Quest of Automata King

Capture the Flag

War games, are sports that are intentionally make to mimic the flow of war in the battlefield. It goes without saying that history of this world is tied with numerous conflict and wars that are occured throughout history. Those history then become a tale, and tale inspired childern to create a game based from what they heard.

This ‘Capture the flag’ is one of the most common game throughout the Kingdom of Human. It consist of two teams, each with their own flags facing each other.

Each of their base is divided by three part: outer ring, the furthest line from each goal where the battles are mainy occured. Middle ring, middle area of each territory that usually host the strongest defense. And finally, the inner ring where people with better archery skill are giving support from the back.

“I’ll say it for the last time so you imbecciles won’t broke the flow of the game again!” Shout Instructor Boris, wearing his proudly polished metal armor and flexing his muscle. “Each team’s goal is to take the enemy’s flag back to their base! When someone is grabbing the flag, he is prohibited to use any two-hands weapon! Knife and shortsword user rejoice!” said Boris.

“The field for each team is separated by outer, middle, and inner, and that are not only for fancy! Follow the command of your team’s commander, and stand-by to where you are meant to be! Insubordination will only lead to your doom!”

“Lastly, each eliminated student will be taken outside of the field! Don’t try to hide it! Teachers comitte are agreeing to borrow me this fancy device, and keep track of each of you maggots!” Boris slammed his hand at the board beside him. It show the exact amount of each team’s member, and also the amount score for each team.

Those member indicators are lit up one by one. Each time one get eliminated in the battlefield, one light will turn off and he or she have to leave the battlefield.

“I almost forget to mention it, but remember! NO MAGICS! I don’t care if you are a prodigy, or have seal deal with Demon to grant you the ability to instantly kill your opponent! You are in MY CLASS, playing MY GAME! Anyone who break this rule, i would make sure to suffer punishment worse than hell!”

Boris keep talking back and forth about the rule and anything that he strickly wanted to see. One of the student of class A quietly yawning responding to this egoist instructor.

On the other hand, class F seems restless, and Mui did too. Sweats are comming down from his forehead, and their chest is beating. Class A, the best of first year fighting against Class F, the worst. Anyone with mind can see how this will eventually end.

“Since we all have special person inside each team, then I will decide each commander! For class A, I point Mr. Heinrich while for class F, Miss Novreyi!”

One hand appear from the class A. It was from one of the male student.

“Excuse me sir, but usually we go for each class representative as commander, so that’s mean I...” haven’t finished his request, Boris already slap him with disapproval.

“Shut your traps, Mark! Who the hell do you think you are!? This kingdom doesn’t know you and you probably end up jobless in the streets! Open your damn eyes and look at them! Mr. Heinrich, and Miss Novreyi! Your future king and queen! Elites among elites! Can’t your small brain comprehend that!?”

Slowly, the man called Mark is lowering down his hand without saying anything. Mui wonder, does educators are allowed to talk like that toward their students?

“If there are no dumb question anymore, each team are allowed to gather and planning their strategy! Dismissed!”

***

After the harsh introductory, Class F gathering around under a tree beside the field. They all are fall silent, even Emmellia who used to be their leader.

“Damn it! What is that one-eye thinking! Us against class A!? This is not fair!” Protest one of the male student. He have spiky hair and squinted eyes, the color of his hair as if showing how angry he is right now.

“Isn’t that clear as water? Boris’s favourite class is class A, especially since Challender Heinrich is in that group too,” said one of the female who does not seem to take interest in this activities.

“Yea, I heard he is one of the Heinrich soldier that being laid down of his job. Apparently by getting Challender’s attention, he could get back to his old job as a soldier,” gossip some of them. Emmellia realize the eror in their way, and coughing to shift their attention.

“There is much more serious topic to discuss isn’t it? Let’s we talk about how to able to beat class A,” ask Emmellia politely. But after that, no response coming from her fellow classmate.

“Too bad that magic is prohibited In this battle isn’t it?” said one of them suddenly.

