Demon Hunting Fortress.
It seemed as if a major battle had just taken place here, with the corpses of various demons scattered everywhere.
The first wall, in particular, was almost completely overrun by demons, covered in dense masses of demon corpses. Even the lower walls had cracked and dented.
Apparently, the wall was thicker than Alka had imagined.
And it wasn't just his imagination; he saw the wall slowly repairing.
Several enormous demons collapsed against the wall, apparently unable to breach it until their deaths.
Some mercenaries and soldiers began collecting the demon corpses from the wall.
They stripped the materials from the demon corpses and tossed the remaining remains over the wall.
Many humans and soldiers could be seen leaping from the wall using various hanging baskets and other means, harvesting demon corpses and weapons from various locations across the battlefield.
While this situation carries a certain amount of risk, having just repelled the demons, it's now at its lowest.
These demonic weapons, forged from various ores from the Abyss by their users, are also valuable trophies.
In addition, soldiers of various types were busy on the city walls, carrying various wounded on stretchers to the infirmary inside the fortress.
More soldiers were also collecting the bodies of their teammates.
Some whose original appearances could still be seen were better off. For those whose original appearances were no longer visible, all they could do was tear off the dog tags with their names from their necks and other parts of their bodies.
Arka sat leaning against the second-level wall, recovering his strength.
His magic power was nearly drained.
Why was this happening? It was entirely because Arka and his companions had just crossed the city walls and arrived at the Demon Hunter Fortress.
Having just joined the siege, they couldn't help but lend a hand. He naturally began attacking the demons below, finally witnessing the intensity and intensity of the battle here.
Using various elemental cards to attack, he nearly drained Alka's magic power.
Some demons were like a tide, with third- and fourth-stage demons swarming in like ants.
There were also many fifth-stage demons. Throughout the siege, Alka saw at least a hundred figures with golden spots fending off the more powerful demons.
He even spotted several with orange treasures.
The scene was far more dramatic than his first time fighting the siege at the Demon Hunting Fortress.
After all, that was just a temporary siege launched by the Devouring Mouth, primarily to intimidate Alka.
And the hunt was announced.
Alka sat there, watching people come and go before him, and the soldiers who could still move were busy.
Jason took a few steps and dragged himself to sit down beside Alka.
Jason could be seen covered in blood.
"How did you get into this state?" Alka couldn't help but ask, observing Jason's state.
At this moment, Jason's body still had traces of his crystal shells, though of course, they were all damaged.
"What else could it be? The demon got close enough to kill him, and I was so tired of it." Jason chuckled a few times.
Hearing this, Alka shook his head helplessly.
Holding onto the wall, he slowly stood up, then turned to look around the fortress.
Soon, he spotted the others. Matriasa, controlling her water bottle and needles, moved around the battlefield, treating the critically wounded.
Countless smaller figures could also be seen, also moving around the battlefield, assisting the medics with their treatment.
Simon seemed to have retained his strength quite well. He was working with some members of the Church of the Holy Machine to repair the various city defenses that hadn't been completely destroyed.
Although the battle had only just ended, the demons were numerous, and it was inevitable that they would soon resume their attacks.
By then, it would be too late to repair them.
Even though the demons had just been repelled, the entire fortress was still bustling with activity, though the atmosphere was only slightly more relaxed compared to the earlier tense situation.
"So how did these people hold on?" Jason sighed.
The world they had joined was already in the middle of the demonic attack. When they arrived, many demons had already reached the first wall.
But the first wall was the only place these demons could reach.
If the battles were always this intense, it would clearly be a huge strain on the nerves of these soldiers.
"Maybe I'm used to it? Who knows?" Aka didn't have much energy left, and he didn't bother to think. He just leaned against the wall to rest.
"Alka? I heard you were attacked on the way here?" Saralo, wearing armor covered in blood and dents, asked as he approached.
"How did you know?" Alka asked, somewhat curiously.
"A patrol from the rear discovered us. The High Judge said it might have been sent by the Devouring Mouth to target you.
You're amazing! You killed so many."
Hearing this, Alka waved his hand.
Saralo looked at Jason, who was standing beside Alka, and reached out to shake his hand.
"I'm Centurion Saralo."
