Two days had passed since that one fateful night.
"Nine-hundred-and-ninety-eight..."
Alexei groaned slightly on the bed as his eyes slowly opened.
"Ahm... It's still early morning... What are you doing, Vix...?"
"Nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine..."
The bed creaked as Alexei slowly sat up to scrub his eyes while yawning.
"One-thousand-!" Vix then flipped back to her feet from her handstand pushup training, "Hm, morning~ Alexei."
Alexei's eyes grew wide at the sight.
"Vix-!? What are you doing-!?"
"What?" she titled her head, "This isn't the first time you see me doing the early morning exercises, right?"
"Yeah... No! Go put some clothes on!"
He blocked the view with his hands.
She looked downward with a confused look.
"What? But I do have clothes on."
"Still... Gah, where and when did you even get those?"
Alexei slowly pointed over, hinting at her lace underwear.
"Remember that one time I mentioned the Forbidden Store?"
She smiled, "I've finally found the courage to wear these...!"
"Gah, so that's what you meant... And what do you mean...?"
"Hm, y'know... It takes me time to say farewell to my boxers."
"Right... You always only wore those... Good for you, Vix."
Alexei gave a wry look before nodding once at her.
"Anyways, this magical lingerie is meant for adventurers."
She hinted at it "It's super durable and sweat-proof...!"
Alexei averted eyes as if trying to calm himself from a certain urge.
"And... W-Why are you telling me this... No, why even show me-!?"
She scoffed and walked over to Alexei's bedside, stopping in front of his view.
"Because I heard from Celine that guys... No, that you like this kind of stuff."
"Goddamnit... How did she- No, wait... The hell-!? Just what has Celine been saying to you...!?"
Alexei clenched his fists, "Urgh, I knew couldn't trust her even if she's my childhood friend...!"
"Hm, who knows? Also, don't you think this is another good way to know each other better?"
"Yeah... I think so too." He drooped his composure, "And don't blame me. You asked for it."
Alexei yanked Vixella down onto the bed. "You trigger me this early in the morning..."
Despite being pinned between his arms, she simply gave off a confused look.
"Hm? Wrestling training? Sure, but why are you taking off your... Alexei---?"
The view then suddenly shifted out the dim-lit morning windows.
ANOTHER CRINGE SUSSY SEX SCENE WARNING XD
Hearing many creaks coming from a bed above in a certain room, the innkeeper situated downstairs smiled happily to herself.
After a few more powerful creaks sounded in their bedroom, a sudden loud and forceful PLOP gave way to momentary silence.
Alexei was behind Vixella, locking her with both arms around her neck and midriff.
Vixella let out soft weary breaths as she covered her eyes with an arm.
"Bro... I didn't know that it was going to be this kind of wrestling..."
"Ahm... Yeah... I guess you can be a little dense sometimes, Vix."
"Haah... Haah... Oh no... I won't... Be able to continue being a man at this rate...!"
"Clowning again? Still... You're a woman through and through."
Alexei bit her ear gently, "Seeing how you're enjoying this-"
"No...! What are you saying... Be a man... I will always...!"
"We'll see about that, you stubborn bitch! I'll change your mind!"
Alexei then tightened his choke as the bed continued creaking again.
Unable to resist Alexei's 'wrestling moves', Vixella winced as she attempted to pry his grip away.
Eventually, she was unable to break free as her body went flop from Alexei's forceful thrusting.
SPLURT... SPLURT--- SPLURRTTTT!!!
...
...
...
Vixella sighed, "Urgh... I feel sticky all over," and tiredly pried his arms away.
In return, Alexei rolled over to kiss her sides before moving up her collarbone.
"Alexei. Stop."
"Mm... Yeah!?" He who was immersed in kissing her neck quickly snapped out of it.
Alexei knew his limits. There were times where he knew that Vix was outright serious and had enough.
When she said stop, he would stop... Or rather... Wait, was he already tamed by her without realizing-!?
"This was nice... But I'm going to take a bath, so... Please, let go of me." She tapped his arm as he let go.
However, Alexei held her back just as she was about to leave, "Ahm, wait...! How about we go together...?"
"Hooh," she looked back at him, "that's new, coming from you."
"Well...?" Alexei made a rather determined face.
"Okay, but only if you wash my hair and back."
