At the old residence, Haruto and Riku assisted the human soldiers struggling with the traps left behind by the demons. They helped the soldiers escape the traps they were caught in, dismantled some of them, and occasionally captured any demons attempting to escape.
"Hey, look! It's Sir Haruto and Sir Riku!"
"With them here, victory is assured."
The soldiers' morale soared with their heroes beside them.
"Riku, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Haruto, how are you so fearless in all this?"
Haruto realized Riku had yet to face serious combat.
"You're mistaken, Riku. I'm terrified, my heart races, and look, my hand shakes. In my first battle, I saw so many soldiers dying due to my fear of fighting back. I will not make the same mistake again."
Riku was silent, stunned by Haruto's deep regret. He couldn't fathom the weight of losing comrades. Determined to prevent such a tragedy, Riku followed Haruto's example, ensuring the soldiers' safety.
As Riku stood beside Haruto, a signal flare shot into the night sky.
"What's that?"
"It's a signal flare. The demons are trying to escape."
"We must hurry to prevent that!"
"Why?"
"We need to capture them for intel. If even one escapes, they could bring back a larger force."
As the humans moved forward, they encountered magical traps they were unfamiliar with and unable to disarm.
The traps detonated like landmines, tearing soldiers apart.
Haruto witnessed soldiers being killed instantly by stone spears, their bodies mutilated.
Riku, overwhelmed by the gruesome scene, retched in disgust.
"Riku, pull yourself together. We must press on!" Haruto urged, returning to his friend and seeing him stop. "Come on, it's too dangerous here. Let's find a safer spot for you to catch your breath," Haruto said, carrying Riku on his shoulder towards an old building. Haruto activated his investigative skill, Detection, to sense any abnormalities in the area.
His skill detected a trap at the building's center. "It works! This will help us avoid more traps," Haruto exclaimed, relieved.
Placing Riku in a corner, Haruto reassured him as he struggled with a panic attack induced by the gruesome scene.
"Riku, you'll be okay. Take deep breaths, focus on my voice," Haruto soothingly encouraged.
After calming down, Riku acknowledged, "I think I'm okay now."
Haruto demonstrated his detection skills to Riku, who was amazed when he successfully located the trap inside the building. Realizing the potential of their shared ability, Riku felt a newfound determination to face the demons' traps.
"Haruto, with our skill, we can help soldiers avoid traps that the demons left behind," Riku suggested.
"I had the same idea. Can you continue?" Haruto asked.
Riku hesitated but eventually agreed to press on.
Leaving the building, Haruto and Riku returned to the battlefield.
"Let's split up to cover more ground and aid the soldiers," Haruto proposed.
"Understood. Be safe, Haruto!" Riku replied.
"You too."
The two friends separated as they reached a fork in the street.
************
Screams and sounds of traps echoed through the area where demons had set their traps, decimating human forces.
"Watch your step! The enemy's traps are everywhere. Move cautiously," someone warned, guiding soldiers to avoid the lethal traps.
Despite their efforts to watch out, the magical traps were undetectable until triggered, leading to unavoidable casualties.
"Kaaaaaaa!"
"Tit tit tit"
"Aaaaaaaa!"
"Don't stop, keep going!"
The soldiers marched relentlessly, following the lone figure leading the way. Despite the deadly traps, they pressed forward, fueled by anger, hostility, and a thirst for revenge against the demons who had caused so much suffering. The loss of their comrades only intensified their resolve. Nothing could deter them as they sought to avenge their fallen brethren and eradicate the source of their pain.
As the soldiers attempted to cut through a net blocking their path, a voice called out to them.
"Stop! Refrain from proceeding past the net. You are in grave danger!"
The soldiers turned to see Haruto.
"Sir Haruto!"
"Sir Hero!" they exclaimed, surprised yet relieved to see him.
Haruto warned them that the demons they were chasing after were illusions and that they were being led to a trap that would kill them. Haruto threw a stone, which he picked up at the demon. The soldiers were running after him to demonstrate that the stone could pass through the demon and set off the trap, causing a large explosion.
