Chapter Five: Faith

While blood tainted the frontlines, at the rear of the Human Empire Army, smokes rose and another conflict erupted. The Mountain Goblins that managed to slip past Knight Eldrie's lines were nearing the Supply Corps' storage tents. The meager forces left as guards had failed to halt their advance and fell back. Those that had been able to blitz through the frontline was the absolute cream of the crop among the Mountain Goblin clan, and with ease, they tore a trail of destruction through the few defenders.

First a slash across his chest, then a sounding blow, another solider of the Supply Corp was hurled away as a corpse with two Goblins now standing happily in victory. Rejoiced, the creatures failed to notice imminent danger.

Two swift cuts and a gushing noise saw their heads detached and rolled away without them ever realizing it. Powerful but agile were the two youngest Integrity Knights, Fizel and Linel, piercing through the barricades of Goblins as they raced to the rear camps as quickly as they could manage.

"Why are there Goblins this far back?" questioned Fizel, concerned with the grim situation.

"Zel, there are more than we thought. There might be too many for us to push back on our own." Her companion quickly remarked.

"Why isn't Renlicchi defending the area ahead like he's supposed to?"

Before Linel was given a chance to answer, a Goblin jumped towards her but narrowly missed as she ducked and cut it in halves while sliding past the spot. Linel stopped coolly and casually in her tracks as another towering Goblin appeared out of the smoke screen, inches away from slicing her. However, before any harm could be dealt, Fizel swooped in and beheaded it.

The duo looked forward and saw the storage tents of the Supply Corps.

"I knew it," Linel said finally, "that coward!"

"Get up! You have to return to your position." Knight Renlicchi berated himself as he hid within the tent furthest from the front line.

Amongst the boxes of supplies meant to last the imperial army through the war cowered Knight Renly as he trembled at the thought of the frontline.

"No…even if I were there, I'd only be in the way." The emerald-haired young man said to himself, ashamed and discouraged.

"Renly." A cold voice spoke as the knight closed his eyes in disgrace.

"Renly." He heard again as he opened his eyes, diving into the memory of the last time the Pontifex had summoned him.

Before the divine ruler of the Axiom Church knelt Renly, once a distinguished knight of great talents, but now rendered a failure without achievements.

"You…seem to be broken."

"Broken?"

"You are a failure! A defective knight!" screamed the nearby Prime Senator Chudelkin mockingly.

"Renly, it seems I have no choice but to sentence you to cryostasis." The Pontifex stated flatly, "After all, despite being chosen as master of those Twin Edged Blades, you have not even once managed to achieve Perfect Weapon Control Art with them. As a knight, you are lacking something crucial."

The knight watched in horror as the alluring woman slowly stepped away.

"Good night, Renly."

"Ooh! Her Holiness bid thee good night? What a lucky knight you are!" Chudelkin continued his sarcastic insults. "I'm so jealous!" With a swing of his hand, the pudgy Prime Senator casted the Sacred Art ordered by his master. Renly remained idle while a swift purple light surrounded him, transforming his shape into rock.

"Failure…I'm a –"

"A failure…" Renly repeated his final thought from years ago aloud as his eyes widened in fear. "It doesn't matter whether I'm there or not."

While the crestfallen knight lowered his head once more, the portiere of the tent was opened and in came two voices.

"What about here?"

"Yeah, this tent looks safe."

Surprised, Renly treaded carefully and peaked through the stored goods.

"It's dark, so don't be –"

Before him stood Ronye and Tiese, conversing with each other without realizing his presence. In an attempt to remain hidden, Renly retreated but made a noise as his armor grazed the shelves.

"Who's there?" Tiese questioned sharply, drawing her sword.

Renly sighed softly, but decided against more hiding. "I'm not the enemy" he stated calmly as he walked towards the girls with his hands in the air. "I apologize for startling you."

Recognizing the Integrity Knight Order insignia on his armor, the red-haired girl quickly lowered her weapon. "S-sir knight! Forgive our rudeness!"

"No. It's my fault for scaring you. And besides, I'm not…an Integrity Knight anymore… I ran away." Renly confessed while avoiding eye-contact. "The unit I was supposed to command must be in a panic right now. I'm sure some of them have died, even. And yet, I cannot bring myself to leave this place, so how am I to call myself a knight?"

The pair looked at each other uneasily, but Ronye took the initiative. "We haven't introduced ourselves." she spoke up as the knight fell silent. "I'm Primary Trainee Ronye Arabel of the Supply Corps." then pointing towards her companion, "this is Primary Tiese Schtrinen of the same."

Before Renly could comment, Ronye continued. "…and this is Elite Disciple Kirito."

Tiese stepped aside to allow the knight a full view: a brooding, emotionless young man sat stilly on a wheelchair, holding a pair of swords with his only remaining hand.

