Chapter 6: Prelude to the Beasts

This place is depressing.

All around the city, wherever Garagaran went the scenery was almost always the same. Frightened women, starving children and wounded men. This scenery greeted her almost everywhere she went. There were millions of refuge seekers from all over the country and the Draconic Kingdom capital could no longer care for them. Where she walked starving mouths stared, silently pleading for food. Apparently crime in the city was rising, diseases were spreading and many young women had resorted to selling their bodies on the streets. The only place untouched was the Noble District. From what she had heard the pompous shits had tried to force the queen to close the gates to stop more asylum seekers from entering the city.

"This is currently the worse place our leader could have sent us to," Tina said, as if she had read her companion's thoughts.

Their leader, Laykus of the Re-Estize Kingdom's Adamantite team Blue Rose had sent them to this place in order to get their strength back up to the level it had been before their encounter with the demon Jaldabaoth. Both Laykus and Evileye as well as Tina had felt their progress was too slow and that they needed to get their strength back as soon as possible. They were sent here because fighting in life and death situations improved skills much faster than training. There was a war coming and they would be needed.

The Draconic Kingdom was on its last legs. If the attack on the capital succeeded the kingdom would be finished. The people here would become nothing more than a food source for the invading beastmen. As a human and one with considerable power, Gargaran could not let the men-eating monsters overrun the Draconic Kingdom. That's why she had readily agreed to come to this place. This was one of the few nations in which humans were not treated as slaves or food. It could not be allowed to fall.

"When are we meeting the rest of the assault squad?" Tina asked.

They had just finished meeting with the queen who had explained the countries desperate situation to them. They had been assigned to the elite assault squad under the command of Cerebrate the Fierce Flash of the Draconic Kingdom's Adamantite group Crystal Tear. From what Gargaran heard the man was skilled with the blade, but an insufferable shit with an eye for young girls.

"In one and a half hours," she answered. "We should probably stock up on goods before we meet them. I don't want to have to run around in the last minute searching for useful items."

Dusk was fading and night was falling. It was about eighteen hours before the estimated arrival of the Beastmen Army at the city gates and Gargaran wanted to take a few of those hours to sleep. The Beastmen Army was estimated to be around eighty thousand and she was not going to be anything less than fully rested before she took them on.

"I heard the Slane Theocracy sent some of their people as well," Tina said as they walked towards the mages guild. "Some members of one of their secret units. Apparently the empire sent aid too, one of the Four Knights."

Gargaran gritted her teeth when she heard that. "Those traitors are sending someone? I'm surprised."

Right now the most hated nation in the vicinity was not the expected Sorcerous Kingdom, but the Baharuth Empire, who had sold their souls to the dreaded Sorcerer King. Before the monster had appeared the only country that hated them had been the Kingdom. No one else cared much back then, it had been a fight between humans. But then they showed their treachery. They betrayed their own kind and sided with an undead, let the monster massacred over a hundred thousand people and then got themselves vassalised by the despicable nation. Their actions were unforgivable.

"Reign in your anger now Muscle Head," Tia said, noticing her teammate's facial expression. "The situation in this country is quite desperate. We need all the help we can get. Why not wait until we beat the beasts back before you kill him, or better yet, don't do anything. Attacking the Empire's Four Knights would be a declaration of war on the Empire and by extension the Sorcerous Kingdom. Even if you're an Adamantite level Adventurer no one back home apart from Laykus will raise finger to protect you from that monster. They'd offer you up on a silver platter just to appease him."

That was one of the things that angered Gargaran the most. Everyone was so scared of that damned undead, not that she did not understand. She too had met an unfathomable existence by the name of Jaldabaoth and she had died within seconds of the encounter, but that did not make her quake in her pants every time she heard his name. The nobles of the Kingdom were damned cowards! At this point they would do anything in their power not to anger the monster.

It wasn't long before the two of them arrived at the Mages Guild headquarters. The place was surprisingly lively. There were over two dozen people in the guild hall, and it seems they were all watching the argument taking place at the receptionist's desk.

"What do you mean I'm lying?" The voice came from a white haired short haired girl who looked just a few years younger than Tia. "Why is it so hard to believe I can use 6th Tier magic? Is it not common?"

The receptionist was looking down at the girl with a annoyed expression. "Young Lady, it is clear from that statement that you know nothing of magic. 6th Tier Magic is in the realm of Legends. Only one man in history has ever accomplished it."