"No problem! Can you wash mine as well?"
"Yep, let's go! Y'know when two comrades take baths, it's the perfect opportunity to create strong bonds-------"
A sudden slam interrupted it all as Vixella tumbled right on the ground upon attempting to stand up and get out of bed.
"Ahm!? Vix-!? W-What's wrong...!?" Alexei quickly got out of the bed and knelt to check on her.
She laughed unsteadily and tried to stand up but simply fell flat to the ground again.
"Yep, I'm probably fine! It's just...!? No, actually... Help! My legs! I can't feel them!"
"Don't worry, Vix... Even if you're a cripple, I'll take care of you!" He scooped her up.
Vixella's face twitched a little as she got princess carried by Alexei into the bathroom.
"That's reassuring... Coming from the guy who 'wrestled' me until I can't feel my legs..."
A CENTURY LATER
(Bath Sounds Transition)
"I still don't get why you told me to scrub and wash your back with my chest."
"Ahm, it's hard to explain..."
"Then should I ask Celine to explain it to me?"
"Wait wait wait-!? First of all... Why Celine out of all people-!?"
"Because she seems to know quite a lot about the interaction between men and women?"
"Hey, don't you know a lot yourself-!?"
"Sure, I do know quite a bit... Though it might be somewhat outdated..."
"What's that supposed to mean...!? Either way, no! You can't... You can't ask her about it!"
"Why not?"
"We'll both die." Alexei's manner of speech suddenly turned grim.
Vixella closed her eyes and nodded firmly.
"If you put it like that then I suppose I won't."
"Hey, don't you dare ask her once we go in...!"
"Don't worry, Alexei. I don't feel like dying just yet."
"The feeling's mutual... So, don't. Okay? Vix?"
"Yes, I get it. You don't have to remind me so many times."
Vixella then reached past his shoulder to push open the door, ringing the bell above as they both entered the guild together.
"Ahm...? Why are there a whole lot more people here today...?"
Some were newbies.
They won't even make it through their first day.
Some were veterans with scarred faces.
They have been through a few good battles.
The rest were 'in-between'.
Not much proof to show for anyone except their somewhat shiny gear.
All these said adventurers were either swinging their weapons, stringing their bows, or drawing magic formations for practice.
There were even some spiritualists... And unlike the usual atmosphere, things just seemed a bit more serious this time around.
Through the noisy preparation in the background, Vixella and Alexei who stood by the entrance went towards the reception.
Celine was currently clad in some sort of combative robe garments, probably had contact lens, and wasn't in her usual receptionist dress.
She greeted out with a wave upon seeing them approach the counter area. "Finally... The two of you came! I thought you guys ran away!"
"Hm, ran away from what, exactly?" Vixella questioned.
Celine looked at Vixella for a bit before turning to face Alexei.
"First of all, Alexei... Why is she piggy riding you like that?"
Vixella grumbled as she wearily peeked over Alexei's shoulder.
"My legs have taken critical damage because we wrest-"
"A-Anyways!!! What's up with everyone right now-!?"
Alexei diverted Celine's attention at the gathered crowd of combat-ready adventurers.
"Duh...? It's because Devankul got surrounded by an undead horde since morning?"
Celine raised an eyebrow, "Didn't you guys hear the bell tower ring siege signals?"
Alexei averted his eyes as a drop of sweat trickled down his face.
"Yeah... We were quite busy... This morning... It's mainly my fault-"
"Overslept, huh? This is why you guys shouldn't drink too much...!"
Celine shook her head, "And if you both get drunk... That'll be bad."
Vixella yawned, "I never get drunk? Also, let's go home, Alexei..."
"What-!?" Celine slammed the counter, "Vixella! I know you're no longer a novice but you can't just abandon your post!"
"Hm, guess I'll be a deserter~ Hm~ Hmm~ I don't want to fight on a Sunday~"
She then started humming whilst lazily swaying her head side to side behind Alexei.
"Alexei, can you once again convince her to help us today? Please."
Alexei sighed upon hearing that Celine was sincere for once.
"Vix, I think we have no choice but to help them this time- Ahm!?"
Vixella nibbled his ear, which caused Alexei to pause in his words.
"Hush~ Hush~ I'll let you do what you want to me, so let's go home~"
"... C-Celine, looks like we'll be going home after all."