Realizing the danger they had narrowly escaped, the soldiers fell to their knees, shaken by the revelation. They understood they had lost a lot of lives thanks to the demons' mind games.
"Sir Haruto, are you real?" one of them asked, seeking confirmation after the harrowing experience.
Haruto approached the soldier, who questioned him and applied a healing potion to the man's injured arm, which quickly healed.
"Does that convince you of my abilities?" Haruto inquired, receiving a nod from the soldier.
"Good. I have your trust now. Follow me. My skills can help us navigate the demon traps. I've found a path the demons use to escape," Haruto announced confidently, and the soldiers willingly followed him.
************
Meanwhile, a group of soldiers struggled to navigate the unfamiliar terrain in a different part of the ruins while transporting their injured comrades to safety. Initially numbering 30, only six remained, carrying the wounded. The soldiers not only contended with traps but also faced demon attacks.
"Frustrating! How far are we from the gate?" a soldier cursed, feeling the weight of their predicament.
"I'm not certain; these surroundings are unfamiliar to me."
"We have to hurry; these wounded soldiers have little time left. We need to find a healer soon," they realized, seeing their comrades' critical condition.
Pressing onward in the assumed direction of safety, the group encountered destroyed buildings, remnants of battles between mages and demons, and the tragic sight of fallen comrades lost to enemy traps.
Screams pierced the air in the distance, a stark reminder of the danger lurking nearby. The group moved cautiously, wary of triggering traps or encountering demon soldiers.
Struggling to carry their injured companions, the group forged ahead until the leader abruptly halted.
"Why did you stop?" one soldier inquired.
"Hush, listen," the leader commanded.
"I don't hear anything?" another soldier said.
"Quiet, just listen," the leader insisted, sensing a hidden threat.
Silence enveloped the group, broken only by the sound of their breathing. Soon, they discerned the noise of approaching footsteps, alerting them to imminent danger.
A knight in armor emerged from a nearby corner, his expression shifting from disbelief to relief to panic upon spotting the group. Urgently, he warned them to flee before meeting a fiery demise from a spear hurled by an unseen assailant.
Witnessing the knight's sudden death, the soldiers soon see the presence of a grotesque demon with writhing tentacles and evil eyes.
"It's a demon! Prepare for battle!" The soldiers swiftly assumed combat positions, positioning their injured comrades against a nearby wall.
Observing the soldiers' readiness to engage, the demon began to weave its dark magic, preparing to unleash its power upon the unsuspecting humans.
"//////!"
The tentacle demon unleashed three acid arrows towards the humans, each finding its mark.
"Kaaaa!"
The soldiers, clad in armor, were partially shielded from the assault, but not all escaped unscathed. The knight at the forefront bore the brunt of the attack, the acid arrow melting his face, spine, hair, and even his eyeballs to the bone.
"Be cautious! This demon is a caster. We must close in on it to neutralize its magic," a soldier urged, cautiously approaching the tentacle demon while evading its relentless attacks.
"////!"
Casting another spell, the tentacle demon's appendages began to emit a mysterious glow, putting the humans on high alert. Uncertain of the impending magic, they braced themselves for a long-range attack or a debilitating spell, considering the creature's appearance and previous actions.
However, defying their expectations, the demon lashed out with its tentacles, catching the soldiers off guard and knocking them back, inflicting injuries.
"Curses! Be cautious! Do not let it touch you again!" a soldier shouted, warning his comrades of the danger.
Not only did the demon possess immense physical strength, but its tentacles also exuded a corrosive substance that melted through the soldiers' armor upon contact.
The knights struggled to rise, gritting their teeth, only to face another onslaught from the demon's agile tentacles. Swift and relentless, the tentacles disarmed the soldiers and ensnared their arms, causing agonizing burns.
"Aaaaaaaa!"
"Release him!" a nearby knight, witnessing his comrade in peril, seized his sword and charged towards the ensnared soldier. With a mighty swing, he severed the tentacle, freeing his comrade from the demon's grip.
