VOLUME 11: CHAPTER 10

Author’s note: Apologies. Words aren’t coming out lately. Thank you for waiting.

VOLUME 11: CHAPTER 10

“Hey, hatchling! Why don’t we have a little competition?” said Blackie.

Together with the Fire Dragon, the Scylla flew toward the demon horde that had just appeared from a distance. The number of demons was roughly the same as those currently sieging the Talverton Stronghold, and judging by their current pace, it would take them at least an hour to arrive.

The distance between the demon horde and the stronghold was ideal. If the demons approaching them were that far away, there shouldn’t be any problems even if the Scylla or the Red Dragon unleashed powerful attacks and spells against them.

“A competition?” said Agnus.

Using his wings, he split in half the body of three sky demons who swooped toward him. He spat out a massive ball of fire, scorching the twin-headed wyvern that tried to bite his torso from below. Despite being a young Dragon, his attacks were powerful enough to instantly kill the demons flying in the sky.

“That’s right,” Blackie grinned. “Let’s see who kills the greatest number of enemies, shall we?”

Agnus snorted, “How childish. We aren’t here to compete with each other. Personally, I came here solely for the purpose of following King Lark.”

Blackie sneered, “I understand your desire to observe God Evander. He is the greatest, after all. And I also understand your fears, hatchling.”

Hearing the word ‘fear’, Agnus squinted in displeasure. “You damn lizard. What are talking about?”

“You know what I mean,” said Blackie.

Powerful wind spun around in front of the Scylla’s heads and shot toward sky demons. The wind vortex tore through the bodies of its target, as though they were made of parchment. Blood, torn flesh, and dismembered limbs rained down the ground.

Blackie added, “But it’s understandable if you’re afraid. For a mere hatchling, it’s impossible to win a competition against a Scylla that had reached its full maturity.”

Agnus glared at the Scylla. He couldn’t bear the mockery any further. He roared in draconian, “You pesky little gecko! Should I cut off one of those damn heads of yours?! Hatchling this, hatchling that! Stop looking down on me just because you’re older, lizard!”

“Kya! Did I hurt your pride, hatchling?” taunted Blackie. “Then let’s see how much enemies we could kill before the night ends! Let’s make a bet, shall we! Whoever loses becomes the winner’s slave!”

“If I win, bow down to me and call me Lord Agnus! And for an entire decade, you’ll be my slave!” snarled Agnus.

“And if I win?” said Blackie.

There was no hesitation or fear within Blackie’s voice, as though he was absolutely certain that he would win this bet. And this aggravated Agnus’ displeasure even further.

“I’ll let you do whatever you want for an entire year,” said Agnus.

“Hah! Just a year?”

Unable to withstand the condescending gaze of Blackie any further, Agnus hesitantly added, “F-Fine! I’ll let you do whatever you want me to do for an entire decade!”

“I will not ask you to swear on your blood or name,” said Blackie.

Although using a blood pact would ensure the fulfillment of the promise, Blackie was afraid that Agnus would back down if he pushed him even further. Dragons were extremely prideful, especially a hatchling like Agnus. Blackie doubt he would easily go back on his words.

But just in case, Blackie added, “As a proud member of the Ancient Fire Dragons, I believe you’ll uphold your part of the promise.”

“Of course!” said Agnus indignantly. “What do you take me for!”

Blackie inwardly grinned.

How naïve.

His plan of making a ‘slave’ for his Lair had finally started. Thankfully, Agnus was as easy to rile up as Vulcan. If Agnus had the same temperament as Shahaneth, this plan wouldn’t have been possible from the start.

Blackie did not doubt his victory in the slightest.

Although Agnus was capable of powerful spells, his mana pool hadn’t reached maturity yet. Unlike his father, it would be easy for Agnus to reach his limit in such a large-scale battle.

Blackie started thinking of the things he would use this hatchling for.

Should he ask him to ransack the treasury of a nearby kingdom for gold and use it to decorate his Lair?

