Chapter 25: Beast Hunters and Visitor
Court Alf, Theocracy of Al-Mar.
...
"Take cover and keep moving!"
Deren yelled as Anri and Ifrit ducked under a hail of explosive lightning and debris that was strewn around. Some unlucky civilians were caught under the crossfire and were immediately killed. Some were lucky to survive the blasts once they duck or going behind cover in time. Deren stopped his tracks once he heard a Drake descends from the skies and landed in front of the three.
The Drake moved its head backward before unleashing a blast of lightning. Fortunately, Deren brought up his Spirit Tree Crest Shield and tanked the lightning bolt, only it pushed him back by a couple of feet. Anri dripped the spearhead of his Javelin unto the sack of Aromatic Ooze before lifting it up, aiming to the Drake and hurling it to the draconic beast dead center unto the chest section. The Lightning Drake felt a pang of pain struck in its chest before Deren saw his chance and rushed in. He grabbed the handle of the Javelin and pushed the enhanced spearhead further into its abdomen. The Drake stumbled back and screamed in pain upon its dying breath.
Ifrit watched in awe to see how the two human Knights dealt with the creature by the use of their cooperation and skill. But Ifrit could sense Deren is more experienced than Anri as if he fought these beasts before. But her thoughts broke up once she heard cries of pain. She looked around and saw a human soldier was stuck under the rubble while trying to get off from the rubble.
"Oh no," Ifrit gasped before running over to the entrapped soldier. "Don't worry, we're here to help!"
Anri followed Irifit before the Mermaid tries to lift a large rock of marble, but her lack of strength causes her to struggle. The Silver-Blue Knight of Albion came to her side for assistance, Ifrit felt grateful that he came to help until he lifts the massive stone piece that caused her eyes to widen in disbelief.
"I didn't know you were that strong." Ifrit comments in surprise.
"It was training," Anri replied while helping the soldier to stand up on his knees. "But killing beasts from the past weeks somehow strengthens me than an average person."
"Wait... you believe killing makes you even stronger?" Ifrit raised her eyebrows in confusion.
"Who knows?" Anri shrugged off his shoulders. "Deren tells me it happens, but doesn't even tell me how."
"Thank you, thank you!" The soldier praised his rescuers before looking up to the skies and filled the dread in his eyes. "By Poseidon, the city is in flames and we're scattered!"
"There's still a lot of Drakes flying around the city," Deren said while coming up to the group and eyed the soldier. "Are there still any Ballistas or any heavy weapons left in the Military Armory?"
"We have a lot of them, but we couldn't deploy them all in time!" The soldier replied anxiously. "Even worse, none even our bolts could bring one down one! Let alone that we just shot their wings and stumble them to the ground and survived!"
"...Just what kind of bolts did you just used?" Deren questioned starkly to the soldier with a straight face. "Don't tell me you 'lot used Demon Silver."
"W-We just used a lot Demon Silver Bolts against the Red Wyvern in the past weeks." The soldier replied with a nervous look. "U-Until now, you're telling me that using steel is effective?"
Deren just stared at him for a moment and exhaled deeply before slamming his palm against his helmet's forehead section.
'Don't tell me... these guys would actually believe that they can turn them as one of their own!?' Deren's mind yelled frustratingly. 'Therefore, anyone with a common brain knows that steel or special ore's that can kill an enemy is important to deal with. What do they think to expect from a serious enemy of unknown!?'
"May I remind you about these beasts are not of this world..." Deren informed calmly to the soldier before carrying on. "Using Demon Silver is useless as it provides no physical damage and neither they could be affected by mana corruption."
"N-No way..." Ifrit uttered, while the soldier was left speechless. Then Ifrit asked the soldier. "A-Are there any effective weapons besides those!?"
"Our Gremlin Engineers can only think about corrupting them." The soldier replied while his face lowered with spirits down. "Unfortunately, we knew little about their weaknesses."
"Say, do you have a factory or an ammunition storage?" Anri asked curiously. "Also, by the way; what's your name?"
"The name's Rick and the storage is near the barracks," Rick informed before he felt his hands tremble. "It will take a while to get there, but there are enemies everywhere!"
Anri then turned his gaze to Deren before the Lion Knight returns a nod. Then he pats on Rick's left shoulder.
"Come, we need you with us," Anri spoke starkly. "Or else your home will be destroyed if we don't move and fight."
Rick then felt a sudden flow of courage that ran through his veins and look up to the Silver-Blue Knight, then he furrowed his eyebrows and nodded.
"U-Understood! Th-Then count me in, even if it costed my life!"
