Volume 3, Chapter 49 – The Power of the Reformists

By the time Fia left the underground, ten minutes had already passed.

Balor’s immortality had delayed her for too long, turning what should have been a few minutes’ work into a considerable amount of time.

Arriving before the Knowledge-seeking Demon General, Fia hovered in the air and looked down towards the city gate. The guards there were under considerable pressure. The Flame King’s attendants were not only attacking from the ground, but flying monsters like the Fire Bats were also dropping blazing stones and lava sea urchins from the sky. The gate tower was already on fire, and the soldiers were forced to fight while putting out the flames.

If not for the barrier in the sky hindering the monsters, and the magic casters on the ground helping to snipe the Fire Bats, the first city gate would have surely fallen long ago… although it was only a matter of time before it did.

From a high-altitude perspective, one could see that the monsters in contact with the soldiers were only a small portion. A continuous line of them was still rushing towards the city gate from the direction of the desert. As the Son of Balor had said, they had taken control of the Flame King’s old subordinates and had ordered all of them to attack Byrne City.

“So this is the outside world… What’s going on? A monster siege?”

The voice of Laplace’s Demon, which was being carried by Fia with [Telekinesis], became urgent. It had once been a super-intelligent being managing interstellar colonization and had seen many scenes of war. The humans on the ground now were in a precarious situation, no matter how one looked at it.

“Let me confirm one thing. Are you on good terms with the Knowledge-seeking Demon General?”

“What time is it to be talking about this? Saving the people below is what’s important! Aren’t there still some witches with strength to spare? Take me to them!”

“Answer my question first.”

Fia emphasized in a serious tone.

If she couldn’t confirm that the Knowledge-seeking Demon General was trustworthy, then she had to disarm him first. To let a Darkborn on par with the Despair Demon General stay with the Witch’s Heart Core was like putting her neck on the line.

“He’s a bit of a bad person, but as long as you give him knowledge, he’ll listen. You saw his expression when he saw the universe just now. Our knowledge is enough to keep him in line for a lifetime!”

No, no, only a ghost could see his expression. His head is clearly a book.

But even a coward like Laplace’s Demon was certain that he was not a danger. Perhaps the Knowledge-seeking Demon General was indeed quite different from the Despair Demon General and could be used.

“I’ll take you down. Your first priority is to protect yourself.”

“Those witches with Friede still have some strength left. I can try to order them to help.”

“Don’t send them to their deaths. I have my own way of dealing with the monsters in the desert.”

Before Laplace’s Demon could answer, Fia took it and met up with the Knowledge-seeking Demon General, who had caught up from behind. The three of them descended towards the grand cathedral together. Not only were a large number of witches who had escaped from the underground gathered here, but there were also many ordinary people who had come to the church for shelter. Fia even found the figures of Anastasia and Renee among them. The chaos and the people’s anxiety filled the air with tension.

She had clearly told Renee to meet her at the inn. The reason she was here was probably that she had followed the trail of the Dominators.

“Lady Fia!”

Just as Fia appeared with Laplace’s Demon in front of the cathedral, Lianne’s voice echoed through the square. The brilliant light that the Witch’s Heart Core constantly emitted made Fia as bright as a lighthouse in the night.

Reаd οո KαtRеаⅾіոɡСαfе

“Miss Fia!”

“Your Highness!”

In just a moment, Friede and Anastasia also realized that the person carrying the Witch’s Heart Core was Fia. Friede had a look of relief, while Anastasia’s mature and resolute face remained serious.

“It’s good that you and the Heart Core are safe, Miss Fia…”

“Your Highness, the situation at the city gate is not optimistic. The soldiers won’t be able to hold out for much longer.”

The implication was to leave in the chaos before the city gate fell. If it were only ten thousand monsters, Anastasia would still choose to fight alongside the defending army. But the Son of Balor had said hundreds of thousands.

Monsters had low intelligence and were not like humans who would be deterred by large-scale magic. They would not retreat even if they saw a large number of their companions die. No country would be willing to face such a monster army, let alone a small city like Byrne. Being submerged by the monster tide was already an inevitable outcome.

Her beautiful, ruby-like eyes were calm. Fia’s tone had a hint of command.

“I know, but it’s not completely hopeless. Anastasia, you stay here and protect Liti and Milu. You too, Lianne. Friede, have you brought Latania and the others?”

“I have. My witches are all in the cathedral, treating the wounded who have just come out from the underground.”

“Separate those with combat ability. You go and help at the city gate.”

“Lady Fia, this is too reckless! Even I, who are skilled in earth-type magic, are no match for hundreds of thousands of monsters, let alone Friede and the others whose strength is inferior to mine. Even if we go to help, it’s impossible to hold out until reinforcements arrive. The top priority is to leave before the city is surrounded. It’s not too late to come back for revenge later!”

