Chapter 751
The Glory Knights are no longer able to fight as soldiers.
However, volunteering as bait, Hecate thought.
'Everyone else is in pain too.'
Not being able to move properly, not being able to fight properly, is the same for all the retired soldiers staying here.
But there is one crucial difference between the other soldiers and the Glory Knights.
'We have nowhere to go back to.'
No hometown, no family, nothing left. Even the small remaining ties were deliberately severed.
The Glory Knights were an order adjusted to serve and die solely for the Emperor.
If Ash hadn't forcibly held them back, they would have inevitably left this place, melted into the shadows of the world, and disappeared without a trace.
'But others are different from us.'
Chain is a prime example.
As a wizard whose lifespan is over and who has lost all his comrades, he claims he has nowhere to return to and is dithering here… but in fact, doesn't he have a wife and daughter back in his hometown? And now, a grandchild has been born.
They are different from us. They have people and places to return to.
If someone has to die, it should be us, the Empire's ghosts who have nothing.
So, the Glory Knights volunteered to lure the monstrous creatures pouring into the barracks, forcibly stuffing those who opposed into rooms on the second floor, and carefully descended to the first floor of the barracks.
"Ah, ahh? Ahhh…"
"Ahhhhh! Ahhhhh!"
"Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah."
The creatures, with their teeth chattering, wriggled and poured into the barracks.
The Glory Knights exchanged glances. Having worked together for so long, they quickly reached a consensus.
'We need to lure as many creatures as possible out of the barracks.'
So that as few creatures as possible remain inside.
So that the gathered retired soldiers can hold out as long as possible.
The World Guardian Front never abandons its comrades… Commander Ash will definitely send a rescue team this time too.
So, until then, the Glory Knights will draw as much attention as possible.
"Now!"
Signaled by Hecate, the first to rush out, the remaining Glory Knights scattered and ran in all directions.
Even though the curse had drained away, rendering them unable to fight properly as soldiers anymore.
They were still the elite among elites, the knights among knights known as the Glory Knights.
"Luring these foolish creatures is no difficult task."
The five Glory Knights surveyed the barracks, then each ran in different directions, and the monstrous creatures, with their bizarre cries, chased after them.
'Good, we've lured most of the creatures inside the barracks out… '
If they continued to lead the creatures and keep running, they could buy enough time.
Just as Hecate thought this.
"Ah… Ahh!"
One creature far off trembled violently,
Shwaaack!
and suddenly extended its tentacles from the middle of its body.
It was an entirely unexpected attack, and they had lost the ability to respond to such ambushes…
"Ugh?!"
Hecate was helplessly caught by the tentacle wrapping around her neck.
As Hecate choked and struggled, other creatures closed in, each spewing tentacles to bind Hecate's hands and feet.
"Damn…! What the…!"
Hecate wasn't the only one.
All the Glory Knights, who had each tried to escape in different directions, were bound and struggling against the creatures' sudden tentacle attack.
Dozens of tentacles bound Hecate, as the creatures slowly closed in.
"Ugh…!"
With her vision blurring due to lack of air, Hecate sensed the end was near.
She had no regrets about life. But.
— "When this battle is over, how about we go on a date?"
Lucas's face suddenly came to mind, making such a proposal.
'The first time he asked me out.'
Without finding out what he really meant, she was going to die like this.
She fleetingly wondered if, like a prince in a fairy tale, he might come to rescue her.
— "If it wasn't wartime, of course, I would drop everything and run to save you. But now, I am the bodyguard of the lord and the adjutant of the frontline commander. I have a duty to protect my position."
That blunt voice simultaneously echoed in her ears.
With a bitter smile, Hecate slowly closed her eyes.
'Seriously, I never had any luck with men… '
The creatures drew closer, baring their teeth and lunging at Hecate.
And at that moment.
Flash-!
A dazzling flash of light erupted in the sky.
Immediately after, a beam of light struck the ground, hitting the creatures binding Hecate with their tentacles. They screeched and fell back.
The tentacles loosened. Barely able to breathe, Hecate looked up at the sky with blurred vision.
'Who…?'
Could it be that Lucas noticed her plight and really came to save her?
But it wasn't a prince from a fairy tale who appeared.
"Get down-!"
With a blinding lightning bolt-
Jupiter Junior descended from the sky.
* * *
Zap! Crackle-crackle!
The residual lightning fried all the creatures, and the remnants sparked on the ground.
"Whew!"
Junior took a deep breath, straightened her knees, and stood up, looking around.
Not only Hecate but all the other captured Glory Knights were safe. Junior had poured out precise magical bombardments to the limit, ensuring the area was cleared.
"…"
Hecate, still seated, looked at Junior with a blank expression. Junior scoffed.
"What, are you disappointed because it's not Sir Lucas?"
"No, it's not…"
"Sir Lucas couldn't come because he had another important mission. So I came instead."
Junior grinned playfully and made a joke.
"You can say thank you, you know?"
But Hecate didn't answer, still looking tensely at the alley outside the barracks.
"Ahhh!"
"Ah, ah, ahhhh!"
Perhaps reacting to the heat of the magic, more creatures started to swarm.
Seeing the creatures densely filling the alley, Junior's face also paled.
"There's so many…! Huuup!"
Boom! Boom-boom-boom!
Junior kept summoning lightning and wind, blowing the creatures away, but the monsters pouring into the city center were endless.
Junior's spells kept the creatures at bay, but they kept pushing towards the barracks. Despite Junior's relentless magic, the number of creatures infiltrating was increasing.
'At this rate…!'
As Junior was gritting her teeth, Hecate, using her sword as a cane, barely stood up.
"I'll go out and draw their attention."
"What?"
"Junior, please take the rest of the retired soldiers and retreat."
Where would be the best place to run to draw the most attention from the creatures?
Hecate assessed the surrounding terrain and then staggered forward.
At that moment, Junior, angrily casting spells in all directions, shouted sharply.
