Episode 111: The Worst Reunion
On the day of the operation.
Martial officers and reinforcements from the Holy Kingdom gathered to seal the Demonic Lair, riding on horseback. The clanking of armor and helmets resounded fiercely, and above them, a variety of flags flapped violently in the wind.
Their destination was the County of Rehern, a key military stronghold of the Rozino Empire.
“Demonic Lairs are always a disaster… but at least it’s Rehern.” said Francia, slowing her horse to adjust their pace.
“It’s a military stronghold with many skilled fighters, making it easier to defend and manage the lairs, right?”
Many territories were helpless against Demonic Lairs because recruiting soldiers wasn’t easy.
Although there were no restrictions on assembling forces for lair management and territorial defense, maintaining an army came with economic burdens.
Thus, it was common to entrust Demonic Lair management to public officials. While this increased taxes, it was still cheaper than maintaining a standing army within the territory.
But Rehern was different. The lord himself was a former knight, and because the region was a strategic military base for deterring barbarians, it had a strong military presence.
“That’s why we’re helping them first.”
“Huh? Why is that?”
Francia tilted her head in curiosity.
“To handle the demonic beasts spreading in the southwest, we need sufficient manpower, but we can’t use the martial officers or the reinforcements for that. So, we help the Rehern County first, and then use their forces to eliminate the remaining threats.”
Rehern County, located in the southwest, had more than one Demonic Lair. However, the purification Unit handling the lair-sealing operation had limited troops.
To reinforce their manpower, they would deal with Rehern’s Demon Lairs first.
“As expected of Yohan. You always think ahead.”
“Haha, it’s nothing special.”
While the two conversed, the unit had already arrived in front of the Demon Lair.
“Halt! Take a moment to prepare!”
At Yohan’s command, the troops came to an immediate stop.
“Everyone, check your weapons and physical condition! From here on, we must act swiftly and decisively! There’s no room to hesitate or show mercy!”
— “Yes, sir!”
The knights inspected their weapons, the mages controlled their mana, and the reinforcements from the Holy Kingdom folded their hands in prayer toward the sky.
After about five minutes, Yohan shouted,
“All troops, advance into the Demonic Lair!”
— “Yes, sir!”
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
As they picked up speed, the pounding hooves kicked up a storm of dust, making the ground tremble.
The moment they stepped into the Demonic Lair, the atmosphere changed.
Thick, pitch-black mist spread out, and the ground wriggled as if it were alive.
— Kraaaak!
Demonic beasts poured out like a torrential downpour. Their sharp eyes gleamed as claws emerged from the shadows.
Some launched surprise attacks from the trees, some charged forward without fear, while others fired crossbows from blind spots. Each monster attacked in the way it was born to fight.
Slash!
— Kyaaaak!
— Kraaaah…!
Boom!
— Kiyaaaak!
— Kiek…!
Mana blades of various colors flashed across the battlefield, and spells exploded in rapid succession.
Demonic beasts were torn apart, reduced to nothing.
“Special-grade Demonic Beast ahead!”
At the scout mage’s shout, Yohan looked straight ahead.
A massive creature stood before them, its gaze locked onto them.
Boom! Boom!
Its spike-covered tentacles flailed wildly, sweeping everything around them. The beast bared its enormous fangs, radiating a murderous aura.
— Kuuoooooo!!
The deafening roar shook the air. The martial officers instinctively flinched. The sheer presence of the creature was overwhelming. Any human would feel fear.
Yohan’s expression hardened as he stretched his hand forward.
Whooosh!
A surge of energy spiraled around him. A pitch-black sphere formed in midair before being launched forward.
BOOOOM—!
The violent storm of mana crashed into the special-grade beast.
KWAANG!
A tremendous explosion erupted. A dust storm engulfed the area, debris soaring into the sky.
When the dust settled—
The upper half of the high-rank demonic beast had been completely obliterated.
“…My God.”
“He took down a special-grade demonic beast in one blow?”
“This is the power of a transcendent mage…?”
The warriors and reinforcements widened their eyes or parted their lips in shock. Each expressed their surprise in their own way.
“From now on, we will disperse according to the operation plan! Just hold your respective positions, and if a special-grade demonic beast appears, signal immediately!”
—“Yes!”
The core of this operation was spreading out.
During the sealing of the demonic lair, Yohan would not be able to move. If they were to be surrounded in such a situation, it would be problematic. Thus, they planned to spread out the demonic beasts, reducing the burden on each group.
Even so, the special-grade demonic beasts were a problem. To counter this, they had decided to send a signal by shooting magic into the sky, allowing the main force protecting Yohan to provide support.
Thud, thud, thud…!
Before long, they arrived at the rift of the demonic lair.
Before their eyes, several rifts of varying sizes intertwined like a spider’s web. The largest rift emitted a sinister aura, making the surrounding air heavy.
“There’s more than one rift?”
“What is this…?”
“Is it because the lair is old?”
There were a total of five rifts.
Four rifts from which demonic beasts were emerging.
One central rift forming the core.
However, the large central rift remained eerily still. Yet, it was undoubtedly the key to the entire structure. Only that rift emanated a magic wave so intense that it made their skin tingle.
—Kiaaaah!
Demonic beasts poured out from the relatively smaller rifts, snarling as they charged forward.
Swick!
Of course, the knights wielding mana blades were unbeatable. With a single swing of their swords, the beasts’ blood rained down like a storm, and they perished without even leaving a dying cry.
At some point, Yohan had dismounted from his horse and was stretching his wrists, warming up his body.
“Eris, I’m counting on you.”
“Understood.”
In Yohan’s absence, Eris held command over the main force. She was entrusted with the role not only because she was the most skilled but also because she had experience leading troops as a special-class inspector.
