A week was spent building up forces and receiving reinforcements for the siege. They managed to gather a total of three thousand men, a third of which being mages. Afterwards was the long trek to the demon's fortress.
"The fortress is in view. Prepare for combat." [Roderick]
The small army remained in the forest, readying their weapons and doing last checks on gear. In the meantime, Adam took time to analyze the fortress' structure.
("It's damn big and it looks like they're expecting guests.") [Solace]
The fortress sat atop a hill, its surroundings empty with signs of logging to ensure it stays empty.
"...They're smart. The open area indicates ranged weapons. We should be weary." [Felix]
The fortress itself was twice as big as the hero's own fortress. It had eight towers, two entrances, completely made out of solid stone, had numerous soldiers stationed across all walls, coupled with cannons and some form of orb-like magic artifacts sitting up top.
("Magic nullification defenses. I heard it in the briefing, but how does it work?") [Felix]
Roderick motioned with his hands towards his soldiers before voicing a command.
"Charge!" [Roderick]
A swarm of soldiers emerged from the forest, letting out a collective war cry as they ran. It also appeared that the guards on the fortress wall spotted them, causing them to sound a war horn.
"They've taken notice!" [Felix]
"Shields up front!" [Roderick]
A wall of soldiers moved forward, bringing up their shields as a hail of arrows fell on them.
"March!" [Roderick]
A quick transition from defense to offense was absolutely necessary in this siege. However, there was nothing they could do at their distance.
"Cannons!" [Felix]
The cannons atop the wall let out a boom, shattering a chunk of the frontline. The shields used to combat it were torn apart, along with the poor soldiers behind it.
"Soldiers! Are we in range yet?!" [Roderick]
He called to the backlines of soldiers, who appeared to be pushing a large wooden contraption.
"Almost there, sir!" [Soldier]
"Mage corps! Support the wounded and shield us from the cannons!" [Roderick]
"Yes sir!" [Mage Corps]
"Arrows!" [Felix]
"Shields up!" [Roderick]
Soldiers filled up the missing gap, raising shields once again. There were a few unlucky soldiers unable to raise their shields fast enough, but the damage was minimal.
"Cannons!" [Felix]
"Mages! Protect us!" [Roderick]
The boom of cannons sounded, and a transparent blue wall appeared to intercept the cannonballs. Though it was expected to stop the iron mass, it shattered the wall.
"Oh shit! Move!" [Adam]
Rushing forward, Adam tossed aside a soldier and took one of the cannonballs for himself.
"Urgh!" [Adam]
He managed to catch the ball, but he struggled to stand against the force behind it.
("It's still rotating?!") [Adam]
The ball spun at high speeds, burning and tearing some of the skin on Adam's palms. He ended up using his compression ability to rotate the opposite way in order to counter the momentum.
("There! I did it!") [Adam]
His hands bled from the struggle. Even when Adam could also see that other parts of the frontline were hit, it didn't change the fact his actions still saved many lives.
"Fuya de Medicis. Heal." [Adam]
Returning his hands back to normal, Adam noticed something on the cannonball.
("...Huh? There's something strange about it.") [Adam]
The cannonball had strange engravings on it. A bit confused, he found that one of the mages knew of it.
"Sir! The cannonballs are enchanted with anti-magic!" [Mage]
"Damn! Are we still not in range?!" [Roderick]
"We are in range sir!" [Soldier]
"Then take out those anti-magic barriers!" [Roderick]
The wooden contraptions churned, flinging a large rock at the fortress. It struck one of those orb-like magic artifacts, causing something in the air to flicker.
"One hit!" [Soldier]
"Good! Now hit the others!" [Roderick]
According to the intel there were three in total. Once destroyed, the mages could launch an offensive until the footsoldiers could make it.
"Arrows!" [Felix]
"Shields up!" [Roderick]
Soldiers flooded forward, filling in the gaps. Similar to before, the few that weren't quick enough to move into place were struck down.
"Cannons!" [Felix]
The fearsome boom of the cannons echoed, forcing Adam to come forward. However, Felix intervened.
"Spatial Lock!" [Felix]
The iron balls froze in the air, unmoving until Felix dropped them.
"I-Impossible! What magic can go against the cannonball enchantments?!" [Mage]
"Keep moving! Hurry up and get rid of those anti-magic barriers!" [Roderick]
The wooden contraption launched another boulder, accurately removing another anti-magic artifact.