Ifrit smiled upon hearing his words before Deren shouts at the group to gain his attention and waves his sword after scanning the area that the coast is clear. Then they followed him before Ifrit look up and saw a small squadron of Lightning Drakes soared over the skies before they dived into a particular area that is not too far from where they are located. Once the Drakes dropped their payload of lighting bolts on a nearby area, the group heard the dying cries of soldiers and saw one male soldier screamed in agony while covered in flames before he fell into the water street filled with seawater. The soldier survived, but luck wasn't on his side as soon as he saw one drake hovered over the human and ended his life once it breathes out a beam of lightning, electrifying the unfortunate defender to his death.
Rick gritted his teeth in fear as he tries to unsheathe his sword until Deren drew a Greatbow and unleashed a Dragonslayer Arrow with a raw force of a ballista; striking the hovering Drake at the dead center before it fell into the waters. The soldier of Al-Mar gawked in disbelief to witness the Lion Knight held an oversized Bow.
"Let's not gawk around, we have to keep moving," Deren spoke without a hint of emotions.
When they entered the new area, Ifrit gasped in horror to witness the carnage-filled with corpses. Anri saw a single drake feasted on a dead succubus before it turns its sights on the Group. The Mermaid instinctively raised her magic shield as the men drew their weapons before the Drake roared in irritation. It picked up its carcass and fly up into the skies, leaving them. Anri, Deren, and Rick lowered their weapons before Ifrit dismisses her magic shield.
"Uh~! H-Help me..."
Deren heard another voice coming from nearby and spotted another survivor. A wounded Ogre who lies beside a broken cart, Deren stepped in to help the survivor and inspected her bleeding wounds, all he saw was too severe and there was a nasty gash as if she was hit directly by Drake's lightning bolt. Ifrit came to the Ogre's side and cast a healing spell.
"Stay still, we have to patch you up." The mermaid cooed as the Ogre groaned in pain. "It's a miracle that you survived."
"Y-Yeah... no shit." The Ogre uttered, then grinned in confidence, "H-heh. Too bad for them it takes another lighting to kill me. Urgh! Th-Those flying bastards caught us off guard and my unit got scattered."
"Captain Della, thank goodness you're alright!" The Ogre saw Rick kneeling right next to her. "Once we get you up, we need your strength."
"H-hah! If it isn't Rick himself. I'm also quite surprised that you survived as well!" Della then laughed off before she felt her last wounds were mended before slowly standing up. "Right, the scouts told us earlier that we have an order from the higher-ups that we must regroup to the main temple before we got grounded by those things."
"But what about the citizens?" Rick asked anxiously.
"Don't worry, I ordered our guys to have the docks secured," Della replied before she heard rushing footsteps and then spun around. She widened her eyes in surprise to see a group of soldiers panting in exhaustion and fear. "Wait, you guys were supposed to be on the docks, and what is going on?!"
"Captain Della, thank goodness you're safe and we've been looking for you! We need urgent help!" One of the soldiers cried out. "Th-Those beasts have taken over the docks, and none could escape the city! We lost a lot of soldiers while trying to relocate the citizens into safety behind the walls of the main temple!"
"I-Impossible... w-what were they doing!?" Della then slowly raised her voice in frustration to think of the worst possible scenario. "What about the Mages!? They should have to repel them back by now!"
"They were trying their best to fend them off," Della turned to a soldier who is older and more experienced than the rest. "The monster mages have already set up a barricade surrounding the temple while the human spellcasters can cast their more lethal magic, but it still isn't enough."
"At least we can regroup there in safety and plan for a counterattack," Della spoke confidently before she gazes her attention to Deren. "Speaking of which, aren't you the mercenary who's endorsed by Arial, the Diva of Al-Mar?"
"Aye, that's me and my friend here," Deren replied with an honest nod before pointing back to Anri. "We can still lend you a hand to ease the situation."
"Tsk, from what my senses tell that you both aren't heroes but ordinary humans who are devoid of mana." Della scoffed in annoyance. "I do not know why the Diva has endorsed you both. But regardless, you'll turn into beast food if you dare to face them."
"B-But that's not true!" Della then heard Ifrit cried out once she gets past beside Anri. "I've seen how they fought a beast with my own eyes! Both of them have extraordinary skills and sheer will alone that led us to save Rick."
"Y-Yeah, I heard a beast descend from the skies from earlier and thought myself that I was going to die," Rick added while rubbing the back of his neck in admittance before pointing his finger towards Deren and Anri. "Then I saw him hurled a spear before the other one brought it down! After they rescued me, they shot another one with a giant bow and arrow!"
While the soldiers heard his story; they were awed as if their hearts were lifted, thinking to hear as if an ordinary human could do such feats. Yet it did not intrigue the Ogre one bit and stay unamused. "Hmph! That's a pleasant story to hear, but they should do more than that!"