"Then you're all pathetic!" the girl was angry. "I can cast 6th Tier magic and I'll show you!"

At this point the reception's irritation turned to a condescending smile. "Why don't you show us a lower tiered spell. Something like [Fly] will do."

Silence followed for a while. The girl's silent voice echoed across the entire hall.

"I don't know how to."

The entire hall erupted in laughter, causing the girl to turn red from anger and embarrassment. "Bitch! I show you!"

A young man standing nearly two metres tall stepped towards the reception. Gargaran had not seen him when she had entered so he must have come in after her. The man walked up to the desk, muttered "excuse me" to the receptionist and whispered something in the girl's ear. The young woman seemed to visibly calm down. Her face took on a dignified expression and she turned her back on the reception.

"Forget it," she said sternly. "Your guild is a joke. Not like there's anything you can teach me. We're leaving Ramiel."

"Yes Chi- Oujo-sama," the young armoured man responded.

The girl left without another word and the young warrior followed obediently. After the doors closed behind them the entire guild hall once more erupted in laughter, talking about how stupid the girl thought them to expect them to believe her outrageous lies. Gargaran stopped listening to them and approached the reception.

"Welcome to the Mages Guild." The receptionist now wore the polite expression that was expected of her profession. "How may I help you?"

"I'm looking for healing potions, antidotes and any kind of item that might increase my chances of survival considerably," she stated. "By the way, who was that?"

The receptionist shrugged, her irritation returning. "No idea, just some noble brat who tried to join the guild and expected special treatment."

"Oh," Gargaran said dismissively. Such situations were common. There was nothing to worry about.

Tia however did not feel the same way. As one of Blue Rose's scouts she had been training her senses merciless because she had failed to sense the strength of Jaldabaoth last time and it had cost her dearly. The white haired girl chilled her to the bones. The same could be said about her companion. Those two were very dangerous.

"I can't believe this!" Shiva growled minutes after they had left the Mages Guild. "That stupid bitch!"

The only reason had not put the receptionist in her place was because Ramiel advised her against it. If 6th tier Magic was really the stuff of legend it would be unwise to cast it because it would draw too much attention. She was lucky he had arrived when he did to stop her from doing something so foolish.

Ramiel listened to her rant without saying anything. When she finished he simply asked. "Should I go back and destroy them?"

Although he looked calm on the outside the Archangel was seething on the inside. Those foolish mortals in their ignorance dared to insult and laugh at his Father. It was a sin of the highest degree. The only reason the great ruler of Zion did not have flight magic was because there was no need. Angels were born with the power of flight. It would be ridiculous and utterly wasteful for them to learn such magic. There could be no forgiveness for disrespecting his parent. Every Archangel, even kind Gabriel, would have felt the same way. The fools needed to be punished.

"No," the ruler of Zion said, regaining her calm once more. "Destroying them over something so mundane would be small-minded of us. Do not attack anyone unless they attack you first and even then do not use lethal force unless you have no choice. Plus, we still have to maintain cover. Do not expose your true form until I say so."

Unlike the rest of his siblings Ramiel was patient and always thought before he acted. If it had been one of the others, especially Uriel or Sariel, the Mages Guild hall would have been reduced to cinders in an instant. Jophiel would have trapped them in some kind of nightmare win which they would experience their worst fears for all eternity and the other three would just outright kill them. Ramiel had stayed his hand because he had suspected his Father would tell him not to kill them.

"Yes Oujo-sama," he replied.

"Now," Shiva looked around. "Where is Nia?"

"He's back at the Adventurers Guild. He'll contact us as soon as he hears something important."

Ramiel did not trust Niahoggr. He was an outsider to Zion and although he was not a threat he could tell someone Zion would consider a threat about their ruler. Not that he would do it now, when his real body was back in Eden, but one day when he goes free he might reveal critical information to outsiders. Michael had instructed him to watch the dragon and he intended to do so. However, his priority was of course the last remaining El. In the absence of his siblings, away from the Flying Fortress, he should not be away from her for long. It shamed him that he had been away from her for hours today.

"Okay," Shiva said. "Let's walk around. I would like to see the state of the city."

When they had first entered the city she had not given its state and that of the people attention. Back in her old world whenever a city or country took in refugees it always resulted in trouble. Crime and violence would increase and the asylum seekers would get all the blame. Xenophobia would increase to the point where the citizens would take matters in their own hands and attack the foreigners in an attempt to drive them out of their land. As she walked around the city she saw that the residents of the capital had already begun to get violent and were blaming displaced for the shortage of food and every other problem, some which had been present even before the refugees came. Shiva was disgusted by them. Grown men were picking on a little girl and a toddler boy.