"Damnit, you two! Don't mess around! The entirety of Elderia is at risk and you both want to go back home-!?"
Celine retracted her hand with an annoyed look before slamming the countertop as a splat of frost expanded out.
In return, Vixella snuck back behind Alexei's shoulder. "Waah, scary women aren't my forté...!"
"Come on now, Vix... It's not mine either! But I'll still try to protect you!"
Alexei expanded his arms to protect his waifu in the face of danger!
Celine sighed loudly and steadily grabbed her battle staff that was leaning against the counter.
"Funny. Get yourselves ready soon. Meet with us at the outer walls within the hour, got it...?"
"Celine," Vixella stopped her, "How much are we talking about?"
This caused Celine's face to twitch slightly as the air around her just got a bit colder.
"Thinking about money... Out of all things... You're thinking about money right now-!?"
"Well... If I don't be secure my payments then how will I ever settle down properly?"
Sweat trickled down Alexei's face as he was caught in the crossfire of the mischievous fox and the bittersweet wildcat.
Eventually giving up, Celine sighed loudly and reached under the desk before sliding two paper forms onto the counter.
"See, the Guild Master told me to get you onboard no matter what... So, here! Sign this one-time super-reward contract!"
"Let me down." Vixella tapped Alexei's shoulder.
"Ahm... Sorry for this morning... Can you stand?"
"Hm, we'll see about---!? Ugh-!? This is worse than I thought...!"
Nearly tumbling down, Vixella quickly grasped onto the counter.
Celine was surprised to see the usually unhindered Vixella struggle to stand.
"Ahm... Vix, didn't you heal your legs with Holy Spirit Healing Magic earlier?"
"Yes... But I don't think I can heal your 'assault' upon my lower half even with the help of magic...!?"
Celine adjusted her non-existent eyeglasses... It seems like that had become a habit of hers even if she weren't wearing any.
"I don't get it... You guys keep talking as if... What..." Celine pouted to think, "Did he sleep over your legs or something...?"
"Nah, we wrestled for a bit."
"I see...? Oh, and I've yet to ask..."
"Make it quick." Vixella glanced up annoyingly since she was busy reading through the payment contract form.
"Why are you in need of money? You alone already have quite a staple of gold coins stashed at the Royal Elderian Treasury-"
After confirming that it wasn't a scam, Vixella dipped the quill into the ink as she began signing in the details.
"I want enough capital to start a business up so I can settle down for life... After this time, it should be enough."
"Wh-What? Y-You're still young! Go out and see the world! Enjoy life! Once our hair is all gray then you can reconsider!"
"Celine... Aren't you in your late twenties? I might not look like it but I'm way older than you."
Vixella pointed casually at herself before going back to fill the last parts of the paper form.
"Yes yes... Whatever you say, Vixella..."
Celine then took the contract and placed it into a file folder nearby.
Alexei leaned in with a slight grin.
"It's always about money, isn't it?"
Vixella placed back the quill into the ink jar.
"Hm, no... That's not usually the case...?"
"Sure! Like when you snuck me into the couple's inn to save money!"
"Hey, that time was because all of the other inns were closed because-"
Celine gasped, "It was you who forced the first move-!? I knew it! Alexei would never go that fast...!"
"Me? What... Do you take me as some sort of predator? As if--- Wait, why do you know about that other time-!?"
"Well... The owner of the couples' inn you guys stay at is an old friend of mine so she told me, duh...!"
"Gah! Memories of that night were so vivid! Something must've already happened before I even knew it!"
Alexei's face alongside Celine's were painted red.
The dense Vixella just didn't understand.
Just what was going on in their heads?
"To be honest, the times we did it didn't feel that much different from when I did it as a guy."
Alexei raised an eyebrow.
"Ahm? Did it as a guy?"
"Yes, I did do it with many girls back in the days."
"Eeeeh-!?" Celine broke out as she backed away a step, seemingly in fear of her safety.
"Don't worry, Celine! She was into girls but she's into me now!"
"Yep, being a man sure was hard for me---- After we did some 'wrestling' this morning, I realized that it's much easier to be on the receiving-"
Vixella abruptly cut off and began to stare blankly as 'he' finally realized the inevitable change of mindset upon being genderbent to a woman.
"Eh? You two did it...? But... What about me... You guys left me in the dust- Ahaha... Ahahahaha---!!!"
