Chapter 287 (1/2)

The war of Elarc was approaching its climax. Despite the massive amount of casualties, there was no doubt that the Alva were nearing their end. There were only a few dozen left. They were unable to move very quickly, so hunting them down was not such a difficult task.

One by one, the Alva continued to fall under the fierce onslaught of the knights. The sounds of violence and destruction that filled the city gradually seemed to diminish.

Finally, as one of the members of the Defense Chivalric Order struck down an approaching Alva near a small shelter, the city was suddenly filled with an air of silence.

A voice spoke out amidst the silence.

「Are we… safe?」

The idea that they were “safe” must have been more comforting and easier to accept than the idea that they had “won.”

The voice continued to speak.

「We’re safe…」

「Did we defeat the Alva…?」

Voices of excitement were heard from all around, spreading through the city like a wave.

「We…we did it!」

「We defeated the Alva!」

These voices could be heard from all around the city.

Even the people who had been resting on the ground stood up once again, leaving behind their tiredness and fatigue as they saw a new ray of hope shine before them.

Some yelled, some wept, some embraced, and some just stood there, dumbfounded. Their reactions were varied, but on every face was a look of happiness and excitement.

A swarm of Alva had descended from the sky, and they had prepared themselves for death. But even then, humanity—no, Elarc, Elarc had won. Looking up at the clear blue sky, they put their voices together and cheered. The people of Elarc were voicing their newfound hope.

But then… a large cracking sound rang out from above them.

「…Uh」

Looking up, someone cried out in surprise. Up above, there was a massive crevice in the sky. It seemed unreal.

‘No way,’ they thought.

They didn’t even want to imagine what was about to happen next. Unconsciously, they erased the possibility from their minds.

But that would only bring them more despair.

What they saw above them was an enormous swarm of Alva descending from the sky.

「AHHHHHHH!」

「A-AIEEEEE!?」

Someone let out a horrible scream, striking fear into the hearts of everyone around. A single flame was shot out by one of the descending Alva. It struck a knight that stood gaping in disbelief, setting him ablaze.

He crumpled to the ground. All that was left was a coat of armor filled with human ashes. In that exact moment, a wave of immense terror overwhelmed the townspeople. Letting their instincts take control of them, they ran.

「Pro-, protect them! We have to protect the townspeople… We have to protect Elarc!”One of the Defense Knights yelled at the top of his lungs, readying his sword. But as an Alva landed on the ground directly near them, the townspeople sprinted away, scattering in every direction.

「Wha-…Wai-…!」