"Would you look at that?" she said out loud, making sure they heard her. "Grown men picking on children, where's the courage in that that?" Both men turned to her angrily and were about to tell her off or even attack her but the gigantic figure of Ramiel clad in armour made their words die in their throats. "Get out of here," Shiva said as venomously as she could. They did not need to be told twice.

With the men gone Shiva went on one knee and asked the children if they were alright. The girl nodded but a second later it seemed like a dam had broken and she started crying uncontrollably. The young boy followed soon after. Shiva soothed them to the point where they could talk and asked them why they were alone and where their parents were. The girl shrugged. Feeling sorry for the children, she gave them each a gold coin and told them to get something to eat before she left them.

The state of the city was truly depressing with prostitutes in the open streets offering themselves to any willing person for even a single copper. The city slumps were packed with more refugees than any of the other places combined and they all looked the same; sick, hungry or both.

"Oujo-sama," Ramiel called to her while they passed by the poor souls. "Why are the people in charge not doing anything to help these people?"

As one who had always lived in Zion he could not understand. How could the leaders of a country neglect their people? He knew that comparing this place with the Flying Fortress was not fair as most inhabitants of Zion had no need for food. However, he found it hard to understand why the rulers of this city allowed their people to starve when they clearly had enough money and food to help them. The Elohim would never do something like that.

"Humans are selfish creatures Ramiel," Shiva spat. Back in her old world seeing people in such a state was common place. Everyone was numb to the suffering of others. "They do not care for suffering of others as long as they are well off. Many of them would even take from those who have almost nothing just to improve their position. It's appalling."

She found herself standing in the middle of a street surrounded by countless refugees and stopped. She raised her hands and began to cast a spell. [Widen Magic][Enhanced Maximize Magic: Major Heal]. The surroundings lit up and everyone who was touched by the light of the 8th tier healing spell began to look better. The sores of the wounded closed, the fatigue of the tired vanished, the hunger of starving disappeared and the sickness of the diseased was cured. When the people realised who had cast the spell they all surrounded her and praised her. Some even fell to their knees and it looked like they were worshiping her. The entire scene made her uncomfortable. She was no holy figure that needed to be revered. She grabbed Ramiel and teleported out of the slums. They appeared in front of the inn where they had booked rooms for the night. It was of course in the Noble District so there wasn't a single refugee in sight, at least not a poor one.

"It's almost midnight," she said after taking a breather. "Let's go get Nia. He must be bored out his mind in the Adventurers Guild."

The gates of the Draconic capital opened at the break of dawn, but not to let people in. Fifty thousand soldiers filed out. More than half of these men were really conscripts from the refugees that had entered the city. The trained elites of the Kingdom stood on the walls and on the other side of the gate. This would be the Draconic Kingdom's last stand. If the beastmen won here the country would be lost.

Ahead of the army, in his red and gold armour, was Cerebrate. He had a cocky look as he stared at the horizon. He was a handsome man with considerable skill, but a total jerk. That was how Tia felt about him. After meeting him the previous evening she contemplated leaving the assault team and would have probably done so if not for her teammate. Gargaran hated the arrogant prick's guts too, but she would never abandon the people of this country to their fate. As Adventurers she felt it was their duty to protect the human race. Tia felt the same way too, though to a lesser degree.

Still. She looked around at the shady Slane Theocracy people. They never introduced themselves, but they radiated strength. Walking with them was one of the Empire's Four Knights Gale Nimble Ark Dale Anock. Although he had seemingly come to lend a hand and even brought a small elite force of five hundred Imperial Knights no one was talking to him due to his association with the Blood Emperor and by extension, the Sorcerer King. No one was in a cooperative mood it seems. They knew nothing about each other's abilities and skills and most were unwilling to team up with each other. Everyone was going to fight in the team they knew and were used. Tia got a migraine just thinking about it. Everything would end in a disaster.

She fingered the silver ring on her finger. Evileye had created two of them and they were given to both she and Garagaran. The rings were imbued with tracking magic and could be used to message her if the situation got out of hand. The rest of the team promised to appear immediately after they are contacted.

"Everything will be alright," Gargaran suddenly said, as if she had read her thoughts. The muscular woman smiled at her. "Even if it won't be our leader and chibi will come through for us. I'm sure these beastmen won't be a match for Chibi."

