Chapter 8

To the relief of Shinji's gathering, they did not see Golding attempt to catch up to them or give another attack. It was a perfect opportunity that would have left them open to an attack but none of them took advantage of their opening. The time where he might face the dwarven prince again might come one day but he would have to face that threat if it ever came his way again.

Even with such a danger behind him, Shinji was more concerned with another display that was in front of him. Mighty pillars of smoke emitted from the depths of the forest from an attack that he knew he did not cause. Any sign of destruction that he was not involved in was still a scenario he was afraid to let go unaddressed.

He did not need confirmation when he recognized the smoke as being an indication of destruction at hand. Seeing this smoke made him take hold of his mace in both hands but forced himself not to rush headfirst into battle without a clear plan in mind. He just managed to handle one part of the dwarven army and was being asked to handle not just one part of it but the rest of the force.

Shinji was reminded of this danger as soon as he heard Akane fly down to report, "I don't know how much we're going to stop. Goldo brought a lot of muscle with him."

Mayumi asked, "Like several times bigger than what we just fought?"

Tôkibi confirmed, "Like it's the main force. I know this whole thing was supposed to be just catching up to them but we might be in more trouble than we thought."

Shinji found himself being more justified in his initial concern as he reasoned, "Yersia is going to be in danger. We have to get to her now."

Jewel remembered the name of the elf before accepting the task that would be assigned to her asking, "So if we're going to tackle these little guys again, we at least have something better than charging headfirst right?"

Akane determined the best course, "If we head to the village from the side, we might be able to avoid contact with the entire army. We'll still have to hope Yersia can hold out that long."

Hearing one of his allies being in danger was another familiar scenario Shinji could recall from his previous world. As soon as he heard there was someone who was under the mercy of a force few could stand against, he felt himself tense at the fear of losing someone. He did not even meet Yersia that long ago but he was determined to make sure she would not be just a casualty either. He also knew getting to her as soon as possible meant leaving himself vulnerable to a combined effort of attacks.

What fears he had long ago refused to boil over as Shinji announced, "I'll head out there. Misato, I need you to fly me over to the village."

It was a familiar determination Misato had seen Shinji give before. Whenever someone other than himself was in danger, he was determined to make sure they would not suffer from his inaction even at his lowest point. This time he was determined to make sure that everyone knew he would not be stopped. It was now an order that would let everyone know he was prepared to achieve everything through sheer strength of will if he had to.

It was a trait that sent a trail of fear down Misato's spine upon reflection of such a time. Seeing this happen again however made her remember such a key part of why she found herself caring for him so much. If she could not deny what she held herself back from desiring anymore, she could not let herself deny it to others as well.

What protest she had before was lost as Misato accepted, "I'll be sure to find her Shinji."

The strategy left Mayumi in a state of alert as she warned, "If you head out there alone, you'll be an open target for all of them!"

Shinji honored Mayumi's concern by adding, "Phanton, I need you to take Jewel with us."

It brought a little ease to everyone around them but Jewel found herself frightened at the aspect asking, "Uh... Me? You're sure you don't need someone stronger?"

This attempt to weasel out of the mission made Mayumi answer, "We need the strongest to take on the dwarves once we head to the village. Shinji just wants to make sure Yersia is still alive out there. It seems clear he trusts you to assist him."

It was not an ideal scenario for Jewel at all as she looked out to the burning village in the distance. She knew she needed to prove herself worthy to Shinji but never thought it would involve an assignment that seemed suicidal. Looking around at the focused gazes on her made her realize she was not in a position to negotiate what she wanted either.

Keeping hold of her swords and preparing for what she knew would be a serious trial, Jewel accepted, "Alright then. Just drop me next to him please?"

Phanton took hold of Jewel from behind reminding, "He will be able to render judgement upon you easier if he ever feels the need to."

Both Misato and Phanton took hold of their respective passengers while Mayumi turned to the others reminding, "We know where we're headed, let's make sure we get to him as soon as we can."

