Chapter 225: The War Begins
Days flew by, and soon it was the day of the decisive battle.
Early that morning, before the sun had even risen, all the warriors in the camp gathered in front of the church at the very center of the Orion District, awaiting their departure.
"This should be the final battle, right?" Yuto remarked, looking at the gathered warriors.
"The final battle? I don't think so," Shun Kurosaki said coldly from the side. "Driving these invaders out is just the first step. Next, we have to make them pay the price."
"You're right. The crimes they've committed won't be so easily settled," Kaito said.
"And we still have comrades waiting for us in the enemy camp," Yuto added.
"Hey, aren't you going to say a few words, our leader?" Shun Kurosaki shouted, looking up at Yūga Hōzumi, who was silently gazing into the distance from the highest point of the church's spire.
"Everything that needed to be said has already been said," Yūga Hōzumi replied, leaping down from the church's spire and landing in front of everyone.
"According to the plan, the 5,000 brothers from Neo Domino City departed yesterday with Bruno and Jack. By now, they should have circled around to the enemy's rear from the outskirts," Reiji Akaba said.
"Exactly. How much success they achieve depends on how long we can hold the front line," Yūga Hōzumi said.
"Let's go. It's time to depart." Yūga Hōzumi said, waving his hand as he watched the morning sun slowly rise on the horizon.
"Charge! Brothers! Success or failure hinges on this moment!" Yūga Hōzumi shouted, then walked toward the road leading out of the Orion District.
…
When Yūga Hōzumi led 8,000 warriors from Heartland City out of the Orion District and onto the Outside Road, he was initially surprised to see Ryo Marufuji and the Obelisk Force already waiting there.
The reason was simple: although this army was nearly two-thirds smaller than the one Aster Phoenix had brought, Aster Phoenix's forces were merely a disorganized mob in comparison. The murderous aura emanating from these people made Yūga Hōzumi's brow furrow.
"It seems this will be a fierce battle," Reiji Akaba said, narrowing his eyes and adjusting his glasses.
Seeing that the Heartland Resistance had finished assembling, the center of the Obelisk Force's formation parted, and Ryo Marufuji slowly walked out from the cleared path.
"Are you the one who defeated that good-for-nothing Aster Phoenix?" Ryo Marufuji asked, looking at Yūga Hōzumi at the very front of the Resistance Army. "It was quite a shame I couldn't meet you last time. It's good that you're back."
"We'll settle the score for you injuring my comrades last time, right here and now," Yūga Hōzumi said coldly, confronting the slowly approaching Ryo Marufuji.
"Planning to go king against king from the start?" Ryo Marufuji asked with a smile, his eyes narrowing. Then, his expression hardened. "Fine. I thought you would cower in your turtle shell and not come out. Since you're ready, let's settle this in one go!"
"Let's go!" Yūga Hōzumi roared, slapping Hope onto his Duel Disk before leaping into the air.
A golden light flashed, and from within it, Hope emerged, catching Yūga Hōzumi on its shoulder before leading the charge.
"Kill!" Seeing this, the warriors behind Yūga Hōzumi roared and followed Hope's lead, charging toward the enemy's battle lines.
Instantly, Galaxy-Eyes and Dark Rebellion, two giant dragons, roared as they carried their masters, catching up to Hope. A sharp eagle cry echoed in the air as a golden mechanical falcon soared skyward.
A three-headed mechanical dragon roared as it appeared from between the military formations, unleashing a high-energy particle cannon from its mouth that was aimed straight for Hope's head.
The twin wings behind Hope folded together in front of it, enduring the laser as it charged toward the three-headed mechanical dragon.
"Lancers, attack!" Reiji Akaba adjusted his glasses. Liehuo, Jifeng, and Langchao, the three demon lords, flashed out from behind him, charging toward the enemy's formations.
"Let's go together, Yuya!" Gongenzaka forcefully slapped Yuya Sakaki's shoulder beside him, then summoned Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei, joining the charge alongside the mechanical samurai.
At the sight of this, Yuya Sakaki gritted his teeth and summoned Odd-Eyes, joining the charge.
On another front, after the charge began, Yuzu and Serena exchanged a smile.
A pink flower bloomed on the field. From the blossom, a Flower Diva with the face of a sacred angel spread its wings. It reached out, taking Serena and Yuzu by the hand, and charged through the air toward the enemy.
From the enemy's formation, several Ancient Gear Golems noticed the sight in mid-air and fired a volley of cannonballs.
Serena, carried aloft by the Flower Diva, smiled coldly at the incoming projectiles. A tiger's roar erupted from her Duel Disk, and a Sword Tiger Dancer dual-wielding swords leaped out, shattering a cannonball with a single slash.
Charging at the very front, Hope withstood the laser and reached the three-headed mechanical dragon, slashing down with its sword.
The mechanical dragon refused to be outdone, unleashing a laser directly at Hope's head, which collided with Hope's slash.
Moments later, with no clear winner, Hope and Cyber End Dragon separated instantly and vanished from the air, landing below. Yūga Hōzumi and Ryo Marufuji, standing not far apart, simultaneously raised their Duel Disks.
"Duel!" ×2
…
Northeast of Heartland City, not far from the Obelisk Force's Heartland City Command Center.
Bruno and the others, who were lying in ambush, stiffened when they heard the massive commotion coming from the west.
"Have Yūga Hōzumi and the others already started?" Bruno said, activating his D-Wheel. "Then, it's our turn to make an entrance."
"I hope there are a few strong opponents among those left guarding this side. Otherwise, it'll be quite boring for us," Yugo said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
"Charge!" Bruno shouted, twisting his D-Wheel's throttle violently and bursting out from his hiding spot. A dragon's roar echoed as Shooting Star Dragon roared, flapping its wings as it emerged from the void beside Bruno.
Clear Wing, Scarlight, and Raikiri the Spell-Blade Bird followed closely, charging toward the camp together!
"Show some consideration for those of us without D-Wheels!" Shingo Sawatari's complaining voice rang out from behind, but his movements were not slow. Dazzling fireworks bloomed in the air, and Abyss Actor - Superstar made a spectacular entrance, scooping up Shingo Sawatari and joining the charging group.
The soldiers left behind in the Obelisk Force camp, seeing the sudden disturbance, quickly organized a counterattack. Several general-level warriors emerged from the camp, using their respective ace monsters to block the path of Bruno's group, and a fierce clash began.
On the main battlefield, Kaito and the others had already found their opponents and engaged them in battle.
Allen and Shinjō Katsu, two members of the younger generation who had obtained new decks, were currently standing back-to-back, facing two Obelisk Force squadron leaders.
…
(end of chapter)