"Kirito? The one who defeated Her Holiness the Pontifex?"

"Sir Knight, forgive me if I'm being forward, but could you possibly give us your assistance?" Ronye added. "No matter what…no matter what, we must keep Kirito safe." Renly eyed them with confusion, but the girl pressed on, "To be frank, defeating even a single Goblin would be a challenge for us. But that's our mission right now. To protect him, entrusted to us by Lady Alice, at all costs. After all, he is the most precious to Lady Alice…"

Renly seemed reluctant, or conflicted, as his eyes darted around. While awaiting the knight's answer, the group remained silent. However, that period was cut short as violent shouts reached the tent.

"No way! They are in the back lines already?" Tiese exclaimed unbelievably.

Sounds of hacking, stabbing and screaming echoed throughout the camps as Tiese cautiously opened a small gap at the portiere.

"There's smoke!"

"Tiese, are the tents on fire?"

"No…I think not, it appears to be some sort of weird-colored smoke rolling in. No, wait…there are people coming out of the smoke…"

The young girl immediately held her tongue as her eyes widened and treaded back slowly. As she reached the wheelchair on which Kirito rested, she drew her sword, willingly but fearfully acting as Kirito's protector if need be. Trembling next to her was Ronye, anxious to know what Tiese had witnessed, but too petrified to ask. With an increasingly boisterous surrounding, it was eerily quiet in the tent, but none dared to create any movement or sound. The hanging curtain paced lightly as the wind blew, incongruously peaceful contrasted to the scene.

Such tranquil display, however, did not last long. As the duo waited in anticipation, a quick and forceful slash tore through the portiere. A carnivorous grin appeared, and its owner, green in color, with blood-red eyes stepped inside excitedly.

"Goblin?" Ronye exclaimed.

After a brief laughter, the creature blurted while resting an enormous axe on his shoulder. "Now look at this, I found me some human girls. I got some nice prey all to myself!"

Both girls now shook with trepidation. Tiese readied her sword, but recognized the futility if the fight were to begin. Nonetheless, she aimed towards the Goblin with shaky hands and stood in front of Kirito's wheelchair.

Renly shivered behind them, breathing heavily while attempting to reach his weapon. As the sounds of metal clashing outside the tent intensified, the knight was again pulled into the flash of a memory.

Clang!

Two sleek swords clashed heavily before both duelists retreated from each other.

"I'm going to win today, Renly." A young man said confidently as he faced the to-be knight. His name had been forgotten, but Renly was certain that man was of great importance to him.

"We'll see about that!" Renly replied with equal zest before charging forth for another attack. This was very likely one of the Four Empires Unity Tournaments, wherein competitors would win the glory of being the foremost swordsman in the Human Empire.

The two men moved back and forth, slashing and parrying with lightning speed. Both their techniques were relentless, attacking and defending with unparalleled reflexes and ease.

After a successful assault, Renly saw an opening in his component's defense and dashed forth.

"I got you now." Renly shouted elatedly as he jumped and attacked with an oberhaw. Unbeknownst to either, the sword wielded by the defender had been worn out after recurrent duels and its center was weakened by a slight crack.

That fact eluded them no more as Renly's attack ruthlessly shattered the said sword and cut right through his opponent's unprotected chest.

"Renly…" that man moaned weakly before dropping his splintered weapon and falling on the ground. Renly, on the other hand, failed to comprehend reality until he saw clearly the crimson dripping down his own sword, thereafter his faced twisted in dread.

"Stay back! Or else!" threatened Tiese boldly, yet the small breaking at the end betrayed her fear.

"You look tasty." The Goblin stated vulgarly as he stuck his tongue out.

"If you come any closer…I'll have to use this!" Tiese attempted once again to show strength, but the invader was obviously undeterred, stepping even nearer.

Renly was at a loss. He knew it right to interfere, to but lift his blades and deliver the girls from the clutches of the vile creature. But his hands trembled, still incapable of finding the willpower required of him.

Thousands of sounds bombarded him, the taunting of the Goblin, the clashes outside the tent, all of them hassled his mind. However, among these noises, one in particular caught his attention.

The squeaky noises of a sword sheath being grabbed reached out to him, and looking forward, Renly saw Kirito shivering slightly as his hands moved as much as it could around the swords.

"Are you…"

Are you trying to save them? Renly questioned mentally as he stared at Kirito's disabled form. You can't draw your sword, or stand up, or even speak! And yet…I'm…

"Renly…" that unknown man spoke weakly again in Renly's memories. "I want you to become a great knight."

"Please…do it for me." He uttered while attempting to reach out with his hands, but before Renly could hold onto it, it fell to the ground as life slipped away.

Become a great knight…

Renly's eyes flickered. His mind returned to him once more, and with a new-found resolve.

