Rafgal City, Southern Border of the Scathlan Kingdom, Northern Continent.
I, along with the 'Shadows' unit under my command, slowly crawled forward into the ranks of the Demon Race's army. Behind us, the Swordmaster and Knight divisions of the Scathlan Kingdom marched side by side.
It had been decided that I would lead my 'Shadows' unit to destroy the enemy's frontline defense.
Several enemy soldiers rushed at me from the front, and…
"Ventus Gladius!"
(Wind Blades!)
I hurled several Wind Blades at them. Some fell under my wind magic, while the rest were slain by the slash of Seraphis, the sword in my hand. But as if knowing no fear, the weak demons around me once again charged at me together.
After all, this was a battlefield.
There was no retreat, no room for trembling in the face of terrifying foes. This was war—a place where kindness and gentleness had long since been washed away by the stains of blood and the agonized screams of the fallen.
No mercy. No compassion.
"Ventus Pallium!"
(Wind Cloak!)
I chanted my wind magic to enhance my agility and attack power. As I cast my spell, a strong gust of wind enveloped my body.
The next moment, the surrounding demon soldiers attacked me simultaneously.
Amidst the wild slashes of their swords, my body danced effortlessly between their strikes. While dodging their attacks, I cut and pierced their vital points one by one. Their bodies fell, one after another, slain by Seraphis, the sword gripped in my right hand.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw crimson flames spreading rapidly through the Demon Race's ranks.
That crimson fire was Flammel, Raskal's magic.
A magic said to embody the power of the Fire Dragon, Flammel. Legend has it that Flammel made a contract with humans, a contract passed down from one generation to the next.
In exchange for its immense power, Flammel's fire burns the user's blood from within. The longer it is used, the more horrifying the consequences. A human wielding this terrible magic will eventually be reduced to ashes.
At first, I strongly opposed Raskal using this magic. But this was his decision. He wanted to live freely, without being shackled by fear or death. He wanted his name to be etched into the history of the Scathlan Kingdom.
As the hero who slaughtered the Demon Race.
At the same time as the crimson fire engulfed Raskal's body, I continued my relentless slaughter, spilling the blood of the demon soldiers around me.
Before long, the pitch-black ground beneath our feet suddenly transformed into a vast pool of water. The water was a deep, dark blue, its bottom invisible to the eye.
And with it came the screams of demon soldiers as their bodies sank helplessly into the abyss. Meanwhile, we—the warriors of the Scathlan Kingdom—stood firmly on the water's surface without sinking.
This was Area Inflict Skill, Liana's magic.
But Liana's spell consumed an enormous amount of mana. If she had activated it, then this battle should be nearing its end.
With ease, our forces rained down attacks upon the struggling demon soldiers. They were desperately trying not to drown, making them easy targets for our swords and magic.
Nearly half of the enemy forces had been annihilated.
Meanwhile, the cavalry unit led by Estella remained locked in combat with the enemy's mage division, commanded by Lilith. Lilith hadn't even managed to complete a single incantation of her dark magic. It seemed Estella's strategy was proceeding smoothly.
But… where was the Demon Race's Dragon-Rider unit? Why had they not appeared yet?
While cutting down enemies one by one, I moved toward Raskal.
"Raskal, take over command of the frontline!"
"What will you do, Aella-sama?"
"I'm going to break through the enemy ranks and advance deeper into their formation. I will fight with everything I have."
"Understood, Aella-sama! Please be careful!"
I gave him a small nod and left him with a final word of warning.
"And don't overuse Flammel's magic!"
"Yes, Aella-sama!"
After that, I dashed forward, diving deeper into the enemy lines while slashing down the demons around me.
I then began chanting my magic spell.
"O nympha venti, tege corpus hoc pallio venti. Et hoc corpus fac praesidium tuum... Ventus Pallium!"
("O nymph of the wind, wrap this body with a cloak of wind. And grant this body your protection... Wind Cloak!")
I unleashed the full power of my Wind Cloak spell. A powerful gust of wind swirled around me, wrapping my body before gradually transforming into a dazzling green gown that shimmered like an emerald gemstone.