Ayanami looked up to the sky obscured by the branches as Shinji and Jewel took flight agreeing, "Once we find them we must take everyone we can to safety. I'm already worried there are not many we will have to rally."

The sight of the army in the distance along with the burning edges of the village left Mayumi little room to debate against such a concern but remained committed, "If we don't try, we'll only seal their fates. Let's not let any of them slow us down."

Mayumi did her best to lead the others around the army of dwarves to make sure they could be avoid facing the wrath of the rock giants or the others. The higher up both Shinji and Jewel found themselves in the air, the smaller the battle beneath them seemed to be. Shinji also knew he could not raise himself to any height where he would make himself think his selection of soldiers would be able to wear away at Goldo's army without issue.

Keeping hold of his mace, he looked over the projectiles that flew through the air towards the elven houses before telling pointing, "I see Yersia. She's down there."

Misato recognized the elf in question as she flew him towards her asking, "So now we just need to handle ourselves with the king down there right?"

Looking to his right, Shinji recognized what Misato was referring to. Indeed Goldo was leading the charge against the awakened elves despite putting himself in such danger. It was also only the first thing he could find himself respecting Goldo for having the courage to attempt.

It only took a swing of his axe before everyone in the air saw what was causing more destruction than the catapults out in the fields. Mighty crescents of energy ripped through the buildings to leave rubble where they once stood while many unseen casualties would have to be accounted for later. In just another brief moment he saw Goldo was not restricted by the ground either as he swung his axe to the air and towards Shinji and Misato.

Both Misato and Phanton wove through the air to avoid being hit by the attack as Jewel warned, "This is why facing him head-on is not a good idea!"

Keeping himself from trying to sympathize with the fear, Shinji asked, "What sort of weapon is he using?"

Jewel thought back to the memories of her alongside Goldo as she recalled, "He has the Axe of Thormir. A magic weapon meant to cut everything in its way asunder no matter what it was made of."

Shinji had no doubts there was more to this weapon than just that simple description but the most immediate thing he could determine was, "As long as he has that weapon, we won't be able to save what remains of this village."

Hearing commitment to the decision made Jewel sigh as she said under her breath, "I was worried you would come to that conclusion…"

Preparing to take command of the situation again, Shinji ordered, "Phanton, land Jewel near Yersia. Help her and Misato defend the others. I have to stop Goldo."

Misato recognized where Shinji was headed with this plan asking, "You really think you can handle him yourself?"

Shinji knew there was genuine concern behind Misato's question answering, "I have to stop that weapon from being used somehow. There are still people who need to be helped here."

Much to her regret, Misato could tell Goldo was one of the few heroes who would not be subject to her or Phanton's charms. No one would be able to assist him unless they were able to destroy the king's axe. The least she could do was make sure she could fulfill his desire to defend others.

Accepting this was her mission, Misato told Phanton, "Let's make sure one of us keeps an eye on Jewel there."

Phanton saw the sensibility behind the plan agreeing, "As long as you are willing to kill a few out there with your own hands as well."

There was no debate after the plan was set. Both Shinji and Jewel were flown to their respective areas and they would have a chance to demonstrate their capabilities against their opponents. This was placing Shinji in the center of danger, but it was clear to Misato at least that this was a feeling he had finally come to accept even in this new world.

Jewel was not so certain about such a decision but she also knew she was not going to be the one facing her old companion either. She knew this would be the case as she saw Shinji dropped around the area where Goldo was but she and the other succubi made their way to the rooftop Yersia occupied. Her life was more comfortably in her hands despite trading the security of facing one giant threat in exchange for another.

She made a running landing across the roof before seeing Misato and Phanton sweep around Yersia and the other elves before casting magic spells down on the score of dwarves attempting to make their way up. Jewel could not let herself be lax as she drew her swords and charged towards a line of dwarves that threw their axes towards her and the elves. This attack became a perfect opportunity for Jewel to utilize her skills as she charged towards the incoming projectiles and weapons before spinning her swords in a circle to cut down one of the nearest soldiers.

