The mention of that name made even the veteran knights shiver. If these elite warriors were trembling, just how powerful was this Demon King?
Maurice looked around, his voice low. "Where's Wright? Is he already moving?"
"He's at the front lines, sir. He's engaging the vanguard alone to buy time for the evacuation."
My heart hammered against my ribs. Wright is out there? Alone? He was throwing himself into a meat grinder against a legendary Demon King just to give these people a few more minutes to run.
Wright was fighting for this town. He was out there right now, risking everything.
And me? What was I doing?
I stood up and approached Maurice. "Old man! Let me help with the evacuation!"
Maurice froze, looking at me in shock. Then, his face twisted in rage. "Don't be a fool! You need to get out of here first! What could someone like you possibly do?!"
"He's out there! Wright is fighting right now! I… I have to be able to do something! This town took me in! I owe these people! I want to protect them too!"
I didn't wait for his permission. I turned and sprinted away, ignoring the shouts of the knights behind me.
I couldn't just run away while my best friend was fighting for his life. If I didn't have the power to fight demons, the least I could do was help the people escape.
I ran into the city.
I didn't know then that this decision would become a regret that would haunt me for the rest of my life.
"This way! Follow this path straight to the main gate! The knights are there to protect you!"
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
A couple clutching their child ran past me, following my directions.
All those grueling morning runs with Wright finally paid off. I knew every alley, every shortcut, and every backstreet of this town better than most of the residents. I was the perfect guide to lead people through the chaos.
"That's another group safe…" I wiped the sweat from my brow, breathing hard.
This district was lagging behind in the evacuation. There were still people trapped in their homes, terrified.
Suddenly, a cold drop hit my cheek.
Rain.
It wasn't a drizzle; it was the start of a downpour. The sky was turning a bruised, sickly purple as the clouds rolled in. I felt a knot of dread tighten in my stomach.
I need to hurry.
BOOM.
An explosion rocked the ground, the sound echoing from just a few blocks away. Black smoke billowed into the rainy sky.
They're already here?!
My instinct told me to run, but then I heard it—a small, sharp cry.
A child was sitting alone in the middle of the street, sobbing.
"Hey! Are you okay? Where are your parents?"
"I… I lost them…"
They must have been separated in the panic. I looked toward the smoke. The demons were closing in. I had to get this kid to safety, now.
I reached out to take the child's hand.
"So… this is where you were hiding… human!"
A voice like grinding stone came from behind me.
I spun around. A silhouette stood in the rain. It had beast-like ears and a tail, its lips curled back to reveal sharp, predatory fangs.
A beastman. A soldier of the Demon King.
He gripped a blood-stained sword, his eyes burning with a hatred so intense it felt like a physical weight pressing against my chest. This wasn't just a soldier; this was a man who looked like he was staring at the person who had murdered his family.
Pure, unadulterated malice.
"Ah…"
My body froze. Run. I have to run. Take the kid and get out of here!
But my legs wouldn't move. The sheer killing intent radiating from him pinned me to the spot. My knees shook.
The demon took a step forward. Then another. His pace quickened.
"DIE!"
He lunged, his eyes crimson with bloodlust.
I did the only thing I could. I threw myself over the child, squeezing my eyes shut as I braced for the cold steel to tear through my back.
...
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