"Why are you so eager to die, really! Someone came to save you!"
"Then are you going to risk your precious mage life for a few broken retired soldiers who can't even fight anymore? What kind of foolish calculation is that?"
"I came to save comrades who fought with us!"
"You can't save the world with such a weak heart."
Hecate coldly retorted, and Junior slightly shook her head.
"I know. It's a story far from the iron-blooded logic needed for efficient combat. But that's exactly what Prince Ash's… and this frontline's flag is about."
"…"
"We've all been fighting to protect this 'weak heart'. And because of that, we've remained human until now."
Hecate continued to walk forward. Junior desperately shouted.
"Sir Hecate! Do you really have no attachment to this world?"
"…"
"Is there really nothing you want to do, even a little?"
Hecate's steps towards the wriggling creatures halted.
"…Hoo."
Clenching her teeth, Hecate took a deep breath and spoke in a suppressed voice.
"Yes, nothing."
"…!"
"I lost everything. My curse, my swordsmanship, my rank… pride, duty, revenge…! Everything is gone. My life disappeared entirely."
Unable to wield the sword she trained with her whole life, and having to forcibly lay down the revenge she built up over her life due to the era of harmony.
The retired soldier, whose life was denied by the era, shouted roughly.
"Answer me, Junior. What value do I have left to live for?"
"…"
"With my sword and revenge lost… I don't even know what I am anymore…"
No.
Actually, Hecate knew the answer.
Having lost everything, she was nothing.
Being nothing, her best use was as a discard.
So Hecate didn't wait for Junior's answer and was about to take another step forward.
Then.
"When you lose everything."
Junior answered.
"You just… become yourself."
"…What?"
Hecate looked back with bewildered eyes. Junior slowly nodded.
"Not the heir to a curse, not the avenger of an old war, not the knight of the Empire. Just a twenty-four-year-old you."
"…"
"Who you are is not decided by your job or career, the curse you inherit, or the person you serve."
Junior repeated the words Ash had once told her, now in her own voice.
"Who you are is decided by what you do from now on."
"…"
"So, please answer me, Sir Hecate. Is there really nothing you want to do? It could be trivial or insignificant. Do you really have no dream?"
"I…"
As Hecate hesitated, Junior smiled.
"By the way, my dream is to build a magnificent villa with a swimming pool in the South and live a fantastic retirement life."
Hecate exhaled in disbelief.
"Why is someone younger than me already dreaming of retirement?"
"So what. It's still a wonderful dream, isn't it?"
Suddenly, the faces of two people who had once shared this dream, though they eventually parted ways without realizing it, came to Junior's mind.
A mother who wasn't a mother.
A teacher who wasn't a teacher.
The silly dream they both had…
Had passed down to her.
"When I build my villa, you must come and visit. I'll let you stay for free."
"…"
"Now, I've shared my dream, so it's your turn, Sir Hecate. Come on!"
Hecate, staggering to a halt, shook her head slightly.
"I've never thought about what I want to do."
"Then start thinking now."
"At this point?"
Hecate gestured towards the creatures filling the alley and asked.
"With the world's end at our doorstep?"
"Precisely now."
Junior nodded firmly.
"We're still young, and even if the world's end is near… it hasn't reached us yet."
"…"
"From now until the world's end, let's find it together."
"…"
"Whatever foolish or ridiculous thing it may be, I'll be with you."
Hecate's shoulders slumped.
"Haa…"
Letting out a long sigh, Hecate turned to Junior.
"I don't like you, Junior."
"Yes. Dislike me."
"I will never forgive the Kingdom of Camilla that killed my parents."
"Yes. Don't forgive."
Junior too.
Would never forgive the Empire that burned her hometown and scarred her body with burns.
"Remember the grudges between Camilla Kingdom, the Empire, and us."
"…"
"And live together like that."
Junior slowly extended her hand forward.
Across the unbridgeable chasm, beyond the cliff that remained unreachable…
As if asking for a handshake.
"By the way, I like you."
"…"
"From the beginning till now. And continuously. I want to be your friend."
Hecate shook her head slightly, sighing again.
"Seriously. This is absurd."
Then Hecate slowly raised her hand, reaching out towards Junior.
And just as their hands were about to meet-
Wham-!
"…!"
Junior's eyes widened.
Monstrous creatures, having violently breached Junior's magical barrier, were pouring down right behind Hecate.
Chapter 752
The monstrous creatures behind Hecate lunged with teeth, claws, and tentacles…
Just before they could reach her, Hecate's body was swiftly lifted into the air as if someone had snatched her away.
Soon, the rest of the Glory Knights and Junior were also floating in the air.
While floating, Junior looked down at the wriggling creatures below and broke into a cold sweat.
"Wow, that was really close…"
Tentacles flew at them repeatedly, but Junior blocked them effortlessly with magic.
With a sigh of relief, Junior looked up and waved her hand.
"Nice timing, Bodybag!"
Above them was the psychokinetic Bodybag, her face red and sweating profusely. All the retired soldiers inside the barracks were also floating around her.
Although Bodybag wasn't as fast as Dearmudin, she could simulate flying. So, she had flown in with Junior for the rescue mission, lifting the retired soldiers into the air while Junior dealt with the surrounding creatures.
After grabbing the last remaining Glory Knights and Junior, Bodybag, struggling to hold dozens of people in the air, began to fly towards the city walls. Junior assisted her with wind magic.
"…"
Hecate, floating in the air with a blank expression, looked at Junior using wind magic beside her and slowly opened her mouth.
"I've thought of something."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Something I want to do."
A faint smile appeared on Hecate's lips.
"Something really silly and absurd, something I've only imagined."
* * *
At the same time.
Near the southern wall.
"Uwaaaah! Aaaaaaah!"
"Help, somebody help us!"
The soldiers and volunteers in the cooking unit screamed incessantly.
