62 Demon Slaying (1/2)
The conclusion has been decided the moment ?The Infallible Diffindor? descended.
In the face of the Mist's War Flag drifting in the sky and the loyal knights who have survived the trial of time, when the horn to advance is blown, the vast demon army isn't worth mentioning in front of me.
I have always believed that in the face of this drifting Mist's War Flag, no matter which Demon or Devils from the Lower Realm or Angels and Heroic Spirits from the Upper Realm, they aren't able to withstand the charge of my army. We will be invincible.
Camisia, who is opening up the road of me, is currently back in the pinnacle of his strength and incredible muscles are hidden underneath his gigantic armor. The Nightmare Horse he is riding on is rushing forward with all its strength, leaving fiery footprints in its trail, while two 4-meter long Dragon Lance serves as his spear.
How many years has it been? As my strongest warrior, he still stands at the forefront of the army.
Regardless of whether it is a Hezrou with boundless strength or the gigantic Bebilith, in the face of Camisia who is blessed with God's Strength, they fall down like little chicks with just a little bump by their sides. Even the extremely heavy adamantine Dragon Lance which normal people are unable to lift, he can use both of them simultaneously easily.
On other days, this extremely powerful expert who can't be stopped when he begins his charge has a fatal flaw. That is, due to his heavy weight, it is easy for his mount to tire. However, when his Undead Mount has also stepped into the realm of Heroic Spirits, his fearless charge no longer holds any possibility of being stopped.
On his right, the young man Carlos who is dubbed as the 'most useless Knight' carries his shield up high, blocking arrows and magic spells for him. At this moment, he is the grindstone which ensures that the sharpness of the flying arrow.
'The Mobile Fortress' is the prided nickname of that young Knight. In terms of skills as a Defender, Carlos still remains the top among the Royal Knights. Even when this noble Heroic Spirit is stuffed into the body of an abhorrent Abomination Undead, this tall and strong young man still solemnly blocks the attack for him comrade using his body as a shield.
He might not be skilled in offensive martial arts or magic. But, if there is someone who looks at him in despise because he isn't suited to offense and calls him 'useless', then he can prepare a coffin now. That's because the comrades that Carlos saves will step out and use their life to protect the honor of this young Knight without any hesitation.
But, looking at how this beige-hair young man easily wards off the arrows and magic, it seems that his ability with the shield is much stronger than the past!
On the left of Camisia is old Sir Feyde. He is the Swordsmanship tutor for both me and Karwenz and the strongest Swordsman of the Royal Knight. Even more so, he is the father of the Great Sword Saint Fayde and the one who guided him on his path.
TL: Yes, both of their name has the same hanyupinyin :X
The old general's hair has long turned completely white. Facing the Demon army, he didn't even use the Swordsmanship that he is most proficient in. Instead, he lifts up his silver bow and shoots. Squinting his eyes, he pulls the bowstring and shoots 6 arrows at once. None of Demon Captains that he sets his eyes upon has yet to live.
Regardless of strength or prestige, he is the Knight that is most qualified to respond to my call. However…
”Respected Sir Feyde, are you still blaming yourself for not being able to complete your mission? Please don't, it really isn't your fault. No one would have expected that the undefeated Knight would run out of time and die of old age while carrying out the mission. Perhaps, it is my fault. If I had seen through the meaning of the 3 cups of heavy liquor you had before heading out and your forced smile while holding on tightly to the remnants of your lifespan, I wouldn't have allowed the retired you to head to the battlefield and carry out a mission that is destined to end in failure.”
At this moment, the old General seems to have venting his will to fight. As a lightly armored cavalry, he often charges too far ahead accidentally. But, if the Demons think that they could make use of this opportunity to get rid of him, this old Sword Saint will use his sharp sword to prove them wrong.
The female Holy Knight riding behind Camisia, Lani, the older sister of Fanderk, is spreading the radiance of the Holy Light around the battlefield. The sacred glow of Light heals her comrades while purifying and destroying the Demons.
The war hammer-carrying 'Human Siege' Lucas, the one whose spears are as swift as the wind, Slance, the Great Sword Saint Fayde, the Mistress of Plague Kakana who is throwing Alchemy reagents around and last but not least, the Dragon Knight Timier… In the midst of the arousing drum beats, countless Legend Knights gather under the Mist's War Flag. These Heroes who have underwent countless battles seem to view the battlefield as another celebratory banquet as laughed heartily while charging fearlessly.
