Chereads / The Journey of Mana / Chapter 5 - Chapter 4: The red in the nights

Chapter 5 - Chapter 4: The red in the nights

Stad is a city known for its size and strategic location. It is situated on the southern border of the empire and serves as the first line of defense against the monsters and beasts that roam the nearby Great Mori Forest and Bierg Mountain Range. The city is known for its sturdy walls and strong army, making it a safe haven for those living within its borders. The city is also a hub for trade, commerce and adventurer guilds, attracting people from all over the empire to seek their fortune and explore the nearby lands. With its large population and thriving economy, Stad is considered one of the most important cities in the southern region. Whether one is seeking adventure, wealth, or just a safe place to call home, Stad is a city that offers something for everyone.

In the city of Stad, our party of adventurers had arrived after a long journey. We took some time to rest and recover before discussing our next quest. The city of Stad was the largest city in the southern border and served as the first line of defense against the monsters and beasts from the great Mori forest and Bierg mountain range. The city was bustling with activity and we found ourselves surrounded by the sounds of laughter and commerce.

As we rested in a local tavern, we discussed our options for our next adventure. We weighed the risks and rewards of each quest and talked about our strengths and weaknesses. We had to make sure that our next quest was within our capabilities, but also challenging enough to further hone our skills.

Finally, we came to a decision and agreed on a quest that would take us deeper into the Bierg mountain range. We knew that it would be dangerous, but we were confident in our abilities and eager to take on the challenge. We finished our drinks and made our way to the Adventurers' Guild to sign up for the quest. We were ready for whatever lay ahead, and eager for the next chapter of our journey.

As the night passed, I was jolted awake by the commotion at the front gate of the city of Stad. The scout squad from the city had arrived in a hurry, informing everyone that a massive horde of monsters was marching towards the city and putting it under siege. I, along with my party members, quickly sprang into action and joined the others in marching towards the front gate to defend the city.

Stad was the biggest city in the southern border, located near the Great Mori Forest and the Bierg Mountain Range, and it was the first line of defense against monsters and beasts that threatened the empire. As such, it was crucial that the city's defenders be prepared to face the approaching horde of monsters.

As I arrived at the front gate, I could feel the tension in the air. Everyone was gathered and ready to face the unknown danger that was headed towards the city. Despite the fear that I felt, I steeled myself and joined the others, determined to do my part in defending Stad and protecting the people.

The battlefield was a chaotic scene, with blood spilling all around as the defenders fought against the relentless horde of monsters. The night sky was painted with a violet hue as the sounds of clashing swords and battle cries filled the air. Although the majority of the monsters were lesser in strength, there were also a significant number of average-strength creatures, many of which were of the undead variety, including skeletons and ghouls. The party, along with the other defenders, fought with all their might against the relentless horde, determined to protect the city and its people from the invading monsters.

As the battle raged on, our party approached the general knights who were leading the army. We proposed a plan to create a small party of elite warriors who could maneuver around the battlefield and ambush the enemy's party leader. The general was impressed by our suggestion and agreed to our proposal. We quickly gathered a team of skilled warriors, including ourselves, and set out to execute our plan. The night was filled with the sounds of clashing swords and the cries of battle, but we remained focused on our mission. Our goal was to take out the enemy's party leader and turn the tide of the battle in our favor. With our combined strength and experience, we were confident that we could succeed in our mission and emerge victorious from the battle.

I was part of an elite party of seven, consisting of myself and other members of my party, as well as three great knights. We were fully equipped and ready to take on the mission to locate and ambush the enemy's party leader. The general knights who led the army saw the potential in my party and the great knights, and believed that together we could succeed in the mission. We were carefully selected for our exceptional abilities and were determined to bring an end to the enemy's reign of terror. With the support of the army and the city, I set out on a dangerous journey to defeat the enemy party leader and bring peace to the land.

The Elder Lich was a fearsome monster, a being of immense power with a mastery of dark magic and mental manipulation. It was said that just a single glance from its glowing eyes could drive a man insane, leaving them forever trapped within its grasp. Its skeletal frame was adorned with tattered robes and an aura of dread surrounded it, striking fear into the hearts of all who dared to face it.

But the Elder Lich was not alone in its reign of terror. It was guarded by three powerful monster generals, each equally as deadly and monstrous. The first was a giant, hulking beast with skin as hard as steel and a roar that shook the earth. The second was a swift and deadly predator, capable of moving at lightning speed and tearing its enemies apart with its razor-sharp claws. The third was a sorcerer, casting dark magic and controlling the battlefield with its otherworldly powers.

Together, the Elder Lich and its monster generals were a force to be reckoned with, leaving destruction and chaos in their wake. Those who dared to face them would surely face their downfall, for the power of the Elder Lich and its generals was unmatched.

As I stood on the battlefield, my heart pounding in my chest, I knew that the fight against the elder lich and the three monster generals would not be easy. The elder lich was known to be a dangerous and powerful monster with the ability to interfere with the minds of its enemies and wield immense magic. The three generals that guarded it only added to the threat. But I had a plan. I was confident in my mental resistance and magic, and I felt that I was capable of taking on the elder lich alone.