The usually composed head-receptionist was now hysterically laughing aloud whilst grasping her face.
"Celine snapped-!?" Vixella made a discontent look and grasped onto Alexei's shoulder, "It's been nice to live this long-"
"Hey... Wait... We're still too young to die, right... Say something-!? Vix-!? I still want to do it many times more with you-!?"
"What is too late is too late, Alexei... Maybe we can do it in the afterlife... Here, why don't we write our wills together?"
Vixella reached over to grab the quill alongside a blank paper from the mounted stand to the side of Celine's counter.
"Eeeeh-?! So it's true-!?" Celine tumbled away and hit the back wall of the reception just as her frost aura dissipated.
...
"Wow... It's unbelievable that a guy like Alexei has finally..." she sniffled, "No way... Congratulations Alexei-!"
"Ahm... For some reason... This kind of gratulation hurts me real bad... I think I might need some healing, Vix."
"Future husband, what are you saying? We've wasted enough time with jokes! Let's head to our battle stations, shall we?"
Shuffling around Alexei, Vixella forcefully pushed him away from the counter, much to Celine waving farewell at them with a handkerchief.
"Ah... It seems like my peers have all grown up... W-Wait, but did she just say, future husband---!?"
Celine's composure immediately shattered and she fled away into the back area of the reception.
"A-Andre, listen to me! T-That perv... I mean--- Alexei... He made Vixella do weird things with him!!"
"You sure? That girl could easily kill him if he tried... So she must've consented... So, it's fine, right?"
"No! If we survive this battle, we're going to have a long talk with Alexei before he ends up in jail for rape crimes!"
"Jail-!? Rape crimes-!? Celine... I'm sure that boy wouldn't go that far... He... I'm sure he's a good kid... Yeah?"
"You're also a guy! You're siding with him! Otherwise, how can you be so sure about that-?!"
"Well... Uhh, cause I think that even I wouldn't dare go that far with you-"
"Wha-!? W-What if the others outside hear what we're-!? Shut up... Idiot-!!!"
Those muffled words were heard by everyone who stood near enough to the reception.
A loud BONK came after that alongside the sound of someone tumbling to the ground.
"Ouch, did she hit Andre square with her battle staff just now?"
"Gah, at least we now know that Celine has Andre so she'll be fine."
"Aah, easy there with your assumptions... Mr. Rape Crimes!"
"Hey, don't call me that-"
"It's okay, I'll be sure to vote innocent for you at the lynching!"
"Like hell, I'd get lynched...!? If anyone will be lynched then it's you-"
WHACK! Alexei was suddenly sent tumbling to the ground with a slam.
"Sorry, did I pat your back a bit too hard?"
Everyone in the guild began to notice the development as they all glanced their way with curious looks.
"Just where is all------- THAT STRENGTH COMING FROM-!?"
Alexei who was flat on the floor screamed out, springing up to punch at Vix who simply brushed his attempt aside.
The guild then lit up with laughter as the two of them who had just grappled onto each other paused in slight confusion.
Little did they realize that everyone's doubts and concerns for the pitched battle ahead were just somewhat alleviated.
After the Guild Master gave all of them a bolstering speech, the whole combined defense forces moved out to the walls.
All the combatants formed at the four gates which were situated by the North, East, South, and West entrances.
Overlooking an army of undead, the defenders estimated that the enemy probably amassed twice their manpower.
Since the city was strung up against the somewhat angled hillside, the only way to attack effectively was from the front.
The majority of the undead horde was, of course, by the front.
However, there were also minor flanking forces by the sidelines.
Well, this was no problem as the cavalry was able to mobilize and aid any front.
Along the outer walls were piles of arrows everywhere.
In every possible porthole was also an archer standing there.
On the lower walls and the makeshift palisade platform was the rank of mages.
And below them, out in the further front were the melee combatants, the so-called infantry.
((FORGIVE ME FOR NOT BEING A MILITARY GENIUS-))
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/404059426413084672/632897912401166346/unknown.png]
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/455394821364908032/456049706330750986/62675-bigthumbnail.jpg]
The adventurer army that was consisted of variable equipment and gear had a strange sense of glory but disorganization to it.
To save the frontier nation from such a crisis... And so was the life for adventurers and the majority of Elderians.