Yersia drew her bow to fire into another soldier while one of the elves asked, "What are these creatures doing here?"

Another added, "Yeah, these things are supposed to be sex demons aren't they?"

This observation caused Yersia to smile as she realized she was going to have much to explain to her folk in what was a new era before answering, "These ones have been granted the freedom to chose who they wanted to serve. They just happen to have a new master who wants better for all of them."

One of the elves that kicked a climbing dwarf off the building asked, "Has he become so charismatic that he managed to sway one of the heroes to his side? Is this overlord supposed to be so capable?"

Yersia was not so sure about how she could answer such a question but kept herself from sounding conflicted at the situation by determining, "I have heard stories about his exploits to make his way to this world and what fortunes have been befalling him beforehand. Maybe she is another in a long line of such rewards that awaited him."

Slamming to the ground with a thud in front of Goldo, Shinji saw the dwarf king standing in front of him with his weapon held at the ready. Seeing him brought before him by one of the succubi could not have been a more perfect image for demonstrating his derision for the new force of evil walking the world. Even if it came in the form of a boy who was reluctant to accept such a vast array of potential.

Grinning at the sight of his opponent in front of him, Goldo greeted, "So, you are the new overlord are you? The forces of evil must be truly desperate to select from you as their vessel for destruction."

Shinji kept hold of his mace asking, "The Mother Goddess statue. You aren't going to melt that down for your own purposes are you?"

Hearing the overlord attempt to change the subject of the conservation made Goldo scoff at the suggestion, "Of course not. Every piece of gold I have hold of is another treasure for me to covet. One that you are the least worthy to even glance upon." Preparing his axe and charging forward, Goldo prepared for another mighty strike to the ground assuring, "I will make sure of that!"

The legendary axe hit the ground to summon a mighty crescent beam towards Shinji. He managed to summon a shield spell in time to protect himself from being cut by the attack. It kept the ground around him from being torn asunder but the top half of a house behind him was not so fortunate.

Forcing himself onto the offensive, Shinji charged towards Goldo for the duel of the two rulers to begin. Shinji found himself fortunate as soon as his mace struck with Goldo's axe that his weapon did not shatter despite the earlier displays. Their weapons were locked with one another in a sight that made the few men behind Goldo step back to watch in awe at what was unfolding.

Both king and overlord stepped away from one another to make another series of strikes against one another. The weapons were heavy for anyone to handle but both men wielded them with the speed of light swords. This gave way to a multitude of clangs that resonated through the burning village while both men were left struggling to find any ground they could take from one another.

Even being shorter than Shinji did not stop Goldo from demonstrating the strength he had in his attacks. Every blow Shinji felt his mace handle made him feel the full impact of what he was struggling to overpower. The most progress that had been achieved at this moment in the battle was the ambition of the overlord from stopping the dwarf king from destroying any more of the village with his mighty weapon.

This much was an accomplishment by itself, but Shinji knew he could not allow himself to settle just for this much. Allowing this duel to drag on any further would only continue to draw away at the strength of both men in their struggle to overpower one another. Their consistent series of clashes being their nonverbal way of confirming that only one of them would remain standing by the time the duel had ended.

Goldo took a swing at the lower parts of Shinji's legs only to see him make a mighty leap over the swing and hurl his mace down upon him. Both fighters left themselves open to an attack with only one of them being able to claim they would be able to come out alive. It was a scenario that forced Goldo to make a leap backwards in his effort to defend his life from being taken.

The ground between Goldo and Shinji shook from the sudden impact but Goldo kept himself firm as he drew his axe back and prepared to launch another crescent beam towards Shinji. Once again, Shinji was forced to use a shield spell, but this time used a more lethal one that should have given Goldo more trouble. The axe collided with the shield to cause a mighty eruption of light to wash over Goldo that sent chunks of his armor flying off of him in his effort to remain unmoved by the attack.

Shinji saw Goldo was struggling as much as he was to even deal damage against him. Just the sight of his armor being damaged was enough to make him feel as though he was making progress at this point. He also knew it meant he allowed more damage to the village to be done in his effort to defend himself.

