This is Ichirou's POV and the following event are flashback from him.

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It has been two days now since a man name Cr’thgor and Kran attacked us and assaulted us day in day out with devils at their commands.

Cr’thgor is a well-built man in an imposing emerald armor with a sharp gaze from his green eyes with a slit in the middle like a cat. There are scales in his jaw. His hair is rough blond that styled with braid flowing from his left shoulder.

Kran is an elf with a haggard face. His blond hair makes a huge contrast with his black eyes. He wears a green tunic which seems elfish and light armor made of leather in his torso and limbs.

Since from the start of their assault, Bacarra and Priscilla tried to destroy them together with the devils with bombardment of magic thinking that they would instantly die or will yield with such force and power but, contrary to our expectations, the man with green armor, Cr’thgor, blocked every magic that was aimed at them.

In the end, they just used their magic against the devils and us, the melee fighters stand as the vanguards for them. We didn’t dare to attack the two people as they are not making any moves themselves.

Cr’thgor introduced himself as Arcana of Pride and Kran is Arcana of Envy and we know well how Aracana magic is dangerous and powerful and we still don’t know their motives yet.

The whole first day passed and devils are still assaulting us and Baccara has depleted herself from overusing magic. Priscilla is fine, but fatigue is visible in her countenance.

As nightfall, devils attacks stops and we found a time to rest and reorganize ourselves. We discuss formations and tactics while letting two of our foundation of power to rest as they needed it.

And as the brief planning ends with us, the vanguards including Shun, Mito, Kouta, the twins, Dreg, Rose, and Ruri. Susanoo-san isn’t here anymore as Priscilla told us he left for something. Mana is asleep as she moves much in battle and extremely tired right now.

The only problem is, after eating our dinner, the one who is going to stand guard.

I immediately volunteer for it as everyone capable needed proper rest.

“I’ll stand guard for tonight.

“Ichirou? Then I am going to stand guard with you.”

“You don’t have to Kouta, you should rest too.”

“Ichirou, we are all equally tired, I am going to stand guard with you, and then we are going to choose two people to change with us.”

“Please, let me do this on my own for today. It would be better if we are efficient with our rest time. You have done everything today to keep Bacarra-san safe.”

“Hmm. Honestly, I don’t see any problems giving the task to you Ichirou. I’ll concede here and let you, but remember to wake me up to take your place.”

“Yes.”

Is what we have talked about to each other and I manage to keep everyone to rest for the whole night. Everyone goes to sleep and I am sitting on the log in front of a bonfire giving my best not to fall asleep.

I am sorry Kouta. I don’t have a plan on waking you up. I will take this job all for myself so you and everyone else can rest peacefully, besides, you are a lot stronger and swifter than me in battle. I, myself is having a hard time defeating even a single devil of my own size and yet, you, resort to your strength and knows your own limitation, so you know how to use trickery and tactics efficiently.

…

The sun rises and everyone wakes up. I wake them as another wave of devils approaches and this is our second day of long battle against the devils.

Baccarra and Priscilla prepared themselves. We have taken the position of vanguards again. The plan is taking on a defensive maneuver while retreating back further towards the dragon continent. We are not that far from there, but it will have to take time since we need to watch our back.

…

Half a day passed and Baccarra collapsed. Not even Rose-sensei’s heal are doing any better as she is also equally tired of treating everyone’s injury.

Shouka has sustained a considerable amount of damage too from the devils who casts long range magic which we overlooked.

Mana is already exhausted as she can’t move any muscle in her body anymore. Ruri had also exhausted herself as when I wave is over, she goes in any unexplored area in advance for scouting.

“What should we do?”

I softly muttered but Shun and Kouta heard it.

Fortunately, the wave of the devils stopped right now and we are now gathering for our next plan because if this keeps up, all of us are goners.

Shun speaks in an initiative to start the planning.

“Even if we sprint towards the dragon continent, we are still not safe as we are still in terrain the devil can still roam free.”

“We get your point. If we try to make a break for it, we will just end up exhausting ourselves further. Besides, Baccarra… is sick and Priscilla-san is considerably tired too. Most of us are also exhausted. We should at least, let the people who are sick to go ahead. Right, Mito.”

As I presented my thoughts, I immediately point out something crucial for our survival while making an eye contact with Mito.

“Ichirou didn’t you promise not to?!”

“Mito, in this situation, it can’t be helped. We need you to transform into a dragon and take people who you can carry into your back to the dragon capital for immediate treatment.”

“So you are saying that there will be people left here.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t kid around. Do you expect me to save our own asses and leave people here?”

“We are not weak as you think. Believe in me.”

“The devil’s assault is no joke. Everyone should know that, but the one who should know it the most is you Ichirou.”

“Yes… I am weaker than everyone else here. But, I promise you, we will not falter!”

As I said it with great resolve, Kouta barges into the conversation.

“Ichirou, it’s hard to believe your words right now.”

“K-Kouta?!”

“Two nights,it has been two nights already when we entrusted you the watch guard job, and not even once, you have woken up anyone I assume.”

“Yes… I certainly did not wake anyone…”

“Why?! Do you think acting like that because of your complex in strength, will support us, because you gave up the nights you can even have a wink of sleep?!”

“Everyone is doing their best. I want you guys to rest as much as possible.”

“Aren’t you the one doing your best the most?! Aren’t you the one who is eager to gain power the most?! You worked yourself to the limits, but this world is unfair to you so you thought that you should just try to help us by taking a task that will greatly damage you!”

