Chapter 8: Corruption, Fables, and old enemies.
Kingdom of Gaul; Viola Region, Town of Gerth.
...
It is dawn as the sunrise in the morning skies. A single rooster is standing on top of the roofs and crowed, which wakes up the nearby residents of the town. Ash slowly nudged his head upwards before looking down in his surprise to see Sash was lying on his lap. In much of his confusion, he titled his head off from being confounded before carefully putting her head on the soft surface of the couch and then he stood up.
"Right... better to look for some jobs to do," Ash muttered quietly while grabbing his helmet before heading to the main door.
"Mmmh?... You're... not eating any breakfast?"
He stopped his tracks and turns around to see Sasha waking up while rubbing her groggy eyes.
"No need. I'd better find some odd jobs at Horseback Inn." He replied before opening the door. "I might come back for a couple of days."
"Oh... I see." Then Sasha yawned. "Then be careful out there."
"I will." He nodded before leaving the house.
Once the Knight left his residence, a couple of cloaked figures observed him from above the rooftops while one held a binocular in her hands.
"Anything good, Daniella?" Jane asked while munching her dried cracker.
"Nothing usual. Seems our target still isn't aware of us," Daniella replied.
While Ash continued to walk down the path, the two Dhampirs silently followed his trail throughout the town and saw him entering Horseback's Inn. After a couple of hours of waiting, they saw him stepping out of the building with a quest sheet in his hands.
"He's out for a job?" Daniella muttered quietly in question. "Then what's he is up to?"
Jane pulled out her binoculars to see his quest sheet that says:
[Help Wanted: Removal of Matango infestation in Iona Village, Reward: 1.800 Gold.]
"Ugh, I don't understand why humans always brought up the highest bounty on us monsters?" Jane wondered in displeasure.
"That's because not a single human has ever succeeded in subjecting it during solo missions for years, but let alone they would end up as their husbands," Daniella replied while looking sternly towards the Silver-Blue Knight. "... or becoming mamono, if it were a woman. Until nowadays, this human is successful at subjugating monsters by killing them."
The two Dhampirs kept their watch on the Silver-Blue Knight as he departed from town by taking a ride on a carriage. The two half-breed monster girls still followed his tracks while remaining obscured from their plain sights under the wilderness.
In the meantime, they don't need a horse whilst their speed due to their nature of being monsters is far superior to that of an ordinary human being, and passing through difficult obstacles in their ways were a piece of cake and less time-consuming.
'Let's see how he did it.' Daniella mused. Thinking of the rumour about him was true.
...
Demon Realm Nation of Lescatie.
...
Koyoi Amanomiya felt exhaustion while breathing heavily as her horse galloped through the dirt roads. She had travelled through the dense areas full of Demonic Energy while leading a band of Knights of the Order and hired swords from the Mercenary Union behind her. Their one objective is to recapture the Theocracy of Lescatie from Demonic occupation and dispose of the Fourth Born back to the Demon Realm.
Their journey coming from the bordering Order Nations to Lescatie is treacherous for any human who dares step foot. Several detachments from the Order armies marching through this new demon realm is no easy feat when men were caught by nearby Monsters and female combatants have suddenly turned into monsters at random by entering several areas which is dense with Demonic Energy and needed to be quickly disposed of it.
But after that long hard march, Koyoi, the Knights of the Order, and the Mercenaries reached their destination, Lescatie's main capital.
The monster-slaying Zipangu Priestess stood atop the higher grounds while overlooking the city. There were no hints of emotions in her eyes while scanning the walls if there were possible demonic sentries.
Koyoi turned around to the knight who was standing behind her. "What's the current situation with our men, captain?"
"Still strong as ever, and our numbers have dwindled a little during the march." The Knight Captain replied. "It seems the city isn't aware of our presence coming here. Therefore, we can recapture Lescatie in no time."
"Good. I thought they would put up a fight." Koyoi nodded with a smirk that grew in confidence. "But this will make ours too easy. Captain..."
"Yes, Milady?"
"We should go on an assault while I shall take the underground passage towards the main castle."
"At your command." The Knight Captain bowed before he turns to the other groups of Order Knights. "Rally the army. It's time to retake this country for good!"
Upon his declaration, the Knights raised their sword in the air while the soldiers and mercenaries made their cheerful war cries.
...
Inside the Royal Palace of the Capital, Druella smirked maliciously while watching the soldiers of the Order through her magic orb. Thinking that they would take the city in no time.
... However...
"Lady Druella, the Order has made their move," Wilmarina reported while bowing before the Fourth born of the Royal Makai. "Shall we dispatch them before they will ruin our plans to expand the demon realm?"
"No need... the city is protected with the powerful presence of Demonic Energy." Druella lamented before her lips turned into a smug. "A single step on this protective barrier of ours and the result... they will be turned into incubi and monsters at any moment."
Upon hearing this, Wilmarina looks up at her in surprise and bewilderment. "Wait.. you mean?"
"Yes, more and more shall come to our side~!" Druella explained while sitting up straight and creating a ball made of dark magic that forms upon the palm of her right hand. "We became stronger over the past years and with this power which my mother has created and bestowed on us is incredible. Can't you agree?"
Wilmarina stood a while for a moment before her lips slowly form a lecherous grin with a blush on her cheeks. She bowed to the Fourth Born once more.
"Ah~ How typical of me. Seems I overreact." She said before giggling. "Now I understood~!"
"Fufufu~ Now have some time with your partner~" At this moment, Druella smiled devilishly. "You are dismissed."
...
Wilmarina returned to her quarters and smiled at the boy she loved after being separated from him for years by her family. Elt is leaning against the open window while staring at the moon that hung up in the purplish night sky.
"Elt~ How are you doing, my darling~?" Wilmarina sauntered towards him.