"Kra!" the demon howled in agony as it released the knight from its grip.
"Ihhhh Ihhh Ihhh!"
"Hold on, let me tend to your arm," the knight said, producing a vial and pouring its contents over the injured arm. The healing potion began to take effect, regenerating some of the damaged skin but not completely restoring it.
"Kraaaa!" the tentacle demon shrieked in pain. It soon regenerated the missing tentacle, and new eyes opened on the tentacle, each glaring at the humans with malice.
"//////!"
With a few muttered words, the demon's eyes started to glow with different colors, an ominous sign. Sensing danger, the humans scrambled for cover just as the demon unleashed a barrage of colorful laser beams from its eyes.
"Aaaaah!"
The beams distorted everything in the ruins. When it ended, the stone buildings were melted.
The humans fighting the demon were burnt to a crisp and scattered around.
The demon's eyes returned to normal, signaling the end of its attack. Satisfied, it walked forward, checking for survivors. It seemed unlikely that anyone had survived.
A soldier emerged from cover under a sturdy metal door when it seemed like all the humans were killed. The door was made of sturdy metal that the ancient capital was researching. Initially, several doors were made of metal, and the capital would install them for cellars. But they did not get to it before the capital sank. It was pure luck that the soldier was near where the doors were being developed.
"Thank the gods I'm alive," the soldier muttered in relief.
The tentacle demon disciplined itself and approached the surviving man. Whispering a few words, its eyes began to glow again, preparing to unleash another devastating attack.
"No, stay back!" the soldier shouted in fear, clinging to the door as the demons advanced. "Don't kill me! Help!"
Just as the demon was about to unleash its lethal beam, a round object struck it, emitting a blinding flash of light. The demon screamed in agony as it was temporarily blinded.
As the demon tried to regain sight, it saw a figure approaching. Before it could react, the dark silhouette swiftly struck, decapitating the demon. Riku Yamamoto, one of the heroes, had delivered the fatal blow.
"Sir Riku! You saved me. Thank you, I'm eternally grateful!"
Riku humbly replied, "There's no need for thanks. If I had arrived sooner, I could have saved your comrades."
The soldier felt regretful for not reaching his fallen comrades in time.
"Tell me, are there any other survivors among your comrades?"
With the demon vanquished, the knight turned his attention to his comrades, only to find their charred remains scattered around.
The soldier realized that all his comrades had perished.
"Mark, Soul, Jone! You can't leave now. Think of your families waiting for you. Mark, your son needs you. Soul, you promised to visit your childhood friend. Jone, your wife is carrying your child. You must go back to them. Mark, Soul, Jone." The soldier lamented the loss of his comrades, each with their own stories and dreams, now gone in battle.
He remembered two injured comrades before sinking into bottomless sorrow and facing the tentacle demon. Rushing to their side, he found them still alive, a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.
"Sir Riku, come quickly," the knight called out.
Riku hurried over, asking, "Did you find any survivors?"
"Sir Riku, do you have healing potions?" the knight inquired urgently.
"I do." Riku retrieved two potions from his bag and handed them over.
Administering the potions, the knight watched as the men's strength slowly returned, pulling them back from the brink of death.
"Cough, cough... Where am I... cough, cough!" one of the men stirred.
"Take it easy. The healing potions will help, but you need rest to regain your strength," the knight reassured them.
Nodding in understanding, the injured men began their road to recovery, grateful for the chance to live on.
"Glad you understand." Though Riku's potions are temporarily relieved, the injured friends need a healer. The knight knew he couldn't carry them alone. Perhaps Riku could help, but he hesitated, considering Riku's status as a hero. Resolved, he prepared to take them to safety on his own.
"Wait, let me assist you," unexpectedly, Riku offered a hand.
"I can't waste your time, Sir Riku. There may be others who need your aid," the knight protested.
"It's fine. I'll take you to the rear lines and return promptly. I can't leave you in this state," Riku insisted.
