Time continued to move forward, and Yu Xie's body gradually recovered, almost back to its original state.
The war also continued to unfold, but the situation had become clearer. In the foreseeable future, the Allied Forces of the Seven Archons would achieve final victory, and this catastrophe was coming to an end.
Yu Xie returned to his post. Although he couldn't fully participate in combat yet, it was impossible for him to remain in bed any longer.
Inside the tent, Yu Xie, Makoto, and Chiyo were discussing the next course of action.
At that moment, a messenger urgently rushed into the tent.
"Report—A group of monsters has appeared ten miles outside the camp, and they are heading this way! At the current speed, they will reach the camp in less than half an hour!"
Hearing this news, the three of them frowned slightly.
"These monsters really don't want us to have a moment of rest," Chiyo remarked. "Yu Xie, your body hasn't fully recovered yet. Don't go into battle. I'll lead the team."
Without waiting for a response from Makoto or Yu Xie, Chiyo turned and left the tent.
Monster groups were not a rare occurrence, but this time, Yu Xie had an uneasy feeling in his heart. He quickly asked the messenger:
"What do these monsters look like?"
"They are all ordinary beast-shaped monsters, nothing special. However, according to reports from the front lines, there seems to be one leader that's different. It's a monster with the body of a tiger and the tail of a snake."
Tiger body, snake tail...
A series of images flashed through Yu Xie's mind—Chiyo being swallowed by a tiger-bodied, snake-tailed monster. Though Chiyo had burst out of its belly without serious injury, she had been tainted by an evil force and gradually lost her sanity.
That moment had finally arrived.
Without hesitation, Yu Xie quickly left the tent, trying to stop Chiyo, but she was already nowhere to be seen.
"What's wrong?" Makoto asked, following Yu Xie out of the tent, somewhat puzzled.
"Makoto, we have to hurry!"
Chiyo led the team to the designated location.
Even from a distance, the group of monsters could already be seen approaching.
It was a sea of black, like a tidal wave of darkness.
But the soldiers were ready, gripping their spears and waiting in formation.
At Chiyo's command, the soldiers' morale surged, and they charged forward, their footsteps raising a cloud of dust.
The sound of blades clashing with sharp claws and fangs echoed constantly as monsters fell one after another.
"Capture the leader first," Chiyo thought to herself. The tiger-bodied, snake-tailed monster, which seemed to be their leader, had likely realized this strategy as well.
A man and a beast locked eyes across the battlefield, their gazes like sharp blades clashing.
The long sword appeared in her hand, and Chiyo leapt into the air, landing steadily in front of the monster.
The blade sliced through the air with a sharp whistle.
Chiyo's figure intersected with the monster again and again.
The monster seemed to have little intelligence, only using what seemed like primal animal instincts to defend and attack, but Chiyo couldn't find an opening to strike.
This monster was no ordinary beast. The thought flashed through Chiyo's mind as she increased the intensity of her assault.
The long sword continued to cut through the air, its sharp hum resembling the calls of countless birds.
Finally, the monster began to tire, unable to keep up with Chiyo's speed.
The long sword left cut after cut on its body.
At this point, the monster stopped, protecting its head and allowing Chiyo's blade to slash across its skin. It let out a deafening roar, throwing its head back.
The roar echoed across the battlefield, forcing even the soldiers on the outskirts to cover their ears.
Chiyo halted her attack, stepping back to distance herself and steady her breath, covering her own ears.
Soon, the wounds on the monster's body began to heal at a visible rate.
"As expected, it's no ordinary creature." Chiyo gripped her blade tighter, muttering to herself.
Once again, Chiyo leapt forward.
But this time, the monster showed no intention of defending.
It opened its enormous blood-red mouth, its sharp fangs on full display. The mouth stretched open to an impossible size.
In the next moment, the air around them began to swirl violently.
The monster was frantically sucking in air, pulling everything around it in as well.
Chiyo, mid-leap, couldn't adjust her movements in time. The immense pulling force held her fast.
In the next instant, the monster's mouth slammed shut.
In front of many watching soldiers, Chiyo was swallowed whole.
"General Chiyo!"
"Chiyo!" Yu Xie had just arrived on the battlefield, but the inevitable had already happened.
The battlefield seemed to fall into a momentary silence.
Then, the long sword pierced through the monster's belly, cutting it open. Chiyo emerged from inside, unharmed.
With a fatal blow to its insides, the tiger-bodied, snake-tailed monster collapsed to the ground, twitching before falling still.
The soldiers on the battlefield erupted in a roar of victory.
But in Yu Xie's eyes, worry only deepened.
"Chiyo..."
Without their leader, the monster horde collapsed in disarray. With the soldiers' efforts, the battle ended as expected with a victory.
Back at the camp, Chiyo cleaned herself up and relaxed in the tent.
"Chiyo, how are you feeling?" Yu Xie asked, his concern evident.
"I'm feeling great, why do you ask? Oh, you're worried that I was swallowed by the monster and got hurt, right? Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. Though, I must admit, that feeling was terrible. I never want to experience that again in my life," Chiyo said, quickly shaking her head after a brief moment of recollection.
"If there's anything wrong with your body, you must tell me immediately," Yu Xie said, gripping Chiyo's shoulder, his gaze fixed on her eyes, his tone serious.
Being looked at by Yu Xie like that, Chiyo suddenly felt a warmth rise on her face. She turned her head away.
"Alright, I understand," she replied.
...
Nightfall. Yu Xie sat at the bedside in the tent, deep in thought, his expression serious.
Because of a moment of neglect, what happened to Chiyo was still weighing on him.
If things continue like this, Chiyo will lose control, and she might eventually turn her sword against them.
"It seems like you have something on your mind," said Makoto, entering the tent. "You're worried about Chiyo, aren't you?"
"…Where is Chiyo?" Yu Xie asked.
"She's already resting," Makoto replied, sitting down next to him. "For now, Chiyo seems fine, but I've noticed something off. The aura around her has changed, though it's very subtle."
"Makoto, if I tell you that one day Chiyo might turn her sword against us, what would you do?" Yu Xie asked after a long silence.
"…" Makoto hesitated for a moment, her gaze suddenly tightening. "Is it because of today's events that Chiyo has been infected by some kind of evil aura?"
Yu Xie nodded.
"If things continue like this, Chiyo will lose her rationality, and in the end..."
End of chapter
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