"I'm fine... it's just. It felt like someone's missing here." Elt spoke while reminiscing about someone before he turned to Wilmarina with a saddened look. "Do you know where Sasha is? It's been days since the siege has ended and there were no traces of her have been found."
With a sigh, the incubus hung his head down in worry. "The Orphanage where I grew up was abandoned too. Even Lisia and Emiyu weren't there either."
The Fallen Heroine stood in silence before holding her left arm while looking at him with guilt. "It... feels I'm guilty that I haven't told you about her whereabouts from a couple of days ago."
Upon hearing her words, Elt tilts his head upwards and turned to Wilmarina, hastily grabbing her by the shoulders.
"You... you know where she is?!" Elt asked with a shaken tone filled with anxiety and worry. "Th-Then how is she doing?"
"S-Sasha's fine, but she's not around in Lescatie anymore." The shaken Wilmarina answered honestly. "She escaped during the Siege and made her way to the nearest nation, Gaul."
After hearing about her wellbeing, he stopped shaking her shoulders and made a relieved sigh for a while. But then there was something that came into his mind; why did she leave Lescatie during the Siege? He knew Sasha was an experienced heroine and a powerful warrior of the pious Order of the Chief God who's supposed to defend the nation at all costs and willing to sacrifice her life in the battle, yet what made her convince to seek refuge in another country?
"She isn't alone... the orphans were with her," Wilmarina explained, which made Elt relax in his composure. He is glad that they were alright and unharmed "... and according to the agents. She's seen together with the Silver-Blue Knight, who was responsible for leaving a brutal carnage in the slums."
Then his heart dropped, and his mind stopped with more than a dozen questions filled within his head. Did he hear that right? She's with the infamous Silver-Blue Knight? And was it therefore the reason how Sasha escaped before Lescatie became a demon realm was because the rumoured Knight was the sole case that helped her out? If so, then how and why?
'How did that guy convince her to escape and left the country?' He questioned in disbelief. 'There must be something and I need answers.'
...
Demon Realm Nation of Lescatie, North-Western Region.
...
The two fallen heroines and a single Dhampir arrived at the main encampment of the occupational detachment that belonged to the Demon Lord's Army. Upon their arrival, they made their way towards the commander's tent.
"So Eristia must be in there," Alameria said, before approaching the tent.
"I've heard the last time that her husband was killed by the Silver-Blue Knight," Sandra stated with a grim expression.
Olivier spun around to her companions and made a hushing gesture. "Let's not talk about that topic or else she wouldn't be happy to hear about it."
Once they approached Eristia's main tent, two Dark Knights who were guarding the tent made way for the agents of Demonic Lescatie to enter through. From there, they were met by an orange-haired succubus who stood before the large map, and her right ear perks up, turning around to the three visitors.
Sandra and the two fallen heroines stood back with a flinch once they saw Eristia was giving them a cold glare with tired eyes that hadn't slept for days. That face is unusual for an ordinary succubus. The Dhampir couldn't help but swallowed a lump through her throat, which definitely shows that Eristia has been through some horrific events.
"Oh? I never expect to have visitors today. Then what do you three want?" Her voice was cold which made the three visitors shudder. "Don't question. I presume you were in the search for the Silver-Blue Knight?"
"W-We already knew of his whereabouts," Olivier replied with a slight stutter. "All we want is more information about him."
To Olivier's side, Alameria nodded. "Indeed, since you were the only one who confronted him and survived. We need to know more about his weakness."
Eristia stood silently still until her entire being trembled before they heard her voice emanate a dark giggle until it bursts out into a mad laugh.
"Ha!... Hahahaha! His weakness? Forget it!" Eristia responded until her voice emits spiteful hate. "That bastard will only leave you all in the pits of Hel!"
The three stood back in shock and Sandra stepped forth, speaking up. "What do you mean... by that?"
"What do I mean? The rumours about him don't lie, and that man doesn't screw around when it comes to killing!" Then Eristia's eyes became dilated to that of a madman, which made shivers through their spines. "All of you are hunting is a mad knight that doesn't even care about your well-being. It will only result in your deaths; no matter how many times you begged for mercy."
Sandra was shaken and could've sworn that she felt sweat beads rolling down from her forehead. 'I've never seen a succubus would fall into a state like this. Then could it be the death of her husband that turned her into madness?'
"Damn, she's gone mad." Alameria quietly muttered in discomfort.
"Agreed." Olivier nodded before turning into Eristia and making a respectful bow. "Then we shall take our leave in search of him."
"Tsk, you three are dismissed. But there is one thing I should warn you." Then Eristia shot them a dark, foreboding expression. "I get the feeling that his existence alone is a threat to all mamono and the demon realm itself. When you failed your mission to subject him, then I have no hopes for Druella's goal, and the Demon Realm Nation of Lescatie shall fall."
Once she finishes her sentence, she let out a dark chuckle, which made the three agents feel the shivers on their skin in an uncomfortable sensation within her presence before exiting the tent. Olivier still shivers once she heard Eristia still laughing like an insane person inside her quarters before she noticed an Echidna doctor frantically going inside the tent to inspect their commander's mental instability.
"She's out of her mind," Sandra muttered quietly.
"Yeah, like no one has ever done that to a succubus before," Alameria replied while crossing her arms.
"Therefore, we still have a few days until we reach Gerth," Olivier concluded.
Upon hearing the name of the town, Sandra perks up with an intrigued expression until Olivier speaks up.
"Say, haven't you heard about that fabled town in Gaul was rumoured to be where mamonos there are docile?" Olivier wondered while resting her arms behind the back of her head. "I heard from one of the Agents coined that place is akin to that of a little Demon Realm, but for humans."
"Oh really?" Alameria curiously raises her eyebrow. "I never heard much about that place. But calling that place a Demon Realm for humans is truly unheard of."