Because soldiers need to eat and drink to fight, the cooking unit had to stay within the camp under any circumstances.
Although the cooking unit received minimal combat training, they generally had low combat capabilities.
For them, the fleshy monsters with tentacles and teeth were terrifying and horrible enemies.
"Aaaah! Uwaaaaah!"
Among them, a cafeteria waiter who had joined as a volunteer before this battle, the one who confessed to Evangeline, was in a panic, crying his eyes out.
"A-a-a-a-a-aah!"
Crash! Clang!
The monster that rushed in swung its tentacles, knocking over all the kitchenware.
The waiter screamed and hid under a table. The fallen kitchenware clattered loudly.
As he curled up, trembling, someone grabbed his shoulder. The terrified waiter saw it was the large cooking unit leader holding a kitchen knife and shouting.
"Hey, newbie! Get a grip! Do you want to die like this?!"
"Y-yes? Y-yes? Of c-course not?"
"Then fight back! Even the cooking unit are soldiers! You received basic training too!"
"But how can we fight such monsters…!"
"Who said to kill them? Just grab something sturdy and block their attacks instead of cowering!"
The cooking unit leader handed him a large pot. As the waiter awkwardly took it, the leader nodded.
"Hang in there a little longer! The Prince will send a rescue team soon!"
"D-d-do you think the Prince would care about us in the cooking unit…?"
"Of course! The Prince is that kind of person!"
The cooking unit leader grinned and then drew another kitchen knife, charging at the monsters with a loud battle cry.
The sound of breaking kitchenware, the screams of people, the wails of monsters…
Amid the overwhelming noise, the waiter, who had put a pot on his head, suddenly opened his tearful eyes wide.
"I-I will too…"
He thought of Evangeline, the successor of the lord who always fought for the city—his crush.
Hadn't he told her he wanted to know what kind of battle she was fighting? That's why he enlisted.
But what a mess he was now.
"I will… prove that I deserve to live in this city too…!"
The waiter crawled out from under the table and stood up, shouting.
"Bring it on, you monster!"
And right in front of him stood a gruesome fleshy monster, wriggling its long tentacles and chattering its teeth.
"A-a-a-a."
"…"
"Food…"
Terrified, his legs gave out.
He plopped down, and it was his good fortune.
Swoosh-!
The tentacle that aimed for his heart narrowly missed the pot and grazed him. The impact alone split the pot, and the waiter was knocked backward.
Thud!
"Guh! Cough, cough!"
The waiter, barely catching his breath, saw the monster slowly approaching him, step by step.
Sensing death, the waiter closed his eyes tightly.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack-!
The sound of powerful blows echoed through the kitchen unit.
"…?"
When the monster's attack didn't come, the waiter cautiously opened his tightly shut eyes.
In front of him…
Swoosh! Swoosh! Slice!
There was the faint afterimage of Evangeline moving like a flash.
The girl knight in white armor, her white scarf fluttering behind her, crushed the monsters with a weapon that combined a sword and a shield, then immediately moved on to the next one.
In no time, all the monsters that attacked the cooking unit were annihilated. Without breaking a sweat, Evangeline shouted.
"All the monsters are taken care of! Everyone, evacuate to the wall quickly!"
"Th-thank you, Lady Evangeline!"
"Don't mention it. It's what I'm supposed to do. Oh, if anyone's been bitten, let me know! I'll administer the antidote right away…"
After quickly and concisely giving instructions and handing over extra antidotes to the cooking unit leader, Evangeline turned to leave for another rescue.
She met the eyes of the waiter still stuck in the corner.
"…!"
The waiter suddenly felt embarrassed and wanted to hide. Blushing, he bowed his head deeply.
"S-sorry for showing such a disgraceful sight…"
"There's nothing to apologize for."
Evangeline approached and helped him up, smiling brightly.
"We're all fighting together on this battlefield, just in different fields."
"…"
"Keep up the good work in the remaining battles. Then."
Evangeline lightly stomped her foot and swiftly left the cooking unit to rescue others.
The waiter watched her retreating figure with reverence, then looked down at his still-trembling legs.
"…"
As the waiter bowed his head, the cooking unit leader approached and patted his shoulder.
"Lady Evangeline is right. Now, let's go to where we can fight."
"Yes…"
With mixed feelings of joy, embarrassment, and sadness.
The waiter packed his belongings and started to evacuate with the other cooking unit soldiers, stumbling.
* * *
Bang! Bang! Boom…!
Signal flares exploded in the sky, indicating the success of the rescue missions across the city.
As I assessed the overall situation, I glanced sideways. Lucas was silently checking his equipment.
I cautiously asked.
"Are you sure you don't need to go?"
"Everyone has their necessary places and roles."
Lucas drew [Excalibur] and the [Bestowed Sword], taking a deep breath.
"I am indeed worried about the comrades left in the barracks, but it's also true that I'm more needed in this immediate battle."
"…"
"Besides, Junior, who is as capable as I am, or even more so in some situations, has gone to rescue the barracks. They'll be fine."
Originally, I intended to send Lucas and other melee heroes to the barracks.
But the barracks were too far from the city wall, and I couldn't send just one or two of the front-line heroes. Moreover, to safely escort the non-combatants out, we needed at least two parties.
That's when Junior volunteered to go.
'Leave it to me. I will definitely rescue the retired soldiers in the barracks.'
Being seasoned and well-trained, Junior was entrusted with the barracks rescue mission.
Of course, not alone. I paired her with Bodybag, a psychokinetic who excels in various situations beyond combat. The two-mage duo.
'With Junior handling the firepower and me supporting, the two of us can manage. Please send us.'
I decided to trust the two veteran mages who volunteered.
The barracks rescue team had just sent up a success signal flare. I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.
Additionally, the evacuation of the cooking unit, priests, alchemists, and other non-combatants was progressing one by one.
The remaining elite heroes by my side watched the city's center with determined faces.
Ooooooh…!