Everyone just had to fend off monsters and risk their lives once in a while during their shorter or longer lifespans.
Dying isn't something that significant around these parts... Rather, it was a common occurrence.
The Elderian people have grown used to losing the people they were acquainted with by day and night.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
Even the common child would learn quite fast upon seeing their friends get eaten up by a monster during childhood.
On the highest citadel walls above the gate stood the guild master with his jet black war bow.
It was etched with many powerful runes that infused wind magic to help and propel the shot.
Beside him stood Celine and the exhausted Alexei who still bore Vixella on his back.
He had carried Vixella up the spiraling steps which explained his current condition.
Andre, on the other hand, was taking charge of the vanguard force below and wasn't present at the scene.
The said combined defense force consisted of warriors, blademasters, fighters, and the like.
It was just a good few of them who were rangers or mages specialized in close-range combat.
The rest were a rare few physically apt spiritualists that decided to fight at closer distances.
As shown earlier, the cavalry was gathered in the city and was ready to form up and rush out to assist any frontline.
The horsemen numbered only in the hundreds at most since the main force was made up of adventurers on the ground.
Celine pointed firmly past the vast ranks of moving bones.
"That's our target... In the far outback- See him?"
"Hm," Vixella traced after Celine's finger, "I see."
"Ahm, the thing on that throne there...?"
"We've concluded that it's an Elder Lich."
Vixella patted Alexei so he would let her down to stand.
"Is that the same term as an Ancient Necromancer?"
"That," Celine shook her head, "No... The latter is even worse."
"Well, you're up for a surprise... Because it's what I said."
Vixella hinted over with a thumb, "Can you not sense it?"
Both Celine and Alexei exchanged glances before shaking their heads.
"That 'thing' is dead. But, it's also not dead. Do you understand what this means?"
Vixella made a serious face, "Half-undead... Eh, a so-called transcended being?"
Celine seemed a bit surprised as she faced the distant horizon.
"Wait-!? You're telling me... That's what we're up against-!?"
"It's fine. Just lend me a horse, I will head over and negotiate-"
"I don't think there's room for that... They're moving in on us already!"
Celine frowned at the wave of bones approaching fast from all directions.
"That 'thing' might be here for a purpose," Vixella faced the clear skies, "Hm, there's vengeance in the air."
At the frontlines below them, the defenders grew restless as they saw the amassing horde of bones swarm.
"Hold your positions! We'll let our siege weapons and ranged attackers thin them down first!"
Andre's shout was heard and passed on in the vicinity by the many individual team leaders.
"Ready the Siege Weapons!"
The city guards cranked the handles of the siege mechanisms to face them at the tightest spots in the undead formation.
The gigantic crossbow and catapults let loose barrages of sharpened burning wood logs and metal balls.
The large projectiles shattered through many undead before jamming the ground with explosive impact.
Still, the undead formation that broke apart quickly reformed and continued their charge.
It was rather unexpected since the undead weren't supposed to have any tactical acuity.
"Good work... Now, get the next barrage ready! Hurry up! Reload! Reload!"
The City Guards cranked and reeled back the ballistae as fast as they could.
The guild master raised his hand. "Archers...", he coughed twice, "On my signal...!"
The whole line of archers stationed in the portholes of the upper walls readied their bows and crossbows.
The Guild Master who had also drawn back his jet-black war bow all the way let out a slight breath to steady his composure.
The runic marks engraved onto the valoratian steel handle shone brightly one by one as a tempest swirled behind the arrow.
He then let go of the string.
WOOSH! The drill-tipped arrow violently ripped, twirling through the airspace.
In the distance, one could see an unsuspecting Death Knight's skull splinter away.
Volleys of arrows then flew overhead and went after the first shot which had marked the firing distance.
The hail of arrows and crossbow bolts came down upon the skeletons, crumbling the masses of bones away.
The defending forces below cheered as they witnessed the volleys of smaller and larger projectiles fly over their heads.
The storm of projectiles went over their heads again and again as the forces below cheered repeatedly as each volley went.
"Alright, mages! Now it's our time to shine! Bombard the weaker points in their line of advance! Cast at will-!!!"
Celine shouted down at the makeshift palisade below as she first fired off three Ice Javelin from the wall above.
Varying elemental attacks flew out from the battle stations present upon the fortified makeshift palisades below.