Once after her small rant, she waved her club and order the group to leave the area. Anri and Ifrit exhaled in defeat while Deren tilts his head sidewards in disappointment before following the group down the path for the main temple.
...
Al-Mar City Center, Main Temple of the Goddess.
...
"Oh Poseidon, please grant us a miracle to end this disaster."
Arial prayed to the altar of the Goddess of the Seas, Poseidon. Hoping that the Drakes and the Red Wyvern would be repelled, but none of her prayers couldn't even reach her patron deity, as if their connections were severed by some sort of an insidious anomaly since the Convolution first occurred. When the first attack came, her prayers remained unanswered and weeks have passed. Her deity remains silent.
"Just why... why are you not answering to us...?" Arial uttered under profound despair before looking back at a large mass filled with refugees. "Your people are waiting for your call."
The Diva heard her people, both men, women, and mamono's; who are all devotees to Poseidon. She heard them begged in desperation, praying that their God will smite them for hurting their people. But all of their prayers weren't answered.
"Oh, great Poseidon answer us!"
"Goddess of the Seas, please heed us!"
"Please, protect us from those flying beasts!"
While the refugees prayed desperately for their deity, among them were a couple of cloaked figures with their identities covered under the shadows of their hood. They stared at the Diva of Al-Mar and its devotees in pity and arrogance.
"Heh, look at them." One of the cloaked figures then smiled in wickedness. "Looks like their gods have abandoned them, I pity these heathens."
"Shh! Don't say it out loud!" Her comrade, a man who kneeled beside her, hushed to his partner in silence. "Don't let our covers blown out! They'll soon realize that we're both spies of the Order!"
Outside of the Main Temple, soldiers loaded up the ballista and cannons while the spellcasters and other mages kept maintaining the protective barriers without taking breaks as if the Lightning Drakes endlessly hailed down a storm of bolts. Smashing against the barriers until it produced cracks, fortunately, a handful of mamono mages casts their magic to repair the barriers back to their pristine form. Meanwhile, a centaur in her knight's armor stood among the defenders and watched over the protective dome as the Lightning Drakes continuously fires.
"The maintenance of the dome is getting slower than previously." The Centaur's mind spoke out anxiously. "Sooner or later, this barrier will be shattered before reinforcements from Queen Diana, island Matori, and Saida arrived..."
"Then... we are going to face a worst-case scenario." The Centaur jolts up in surprise before she spun around to meet the Diva of the City. Arial then smiled at the Centaur. "Jenna, how's the situation?"
"D-Diva Arial! You mustn't come here, it's dangerous!" The centaur, now named Jenna, blurts out in disbelief. "If a portion of the barrier breaks, then you'll get caught by their lightning bolts!"
"It's fine, I am here to see my people fight. The city hasn't thrown in a chaotic state like this since the Asuramis War." Arial then spoke up with determination and walks up among the troops. "I must tell them an important message. You too shall hear me."
As the Diva walked into the midst of the defender's activities; she saw how young the soldiers looked, and many of its older veterans seem to be few than she had previously thought. Yet despite that they voluntarily joined the fight, she felt a wave of anxiety emitted from them as if they fear facing death. She knew some individuals were married, but they too were shaken by the horrible events of their bombardments. Both humans and mamono's stopped their tracks and saw the Diva who walked among them in awe and surprise.
"Soldiers of Al-Mar," Arial began as she clasped her hands together. "I have come here to tell grave news; our city is on its last legs."
The soldiers rallied together and watched the Diva in awe as she glows with radiance and expressed her emotions filled with courage and bravery that washed over the defenders with warmth.
"I know how all of you are afraid and despite the magic of my voice; it won't do anything to these beasts," She said with a pained tone full of sorrow before looking up to them in determination. "But I ask of thee, do not falter! Your friends and family need to live for a brighter future, and I know that it is my responsibility. As the leader of this city; I and the people will never forget that the sacrifices of your comrades made did not die in vain!"
"So bear with me! Soldiers of Al-Mar!" Arial continued with rising courage. "We must not let this city fall into their hands!"
The soldiers felt their spirits lifted upon hearing her words. They have indeed joined the fight to protect the city from these beasts since the Convolution appeared. They raised their fists and weapons before cheering up to the Diva as if their morale has been improved. Unfortunately, in the midst of their rallying, three Lightning Drakes dived into the protective dome and send three consecutive lightning bolts, and shattered a gap into the barrier.
The defenders look up in horror as one drake flew through the gap and flew straight to the Diva and opened its mouth wide open with its claws outstretched. The Sea Bishop watched in horror to face the beast coming closer to claim her as its prey.