"Well, Gaul is a neutral nation, a part of the Federation which bordered near the North-Western regions of Lescatie," Olivier informed before telling some historic details while they were walking out from the camp. "And they neither take sides with the Order nor the Demon Realm. Several decades ago, that nation was invaded once by the Demon Lord's Army, which is led by the Second-Born. But she was ultimately defeated by an unknown hero we never heard about and his name wasn't even mentioned in the Order History books."
"Huh? But I thought the Order send their heroes to protect Gaul during the invasion If I recall my lessons from reading the history books." Alameria's raised her eyebrows in surprise before turning to Sandra. "Do you have any clue?"
"Well, it was a fabricated lie which is made up by the Order as propaganda to look themselves to be better, but my mother tells a different story since she did participate in the invasion of Gaul under the Second-Born." Sandra made a deep sigh before explaining her mother's tales that made a reminiscence to the dhampir from her collective memories. "When I was young, my mother once told me about the Second-Born was defeated in a deadly duel by a Knight of the Sunlight during the Battle of Gerth. The Knight's name is Artos Astora, an unblessed hero which is said to be the son of a Dragon and a rumoured human Saint."
"Wait, an unblessed hero!?" Alameria did not expect to hear such a story.
"Oh wow, I never knew that someone who isn't from the Order could manage to stand up against a Lilim," Olivier commented with surprise and awe. "But what made her invade Gaul?"
"I'm not sure. My mother told me that it was out of jealousy," Sandra replied, feeling unease while explaining the history. "She spoke about the Second-Born loves him very much with all her heart, but he did not love her back whilst he fell in love and married to a Valkyrie from the Pantheon of Ares before the invasion happened."
"Well, that's truly surprising," Alameria blankly stated while crossing her arms until her head perks up in realisation. "But hold on... what was he again? A son of a human saint and... a Dragon?"
The two fallen heroines intervened in their tracks before slowly turning to Sandra with eyes wide in surprise. The Dhampir Agent of the Demon Lord's Army then stared back, dumbfounded, with her eyebrow raised in question.
Alameria, while in disbelief, slowly raised her finger and pointed toward Sandra. "Did you just say that line before... the person who defeated the Second-Born is the son of a Dragon?"
Then their question struck Sandra's mind in realisation.
"Oh, that? You two didn't listen well, huh... He's very well-known in the history books across the Demon Realm. The Astora Family, which currently lived within Gaul's Viola Region, is the only known threat to the Demon Lord." Sandra's explanation made the two standstills. "Those and their direct relatives that inherit the saints' bloodline were immune to demonic energy. Either they are human or a mamono. Thus, only the males and monsters that shared the saints' blood could breed children of both races, but I heard only humans were born first and their genders depend."
Olivier and Alameria dropped their jaws in disbelief after hearing this short new information.
'There exists a family in Gaul that posed a real threat to the demon lord?' Olivier's mind spoke in surprise.
"An entire family and their relatives are immune to demonic energy?" Olivier spoke out in disbelief. "And the direct descendants of the saint could breed both humans and mamono? That sounds like they were blessed!"
"It's what my mother and other scholars have told me. I imagined how they reacted once they first heard about them," Sandra replied before letting out a deep sigh. "But the Astora Family weren't the only ones. There are also fabled groups that shared their similarities, such as the secretive Mirrah Order in Albion, the legendary Carthus Tribe in the Desert Region, and the mythic Eastern Clan in Zipangu."
"Whoa, you mean there's more of them?!" Alameria went pale. "Th-The Order has never taught us about them!"
"Well, in fact, they were a bunch of successful mixed societies and were said to be great at dealing against monster attacks, despite having monsters living among them. Heck, despite the Order never told you about them is obvious that they were against mixed Human-Monster societies." The Dhampir explained once more before sheepishly rubbing the back of her head. "Druella had stated in one of her conversations that they could have been great allies to the Demon Realm as a solution to bring births to males, but the problem is that they have no interest in sharing our ideas."
"That kinda sucks. If they would have accepted our alliance, then the Order would have been defeated decades ago." Olivier huffed while crossing her arms. "Say, they were monster-friendly societies, right?"
"Yes, but according to the scholars from the Sabbath; when a mamono who was married into a family within their society is a bit harsher for any ordinary mamono than what they've expected," Sandra replied with a pitiful sigh. "They do accept monsters, but according to their customs, and in their way of life... they do not want to let monsters do whatever they want to degrade their society's wellbeing while keeping up to their standards, culture, and decency intact. So privacy is highly recommended and very important while monster arts, including literature, are solely restricted for older audiences."
"And... another question. Did the Demon Lord have ever sent out monsters to look for them?" Alameria asked while raising an eyebrow. "It sounds like the Demon Lord's Army has been searching them out for decades."
"They did. Several expeditions were sent but none have ever come back and not even one male person who came from these fabled groups has ever introduced themselves to the Demon Lord." Then Sandra's face turned grim. "Whether if they did find them. They will be killed on sight as enemies for intruding, but I think some lucky ones were married to one of them. It must be the case that the surviving mamono have already integrated into their societies. Plus, they left no slight traces of demonic energy in certain areas they've travelled into."
"Now I'm going to think that those kinds of people don't play around," Alameria said with a shrug while tipping her tricorn hat while turning to Olivier. "But enough history lessons. Let's get this over with and continue on our way to Gaul."
...
Kingdom of Gaul, Viola Region.
...
The two siblings of Farron stepped up on the higher grounds until they caught their sight to overlook the lands across the horizons. Reginald squints his eyes to observe the town while Elen ties up her loose bracelet.
"The town hasn't changed a lot." Reginald mused himself while crossing his arms.
"It's been like that as usual," Elen said with a disinterested look. "To think of it, we're obviously heading towards Horseback Inn. Am I correct?"