"Die you humans!" the Goblin had lost all patience and swung his giant weapon to the air. But an instant before his weapon would have minced the girls, he stopped abruptly in his tracks, and failed to utter even a sound. Then, two red lines appeared on his head and wrists before the whole creature crumbled into sliced flesh.

Tiese and Ronye both glared at the scene incongruously, unable to believe what just happened. A silvery hum then drew their attention. A curved, metallic object flew across the tent and returned to the grasp of its master – Knight Renly.

"Sir Knight!" exclaimed Tiese in a high pitch. "Thank you! We owe you our lives!"

Renly remained silent briefly as he caught his breath. After he had collected himself, he looked straightly at the young man in the wheelchair before declaring:

"I want you to stay here and protect Kirito."

"Yes sir." The duo replied at once.

After giving them an approving nod, Renly dashed out of the tent and drew all other Goblins' attention as he raced towards the center of their forces.

"My name is Renly!" he proclaimed loudly as the Goblins started to surround the lone knight. "Renly Synthesis Twenty Seven! If it is my head you want, be ready to lay down your lives for it."

Without wasting a moment, the horde neared in while shouting, "Take the chief's head!"

Renly waited just enough for the closest Goblins to approach before hurling with all his might the Twin Edged Blades. However towering or threatening they were with their physique and weapons, the Goblins fell synchronized as Renly's divine blades slithered all around him, taking the lives of all creatures within a distance like a death trap. With a crimson circle for a barrier, Renly now calculated silently.

I can do this…If I can hold on just a little longer, the smoke should clear at the front lines and reinforcements should arrive.

Finishing his train of thought, Renly dashed out once more to meet the remaining Goblins. Axes, mauls, swords and spears, the rest of the Goblins charged ferociously to cut down the knight. With superior agility, Renly dodged strikes after strikes and slipped behind the eager Goblins, dealing their deaths with unprecedented swiftness. As he released his Twin Edged Blades to fly free, the numbers of Goblins diminished quickly. Body after body, their revolting blood tainted the ground.

While he beheaded one last Goblin within sight, he threw one of the blades towards the only one still covered by the smoke, hoping to finish off that theater.

However, that last expectation did not go as intended. Rather than the crisp sound he had anticipated, a deep, powerful clang resonated throughout the valley, whence his loyal blade returned to him with such force Renly was pushed two steps back.

Out of the heavy smoke appeared a silhouette; a dark, heavy figure chuckling ominously as it approached the knight.

"Are you the captain?" Renly questioned cautiously, readying his blades once more.

"Yeah, I'm the chief of the Mountain Goblins, Kosogi." The figure replied with amusement. "Ah…You've killed quite a number of them, haven't you?" He continued as he looked at the corpses piled around them. "Who would have thought there'd be an Integrity Knight this far back? So much for my planning, right?"

Evidently not eager to continue the conversation, Renly observed the appearances of his foe, determined to find a weakness he could exploit.

He's much taller than I am, and stronger…But his armors are made only of leather, if I were to strike directly, I may just piece through.

"This is where your war ends!" Renly declared as he propelled his blades forth with Kosogi as target. The Goblin chief, however, appeared not even a bit unnerved and grinned at the sight. As the spinning blades reached him, Kosogi raised his gigantic sword and with a yell, effortlessly parried the knight's weapon away.

Without hitting their target, the Twin Edged Blades then glided back towards their stunned master.

"I can tell by the look on your face, you're thinking, 'Aren't you just supposed to be a Goblin?'" The towering chief mocked as Renly comprehended with wide eyes how impossible that his blades were deflected with such ease. "But lemme say something in reply, boy. 'Aren't you supposed to be an Integrity Knight?' A single one of you is a match for a thousand, that's what I was told anyway. But it looks like it's not the case for you, is it? Guess that is why you've been hiding all the way back here. Am I right?"

"You …seem to be broken." The Pontifex's cold voice crept its way back.

Am I just a failure, after all…? The green-haired knight pondered with fear, recalling his past.

Even if I am… Renly thought as he remembered Kirito's shaking hands, and smirked faintly.

"Yea, that's exactly right. I'm a failure of a knight." He retorted while raising his Twin Edged Blades, readying them for a renewed assault. "But don't get the wrong idea. I'm the defective one, not these."

A tornado then radiated from the young knight, blowing all the debris around him away as the Sacred Art of his weapons was released without restraint.

"Take flight, Twin Blades!"

The silvery wings blitzed their way towards the Goblin, only to be met with two strong blocks. "You can try as many times as you like, but it's useless!" The chief roared, insulted.

Unlike the previous time, Kosogi's action inspired no fear in the young knight; instead, Renly commanded confidently while gesturing towards his weapons, "Release Recollection!"