Explosions and sounds of impact echoed the roaring battlefield as even more skeletal limbs became scattered sky high.
After that, the ranged attackers had all respectively run out of projectiles, arrows, and remaining magical power to suppress the enemy.
The cheering came to an abrupt stop as all that could be heard at that moment were the marching of bones closing the distance.
The melee combatants shuffled about as they checked their gear for the last time before steeling themselves for a charge.
The sound of swords, spears, and varying blades being raised were all that could be heard at the moment's notice.
BATTLE ROARS
"For Elderiaaaa!!!"
The cavalry and infantry simultaneously rushed out and away from the defensive lines around the city.
Life and death collided against each other as the chaos had begun to unravel in all seeable directions.
Amidst the fighting, a warrior who was disarmed pounced onto a skeleton as she cried out and bashed its skull to pieces.
An unlucky few who were cut off from the main force became surrounded by the skeletons and were mercilessly slaughtered.
Whatever gritty fight they were having over there, Vixella and her current so-called 'party' had more important matters to take care of.
"Kid... been in a large-scale... battle before...?" the guild master coughed twice, "You.... are... very calm..."
He lowered his war bow and walked towards Vixella who watched the battle unfold through one of the portholes.
It was a while past midday, yet the sun was still shining hot above them.
Vixella nodded, "A spectacular sight. Though one thing bothers me."
"Is it... about our wasted... ranged potential...?"
"Yes. Why did we waste all our mana and ammunition right away?"
Vixella fiddled with her hair, "It can be a decisive factor later on."
Celine who was discussing something to the side with Alexei overhead they paused and looked over.
"Oh, that? The King's Aide relayed this tactic to the garrison! We had no choice but to follow orders!"
"Hm, I think I might know what is going on. Alright, I'll see you guys in a bit."
A swish of her cloak and Vixella had lobbed herself over the high castle wall.
"D-Did she just jump-!?"
"Look at... the kid go... she's just like... the wind..."
The other two who thought she was on the ground looked up and immediately saw Vixella.
She was dashing and skipping through the air with intense bursts of wind magic each kick.
"Is this when we're supposed to say 'Glad you're on our side, Vix!'... Right--- Gah!?"
Alexei was smacked in the bum by Celine who smiled teasingly at him.
"Hahaha! Look at you, finding yourself such a reliable future wife!"
ACHOO~!?
"Aah... That's weird... I haven't sneezed in a while now... Hm, time to descend-"
Vixella expanded out her hands to reverse the wind flow and slow herself down.
If going by the Death Knights leading the weaker undead, one could say that the enemy force was pretty well organized.
The chain of command was solely independent of the Death Knights of respective nature who led their dedicated divisions.
This stated that the Necromancer who led them had experience as both a tactician and strategist... "A formidable person."
Unfortunately, due to the intellectual extent of the undead, it seemed like they weren't able to coordinate a better attack plan.
CLANG!!! A war sword pushed against a skeleton's scimitar before overpowering it with an overhead slash.
"Leader... there's no end to them...!" Inferno backed away upon seeing more skeletons run his way.
"Come on! These skeletons are nothing compared to that Death Knight we fought back then!"
Suddenly, something landed behind the boy as his eyes grew wide in panic, causing him to reflexively duck and strike.
As his war sword swung around with full momentum, it was easily stopped by a hand clasping onto his upper arm.
By stopping the momentum of the attack from the stem with brute force, the blade didn't have a chance to strike.
"Shit-!? W-Wait... Vixella...?"
"Yep. We meet again."
"Leader... You nearly hit Vixella... Don't be too jumpy...! I'm watching your backs..."
Inferno kicked away past them and shot off three arrows in an arc at the incoming skeletons.
Verd and SnooFie then ran past them and took down a larger skeleton together.
"Ah... Vixella, sorry about that! But where did you come from?"
Sova was confused... Since he didn't see her running up to them.
"She came from the sky..."
Inferno ran back and added in while retrieving some arrows off the ground.
Vixella blasted away a skeleton with a very intense but unstable fireball, "Good luck."
She then ran off, passing the many skeletons who fell and crumbled to pieces behind her wake.
She slid to a stop, retracted her arm-blade, and reached over to heal a gravely wounded adventurer.
