King of the Hill
From my vantage on the rooftop, NOA was in complete chaos.
Captain! We're made for each other! Come with me to the church—
You're not him. Get out of my face!
Ack!
Captain! Captaaain! Where are y—argh!
Angela's down... There's a sniper!
Someone's picking us off!
This is a war zone!
Oh no! They got Angela!
Looks like she could use a deployable cover! With this, her friends can treat her behind the safety of armored plating!
Given the current situation, prices are up twenty percent! Cash upfront, one-time payment only!
That's a rip-off! B-but...
Here, take my money!
Most excellent choice!
And you, my dastardly sniper...
Allow me to introduce high-velocity AP rounds! Guaranteed to punch through any armor!
An arms dealer? Seriously?!
We have to move.
They will breach the entrance at any moment.
Given their size, I'm guessing they are several hundred strong.
It's not too bad. We can escape them.
Through where?
Heading downstairs is too risky.
Not that I was planning to.
What's that supposed to mean...?
The door! They've almost broken the door!
Then there's no time to think.
Captain, wrap your arms around my shoulders from the side.
Come closer. And hold tight.
Hesitant at first, I followed Carmen's instructions and rested my hands on her shoulders.
Smiling, Carmen swept me off my feet.
Uh, Carmen?!
Tell me, Captain. Have you ever fled a mob of rampaging brides while being carried like a princess?
Umm, no? I'm pretty sure nobody in Lavistar has had that kind of experience!
Then you will be the first.
Where's the Captain? Where did he go?
I-I don't know! He just disappeared!
Sweep the building! He must be here!
They're coming up—
Shh. Captain. Look at me.
Don't think. Look into my eyes, and nothing else.
It's him! He's being held in her arms like a princess!
You! Put him down and step back!
Captain.
Hold your breath.
Is she preparing to jump—
Hrrp!
What took a second felt like a thousand years.
Reflexively, I held Carmen tight, and I could feel a slow heartbeat traveling from her skin to mine.
Neither the merciless pull of gravity nor the maddening speed of descent took hold of me. Instead, only one thing occupied my world in that moment.
A pair of blue eyes. Half-lidded. Gazing down at me.
Somebody jumped down!
Wait a sec, that guy in her arms. Isn't he...
Ahem.
Hello, interlopers, who ruined the festival.
Would you kindly make way for a moment?
I am in the middle of taking your groom to safety.
Y-you think you can just cut in line? You're not even wearing a dress!
Put him down and step aside... h-hey! Stop!
Get them!
Net gun ready!
Fire!
Watch out! There's a cannon ahead!
I know.
Hold tight. This might make you dizzy.
She deflected it with her shield...
Even a non-lethal weapon like a net gun uses gunpowder.
The Captain could have been hurt. What were you thinking?
You fail as a bride.
Augh!
This is my chance to nab him—
Subtle as a brick, and inefficient to boot. Fail.
Eeek!
Cradling me in her arms, Carmen cut through the whiteout of May with ease.
She didn't even use her sword. All she needed was the shield on her back and her acrobatic maneuvers.
I looked up at her face from below...
You seem to be enjoying this, Carmen.
Do I?
Haha, perhaps so.
What's so enjoyable about this situation?
Chuck the grenade! You know, the one we bought from that grifter!
Well, not the situation itself...
But the knowledge that I am protecting someone.
She kicked it back—
Gah!
Do you remember when I said a shield can do what a bride can't?
Without someone to wield it, a shield is little more than a lump of metal.
I, too, was like that until a moment ago.
Now, I have someone in my arms I have to protect.
And it's you at that.
Why can't we bring her down?
It's just one girl! And she's carrying a person!
So if I appear to be enjoying this...
It means I'm relieved.
...
So Captain...
Please stay with me.
Haha, there are no hidden meanings here.
It's just as it sounds. I'm here to protect you.
I gazed at Carmen in silence for a while.
When I finally opened my mouth to say something...
Hahaha! My other half! My beloved!
I can safely assume this racket is another opportunity to show how great the Celestial Sect is, yes?
I, Fei Bianche, have arrived at your call!
Of course! You picked me!
...Captain. What does she mean by that?
Is there something going on between you two?
We hardly even talk these days!
Your hearts can be felt even without seeing your face!
So, I was sleeping on a park bench as part of my training.
Then I overheard a conversation. They said you were looking for a bride.
I knew I was the one. So I hurried over!
My, you're confident.
But also quick to assume. It's true that the Captain is choosing a new bride, but I highly doubt anyone ever mentioned you by name.
Haha! If the criteria included cooking skills or housekeeping, even I might have doubted myself.
But the Captain is looking for the most powerful bride! I heard it!
And when it comes to power, nothing beats the Celestial Art!
And Celestial Art means only one person—me!
As you requested, I will be your woman. You be my man!
Ugh, where do I start...
Such simpleminded words... At least she's bold, I'll give her that.
...Captain, it's not going to be easy to make her understand.
So you're the Captain's current bride, huh?
Carmen, Deputy Master of the Monastir Knights.
I am the Captain's bodyguard, not his "current bride" or anything like that.
Duty states that I protect him with my life.
Ah, I understand.
Then I must defeat you to win my place beside him!
You don't listen to what people say, do you?
Words may be deceiving, but the heart never lies!
I can see right through you. You are not without a desire. You are simply caging it.
...!
Why cage it?
Desire! Want! Reach and take what you crave!
Pretentious opponents sour my victory. I prefer more candid beatdowns.
...I am not interested in childish tantrums.
Please step aside.
My current objective is to take the Captain somewhere safe.
Then you already found it.
The safest place for him is right by my side!
Wait for me, Captain! We'll grow old together under the banner of the Celestial Art!
Words are useless, I see.
Captain, please stay behind me.
Let's think of a way to get out of this.