Hoo…
Taking a deep breath, Johan stepped toward the rift.
He placed his hand against it, channeling his mana within.
“Let’s begin.”
Yohan closed his eyes.
A massive surge of magical energy began to move.
The main force entered the center while four squads formed a square around the rift. This meant that the 2nd and 3rd squads were positioned right next to each other.
That was why Cain had the opportunity to approach Lady Fervache. Since the squads were close together and he was gravely injured, he could receive healing from her.
“Archbishop Cain…! Please hang in there! I, Arbella, will surely save you!”
He was being carried on Arbella’s back, heading toward Francia. Normally, the other holy knights would have done this, but due to his severe injuries, it was faster for her to do it herself.
Boom—!
With a light kick, Arbella sent the demonic beasts ahead of her flying. Despite being a priestess holding the title of Saintess, she possessed formidable combat abilities.
She wrapped herself in divine energy and used crusader martial arts to crush her enemies. That was how Arbella fought.
“Ah, Archbishop Cain! I am truly sorry! I am not skilled in healing magic, so I cannot treat such severe injuries…!”
Despite being a Saintess, Arbella was unable to use high-tier healing magic. She had the necessary power but could not grasp the intricacies of magical formulas.
“D-Don’t worry, just hurry…”
“I, Arbella, will run at full speed for you, Archbishop!”
Boom!
As Arbella, now fully enveloped in divine energy, pushed off the ground, cracks spread beneath her feet like a spider web. Then, her body shot forward, cutting through the air.
She moved so fast that the demonic beasts could not even perceive her, let alone stop her.
Thanks to this, Cain was able to reach the 3rd squad’s position.
“Ah—! Is the special-class mage Fervache here?! We have a severely wounded man!”
Her voice rang out across the battlefield. The warriors defending their respective zones turned their gazes toward her.
“Special-Class mage Fervache! We have a severely wounded man!”
“Yes—! I’m coming right away!”
Arbella carefully laid Cain Luhar, whom she had been carrying on her back, onto the ground.
“Archbishop Cain…! Please stay with me!”
“I… I’m still conscious…”
“Are you feeling cold or sleepy? You must not close your eyes!”
“I’m fine…”
“Archbishop! You must not go like this! Stay awake!”
“…”
Her worry was not exaggerated. One of Cain’s arms had been completely torn off.
However, Cain himself was unfazed. Losing an arm was a minor issue—he could heal it with the Archbishop’s Blessing.
If not for his intention to meet the Lady Fervache, he wouldn’t have suffered such injuries from mere demonic beasts in the first place.
“What’s going on?!”
Francia came running in a hurry.
“Archbishop Cain was injured while fighting a Special-grade demonic beast! If we don’t treat him quickly, it will be dangerous!”
At the mention of Archbishop Cain, her body froze. Her expression darkened, casting a shadow over her face.
“…I’ll check right away.”
Francia knelt down and channeled her mana into Cain Luhar. His torn-off arm began to regenerate, with new flesh and muscle growing back.
‘This is… purification…!’
Cain’s eyes widened. His suspicion was confirmed. The mana possessed by Lady Fervache was affecting his curse. A faint smile crept onto his lips.
‘If it’s this, she really could break my curse.’
Of course, breaking the curse would require more than just pouring out mana-it would need deeper contact. But for now, just knowing it was possible was enough.
-Kiaaaak!
-Krrraaaak!
The moment Cain’s eyes narrowed, the scent of blood attracted a swarm of demonic beasts.
“Demonic beasts are approaching!”
“Damn it!”
Woong! The knights guarding Francia activated their mana blades.
“Saintess, please move back-“
“No! I will handle this!”
Boom!
Arbella slammed her two fists together, now wrapped in divine power.
“The best defense is a strong offense! The best healing is to not get hurt in the first place! I, Arbella, will wipe out these beasts, the cause of all these injuries!”
In an instant, Arbella’s figure vanished, leaving only afterimages. Moving like the wind, she swung her small fists. A spiral shockwave erupted as her punch came crashing down on the demonic beasts.
Kwaaaang!
Each time she punched, explosions rang out, and demonic beasts were torn apart.
Splat! Blood and flesh splattered everywhere, but her divine energy repelled the filth, leaving her untainted.
“Ahaha! They’re bursting apart one after another!”
She laughed while shaking off the blood.
A mixture of madness and grace coexisted in her expression.
“…My god.”
The two knights who had come to guard Francia were at a loss for words.
Is that truly a Saintess…?
“Ahahaha! I, Arbella, am blessed by the goddess Freyja! These beasts cannot lay a single finger on me!”
Boom! Boom!
Every swing of her fist sent powerful shockwaves, making the demonic beasts disappear without a trace. She was even giggling while being covered in their blood.
…Rather than a saintess, she seemed more like a lunatic.
“The emergency treatment is done.”
Francia stopped channeling her mana.
Cain swallowed his disappointment. It had been so long since he felt such peace and clarity.
“But I think you’ll need more treatment.”
“I will assist.”
As the knights moved to support Cain, Francia shook her head.
“No. I’ll take the Archbishop alone. We’re heading inside anyway, so it will be safe. And right now, wouldn’t it be better for you to help the Saintess?”
Francia pointed with her finger. At the end of her gaze, Arbella was surrounded by demonic beasts, throwing punches relentlessly. Her strength was overwhelming, but the sheer number of beasts was a problem.
“Damn, we’ll join you soon!”
As the knights rushed to assist the Saintess, Francia smiled softly and supported Cain.
“Archbishop, let’s go for your treatment.”
“…Yes.”
The two of them headed toward the forest where the forward base was located.
Francia’s eyes turned icy cold. Mana gathered at her fingertips, and the artifact of celestial mage emitted a faint glow, amplifying her power.
Here, she would kill Cain Luhar.