Reginald closed his eyes and nodded while smirking inwardly. "Yeah, the obvious place we went a few years back."
"Well then, let's go." Elen then stepped forth to the dirt road. "But I wonder how was Sieglinde doing right now?"
"I heard she'd be working as a waitress nowadays," Reginald said before smirking under his bandana. "I imagined that she'll be surprised once we see her again."
"Yeah... but hey, have you heard the news recently that spread across Gaul?" The Dhampir darted her eyes towards her human brother. "A few days ago, the Theocracy of Lescatie has fallen."
"Welp, there is nothing to do much about it but to help themselves," Reginald replied before eyeing beyond the Town's outskirts where he sees a long trail of caravans filling the traffic on the main road into the settlement's entrance. "Now that's a lot of refugees. Looks like they all hailed from that place."
"Indeed... chaotic isn't it?" Then Elen grimaced. "We wouldn't meet these refugees up close."
Reginald curiously raised his eyebrow. "You're talking about Order fanatics."
Elen nodded before he stated. "Then don't draw your sword. Just punch them in the face."
"Wait, you're letting me do that far?" She stood back in surprise.
"Relax, remember what father has taught us." Reginald chuckled while closing his eyes in reminiscent. "He said a painful punch would be enough to keep them out if they were to provoke us."
Then Elen sweats profusely in worry. "I-I see."
...
Viola Region, Iona Village.
...
Ash stepped through the dirt path and approached the village in the middle of the rural forest. There, he saw a wooden palisade that surrounds the small settlement. But there is something he felt was unsettling.
He heard no sounds and no voices, just an eerie silence. The Knight approached the wooden gates, and it was open while there were no guards around. Once he gets through the main entrance of the village, he saw white roots that spread across the houses, which shows that these are fungi.
"As I thought, this place is beyond saving," Ash muttered while walking deep into the infected settlement.
And there, he saw a figure that groggily walks around. It is a woman wearing tattered clothing, but the most unnerving of all is that there is a large mushroom that sticks on top of her head. The infected villager turns around once she heard the clanking sounds of his armour. She gave out a very lustful expression before walking up to him like an undead.
Ash raised his left arm and his pyromancy flames glowed intensely. Knowing that the entire village was completely infected where no one could survive this area when they breathed the spores that were already airborne. He has dealt with a Matango infestation back in Lescatie before and knew that none of the spores have taken effect on him.
Therefore, he decided to burn down this village before it spreads to another unlucky settlement.
Ash closed his eyes behind his helmet in pity and apologised.
"I'm sorry."
Ash activates the Fire Surge spell and incinerated the infected village woman out of her enraptured misery until she cried out screams of pain. Then he points his palms downwards and incinerates the fungal roots that lead to the other fungal mamonos themselves. Several matangos nearby perked up once they smelled the stench of smoke and burning wood that struck their realisation in horror. They witnessed a Silver-Blue Knight burning the infected fungi and roots in his path.
The matangos screamed in terror, and their cries reached the ears of their husbands. The infected male villagers grabbed their shovels, axes, pitchforks, and other tools to deal with the intruder. Ash made a smirk underneath his helmet visor as if nostalgia hits his memories. It's the Undead Settlement all over again and somehow, things never change.
One of the first male villagers that reached him raised his pitchfork, but Ash dodged his blow by sidestepping and vertically cleaving the entire body of the infected villager in half with his greatsword.
He swiped his pyromancy flame using the same Fire Surge to incinerate his surrounding enemies. The infected men screamed in pain as fires spread through their clothing and some of their still-living burning bodies landed on some nearby haystacks before bursting into flames and the fire continued to spread across the infected village.
The men desperately tried to pin him down, but it was no use when the knight retaliates by hacking and slashing them into pieces with his Claymore. The flames continuously burn as the matangos scream in terror and pain once the fires reached them and were burned alive by the Pyromancy Flames.
The corpses of infected villagers and the combining screams of the matango filled the air like a hundred cries of tormented souls. Such a sight is indeed horrifying to the eyes of many, but Ash knew what it must be done to prevent the spread of infection.
If there was a cure for this... then this shouldn't have happened and their lives were to be spared. But his lack of knowledge would bring dire consequences upon others... and he knew that.
...
"By the Demon Lord..."
On the outskirts of the burning settlement, two Dhampirs watched in horror as they witnessed a horrible sight of a massacre that did to an infected village. But not only that, they saw the Silver-Blue Knight was hacking down the infected male villagers with the large blade of his sword like a madman, and there are no hints of hesitations. There are even several infected, lustful female villagers that tried to reach for him, but they were blazed immediately into charred corpses by his flames.
Daniella couldn't help but swallowed a lump in her throat, while Jane covered her mouth with a fear-stricken expression. Both of them surely knew one thing: that this man alone proves to be inimical towards anyone that stands in his way, and if the fallen heroines were to arrive in Gerth to subdue him will be highly impossible and deaths might occur. His ways how he subjugated the mamono do not play around; they were brutal and also relentless.
"How horrifying." Jane gasped as if she were on the verge of tears.
"S-So the rumours do speak the truth." Daniella silently stutters while her eyes never strayed away from the burning inferno. "Then I wonder how can such a man like him could exist to walk this earth that no mamono could ever tempt him?"
Back in the infected village, the infected settlement that was once a peaceful place was turned into nothing more but dreaded, smoking ruins filled with burned embers and the charred corpses of the infected victims. It seems nothing has survived. Not even the infected children of the village were spared. Ash stood in the middle of the charred hellhole and still hear the screams of burned infected that still carried out the flames.
From a mile away, the people of the nearby surrounding villages witnessed the large black smoke that rose into the skies while they watched in dread, anxiety, and yet in their relief that they knew the fate of their neighbouring infected village has fallen grim. Some village elders prayed to the Chief God and some to their respective deities to those who died.