A newfound sense of determination rushed its way through Shinji as he charged with the simple intent to destroy the axe any way he could. He panted before throwing himself into the next blow and clashing against the mighty weapon that was about to make its way towards him. The exchange of blows began again but this time Shinji prepared to find a new opening that would hopefully grant him what he wanted.

Just as soon as the two prepared to strike each other again, Shinji summoned an even more powerful shield spell that made its way around him. Goldo was unprepared for the defense now that he did not have his mightiest attack prepared for such a moment. More of his armor did go flying off but the shield managed to break away at even more this time as his axe received a mighty crack along its head that forced him to back away.

Preparing for what he hoped would be a final attack, Shinji made another mighty downward strike of his mace that forced Goldo to raise the bar of his axe in defense. He managed to defend himself from a crushing blow, but Shinji used this opportunity to slide the head of his mace along the bar before crashing along the head. This time he closed his weapon with the loop in the double head before making a mighty hurl of his strength against the head.

It was too late for Goldo to save his weapon as soon as he realized what was happening. All he could do was release the bar of his weapon as he saw Shinji use all of the strength he had in him to shatter the head of the weapon into pieces. A sight that at once humbled Goldo as much as it struck fear into him.

Realizing that he could not do anything else to defend himself, Goldo threw the handle towards Shinji before turning tail and running to the gathering of dwarves. The gathering in question found themselves being reminded they were still participants in the battle to take hold of the village. They were also now completely at the mercy of Shinji and his judgement. Just that fact alone was enough to make them turn away and run for their lives out of desperation.

Things on the ground had already begun to look better as soon as Mayumi heard one of the dwarves announce, "Fall back! The king is in retreat! Protect him!"

There was still a long way for them to go before they could claim any sort of victory even when such an achievement had been achieved earlier. The army still outnumbered them and the elves combined even as they kept pressing forward. It might not have been possible to turn the tides of the battle but Mayumi at least was able to tell there was a great chance for this battle to turn out better than anyone could have hoped.

Ayanami cut down one of the dwarves that ran up to her before evaluating, "I think Shinji and the others got through this easier. I don't know if we will be able to make our way through."

Mayumi did not like to imagine that she would not be able to change anything but she could also tell she did not have the numbers to handle it. They would have needed everyone to combine their strength to make victory possible. As it was, an evacuation of the village was the best thing anyone could have hoped to achieve.

Preparing both of her hands and hoping for what would be the best outcome, Mayumi warned everyone, "I'll try to handle their numbers. Don't let anyone be swept under the damage."

It was a short few seconds before a mighty bellow of wind made its way through the air and summoned a tornado in front of them. The Rei clones kept themselves behind the other succubi while the bursts of wind made their way through the destruction in the distance. It would not completely change the situation for them but the army of dwarves was being drawn away from destroying any more of the village. The gathering now had an opening that would allow them to make their way towards the area where Shinji was defending himself.

Gesturing for the others to follow her, Mayumi ordered, "Hurry! Before they see us!"

Everyone recognized what was being demanded as they followed behind her and kept their distance from the army that was attempting to reorganize itself. They rushed their way across the field while following closely behind the spiraling tornado that tore the ground and the soldiers it sucked up asunder. Destruction was making its way through the field demonstrating just a small portion of what the army of the overlord could accomplish.

Being forced to witness such destruction at hand made Goldo realize he was not the only one being humiliated this day. He kept himself near one of the houses that was still standing but could see a mighty cylinder of destruction being demonstrated in front of him that challenged his army. Seeing his forces face such a mighty force made him realize he was not only being forced to deal with a mighty fighter but a legitimate threat to his rule.

He saw a gathering of succubi fly towards the village before ducking behind one of the remaining pieces of wall and pulling a tablecloth over his head. He looked up from an opening before seeing the succubi did indeed leave him and the other soldiers behind only to find out the army was not their concern. It was just as clear to him that fighting was not the foremost concern for them either.

