tested handgun on the table.
Mister Watanabe, and Gray Raven, I trust you.
Right after that, Taco also places his sidearm on the long table.
We will die either way, so I'd rather be fighting with Watanabe and Gray Raven.
One after another, more weapons appear, declaring the people's determination to resist to the very end.
Having earned their trust and recognition, Watanabe smiles, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers before him.
Thank you all for your hard work while I was away.
Finally, Watanabe also places down his weapon—the Rebellion Woe.
Now, it is time to let those cowards in the sky hear the roar of wrath from the world below.
And this is the moment the Iron Army is reborn!
Fight with honor—
Let none die in vain!!