Covering the entire castle of his Lair with jewels and gold did not sound like a bad idea at all.

Please with his plans, Blackie said, “Then, let’s start! It’s too late to go back on your words, brat!”

***

The beastmen warriors of the stronghold couldn’t believe what they were witnessing. The tide of the battle that they’d been losing had been quickly turned upon the arrival of the Beast King and the human king. Particularly, the two massive flying creatures they’d brought with them contributed the most to their reinforcement’s overwhelming firepower.

As though the two were competing to see who would be able to kill the greatest number of enemies, the Scylla and the Fire Dragon started firing powerful spells at the approaching demon horde, one after another.

The ground rumbled as lightning, wind, and gravity spells fell upon the demon horde. The breath attacks of the Fire Dragon not only scorched the demons, it also melted the ground and created a wall of inferno.

“Are those… creatures really on our side?” mumbled one of the beastmen stationed in the stone tower. His voice was filled with disbelief.

“…Seems like it,” said another one.

It was surreal, but judging by how the Scylla and the Fire Dragon were annihilating every demon they flew past by, it seemed that they were on the side of the beastmen.

“Amazing. As expected of the Beast King! Did he tame those two and made them fight for us? I’m not sure what the seven-headed creature is called, but I’m certain the other one is a Dragon! A creature in legends!”

“Are you stupid? I’m also aware of how powerful the Beast King is, but you’ve seen it, too, didn’t you? The one the seven-headed creature follows is the King of Lukas.”

“B-But… following a mere human?”

The surviving officer of the Fourth Defensive Line, who’d been silently listening to the conversation, snarled, “Stop the chitchat! If you still have that much energy, pick up the iron bolts and fire the ballistae! And load more boulders to the trebuchet!”

“Ah, y-yes!”

“Right away!”

The officer clicked his tongue. For a moment, his heart almost jumped out of his chest.

What were his men doing?

How foolish!

If one of the followers of the King of Lukas heard that slander, he feared that they might suddenly stop this military aid and abandon the United Grakas Alliance altogether.

Just the mere thought sent him shivers.

‘And if they decide to point their swords at us…’

He did not want to think about it any further.

The officer looked at the battlefield. Below, with the Beast King and the Royal Guards at the lead, the beastmen warriors started pushing back the demon horde.

The warriors stationed in the Talverton Stronghold were composed mostly of veterans and elites. They were warriors who’d fought against the Wasteland monsters before, and had emerged alive every time. Using their experience, they’d managed to hold their ground for more than a day, despite the massive difference in numbers between them and the demons.

They hadn’t rested since then. Their bodies were injured and exhausted, and the majority of them were close to collapsing by the time the Beast King and his men arrived.

But now, after receiving the unknown blessing that fell from the sky, their bodies overflowed with power.

Was it the blessing of the Three Gods?

They did not know.

Even the officer felt that his overall strength had temporarily increased twofold the moment the golden ray of light touched his body.

With this newfound strength, and with the help of their reinforcements, the beastmen started tilting the tide of the battlefield to their favor.

‘That whale.’

The officer’s gaze moved toward the massive whale surrounded by numerous demons.

‘Hatch, was it? The rumors didn’t do him justice.’

The nearly limitless number of enemies allowed Hatch to fight to his heart’s content and show his power to its fullest.

Hatch, the so-called strongest in the history of the Whale Tribe, mercilessly massacred the demons around him with his giant battle axe. With every swing, several demons were cleaved in half. With every punch, a demon was sent flying and rolling on the ground.

Even the Demonic Troll, who boasted incredible regeneration and defense, was killed by Hatch with a single swing of his battle axe. His strike was so powerful that it even left a fissure on the ground.

The officer of the Fourth Defensive Line remembered that it took them around thirty warriors to subjugate a single Demonic Troll. But for Hatch, all it took him was a single strike.

“Hahaha! This is fun!” laughed Hatch. His loud voice was heard even from this distance. “More! Come at me!”