After that, she continued the same schedule, continuing through the sidelines without much mischief.
"This kind of battle reminds me of the old days."
Being the last century's summon, the main vanguard and trump card against the demons, Xiveall was always on the frontlines.
However, as noted throughout ancient archives and tales, he was rarely seen fighting but rather rescuing the allied force instead.
Darting around the battlefield, Xiveall would bring soldiers back into the fight with his Holy Spirit Healing Magic.
If the situation became dire, he would then risk his own life to stall the enemy and cover for his allies to retreat.
Fear not, for it was not just him but also the most capable and loyal warriors who fought bravely alongside him
After all, fighting solo on the demonic battlefield was a death wish even for the strongest of ancient fighters.
As of now, there wasn't anyone who was able to catch up to Xiveall's newfound combat pace as Vixella.
Though help on the battlefield was much less needed since she currently wasn't up against Demons.
Back then, Xiveall wasn't overly obsessed with taking down the Demon King either.
Rather, it was more that he wanted to end the war quickly... And that's why he fought.
This started controversies about him plotting something together with the Demon King behind the scenes.
However, once given the chance, he annihilated the Demon Race within a single stroke of his master plan.
When the Demon King perished, the controversies of Xiveall were agreed upon to never be brought up again.
Vixella soon came back to reality as she stepped aside to avoid a mangled corpse that was thrown past her.
A lone Death Knight paced forth as its heavy footsteps sank into the crusty dirt, cackling with its crumbled jaws.
But before Vixella could make her move, even heavier footsteps were rapidly closing in on the soil behind her.
The DeathKnight, just as Vixella was, became rather shocked to see the sight of a stout humanoid clad in full valoratian steel armor.
In the next moment, the great-ax-wielding war machine leaped past Vixella and landed to flatten the DeathKnight into the ground.
POOF! The debris and bones flew everywhere, even making Vixella retreat a step as she coughed the dust away.
She then narrowed her eyes at the scary metal thing and slowly moved her arm-blade into a high guard stance.
"Hohohoho! Why are ye so afraid? It's me! Yer' uncle blacksmith!"
A muffled dwarfish voice came out from that... thing... in front of her.
Despite countless battles as the last summon, Xiveall had not seen much of the dwarves in action.
The demon-fighting effort was mainly enforced by humans and not so much by the demi-humans.
This made demi-humans quite a rare sight on the demonic battlefield... But they were strong, yes.
Even if Xiveall did see one back in the days, he had never seen one who was armored to this extent.
A clank of metal was then heard as a skeleton swung down its mace at the dwarf from behind.
Even though maces were known to injure and concuss past armor, it didn't do much to the dwarf.
He lifted his ax and shifted his feet around to face the skeleton who whacked him once again.
The armor was so thick that an anti-armor weapon such as that mace didn't even do anything!
It was probably thanks to the layered paddings or whatever he had fitted in that oversized suit.
The mace whacking onto him for the third time proved useless as the skeleton began to back away while letting up its guard.
"Hohoho! Yerr can't hurt me!" The dwarf then swung his ax wide and chipped the skeleton clean in half by its pelvis.
She watched in horror as the skeleton fell over, turning into a harmless still pile of bones.
"W-Way to go... Uncle!" Vixella laughed awkwardly as she unsteadily gave a thumbs up.
"Ye! Follow me, youngin', let's go get 'em together!"
And so, Vixella followed his lead into the many rows of skeletons occupied with other adventurers in the background.
A while later, a distance further from the chaotic battlefield-
Four brave adventurers confronted an Elite Death Knight.
Their classes were: Archer, Mage, Lancer, and Warrior.
In front of them stood a hulking undead figure which was nearly three meters tall, bulky, and large in proportionate size.
Wielding two Spiked-Greatshields alongside Super Heavy Jet Black Armor, it stood tall and firm, towering before them.
The Mage slouched down as she conjured a streak of Creeping Ice against it.
Little did it do as the Death Knight busted out of frost at its feet with little effort.
A loud cracking sound then blasted away as a drill-tipped steel arrow swirled and contested against one of its shields.
Sparks flashed about as the arrow spun on the spot, unable to pierce the thick shield as it was simply shoved aside.
"You and me, boy... Let's go!"
"Yeah, I'm with you, Andre-!"
The Lancer and Warrior closed up their helmets and ran in separate directions.