Realizing Riku wouldn't be dissuaded, the knight said, "Thank you for your help, sir Riku. I owe you."
Together, they carried the two injured men towards the rear lines.
************
Deeper inside the old capital, a tunnel served as the demons' escape route. The soldiers of the Nessus Regiment navigated through it, wary of their enemies catching up. Fortunately, the traps they had set earlier proved effective, delaying the human.
The lieutenant stood at the tunnel entrance, overseeing the demons trying to escape. As they advanced through the tunnel, he witnessed the devastating state of his people. There were demons with broken equipment, bloodied and injured, some even missing limbs due to enemy bombardment.
"Lieutenant! I have a report from the lookouts!" Nymph, a minor demon, interrupted his observations.
"What is it? Is it the enemy?" the lieutenant inquired urgently.
"Yes, they've bypassed our traps and are less than 0.8 kilometers away," Nymph reported.
Shocked by the proximity of the enemy, the lieutenant realized the situation's urgency.
"Some soldiers are holding them off, but they won't last long. We need to escape and secure the exit route," Nymph continued.
Frustrated and worried for his comrades buying time, the lieutenant contemplated the limited options.
"How long can they delay the enemy?" he asked.
"Due to their injuries, maybe less than 5 minutes," Nymph replied.
With little time to spare, the lieutenant made a difficult decision. He turned to the soldiers nearby and issued a command.
"Create low-class explosion spells within the entries," the lieutenant commanded, seizing the opportunity to exploit the enemy's weakness of being unable to access their magic traps.
"Sir Haruto, we've handled the demons at bay," reported a soldier.
************
"Excellent! Maintain high alert," Haruto instructed. Haruto and his soldiers closed in on the escaping demons deep within the ruins, anticipating a final confrontation.
"Charge!" a cry rang out, propelling the knights into battle.
"Kaaaah!"
"Aah!"
As they charged towards the remaining demons, the knights swiftly dispatched any fleeing foes. "Halt! It's perilous to charge ahead. There could be more magic traps," Haruto warned, but the knights' battle cries drowned out his caution. Driven by a mix of fury and a thirst for retribution, the knights pushed forward, oblivious to the potential perils. Ignoring Haruto's advice, the knights reached the demons' infiltration tunnel. Confronted with the humans' relentless advance, the remaining demons, resolved to buy time for their comrades' escape, braced for one last stand against their adversaries.
"Blast it! They've arrived sooner than expected! We haven't completed the circles. All of you stop and get out of here!" The lieutenant swiftly commanded the soldiers to cease drawing the circles, granting them a chance to flee while holding back the enemy.
"And what about you, sir?" a soldier asked, his concern for leaving the lieutenant behind evident.
"I'll secure the entrance to ensure the enemy can't pursue you," the lieutenant replied.
"But, sir, you're our leader! We need you for the next battle," another soldier protested.
"I can't accompany you. I'll use my magic to seal the tunnel entrance. I'm not proficient in earth magic, but I can use it to create an explosion strong enough to block up the entrance, " the lieutenant explained resolutely. The soldiers departed reluctantly, disappearing into the darkness of the tunnel. The lieutenant watched them go before moving away from the entrance.
"Listen up," the lieutenant called out, unsure if his men could hear him. "This is our final duty as Nessus soldiers. We must hold the enemy here to protect those who escaped through the tunnel. Don't let any enemy pass until the tunnel is sealed!"
The lieutenant, a demon of formidable power, stood at the tunnel entrance, his dark eyes glowing with determination as he focused his magic, preparing to seal off the escape route for his comrades. Knowing their duty, his demonic soldiers formed a defensive line, holding back the advancing humans with a fierce and coordinated defense.
Haruto and his soldiers fought valiantly against the remaining demons inside the ruins, trying to break through the enemy lines to reach the tunnel entrance. Swords clashed, spells crackled, and battle cries filled the air as the two sides clashed in a brutal struggle for supremacy.