The massive carcass of the giant reindeer monster, which was regurgitating the monsters it had eaten, spewing them out all around.
Amidst this steaming mass of flesh, an antlered demon creature stood wobbling with dull eyes.
"Ugh, ugh…"
Cromwell.
It was the true form of the enemy monster commander, who had shed layer upon layer of its hide.
'We have to take it down before it causes more trouble.'
Taking a deep breath, I exchanged glances with the surrounding heroes.
Although we should avoid close combat if possible, we cannot miss this opportunity.
While the dispatched rescue team evacuates the non-combatants and the zombie remnants are dealt with at the four defensive walls.
With the remaining personnel, we strike at the heart of the enemy camp… Cromwell's main body.
"Let's end this in one go."
I shouted, pointing the flag forward.
"Charge!"
"Yes-!"
Led by Lucas, the elite heroes clad in heavy armor smoothly scaled down the wall and charged towards Cromwell.
At the same time, I turned sharply to the side.
"Lilly, activate all the prepared artifacts!"
"Yes, sir!"
Following my order, Lilly sent hand signals around.
Then, the wizards and alchemists on the walls of Crossroad Castle began moving busily.
The black dragon wall [Knight Bringer] surrounding the castle is a structure that transforms on-site, so when installing a new wall, we also need to install the defense equipment anew.
The black dragon wall was completed just before the siege began. Cannons and ballistae were installed immediately as trained, but.
Artifacts require magical engineering processes such as connecting the magic circuits. We only used the ones installed on the castle wall of Crossroad, firing at angles that came into view.
Now the enemy is inside Crossroad.
All the artifacts installed on the castle wall can be used by simply turning their direction. They all have clear angles.
'We can't just ravage the city, though.'
Of course, if it comes to it, we must be prepared to do so, but we should minimize damage if possible.
We chose to use artifacts that would effectively eliminate the enemy with minimal damage to the city.
Zzzzzzing!
Click! Click!
As various artifacts loaded and aimed at the enemies.
"Please… Let this be a big hit this time… Make it worth the cost…"
Muttering her prayer, Lilly and the alchemists carefully took out and installed a large metal plate artifact.
An SSR-grade artifact that sends the target stamped within it to the southern plains.
[Back to Square One].
Chapter 753
The walls of Crossroad Castle were lower than the newly installed Knight Bringer walls on the outskirts.
For this reason, most of the artifacts installed on the castle walls couldn't be used in previous battles due to lack of visibility. This time, however, the situation was the exact opposite.
To deal with the monsters that had entered the castle, artifacts were more effective than cannons or ballistae.
As the artifacts lined up against the monsters, the alchemists and wizards in charge thought.
'We can't keep losing to the artillerymen!'
Unbeknownst to most, the soldiers of Crossroad had a prideful rivalry between their different units, with the artillery having the highest pride.
Not only were they favored by Ash, but they also recorded the most kills, making them the elite unit.
But that was just in terms of regular monster kills. When it came to boss monsters and critical stage completions, it was always the artifact team that played a decisive role!
Today, the artifact team was determined to assert their presence in the remaining battle.
Among them was the pride and joy of the artifact team.
The highest-grade defensive artifact, [Back to Square One].
An equipment that forcibly teleports any opponent captured in its metal plate to the southern plains of Crossroad, usable only once per stage.
Though costly and time-consuming to maintain, its performance in real combat had always been ambiguous.
Recently, it had performed well in the battle against the King of Flies by destroying part of the King of Flies's wings and finding a way to attack, and in the Black Dragon battle by teleporting the allied squad right in front of the Black Dragon.
Yet, it hadn't fully utilized its original function—forcing the enemy's core force away from the frontline.
'This time, for sure!'
As the alchemists aimed the metal plate at the monsters, they swallowed their dry throats.
Currently, numerous monsters still surrounded Cromwell, the enemy commander whom our heroes were charging at.
If they could 'capture' these monsters, except Cromwell, and teleport them to the end of the southern plains, it would greatly aid our charging heroes.
"Get ready, get ready-!"
Besides [Back to Square One], other various artifacts also completed their activation preparations.
After waiting for the optimal timing-
* * *
Shaaak!
Led by Lucas, the melee heroes slid down the walls as if gliding.
They didn't descend directly on the vertical wall; I had connected a magical wall to the ground like a slide, which they deftly rode down.
"We have no clear information on the current state of the enemy!"
I shouted, running alongside the tenth row.
"Fight flexibly according to the situation! Don't let your guard down for even a second, always stay alert!"
"Yes!"
Everyone answered in unison.
My heroes were already veterans among veterans. There was no need for such reminders.
The crucial part was my role. No matter Cromwell's state or form, I had to give the most appropriate instructions at each moment.
The heroes, having completed their descent, naturally formed an assault formation and charged forward. Various monstrous creatures spilled from Cromwell's main body and filled our path.
"Aaah, aaaaaah-!"
"Grrrrk, grrrk, grrrk!"
"It hurts, it hurts!"
Most of the fleshy monsters had spread throughout the city, but there were still quite a few clattering their teeth around Cromwell.
I gritted my teeth. Before fighting Cromwell, it seemed we'd have to struggle through these many creatures…?!
Zzzzing!
Just then, the sound of an artifact activating was heard,
Click-!
With a sound like a camera shutter,
Over a hundred massive fleshy monsters blocking our path vanished in an instant.
"Huh?"
"What…"
"This is…?!"
The leading heroes widened their eyes in surprise. So did I.
'This is… forced teleportation!'
I looked back.
There, on the castle walls, alchemists and wizards were hugging each other and jumping around with the metal plate artifact in the middle.
"Victory-!"
"Finally, we did it!"
"See! This tin-can artifact can do it!"
I finally realized the situation clearly.
After a long period of humiliation… [Back to Square One] had finally fulfilled its original role!
Of course, the forcibly teleported monsters weren't dead, just thrown far outside the city. But still, what a relief!