”Mist's War Flag? The Spirit of Mist? What is that.”
When I was young, I viewed myself as the protagonist of the world, so there is no way the Spirit of the Knight of these natives would resonate with me. Towards the me who spoke arrogant words, my father, the King, only patted my shoulders and said 'You are a descendant of the Mist. You will understand.”
When I was 12 years old and urgently summoned back from the Headquarters of the Holy Church to lead the army, I thought that I would just be a puppet General. After all, a large portion of time was spent in the Holy Church training as a Holy Knight. Furthermore, the Holy Church had a hostile relationship with the Mist Country, so how could the 12-year-old me then get everyone to submit to me?
But, regardless of whether it is the old veteran soldiers or the young and arrogant genius Knights, they all followed my commands. Even if I made some mistakes, they would secretly correct them. In the war, they continuously imparted to me what they were skilled at, all kinds of battle experience.
”As expected of a descendant of the Mist.” Every time I had outstanding results and led an army to victory, they would say so gleefully as though this was their pride as well. When I made a judgmental error due to my lack of experience, they would say ”You're still young, it is fine like that” and forgive me like how a doting grandfather would. Then, they would sacrifice their blood, sweat and even their lives to correct the mistakes that I made with any hesitation.
Those who gave in their life just for me to grow up were innumerable. Towards these people, how could I not grow up quickly.
”As expected of a descendant of the Mist.” Gradually, these words that made me uncomfortable became my greatest pride!
The Mist Country were often in a state of war with foreign tribes. Our country is in an isolated land far away from the prosperous center of the continent. We might have precious and rare mines, but they had to be exchanged for different kinds of food and resources. In a place where half of the year is a bone-breaking chilling period, it is obviously a bad place for humans to live in.
In the course of thousands of years, the soldiers and civilians gave their all to trust the descendant of the Mist Royalty to protect this barren land. The Mist Royalty used equality and sacrifice to repay their trust. For generations, the Prince of each generation served as Generals and treated dying on the field as an honor.
I finally understood what is the Spirit of the Mist. It isn't some high and mighty teaching. It is like the mist of a valley, intangible but definitely existent. It is like the fortress among the raging wind on the Battle Flags, the final defense when pushed to a corner!
”You are a descendant of the Mist. You will understand.”
Haa, indeed. Father, I finally understood. I didn't expect to understand it that quickly.
In this instant, we were still in the battlefield where ice and fire intertwines all around. The Mist's War Flag still flies up high. Our battle has yet to end.
”I am the descendant of the Mist. I am a pitiful person who couldn't even protect his own country and citizens. I admit that we are just lonely souls who miss the mortal world, that we are defeated soldiers. But…”
”We are dead but we aren't willing to die like that! We are defeated soldiers but we are unwilling to put down the past! There are still too much unjust and tragedy in this world! How can we shut our eyes and sleep peacefully? Our remains have yet to rot and our arms are still capable to lifting weapons. We want to ride on our mount and charge, launching a crusade against the ambitious who creates war and chaos!
The cheers of the Knights are their lingering will which allowed them to become Undead and the faith that allowed them to become Heroic Spirits.
Under the Mist's War Flag, I point my Roland Sword towards the direction of advance and the Knights used their faith and courage to repay my trust.
”Charge!”
As a loyal cannon fodder, under the commands of their master, the bloodthirsty Beastman army blocks our path. However, just like how a mantis is unable to block a carriage, they were crushed under our advance.
In the chaos, isn't the one who old Sir Feyde beheads with one hit the Beastman Sovereign who never regrets? He didn't even stop us for a single second.
Maybe, dying meaninglessly is a suitable punishment for an ambitious and ruthless person who steps on other people's life to fulfill his own desires like him.
When the gigantic Ancient Hell Dragon is forcefully dispatched by her master to block us, that familiar gigantic Dragon already had a destined enemy waiting for her.
”Molly, you are really a big disgrace!”
Before she could even swipe down to assist, Ein Mezus, who suddenly descends down, tackles her, causing her to continuously roll in the air.