Lianne’s shout was full of anxiety. Because she did not control her volume, the people nearby who heard her also showed looks of tension and despair. They were staying here to seek the protection of the witches. Now, hearing that the witches themselves were in danger, they all began to waver.

And not just Lianne, but even the Knowledge-seeking Demon General, while stroking his chin, suggested in a shrill voice that sounded like a woman’s.

“Even I can’t clear out so many monsters. Without using a forbidden spell, I can only deal with thirty thousand. You should quickly take Laplace and leave this place to discuss another plan. A wise person would not fight head-on with hundreds of thousands of monsters without any preparation.”

Fia frowned slightly.

“I haven’t finished yet. I only asked Friede and the others to help the defending army for a while, to minimize casualties and buy time. I will deal with the large number of monsters in the desert that have not yet arrived.”

“Even for you, these monsters are too many!”

“Don’t worry, Lianne—” Saying this probably wouldn’t convince her. Fia simply gave a specific number. “How about this, you only help the defenders for a quarter of an hour. If there’s no movement from me after that, you take the Heart Core and leave. Understood?”

“If it’s only for a quarter of an hour…”

As if seeking a result, Lianne’s gaze fell on Friede. But Friede just straightened her body and nodded seriously and decisively.

“Whether it’s a quarter of an hour or an hour, we believe in Miss Fia’s judgment. Latania, let’s go to the city gate!”

Rеαԁ oո ΚαtRеаⅾiոɡСаfе

Without saying more, Friede led Latania and the other witches and headed straight for the city gate.

She’s associating me with the identity of the Guided One. Friede’s resolute back told Fia what she was thinking.

It was about time she set off to deal with those foolish monsters herself.

Withdrawing her gaze from Friede’s retreating back, Fia’s golden wings attracted Lianne’s attention. She hesitated for a moment, then, as if having made up her mind, said in a low voice.

“I will go with Friede.”

“Your constitution… Will it be alright? It would be better for you to stay here, Lianne. You can also screen the witches who were not present. Most of them are inseparable from this attack.”

Lianne suffered from hunger and would lose control upon seeing food. It was fine in the underground, but it was extremely unstable outside.

“It won’t be a problem as long as I don’t pay attention. Friede’s abilities are only suitable for one-on-one combat. I’m not at ease with her.”

“Since you say so… alright then. But the matter of screening the fallen witches still needs to be done.”

“I will have the Blind Woman do it. There is no time to lose. Let’s set off now. I’ll leave the monsters in the desert to you. Friede and I will buy as much time as possible—don’t be too reckless. You are the Guided One.”

“Mm.”

“Your Highness, I also—”

“You stay here, Anastasia. You don’t have much mana left.”

Being emphasized to stay, Anastasia bit her lip and stopped her [Flight] chant with a complicated expression. Fia subconsciously wanted to pat her head to comfort her, but halfway through, she suddenly realized that Anastasia was older than her. To pat her head like she did with Liti and Milu would make it seem like she was Anastasia’s older sister. Fia had no choice but to awkwardly scratch her cheek.

“I’ll be back soon. Didn’t you want to know my full capabilities before, Anastasia? Let’s take this opportunity.”

Giving Anastasia a smile, Fia no longer hesitated and shot straight into the sky.

◇

“They are all just minions. Minimize your mana consumption as much as possible.”

Lianne, who had arrived at the city wall with the other witches, admonished Friede. In the past, since Lianne was older than Friede, she had often taken care of her like an older sister. Now, fighting side by side after a long time, she subconsciously adopted her past tone.

“I’m not the same witch who needed you to take care of her everywhere, Lianne. My combat experience now might be even richer than yours.”

Friede said with a gentle smile as she took out two short sickles from the void with both hands. And while she was speaking, the tall, androgynous-voiced witch had already used a Fourth Rank spell that caused a downpour from the sky. The rain quickly suppressed the spreading fire on the city wall. When the water-element-infused raindrops hit the Fire-striped Frogs, they would let out a harsh sound of strong acid corrosion.

As for the soldiers who were supposed to be guarding this section of the wall, they had long since fled due to the appearance of a Fifth Rank monster, the [Lava Earth Dragon]. It did not have the ability to fly. The reason it could appear on the city wall, which was a dozen meters high, was the result of being carried into the air by elite Fire Bats that were larger than the ordinary ones and then dropped. Its huge, siege-engine-like body could push the soldiers and siege weapons off the wall just by moving. Thus, a vacuum zone with no one defending it had been formed here.

Rеaⅾ oո KatRеαdіnɡСаfе

Sensing the arrival of the witches, the [Lava Earth Dragon], which had the appearance of a stegosaurus with red skin and exhaust ports like craters extending upwards from its back, slowly turned around. Every step its thick dragon feet took on the city wall made it tremble, making one wonder if it would collapse under its weight at any moment.

