"Master, the city walls have been breached! The allied forces won't hold out much longer! Let's go!" She could already hear the battle cries outside. Stepping out of the tower, she saw dark clouds in the sky glowing with a faint crimson light, as if coated in thick, viscous blood.
"But my sister hasn't returned yet." "She's a garrison soldier—she can't just abandon her post," Kaf's voice grew increasingly anxious. "If you die here, wouldn't you be letting her down?" After a moment's hesitation, she finally nodded. "I understand." The streets were packed with fleeing refugees, and the guards maintained a fragile order, blending into the crowd. She followed them southward, Kaf clinging to her side, his sturdy frame shielding her from the chaos.
It was a total failure.
Is this our fate? She glanced at the Tower of Heaven behind her—the city's highest point and the Federation's nerve center. The Flying Devil had already stormed the tower with the Madman, though occasional lightning strikes would send it crashing down. But it was all in vain—the enemy was too numerous.
After centuries of construction and development, this city has become the most prosperous holy city in the fertile plains. Yet today, it seems on the verge of destruction, and the efforts of generations cannot save it—just like the sandcastle built by children over an afternoon, it will revert to chaos and disorder in the blink of an eye.
...
After passing through the south gate, the intercepted Devil had already arrived. Those still capable of fighting spontaneously stepped forward to join the guards in battle.
Yet the enemy forces were not only filled with frenzied demons but also possessed the Heart-Scare Demon and the Lord of Hell, creating an overwhelming disparity in strength. After a single wave of spear attacks, dozens lay sprawled in pools of blood. Some had their abdomens pierced by iron spears, their steaming entrails sliding into the icy snow. Others had their limbs severed, clutching their wounds in agonized cries.
"Master, what are you going to do?" Kafu held her.
"I can fight too," she gasped. "Let me go." "No! You matter far more than them. You can't—" "Drop it!" Her Magic Power surged forth, sending a chilling cold wave that shattered the enemy's grip. Without a backward glance, she strode forward. The grim-faced mask and blood-dripping weapons mere hundred paces away made her heart tighten. Yet she refused to hide behind the crowd—as a Holy City Witch, even if death awaited, it must come on the battlefield!
"Get out of the way!" At that very moment, a piercing shout echoed from the battlefield's edge. A figure descended from the heavens, as if the very God himself had descended.
She stood with her back to the crowd, the long sword in her hand raised high. Her crimson hair, like flames, instantly kindled the hope in everyone's heart.
"Under the patronage of the Federation!" "She is... beyond the ordinary!" Amidst the crowd's gasps, a radiant glow began to cascade across the blade, soon transforming the sword into a dazzling golden arc—like a newborn sun, its rays bathed the earth in golden light. Not even the dark crimson clouds dared to obscure its brilliance, their shadows revealing countless golden tassels beneath. As the glow reached its zenith, the newcomer leaped forward and swung his longsword at the approaching Devil.
The world is silent.
In that instant, time seemed to freeze. Before the all-consuming blinding light descended, the other's silhouette lingered like the last flicker of dawn.
Both the Madman and the Hell Lord collapsed with a thunderous crash in the light.
When she opened her eyes again, the snow before her had melted into scorched earth, and the approaching enemies seemed to have never existed.
When the other Devils witnessed this, they all instinctively retreated. Meanwhile, more Holy Shield warriors arrived to join the battle, pursuing the fleeing enemies until the encirclement was broken.
"Get out of here now," the sword-wielding Witch gasped, her knees buckling as if drained of all strength. "While we still can." "But... sir, where else could we go?" someone in the crowd asked.
"Where else could we go?" she mused bitterly. Even the last holy city had fallen to the Devil's assault, with tens of thousands perishing. All their means had been exhausted, yet they could not turn the tide.
"Don't give up! We still have hope!" the red-haired Witch declared with unshakable resolve. "Cross the mountains, ford the rivers, and reach that wild frontier." "But... there are only backward country folk there." "We can restore order. Go on! As long as we survive, we will surely witness the day of victory!"...
"Master, why don't you join them?" She led the group away from the crowd and hurried westward. Apart from Kaf and the family Guard, the others were mostly defenseless—merely servants and attendants from the tower.
"I left some crucial magic stones and documents in the experimental building of the Hide-and-Seek Forest. Since we're restoring order, these items are vital to the Witch. I need to take them across the mountain." "The Devil is closing in!" "Hammerstone, block them!" Kaf ordered.
"Agreed!" She gritted her teeth and pressed forward. These mortals could only slow Devil's advance, but were no match for his might. This time, there was no hope of survival. Yet she had to abandon them and reach her destination without delay.
For some reason, black and white speckles appeared in the sky... My vision became blurred.
...
Kafu trailed behind, panting heavily. Even a man as strong as him was utterly exhausted after three days of trekking through the snow.
She glanced back at the thirty-strong group, now reduced to just six. Some had fled halfway, others had voluntarily left due to severe injuries. If Devil were to catch up again...
"Rest assured, Master, and I too," Kaf said, as if reading her thoughts, "I'll do my utmost to hold them back." "Why?" He paused briefly.
"Why do you have to stay until the end? If you run now, you might still survive," she asked in confusion. "We witches have always been above everyone else, and you're just an ordinary person. Normally, you wouldn't even consider joining me in death." "But you've never treated us harshly. Though I lack Magic Power, I understand many things—protecting you is my duty." A commotion erupted behind them, and everyone realized the final moment had arrived.
"Master, hurry and do not look back." The number of black and white spots is increasing.
...
She stumbled into the basement and sorted through the documents and magic stones on the table.
Kauf's words made her a little confused.
For centuries, the Holy City had held a prevalent belief: witches were God's chosen ones, while those incapable of harnessing Magic Power were deemed ignorant and powerless—merely fertile ground for their cultivation. Yet in this Guardian Captain of the family, she witnessed courage and resilience, proving far from the incompetence many claimed. Truth be told, even they possessed qualities beyond witches' reach. Their synergy far surpassed unilateral control—at least within her stone tower.
If so, why did people over four hundred years ago suffer such a crushing defeat?
Suddenly, Devil's roar erupted from the doorway.
Damn, they came so fast.
Her vision was already blurred, countless specks dancing before her eyes, nearly filling her entire field of sight... She couldn't die here; she had to take her research findings away—crossing mountains and rivers, to that wild land to restore order!
She retrieved an Echo Stone, infused it with Magic Power, and made it emit continuous cries for help.
The wooden door shattered with a thunderous crash, and Devil had already burst through the door.
Hoping someone would hear her cry for help, she unleashed her full Magic Power, which transformed into a gushing frost. The madman raised his spear, his arm swelling rapidly. In the next instant, the spear tip, glowing with cold light, shot straight toward her.
She closed her eyes involuntarily. The black-and-white speckles suddenly obscured everything, turning her vision into pitch darkness and silencing all sounds. Her body no longer felt cold, as if wrapped in a soft velvet blanket. It was as if she were lying on warm grass rather than in a dim basement, and the sharp pain of being pierced had long since ceased.
Did you die?
After a long while, a narrow crack appeared in the darkness, then gradually brightened. She slowly tried to open her eyes, and the hazy gray roof gradually came into view.
She heard someone say, "Your Highness, she's awake."