Chapter 19 World War

“Wooow,” the gang said in unison.

The reddish sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows despite its zenith. The road ahead split into three paths, each flanked by trees of varying shapes and sizes. But what truly seized their attention was the gargantuan mountain range stretching endlessly from one horizon to the other. It rose from the ground like a wall, reaching so high it seemed to pierce the heavens. It felt both impossibly far and disconcertingly close, as though it divided the entire world into two.

Iryoku was the first to speak. “Well, I bet this is the so-called edge of the world.”

The three girls nodded in synchrony. Rhogan, the magical rhino companion pulling the carriage, turned his massive head to gaze at the mountain range, his expression unreadable.

They had stopped by the roadside. A small patch of trees provided some cover, and they took the opportunity to rest while deciding which path to take. The chill in the air was growing sharper.

the once-quiet road grew busier. Carriages and vehicles laden with goods crowded the paths, filling the air with the clatter of wheels and faint murmurs of conversation. Yumi peered around, her tone curious. “This place has a lot of people.”

Alessandra leaned against the carriage, her eyes scanned the traffic. “And a lot of mages and warriors, too.”

A particularly large carriage rumbled past, filled with grim-faced warriors clad in full armor, their weapons gleaming ominously in the fading sunlight. Reika adjusted her hat, her voice thoughtful. “Perhaps we’re close to the front lines of the demon conflict.”

More and more vehicles passed by, their designs growing increasingly varied. One, in particular, stood out—a hulking metal vehicle, heavily armored like a tank from Earth.

Surrounding it were stout, heavily-armored men with long, braided beards, riding atop massive rams and bulky bulls.

Iryoku’s lips curled into a mischievous grin as he nudged Yumi’s shoulder. “Look, shorty, there’s your family!”

Yumi’s face twisted with visible anger as she swung her fist toward him. “Shut it!” she snapped, aiming a punch at his torso.

Iryoku caught her punch with ease, laughing as he said, “I’m joking! That was a good punch, though—right to the liver. You’re a fast learner.” He flexed his hand dramatically, feigning pain.

Still fuming, Yumi turned away, her cheeks puffed in a pout as her anger simmered.

The stream of travelers continued. Among them were tall, slender figures with pointed ears, clad in elegant robes and gleaming armor, as well as a variety of demihumans with animal-like characteristics—furred ears, scaled skin, or sharp claws. What stood out most, however, was their gear; nearly everyone was armed to the teeth, carrying weapons that hinted at a looming conflict.

Not far from them, another group of travelers had stopped to rest. This group was a mix of humans and demihumans, sitting together and sharing supplies as they recuperated.

Reika adjusted her hat and stood up. “I’ll go ask for directions,” she declared.

Iryoku raised his hand to stop her. “Not you,” he said firmly. “We don’t need you falling head over heels for the first pretty boy you see right now.” Then, pointing toward Alessandra, he added, “Come with me.”

Reika’s face twisted in visible frustration, but before she could protest, Alessandra gently touched her shoulder. “It’s fine,” Alessandra said, her calm demeanor soothing. She picked up her shield and mace, then followed Iryoku toward the other group.

As they approached, Iryoku flipped a gold coin toward one of the resting warriors. The man caught it with a grin, his mood lifting instantly. “Hi there, little brother,” the warrior greeted. “What can I do for you?”

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Iryoku offered a friendly smile, Alessandra standing calmly at his side. “We need some directions,” Iryoku began. “Can you tell us where these roads lead? Also…” he pointed toward the towering mountain range in the distance, “what’s with that massive thing?”

The warrior chuckled before his expression turned serious. “I’m no expert, but here’s what I know,” he said in a gruff tone. “These roads lead to three cities, collectively known as the Three Mage Kings. The side roads lead to the coast—Cas to the west and Melc to the east, where the demons are attacking. The central road? That’s the safest route. It leads north to the city of Balt, which is practically impenetrable since demons can’t cross from above.”

Alessandra furrowed her brow. “Wait, you mean the demons come from across the mountain?”