That is not until a Dragonslayer Arrow shot out from nowhere and struck the drake dead center before it sends the draconic beast against cobblestone floors with a hard thud. Arial then spun around and saw a familiar figure is a green Knight wielding a massive bow.
"D-Deren!?" Arial widened her eyes in disbelief. "Anri! Y-You also made it out alive!"
"Indeed, Diva of Al-Mar," Deren replied with a nod before Anri, Ifrit, Rick, and Della came to his side. "That was quite an impressive speech you got there."
"I'd say, these guys are quite extraordinary," Della commented to Arial while pointing her thumb to Deren with an impressed look. "Looks like I underestimate your strength. You are indeed no ordinary human, but I can't say you're a hero either since you lacked Mana or any divine powers. Then just what are you?"
"I'm... just a humble Knight from Majula," Deren replied with a pride smug behind his helmet. "There's nothing I can figure how I got strong beyond human limits, but... it just happens."
The Ogre just stood there, perplexed and confused by his words. Just why did he mean by that? She sensed no truth or lies in his voice. Most of it she heard was... dull. She couldn't understand the human to her side but let alone that is void of the essence. Nevertheless, she tilts her head sideways before snapping up to the current situation.
"Alright, never mind about the talks," Della exhaled with irritation. "I'd just want to say thank you for saving Arial."
"Right, now I have to inspect some weapon machinery that your higher-ups deployed," Deren said before walking up to one of the Ballista's in much to Arial's and Della's curiousness. Once he came to inspect the bolts that the soldiers were loading. He couldn't help but let out a disappointing groan. "It seems my hunch is correct. Your army chooses the wrong materials to fight those drakes; all of them were Demon Silver. No wonder why drakes survived your soldier's deadly shots and lived."
"Then is that why they were still up and kicking?" Della raised her brow in surprise. "But I still don't get why aren't they got monsterized, even though, these flying beasts kinda resemble Monsters from the old age. So it should have affected them!"
"Then what if I told you that these types of monsters are bred outside the system of this world?" Deren replied, which soon gave a dreaded realization to the Sea Bishop and the Ogre Captain. "These things aren't inhabitants of this realm or in any monster realms of people can think of. Just think of them as "Aliens" coming from another plane of reality."
"Wait, a second... f-from what you were saying is that those monsters weren't the creation of the First Chief God?" Arial uttered a gasp in horror in realization before cupping her cheeks in dread. "By Poseidon, this is more troubling than we realized... We didn't know about that!"
"So is there a way to beat them?" Della asked with a troubled tone.
"There is a way to defeat them," Deren replied casually with a nod. "The answer; conventional Magic and Weapons. Steel weapons and lethal magic are the only two things to bring them down."
"So we have to use how the humans fought themselves!?" Della cried out loud, incredulously as if using the human methods of warfare is the only solution while the monster ways of warfare did not have the advantage over these otherworldly beasts was an insult given to her. "No way! There should be stronger than that!"
"Listen, do you want to kill your foes or do you want your city to be burned down to hell?" Deren casually retorts back in his disappointment at her decision. "You can't fight those beasts that can't get monsterized, and I've seen multiple mamono's who tried to fend them off in the dungeons until they ended up getting killed."
As the Ogre tries to talk back, Arial held up her hand to keep the Ogre from such arguments. Della grunts in irritation and crossed her arms as she scoffed. Deren then turns to the Diva.
"Do you know where the storage for ammunition is located?"
"Well, over there is the quartermaster." Arial points towards a human male individual who keeps the crates in check. "Deren, I entrusted you my permission and authority of command to turn the tides of this battle under necessary circumstances."
"H-Hold on a second! You're giving him the command to lead us!?" Della raised her voice in shock. "Th-That's unacceptable!"
"Della, please. You need to trust him and he knew who our opponents more than us." Arial spoke up calmly and clasped her hands together. "I beg of you. Give him assistance so he can help us in return!"
"I... Grrr!" Della then huffs in annoyance before turning to Deren with a frown. "Fine... Lead us in your way and make sure you have to take responsibility to take command of our troops."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure our mission is to defend the city at all costs," Deren responded in determination before waving his hand over to Anri and Ifrit to come over. "Come on, we need to re-arm the defenses before they'll puncture another hole through the barrier!"
...
Al-Mar Military Barracks, Ammunition Storage.
...
"Here are the bolts we have in storage." The Quartermaster said once he opens the door of the ammunition warehouse. "These are steel bolts came from the island of Matori and haven't been used for hundreds of years. Although, these were supposed to be reforged into something better at the small manufacture district."
"Turning their arrowheads into Demonsilver is not worth it," Deren interjected. "It will be a waste when you fight those things that can't turn into mamono."