"The enemy's front defense is empty!"
I waved the magic flag forward and shouted.
"Now is the time! Charge-!"
At my shout, other artifacts on the castle walls also activated in succession.
Flash! Flash…!
Flashes of light poured out, casting various beneficial magical effects on us and harmful ones on the enemies.
Determined not to miss this golden opportunity, our heroic assault team charged forward like the wind.
And then…
"…!"
With most of the creatures cleared by [Back to Square One], only a few fleshy monsters remained around Cromwell's main body—the carcass of the giant reindeer monster.
Near Cromwell, especially large fleshy monsters lurked.
Huge beings resembling a giant, a mantis, a dog, and a snail—fleshy monsters that looked similar in size and form to the monster commanders Cromwell had previously devoured.
These monsters seemed too large for [Back to Square One] to capture entirely, thus they weren't cleared.
Shaaak!
Shaaaaak!
Countless tentacles and a terrible malevolent aura surged from these monsters' bodies.
"Aaaaaaah-!"
"Chik, chik, chik, chik."
"We're hungry too, let us eat!"
The giant fleshy creatures, baring their countless teeth, charged at us.
'No need to advertise that you're boss-level monsters!'
I clicked my tongue.
Rumble!
A huge centipede-shaped fleshy monster rushed at us, extending its legs like tentacles in all directions.
'In a siege, we might avoid close combat, but since we've committed, we'll use everything!'
Finishing my judgment,
"Kraken! Jörmungandr!"
I activated [Kraken's Ring] and opened the subspace for captured monsters, shouting.
"Come out-!"
Fwooosh!
Magic circles intertwined in the air, and a gigantic cephalopod monster, Kraken, roared fiercely as it emerged.
At the same time, the small serpent, Jörmungandr, activated [Shell of the Old God], reverting to its prime form as the 'World Serpent.'
Boom!
The two massive monsters crushed the centipede-shaped flesh monster as they landed.
The flesh centipede twisted its enormous body in resistance, but facing Kraken, the lord of tentacles, and Jörmungandr, who could destroy the world in ten minutes, it was futile.
Crunch! Crackle…!
Kraken and Jörmungandr seemed to cooperate as if they had long worked together, swiftly wrapping around the centipede-shaped flesh monster and crushing it instantly.
Rip! Riiip!
With a horrendous sound of tearing flesh, the centipede-shaped monster was smashed and slowly collapsed.
"Raaaargh!"
"Sss, north, sss."
As the victorious squid and serpent rose slowly,
"Chirr! Chirr!"
"Eat, eat, eat, eat, eat…!"
The mantis and giant-shaped flesh monsters joined the fray, roaring.
Boom! Boom…!
The giant monsters collided, devastating the surroundings. A cloud of dust rose in the area.
Luckily, it was an empty southern lot with few buildings, but please, moderate the destruction! I'm sick of the restoration work!
Two huge dog-shaped flesh monsters charged at us.
They resembled a three-headed dog and a two-headed dog. Clearly, they were Cerberus and Orthrus, which Cromwell had devoured earlier.
"Looking like chewed gum…"
I decided it wasn't too difficult to deal with them, seeing their tentacles and teeth.
"They're zombies! Just meat monsters without any special abilities other than tentacles and teeth!"
Sure, the tentacles and teeth were scary, but that's just physical prowess, far from their abilities in life.
Though it wasn't a long time, observing the monsters' behavior on the wall led me to this conclusion, and indeed, the two flesh dogs couldn't use their hellhound abilities.
"Raa, aah, aaah!"
Still, their terrifying physical abilities remained, and they charged at us with their huge mouths wide open.
Thunk! Thunk-!
Two spears like missiles fell from the sky, piercing each one's chest and pinning them to the ground, rendering them unable to move.
Looking up, I saw Mikhail descending swiftly on his griffin. He had thrown the spears while riding down.
Screech!
Mikhail, who descended in an instant, grabbed the double spears he had thrown and pulled them out with a burst of crimson energy.
Rip…!
The two struggling hellhound-shaped flesh monsters were split apart.
Spinning his spears lightly, Mikhail smiled and kicked his griffin's sides to take flight again.
"Commander, I'll guard from above."
The youngest king of the Vermillion Kingdom… no, the youngest king, soared back into the sky instantly. My heroes also roared and charged forward, clashing with the monsters.
While Torkel blocked the tentacles with a huge shield,
Kuilan scattered red aura-laden punches, smashing the monsters,
Verdandi's green-magic-imbued dagger unleashed ranged slashes, cutting down all the flesh in its path.
Kellibey used a chisel and hammer to break through the tall flesh barrier, creating a path.
Zenith and Rosetta, who had finished their rescue missions, each activated [Oath of Healing] and [Oath of Protection], pouring out divine power like rain, incinerating the wriggling small flesh monsters.
Zenith and Rosetta, having completed their respective rescue missions, activated [Oath of Healing] and [Oath of Protection], unleashing divine power like rain. The holy energy incinerated the small flesh pieces wriggling and trying to sprout tentacles.
"Screeeech!"
Lastly, a giant slug-shaped flesh monster blocked our way, letting out a grotesque scream.
"…Move aside, monstrosity."
Swish-!
Lucas dashed forward and delivered a fierce slash, splitting it apart and setting it ablaze simultaneously.
[Excalibur] and the [Bestowed Sword] emitted a blinding light as they shattered the monster. Lucas lightly shook the twin swords, flicking off the remains, then respectfully bowed to me.
"My lord."
"Good."
I walked along the path my heroes had carved. Not once did the path falter.
Swish!
Thud…!
Other heroes, having completed their rescue missions in different parts of the city, began joining up and following behind me.
After breaking through all resistance, our main force finally stood before the enemy commander.
"…"
Standing still among the corpses and flesh remnants was the boss monster of this stage—
Cromwell.