Looking at Hatch, the officer was reminded of the time when the Beast King was still young. The White Lion was as powerful back then, and as fearless and reckless.

‘Who’s that?’

Fighting near Hatch was a black rabbit. He was very small, especially when compared to the standard beastman. Although his limbs were toned, his body wasn’t muscular. But surprisingly, the number of enemies he’d slain thus far was comparable to that of Hatch.

The black rabbit was also unstoppable.

With every swing of his curved swords, a demon’s head would come flying out. With every slash, a demon’s body was split in half. With speed greater than that of a jaguar beastman, the black rabbit whizzed past the demons, cutting everyone he passed by along the way.

This was the first time the officer saw such a powerful rabbit. If his existence became public, the other tribes would no longer look down on the Rabbit Tribe.

‘And there’s Lord Urza.’

Another notable beastman among the reinforcements was the bear beastman who’d reached the semi-finals of the tournament. A famous and respected warrior from the Bear Tribe. A warrior who’d reached the finals of the War of the Three Gods before.

Just like Hatch and the Black Rabbit, Urza massacred the demons around him. Using brute force, he tore apart the body of a tormentor. And using his claws, he cut the body of a flesh eater.

Although Urza did not have the speed of the black rabbit or the monstrous strength of Hatch, he compensated using his decades of experience in the battlefield. In a short period of time, he even started rallying the small group of warriors around him and led them in the battlefield.

The Beast King and his right-hand, Vaungur.

The Royal Guards.

Hatch of the Whale Tribe.

The black rabbit.

Urza of the Bear Tribe.

The sudden arrival of these powerful beastmen completely altered the flow of the battlefield. With just their existence alone, the demons advance was stoppered.

‘And it’s not just them. That human, especially.’

The officer’s gaze moved to the human and his two disciples.

The seven-headed creature and the Dragon aside, out of everyone here, the human king was killing the most number of enemies.

Eighteen golden orbs of mana, which resembled the eye of a monster, surrounded him from all directions. Each of them was the size of a head.  And every now and then, they would fly out and pierce the bodies of the demons, before returning to their caster.

Unique Magic: Eyes of Retribution.

It was an exclusive spell created by Evander Alaester during his younger years, back when he was still a member of the Black Mages. A spell that allowed the young Evander Alaester to fight against numerous enemies despite being alone during his missions. A unique spell stronger than grand scale magic, but less powerful than a pinnacle-grade spell.

Whenever massive demons like the Demonic Trolls and Demonic Ogres appeared, the human king would swing his translucent sword and cut the bodies of his enemies.

There was an inexplicable elegance in the human king’s movements. With the golden orbs of mana surrounding and protecting him, it felt as though they were watching a monarch casually walking in the middle of the battlefield, protected by his invincible royal knights.

Moreover, the golden orbs proved really effective against the thousands of wraiths and phantasms flying in the battlefield.

As the officer of the Fourth Defensive Line watched on, he noticed that even the two people the human king brought with him were powerful. The female redhead repeatedly cast lightning serpents and fireballs at the demons, while the man with golden hair slaughtered the demons around him using impeccable swordsmanship. Although the two of them weren’t as powerful as the human king, the officer of the Fourth Defensive Line believe that they should be capable of going toe-to-toe against the Royal Guards of the Beast King. The golden-haired man, in particular, could probably fight against Vaungur on even grounds.

“This…” The officer clenched his fists. “We might be able to survive this.”

Looking around, the officer realized that he’d voiced his thoughts out loud. Those who were stationed on top of the stone tower were looking at him, and judging by their expressions, it seemed that they, too, held similar thoughts.

The lifeless and despair-filled eyes of the warriors were now glimmering with hope. Seeing the strength of their reinforcements, almost everyone had been filled with newfound fervor.

“Warriors of Talverton! We’ll survive this battle!” roared the officer. “Don’t you dare die now! Do you hear me?!”

“Yes!”