The Quartermaster froze upon hearing that. "Wait... they don't?"
Deren tilts his head sidewards in response while grabbing a bunch of bolts from the storage. "These Drakes... are born different."
"Alright, we need more men to maintain those Ballistas," Anri said while grabbing a crate of bolts before looking over to an open area and saw a turret that is fully active and shot magic projectiles against the Drakes outside the barrier. Some of its targets got direct hits, but the Drakes remained unfazed and shrugged off the projectiles after getting shot for a while. "Even those machines made by the Gremlins don't do any better."
"Oh, no! None of them worked!" Anri spun his eyes around and saw Ifrit trembled anxiously whilst she saw the skies are still dominated by the Drakes. "I-I'm afraid that they might break the barrier again at any moment!"
"Don't worry, the barrier is buying us time so we have time to prepare," Anri replied with a confidential smug. "Besides, we all do is to fight whatever we can for our survival."
...
...
Deren placed a large crate full of Bolts with arrowheads made of steel before coming face to face with the soldiers of the city whilst they all stand in a square formation.
"Alright, listen up and do as I say so that we can save the city!" Deren raised his voice while holding up a Ballista bolt and instructed. "These projectiles with steel arrowheads are the only ones that can bring them down. Using Demon Silver won't work to fight those Drakes and neither magic with the only sole purpose of corrupting them will do no good!"
'I can't believe the Al-Mar local forces didn't even think to come up with an effective weapon since the convolution.' Anri noted before he caught the looks of the gloominess among the soldiers. 'Judging by their looks, most of them are green and frightened. They saw little-to-no conflict since the Asuramis War.'
Then Anri gazed his eyes towards Ifrit while the mermaid paid her attention to Deren. 'I sure hope you won't get caught under fire.'
Meanwhile, Della and Jenna observed Deren who instructed the soldiers before he dismisses them and scattered around to re-arm the defenses. Della scoffs in irritation to think Arial just handed her authority to Deren in order to command the troops. Jenna on the other hand was intrigued but giving an impression of relief after she saw how he saved Arial when a single Drake broke through the barrier.
"I'd say, I'm impressed," Jenna said confidently while crossing her arms. "Looks like the soldiers' have lifted their spirits quite a bit."
"The entire situation didn't bug me a bit. The Diva gave him the authority to take over the defenses." Della grunts in annoyance and doubts. "But I'm not sure how he will succeed in this."
Jenna then turns to Della with an incredulous look. "Do you doubt him?"
The Ogre then exhaled. "Unless if he can help us repel this invasion."
Soldiers began exchanging the massive wooden magazines from Demon Silver Bolts to Steel Bolts in a hurry while Deren gazed upon the skies. He spotted a sizable squadron of Lightning Drakes dived from the skies; doing the same method from before in order to pierce a hole into the barrier. Four Drakes dropped their bolts into the barrier and produced cracks.
"All Ballistas are set!" Deren heard a captain among the defenders. "We're ready to await further orders."
Deren nods slightly before raising his arms upwards. "Take aim and open fire!"
The defenders unleashed the steel bolts from the ballista and shot past through the transparent barrier. The Drakes in mid-air saw what was coming from the ground before a hail of hundred steel bolts punctured through their scaly skin like a nail went through hard cardboard that was slammed by a hammer. The drakes fell from the skies as the echoes of their dying screams were heard until dropping dead into the waters and on top of the buildings.
The defenders saw the Drakes fell and cheered with hope-filled voices before Rick spotted another wave of drakes coming straight to the major center of the city and nudged Deren on his shoulders to give notice. The mercenary ordered the soldiers to aim the ballistas with a higher angle and adjusted their aiming sights.
"Another wave incoming!" Rick forewarned. "Get ready!"
The drakes unleashed a hail of lightning bolts before the defenders returned fire. The steel bolts hit their marks and took a number on the drakes, but unfortunately for the defenders. The barrier was struck multiple times before it shattered into multiple shards. The soldiers fell in dismay that the barrier just fell under a single massive bombardment before several lightning bolts came crashing down, hitting some of their Anti-Air defenses and sending soldiers into the air, injuring some.
"Brace yourselves!" Deren shouted while bringing up his Dragonslayer Bow. "Don't falter!"
"Ifrit, tend the wounded!" Anri ordered the mermaid before Ifrit nodded and went to help the downed soldiers.
The surviving drakes flew closer before they opened their jaws. One drake opened fire on a ballista and the soldiers saw what was coming, they ran before their anti-air weapon got singled out.
