A week had passed, and the humanity army managed to break through the enemy lines, although it was a much more formidable challenge than they had anticipated. They suffered heavy losses, with a quarter of their forces falling in battle. The soldiers were regular troops, not the renowned heroes summoned, but they pressed on. Taking down the sizeable military base posed significant challenges, so they focused on attacking smaller bases before regrouping for the final assault. It would take time for Nessus to reorganize its forces, leaving the towns and villages vulnerable to attacks.
The army began targeting places where civilians lived, causing chaos and fear. Lilith and Lessly, part of a medical and rescue team, had to retreat as their unit had many injured patients. Despite their successes, humans became overconfident and slowed their advances to avoid overextending themselves.
In one building, humans were conducting experiments on demons. The humans in this world were physically weaker and unable to match the demons in combat. Their reliance on summoned heroes from other worlds bolstered their courage. Initially, the heroes led the fights, displaying a strength that boosted the soldiers. What the humans lacked in magical energy, the demons possessed in abundance.
The treatment of the captured demons was inhumane. They were drained of blood, their flesh turned into small pellets, their bones crushed into powder, all to create drugs. Thousands of demons, including the young, old, men, women, and children, suffered this fate to produce the drugs.
Currently, Aayam finds himself in the very same building where the drugs are being produced. He was not brought to be used as an ingredient for the drugs. The soldiers discover that Aayam is human, summoned to this world by Florian's spell. Despite his identity being revealed, they believe Aayam is collaborating with the demons and decide to keep him imprisoned until they determine their course of action.
Aayam's classmates, who were also in the demon world, came to visit him. They expressed harsh words towards him:
"You traitor! Why are you working with the demons!?"
"I bet he joined forces with the demons to seek revenge against us."
"Unbelievable! After all we've done for you, this is how you repay us?"
"I always suspected something like this would happen."
"It's a good thing we caught him before it was too late," Ajax remarked, his words among the harshest. Upon learning of Aayam's alleged betrayal, Ajax rushed to his cell and physically assaulted him.
"You deceitful, despicable, treacherous bastard! How dare you betray us!?" Ajax shouted furiously.
"Ajax, listen, it's not..." Aayam attempted to explain before being cut off by the physical assault.
"Shut your mouth! Do you even understand why we were brought to this world in the first place?" Ajax continued, not allowing Aayam to speak. Despite Aayam's efforts to convince his classmates to halt their aggression towards the demons, they disregarded his words and resorted to violence.
Aayam found himself resting at the end of his cell, reflecting on his current predicament. How did I end up here? I was searching for Lilith's Father but was apprehended by my kind and my former classmates, who refused to listen to me. I can only hope that Lilith, Lessly, and Balder are safe. As a week passed, Aayam grew increasingly anxious about the well-being of his friends, unsure of their safety.
Restless in his confinement, Aayam observed the presence of demons in the vicinity; perhaps they were inhabitants of the town and the nearby villages kidnapped by the army. It seemed likely that they were isolated from the main prison area when Aayam and his team came here.
In the distance, footsteps approached the area where Aayam was detained. Two men seemed to be dragging something along with them.
"Where should we take this guy? All the other cells are full," one man remarked.
"Let's put him in this one. It has a separate room. Who knows, maybe if we're lucky, he and that traitor will take care of each other," the other suggested.
The cell door opened as they conversed, and they tossed their captive inside. The object they threw made a noise as it hit the ground, resembling a living being.
"Well, that will do. Let's head back out," one of them said.
"Yeah, it's been a long day. I heard there's going to be a banquet to celebrate the recent victory," the other mentioned.
"Is that so? We should head there then," they agreed before closing the cell door, their voices fading as they departed.
The demons that were put in the same cell as Aayam struggled to get on his feet, and approached Aayam.
"Hey, can you help me find some people?" Aayam turned to see a demon standing before him. The demon, in his late twenties with a handsome face, knelt down and cast a healing spell on Aayam's injuries.
"Are you alright? Can you tell me where we are?" the demon asked softly. Aayam, now awake, examined the man. He seemed relatively unharmed, except for a cut on his forehead.
"Where are we?" Aayam inquired, his voice weak.
"Who are you?" Aayam asked.
"My name is Acheron. What about you?" the demon replied.
"I'm Aayam Ajax."
"Listen, Aayam, I'm helping you out. Can you answer some questions for me?" Acheron asked.
"I'll try to answer anything I can," Aayam replied.
************
Acheron, a 40-year-old demon who lived as a local librarian in town, studied magic and had some skill with a blade. One day, while engrossed in a book, his friend burst into his workspace with urgent news.
"Acheron, come quickly! Soldiers from the capital have arrived with important news for everyone," his friend exclaimed.
Concerned, Acheron hurried to see what was happening with his friend. Recently, rumors of their country being invaded had been circulating, and Acheron had a bad feeling. When they reached the crowd where the soldiers were gathered, Acheron's fears were confirmed. The captain explained that the enemy had broken through their defenses and would reach their location by the next day.
In response to the imminent threat, several citizens began gathering their belongings to seek safety. Acheron, along with his friends and acquaintances, decided to evacuate as well. Some brave individuals stayed behind to delay the enemy and buy time for those fleeing.
As the refugees were halfway out of the city, it became clear that they were too late. The enemy army had arrived sooner than expected. Enemy soldiers unleashed fire mages on the homes and buildings of the demons, while knights from the opposing forces cut down any remaining stragglers attempting to escape. The town was surrounded, trapping those within.
For hours, the town burned until the flames finally subsided. Acheron, along with a few others, managed to survive by hiding in an underground storage room untouched by the fire. Emerging from his hiding place, Acheron saw the town covered in ash and corpses. As he attempted to return to the storage room, he noticed enemy soldiers capturing some of his friends, chaining them up and leading them away.
Determined not to lose those dear to him, Acheron covertly followed the soldiers, using his magic to catch them off guard. Realizing the odds were against him in a confrontation, he decided to retreat and follow them from their destination instead. They arrived at Sigilla, one of the largest cities in Nessus.
As the soldiers dragged his friends into the city, Acheron discreetly moved around to gather information. Unbeknownst to him, he had been spotted by enemies' lookout, and before he knew it, he found himself surrounded by a horde of creatures. Overwhelmed, Acheron blacked out.
When he regained consciousness, Acheron found himself in a cell, unsure of how he had gotten there. Surprisingly, despite his restraints, he was still able to use his magic.
Turning towards the wall, Acheron noticed a figure in the cell covered in injuries. This prompted him to continue his search for his missing friends. Shocked by the stranger's injuries, Acheron cast a healing spell on the person.
"Who are you?" Aayam asked.
"My name is Acheron. And you, what's your name?" the stranger replied.
"I'm Aayam... Aayam Ajax."