The Twin Edged Blades, now flying above Kosogi, reacted to the orders of their master by glowing at once, creating a blinding light temporarily as they circled around each other before merging into a single, four-bladed weapon.

"Beautiful…" Renly whispered in awe as his stretched-out hand then formed a fist. As commanded, the freshly re-made weapon quickly whirled with such velocity; great winds were produced alongside flashing lightning.

Renly ordered a renewed attack, pointing at the Goblin chief, towards which the blades immediately flew.

Kosogi had no more patience, and charged towards the Twin Edged Blades as he swung his enormous sword. However, narrowly before he parried the weapon away, it slipped past him and disappeared behind. While puzzled, Kosogi dismissed the worry and lunged towards the knight instead. With a yell, he sprung upward and prepared to end Renly with one swift stroke. To his great surprise, Renly did not lose his composure and stared into his eyes with dead determination.

A slight metallic hum could be heard from behind Kosogi, but before he could even contemplate what that was, the origin of that sound had split him into halves. Renly had deliberately missed the Goblin to allow the Twin Edged Blades a strike from at his back. And with that, just before Kosogi could touch Renly, his body was sliced into two giant parts and fell to the ground with a weak thud.

Thereafter, the goblin's blood poured around the knight as the blades slowly descended and returned to him.

Catching his breath, Renly allowed his weapon returning to their original form and started considering his next step.

"Renlicchi?"

A voiced called out, and Renly looked up nervously to find Fizel and Linel appearing from the dispersing smoke, both staring at him.

"Hmm…" Fizel mused, "looks like someone's a bit more knightly now. Guess we didn't have to come to your rescue, huh? We wanted to take credit for that."

"Hmm!" pouted an unimpressed Linel, "But we did cut off a lot more heads than you."

Fizel let out an equally unimpressed sigh before both girls bowed and requested in unison, "Sir Knight, please give us your orders."

Shocked by the sudden submission of the usually mischievous pair, Renly declared after regaining composure, "We have to make sure that Tiese, Ronye and Kirito are safe."

"You don't have to worry about that." Fizel answered quickly, "We just had those three rejoin the Supply Corps."

Renly slightly sighed with relief upon hearing the good news before adding, "What about the enemies that snuck back here?"

"We wiped them all out." Linel stated matter-of-factly and Renly's eyes widened in surprise,

"Well then… I'll be rejoining my unit. You two should do the same."

"Yessir!"

"Understood!"

After seeing the two girls running back towards the frontline, Renly turned back for a split second, and glanced at the tents.

"Thank you." Renly said with a grateful smile before he too began his travel back to the front.

10:48 P.M. 3rd of the Eleventh Month, Year 380 H.E.C. – Dark Mages' section within the encampments of the Dark Territory forces, Dee Eye Ell's camp

"Lord Sigurosig, Lord Shibori, and Lord Kosogi have all been killed in battle."

"Useless! All of them!" Dee Eye Ell roared at the report of her Archmage. "Just a bunch of dim-witted demi-humans!"

As Chancellor of the Dark Mages, Dee Eye Ell commanded one of the finest forces in the land of darkness, that fact coupled with the Dark Knights' recent fall from grace made her now the de facto second-in-command of the Dark Territory. Of course, that was nowhere enough to satisfy her power lust. Sitting on her suspiciously throne-like chair and flanked by a servant on each side, she contemplated her next move.

"Were you able to pinpoint the Integrity Knights' positions?" she asked.

"The three we spotted on the frontline have been targeted." The archmage replied. "We saw two more in the rear, but it will take some time to get a fix on them."

"Still only five?" Dee Eye Ell mused as she turned away from her subordinate. "Perhaps that is all they have left. Either way, we must slaughter those five without fail."

"All right, release the minions." She turned towards the archmage and commanded, "Have the creatures fly 700 Mels, descend to the ground, and commence annihilation without restraint." Turning her extended hand into a fist as she finished her order with a smirk.

"The demi-human unit on the front lines would be caught in the fray in that distance." The Archmage reported.

"I don't care."

"As you wish, my Lady." The archmage answered at once, "How many shall we send then? Currently we have all 800 of the hatched minions standing by."

"Let's see…" Dee Eye Ell mused again, taking a sip of her wine in the process, "send all 800 of them." She spoke with a low voice as she quietly licked her own lips.

Immediately upon the command was given, the statue-like beasts that had been put in hibernation were awoken. Instead of the lifeless and monotonous ash gray, a shade of black washed over the creatures as they were called into service. And with shining crimson eyes and monstrous roars, the horde ascended.

The sheer number of them appeared as if dark smog had gathered, only difference being that this smog was capable of movement, and move they did, quickly towards the frontlines.