The [Lava Earth Dragon]’s huge red eyes, full of anger, stared at Friede, and its nostrils snorted heavily.

“It’s looking over here.”

Lianne said calmly.

Friede, on the other hand, connected the two short sickles in her hand into a long scythe with blades at both ends and answered with a light laugh.

“You don’t have to tell me, I know. You or me?”

“My mana hasn’t fully recovered yet. You go first.”

“To leave the monster to me, that’s not like you. But I won’t be polite.”

Although her voice was light, Friede charged at the [Lava Earth Dragon] with an indomitable aura. And the dragon, as if it had received a signal, also ran towards her with booming steps, its saliva-dripping mouth not forgetting to condense an orange-red fireball.

“—[Mental Shock].”

The [Lava Earth Dragon]’s feet trembled, and the orange-red flame in its mouth was extinguished. By the time the red in its eyes reappeared, Friede had already arrived in front of it.

The two figures crossed paths.

Most people only saw a silhouette, and the [Lava Earth Dragon]’s arrogant head had already rolled off the city wall.

Of course, its death did not mean the end of the battle. As if sensing a strong enemy here, a red cloud of fire condensed in the sky not far away and came straight for the top of the wall. That was the effect of the Fire Bats gathering in a swarm. Not only that, but with a series of clattering sounds of steel piercing the city wall, countless Fire-striped Frogs climbed up the wall on the lava sea urchins that had stabbed their spikes into it. Their dense numbers were like a swarm of ants.

Lianne couldn’t help but click her tongue.

“Tsk, so the Flame King was hiding this kind of trick.”

She really didn’t know how Thanatos had gone deep into enemy lines alone and beheaded the Flame King, who possessed such power. No, now was not the time for idle thoughts. Friede had already gone to attack a more distant point; this place should be handled by her.

—Use earth magic to temporarily change the material of the wall and make all the monsters that climb up fall down. Although it would consume a large amount of mana, it was also the most efficient method. A smooth and hard wall could prevent the monsters from climbing up again. As for the densely formed Fire Bats flying in the sky, her soul-form was not afraid of physical attacks.

However, just as Lianne was preparing to chant, several witches appeared beside her. These were the official witches of Friede’s faction, led by Latania.

“Don’t be rash! Save your mana!”

“We’re here to help too~”

“The Lady Guided One is just ahead! Don’t bring shame to her!”

Rеаⅾ οո КαtReαԁingСafе

“For the Lady Guided One’s desserts!”

Following closely behind the few official witches, a group of apprentice witches wearing pointed magic hats and holding short staves also appeared on the city wall. The group formed a white wave and, with the force of crushing dry weeds, pushed all the Fire-striped Frogs that had climbed up the wall not far away off. In just a few breaths, nearly fifty apprentice witches had arrived beside Lianne, their orderly movements clearly having been practiced countless times.

Bringing the apprentice witches here, what is Latania thinking?

Before Lianne could ask, Latania’s awe-inspiring commanding voice sounded.

“The Fire Bats are here! Use [Shatter Ice Lance]!”

As if they had rehearsed it beforehand, the apprentice witches in their white magic robes quickly formed two ranks facing the Fire Bats.

“First volley, fire!”

Swish, swish, swish—

The first rank of apprentice witches was the first to chant. In just a few seconds, a row of ice lances shot towards the attacking Fire Bats in the air. However, the bats’ movements were extremely agile. In their formation, they made an emergency evasion in the air, and not a single one was hit by an ice lance.

But Latania had already calculated this in advance.

“Detonate!”

Bang, bang, bang.

Almost simultaneously, all the ice lances exploded as they grazed past the Fire Bats’ bodies. The shattered ice fragments scattered like shrapnel, indiscriminately shooting in all directions.

In response, the shrill cries of the Fire Bats echoed through the sky. With just one volley, the number of bats in the air was reduced by a fifth. The injured ones fell to the ground below, becoming souls under the feet of the Fire-striped Frogs and lava sea urchins.

And while the Fire Bat formation was in disarray, the first rank of apprentice witches retreated to the rear, and the second rank stepped forward to begin a new round of volleys. The two ranks alternated in releasing their magic.

“Second volley, fire!”

Another round of ice lances shot out, exploding just as they passed by the Fire Bats.

Although the result of this round was not as good as when the bats were in a dense formation, a portion of them still perished in the exploding ice fragments.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the Fire Bats no longer formed a dense formation, but scattered and dived towards the city wall.

Latania and the other few official witches stepped forward.

“Leave the remaining Fire Bats to us! You stop the monsters from climbing the wall! If you’re injured, retreat immediately! Don’t get caught up in the fight!”

“Yes!”