"Arrows!" [Felix]
"Shields!" [Roderick]
As soldiers filled in the gaps, Adam followed Felix's example and took matters into his own hands.
"Pressure Cannon!" [Adam]
Letting out a blast of air whilst sweeping his hand across the sky, the numerous projectiles were blown away.
"Cannons!" [Felix]
"Fable! Can you handle it?!" [Roderick]
"I can!" [Felix]
"Soldiers! Full rush! Ignore the cannons!" [Roderick]
The soldiers charged forward without thinking, completely relying on Felix to handle the cannonballs.
"Spatial Lock!" [Felix]
As expected, his ability was able to deliver great results.
"Launching boulder!" [Soldier]
With one last throw, the last artifact was crushed. Thus, leaving the fortress vulnerable to magic.
"Mage corps! Fire at will!" [Roderick]
A torrent of elements flew overhead Adam. Fire, water, earth, lightning, and so on poured endlessly. It rattled the stone walls and towers, and caused untold damage for anything that went over.
"Don't stop running! We're almost at the front gates!" [Roderick]
The soldiers no longer had to worry about arrows nor cannons. The mages kept the enemies busy protecting themselves, and most of the cannons were destroyed from the onslaught of magic.
"We've reached the front gate! It's enchanted steel, Sir Roderick!" [Soldier]
"Move!" [Roderick]
Summoning a large two handed white and gold ax, Roderick split the gate open with great force.
"Go!" [Roderick]
All soldiers rushed inside. Within awaited a formation of demonic soldiers formed around the broken gate.
"Keep those humans from getting any further!" [Asil]
Adam could see Asil issuing commands from the back. She appeared to be standing on a wooden platform alongside another demon twice her size.
"There's the two captains! It's Asil and Hurgon!" [Roderick]
"I'll take Asil! Til, with me!" [Adam]
"Alright!" [Tiffany]
Summoning her living armor to carry her, Tiffany followed as Adam used implode to make a direct assault.
"Where are my spearmen! Ensure safety with long rea-" [Asil]
"Good to see you again!" [Adam]
A look of surprise crossed her face as Adam tackled her into the fortress wall.
"Asil!" [Hurgon]
Hurgon turned to see where Adam had taken Asil, leaving him unaware of Felix warping next to him.
"Your opponent is me." [Felix]
"Wha-?!" [Hurgon]
Is what left the demon's lips before receiving the end of Felix's staff.
"Urgh…! You damn human!" [Hurgon]
As Felix kept the other captain busy, Asil found herself slumped against the fortress wall.
"Ngh…!" [Asil]
Her ears rang, and her vision churned. After blinking it away, she found Adam standing before her.
"It's you…!" [Asil]
"Yeah, me. We meet again." [Adam]
Asil immediately drew her sword, but was unable to completely pull it out as Adam slammed a kick into her.
"Agh!" [Asil]
Though she was caught off guard, the next will not.
"|Windless Edge-" [Asil]
"Let's take this outside." [Adam]
Asil's blade connected with Adam's fist. In which, Adam's fist proved superior as it overpowered Asil's skill and sent her through the thick fortress wall. She tumbled on the grass, barely managed to right herself and catch her breath.
("What a monster! Is he truly human?!") [Asil]
Adam waltzed through the hole he made through the fortress wall, approaching whilst patting off the dust springing from his actions.
"You know, you felt stronger a week ago." [Adam]
"You felt dumber a week ago." [Asil]
"Maybe your feeling is off?" [Adam]
"You delude yourself." [Asil]
She readied her blade.
"Didn't I almost break that last time?" [Adam]
"I had it fixed. Besides, what does it matter to you?" [Asil]
"I expected more push-back considering you almost killed me." [Adam]
Asil scoffed.
"Do you think this is all I have to offer?" [Asil]
"Is it not?" [Adam]
Asil took that as an insult.
"|Invoke Exto|." [Asil]
A rush of wind came by, converging by Asil's side.
("Another attack?!") [Adam]
He took caution as the wind began to take the form of a man. One that was built like an ox and wore a robe that outlined his chiseled figure.
("She summoned an… ally?") [Adam]
Is what he thought until the robed man broke himself down, turning back into wind before forming into a curved blade placed in Asil's hand. In the end, she brandished two katanas.
"...Oh. She had a Soul Weapon." [Adam]