Deren drew his Dragonslayer Bow and shot one drake from mid-air and crashed into the ground. Soldiers struggled to turn their defenses and kept firing on the flying monstrosities as one by one fell while their comrades were caught under constant bombardment in return. Anri dipped the spearhead of his javelin into the white ooze before hurling to a drake that flies at an even lower altitude and hits its dead center before the draconic beast came crashing down against the rubble.
Rick looked around the situation and the defense is all going well while the drakes are becoming fewer in numbers. That is not until they heard an ear-piercing shriek coming out from the clouds. The surviving lightning Drakes heard the screech before they fly away from the main temple.
The Red Wyvern dived and letting out a beam of flames, scorching the holy grounds of the temple along with the soldiers. Ifrit, Della, and Jenna gasped at such fiery hell where many got caught by the scorching flames until the Red Wyvern landed its feet before picking up an unfortunate soldier with its jaw and devoured his upper body, then flinging the lower body into the nearby building with a sickening splat.
"By Poseidon..." Ifrit's voice trembled as she felt her body couldn't move an inch, overtaken by fear. "I-I... I can't move."
The beast lowered its head and opened the jaws to devour the mermaid. But fortunately, the Red Wyvern let out a shriek as it felt a force that had wrecked its legs. The draconian beast reared its head around, then saw Della swung its club and get its attention.
"Over here, you murderous beast!"
The Red Wyvern let out a roar and came after her while letting out a stream of flames, trying to burn her down. Anri quickly recovered Ifrit and went away from the battle zone as long as the wyvern is paying its attention to the Ogre. At the same time, Jenna saw Deren came to her side.
"Great, that thing's distracted." He said before looking up to the centaur. "I need your ride underneath the dragon."
"W-What!?" Jenna blurted out as her cheeks blushed. "No way! I already have a husband of my own!"
"I do not mention having another man, centaur," Deren growled in annoyance. "We have to take it out, quick!"
Jenna snapped out as she understood and obeyed. She lends him a hand without another second thought until Deren got on top of her before the Centaur raced to the massive Wyvern. Anri saw the Red Wyvern walked out from the major city center and made a gesture to Ifrit to follow them.
...
Della ran past the streets filled with rubble and obstacles while the Wyvern followed her while flinging off beams of flames that are as hot as molten lava and scorched the buildings nearby. The Ogre hid behind a mermaid statue before the wyvern shot out another beam. But it barely missed the target. The Ogre Captain grits her teeth before peeking out to see the giant wyvern is coming closer to her position; she cursed under her mouth as her mind didn't let her allow to do actions.
She had fought many warriors from other ogre tribes in the past before entering Al-Mar for a new life as a captain of her division. She remains single for most of her life and not a single human man she could find interest in, since she entered Al-Mar whilst the males are all lanky and skinny, weak even. She preferred a man who is stronger than the ordinary men she could find around Al-Mar. But right now, things are changing and different from what she experienced since the mysterious convolution arrived; facing creatures and beasts who shared similar appearances to the monsters of old age, and they have a dangerous intent to kill unlucky individuals to death.
Della suddenly snapped out from her thoughts and come face to face with a Wyvern who overshadowed her. The Ogre reacted to roll forwards to dodge its scorching flames before she swings her club to aim for its legs, but the wyvern leaped back and swings its tail against the mamono, sending the Ogre against the building with a powerful force. The captain felt pain coursed through her body until she fell to the ground. Della felt her mind dazed while spitting blood out from her mouth.
The Red Wyvern looked to its defeated opponent and opened its jaws to devour her alive. But unfortunately, a lightning arrow struck the draconic beast through the neck and screamed in pain before turning its eyes to a Centaur and a mounted Knight with a Dragonslayer Bow.
Deren drew another Lightning Arrow and struck the beast through the chest. The Red Wyvern roared once more and breathed out another powerful beam, Deren and Jenna split up while the Lion Knight jumped out from the saddle as Jenna strafed out from its line of sight. The centaur reached out for Della to recover her, yet she stood still once she saw the red wyvern overshadowed them.
The red beast saw its opportunity to end them both before it can kill the rest, the wyvern opened its jaw and sends out its scorching flames. Yet the beast widened its eyes to see a blue barrier that appeared in a sudden that is protecting Della and Jenna. The giant lizard turned reared its head to the source and saw Ifrit making heavy breathing.
Behind her, Anri drew his Javelin. "Alright, over here you big guy!"
The Silver-Blue Knight of Albion hurled his enchanted javelin to the Wyvern and struck directly into the eyes. The beast screeched out in pain before sending out flames to the Knight and the mermaid in much to its annoyance, Anri ordered Ifrit to raise her magic barrier to reinforce Anri's Crest Shield to hold off the flames. But unbeknownst to the Red Wyvern. Deren saw his opportunity to climb on top of the red wyvern while the being is distracted. He jumps off from the tail to the main body while grabbing one of its spikes.
