Guard!
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: Guard!: English Version
Author: Latour
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Guard!
-English Version-
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Written and Translated
by
Latour of Asuka
Guards!
The knights of justice.
Guards!!
The embodiment of order.
Ah, Guards!!!
When their name is called, they appear with a flash of light, defeating any foe with a single strike. Agents of the law, striking down evil in the name of Heaven. It is a highly coveted profession, ranked second among boys. (Incidentally, the first is Bagballer.) For the peace of Britannia and the safety of its citizens, the Guards continue to fight even today! There is no doubt about these statements. However, we the guards are faced with a dire shortage of manpower. Imagine, if you will, the rigor of the training required to achieve a one-hit kill. The majority of recruits, lured by mere admiration, flee at this stage. Even those who endure the long and grueling training to finally join our ranks are met with days of relentless duty. Comrades continue to resign, leading to an increased workload and perpetuating a vicious cycle.
In particular, the hardships faced by us guards of Britain, the most glorious capital city of His Majesty King Blackthorn and the greatest city in Britannia, need no explanation.
Who could blame me if my sole delight lies in the operas of the beautiful songstress Lady Ceria? There is no ill intent in my admiration. Is it not natural for a knight of justice to pledge loyalty to a noble lady? And today is the day of Lady Ceria's opera. I am fortunate to be off duty. Of course, even when off duty, I must rush to any emergency calls, but given my usual diligence, surely no incidents will occur.
With Lady Ceria's enchanting image in my mind, I set out from the guard station with great enthusiasm, heading towards the King's Men Theater.
However...
(guards)
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Suddenly, I found myself transported into a tunnel-like realm beyond our world. A fierce gravitational force assailed me. Someone called for the guard, and we had to traverse this
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realm quickly. The movement was instant, but it felt like seconds due to the stretching of time and space. It must be a period for me to prepare. I focused and readied my halberd.
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-BOOOOOOOOOOOOM-
The one shattered by my skillful helmbreaker was a skeleton. The location: near the Britain Cemetery. Those who called for me were...
"Booyah! I knew he'd come flying when we called, lol" "Wow, like that's so cool!" What a dimwitted couple. Calls like this, which are not truly urgent, contribute to the guards' overwork. Statistics suggest that such calls account for half of all reports. To think that my magnificent helmbreaker was used on a skeleton... No, it's not about the strength of the monsters. The real issue is whether the caller is truly in danger. However, this foolish couple is clearly just playing around. "'Guards' are the ultimate summoning spell, lol" "Wow, like that's so cool!" I'm not a summoning spell! I'm a knight of justice! In Britannia, it's common knowledge that 'guards' means 'KNIGHTS OF JUSTICE,' as you should know!
Hmm. It's a waste of time to get worked up over such fools. A true knight of justice has worthy adversaries. Yes, someone noble like Lady Ceria. I ignored the foolish couple and, regaining my composure, made my way toward the King's Men Theater. Instant teleportation, you ask? Such a power is only 'activated' upon receiving a distress call. It is not for personal use. Even a knight of justice must walk during times of peace. Surely, there shall be no more calls for aid, so I shall walk with pride. However...
(guards)
-BOOOOOOOOOOOOM-
(guard! guard!)
-BOOOOOOOOOOOOM-
(vendor buy bank recdu recsu guards!)
-BOOOOOOOOOOOOM-
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Of all days, on a day like this, distress calls are overwhelming. I repeatedly vanquish monsters, only to be whisked to the next site, leaping across Britain. Alas, this is truly taxing.
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Even while I am caught up in this situation, the hour of Lady Ceria's performance draws ever closer! Yet, a knight of justice must not succumb to despair. I readied my halberd once more.
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-BOOOOOOOOOOOOM-
The one felled by my lethal vertical slash was a shabby little man. The location: the public library. A thief, no doubt, attempting to steal books. Ah, the King's Men Theater is but a stone's throw from the library. Well done, you petty scoundrel! Barely acknowledging the head librarian's polite gratitude, I left the library, humming a tune, and ignoring the stern "Shhh!" of a librarian. Hastening along the cobblestone path toward the King's Men Theater, my steps were light. Reflecting upon today's arduous duties, they all led to this moment of glory. Soon, I arrive before the theater. Beyond this heavy door, my beloved Lady Ceria awaits...
(GUARD)
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Grrrraaaaah! I was but a step away from Lady Ceria's divine beauty! Who dares to impede my noble love? Who is this blundering fool that stands in my way? I shall not forgive this trespass!
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Enough is enough! Whether it be a skeleton, a petty scoundrel, a foolish couple, or even the head librarian, anyone who obstructs me shall become naught but rust on my halberd!
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-BOOOOOOOOOOOOM-
The one struck down by my mighty thunderous overhead cleave was a mongbat. The location: the Moongate... Moongate!? I was astounded. Of all the places in the Britain district, this is the farthest from the theater. Even if I were to run, I would never reach Lady Ceria's opera in time. This is hopeless! In my despair, I turned to face the one who had summoned me. There stood a little boy, shaken, with tears in his eyes.
"I-I-I'm saved!" I escorted the boy to the inner city of Britain. "Thank you for today. I was originally planning to become a bagballer, but I've decided to become a guard after all!" The boy extended his small hand towards me. I saw my reflection in his clear eyes. The image reflected there was unmistakably that of a knight of justice. I remember now. I was... Feeling a warm emotion, I reached out to grasp the boy's outstretched hand.
At that moment...
(Guard!)
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Ah, another distress call. Well, it matters not. The sight of my valiant self is surely etched into the boy's heart. Nay, perhaps it is I who has been reminded of something important. Thank you boy.
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-BOOOOOOOOOOOOM-
The one who was turned to ashes by my ultimate move, the Patriotic Serpent's Spine Mountain Slash, was a bald hulk. The location: the grand stage of the King's Men Theater. This fool was likely one who, overcome with excitement for the opera, foolishly intruded upon the stage. — Did I just say the King's Men Theater?
Which means, the one who summoned me was— "Oh, yhank you so much..." As those words are spoken, approaching me is none other than the lady of my heart, the lovely Lady Ceria herself! Amidst the cheers of the theater's full audience, she seeks to entrust herself to me. An embrace with Lady Ceria!? How many times have I dreamed of such a moment! ...Yet, in this moment, I am both myself and not. I gestured for her to remain, knelt on one knee, and bowed in respect. "Are you uninjured, Lady?" "Yes, thanks to you." Lady Ceria's cheeks flushed with color. "I merely fulfilled my duty. Farewell." With one final salute, I turned my back on her. Lady Ceria crumpled to the ground.
"At least... please tell me your name." Turning back to the tearful Lady Ceria, I met her gaze. The drumroll echoes, and the spotlight bathes me in its glow.
"I am—" Under the fervent gaze of Lady Ceria and the entire audience, I twirled my cloak and swung my halberd high.
"I AM!!!"
G U A R D !