Rafgal City, Southern Border of the Scathlan Kingdom, Northern Continent.
The scorching midday sun burned against my skin, and the air felt stifling. Perhaps it was due to the relentless heat radiating from the sun that hung high in the sky. Sweat trickled down, soaking my entire body.
Dum! Dum! Dum!
I could hear the pounding of my heartbeat, its rhythm gradually increasing.
Around me—on my left, right, and behind—I could hear the steady, alternating sounds of deep breathing. These were the front-line soldiers under my command.
And standing before us, lined up in formation, were the Demon Race soldiers, staring at us with fierce, bloodthirsty eyes.
"Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!"
They roared in unison, pounding their weapons against the ground and clashing them against their shields.
But their ridiculous display did nothing to shake the resolve of my troops.
Because this was the army of the Scathlan Kingdom!
Such foolish roars would never intimidate us. After all, we were the sworn enemies of the Demon Race.
"Aella-sama, should we attack now?"
One of my subordinates, a member of the 'Shadows' unit, ran up to me and posed the question.
He was a young man with red hair named Raskal—a Mage skilled in wielding daggers. His fire magic possessed an Enchantment ability that enhanced both his attack power and speed.
When he activated his fire-based Enchantment, his body would blur, engulfed in flames. He moved so fast that even his figure would disappear as if consumed by fire itself.
And Raskal was the leader of my 'Shadows' unit.
I turned to meet his gaze sharply before answering.
"Wait! We must hold until Estella gives the signal! And remember, Liana's unit will launch the first attack."
"But... look! They're getting closer! The Swordmaster and Knight unit commanders are also growing impatient. That's why they asked me to check with you!"
"Calm down… Are you scared because they're getting closer?"
I spoke while gesturing toward the approaching Demon Race army.
"What are you saying, Aella-sama?! I am not afraid! I'm just eager to fight. If I wait too long, Liana will end up stealing all the glory in this battle."
"Are you an idiot, Raskal?! Give up on that foolish hope. You'll never outshine Liana in a large-scale battlefield like this. Just accept it!"
"Aella-sama..."
Before Raskal could respond, I patted his left shoulder and gave him a playful wink, glancing toward the Swordmaster and Knight units.
"Now, can you stop whining? Look over there… at those impatient uncles! Do you see their sour faces, waiting for my answer?!"
Raskal turned his head toward the direction I pointed. Immediately, he straightened his posture and bowed his head toward the restless commanders.
"My apologies, Aella-sama!"
After that, Raskal hurried off to deliver my response to the impatient men. But just as he was about to walk away, I called his name and shouted after him.
"Listen carefully, Raskal! It's not just you—I also doubt that I can match Liana's achievements on this battlefield. That's the kind of magical gift she possesses. So don't let it get to you. Both you and Liana have your own unique strengths."
Raskal smiled and bowed his head to me before walking off to deliver my message. I could clearly see the irritated expressions of those men as they received Raskal's report. But I didn't care.
Deep down, I understood why Estella was delaying the attack signal. The closer the Demon Race troops advanced, the tighter their formation would become. And of course, that meant Liana's long-range magic attack would be far more effective.
But the real problem was Lilith!
I still hadn't spotted that cunning sorceress. If we miscalculated our opening strike, Lilith could cast her 'Darkness Dome' spell and completely nullify our magic attack.
Please... I hope Estella has found Lilith's position.
"Swiiittt!"
A sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air. It was Estella's signal.
The entire army straightened their formations, gripping their weapons tightly. Silence fell upon the battlefield.
It was a silence that signaled the imminent start of war.
I reached into my Spatial Bracelet, drawing out my staff, Indurtha, and gripped it tightly in my right hand.
Moments later, the sky darkened—as if the sunlight had suddenly dimmed and vanished.
Of course!
It was the power of 'Water Ark', Liana's water-element spell. A large body of water, spanning a radius of 50 meters, hovered in the sky. It was like a great flood, ready to wash away the malice that tainted this land.
At the same time, the sound of battle erupted from behind the enemy lines. It seemed that Estella had found Lilith and launched an attack on the guards protecting her—to prevent the dark sorceress from activating 'Darkness Dome'.
"Aquae Arca!"
(Water Ark)
With Liana's shout, the massive water formation in the sky began to descend, crashing down toward the Demon Race army.
Panic spread through their ranks as their formation broke apart.
And then...
Duam!
The deafening roar of water resounded through the battlefield, marking the opening of this war. It was immediately followed by explosions, rumblings, and crashes echoing one after another. The long-range attack from the mage unit led by Liana had begun.
The ground and rocks were sent flying, flames spread wildly, and flashes of light erupted from place to place. The Demon Race's army was thrown into chaos by Liana's unit's attacks.
The enemy's biggest problem right now was that their own mage unit was struggling against the cavalry unit led by Estella. Because of this, they had no chance to assist their Swordmasters and Knights on the front lines.
In the distance, I could faintly hear shouts and curses from Lilith, coming from the enemy's rear lines. It seemed that Estella had managed to corner Lilith with her unit.
And finally…
The opening attack from Liana's unit had come to an end.
I raised my voice, shouting loudly as a signal to the entire frontline army under my command. This was the moment—we would bare our fangs against the Demon Race's forces.
At my command, the entire Scathlan Kingdom army roared in unison, their battle cries echoing across the battlefield.
Then, the thunderous sound of footsteps rumbled wildly, like a pack of wolves charging toward their prey.
As I ran forward, I began chanting my spell.
"O magne Uriel, rex omnium nundinarum, da mihi potestatem tuam.
Commoda mihi gladium sanctum tuum…"
("O great Uriel, king of all fae, grant me your power. Lend me your sacred sword…")
I pointed my magic staff forward and shouted the name of my spell with all my might.
"Seraphis!"
Then, I sprinted, leaped, and cut down the enemies before me with the sword Seraphis in my hand.
I could clearly hear their screams and death throes—those soldiers of the Demon Race. Yet, I continued slashing, cutting them down one by one without hesitation.
By now, my entire body was drenched in the thick, dark, and pungent blood of the Demon Race's army.
***
"It seems that I have executed a fine opening attack. And Aella-sama appears to be striking the enemy forces with ferocity.
The next episode is titled 'Sight of Victory.' Our victory is now clearly within sight."
—Liana