Yes, the previous Chaos Demon Dragon from before is the Dragon Empress Molly. Due to the unexpected battle that occurred, she, who was supposed to serve as a tribute, survived. Afterwards, facing the Demon Count, she gave up her pride and chose to convert into a Demon Dragon – Hell Dragon.
TL: The Chaos just means that she is a Demon Dragon sided towards the Chaos Abyss.
The two Ancient Giant Dragon tears each other apart while howling furiously. Despite the fact that the Hell Dragon should be much stronger in a physical battle than the Giant Dragons on the surface, but the one who had advantage in all aspects was the smaller and younger Ein Mezus.
”Where did the dignity of the Dragon Tribe that you often said go to? Did you swallow it down? I can't stand looking at such an ugly appearance! Die!”
The furious Ein Mezus discards the final inch of kindness of hope in her heart and for the first time, attacks Molly with the intent to kill.
Ein Mezus, the master of two elements, showcases her deep understanding of magic. There is no need for incantation or hand gestures, just the breathing of the Dragon Tribe, whose bloodline is full of mana, is magic itself. Just by flapping her wings and staring at Molly, Wind and Fire were created continuously.
The Wind gives a boost to her while interfering with Molly's flight. On the other hand, the Fire is more flexible. Sometimes, it changes into smoke to block the Molly's vision. Other times, it explodes in front of Molly, breaking her scales. Furthermore, every single attack of Ein Mezus is infused with the power of Elements.
As the fight went on, Molly's heart chilled as she realized that she had no hopes for victory. Thus, her fickleness acts up again and without regards for the severe wounds she just incurred, she abandons the boss she just chose to serve under and escapes into the horizon.
The rapid loss of the two original Underground Autarch seems to start a domino effect and the Demon army falls back continuously under the assault of the army of Heroic Spirits. Not too far away, the battle between the 100-meter fall giant Demon and Adam could be seen. The light of victory is within sight.
As long as the Demon Commander who summoned the Demons is killed, those low-tier Demons would naturally be driven back to the Abyss.
Even the bloodthirsty and frenzied Demons treasure their lives. In the face of the unstoppable charge, they have started to scatter.
But, before we even arrive, a large silhouette couldn't hold in its anger any longer.
That large black silhouette leaps up and despite being a 60~70-meter tall gigantic beasts which should have slow reactions, but it seems to be as agile as a leopard. It bypasses the few Balor Demons who serves as bodyguards and crashes violently into the giant Demon Count.
That is the Captain of the Red Hunting Hounds, Demonic Spatial Hellhound Bastian!
The gigantic Demon Lord falls to the ground with his Demon Halberd supporting his body. His upper body is similar to a goat while his lower body is like an incomparably bid lizard. Bastian uses his 3 heads and directly tears apart one of his limb!
”AHHHHH! FILTHY WORMS!”
The gigantic Three-Headed Hellhound Bastian, in the formation of our Knight Order, the job of this Captain was never a Knight. Instead, it is a Giant War Beast and a Siege Machine!
It normally serves as the vanguard to tear apart the enemy's formation. This huge black war beast would jump into the enemy's formation and cause a fatal chaos within. That gap would then be torn apart to become a fatal blow that couldn't be fixed.
The reason why I use 'huge' to describe his body and not fixed numbers is because his size is never fixed.
The center head of Bastian is the incarnation of Wrath. He doesn't have any name or rationality, but he is responsible for using his fangs and claws to rip apart the enemy. When his rage reaches a point, he will grow bigger because of his anger. For a Giant War Beast, a large mass means greater strength than cannot be countered.
Just like how there is no limit to rage, as long as Bastian turns back into his original form on the battlefield, as the battle proceeds on, his wrath and size is limitless. We once encountered a difficult battle for 2 days and 2 nights. There was an Ancient Gold Dragon that suppressed our army but in the end, it was crushed to death by a single leg of Bastian! Not to mention, the number of city walls and city gates he crushed under his feet.
The reason why he usually splits into 2 different body and keeps his main consciousness in that pitiful Skeleton Dog is to suppress his endless wrath.
But, if he only has this much, he wouldn't be worthy of being called the Head of the Four Heavenly Kings, the strongest General that I trust the most.