The wyvern roared while heading to the pair with jaws wide upon until Anri and Ifrit saw Deren jumped up on the air with a talisman on his right hand, thus summoning a Great Lightning Spear before impaling it on top of the Wyverns head with an explosion. The massive beast let out its dying screech into the air before crashing its head. Deren breathed out heavily before looking up to Anri before the Silver-Blue Knight held up a thumbs up. Ifrit to his left side gaped as she witnessed the unthinkable.
The Red Wyvern, a beast that plagued the White City of Al-Mar with terror and destruction; was slain by the famous Lion Knight of Albion. Anri looked back while pulling up his visor, with his mouth only visible to her.
"Good job, the city is safe..." Anri said while Ifrit felt a red blush appeared on her cheeks. She has never heard his clear voice sound handsome that enraptured her heart with warmth. "For now. Let's help Della to patch her up to the infirmary."
Ifrit nodded before heading the couple headed straight for Centaur and Lion Knight who help the unconscious Ogre to get up from the ground. Ifrit used her healing magic to mend her wounds together while Della wakes up, groaning in pain.
"D-Damnit... that... hurts."
"Don't move a lot, your wounds had just healed up," Ifrit said while tending Della's bruises from the back. "I'm glad you're alright."
"Speaking of it, captain." Jenna then spoke up while crossing her arms before giving the ogre a disappointed look. "I can't believe you're doing recklessly by letting the Red Wyvern chasing you."
"Oh... I-I apologize, hehe," Della laughed weakly while rubbing the back of her neck. "By the way... what happened?"
"The Red Wyvern is slain, captain," Jenna answered before pointing her thumb towards Deren and Anri. "Give thanks to these two who saved your life."
Uh... Huh!? They have slain the Red Wyvern!?" Della raised her brows in surprise before looking down at Deren and Anri from horseback. "I-I see... th-thank you."
"You're welcome," Deren replied before raising his thumb to Ifrit. "Don't forget her, she helped us a lot."
"E-Eh, me!?" Ifrit widened her eyes in surprise.
Anri gave out a light chuckle at the mermaid's antics. "You're forgetting that you saved the soldiers by tending their wounds and protected me using a barrier to distract the wyvern."
"O-Oh..." Ifrit then blushed before looking down in embarrassment. "Th-Thank you..."
"I think Arial would be delighted when she heard that the red Wyvern is slain." Anri smiled.
Deren straightened up himself with pride when he heard that until the group finally returned to the capital's main temple, from there; he saw soldiers, civilians, and the Diva herself stood right in front of the temple. Arial then waved to them before everybody cheered in victory. The heroes themselves didn't know that they were waiting for them to return and successfully defeated the red Wyvern.
A couple of hours after the chaos around the city died down, ships of sea and air from the Islands of Saida and Matori entered the wrecked city to aid the capital.
...
Kingdom of Gaul; Viola Region, Town of Gerth.
...
"Ash~! Say aahh~!"
"Sasha..." Ash said while giving Sasha a deadpanned look. "I'm not a toddler."
"Oh please, just this once~!" Sasha pleaded while giving him a puppy-eyed look. "Just pretend you're one and take a taste of this new Catarinian Vanilla Ice cream, it's good!"
"I'd prefer to eat it with my own hands." Ash exhaled while crossing his arms. "Like I'm not in the mood right now."
"Hmph! Fine!" Sasha puffed her cheeks in annoyance before handing the spoon over to him and crossed her arms. "You're no fun."
Ash grabbed the spoon and took a taste of the Vanilla Ice cream, once a single melted liquid met his tastebud; the Silver-Blue Knight of Lescatie raised his eyebrow in surprise. He had never eaten ice cream from his past life and his world doesn't have it in his previous world. But here, he can get the experience to taste it and it was sweet.
'The flavor is good' Ash's mind said before speaking it out. "It's actually good after all."
Sasha then smiled at him. "You see? It's really good!"
At the bar, Olivier is silently watching Sasha's interaction with the Silver-Blue Knight named Ash Cyrus with an incredulous look. She had never seen the Holy Maiden having a relationship with the Knight like that as if they were a couple. The Lescatian Musketeer turned around and held a cup of warm milk.
"I can't believe Sasha would go that far..." Olivier uttered.
"Yeah, surprising isn't it?" Olivier perked up and saw Elaine sitting beside her with a mug of Siegbrau in her hand. "To think of it, they're more of a couple right now, ever since he rescued her from the Fallen Tower."
Olivier sat in silence while staring at the Orc with a frightened look, and Elaine raised her eyebrow in question. "Hmm? What's wrong?"