I approached the rest of my party and explained my plan to them. I would face the elder lich while they focused on taking down the three monster generals, the knights buy some time per general while seperating to others in some distance so Sigrid and others can take down Generals one by one. I was aware that the battle would be difficult and that the other members of my party were more vulnerable to the elder lich's mental interference. But I felt that this was the best way to buy some time and ultimately defeat the elder lich. I was determined to use my skills and abilities to bring about victory for my party and save the land from the threat of the elder lich and the three monster generals.

The battle against the elder lich was a test of my skills and resilience. I had made a plan to take on the elder lich alone, as I was confident in my mental resistance and mastery of magic. I knew that the elder lich was a formidable opponent, with great mental interference magic and three monster generals guarding him. But I was determined to show my bravery and prove my worth in the face of danger.

As I approached the elder lich, I felt a chill run down my spine. The elder lich was a fearsome sight, with glowing eyes that seemed to pierce through my soul. But I didn't let fear get the best of me. I summoned all my strength and focus and began to cast my spells.

The battle was intense, and the elder lich was a skilled opponent. Its mental interference magic was powerful, but I had trained for years to withstand such attacks. I traded blows with the elder lich, my spells colliding with its magic in a dazzling display of power. I pushed myself to my limits, determined to defeat the elder lich and protect my friends and the city.

As the battle raged on, I could hear the sounds of clashing swords and the cries of battle from the other members of my party as they took on the three monster generals. I knew that they were counting on me to finish the elder lich, and I wouldn't let them down. I summoned all my power and let loose a final burst of magic, striking the elder lich with all my might. With a final cry, the elder lich was defeated, and the battle was won.

The battle against the elder lich was intense, but I was determined to take it down. I had confidence in my mental resistance and magic abilities, and I knew that I could face the elder lich alone. However, things took a turn for the worse when the elder lich reincarnated. It was as if it was indestructible and could not be defeated. But then, I discovered the secret to its immortality. The elder lich had a vessel, a source of its power that kept it alive. It was like a phoenix rising from the ashes. I realized that if I wanted to achieve a real victory, I needed to destroy the vessel. So, I refocused my efforts on finding and destroying the vessel, determined to bring an end to the elder lich once and for all. The battle was difficult, but I was driven by a desire to protect my people and restore peace to the land. In the end, my determination paid off, and the vessel was destroyed, bringing an end to the elder lich and securing a true victory.

As I stood facing the Elder Lich, I knew that this was going to be the most difficult battle of my life. The Elder Lich was a formidable opponent, with great mental interference magic that had already incapacitated many of my companions. But I was determined to defeat it. I closed my eyes and focused, using my mana sensitivity to trace the source of its power. I could feel the presence of a strong mana source and soon realized that it must be the vessel that was fueling the Elder Lich's power.

I made a quick decision. I would need to destroy the vessel if I hoped to defeat the Elder Lich once and for all. To do that, I would need to resupply my own mana. I reached for the nearest monster core and devoured it, feeling the rush of mana flow into my body. With newfound strength, I set my sights on the vessel.

The battle was intense and lasted for what felt like hours. I was constantly dodging the Elder Lich's powerful magic, while also trying to stay within reach of the vessel. At times, I thought that I might not make it, but I refused to give up. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I was close enough to strike. I summoned all the mana I had left and launched a massive spell at the vessel.

There was a blinding flash of light and a deafening explosion. When the dust cleared, I saw that the vessel had been destroyed, and the Elder Lich lay defeated on the ground. The battle was over, and I had emerged victorious. I let out a triumphant roar, filled with relief and exhilaration. The hard-won victory was a testament to my strength and determination, and it would be a moment that I would never forget.

Although I emerged victorious, I was battered and exhausted from the battle. But I was proud of what I had accomplished. I had faced my fear and proven my worth as a warrior, and I would never forget the thrill of battling alone against the elder lich with magic and mental power.

The battle with the elder lich was intense, and I was left feeling exhausted after depleting my mana to destroy the vessel. Despite my weariness, the fight was far from over. The three monster generals still remained, and the battle raged on for three more days. I pushed through, relying on my physical strength and determination to see the battle through to the end. The nights were long and the days were grueling, but I refused to give up. I had come too far and invested too much to let this battle slip away. I fought with all my might, determined to emerge victorious in the end.

After the intense battle with the Elder Lich and its three monster generals, the city emerged victorious. However, the cost of victory was high. A quarter of the city's army was reduced and many soldiers sustained injuries. Our party was also badly hurt, but somehow, we managed to survive. Despite the exhaustion and pain, we were proud to have played a role in protecting the city and defeating the powerful monsters. The scars of the battle would remain with us forever, but they were a symbol of our bravery and determination. The city celebrated its victory and honored the fallen soldiers, but the memory of the intense battle would always linger. The people of the city would never forget the sacrifices made to secure their safety and freedom.