Despite their best efforts, the humans found themselves stymied by the demon soldiers' tenacious defense. Their advance was slowed by their adversaries' relentless onslaught of dark magic and fierce combat skills.
As the fighting raged on, the injured and civilians began to make their way into the tunnel, guided by a few brave souls who stayed behind to ensure their safe passage. The tunnel entrance loomed ahead, a beacon of hope and safety amidst the chaos of battle.
Knowing that time was of the essence, the demons fought with renewed enthusiasm to buy their comrades the precious moments they needed to escape. The clash of arms and magic intensified as both sides pushed themselves to their limits in a desperate bid for victory.
In the chaos, a tense standoff ensued as the humans and demons locked eyes across the battlefield, each side knowing that the fate of their comrades hung in the balance. The stakes were high, the tension palpable, as the final chapter of the battle for the ruins of Tartarus played out in a dramatic and harrowing fashion.
And so, the struggle between humans and demons reached its climax, a test of wills and strength that would determine the outcome of the conflict. The echoes of battle faded, leaving only the sound of heavy breathing and the distant rumble of falling debris as the combatants prepared for the final, decisive push.
The fight was fierce. A large Orc continued fighting, using its powerful punches to kill the human soldiers despite multiple injuries and swords embedded in his back. A faceless and appraising Zerun demon caused chaos by repelling any humans who approached it. A tentacle demon uses its tentacles to disarm and injure humans in the battle.
As Haruto's gaze locked onto the lone demon seated before the large hole, a flood of memories from the past surged through his mind. He remembered the city of Sigilla, the captured demons that had mysteriously vanished, and the suspicions that had clouded the minds of the human soldiers.
When the human army seized control of Sigilla, unrest brewing within the ranks as the captured demons meant to serve them inexplicably disappeared. Initially, it was believed that rogue soldiers might have taken matters into their own hands, but as time passed, doubts and unease crept in.
Haruto, known for his keen intellect and sharp investigative skills, was assigned to unravel the mystery behind the missing demons. Delving deep into the city's shadows, he uncovered a network of secret underground tunnels the demons had used to evade capture, safeguard their kin, and steal vital supplies from the humans.
After a painstaking investigation that led him through winding passages and hidden chambers, Haruto finally unearthed the truth behind the disappearances. The demons had been orchestrating a covert operation beneath the city's surface, using the tunnels as a lifeline to ensure their kind's survival and strike back at their oppressors.
In a decisive and brutal counteroffensive, the humans descended into the depths of the tunnels, confronting the demons in a fierce and bloody confrontation. Haruto led the charge, his blade cutting through the darkness as he faced off against the defiant demons who had dared to challenge their rule.
In a clash of steel and sorcery, the humans battled fiercely against their elusive foes, determined to root out the source of their troubles. The tunnels echoed with the sounds of combat, the clash of weapons, and the anguished cries of the vanquished.
In the end, the humans emerged victorious, their resolve unshaken, as they purged the tunnels of the demon threat and restored order to the city. Haruto's skill and bravery had played a pivotal role in uncovering the hidden danger lurking beneath the surface, ensuring that Sigilla would remain under human control and free from the shadow of demonic subterfuge.
Observing the demon preparing to unleash a destructive spell at the entrance, Haruto knew he had to act. Ignoring the other demons, he focused on the lieutenant, the key figure in the fight.
Outside, the lieutenant's magic reached a crescendo, and with a mighty roar, he unleashed a devastating explosion that sealed off the tunnel entrance with a wall of rock and debris—at least, that is what is supposed to happen.
"Converge and shine as one... Oooh!"
As the lieutenant neared the completion of his incantation, a sharp pain seared through his shoulder, a throwing knife embedded in it. Spotting a young boy approaching, the lieutenant noticed it was Haruto.
With deft agility, Haruto skillfully evaded the demons attempting to seize him, aided by other humans thwarting their advances. As Haruto closed in on the lieutenant, their weapons clashed fiercely.