"Hiieek, an Orc!" Olivier made a terrified shrieked while stepping back. "J-Just what are you doing here?!"
"...What am I doing here?" Elaine repeated the question. "I'm here to drink some beer."
"N-No, that's not what I meant! I-... I..." Olivier shrieked out once more, catching the attention of Ash, Sasha, and Sieglinde. "Are you here to corrupt me into one of yours!?"
"...Huh? You're forgetting we're in a neutral country." Elaine then looked over to Sasha and Ash before returning her gaze to Olivier. "You're in Gerth, monsters are also tolerated in this place."
Then Elaine drank a portion of her beer before slamming it on the table. "But I'm not one of them and I can't corrupt humans unlike the old generation monsters like my mother."
Olivier stammered a bit. "Th-Then-"
"Sis? What's going on here?" Olivier's was soon interrupted by someone before turning around to see a boy around her age, wearing a Sunlight Knights Armor. "Hey, aren't you-"
"Yep, she's the former Demon," Elaine interjected Gerome while giving out an annoyed groan. "While I'm glad that she turned back to human and stop all this sexual nonsense. But I couldn't be more wrong that she has that Order mentality."
"Ah, I see. Then that's a shame." Gerome then grinned mischievously while nudging the shoulders of his sister. "Well, seems they exchange an annoying person for another one."
"Shut. Up." Elaine growled while giving Gerome a dark glare.
Olivier observed the interactions between an orc and a human male, which she claimed as her brother. Yet the Musketeer raised her brows in realization; scrutinizing them in bewilderment before asking the Orc.
"Um... is he really your brother?" Olivier asked. "From what I can tell, monsters can't have male offsprings."
"Well, to tone down your expectations; he's my actual brother," Elaine replied nonchalantly while pointing her thumb to Gerome. "I mean he's born with the same blood. Hell, I would also recall from my earlier arguments that I have young fraternal twin sisters who were both an orc and human."
"Ah, I see! That's nice~!" Olivier smiled, but upon realizing her naivety; her eyes widened in disbelief. "W-Wait! You have human siblings!? Is that even possible!?"
While Olivier was appalled to hear the recent information about the new generations of monster girls. Ash and Sasha observed their interactions in much to their amusement while Reginald looked over the billboard. However, the son of the vampire caught some weird senses in the air that reeks suspiciously of demonic energy. He slowly turned his gaze around and spotted a cloaked figure and noticed the individuals' eyes are locked to the Silver-Blue Knight and the Priestess.
"So, that man must be the Silver-Blue Knight and the Holy Maiden of Lescatie." The individual mused with interest before bringing up a cup of warm tea. "Interesting... his entire existence alone has brought fear throughout the Demon Realms like the second coming of Artos, leaving quite an impression he made because of his reputation."
The mysterious individual continues to observe the couple before she heard footsteps coming close to her side. She was utterly surprised that her senses did not pick up anything that approached her before a shadow loomed over her. The mysterious cloaked individual raised up her head and saw a male staring down at her with sharp eyes as if he caught something suspicious about her.
Reginald crossed his arms. "I see you were staring at my comrades."
"Oh dear, you are really sharp." The cloaked individual sighed in defeat while putting her cup of tea on the table. "I must admit; I noticed some individuals in this place who lacked mana except for that woman over there."
She then points her finger towards Sasha, who is still unaware of the stranger while begging Ash to order another Ice Cream. "Like the Astora Family, The Carthus Tribe, and the Mirrah Order. But you came from an unknown group I don't recognize."
"Then start talking," Reginald said with a sharp voice. "You'd better not be a spy from the Radical faction of Demon Realm."
"Geez, would you not try asking a woman with a voice of hostility?" The individual said in annoyance, but Reginald's glare remains. She exhaled in defeat. "I see, I should've known to never underestimate your kind..."
Then her cheeks pouted in much to her annoyance. "Also, by the way; that's rude of you to accuse me as part of my older sister's radical faction."
Reginald then rolled his eyes. "Go straight to the point."
Once he takes a step back. The cloaked figure stood up from her seat and unveils her cloak to reveal her appearance. His eyes raised up a brow in mild surprise to see a pair of red eyes, a pair of horns, white hair, and pinkish skin. A succubus?
"Do not fret by my looks, young man. I came here with no intention to create harm and- oh, where are my manners?" She made a mocking smile before politely introduced herself with a bow. "My name is Ilassa, the thirteenth daughter of the Demon Lord Lilith, at your service~!"
Chapter 25: Ends.
Motivation to write this chapter: AoT 2 Game Ost and Xenoblade 2 Ost.
Authors Note; Well, surprise, surprise. One of Druella's sisters is joining the group. So what are your thoughts?