To any other, the slow reverberated growls emerging from the deepest part of the ravine would have sounded liked little more than blows of wind, but Knight Commander Bercouli was unlike any other. The minions were considered an ace in the hole for the Dark Territory, if they were to reach the frontline in full force, neither knights nor Sacred Arts could save the army from destruction. Why did Bercouli know this? Because he had seen it before, the raw destruction those monstrosities wielded. Years ago, there were rumors that the Dark Territory had unified to invade the Human Empire, and so Bercouli, as the sole Integrity Knight at the time, was sent to conduct a reconnaissance mission. Unfortunately, things did not go well for him. Not one, not two, but entire legions of minions acted as the spearhead to invade the Empire. Bercouli never stood a chance; at the time, he had only just discovered the functions of the Perfect Weapon Control Art, let alone mastered it. Fleeing back across the mountains with his life barely still his, he could effect nothing against the rest of the dark army that followed closely behind. Sure, there were some resistance to stop the incursion, imperial knights and even peasants joined, only their efforts seemed laughable when the minions attacked. He watched with horror as the monsters simply ate them away like locusts devouring crops. Within seconds, his army disintegrated. Bercouli was certain the Human Empire would fall.

But then, the Pontifex herself intervened. With one stunning Sacred Art, she easily captured every single one of those monsters and crushed whatever forces that had dared intrude the Empire. The Pontifex never explained what she did with those dark creatures, and Bercouli never asked either. For all he cared, her unimaginable might alone had deterred the Dark Territory from ever directly invading again and that was enough for him.

But the Pontifex was no more, and now he alone stood between his people and the minions. With the knowledge accumulated over the years, Bercouli had found a way to counter them, if his calculations were right. Whatever the case, he been waiting all this time for an opportunity to intercept them. And now, the time had come.

Opening his eyes wide as he heard their snarls, Bercouli drew his massive sword. And with the minions now reaching the armies underneath rapidly, he counted:

Patience, only when enough of them have passed can I deal my strike, otherwise I'd let too many of them go.

And as he waited, hundreds after hundreds flew past the Eastern Gate ruins, above which an invisible trap Bercouli had set up was lying dormant. While the First Unit was trading blows with the Goblins and the Giants, the commander had not remained idle, instead, he had meticulously drawn up nets of slashes in the skies where he had predicted the minions would go through.

Before another moment passed, the last of the monsters had crossed into Bercouli's trap and dived, screeching as they headed towards their exposed targets.

"Time-Splitting Sword," Bercouli yelled as he lacerated the air in front of him, "Air slash!"

The moment his command was given, the trap was sprung. The invisible nets that the minions had crossed into now shone brightly a shade of red as they turned into salient razors. Without delay, the creatures were all sliced into piles of dead flesh, some had their wings cut off, some were bifurcated and some barely had a physical form remaining as they were cut to pieces. How breath-taking a sight it must have been, to witness the greatest aerial force ever assembled perish in mere seconds. The only resistance the minions managed to give was their bestial, dying roars, before dropping dead onto the ruined Eastern Gate.

The fine wine spilled all over the floor of Dee Eye Ell's camp as the said mage dropped her glass in disbelief.

"How can that be?!" Dee Eye Ell screamed as news of defeat reached her. "No one told me the enemy had a mage unit of that power!"

"I'm…not really sure what happened…" the Archmage stuttered as her mistress's face twisted in fury.

Fortunately for her, Dee Eye Ell soon regained composure and asked calmly, "The enemy's flying dragons haven't appeared yet, correct?"

"That's correct," the Archmage replied swiftly as she knelt, "As of now, not a single dragon has been sighted in the skies above the battlefield."

"Which means…" Dee Eye Ell pondered as she stepped away from her servants, "That must be it. That was the Integrity Knights' secret weapon, the Perfect Weapon Control Art." Her face twisted again as she continued, "Still…who could have thought it was this…

"But using their weapon in that manner should consume a huge amount of life. Employing them in rapid sequence would not be possible…" Dee Eye Ell mused further before her train of thought was interrupted by the Archmage. "My Lady, we've pinpointed the location of the other two knights in the rear. We now have all five targeted."

"Good."

I am calm. Dee Eye Ell thought to herself as she treaded back for another glass of wine. Now is the time to seek my first true glory.

As she downed the fine alcohol, she turned towards the bulk of her forces and announced with an eager voice, "Ogre archers brigade, Dark Mages brigade, all units, advance! Once you've entered the ravine, begin the wide-range incineration projectiles incantation!"

Like clockwork, both units marched forward the instant the orders were given. The Ogres, more beasts than man, acted as the vanguard and was first to head into the ravine. Most of them were armed with crossbows, known far and wide for its accuracy and power. Some others were armed with longbows, not as popular, but equally destructive. Following closely behind were the Dark Mages, all uniformed neatly in alluring robes, which exposed not just their bodies, but their sinister intentions.