"Jason."
"I just saw you on the battlefield. You fought very well," Saralo admired Jason.
"Really? Thank you for the compliment," Jason said, standing up and smiling.
"Is this your companion?" Saralo turned to Alka and asked.
Alka smiled and nodded.
"You didn't tell me your companions were so formidable before."
"You're flattering, hahaha."
Alka and his companions, having suddenly joined the battle, had indeed, in a sense, made a splash.
Instantly, they relieved the pressure in a certain area.
Alka, in particular, with his wielding various elemental cards, was one of the most conspicuous figures on the battlefield, manipulating the elements.
However, neither Jason nor Urulius had merged or transformed into dragon form.
The main reason was that in a battle like that, using such exaggerated sizes would make them mere targets without Alka and his companions prepared for support.
They were unfamiliar with the battlefield. Furthermore, they might be mistaken for enemies by soldiers they didn't know.
They might even become more of a hindrance. It wouldn't be too late to use them once they were more familiar with the situation. Sararo only came over for a few pleasantries before returning to his busy schedule.
After a long day, when darkness fell and the sky was obscured by a curtain, the fort finally relaxed slightly after confirming that no demons were attacking.
Alka and his companions were assigned a residence within the fortress.
It was a small, three-story stone tower.
A large amount of clear water gushed out from the aqua-blue water sign, then poured back down.
Alka controlled it, taking a simple shower, washing off the impurities on his body.
Jason, Juanlu, and the others were also present.
As the impurities were washed off, a mixture of crimson water flowed around.
It was either the blood of ordinary soldiers or demons.
"Has Matlisa not returned yet?" Alka asked after taking a look around.
Sofia shook his head, then smiled and said, "She's now known as the Four-Armed Angel. Show some respect."
"Oh?"
Arka made a puzzled sound, controlling the Wind Token to blow away the water stains on her body.
"Madrisa, she's been running around healing since the battle.
You know, with her combination of treasures and healing skills, treating these common injuries is a breeze.
The healing is effective and efficient, and she's even saved many dying soldiers. It's no wonder she's earned this title."
Arka nodded at this explanation.
That's true.
"What about Pororo?"
"Of course, he's gone to help Madrisa."
Simon wasn't there either, but when Arka arrived, he saw him busy with the various city defense machines.
All I can say is that although this was their first time here, they had integrated well after the sudden battle.
"Aren't you going to rest for a while? You don't look well," Sofia said, observing Alka's expression.
They weren't like Alka, who could use elemental cards to unleash the power of a humanoid self-propelled artillery on the entire battlefield.
It was like wanting to expend a large amount of his magic power, but couldn't find a way to do it.
And now, for Alka, exhausting his magic power was incredibly easy. He simply mixed his various elements and expanded his range.
During the day, Alka was arguably the one who killed the most demons, but also the one who consumed the most energy.
Alka's various elemental attacks could be seen throughout the fortress.
"It's really not looking good. I'm going in to rest first," Alka said, rubbing his slightly swollen head.
Then he walked into the small stone tower.
He sank directly into a dream.
...
Amidst a burst of snoring, Alka woke with a start.
The people in the surrounding beds were still deep in sleep, snoring loudly.
It seemed they had been exhausted yesterday.
Alka stood up, put on his coat, and walked out.
But as soon as he emerged, he saw the mercenaries coming and going outside.
He also saw soldiers who seemed to have arrived to replace some wounded, and soldiers who had fought several battles were being sent back to rest.
There was no kitchen here to prepare breakfast for them.
Juanlu had woken up at some point and came up behind Alka.
"When did you wake up?"
"I wasn't as exaggerated as you were on the battlefield yesterday," Juanlu said with a smile.
Then he pulled out some pre-prepared rations from his pocket and handed them to him.
Alka took the glass of water and began to drink while eating.
A moment later, a soldier approached them.
"Excuse me, Lord Alka?"
Hearing this, Alka looked up at him and nodded.
"I am."
"Greetings, the High Judge has something to ask you."
Hearing this, Alka swallowed the dry food in his hand in a few mouthfuls and nodded to Juanlu.
"Lead the way."
They followed the soldier towards the center of the fortress.