I was exhausted after the battle against the Elder Lich. I had depleted my mana in order to destroy the vessel that was keeping the monster alive. Despite the pain and fatigue, I decided to eat the monster core from the Elder Lich's vessel in an attempt to resupply my own mana. However, the experience was too much for me to handle. My body was overwhelmed by the influx of power and I collapsed. The pain was intense and I couldn't move. Sigrid, a member of my party, was there to help me. Despite his own injuries, she carried me back to the city. The city had emerged victorious, but the cost was high. A quarter of the army had been reduced and many were injured, including members of my party. But somehow, we had all survived the battle.

The aftermath of the battle was filled with a mixture of emotions. On one hand, the city emerged victorious after a grueling and intense battle with the elder lich and its three monster generals also thousands of other monsters. The streets were filled with the sounds of joy and celebration as people cheered on the brave warriors who fought to protect the city. However, the cost of victory was high, as a quarter of the city's army was reduced, and many soldiers were left with injuries.

Our party, too, was not unscathed from the battle. Despite the best efforts of the healers and medics, many of us were left with bruises, cuts, and burns. Despite the pain and exhaustion, we remained standing, proud of what we had accomplished.

For me, the aftermath was especially intense. I had taken a risk and consumed a monster core from the elder lich's vessel, hoping to resupply my mana and take down the enemy. However, my body was not prepared for the physical and mental strain, and I collapsed from exhaustion. Thankfully, I was carried back to the city by one of my companions, Sigrid. The journey back to the city was long and painful, but I remained conscious, filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment for what we had achieved together as a team.

As I slowly regained consciousness, I found myself in an unfamiliar room, looking up at a ceiling that I had never seen before. I was disoriented and my body felt weak, but I knew I was alive. As I tried to sit up, I felt a sharp pain shoot through my body, reminding me of the intense battle I had just been through.

I looked around and saw my fellow party members, who were also lying in beds with bandages covering their bodies. They were all badly injured, but they were still alive. A wave of relief washed over me as I realized that we had all made it through the battle together.

We had fought hard and suffered great losses, but in the end, we had emerged victorious. The battle against the elder lich and its minions had been long and brutal, but we had persevered and won. We were all battered and broken, but we were still standing, ready to move forward and heal from our injuries.

I lay back in my bed and closed my eyes, taking comfort in the fact that my friends were nearby. We had come a long way together and had overcome many obstacles along the way. Now, as we all lay in our beds recovering from our wounds, I knew that our bond had grown even stronger.

A week after the intense battle, our party was finally able to take a moment to relax and celebrate our victory. We gathered in a local tavern, surrounded by the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter. We raised our cups of ale in salute to one another, proud of what we had accomplished. The atmosphere was festive and jubilant as we feasted on juicy meats and savored the sweet taste of victory. After everything we had been through, it was a welcome change to be surrounded by friends and good food, basking in the warmth of our hard-won triumph. Despite our wounds and bruises, we were filled with an immense sense of pride and satisfaction. The week of revelry was just what we needed to recuperate and recharge for what lay ahead.

I was invited by the Marquess of Stad to a ballroom to celebrate our victory with my party. It was a grand affair, filled with laughter and merriment. The highlight of the evening was when the Marquess presented me with the Medal of Stad as a symbol of honor for our bravery and prowess in battle. I was humbled by the gesture and felt proud to have been recognized for my achievements.

As I sat with my party members, planning for our next endeavor, Sigrid suddenly turned to me and asked why I was able to use magic. I told Sigrid and the party members about the harsh conditions in the hell across the great mori forest. I explained to them how it was a difficult place to live in, with scarce resources and constant danger from beasts and other hostile creatures. Despite the challenges, I said that I was able to survive and even thrive there, thanks to my cunning and resourcefulness. Sigrid listened with interest, and asked me how I was able to survive in such a hostile environment. I told her that I learned to be self-sufficient, relying on my own skills and wit to overcome the obstacles I faced. The other party members also listened intently, eager to learn more about this mysterious place and the challenges I had faced there.

Living in the harsh environment across the Great Mori Forest allowed me to use magic naturally. The conditions were so difficult that only the strongest and most capable could survive, and that included the ability to harness and wield magic. I was born and raised in this environment and was able to hone my magical abilities simply by surviving day to day. This is why I was able to use magic with such ease and confidence, even in the face of a formidable enemy like the elder lich.

As I sat with my party members, discussing our future endeavors, Shela suddenly brought up my ability to use magic. She informed me that if I were to use my magic openly, I would likely be appointed as a knight by the higher nobles, or even be granted a noble title by the emperor himself. However, she warned me that if I refuse, I would likely be recruited by the magic association. Despite the tempting offer, I made a vow to myself that I would not use magic openly until I had achieved my goals for my sister. I didn't want to be swayed by the power that magic could bring and lose sight of what was truly important to me.

I, along with my party members, received a new quest from the Adventurer's Guild. It was a B-Rank Quest to scout around the Bierg Mountains and find the reason behind the increased monster activity. This would be another challenging journey for us, but we were all eager to take it on and prove our worth as skilled adventurers. I couldn't wait to see what kind of obstacles we would face and what kind of secrets the mountains would reveal. We gathered our gear and set out, ready for the journey ahead.