Pollyanne was pleased to see that the elves were not so afraid of the succubi arriving in their village as she announced, "Everyone! We have to leave now! The overlord will protect you! We promise!"

It was all that needed to be said as several elves made their way out of the crippling buildings and away from what remained of the incoming dwarf army. Just the idea they would be defended by the overlord had become appealing enough to the point they were willing to place their lives in such a scenario. He should not have been willing to accept such danger for everyone around him but it was the potential that made things begin to seem better in the long run.

Shinji saw another gathering of dwarves make their way to him as he raised his mace to prepare for another attack. He saw an army of dwarves chasing them down and rushed towards them to make a mighty attack. It forced him to kill more but he remembered how many innocent lives were in danger of being harmed if he allowed the situation to simply play out.

Rushing up to them, he told the family, "Follow the others! They will save you!"

The other elves around them heard this an rushed towards the family that received word of this possibility. Before long there were entire swathes of elves that knew Yalebelle could not be saved as it was and sought their way to safety. The combined defense Shinji and the others gave became the final demonstration they needed to reveal they were intent to save as many lives as they could. Once again the reputation of the overlord was about to be completely changed from what the previous one made for itself.

As Shinji kept his ground, he heard Orange make her way up to him and announce, "We looked over the village Shinji. It looks like everyone is getting ready to make the escape."

Realizing it was time for him to allow the army to continue its progression through the village, Shinji accepted, "I'll follow you. Just keep track of everyone."

Orange flew off as she saw her other sisters make their way over the village while the elves continued their evacuation. Before long she saw Shinji rush up to them while leaving the progressing army behind. There were several victories that had been achieved this day but they would not amount to the overlord having destroyed another one of the heroes just yet.

Jewel swung the blood off her blades as soon as she saw there were no more dwarves nearby. Even she could not make herself revel in the fact she was killing those she was supposed to have once saved but she also did not want to be in the opposite situation. She only hoped she managed to kill enough that it would be able to demonstrate her willingness to stay with Shinji's group.

The words she had been hoping to hear the most were finally realized as soon as she heard Tôkibi announce, "It's time to go! We have to get out of here!"

Perfectly happy to hear this would be the case, Jewel turned away from the incoming forces as she leapt off the building to where the other Rei clones were making their retreat. A long and drawn-out battle had finally reached its conclusion that did not result in the ideal victory anyone hoped for. At the end of the day, both forces still had leaders who had different things they valued and still managed to find themselves holding on to them.

Making their way to the edges of the Evernight Forest, the elves not only left the area for the first time in countless years but were now left hoping for the safety of the overlord as well. Destruction had laid claim to Yalebelle in the distance while more of its people had been spared of the destruction that came from the attack. There was little Shinji could find himself worth celebrating among so much death as it left him looking over the gathering that managed to keep itself alive.

This was observed by Ayanami who made her way up to him assuring, "I know we could not do much, but we did make a difference in the face of everything."

Shinji stood up before agreeing, "I guess so. We did manage to find more elves at least. We're going to have a lot to deal with later on though."

Mayumi took the chance to reassure, "You're probably a bit more stressed than usual. You had a lot more battling than usual this time didn't you?"

This question made Shinji admit to another part of what he was struggling to change by admitting, "There was a time where I thought all I did was have sex at the castle. Now I feel like I would jump at the first chance."

Another voice joined in the conversation suggesting, "I would certainly enjoy the chance."

Shinji looked around to see Jewel with her hands on his shoulders. He had a few chances to see her on the field to show her skills but did not notice any interest she had in him before. The idea of her being so suggestive at this point made him try to remember that he could not readily hand over all of the trust he had to anyone while keeping himself from being enticed by the idea of having another gorgeous woman in his still expanding harem.

Before he could answer the offer he heard Misato ask, "Shinji, did I do well out there? Enough for you to trust me?"

It interrupted the pervious subject but everyone knew it was a more professional matter that required Shinji's attention as he answered, "Yes Misato. You did good out there."

