(A foot soldier's P.O.V.) Our victory is drawing near. With the heroes on our side, one after another, we toppled the Demons that stood in our way. Conquering their garrison, laying waste to cities, along our path, within three months of our campaign, the Demon Capital is finally at our sight. Morale is high after all, with this one last push, the war that started from who knows when will finally come to an end. Everything was ready, the siege machine are assembled, and the soldiers are in formation. The tension is high and all that we are waiting for is for the sun to rise. We all know what to do and that is to make a path for the heroes. In regards to strength, demons do doubt have the upper hand. But we humans can overcome that with unity, divine magic which the demons do not have and technological advancement. The each demons sure are strong but because of that strength, they have grew arrogant unable to comprehend collective power and insight. Truly they are just barbaric. That is why, we were unable to foresee what is to come.
The sun rose, our catapults started to fire, our mages firing their spells to the enemy while we soldiers slowly marches forward.
"Break the gate, make a path for the heroes to pass through." That was what was on our mind as charge through. With every three of our comrades that fell, a demon was slain.
For some reason, though we spots enemy captain, leading their defense, no Demon General is in sight. We might have killed them all during our march.
Soon, our rams reached the castle gate and eventually managed to break it.
"Charge! Victory is near at hand! My men, charge!" our commander shouted. We followed.
'Just a bit more, this war will soon end'. That was what we all thought. Then there was a sound of trumpet. It's a signal that we have successfully entered the castle itself.
To be honest probably each of all of us wants to slay the Demon King but even if we swarms him, it would all be futile. That is why we leave that to the heroes. They carry the weight of our hopes and dreams of ending this war while provide them the opportunity to do so. And once this is over, our peaceful days would return. Eat the meal my wife makes, watch my child grow, drink with my friends once in a while complaining how boring it is to be on wall patrol or how too much work it is on gate duty.
"Look the heroes have returned!" I don't know who but one of us shouted.
All of us, humans and demons alike looked at the castle's entrance, there we saw the five heroes.
Just a bit longer. All that's remaining now is for the heroes to announce that they have slayed the Demon King.
"Oh foolish men of Leori, how foolish you are to defy the Demon King!" one of the hero shouted.
Before we realize what was happening, a huge dark sphere materialized on the sky and one after another, my allies just collapsed to the ground. Soon I felt my own soul being ripped out of my body then everything faded.
(End of P.O.V)
A distance away from the battle lays another military camp from the humans. Despite not having participated in the battle, it is in turmoil out of confusion due to the sudden command for a retreat.
Initially the official purpose of the camp was to supposedly be reinforcement of the 'exhausted initial campaign unit lea by the heroes'. Which translate to let the first attack wear the enemy then swoop in for the decisive strike but before they could anything, a messenger came running informing the commander of the current situation.
When messenger came pale and obviously troubled, the commander initially thought that he was there to report that the heroes either failed or was slayed which was still part of their plan, asking what's wrong and pretending not to expect what the messenger will say. Soon his fake facial expression became genuine when what the messenger told him was not what he was expecting.
The commander was so surprised that he slammed his table as he stood up trying to reconfirm what the messenger has just said.
"Y-you heard correct sir. T-the heroes has sided with the enemies and currently is fighting with our men. In fact, rather than fight it is more of a slaughter, they, they," unable to explain the scenario that he saw, the messenger was unable to finish his sentence.
"Order a retreat, we're leaving this place." The commander said to the others inside his tent.
"What about the front line?" asks one of them.
"Forget them they were originally supposed to be cannon fodders in the first place. Anyways, the plan is a failure, we are to retreat at once. "
"Oh by the way," this time, the commander is addressing the messenger who's face is that of disbelief of what he just heard.
"Thank you for reporting, and for performing your duty for the kingdom till your last breath."
"W-wha-?!" Stabbed from behind by one of the men that just passed, the messenger feel on the ground before being able to finish what he was supposed to say.
Meanwhile, back at the demon capital, as the sun was about to set, all humans that assaulted the capital are nothing but corpses anymore. While outside, the demons loudly cheers, only the footsteps of Rei and Sylvie can be heard as the walk on the castle's hallway.
"Are you certain it is smart to let the rest leave?" Sylvie asks as after setting up a barrier that blocks others from hearing them.
"Not really but it's not like any of us have any strength left to pursue. We can try and ask the demons to do the chase but I seriously doubt they'll listen so it'll be just a waste of time. Well, at least they won't be bothering us for a while. Anyway, did you get enough?" Rei.
"Yes, the energy output of the souls will be more than sufficient to do what you wanted."