Despite the lieutenant's attempt to block Haruto's machete, the force behind the blow proved overwhelming. Haruto, empowered by his enhanced skills, countered with increased strength, speed, and agility, gaining the upper hand in the duel.
Haruto deftly dodged a surprise slash, anticipating a move to unbalance him, maintaining his advantage in the intense confrontation.
Haruto swiftly drew a short blade from his belt and aimed it at the lieutenant's neck, but luck was not on his side. With a quick reaction, the lieutenant delivered a powerful kick to Haruto's stomach, forcing him back.
Haruto acted decisively, sensing the impending danger of the demon casting a significant spell. Dropping his machete, he retrieved a miniature crossbow from his pouch and fired several arrows at the demon. The lieutenant evaded the arrows with a swift sidestep.
Disposing of the crossbow, Haruto charged in with his short sword, aiming an upward swing. The lieutenant blocked the attack with his sword, straining to resist the force of Haruto's blow. To the lieutenant's alarm, Haruto's sword blade began to emit a faint glow.
Sensing an ominous change, the lieutenant stepped back cautiously, but Haruto closed in, maintaining proximity. Their blades clashed, and the lieutenant felt an unusual sensation. Realization dawned on him as he sensed his mana drained, coinciding with the glow of Haruto's sword.
Could Haruto's weapon possess the ability to absorb or steal mana?
The lieutenant's suspicion proved true. Haruto wielded a unique sword capable of dispelling magic, absorbing mana, or draining it from adversaries nearby.
With his mana drained, the lieutenant could only cast spells if Haruto's sword was near him. Engrossed in his duel with Haruto, he failed to notice another enemy sneaking up behind him.
Slash!
A sharp pain ripped through the lieutenant as the enemy slashed him from behind. Reacting swiftly, the lieutenant swung his sword at the new foe, only to make a critical mistake.
Haruto continues his attack on the lieutenant.
Slash!
The lieutenant leaped away from the enemies, but a sudden fireball struck him, catching him off guard.
"Aah!"
Gasping for air, the lieutenant collapsed to his knees, his comrades falling around him, one by one, as the enemies closed in.
"Listen up," Haruto raised his voice, addressing the nearby knights. "This enemy is scheming to hinder us. We must not allow him to succeed in protecting his comrades."
"Roger!"
Several individuals stepped forward, ready to use their magic for the impending confrontation.
"Fireball!"
"Piercing Wind Arrow!"
"Earth Lance!"
"Water Blade!"
"Lightning Strike!"
A barrage of spells was unleashed towards the lieutenant, striking him where he stood. Writhing in agony, he collapsed to the ground, unable to continue the fight as his strength waned. Helpless, the lieutenant's consciousness faded, his vision fixed on the young boy, who signaled his subordinates to enter the tunnel.
Having defeated the demon, the humans were on the brink of claiming victory.
"Gather the wounded knights and escort them to the medical unit. Those of you who can still fight, follow me!" Haruto commanded.
One of the knights spoke up, "Sir Haruto! What's your plan? We just defeated the enemy here. Where are you taking us?"
"Our mission isn't finished. The demon we just slew was amassing a significant amount of mana," Haruto explained.
The knight nodded in understanding but didn't grasp the significance yet.
"What caught my attention was that the demon was about to blow up that tunnel," Haruto pointed at an entrance. "It seemed like he intended to collapse it to aid the escape of the other demons."
The soldiers gasped, finally comprehending Haruto's intentions.
"But, Sir Haruto, pursuing the fleeing demons is perilous. We should secure the entrance and then regroup with reinforcements," Another knight suggested.
"We don't have time for that. If we delay, the demons will slip away," Haruto insisted.
"Sir Haruto!"
"Go. Inform the commander at the rear and relay the situation regarding the tunnel. Send reinforcements to aid us. We'll press forward to intercept the demons before they flee," Haruto ordered.
As the knight tried to persuade Haruto to reconsider, he reluctantly obeyed and reported to the commander. Just as they were about to part ways, something extraordinary began to unfold in the ruins.