They climbed the wall and passed through the path leading into the stone tower beneath the enormous, gray-purple gem.
This was the command center of the fortress.
As soon as they entered, they saw a bustling bustle.
Then, led by the soldier, they entered the innermost room.
After knocking on the door and entering, Greyfart could be seen writing something.
Seeing Alka enter, he stopped writing and stood up.
"Thank you and your companions for your help yesterday."
"No need. After all, we belong to various churches. Supporting and helping to repel the demons is our duty."
Greyfart nodded in response to Alka's words, but said nothing more.
"So, are you here for something? Or are you here to provide support?"
Hearing this, Alka said directly, "We are here to provide support. I heard that a full-scale attack like this will be extremely tense. I hope our arrival can provide some strength."
Hearing this, Alka could clearly sense that Greyfart's mood had improved.
Even his serious expression seemed to soften.
"That's great! With you and your companions' help, some things will be much easier."
However, Greyfart thought for a moment and said, "I've told you before, most of the demons the Demon Hunt Fortress has to deal with are led by the Devourer.
Simply put, if we divide them by territory, the demon leaders attacking the Demon Hunt Fortress are none other than the Devourer."
This meant that if Alka and the others were here, they might be targeted by the Devourer.
Alka nodded. "I'm prepared for this, and even if we were somewhere else, it wouldn't make much difference, would it?"
Hearing this, Greyfart couldn't help but think of the patrol's report. He thought about it and nodded, it seemed to be true.
In a situation like this, the Devourer would surely take advantage of the situation and send some demons to the rear to target Alka and the others. So, whether Alka was here or not wouldn't make much difference.
After a moment's thought, Greyfart said, "Then your team's collective presence is truly too significant. If you don't mind, would you mind temporarily deploying your members to various locations?"
In short, after observing them all day yesterday, Greyfart was very satisfied with Alka and his team.
However, in a battlefield like this, Greyfart felt that if Alka and his team were to be grouped together, their effectiveness would be limited.
"If they don't mind, then of course."
Alka himself knew that in a battlefield like this, someone like Matresha would be ill-suited to fighting on the front lines.
Matresha would definitely be most effective in the rear, on the medical front.
Simone and Juanlu were similarly suited.
Like Matresha, they were technical personnel. Fighting on the front lines with Alka and his team would be a waste of their talents.
"But it's best if you stay in the fortress," Greyfart said, looking at Alka.
In a place like this, Alka would undoubtedly be the first to be targeted.
Simply put, for the Devouring Mouth, capturing Alka's head and soul was paramount.
Only by killing Alka could they absolve him of his shame.
Upon hearing this, Alka shrugged helplessly, acquiescing.
"Alright, that's it for now. There will be a meeting this afternoon. We'll make some arrangements for your team then. I hope you'll all attend."
Alka nodded, without objection.
Watching Alka prepare to leave, Greyfar suddenly said, "You must have something else to ask me, but I don't have much time right now, as I'm in the middle of a battle. But if you have any questions after this battle, I'll be happy to share them with you."
Upon hearing this, Alka gave him a strange look, then smiled and nodded. With a bow, he left the room.
They made their way through the fortress to their resting place. When we came back, Sofia and the others had basically woken up one after another.
Seeing Matresa and Pororo preparing to leave again, probably to help out in the infirmary again,
Alka said, "In a battlefield like this, we might be separated later, each with their own missions. Do you mind?"
Hearing Alka's words, several people shook their heads.
Of course, there was nothing to mind.
"That's good."
"Will I lead soldiers? Like becoming a centurion or something? A rank would be nice, too," Jason said from the side.
Having a rank to lead soldiers would be fantastic.
What boy doesn't dream of becoming a general? Hearing this, Arka glanced at him and said, "I'll apply like Grayfart."
"Is that so good, Arka?"
"No, I'll apply to become an ordinary soldier, waiting for orders from others."
"Haha, with my fighting ability, I'm more than qualified to be a centurion."
Lucille, sitting at a table nearby, glanced up at the two bickering and suddenly said, "Volunteers like us will probably only receive honorary titles, but we should be able to gain some real power during wartime. Maybe we can even lead some soldiers."
"Haha, we'll see."