My body now felt lighter and faster than before.
"Watch out! 'The Elf Slayer of Demons' is approaching!"
"Tighten your formation, Knights! Hurry! That elf is closing in!"
The Demon Race's knights quickly formed up, raising their shields in unison, preparing to withstand my assault.
"O terra mediocris, custos silvarum, da mihi potestatem regendi terram et petras circa me..."
("O guardian spirit of the land, protector of the forest, grant me the power to control the earth and the stones around me…")
Upon seeing this, I began chanting my earth-element magic. And then...
"Maceria Lapidea!"
("Stone Wall!")
Boom! Boom! Boom! CRASH!
Massive boulders erupted from the ground, surging forward and slamming into the knights' shield formation in front of me. Their defense was shattered in an instant by my magic.
Through the gap created by my Stone Wall spell, I charged into the enemy ranks, cutting them down one by one.
"Damn it… This damn elf is too fast!"
"What do we do?!"
"Regroup! Reform the ranks, now!"
"This is madness!"
"How are we supposed to fight this elf woman?!"
Panic-stricken voices echoed among the demon soldiers as I tore through their ranks, slaying them one by one with my sword, Seraphis.
Eventually, they managed to reorganize, surrounding me at close range.
But...
"O prædati prædatores omnium silvarum, date mihi vires. Fac eos qui ante me steterunt sicut inimici timent potentiam tuam... Radices Vitae!"
("O spirits, rulers of all forests, grant me strength. Make those who stand before me tremble in fear of your power... Roots of Life!")
Once again, I chanted a spell infused with my full magic power.
The ground rumbled, and from beneath the earth, enormous roots burst forth, striking down the enemy soldiers encircling me. The massive roots wriggled wildly, capturing and constricting several demon soldiers, crushing them to death.
Slowly, my body was lifted by the roots growing beneath my feet.
Then, I leaped forward once more, charging into the enemy formation while chanting another spell.
"Ignes terræ, custodes da mihi virtutem. ut ardeam et exardescam ante me malum..."
("Spirits of fire, guardians of the land, grant me strength. So that I may burn and incinerate the evil before me…")
I slashed through the enemy soldiers while casting my spell.
From behind me, one of the demon army's Swordmasters managed to close the distance, swinging his sword toward my back. However, compared to my speed enhanced by Wind Cloak, his movements were far too slow.
With ease, I twisted my body to evade his strike. Then, using his back as a foothold, I leaped into the air, slashing through the back of his neck as I soared.
Now, my body was floated high above the battlefield.
At the same time, dozens of enormous fireballs burst forth in the sky. Each one was the full manifestation of my Life Fire spell—a sacred flame that would burn away all filth tainting the air I breathed.
"Ignis Vita!"
("Life Fire!")
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
In response to my command, the massive fireballs rained down mercilessly upon the demon army below, engulfing them in flames.
Then...
Slowly, I descended from the sky, like a feather drifting gracefully through the air.
The scent of burnt flesh filled my nose, and fiery embers flickered around my body which was covered by the green 'Wind Cloak'.
One by one, the demon soldiers before me began to drop their weapons. Their legs gave out as they fell to their knees, utterly powerless. They had lost all hope in my presence.
In the presence of The Elf Slayer of Demons!
However…
Suddenly, a piercing screech echoed from above.
And the one responsible for that terrifying cry emerged, his massive black wings spreading wide in the sky.
He was Morgoth, the Ruler of the Night Sky, a legendary black dragon of the Southern Continent.
And standing atop his back… was my eternal nemesis.
Dragnel Ravenger.
At last…
I finally had my chance to avenge my father's death!
Here… and now… I will take that bastard's head!
---
"Aella-sama destroyed the enemy's formation all by herself. Her figure soared through the sky—majestic, elegant, and beautiful. Surrounded by the fiery spheres above her, Aella-sama looked like the very incarnation of the Great Fairy Uriel, descending to punish and burn away all wickedness polluting this land.
Oops… Almost forgot! The next episode is titled 'The Dragon Rider.' Don't miss it!"
—Raskal