This approval earned a jubilant smile from Misato as she found herself having earned what she hoped for. Everything she did wrong in her previous life was finally being corrected while others around her seemed to be earning the same honor. She never imagined this could have been a solution and there was not even a scenario where she could see herself denying it if it ever became possible. It was all just a matter of making sure Shinji would finally muster the strength within him to make such a possibility.

Mayumi remembered, "That's right, you still have a lot of work that you need to do with Misato as well don't you? It's only seven more times right?"

Jewel felt the sin she was guilty of cropping up even as she recognized her status as a harem member before asking, "And are we even going to make sure he can even muster the energy necessary to get to everyone?"

Hearing this made Mayumi grin before she assured, "Oh don't worry. He will have more than enough."

The battle for Yalebelle had finally ended with the forces of the overlord in full retreat despite their heavy casualties. Even such an accomplishment could not muster the dwarven army to call themselves proud of what they had achieved. There were very few casualties on the side of the overlord and what remained of the village had little to claim for their own use. Not to even speak of the fate of the axe of Thormir.

Goldo sat on one of the pieces of rubble before hearing one of his men announce, "My lord, the prince has arrived."

Looking up from the pieces of Thormir, Goldo sighed before accepting, "Perhaps I can at least get a little enjoyment hearing from him why he could not even muster the ability to scratch the overlord before his arrival."

Stepping up, Goldo saw his son Golding making his way up to him and bowed apologizing, "My lord, I am sorry that I could not join the battle."

Goldo soured his face as he dismissed, "If you were so unsuccessful I could not imagine you taking the opportunity to prove yourself out here."

It was a truth Golding was not proud of but knew he could not deny it as he apologized, "Under different circumstances I would have given my life to make your desire for the destruction of the overlord possible."

Before Goldo could allow himself to be angered by the suggestion, he reasoned Golding's hesitation of absolute sacrifice, "You being the firstborn prince does give you responsibility, doesn't it? Well you do honor your people holding on to that much honor. Maybe facing him together will be the best strategy for us."

There was a time Golding would have been completely committed to the idea but found himself hesitate before admitting, "He has been a different sort of opponent than I could have imagined."

Seeing an opportunity to be know his enemy further, Goldo asked, "A different sort? You found yourself hesitate to strike the killing blow is that it?"

Golding realized this made him seem weak as he clarified, "Not even slightly father. My life was in his hands. He could have killed me. But he spared me in the end."

This last detail made Goldo find a newfound sense of disgust for his son's failure as he launched a series of questions, "Is that right? And what for? My throne? A seat at his table? My gold?"

This series of accusations made Goldo hold up his hands to defend himself, "I accepted no such things! There was something else in him entirely from what I could have perceived!"

Goldo was not any more convinced as he asked, "What you perceived? Do you think I am supposed to be convinced by how others are supposed to fell now?"

He was uncertain if he could convince his father at this point but the truth was the only thing Golding could imagine changing the situation as he answered, "He seemed to recognize something that occurred to be. I do not know what it is but he seemed to see what I was fighting for as something honorable."

Such a suggestion made Goldo spit at the idea, "An honorable overlord is not a concept you should allow yourself to be fooled by my boy. You'll find yourself being tempted by his dark words before you know it."

The foundations for his father's trust was shaken as Golding pointed out the most egregious error around them, "I understand what you are trying to protect me from but was he the one who was laying waste to this place?"

That question earned a sour look from Goldo as he narrowed his eyes at his son before he asked, "Are you questioning my strategy? What Iam owed?"

"Why is it what you are owed? When is it we are going to start fighting for everyone?"

"And when are you going to stop bogging me down with such menial details?"

"Perhaps when you show me the actions of a king and not of a hoarder like that cursed aunt of yours."

The argument had escalated to where both father and son were demonstrating their doubts in the initial cause. With no immediate resolution for the dilemma, the two most important members of royalty were left with quandaries that would test their very dedication. A test that Goldo was more willing to answer for when victory was so close to being his.