Tia turned her gaze to the horizon. Originally the scouts sent out had reported that the Beastmen Army would arrive around noon, however, recent intelligence confirmed that they would arrive shortly after daybreak, any time soon. She could feel the ground shaking. A large army was approaching, much larger than the one they had. She hardened her heart and prepared for what was coming.

It was going to be a long and brutal battle.

"Chichi-ue, are we not going to help them?"

Shiva and Ramiel were standing atop the city walls, watching the battle that would take place below. Soldiers and archers lined the wall in great numbers but no one took note of them. The two were using [Lack of Presence]. It was a high level skill which could only be used by angels of the first order. The skill made them invisible and intangible to all who were not angels or demons. They in turn could not interact with the other races and had to become visible in order to attack. Although [Lack of Presence] made them intangible, it unfortunately did not give them the power to walk through walls and they could be detected by creatures with a high enough detection skill.

"For now we will stand back and watch," Shiva responded to Ramiel's question. "Maybe they will push back the beastmen attack on their own."

"I've heard that beastmen are ten times stronger than humans and they eat humans," Ramiel stated unhappily. It was clear to Shiva he wanted to help the people.

Of course Ramiel had relayed to her all he had heard about the invaders. Back in Yggdrasil there had been beastmen but coming to this world has taught her many things. The creatures in this world were not as strong as they were back in the game and they might be different, like those trolls she had met a few days ago. That particular breed had not existed in Yggdrasil.

Apparently the beastmen were trying to conquer the Draconic Kingdom to use it as a breeding farm for human meat. The whole idea behind it disgusted Shiva. The fact that one sentient creature would eat another was repulsive. After this battle she would remove all the beastmen from the captured cities.

However, now was too soon to interfere. It was unknown whether the beastmen would prevail. As the only nation in the vicinity governed by a fellow woman she wanted to have ties with it and she wanted to have the higher ground when she makes a deal. If she were to intervene now when the threat level had not been ascertained it would be all for nothing. She was of course not going to say this to Ramiel.

"Don't worry," she smiled at him. "I will wipe them out before they enter the city."

None panicked more at the sight of the Beastmen Army the Queen Draudiron Oriculus. Her small body shivered in fear as she witnessed thousands of beastmen appear from beyond the horizon. The fearsome creatures were humanoids of every carnivorous type. Canine, feline, she even noticed primates in the mix. They had no formation. Their general did not call for a halt to see the size of their enemies and gauge the strength. From beyond the horizon they sprang and charged straight into the smaller human army.

As the two armies impacted she silently prayed to all the gods she knew and even those she did not know for a victory. Today she stood on the wall not only to encourage the soldiers and raise their spirits, but because it was the best spot for her wild magic to be most effective against the invading army. Should the Assault Team fail their objective the soldiers inside the city would start killing the citizens in order to increase her power. What she prayed for mostly was for her not to have to resort to that method.

There was another reason she came to watch the battle from atop the walls.

Last night she had a dream. Not a regular dream but a vision. As a result of wild magic she was able to glimpse visions of the future, but they were always unclear and never easy to understand. However, she believed she interpreted this vision well enough. In the vision she was standing atop the wall just as she was now, looking down at the unfolding battle outside the city. She could see her army clearly but not beastmen. They were simply silhouettes with claws and fangs invading, spreading their darkness and consuming her army. Before they could completely consume her army though, a white dove descended upon the battlefield. It landed in the middle of the dark shapes and began to radiate with a light brighter than any she had ever seen, causing the dark figures to disintegrate in its presence and completely eliminating them.

That dream gave her hope that help would come. Her people would prevail. When the white dove descends they would be victorious.

there was a chance she had misinterpreted the dream. However there was nothing she could do about it. All she could do was pray and hope for the best.

-END-

Character Stats

Heteromorphic Races

Akai Suzaku: The Red Beast of the South

Job: One of the Sacred Beasts of Eden

Alignment: Good, Sense of Justice: 200

Racial Level: Imp 10

Phoenix 10

Other

Job Level: Manipulator 10

Expert Manipulator 10

Master Manipulator 6

Elemental Mage 10

Beast 5

Others

Racial Level: 22, Job Level: 61, Total Level: 83

Ability Charts

HP: 55, MP: 70, PHYATK: 25, PHYDEF: 60, AGI: 45, MAGATK: 55, MAGDEF: 70, RESIST: 60, SPECIAL: 60