"Mommy? Why is there a large smoke coming from the forest?" A little village girl, no older than six years old, asks her mother before she was picked up by her arms.
"Well, dear... we are saved." Her mother soothingly replied before closing her eyes and hugging her dumbfounded child.
From the brazen smoke and ash from what was left of the settlement, the Knight walked out from the village entrance and head his way to the nearby human settlement where his client was waiting.
...
"I've finished your quest," Ash spoke stoically behind his helmet.
His client, a village chief, widened his eyes towards the silver-blue knight in surprise.
"Wha-?! My, that is an astonishing feat!" The village chief choked. "Then how did you manage to subdue it? Many adventures came to us with the mission, but none have returned."
"I've burned down the entire settlement," Ash spoke in a monotone voice that made the Village Chief sweats profusely in shock. "As for the adventurers, some that I've seen were already infected by their spores, as well. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to end them."
"I see... how unfortunate. Lest their souls may rest In peace. " The old man hung his head down in sadness before shaking his head and pulling out a feather pen. "Here... I shall sign this. Your completion of the contract."
"Thank you."
The village chief signed down the contract until he gave the request back to the Silver-Blue Knight.
"Also, I have one question before you leave."
Ash slightly turned around and gave him a curious look behind his helmet visor.
"Could you be the rumoured Silver-Blue Knight of Lescatie?" The Village Elder asked. "I've heard by some travellers that there is an unrelenting Knight garbed in silver-blue armour that kills mamono with no hesitation."
The Knight raised his eyebrow, unexpected but not surprising. He sighed inwardly to realise that he's, of course, to be known outside of Lescatie.
"If it's I am? So I've been told." Ash replied in a gruff tone.
"Then what is your name, young lad?"
"The name's Ash, Ash Cyrus," Ash replied before turning his head towards the exit. "Lest not to waste my time and needed to get back to Gerth."
Once Ash stepped out from the house of the Village Chief, he spotted many onlookers watching him curiously, in awe, excitement, and fear as he strolled down towards the village entrance and made his way back to Gerth. Something felt off as Ash felt he was being watched.
Ash turned his head around and spotted a couple of cloaked figures under the tall grasses that both were seemingly watching him from afar until they noticed him where they were and disappeared from plain sight. He didn't like that at all and needs to keep his watch in the surrounding areas.
...
Demon Realm Nation of Lescatie.
...
Koyoi was breathing heavily while sprinting through the hidden passageways which are located underneath the city. Even from several meters from the surface, she can still hear distant clashes of swords, war cries, and moans.
Hearing such moans coming from the surface has awakened something within her that had awakened something and her body becomes seemingly... warmer and felt wet fluids between her legs are leaking out. But the Zipangu Monster slayer shakes her head to ignore those thoughts. She knows that falling into the seductive thoughts of the succubus would make her an easy target, and made her way to the royal palace.
"There's an intruder!"
Koyoi stopped her tracks and spotted two Dark Knights before sheathing both of their silver-demon realm swords. The Priestess weaves her Ōnusa and several magic runes appeared right in front of her, which were aimed against the monsters.
"Under the Three Pillars of Divinity." Koyoi chanted. "Light of Purification!"
The magic runes glowed brightly before it shoots several beams of light against the Dark Knights, causing an explosion through the hidden passageway, and the Dark Knights were seen flying away and hit against the nearby walls before falling unconscious.
'Great, now's my chance.' Koyoi mentally remarked before dashing through the tunnels.
...
Half an hour had passed and a wall to the hidden passageway opened before Koyoi stepped on the grounds of the royal palace. She looks around and seems everything is deserted and not one sentry is present.
'Not even one monster around.'
The Zipangu priestess strolled through the hallways and raised her Ōnusa when ready before she could face the Fourth Born of the Demon Realm. However, as soon as she kept going; she felt some sudden warmth that kept rising within her body, and unknown desires then swelled into her mind.
"Wha-... what is happening to me...?" Koyoi suddenly slowed down while panting heavily. "Ha~... Haa~"
The Zipangenese Priestess immediately closed her mouth once she let out that moan while her mind began to haywire bit by bit. Yet she remained to be calm and mustered her courage. After years of training; her family has taught her strict discipline, and concealing any sorts of emotions is the key aspect to remaining diligent. But something felt really off as if emotions had risen within her inner spirit.
"It can't be..." Koyoi widened her eyes in realisation. "Could it be... the Demonic Energy is slowly corrupting my entire being...?"
While heading straight to the main hallways, Koyoi ended up facing against a massive door that could be the entrance to the throne room, which means Druella was inside there as well. She has no time to think but to open it and face her before the demonic energy would soon corrupts her.
'Just a little more...!'
After opening, her eyes widened in surprise to see someone other than Druella, a succubus riding atop her male partner, who sat on the royal throne. The slapping wet sounds and her moans echoed through the room and Koyoi stood there in disgust, but on the other part of her body, it felt excitement.
"Haa~! Haa~! Ahh~! Elt~!" Wilmarina moaned as the sounds of slapping wetness intensified. "More~! Give me more~!"
Koyoi couldn't do anything but stand there and keep watching them as if they pleased until she felt her heartthrob, then her hand tremble uncontrollably and went to her groin.
"That is the power of our love, my dear heroine~" Suddenly, a couple of hands gently grabbed her by the shoulders and Koyoi glanced back to see the Fourth Born herself with a shaken expression. "Oh dear, seems like the Order has failed once again and the human soldiers are out there? They have already fallen before coming here."
"M-Monster-aaahh~!" Koyoi cursed, but she was soon interrupted once Druella licked her neck, which caused her to moan. "I... I will never-"
"Don't worry... I will make you feel good~" The Fourth Born smiled devilishly. "I heard about you. A demon-slaying priestess from the other side of the world who lacked emotions, but do not fret... I will give you a new world to experience those emotions that you've never felt in your life~"
Koyoi stood with a horrified expression before the Fourth Born overshadowed the heroine priestess while the wings of the lilim spread out.