In the next few seconds, they clashed simultaneously into either great shield.
The Death Knight staggered back before repelling away their attacks.
It then took a few heavy stomps forth, declaring the intention to fight.
The four coordinated attackers then in sync went against the Elite Death Knight.
Little did anyone even notice as a fifth adventurer subtly sneaked past all of them.
Their class was: ???
Fluttering her cloak in the wind, Vixella ran past the sunset to where the Ancient Necromancer sat upon his throne.
"Ah, I give my humble greetings. Have you come to meet your very demise at my own hands?"
The necromancer compelled out his arms as a dozen cyan magic formations formed behind him.
All of them shot out Ice Javelins which whizzed and homed in towards Vixella with unpredictable trajectories.
Not to mention the quantity, the necromancer's attacks were much faster and larger than Celine's Ice Javelins.
Leaping forward, Vixella twisted her body around and twirled her form forward with wind magic.
She drilled through the air with her arm-blade expanded out, slashing away a handful of Ice Javelins in her path.
After skidding back onto her two feet, she dashed off to the side and cut down the remaining Ice Javelins as she curved back in.
Vixella came to an abrupt stop a few good meters away from the hooded necromancer.
She still couldn't see his face clearly but it was an average-looking male at his prime age.
Then again, after one gave up their humanity, they would retain their youthful appearance.
Upon seeing that she didn't plan to come any closer, he gradually stood up from his throne and applauded her.
"It's surprising that you understand the courtesy of the ancients. Shall we join hands upon this noble revenge?"
His proposal was nothing strange. It was normal for ancient people to attempt and befriend a worthy opponent mid-fight.
Even if it was a fight to the death, there would still be mercy... Like letting your non-mortal-enemy go for the time being.
Vixella wanted to come to good terms with the necromancer. But she still had to find out his intentions... Revenge, huh?
Keeping that thought in mind, she abruptly kicked forth with her arm-blade poised to run him down... However-
"Not bad, adventurer... Let us play a little longer."
He raised one hand to the chest level as the throne fell back into the ground and formed a mound of dirt.
That same mound of dirt below him then began to carry him off with it as the distance was made once again.
"It shall be our little fun game of chase... Meanwhile, that is happening, let us exchange a few greetings!"
The necromancer strung up his other arm and formed a Ball of Howling Shadows.
He then laughed a little as the ball became pitch black and swarmed hands out of it.
"Hm, it's ice, earth, and dark magic... Yet what concerns me is... There's not many who can reach that level of magic control...!"
Vixella began to infuse her arm-blade with Holy Spirits and Light Magic as she kept track of where the hands were coming from.
Backstepping to avoid the first few hands that attempted to grab onto her, she slashed away at the next three in one stroke.
She jumped to avoid two that came from below and wind-kicked away from another and shot them all with Light Beams.
As she landed, a Dark Magic Rune that was prepared in advance activated below her.
"Your movements were within expectations. Now, let's see you try to escape that...!"
The ground sunk slightly as a pitch-black sphere appeared to envelop her.
Vixella sighed before flurrying her arm-blade in all directions to disperse it.
"Hm, you could've done better than that. Don't underestimate me."
"You've impressed me. Very well. I'll listen to one request of yours, within reason, of course."
"Then, I'll have to ask you to stop this little charade of yours alongside the attack on the city."
"Dear me, that's quite unreasonable," he paused, "I'm afraid only my death may stop me today."
The necromancer chuckled, "Still... You somewhat remind me of someone I once looked up to."
Before Vixella could reply, she glanced downwards to see that her legs were tangled by shadows.
The necromancer, without saying anything, slid up the dirt mound he stood on to stop before her.
Vixella simply looked at him who approached with no hint of hostility.
What she saw was an average man with brown hair and brown eyes.
His appearance was very plain. There was nothing out of the ordinary.
Right then, she pictured how he would look if he was an old man.
A very familiar face came to mind. She knew who this person was.
Upon noticing Vixella stare at him, the necromancer bowed slightly.
"Ah, my sincere apologies for the late introduction! I am called-"
"Brave Corps 2nd-in-Command? Magus of Greedfallen? Or would you prefer... Xenthur?"
"Indeed... My fame has once again preceded-" he fumbled in his bow, "And how does someone from this era know of me...?"