The man nodded grimly. “Yeah. I used to think it was just an old tale. People said demons lived beyond the mountain, but it was like a children’s story. That was until they attacked my town. Turns out they do come from there.”

Iryoku, still wearing his friendly expression, flipped another coin into the warrior’s hand. “What’s inside the mountain?”

The man examined the coin before responding. “Nobody really knows for sure. Some say it’s holy ground—a place of the gods. Legends speak of it as a realm where the gods traveled between Paradiso and the mortal realms.”

Iryoku tilted his head, curiosity glinting in his eyes. “So… is it safe to go to the mountain?”

The warrior hesitated, his expression growing serious. “I don’t know. One thing’s certain, though—you won’t find any demons in there. They don’t dare to enter. That mountain… it’s like a barrier they can’t touch. They can only go around it, which is why they attack the coasts.”

Iryoku exchanged a look with Alessandra, his mind racing with possibilities. The mountain loomed large in the distance, an enigmatic barrier dividing the known world from the unknown.

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Iryoku and Alessandra returned to the carriage, where Yumi and Reika were waiting. They recounted their tale, and Reika spoke with conviction, "It’s clear where we need to go."

Alessandra and Yumi nodded in agreement, while Iryoku mused for a moment, his hand resting thoughtfully on his chin.

Suddenly, a distant horn blared, shattering the quiet. The sharp alarm was followed by a panicked scream: "Demons!"

Something massive darkened the sky. Passersby, warriors, and mages alike instinctively drew their weapons, taking defensive stances.

Iryoku’s instincts kicked in. Alarmed, he commanded the girls, "Everybody, get down!" He quickly moved closer to them, wrapping his arms around all three, shielding them with his body.

Then, an ear-piercing screech—unlike anything from this world—ripped through the air. The sound was so intense it felt as though it could tear through their very minds. Everyone instinctively clutched their heads, their bodies wracked with pain. It felt as if their skulls were about to explode.

And then, just as abruptly, the sound stopped.

They cautiously looked around, their heads pounding. Warriors and mages alike were staggering to their feet, some clutching their weapons, others wiping blood from their faces. Some were still on the ground, unmoving, blood pooling from their ears and eyes.

Yumi gasped. "Are they… dead?"

The sight was harrowing—many of the fallen showed no signs of life, their lifeless bodies bearing the horrifying aftermath of the screech.

The fight began as two giant bat-like monsters emerged from the forest, their massive forms resembling pteranodons. They were accompanied by a swarm of smaller bats that mirrored their appearance. The warriors on the battlefield quickly moved into formation, with the commanders of each caravan shouting, "Prepare to attack!"

Iryoku and the girls, still recovering from the earlier shock, struggled to process what was happening. Alessandra stepped in front of them, raising her shield as she overcame the staggering effects with impressive speed. Yumi notched an arrow, ready to shoot, while Reika lifted her hand, preparing to cast a spell. "What the hell is this?!" Reika exclaimed, her voice filled with alarm.

Iryoku quickly assessed the situation and made a decision. "Get back into the carriage! We're too close to the monsters!" he commanded.

The girls hesitated for a moment but obeyed. As they climbed back into the carriage, Iryoku yelled, "Now, Rhogan, run!"

The magical rhino pulling their carriage surged forward onto the central road. Just as they began their retreat, the surrounding warriors launched their assault. Thunderous arrows and explosions filled the battlefield, lighting up the chaos.

A dwarven fortress carriage arrived, armed with a massive crossbow that fired at the giant bats. Elves and other demi-humans unleashed magic and incantations, their combined power creating a symphony of destruction. Meanwhile, the swarm of smaller bats descended upon the battlefield, attacking indiscriminately and adding to the chaos.

Iryoku and the girls managed to put some distance between themselves and the monsters. As they looked back, the sounds of thunder, steel clashing, and ear-splitting screeches rumbled through the air.

"Shit!" Iryoku shouted as a large group of bats caught up to them. "Stop, Rhogan!" he commanded.

The magical rhino skidded to a halt. Without wasting a second, they all jumped out of the carriage, weapons and spells ready, prepared to fight for their lives.