"After that... you shall join me and I shall lead you to our new paradise, which my mother has envisioned!"
The Fourth Born then violated the priestess by stripping off her clothes. Her cries and moans echoed throughout the eerie palace while outside, the Order Soldiers and Mercenaries were enraptured in lust and debauchery by the unmarried monsters of the demon realm and the monsterized female citizens.
...
"By the Lords... looks like everything is lost, huh..." A man wearing armour under his red ragged cloak spoke in disappointment. "'Lest, I need to retreat from this massive brothel and forget about the request I picked up in Valaria."
The lone mercenary was standing in the midst of an orgy which was supposed to be a battle, now the monsters have turned the tables and his clients were already raped by some of the strongest monsters such as the likes of Dullahans and several Dragons after their armour being stripped off to the ground.
"No time wasted." He muttered before he turned around and dashed through the alleyways to avoid detection. "Gotta find the nearest exit."
The mercenary took to the next corner to the left and went to another path to the right until he saw a sight of an opened gate.
"Escaping this place seems like a piece of cake, I suppose." The mercenary mumbled, dumbfounded while scratching the back of his neck, then shrugged off the thoughts from his shoulders. "Well, then I'm off."
"And where do you think you're going~?" The mercenary stopped his tracks before slightly turning his head around and saw a demon smiling lasciviously at him. "Don't go~! We shall have to make our fun tonight~!"
The mercenary sighed before holding the hilt of his blade. "Forget it."
The unknown Sellsword unsheathes his blade and in one fell swoop, he dissected her head immediately from the main body, leaving the demon's head flying into the air and falling with an eerie thud.
"Don't ever underestimate a man from the Carthus Tribe, harlot." He spoke in a bitter tone while turning around and left the city once he exited through one of the city entrances.
...
After the battle, the human reclamation of Lescatie is an abysmal failure, and other backup plans to recapture it have ceased. The new demon realm nation of Lescatie was turned into a new fortress for the monsters and considered a threat amongst the Order higher-ups. In the neighbouring Order Nations, many have feared that the only sole light for mankind has fallen into the hands of monsters, and some have known that the Order of the Chief God couldn't win the war against the increasing monster's expansion.
While humanity clings to their faith for the Chief God to find hope to fight back against the expanding monsters of the demon realm, one out of many old oracles has cited a long-lost secret prophecy.
...
Order Nation of Valaria, Capital of Hohesburg.
...
Joshua Rainer strolled through under the dark alleyways of the city's capital and came up to the nearest door that secluded itself from the rest of the public. He knocked on the door twice and heard a muffled voice.
"Come in."
An Order Scholar walked inside the building and the vicinity within is indeed dark, foreboding and the only source of light is a candle that was dimly lit on the table. There he saw an old woman wearing a cloak and saw a crooked smile on her face covered by its dark shadow.
"Oh, my... the same ol' curious visitor." The old woman said with a greeting gesture. "Let me guess. You came for my knowledge, yes?"
"I am... only after that I have read some scripts from some ancient text," Joshua explained before he made a defeated sigh. "I asked the higher-ups for some answers, but they have no clue, nor have the knowledge."
"Oh dear, seems like the Order will be out for your head if they hear that the war isn't in their favour." The old woman then chuckled before Joshua frowned and handed her a tablet with ancient descriptions. "A curious scholar, aren't you? But consider yourself lucky. I wasn't even a follower of the Order since birth."
"So... could you read it what it means? Since the language is pagan, it is similar to your ethnic language." Joshua asked with a curious expression.
The old woman reads the first texts and widened her eyes in surprise before looking up to the Order Scholar.
"Well... what an amazing find... this is old Sindria Language, and it shows a prophecy about the outcome of the unending war." The old woman explains. "This tablet of clay was written during the times when the Demon Lord herself has recently usurped the throne."
"Then what does it say? Is there hope that the Order has succeeded or... did we fail?"
"It says here in the inscription; 'the outcome of the unending war shall end by the feats of the Outworlders and their descendants. From there on, they will bring forth to a new, uncertain age.'" The old woman translated before her eyes raised in concern. "... oh dear, it does not state about the Order's victory or the victory of the Demon Lord."
Joshua widened his eyes in disbelief. Outworlders? Impossible, as if they could exist. Which means the ancient Oracle texts stated that they were the only hope and decided to bring the world to peace? If so, then where could he find one? The Order Scholar was in deep thoughts before the old woman returned the tablet to Joshua and asked.
"From where did you find that tablet?"
"Under the Ancient Sindria Ruins. One of the high-ranking priests made an appraisal spell, which reveals that it's an Oracle tablet." Joshua replied. "But none of us could read it or what it even means, but since I know you're the only one in this place who can understand Ancient Sindria texts. Therefore, you have my thanks."
"Oh, don't be. Now out with you."
After that, Joshua bid the woman farewell before exiting the house and making his way to the Order Barracks.
'So it is an ancient prophecy that outworlders will end the war!' His mind thought in deeply before making a tired sigh. 'But who are these outworlders? I just need more information and if I can meet one of these Outworlders by myself. Then there will be hope and the spread of the monsters can be contained!'
...
... One day later...
...
Kingdom of Gaul; Viola Region, Town of Gerth.
...
It was night and Ash stood in front of his rented house. He opened the door, and the sound creaked. His head perked up once he heard voices of laughing children coming from the living room and another male voice was heard... is that Siegward?
Ash walked through the hallway and arrived in the living room. There he saw Siegward sitting on a chair while the children were awestruck at hearing his story.
