Three hours have passed since the Army of Darkness retreated back to the portal that led to gods and goddesses know what. The casualties were incomparable between the two opposing sides. We faced, from what they said, a total of about eighty deaths and hundreds injured. The Army of Darkness, on the other hand, faced at least thousands of corpses.
"What was even the point," I asked to nobody. "They didn't stand a chance against them, so why did they even try to attack in the first place?"
"Maybe they were trying to test our strength."
Commander Xeigal stood right beside me as we both looked at the mountain of demonic corpses that created an unpleasant scent in the air. The atmosphere felt cold, grim, and evil.
"They sent their most weakest army members to attack us," Zeigal said. "Maybe they were trying to figure out exactly how strong we were."
"What about the dragonmen?" I asked.
"They were most likely used to figure out our weaknesses. We struggled a bit with them, but luckily you and that cat girl arrived in time to push them back with your magic. If you guys had not been there, the casualties would've been tens, or hundreds, times greater."
"Well it's a good thing that those mages arrived when they did."
Zeigal didn't say anything back to me for quite a while after that. As the wind blew, his long blue hair, the color if the blue sea, was flowing gracefully with the wind. It resembled the waves of the sea as it moved with the wind. His deep blue eyes glistened with a worrisome look as he stared helplessly at the deadly horizon.
"One thing bothers me." he suddenly said.
"What's that?"
"How did they find this city in the first place? The magic barrier makes the city invisible, so how did they manage to locate it?"
"..."
The wind suddenly stopped. Everything felt dead and empty around me when those words were uttered from his mouth. Chills were sent down my spine as one of the worst, if not THE worst, possible outcomes was realized. That outcome was...
"Someone who lives in this city must've leaked information about the location of this place."
...someone in this city was a traitor.
"A TRAITOR?!?!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN A TRAITOR?!?!?!"
"I'LL KILL WHOEVER DID THIS TO US MYSELF."
"KILL THE FUCKING TRAITOR!!!"
When I broke the news to the citizens in the cave, they all went completely berserk with their curses and accusations. I know enough about how things in history like this end up. If they didn't calm down, then innocent people could end up getting death sentences for no reason.
CLANG!
The sound of a sword striking a rock echoed throughout the cave. Everyone ceased their accusations as they saw their goddess Gleam step forward. Zeigal sunk his sword back into his sheath.
"Everyone please listen," she said. "Accusing someone of something is a normal human instinct, but we must not act on them like monsters."
"Ehh...sh-she's right," said a civilian. "Please, forgive us goddess!"
All of the civilians got on their knees and bowed their heads to Gleam. Their sign of respect to her was fist bumping their own hands in front of themselves as a sign of her strength. From what I know, it's been like this since the beginning of this world's time.
"The demonic force of evil that is known as the Army of Darkness has ceased their invasion and has retreated back into their man-made hell. You now have your guaranteed safety to return back to your home, but be wary. We don't know if they'll attack again, but the chances are very high. Remember that, my faithful people."
When her part-advice part-warning was over, everyone in the cave erupted with a cheer of respect.
"ALL HAIL THE GREAT GODDESS GLEAM!!! HER LIGHT SHALL GUIDE THEE TO THE HEAVENS!!!" they all shouted.
"It looks like she was able bring their sense of humanity back." Xylvia said.
"Well, she is a goddess after all." I said.
"By the way, how's Leonna doing?"
"I left her in the care of an elf doctor. He said that she'll be ok once he's done and...HEY, THEIR THEY ARE!"
I pointed over to the elf who was watching over Leonna, who was resting. He spotted me and gave me the thumbs up as an indicator that she'll be ok.
"Thank the gods and goddesses." I said.
"You know, you can just say 'Thank the gods'." Xylvia pointed out.
"I don't want to sound sexist though." I said.
"Hiro, may I have a word with you?"
Gleam was standing right beside me when she asked that question.
"It can only be with you." she said.
"Uh...ok... Hey Xylvia, go check on Leonna for me ok." I said.
"Sure thing." she said and started to run to the elf doctor.
"Come with me." Gleam said grabbing my hand and walking away from the crowd of people.
"So what's up," I said as we stopped at the entrance of the cave. "Is everything ok?"
"It's about that sword of yours," Gleam said. "Has it done anything...weird to you? You know, besides the whole sadistic thought it gives you."
"No, not that I know of." I said.
Based on what I know, this sword known as the Devil's Blade is a dark weapon that engulfs you in a jet-black flame and gives you a boost in your magic when you pour it into your sword. It's power isn't fully awaken yet but I am powerful enough to take on C-class monsters. The downfall, however, is some sort of mental change. Sadistic thought start to swarm in your head and if you don't keep them under control, then the demon that resides in this blade will end up consuming you.
"Are you sur that nothing else weird has happened to you?" Gleam asked again.
"I'm positive." I said with confidence.
"...I see."
Gleam started to stare off in the distance for while before she said anything to me again. The look on her face was...concerning.
"I have to find this traitor before anything worse happens," she said. "But I'm going to have to see if the Overseers will allow me to do that. If it violates the whole "You can't interfere with the lives of anyone or anything born in this world" law, then this will be a whole lot harder. Hiro, please be careful, and take care."
"I will."
She nodded and gave me a faint smile. And with that, she bursted into a bright golden light and faded away.
"I hope she'll be ok," I said to no one. "I can't even begin to wonder how devastating it must be to have someone that you love and care about betray you like that."
Then again...I'm not completely oblivious to that feeling...