“Now, fire! Keep firing!”

“For the Three Gods!”

“For the Alliance!”

With Lark and the Beast King at the lead, the stronghold continued pushing the demons back. Tens of thousands of demons were killed, and hundreds, if not thousands, of beastmen warriors laid down their lives.

After several hours had passed, when the sun finally rose, something unexpected occurred.

A soft whistle was heard throughout the entire battlefield.

Hearing this, the demons suddenly froze.

And surprisingly, the demons started retreating to the Iron Mountains.

***

[City of Paradise – Capital of the Great Empire]

The entire capital of the Great Empire was in an uproar. The news of the monsters appearing in Cattlewood Plains made the citizens uneasy. According to the reports, after destroying the City of Meredith and massacring all of its citizens that failed to escape, the monster horde started moving in the direction of the capital.

Not only did the army stationed in the City of Meredith fail to stopper the advance of the demon horde, the Master of the First Tower of Mages also perished in battle. And as though that wasn’t enough, more than half of the magicians of the First Tower of Mages also died while protecting the citizens fleeing from Meredith City.

It was a nightmare.

Harris Mavis was the strongest existence in the entire Empire.

Some even said that even if the late General Alavaren and General Rizel joined hands together, they would still be powerless against the master of the First Tower.

A one man army capable of destroying cities on his own. A man powerful enough to destroy an entire legion.

Although Master Harris refused to participate in wars, just his presence alone was enough deterrent to the neighboring nations of the Great Empire.

He was the reason why the Three States Alliance did not dare encroach the territories of the Empire. And now, such a powerful magician was gone.

“Your Majesty, the citizens are uneasy.”

Inside the throne room of the capital’s royal palace, General Lazarus made his report.

“Everyone still couldn’t believe that Master Harris was killed by the demons.”

Unlike the citizens of the Empire, the inner circles of the Royal Palace were aware that those that massacred the people of Meredith weren’t monsters, but demons. Still, despite knowing this, they didn’t recklessly reveal the demons’ identity. They believed that it would only cause unnecessary panic. For now, they wanted to contain this mess as much as possible.

“My subjects are overreacting to the death of an old man,” said Emperor Sylvius, frowning. “Harris Mavis was old. Even if the demons didn’t kill him, he probably had only a few years left to live at most.”

Master Harris was a distant relative of the Emperor. Yet, despite being blood-related, the Emperor didn’t even show any regret or sorrow upon hearing of his death. On the contrary, what the Emperor showed upon receiving the report was pure anger. He was furious and dismayed that the dog keeping the Three States Alliance at bay had died this soon.

“Your Majesty is correct,” said General Lazarus. “But please understand that to the people of the Empire, Master Harris symbolizes absolute power. It is also an open secret that he donated all of his fortunes to the orphanages and the less fortunate. To the citizens, he is a hero.”

“A hero,” said Emperor Sylvius. “Indeed. That word befits him the most.”

Emperor Sylvius agreed to General Lazarus’ statement. Even he believed that the Master of the First Tower was someone worthy of title of a ‘hero’.

But so what?

In the end, Master Harris was someone so incorruptible that the Emperor failed to use him in his plans. Despite being so powerful, Emperor Sylvius couldn’t even mobilize him for wars.

Whenever the Emperor asked him to lead the soldiers to battle and conquer lands, Master Harris would feign sickness. There was even an incident when the Emperor personally visited to persuade him, but the Master of the First Tower pretended to have been poisoned, even going as far vomiting fake blood.

Emperor Sylvius could still vividly remember how the fake blood splattered on his clothes that time.

That event was so unexpected and absurd that it had become a core memory within the Emperor’s mind.

Emperor Sylvius sighed and leaned back on his throne. He looked at the general kneeling several steps below. Standing nearby were the ministers, the Chief Royal Advisor, and the princes.

“Report,” said Emperor Sylvius. “What’s the current status of the Northeastern Border? And the Witches of Aravark – did they agree to our offer?”