Slash!
The shadow cyclops was sliced apart by Ace's blade. He had already killed 10,000 Corrupted Spirits in the span of 10 minutes.
Despite being pushed to great lengths, Ace hadn't yet taken any damage. He's managed pretty well up to this point. But his conscience was well aware that even he could not simply go on forever. If he doesn't think of way to kill them before his limbs tired out, he'll be the one to meet defeat.
So he did the best thing he could, and that was to ask his trustworthy card of decision.
Ace holstered his blade, then reached into his uniform's pocket, pulling out a blank card.
"Guide me to the best choice for this situation."
A message slowly burned onto the card.
[Hold out. Allies Are On The Way]
"That, I can do. I just hope suitable allies are the ones who arrive. Any ordinary knight would be killed in seconds."
__________
(Meanwhile, at the Camp)
Sapphire desperately searched any tent around at the camp. One after the other, she finally came across the right tent, where Jean was resigning while in critical condition. Countless bandages covered the wound's all over her body and there was even a cast on one of her legs. It was honestly great luck that Jean was still breathing.
From the tent's entrance, a voice spoke about the injured knight.
"I know. It's bad, right? She'll be fine though."
A man dressed in a grey uniform who carried a purple scythe on his back. His name is Dashiel Wepher, the War Knight Sapphire met a little earlier.
Dashiel continued, "She was pretty weak and on the verge of dying when we found her. She was conscious enough to tell us where the Dark Mages took you. Then Ace showed up and volunteered to come to your rescue."
Sapphire Explained, "When he showed up, he told me to make a run for it while he held off two enemies that stayed behind to face him."
Dashiel stroked his chin, it was odd that Ace didn't just simply kill the enemies in question.
When they sent Ace in to rescue Sapphire, they had sent a force of knight's to assist him, but they were ambushed along the way there.
Sapphire notified Dashiel about her gut feeling at the moment.
"I know Ace is a powerful swordsman and yet, I can't shake the feeling that he might need help."
"You're in the right to have a bad feeling. The dark Mages have many tricks and allies. It's would be dumb not to think even Ace could be in trouble. I wish I could go lend my aid to him, but It's risky leaving the camp as we're shorthanded here. I don't think they would survive an attack without me."
Dashiel really regretted not being able to help, but the camp needed him here. The only alternative plan Sapphire had was to lend her own aid, but she didn't quite have the required stats for defeating strong opponents.
'There has to be something I could do.' She pondered.
A weak voice spoke, even when the person it belonged to should have been resting unconscious.
"...Someone needs to help Ace….I can sense….formidable enemies...Please.." Jean held out her hand, which Dashiel held.
"Miss Jean, If you really think I should, then I'll do it. But understand the risk of me leaving."
"I..fully understand...and I still think Ace need's all the help he can get."
"Then, just leave it to me." Dashiel gave a firm nod.
Jean was able to whisper a "Thank you." before losing consciousness.
Dasheil's face grew a stiff look while he couldn't help but murmur as he thought.
"I just need a plan. How can I even hope to fight against enemies that are able to rival Ace? It's no possible to win without more forces."
That was when Sapphire stepped up with a sure feeling in her soul. She had failed to be much use, but she had the most sure feeling that she could do something to help despite not having any good traits as of now.
To start things off, she could at least grant a fast path to Ace's location.
"I can help you get there in no time."
"You should stay here where it's safe. I know the way." Dashiel replied.
"Wait, just look at this and you'll change your mind."
She knew how she was instructed to never show off her skills, but this was a time it was needed. A blue mystical blue portal opened before Dashiel's eyes.
"W-What?! That's a gate! Is this a result of one of your skills?"
"It leads to where Ace is. I'll let you through, but first, I want to let you in on a little plan I just happened to come up with."