“Righ! Right! If only Princess Novreyi is able to use her magic, maybe we will have abetter chance to win!” said another one.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty,” the spike-hair asking Emmellia. “It’s embarassing, but everyone in Class F doesn’t have good experience at melee battle. So, can we ask you to face against their commander? We will support you from behind,” he said shamelessly.

“You i***t!” Shout one of the female. “How could you say that to Her Majesty!? Do you want her to get hurt doing battle!? Have you got no shame?” that voice coming from Betty, Emmellia’s attendant who also disguise as student.

Suddenly, class F is separated into two side, male and female. Majority of the male students wanted to take class A head-to-head, and end the war within one clear swoop.

But for the females, those stakes are too high. They want to play smart, and have the princess to went through their defense and capture the enemy’s flag.

Disagreement filling the air, both males and females didn’t like another’s take about this matter. Both of them saying that their plan are too flawed, and leave weak point that are able to be exploited by class A.

“If everyone going all out, we will have no one to guard the rear!” disagree the girls.

“But if you wanted Your Majesty to slip through their defense, you also have to bring enough forces!” complaint the boys.

Their conflicts going on almost two minutes, while the time of match is getting closer every seconds.

Emmellia wanted to disturb them, but her eyes are confused. Different from what usually happened from every other day, right now her classmates giving very little attention to her. Making it difficult for Emmellia to set everything straight.

That’s until a voice appear from the unexpected person.

“G-Guys, listen to me!” he said with a little trembled voice. Those words coming from the short student with horn on his head, and slim black tail on his rear.

Everyone, even the princess herself turn their attention toward the owner of that voice.

***

“Alright maggots! The discussion is over, and I don’t want to listen any objection! Commanders! Lead your team to the battlefield as soon as possible!” shout Boris.

Following his command, Emmellia and class F walked into the right side of the field. Among 20 classmate that she have, five are assigned as archer, ten as sentinel, and the rest will be the vanguard.

Vanguards are placed at the very front, while sentinel is in the middle to protect the goal from the wave of enemy team.

Before the match begin, each commander are standing face-to-face in the middle of the field. It was like some sort of ceremony to keep the sportmanship between the contestant.

Hence, is why Emmellia and Challender are standing in front of each other right now. Challender put on a creepy smile toward her fiancee, while Emmellia tried her very best to not showing any disgusted expression.

“You know? There are always option to give up, dear,” his word making Emmellia frown angrily.

“In your dream. Today will be the payback of every embarasment that you did to me since we’re five years old!” said Emmellia. Challender mockingly chuckle at her reaction.

After saying that ‘sportmanship’ challenge, both Challender and Emmellia take a step back to the vanguard line of their own team. Challender unseathe a short sword with his right hand, and a buckler on his left. Meanwhile, Emmellia taking off a rapier from it’s scabard, and hold it on upward vertical position.

A moment of pause between the two team, followed by sheer wind that increase the tension.

“BEGIN!” shout Instructor Boris. One second after that, the vanguard of each team are clashing sword and shield to each other. Because class A team have 8 people to be the vanguard, the rest of them manage to slip through the defense of Emmellia and the other vanguard.

“Here they come! Sentinels! Shield forward!” shout Spike.

Following his instruction, the middle-lane soldier that consist of two-handed weapon user are readying their weapon. Some are also brought a tower shield that they have to lift with two hands, meaning that they are relying to their friends to counter attack their enemies.

Only two of the vaguard is passing throught the frontline. One of them is heading toward the halbert user.

“I’ll not let you!” shout the halbert user of class F. She thrust forward with her weapon, and luckily, she is able to the attacker right on his stomach.

“i***t!” shout the other vanguard attacker. He run toward a tower shield that are guarded by two student with a spear.

“This is how you passing through their defense!” he shout, as he get closer to the shield, the attacker walked in zig-zag and passing those spears rhythmically. When he reach the tower shield, the attacker reached the top side of shield with his hand and pull his body upward.

With a help by boosting his step to the shield, he is now jumping through the air.

“The flag is mine!” he shout, but not until the fake arrow fly from the backline, and hitting the side of his chest armor.

“Class A! Two member out!” shout Boris. From the score board, two lights from the member indicator are turned off.