Chapter 754
It was about Cromwell's childhood.
"Ah!"
While sparring with a young demon, Cromwell slipped and fell, resulting in her first defeat.
The tip of the demon youth's sword touched Cromwell's neck.
Her first defeat ever.
Though young, Cromwell's talent was overwhelming, and she had never lost in a sparring match.
Cromwell was surprised, but the young demon who had defeated her was even more shocked. The elder watching the duel turned pale with bewilderment.
"Haha, you're amazing!"
Momentarily stunned, Cromwell got up, laughed brightly, and extended her hand for a handshake with the youth who had defeated her.
The youth, still dazed, accepted Cromwell's handshake. Cromwell patted the youth's shoulder.
"You're the first to beat me. Let's spar again next time! Alright?"
But that never happened.
That night, the youth was 'eliminated.'
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk…!
With an expressionless face, the elder swung his knife, stabbing the youth tied to the pillar in the stomach.
The youth twisted in pain and eventually died. The elder wiped the sweat off his face with his sleeve.
"Elder?!"
Cromwell, arriving a step too late, was horrified.
"What… what on earth have you done?! Why did you kill him?!"
"Your Excellency."
The elder spoke coldly.
"Your Excellency must neither lose nor fail."
"What…?!"
"As the ruler of the legion, you must be flawless."
Thus.
Anyone aware of Cromwell's defeat was eradicated.
Though an absurd thought and action, the elder's eyes held an eerily firm conviction.
Cromwell asked in a trembling voice.
"So, you're making it as if this never happened?"
"Yes. Your Excellency has never lost. Such a thing never happened."
After setting the limp youth's body on magical fire, the elder whispered sternly into Cromwell's ear.
"If Your Excellency truly loses, truly fails, then it will be I, and our entire legion, who will be tied to a pillar and killed."
"…!"
"Never lose. Never fail. Achieve only victory."
In an instant, the youth's body was reduced to ashes.
As Cromwell stood frozen, staring at the charred spot, the elder reiterated coldly into her ear.
"For the legion, only victory."
And it turned out as such.
Throughout her growth, Cromwell buried all her mistakes and pretended they never happened. She was forcibly made flawless.
She never once lost, never once failed. Cromwell grew to be the greatest commander of the legion.
And because of that.
Cromwell never learned to accept failure.
She never learned from defeat, never learned to steady her heart after a loss.
"Huh?"
And at some point.
Cromwell stood at a dead-end.
Dead End.
Defeated by Night Bringer, she could no longer move forward and came to a halt.
'Ah… '
On the brink of life and death, she thought blankly.
'Stopping… is comfortable.'
In truth, she never understood from the beginning.
Why she had to conquer the world.
What the ambition of her race was. What the glory of her homeland was.
She was just pushed to the forefront.
Because everyone expected it. Because everyone was watching her. Because everyone said she was the only hope…
But now, that tiresome race was over.
She could let everything go and rest.
"Your Excellency."
Then a voice came from behind. Turning around, she saw the elder standing with open arms.
"Let's make this defeat as if it never happened."
"…"
"And from now on, continue to achieve victory."
She didn't want to.
She no longer wanted to get up and fight.
Why she had to fight, why she had to win, why she must not lose. Cromwell still didn't understand.
But, she was the commander.
She had to fight for the legion.
For her beloved legion members, and her beloved father. She had to muster up strength one more time…
"Eat."
So, she devoured.
She devoured everyone in the legion, regardless of gender or age, to erase her defeat.
If she could achieve her ambition and destroy this world, everyone would be happy.
"Huh?"
Crushing through the dead-end wall with the flesh and bones of the legion members.
As she crawled through the bloodstained passage with her resurrected body, Cromwell suddenly realized.
She had pursued victory for her father, for the legion members, and now…
She had devoured her father and all the legion members for that victory.
"Ah…?"
* * *
"Ahhhhh-!"
The beast roared.
Ominous green magical light scattered chaotically and surged everywhere, and at the center, Cromwell's entire body, holding up enormous green antlers, boiled.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, I gritted my teeth.
"How many phase changes are there, really…!"
For once, could she just die quietly!
But this was Stage 45. The last boss stage before the final Stage 50.
As befits a boss monster of such a stage, Cromwell had no intention of going down easily.
Whoosh!
Separated from the reindeer corpse, Cromwell, now about the size of a slightly larger human woman, raised countless tentacles above her head.
The tentacles, writhing as they rose, immediately hardened and intricately intertwined, making the already huge antlers even larger and thicker.
"Ahhhhh-!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The hundreds and thousands of entangled tentacles each held different magical powers and began emitting complex colors.
At the same time, thousands of magical patterns surged like waves from Cromwell's antlers.
"This is!"
Sensing the magic, Dearmudin muttered with a pale face.
"It's the magical patterns of other legion commanders Cromwell devoured…!"
"What?!"
"And not just them. The patterns of all sorts of minor monsters remain as well!"
I gritted my teeth and glared at Cromwell. Could it be… that bastard…
"Did she absorb all the abilities of the monsters she devoured…?"
Now, the messy process made a bit more sense.
Why she bothered to devour and regurgitate all her allies.
Where the abilities of the zombified remaining monsters went.
Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, locking herself in a mass of flesh and then coming out again… that form…!
"Ahhhhh!"
As if she had merged all the monsters in this world into one,
The antlers, which were emitting ominous multicolored auras in all directions, suddenly stopped emitting colors.
The enormous antlers, having ceased to emit magical light, turned a dull green.
Cromwell, swaying with an enormous tree-like structure on her head, finally…
Opened her closed eyes.
Flash-!
With a terrifying green glow, a dreadful aura spread across the area.
Immediately, dozens of intertwined antlers turned red and began to shine.
'This is…!'
The power of the Flame Giant Legion!
'Is she manifesting all the power of the flame giants she devoured at once?!'