"Mage unit, prepare to recite the wide-range incineration projectiles incantations!" The Archmage ordered, "Spotters, begin the incantations for homing in on the Integrity Knights' positions. Ogre unit, prepare to fire your bows!"

Why?

Alice questioned mentally as she continued to witness the deaths of thousands from which she extracted her power.

Why is it that both the souls of Man and those of the demi-humans are generating a sacred power that is so warm and pure? If the souls of Man and the monsters from the Dark Territory are of the same essence…If the only difference is whether you were born on one side of the mountains or the other…Then what are they…what are we going to war for?

"Kirito…as long as you are safe…" Alice slipped as she felt the burden on her shoulders mounting. "There is nothing I wouldn't do…even if I were to bear the guilt of taking countless lives, for your sake alone, I shall do it."

No, this is my duty. Alice shook her head and tried to change the object of her attention. As the one who took up her sword against Her Holiness and undermined the rule of the Axiom Church, this is my duty, my punishment…but still also so much more…

Before Alice could indulge further in her thoughts, Amayori let out a small growl, indicating imminent danger.

Alice quickly looked forward and saw the fresh troops entering the valley. "They're here!"

On my own, I'm no match for the capacity of thousands of Dark Mages to output elements. Not only that, but merely converting Sacred Power into Thermal or Cryogenic Elements wouldn't be potent enough a Sacred Art to deplete the sacred resources in the ravine.

The knight then pondered as she looked intensely at the metallic orb she had compressed the power into.

But…if I were to trap the Luminous Elements inside a mirror and reflect them infinitely…

With all of the forces well in position, the Ogres aimed forth, only an order away from unleashing their weapons. Meanwhile, the Dark Mages began as well:

"System Call. Generate Thermal Element."

All appeared well as dots of light sparked at their fingertips, signifying the forming of Dark Arts. However, those dots appeared for only a split second before disintegrating and going out like a blown candle.

The Archmage looked at her own hands in disbelief, before stubbornly attempting once again, "System Call! Generate Thermal Element!"

To her despair, the same occurred again.

"We are unable to generate any Thermal Element!" cried her deputy. "At this rate, it will be impossible to activate any wide-range incineration projectiles!"

"Why aren't the spells activating?" the Archmage roared.

"Lady Archmage," a member of her unit suggested as she ran forward, "could it be that all the Dark Resources have been spent?"

"That's not possible! Don't you hear the screams at the front? Can't you tell how many humans and demi-humans have perished? So where did all those lives disappear to?"

If it was answers she wanted, answers she received.

"Bloom, my flowers!"

The Fragrant Olive Sword transformed instantly as Alice gave the command, first stretched out into countless golden flowers, before wrapping around the metallic orb and igniting the power hidden within. As the Sacred Resources began to overheat into crimson, the flowers then expanded into a colossal aureate mirror, shining so brightly that both armies in the ravine now looked up with confusion.

Not wasting a moment, Alice called forth the power of the Sacred Resources, "Burst Element!"

In a split second, the heat grew exponentially and turned white before exploding into a beam of light. With a thunder, the said beam shot into the ravine below. Anywhere it touched, all was instantly melted. The demi-humans remaining from the previously fight bore the brunt of the attack; their ashes were blown to the skies as the explosive light hit them mercilessly. Without pausing, Alice directed the beam further into enemy territory. Ogres, who were standing right behind, suffered no less than their Goblin peers. With but a raised hand, the great Ogre units ceased to exist, turned into cinders as the unextinguishable flame washed over them. The Dark Mages, fortunate enough to be positioned at the furthest, had some time to brace for the attack. Those that are most experienced swiftly drew up a shield of Dark Art to protect themselves, but the majority still found no refuge as the manifestation of Alice's wrath quickly burned them to death.

Even after the sword of Sacred Arts had passed, the ground lit up a furious conflagration nearly as towering as the mountains sprung up. Ending with one last explosion, the whole ravine was filled to the brim with heat, not yet subsiding even though Alice's light beam was already spent. The area which had direct contact with that light simply melted into lava, leaving a river of molten, blood-red rock in the middle of the valley.

With a deep breath, Alice deemed her mission complete and signaled her dragon to descend.

"Hurrah!"

"Long live Alice!"

"Victory is at hand!"

Cheers and exuberance erupted in the Human Empire Army as Amayori neared the encampments. Eldrie's line had been broken, one of the Four Whirling Blades had sacrificed herself, and Deusolbert's unit was being pushed back. For all they know, the Integrity Knight's timely counterattack had just saved the army from destruction and halted the forces of darkness at the nick of time.

"Welcome back," Fanatio said as she approached the descending Alice, "you did well."

To her surprise, Alice did not answer. Instead, the young knight fell off her mount and nearly hit the ground before being caught in Fanatio's arms. The usage of a Sacred Art of that caliber had been draining even for her.