"And thus we have slain the giant demon on the Undead Settlement and... oh! Well, look at here children, there's the hero of the story!" Siegward said jovially while pointing to the Elite Knight. The orphans perk up before turning around to see him and are overjoyed by his return. "Children! Please be quiet and let the man rest. He has gone through a rough journey."
"Although, it wasn't really rough." Ash muffled behind his helmet before sitting on the nearest wooden chair. "By the way, where's Sasha?"
"Oh, she's in the kitchen while making stew," Siegward said before standing up. "She'll be overjoyed of your return since you hadn't come back for a day and she is waiting for you."
"I've imagined that as well, no surprise," Ash stated plainly before Siegward nodded and heads straight to the kitchen. Ash made a tired sigh while crossing his arms before one of the orphan girls walks up to him and asked.
"Mister Cyrus, is that true when uncle Siegward says Lothric is a very dangerous place?"
The Knight darts his eyes to the orphans who were curiously staring at him. 'It seems he told a lot...'
"Well, yes. It is a very dangerous place and monsters there do not fool around whilst they come and hack any poor foolhardy lads to pieces with no hesitation." Ash's explanation of his journey made unease among the orphans. "But Lothric isn't the first land I've ventured... My very first adventure took place when I went to the fabled land that people have spoken of from myths and legends."
Then Lisia perks up while raising her right hand. "Oh! Oh! Then what's it called?"
Ash looks at her with a quite surprising look before sighing and smirking under his helmet. "I... was getting to that. The very first adventure I went into that place is the Land of the Ancient Lords, Lordran."
Then the children reassembled and sat near the former undead Elite Knight while hearing his story. "But first, let me tell you the Legends before how that land came to be."
The children sit as quietly still as possible along with their expressions filled with excitement until Ash cleared his throat for a while and then recited the lines of an old tale.
"In the Age of Ancients, the world was unformed, shrouded by fog. A land of gray crags, Archtrees, and Everlasting Dragons... But then there was Fire. And with Fire came Disparity."
...
"He came back?" Sasha's eyes widened in surprise. "Is he-"
"He's fine and currently sitting in the living room." Siegward interrupts with an answer. "Well, now he's telling some interesting tales to the children. Lest you have to greet your acquaintance a warm welcome."
Sasha placed the cooking spoon aside on the nearest wooden table and left the half-covered pot that is still boiling with stew.
"Watch the stew for me, Siegward."
"No pressure." The Onion Knight hummed while waving his hand before she left the kitchen. Then Siegward looked over the stew. "Oh dear, seems like you forgot to add some herbs."
Sasha arrived in the living and smiled at Ash, who was in the midst of sketching for a drawing while surrounded by children.
"So what does the Taurus Demon look like?" Emiyu questioned while raising her hand. "You said that the monsters there are nothing like the Mamono."
"Be patient. I've just finished drawing." Ash hummed before placing the pencil aside. "There we go. Now here's what the beast looked like."
Once he showed a very detailed depiction of the beastly demon; the children were awed to see the lifelike image of an actual monster, and to the mamono children, some were taken aback once they saw the drawing itself give off a fearful vibe. When Sasha came over to look closer, her eyes widened in shock.
'It's the same beast from the dream!'
"Whoa! Is that how it looks like?" Ralph chimed while observing the drawing. "Now that's a real monster!"
"It looks scary, thou..." commented a young Orc Mamono with a disturbed look while hiding behind Ralph.
"To think of it, the Undead he fought through must be very scary looking," the young Jennifer stated, which made her shudder in fear. "A walking rotten dead body with black eyes or sometimes red. That doesn't sound pretty at all."
"And he says they were tough too," Michael added. "Tougher than the zombies!"
Ash made a warm smile behind his helmet to see the children have the looks of awe and interest, letting them imagine such horrifying creatures that exist and lived throughout his journeys before looking up to see Sasha standing behind the couch while still staring at his drawing with an anxious expression.
"I've heard that you cooked stew for tonight." His voice made her head perk up in realisation. "So... now it seems you've seen the first drawing of a real monster that dwells in the land where I hailed from."
"It's... truly surprising indeed. But I'm glad to see you safe." She replied before giving off another warm, yet nervous, smile. "Well, the stew's finished. So children, let's eat!"
The children moaned in distraught before they slowly head off to the dining room.
"But big sister! Ash was going to tell his story in Sens Funhouse!" Emiyu said with a pleaded look while Ash choked while holding off a chuckle.
"It's called Sens Fortress, not Funhouse." Lisia sternly corrected.
"Actually, I nicknamed that placed," Ash spoke while making a sheepish smirk. "The reason I named that fortress is that it's full of deadly traps and serpent men. Quite a funhouse to me that is meant for dedicated warriors."
The two girls shuddered at his statement before leaving for the dining room. Ash slowly removed his helmet and placed it on the nearby table.
"So how was the mission?" Sasha asked.
"It's... kinda messy," Ash replied in a gruff tone. "The village was beyond help, so I... put it out of their misery."
The Warrior Nun couldn't help but look down with sadness to hear the village's fate. She could see the void in his eyes after mentioning the mission, and she clearly knew that his method of dealing with the mamono was outright cruel. But he has no other options. He mentioned once if such situations were dire and beyond help, then the only thing he has to do was to end them to prevent another tragedy.
"Reality is indeed cruel." Sasha's face turned dark while silently uttered. "When I devoted myself to being a hero, my goal is to make everyone happy."
"Huh, 'making everyone happy. Truly a very optimistic goal." Ash snarked a bit at her remarks, which made her flinch in realisation. "But somehow the truth hurts. None can be happy without experiencing sadness, and that's what disparity is all about. Happiness needs to have a meaning from achieving a goal in purpose through hardships."
Sasha bit her lips. His words were indeed true. How can anyone be happy without experiencing the hardships and sadness of others and one's self? Her goal sounds like it was indeed selfless, but was it worth it to achieve that desire?