“I don’t know what are you trying to imply?”

“Ichirou… show me your arms.”

“…”

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Kouta knows it already. No, it must be Priscilla who told him. There’s no point in hiding it anyway so I showed it to them.

I have dozens of slits in my arms. I was doing this at night to keep myself awake at night.

“See…”

“Kouta! That’s not the point here! Mito, you should know how important this task I am talking about, we need to immediately treats injured companions. That also includes Rose-sensei…”

Mito twitches at my words. Shun then speaks.

“Mito, how many people do you think you can carry on your back?”

“About five at the moment.”

“Then, I am going to ask you, on behalf of Ichiro, to bring Baccarra, Rose, Ruri, Mana and…”

He stops midway and looks at Shouta who is also listening to the discussion. Shouta is one of the incredibly strong fighters in the team who specializes using the spear. He is also an irreplaceable companion.

Shouta then speaks.

“Mito, please take Shouko too. If it is for her safety, I would be glad to if you also bring her along.”

“You guys… you guys are crazy… very well then… I shall do it.”

As Mito declares, we immediately announce the plan to the rest of the group. There wasn’t any complaint at all seeing for themselves that they will just drag the whole group.

Mito immediately transforms into a dragon.

His dragon form is a blazing red and as large as a small house already, but as he said, there is a limit of people he can properly carry on his back so the leftover team is I, Kouta, Dreg, Shouta, Shun, and Priscilla. I feel bad for Priscilla as she is already tired too, but we need someone with wide range magic.

After we had the people ride Mito’s back, he prepares for a take off by flapping his red blazing wings that created a small gust of the wind around him. He looks back at us.

“Everyone, I will definitely come back for you, until then, please hold out!”

Then he flew leaving us.

I face everyone and talks.

“Then everyone, as we wait for Mito’s return, let’s hold out or even, let’s drive them away and resist until to the very core of our souls!!!”

“Ahaha…that’s Ichirou for you.”

“Will sure do.”

“We won’t let those bastards get the best of us.”

As we reignites our souls, the next batch of the devils came and we clashes again for god knows how many times already.

But we are not going to falter here, we are not going to give in, if I have to, I will risk my life for the survival of my friends. But today is not the day I will have to do that as they are pumped to wreck havoc into these devils!

.

.

.

The third day is upon us, the attacks of the devils are becoming more indefinitely random and much fiercer than before.

Everyone is battered and sustained damages all over their bodies, but the soul that was ignited to them still burns from the look of their eyes. Fierce and unmoving, like we have toughened up ourselves through this battle.

Then, those two shows up again as the same time Mito becomes visible from the sky.

“Shun! Kouta! Make sure that Mito can land safely! Priscilla-san, Dreg, and Shouta, please lend me your hands to fend off the upcoming enemies!”

“”””ROGER!””””

“UUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!”

Full of battle spirit, I charge in into the horde of devils whole I was being supported at the back.

Priscilla starts dwindling their numbers in great speed while Dreg and Shouta run side by side in my back to cut down and pulverize enemies.

Shun and Kouta started to barrage enemies coming close to where Mito is going to land.

Before we know it, Mito has landed safely and we eliminated every devil in sight, so run to Mito as fast as we can to ride.

Wordlessly, we all jump into his back really fast. Mito immediately flaps his wings for take-off. But since he exceeds the number of people riding in his back, it is far harder for him to fly and to balance himself.

…

No…

How the hell…

…

The elf with a haggard face, Kran, summons a spear to his hand and prepares to throw it.

After aiming for a while, he throws the spear to us, no, to Mito!

Fortunately, Mito was able to sense it and avoid any vital spots, but he got hit in his hind legs, which, unfortunately, together with his fatigue for continuous flight and exceeding the limit the people he can carry, he was falling down gradually.

The elf, Kran, the Aracana of Envy, prepares another spear of different power and aims at us.

I can feel that this time, it would actually hit Mito in a very dangerous place…

…

“Kouta.”

“What?!”

“I…I really trust you, as a friend, as a companion, and as a man with burning and noble soul.”

“Uh-huh…why are you saying this kind of embarrassing things out of nowhere when we are in danger?!”

“Kouta, I have a favor to ask.”

“Oh? What is it?!”

…

I smile at him and he finally realized my intention as shock and despair rouses from his face.

“Take care of everyone for me.”

I jump off.

He tries to stop me by reaching out to my shoulder but was stopped by Priscilla…

As expected of her…

I intercept the thrown spear by summoning my soul weapons, the twin blades which I throw first to the elf and blocking it with my buster sword.

I was able to successfully block the spear and got their attention.

…

I look up at the sky.

I saw the Mito flying off from a distance.

They are being shrouded with the sun setting mixing them with its blood orange color.

I was calm to the point that I know it myself.

This calmness, when I already know what will happen to me.

I face the two men who are hunting us, wearing us down to exhaustion with unclear motives.

“Hey there…”

“Oh, so you will face us?”

“I will.”

I answered the question of the elf. This time, the dragonkin with emerald armor speaks…

“I can sense a man full of dignity and a spirit of a true and selfless warrior from you. It’s wonderful how you can raise your friend's morale with words, unfortunately, this might be the end of the road for you.”

…

Heh…

I am quite happy that I am the one who was left behind like this.

Everyone… has greater potential… they have greater powers to hone, unlike me.

“I am sorry you two, but I won’t let you pursue them any further so I will be your enemy now!”

Bring it on!