Alice's face remained pale for a moment as she rested. Fanatio took the opportunity to tell her the good news, "The enemy has retreated, you've brought us this victory."

"Lady Fanatio," Alice tiredly added, "the battle isn't over yet. We must use healing arts to consume all the Sacred Resources my attack generated so the enemy can't do so."

Standing to her feet, she continued, "After all, their main forces, the Dark Knights and the Pugilists are still untouched."

Nodding silently, Fanatio turned towards the gathering troops and ordered, "Those that can move, take the wounded and fall back! Monk Unit, focus on healing until all Sacred Resources are depleted! Watch for any movement from the enemy!"

As Alice faced the direction of the marred battlefield and contemplated the next move, Fanatio spoke again, "I'm going to report to the commander, can I leave things to you here?"

"Of course, Lady Fanatio."

With that settled, Alice walked towards her dragon before caressing it, "You did well too, Amayori. Go back to your bed and eat your fill."

"Lady Alice…"

A low voice spoke as Alice watched her dragon flying away.

Turning towards that voice, Alice saw her apprentice – Eldrie. Blood covered his entire body, cracks appeared all over his armors and his face could not be paler.

"Eldrie, are you alright? You haven't sustained any major injuries, have you?" Alice worriedly inquired.

"Yea…I haven't." muttered Eldrie quietly, "It might have been better if I had perished in battle though."

"What are you even saying?" Alice asked with concern, "Until the war is over, it is your duty to lead the soldiers!"

"And I failed to carry out that duty…Not only did the Goblins break through my formation, their chief was brought down not by me, but by Sir Renly. How utterly shameful! I betrayed your expectations of me."

To think I had presumed to seek her heart…her love. It's beyond laughable!

"I have no right to call myself your disciple!" Eldrie snapped.

"You…you did well." Alice countered, "I, the imperial army and the whole of the Human Empire need you! Why are you berating yourself so fiercely?"

"Need? You mean for my strength in battle? Or…"

Before Eldrie could continue, either with his speech or with his thoughts, a low growl emerging from the smoke-filled ravine drew their attention.

Alice's eyes widened as she realized the figure penetrating the fog was an Ogre, at which point both knights drew their swords, ready to take actions. However, that Ogre did not seem to pose much of a threat, at least not anymore; half of its body was burnt, the frame was weak and barely capable of standing.

Stepping forwards with evidently the last of its strength, the Ogre let out another low growl.

"Your life must be almost depleted." Alice said aloud. "So why are you standing there unarmed?"

"I'm the chief of the Ogres, Furgur." The beast answered.

"Chief of the Ogres?" Alice repeated. "A member of the Council of Ten?"

"I saw it," Furgur said, "That art of light…it was you who unleashed it. That power…your visage…You must be the Priestess of Light. If I take you back, this war will end. The Ogres can return to the grasslands."

"What are you talking about?" Alice demanded, puzzled by Furgur's statement, "Priestess of Light? This war will end?"

"Curse you!" Eldrie was in no mood of continuing this incomprehensible conversation, "How dare you spout such drivel, lowly beast!"

Without so much as a warning, the enraged knight charged forward with his sword in the air, ready to strike down the Ogre. But mere seconds before his sword could land, his hand was pulled back by a force at least equal to his.

"Mentor?" Eldrie exclaimed in disbelief. "Why?"

Dismissing her student's hand casually, Alice stepped forward and announced, "I am indeed the Priestess of Light. Tell me, where is it you wish to take me? Who is it that seeks me?"

"Emperor Vecta." Furgur answered flatly, not noticing the shock Alice showed, "The Priestess of Light is His Majesty's sole desire. He will grant any wish to the one who captures and delivers the priestess. The Ogres will return to the grasslands…raise horses, hunt birds, and live."

"You do not resent me? It was I who massacred your people. Even now the ground you stand on is stained with the blood I spilled." Alice inquired as she found the Ogre's response calmer than expected.

"The stronger one is, the heavier their burden." Furgur replied. "I, too, shoulder the burden of chief. That's why… I have to capture you no matter the cost."

With that last remark, the Ogre finally ceased the civil conversation and let out a violent roar. He sprinted forth with speed that burst muscles all over his body, and with extended hands, he was inches away from striking Alice.

The blonde knight dodged with lightning speed, narrowly evading the deadly claws before dashing forth and bifurcating the Ogre with a clean slash. No sooner had the clean metallic sounds of sword sheathing been heard, than the body of Furgur collapsing into two, pouring blood all over the ground.

The effects of Alice's spell remained, shown clearly as crumbs of golden illumination slowly emerged from the carcass of the erstwhile chief. Alice stepped towards that light, knelt down before carefully collecting the power in her palm.