Cromwell drew back her right fist and then thrust it forward,
Flames whirled out from the reddened antlers, forming a giant arm in the air… and slammed down toward our heroes rushing at her.
Boom!
An enormous explosion and smoke spread everywhere.
-But, there was no damage.
"Is that all…!"
Just before the flaming fist fell, I conjured a magical barrier in the air and blocked it precisely.
The real-time melting and evaporating of the magical barrier bought us a few seconds, but it was enough. Our heroes had already approached Cromwell.
Then Cromwell swung her left hand horizontally.
Whoosh!
Likewise, some of the antlers glowed cyan, and this time, a long, blade-like arm formed in the air.
'The cutting ability of the Mantis Legion…!'
Slash-!
And the incoming mantis scythe slash-
"Huup-!"
Thud!
Torkel took it head-on.
Normally, it's a kind of curse that would inevitably slice its target, but Torkel activated his ultimate skill [Humans Are Not Born to Lose] and neutralized the curse with his body.
"Nice, Torkel!"
But I stopped mid-praise, feeling awkward.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
So far, only parts of the antlers were glowing, but now, they were starting to light up in succession, spewing colors.
"Ah…"
Cromwell's green eyes widened menacingly, and around her, all kinds of monster attack methods materialized from magic.
"Ah, Father. Watch over me."
Crunch, crack…
It was clearly the sound of magic resonating, but it echoed like the eerie cracking of bones and joints.
"I will lead our legion…"
Cromwell opened her mouth wide and roared.
"To glory-!"
Boom…!
A fierce magical storm erupted in all directions.
The teeth of a hellhound, the venom of a centipede, the leg muscles of a cicada, and countless tentacles…
All of these took form through magic and poured out indiscriminately. The heroes who had barely approached had to retreat quickly to avoid being swept away.
"Ugh! What kind of creature is this…?!"
"Ash! We can't find an opening!"
"Fall back! We need to find a way!"
The close-range heroes, having barely distanced themselves from Cromwell, caught their breath and searched for a gap. But even getting this close had left them covered in wounds.
Watching Cromwell's constantly glowing antlers, I clicked my tongue.
'The ranged attack team…!'
Our wizards and snipers were, of course, attempting to attack.
Slash! Slash!
But since the transformation phase, Cromwell's antlers had spread a thick mist-like magical barrier, neutralizing all attacks in the air.
Junior, who had joined us late, was struggling to unleash [Elemental Disassembly], but Cromwell, having devoured all the monsters in the area and made their magic her own, was producing power more rapidly than [Elemental Disassembly] could deplete.
'The only fortunate thing is, her attacks are not precise!'
Cromwell's attacks were reckless.
It was like a boxer who had taken a barrage of punches and was unconscious, swinging their fists at anyone who came close…
'In this case, the only attack method we can use is… '
I was quickly calculating when a voice came from beside me.
"Prince Ash."
I turned to see Dearmudin.
The old mage, with a somewhat complex expression, nodded at me.
"I know a way to neutralize that beast."
"What? Really?"
"Yes."
Glaring at Cromwell, Dearmudin gave a bitter smile.
"When I was at the abandoned cathedral, living with the demons… I learned of a weakness."
Then Dearmudin sighed deeply.
"Once again, such a role falls to an old man."
Chapter 755
While Dearmudin prepared the 'operation,' the battle continued.
Instead of aiming for complete annihilation, our tactics shifted to suppression or stalling.
If we could annihilate Cromwell, we would, but—
Killing Cromwell, who had devoured tens of thousands of monsters and spewed out their powers in all directions, was extremely difficult.
"Ah! Aaaaaah-!"
The power output was too high.
The violent currents of magic bursting out with her roar boiled and tangled like tentacles, bouncing in all directions.
The enormous antlers on Cromwell's head continuously spewed magical light, devastating everything around her.
Seeing the flashing antlers on the monster's head, I shivered.
"It's like a damn Christmas tree…!"
Come to think of it, it is the end of the year! There's no Christmas in this world, but the timing is about right!
Like a Christmas tree wrapped in lights, Cromwell was radiating light and magic in all directions, and we were desperately trying to suppress and hold her in place.
Boom! Boom boom!
The magic bursts imbued with all kinds of abilities smashed roads and buildings, and the melee heroes on that side agilely flipped through the air to dodge.
"We're reaching the limit of stalling, my lord!"
Lucas, cutting through the tentacle-like magic currents with a blade of light, shouted urgently.
"The monster is expanding its territory! At this rate, all of Crossroad will fall under her magical influence!"
Having devoured tens of thousands of monsters, Cromwell wielded that magic indiscriminately, and the range was gradually increasing.
Moreover, these attacks also served as defense. The wildly spewing magic field was condensing around her, transforming into an impenetrable layered barrier.
Our long-range attacks were neutralized, and the melee heroes couldn't withstand the waves of insane magic and were gradually pushed back.
If this continued, Lucas's worry that Cromwell might destroy all of Crossroad could come true.
'But her magic is extremely unstable.'
Right now, Cromwell was vomiting out the magic she had consumed without restraint. There was no design or strategy.
She was just wielding it reflexively, desperately, like a tantrum from a very angry child.
The magic wave was unstable, the output reaching unbelievable highs and then dropping to lows.
'We have to aim for the moment when her magic pattern hits the low point and disappears!'
At that moment.
"Prince Ash!"
A voice came from above.
Looking up urgently, I saw Dearmudin soaring in the sky with the magic robe [Old Phoenix]. And—
"Why am I doing this again!"
Clinging to his side, wriggling, was the illusionist Violet.
Ignoring the struggling Violet, Dearmudin shouted.
"We are ready!"
Though Violet seemed unprepared, I trusted her to pull through as she always did in actual combat.
"Everyone, listen up! Follow the plan I instructed earlier!"
While Dearmudin was preparing, I had already briefed the heroes on the plan.
Now it was time to execute it.
"I will give the timing signal! When I do, pour everything into it!"
