Chapter 187 – Salevela Conflict 8

The battle on the island started. The ships that were on standby moved in, they kept on firing while the barges reached the beaches. The strike team that swam under the water has begun their rampage above the island. The beachhead was captured due to their distraction.

The parachute troops were thrown to the center of the island. But they didn’t expect that the enemy would have a crank-operated machine gun. The machine gun tore through the parachute troops while they were in the air. Only a few survive and they weren’t able to find good cover.

The parachute drop failed. The attacking forces took over the beaches and made their fort there. The ships were able to come closer because the mortars were silenced. The strike team that was sent by the fleet never came back. Most of them died at the hands of the enemies.

Dolce watched the battle from above. She looked at the island that was ravaged by artillery fire and corpses. The forest that was near the beach was charred. The sun was hidden an hour ago was starting to rise, the stars that were up in the sky slowly faded away from the sun’s mighty light.

The skyship descended down the beach, the landing legs of the skyship touched the sandy beach. The rampart of the skyship opened, Dolce stepped out of the skyship and took a step on the sand. She looked around. The soldiers were busy creating cover and one of the generals has landed on the beach. He was commanding the troops. He was sweating and there were bags on his eyes.

Dolce skidded through the sand and looked at the skyship owned by her brother. It landed on the sandy beach making loud noises as it does. The thrusters of her brother’s ship blew sand. The soldiers that were around darted away from the skyship, they covered their eyes with their arms.

Don stepped out of the skyship. He was armed to the teeth. He wore his body armor along with his flak vest. He was sporting fatigues and a coat. It was a battle dress and it suited him well. Don stride towards Dolce with unhurried steps. He put his arm around his waist and looked at the troops with a steady gaze.

“The island will be ours,” said Don.

“It will be,” Dolce replied, her face sporting a bland look.

“So will you proceed? You haven’t killed anyone, my sister.”

Dolce tilted her head towards Don. “I will join the fight like the generals once the battlements,” she pointed at the walls of the fortress, “are down.”

“Indeed, they are taking this defense strongly,” Don touches his chin. “Smart men would surrender now. They are surrounded by warships and man-o-wars that I despair for them myself. Are they not surrendering because of their pride?”

“Will you spore them?” Dolce asked.

“Yes, if they surrender quietly.”

“I see.”

Don looked at his sister who seems like she was keeping something to herself.

“Is there a problem?”

“Brother, if you think these people would surrender. You clearly don’t understand.”

Don raised his eyebrows. He tilted his head in thought. He recalled the information that he has gotten from the informers.

“Ah, it seems like we miscalculated!” he exclaimed loudly.

“Indeed, you’ve pushed these people too hard. Do you know what their culture here, right brother?” she looked at him with blandness. “The women here give birth near the sea. They would then take their newborn to a cave and after a night they would go back and see if their child is alive. Those who have died will be buried. The ones that survived will be nurtured into a guardian of this island. They will not live in other places unless they are a diplomat. It is their belief. And cornered like rats, the beliefs of these people are something to be feared.”

“Yet we outnumber them. We have the superior firepower and the advantage of flying ships,” Don said proudly.

Dolce agreed. She crossed her arms and looked at her brother. “True, but we are still having a hard time taking care of the defiants. They knew of this place much better than, they know every crook and cranny, that it isn’t surprising. Indeed, we have flying ships, we have long-range artillery, but we are a taking a while to destroy them.”

Snow fell from the sky. Dolce glanced at the sky. Her palm caught some snow.

“But we will catch them. We knew that already. Still, it seems that the firepower has made us cocky. Even the sky warriors didn’t survive at the hands of the enemy. Our ships have been able to get close and they were able to take the battlements cannon towers. The lighthouse has been neutralized. The villagers around the fortress have been captured and given a choice”

“Tell me about these choices.”

“They shall lay their arms down and stop fighting for their land. Or suffer the embrace of death and get a capital punishment, and possibly death by firing squad.”

“How many have you killed so far?”

Dolce was curious. Her arms were still crossed. Snow was piling up on her head.

“All of them.”

“Huh?” Dolce craned her neck at Don.

“Yes. Most of them refused. They didn’t want to be our slaves so they chose death. They rather die free than live as a slave. I admire such resolve. Their convictions are steel. But they are foolish for that. I don’t hate them for their convictions, but I hate them for their stupidity. I would like to save them but as long as our father is the leader of this fight. I can’t do it. I need a way to lure father out of the open.”

“Good luck with that, dear brother,” She struck a pose.

“I do not need your luck, Dolce,” he said with irritation. “I will replace my father as the leader of this war. Most of the generals have accepted the ‘duel’ that might happen. They are ready to act in my favor and bring the news that Sigrid of Alva, our father, will die with the use of these hands.”

Dolce gazes upon her brother’s frosty expression. She didn’t say anything. She just left her brother and looked at the island with curious eyes.