However, this time the might within no longer interested the blonde knight as she walked away and released the power into the skies, "This soul, at least, can fly to the grasslands."

As Alice witnessed the liberation of Furgur's soul, she muttered to herself, "Emperor Vecta…"

"So, you are saying, your strategy failed, nearly every demi-humans and Dark Mages perished because the enemy absorbed and depleted all the Dark Resources before we could, correct?"

"Exactly as you say, Your Majesty." Dee Eye Ell responded with a trembling voice as she now found herself kneeling on all fours before the Dark Emperor, answering for her catastrophic failures.

How great a revelation it must have been for the Chancellor to realize all her powers and authorities amounted to exactly nothing in the face of her master. The most powerful chief in the Dark Territory had no more worth to Vecta, than had its lowest slave.

"We had received no report the enemy possessed a mage of that caliber with their Pontifex now gone." Dee Eye Ell continued her elaboration while the Emperor sat as still and emotionless as before, looking far away thoughtfully before inquiring, "Is there no way of replenishing those Dark Resources?"

"Unfortunately not, sire." Dee Eye Ell meekly answered, "In order to replenish enough Dark Resources to annihilate our foes, we'd need ample amounts of rich lands and sunlight, both of which are absent from the battlefield."

"So it is." Vecta said softly, "But from what I see, there isn't a tree or even a blade of grass in the vicinity, and the sun seems to have set long ago. What were you going to fuel your large-scale attack to begin with?"

"Well, the demi-humans and enemy soldiers have spilled blood; their expired lives had filled the air with Dark Resources…"

The dark god let out a barely audible groan as acknowledgement, and Dee Eye Ell quickly returned to her submissive position, fearing the worst.

"So, blood and life, huh?" Vecta said as he rose from his throne and stepped closer towards the woman. The Dark Mage's eyes, which were timidly gazing up just a moment ago, quickly shut as her shivers now became visible.

"Dee Eye Ell, would three thousand suffice?"

Upon hearing the sudden summon, Dee Eye Ell let out a quick yelp before realizing her master had never intended to step near her, but the viewing platform where he enjoyed full view of the gathering Orc troops.

Looking back and forth between the Dark Emperor's void oculi and the troops below, Dee Eye Ell promptly understood his intention. And in an instant, her own eyes lit up in anticipation and ecstasy.

"That would be plenty, your majesty."

Without any more discussion, Vecta immediately dispatched the woman to do his will, Dee Eye Ell then hastily disembarked from the massive chariot and traveled to the Orcs' camp.

"Orc Chief Lilpilin." She summoned the moment she arrived. "You have been given the order to offer three thousand sacrifices to fuel the Dark Mages' attack."

Lilpilin cried out in shock before protesting, "That's insane! We came here to fight, not to pay for your failures with our lives!"

"That is an imperial decree from the Emperor himself." Dee Eye Ell calmly retorted, taking full advantage of the authority she had been granted.

"Chief," a much gentler voice behind Lilpilin called out, "we have no choice but to obey the emperor's orders."

"Lenju…"

"I and three thousand troops will gladly give up our lives." The woman who approached him explained. "For the emperor and our tribe."

Dee Eye Ell did not have to guess much to know that was probably the Orc Leader's wife, or assistant, or both. After all, she was looking at the scene with great disgust, not at all interested in the affairs of lowly demi-humans, but that was unnoticed by either Orc. Lenju continued as she held the chief's hand, "Lin, I believe that all souls who pass make their way to the heavens. Not just humans, but orcs too. So we'll meet there again someday."

"I'm sorry…forgive me, I'm so sorry…"

All that sobs and tears sickened the nearby Dark Mage to her core, after all, Orcs, like any other demi-humans were worth less than nothing in her view.

Still, I suppose it's not all too bad. This plebian drama along with the bowing and scraping really is more their style than mine.

As Dee Eye Ell finished up her self-serving rant, she declared once again, "Gather three thousands of your troops in close formation 100 Mels in front of the ravine within five minutes. That is all"

With that done, Dee Eye Ell walked away with great disdain, unwilling to even set her sight on the furious Orc chief. And with a smirk, she began imagining the best kind of spell there is for the Orcs' lives to fuel.

Author's notes:

Hey, just wanna say I'm really sorry there's been a delay. I usually try to do weekly updates but I was just too busy. Another thing is, you might notice there wasn't much Alice and Kirito moment here, but unfortunately this is how the story has to go without making it too incomplete. In any case, I'm working furiously to get the next chapter done as soon as possible, hopefully by the following Tuesday. Until then!

Also, thank you so much for reading and the supportive comments; it really helps!

Playlist:
"go get them"
"Bercouli"
"Administrator"
"dark mages"
"another bitter feeling"
"a sword of bravery in her heart"