"Yes-!"
As soon as I finished speaking, a terrifying surge of magic erupted from Cromwell.
"I have to win…"
Crying blood like a waterfall, Cromwell roared.
"I have to win since I ate so muchooooooo!"
The antlers glowed a dazzling light green, and the monster's magic burst out indiscriminately the next moment.
Magic spewed out without any concept of conservation or operation, forming huge tentacles—no, branches that grew rapidly and targeted the living humans around.
As Lucas warned earlier, it was power capable of destroying all of Crossroad.
"Melee units, all—!"
Evangeline then dashed forward.
"Block it-!"
Dozens of melee heroes with shields fearlessly rushed forward. Into the raging currents of magic that would surely leave no bones behind if they were swept away.
Clerics had wrapped the heroes' bodies in holy armor, and I also created real-time magic fortresses around them to support them.
"Huuuuup!"
Evangeline timed it perfectly, slamming her shield into the ground,
Flash-!
Rectangular magic shields formed over the bodies of all the heroes charging forward against the magic currents.
Evangeline's ultimate, [The Last Fortress].
Boom!
All the shield bearers surrounding Cromwell in a circle shone brightly as they nullified the enemy's attack.
Their magic walls evaporated and disappeared in front of them, and even the holy armor melted away.
But Evangeline's [The Last Fortress] held firm until the end.
"It really… hurts…!"
Evangeline, sharing the burden with her allies due to [The Last Fortress], smiled with a bloody nose.
"Your attack… lacks true malice…!"
Indeed.
It's different from the Lord of the Flies or the Black Dragon. Those two monsters attacked with pure intent to annihilate humans, trying to kill us.
But Cromwell, perhaps because she had become a zombie?
Her attacks were indiscriminate and reckless. That's all.
There's no keen edge of malice. No determination to kill.
As if unsure of where to go.
"You're bearable, you zombie bastard-!"
Thud!
The melee units endured to the end,
"Uraaaaaaah!"
Evangeline let out her characteristic war cry, raising her shield sword overhead.
[The Last Fortress] grants a wide-range [Damage Save] effect to allies.
In other words, it collects all the damage dealt to allies and—
Boom-!
Returns it with [Damage Payback]!
Raising her shield sword glowing like it was on fire, Evangeline wore a resolute expression.
Simultaneously, Cromwell's magic output dropped sharply. Having expelled immense output, her magic pattern plummeted to a low point.
"Now! Junior-!"
I shouted, and Junior, who had been preparing a magic circle with other wizards in the rear, screamed back.
"This is our last hit today-!"
Magic artifacts aiding Junior's spell shone, and the wizards channeled their magic into her.
For this one hit, almost all the wizards on the monster front had abandoned their subsequent magic usage. We had to finish this with this hit!
Junior gathered all the support and cast [Elemental Disassembly].
"Take this…!"
Boom-!
A halo appeared in the sky, space shattered, and [Elemental Disassembly] exploded onto Cromwell.
Junior's ultimate pierced through the gap created by the dropped magic output, significantly thinning the dense magic field around Cromwell.
"Now! Pour everything-!"
As I shouted, Evangeline hurled her shield sword.
The shield sword, imbued with [Damage Payback], flew like a missile toward Cromwell and exploded on impact with the magic field.
Crack, crack…!
One layer of the magic field surrounding Cromwell cracked,
Boom!
And shattered with an explosion.
But it was only one of the many layers of the magic field surrounding the monster.
There were still layers of the magic field left around the monster.
'But the crack has formed!'
And this was our only chance to break through all those magic fields!
With Evangeline's shield sword marking the spot, it became the target of all our attacks.
"Fire!"
"Pour everything in-!"
Verdandi sliced with [Isagum], Kuilan unleashed his ultimate technique, and Mikhail continued to throw crimson magic spears without rest.
All the heroes poured out their ultimate moves.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Unable to withstand it, the magic fields broke layer by layer.
"Kellybay!"
Using the [Imperial Seal Ring], I gathered all the 'will' of humanity I could, forging it into a giant nail.
Flicking the giant nail of will into the air, I shouted.
"Finish it off!"
"Leave it to me!"
Kellybay, summoning the power of the ancestral god, swung his war hammer, which glowed with golden magic, making it hundreds of times larger.
Spinning like a top in the air, Kellybay struck the head of the nail with his hammer.
Thud!
The nail of will, flying like a beam of light, struck Cromwell's magic field—at the exact point we had all been attacking.
Crack!
The nail shattered the magic field like breaking glass, tearing through dozens of layers of magic fields at once.
"Lucas!"
I turned and shouted.
"Finish it-!"
Lucas was already running.
Rushing forward, Lucas leaped into the air, slashing his dual swords in an X shape.
Slash!
The long-range slash of light struck the nail, shoving it in, and instantly split the remaining dozens of magic field layers.
"Ah…"
But by then, Cromwell's magic pattern was recovering.
"Aaaaaaaah-!"
The monster's surging magic erupted again, attempting to form new magic fields—
At that moment.
"—I've got it."
Boom!
Damien, waiting atop a spire, took the shot.
In the brief moment between the disappearance of all magic fields and the formation of new ones.
His precisely aimed shot pierced through that instant gap and struck Cromwell's forehead.
Thunk…!
"…?!"
It wasn't an attack bullet.
It was the last of our concentrated cure, all packed into a single shot.
"Ah…?!"
Cromwell was the source of the zombie parasites. This cure bullet wouldn't kill her.
But it could disrupt the zombification mechanism—stop the function that made the dead body move.
"Aah, aah…?!"
As if in disbelief, the surging magic stopped, and Cromwell staggered…
Whizzzz!
Dearmudin and Violet descended from the sky.
"Please, let this work-!"
Violet, eyes tightly shut, shouted.
"[Daydream-!]"
And Violet's fingertips, imbued with a pale purple magic, touched Cromwell's forehead.