"Their goals were similar but varied and depending on the situation. People laugh, people cried, either they lived or they die. The list goes on and all of them had a meaning or sometimes, meaningless in life." Ash explained further, while Sasha understand his quite comprehensive philosophical statement. "Humans have a free will to do what it wants while monsters do it by sheer instincts. If there were monsters who have naturally a free will, as humans do, then there are no complaints."
"Uhm, right. I see, but let's get this talk over with." Sasha said while turning around and heading for the dining room and Ash soon followed. "But I have to ask one question. What was that creature you draw on the parchment?"
"That creature? It's a Taurus Demon, one of the most dangerous demons from the mythical underground civilization of Izalith." Ash explained as Sasha carefully listened to the lore. "Izalith was once the home to the disciples who yearned for the long-lost magic arts of Flame Sorcery. But now, it was a den of bloodthirsty monstrosities."
Then, at this point, Sasha shuddered. "But what happened to it?"
"The cause of the downfall is due to the Witch of Izalith, the founder of that underground civilization... was experimenting a new type of magic." Ash then explained with a bit of a lie. "It went awry and scorched the entire civilization to ashes before it gave birth to horrible demons."
His tale shook her soul to the very core. 'How terrifying and to think of it... That beast I saw earlier in my dreams is one of them and facing such a creature would be indeed, very challenging.'
...
Kingdom of Gaul, Northern Corse region.
...
Under the caverns of the mountainous area of the region. Several Dark Knights and Succubuses entered the area that gives of dark and foreboding malice.
"I've heard there is a recent rumour about this place." Spoke a succubus while looking around the cavern walls. "It is said that there are actual monsters that look more hideous than the mamono themselves, which they reside in this place."
"Real monsters? What a joke." The Dark Knight scoffed while leaning her silver-demon sword by the shoulders. "How can there be any real monsters? I mean, all the monsters around the world have turned into girls."
"Maybe there could be monsters that resisted the demon lord's magic." One of the Dark Knights theorised. "If that could be the case."
"Well, let's not stay here and prattle. Let's go." The Ogre grunts while hefting up her wooden club.
When the monsters stepped into the dark tunnels even further, the Dark Warrior swore she felt a foreboding and malicious vibe that made her uncomfortable, which she had never felt like this for years.
"Up there!" The Ogre points out towards a large entrance.
Once they've stepped in, they were surprised that the place they've stumbled up into was a colossal cavern in size and there were walled ruins that spread across the area. From what they saw were massive ruins and buildings in a distance, a sign of an unknown civilization that is standing right underneath the mountains of the Northern Corse Region.
"Whoa! Now, this is a great find." Said one ogre in surprise within the expeditionary group.
The mamono of the Demon Lord's Army took their first steps of the unknown civilization by going down the nearest staircases and some of them shuddered once they saw a dusty corpse of a Knight that sat against the wall and several spears were lodged on the unfortunate fellow. But what made them intrigued and raising their eyebrows curiously upon closer inspection, the corpse gave off a human scent, but the height of its body is unusually taller than an average human being.
"I've never seen a corpse of a human male this tall." The Ogre remarked in awe while raising her hand above her head just to measure. "But whatever happened to him is just unfortunate."
When the group went further deep down through the ruins by following the path above the massive walls that headed straight towards a place that looks like a city. The only living thing that the Succubus first saw when her eyes met a figure which is standing alone in the midst of their path. It was a Knight wearing a blue cape and hefting the largest sword that she has never seen before while the Knight's massive blade leans on its shoulders until she smelled something through the air that made her aroused.
"Ooh~... Aaah~!" The succubus moaned. "It has a scent of a human male, teehee~!"
The Succubus flew over to the Knight while the other mamonos stood back as if no problem was going to happen, but in fact; they were monsters, and monsters of the demon realm were meant to find a husband and copulate with them to live for the rest of their lives. Having them raping men was not a big deal, right?
"Oh, hello dear~! Are you lost?" The Succubus greeted with a tease while the Knight stood still and tensed, and its darkened face slightly turned to the mamono. "Don't worry, why not just lay down and have some fun?"
As soon as the Succubus hugged the Knight, the Ogre sensed that something was wrong. Once the Knight fully turned around and looks down at the being that hugged him before she looks up to meet her "Husband", her eyes went wide in surprise and shock upon seeing his face.
The man she has been hugging and loathed for is nothing more but a rotten corpse with hollowed eyes and exposed teeth, but that's not all. Both of its eyes flashed red like blood all of a sudden, which made an icy chill that ran through her spine.
"In...truder." The being spoke with a rotten, bone-chilling male voice. "Eliminate."
The Succubus saw that the living corpse began hefting up its sword and brought down the pommel that smacked against her face and fell flat to the ground. Her comrades raised their weapons in retaliation while expressing fear for the first time to witness some sort of abomination unlike their own. While the Succubus tried to escape, the Knight immediately brought down its blade and vertically sliced her body from head to toe in two separate parts.
Once after witnessing her death, the Dark Knights, Warriors, and other mamono tensed in terror while raising their magic and weapons, while some of the victims' closest friends wept at such a brutal sight. Just before they were ready to attack, they start to notice something was actually going wrong, as if several rotten corpses in their surrounding area pulsated and slowly rising from the ground. The mamonos stepped back in horror once they saw their decaying faces that show no signs of hesitation and knew immediately what they had in mind; all of them have an intent to kill.
Thus they saw one massive bloated Knight, which stood up from a big heap of rubble. It had small wings while holding a dementing-looking halberd while its deep breathing intensified.
"Eliminate..." The Knight spoke once more that caused fear and dread that gripped the hearts of the expeditionary group. "Eliminate the enemies... of Lothric!"
Chapter 8: Ends