KANETO'S POV:-
Crossing the forest, we have almost reached Eslaine.
Looking ahead, I glance at the Sacred Tree.
'Approx. 30mins more.'
One more hour and the attack will commence, burning the tree with a fire that will engulf the city in chaos.
Taking a glance at the devil in front of me, a frown forms on my face.
'What's her motive in giving us such crucial information? What if it's a trap?'
Infamous for their cunning nature, the devils tend to do things beneficial to them. The fact that they are going to take such drastic measures is questionable itself.
'Eslaine is too valuable for Elves. Destroying it has the potential of starting a war between Elves and Devils.'
Looking at our leader who seems to blindly believe her, I knew voicing my opinion won't work.
'Let's see how it plays out.'
Soon we reach the gate of Eslaine.
"Unia, disguise yourself as a human," Morpheus commands her and she follows it.
Staring at the scene that was playing out, my mind turmoiled.
'Morpheus, to easily command the Supreme Devils like your subordinates, who are you?'
Just what kind of mess have I got myself into?
'Julia, this is way above my pay grade.'
Shaking my head, I walk towards the gate. The guards check our identity before letting us in.
I glanced at the Devil standing aloof, away from the group.
'To let even a Devil use mana freely, Morpheus' circles are truly heaven defying.'
We start moving towards the inn.
The tension rose in my heart as I observe everyone staring at us.
'Did something happen?'
Aria and Leleina have their eyesight fixed on the Sacred Tree.
A few blocks away from the inn, Morpheus stops and starts staring ahead of us.
'What's there?' I take a glance at the direction where Morpheus is looking.
Zwain, Lucy and Icelos are looking at an adventurer with blank faces.
'What happened to them?'
"ZWAIN!!!" Morpheus shouts.
Zwain looks in our direction, but Lucy and Icelos doesn't seem to have noticed us.
Zwain runs towards us but stops as soon as his sight falls on the devil.
Looks like he saw through her.
'If I remember correctly, Zwain couldn't see through the devils' disguise before, did he improve?'
His eyes are deadset on the devil.
Sigh
'This is going to be messy.'
"Morpheus, what is the meaning of this?" Channelling mana into his arms, he asks Morpheus in a serious tone.
"Her? I just got a new comrade I picked up on the way. Anyway, there is some-"
-Boom
An explosion occurs.
'Isn't there still 15 minutes left for the explosion?'
"[Air Blast] x 100" the air clears as the spells hit.
The smoke clears and the sky turns red as the burning Sacred Tree comes into my view.
I turn at the devil who is standing without any expression, glancing at Morpheus.
'It really was true,'
Aria and Leleina are trembling.
'Looks like, they were too having doubts about the devil's words.'
"Wh-what..." Words stop coming out of Leleina's mouth as she looks at the tree. A horrified expression takes over her face as her eyes are fixated on the tree.
Aria and Pixies aren't much different.
Zwain looks shocked as well. Getting enraged at the situation he glares at Morpheus,
"Was this your plan from the beginning?" He asks as his veins throbs and the mana around him gets concentrated.
Morpheus looks at him without any expression as he commands,
"Kaneto, take care of the Devils around the Sacred Tree. Aria and Leleina heal the Sacred Tree. Zwain, that Royal Mage is fighting someone strong on the top of that tree, go help her. Leraye and Unia you are coming with me, take me to Phantasos' location."
Zwain who is observing Morpheus gets irritated and starts moving towards him but stops as Morpheus again speaks to him," Zwain, you don't have a choice here. We'll save Eslaine and the Princess both. Trust me."
Zwain looks at him, "I want answers once it's all over," saying that he jumps towards the Sacred Tree.
'It's not only you Zwain who has questions,' I mutter as I look at his departing figure.
"Everyone, let's go, we have a city to save," Morpheus speaks as he departs.
...
Killing any devils coming our way, I reach the entrance to the Sacred Tree.
With determination on their faces, Aria and Leleina look at the entrance as we move.
-Boom
A few Supreme Devils crashed out of the building.
"Damn, that elf...Where's the f***ing reinforceme..oh there they are," one of them speaks with a sigh of relief as he looks behind us.
Turning around a frown formed on my face,
'More Supreme Devils.'
Can I handle this many at once?
-Splash
A water blade slashes the building from where the Devils crashed, creating an opening.
"Stop running around, you bastards," a voice filled with disdain is heard from the smoke as a figure of a man coming out of there becomes visible.
The smoke clears showing the features of an elf with a dagger in his hand and water blades dancing around him.
Ruby rank adventurer: Robin Joins the battle.
...
ON TOP OF THE SACRED TREE:
A dark topless bulky man with a body covered in flames is fighting a Royal mage.
Fire covered his hair, eyes, fists, arms, chest and legs.
An old man wearing a white robe is supporting the topless man. With his clean short white beard, and short white hair he looked like a saint. But his actions were anything but saint-like.
"Just where could Unia be?" Mutters the white-robed man.
"Adelphus, didn't you say she would take care of Zwain and Karina," asks the old man as he supports Adelphus.
Sapphire Rank Adventurer: Guild Master of the Adventurers Guild: Eslaine branch: Adelphus
"Don't know...haap...I mean...hey Karina, could you calm down a little, I...haa...am trying to talk here...Something must have happened with her...Unia I mean," speaks Adelphus as he dodges Karina with little effort.
"You bastard, fight with me one on one, since when did you start taking help of others? And that too of Royal Wizard, Arlington," shouts Karina with an angered voice as she fights Adelphus.
Arlington: Royal Wizard of Skapia[Kingdom of Magic]
"That you know, I-" before Adelphus could tell someone interrupts him,
"Looks like the party has already started," an elf enters the Battle.
Fifth Elf Branch: Esperestus Mark Zwain joins the battle.
...
LIGHT'S POV:-
Reaching the location I witness how my brothers fought and won. Also, how Lucy supported them.
But the lack of Unia in the battle added another factor that could have potentially killed my brothers.
I look at one side, a grey haired slender man wearing a blue dress is walking towards my brothers.
He has a giant hammer in his hands.
Sapphire rank adventurer: Parker Slate joins the battle.
"Leraye, deal with him," I command Leraye.
"Okay Leader," answers Leraye with a smile on his face.
He jumps in front of Parker.
I turn to Unia.
"Unia, there is something I need you to do."
...
ON THE EAST GATE OF ESLAINE:
"That completes my end of the deal, Morpheus, I hope you can keep your end of the deal," a man speaks as he looks at the burning tree.
He then looks at a girl unconscious in front of him.
"Leena, it won't be long before you are free from your sufferings," He speaks to her with a small smile on his face.