CHAPTER 24
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Stella POV
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“What? Alpas is going to be attacked?” Parker said as the messenger arrived.
“Hmm… this is troubling. We can’t leave either since the threat from the dwarves and the north is also high.” Steven said.
“Parker…” I said to him
“Yes, Stella?”
“let’s go to Alpas. Just both of us. That way, we can help Alpas and also defend Randell.”
“Wait. That’s too reckless. At least bring a hundred or a thousand guards!” Steven said
“We will also come with you. Chloe is there. “Nana said
“The twins and Nita and Mr. John are also there. We need to help them!”
“Wait, you can’t all go. If we are without gladiators, this city will be defenseless!” Steven roared in protest
“We should take some guards….” Parker said to me.
“No, if we take them, we will not make it in time. We need to be there this night. Or at least in the morning….”
“Wait, Stella. Even if you take a horse carriage, I don’t think you can arrive there by tonight. After all, horses don’t usually travel at night. And, it is too dark to see anything, so it would be difficult to get passed by monsters in the forest.” Nana said. I reflexively turned my head away at that sentence, and I could also see Parker do the same.
“There is someone faster than horses….” I replied quietly and feeling ashamed. I know I am being rude toward Parker. He is a good guy and our leader. But this is something that must be done. With his body and senses, we can go through the path undetected. As long as we can take out their gladiators, we can hold out until dawn emerge.
“Hah… “Parker sighed. “I agree that the faster we arrive there, the better. Stella is also correct that I can avoid a lot of monsters or demon scouts with my abilities. Steven, by your word, we are expected to help them by sunrise, right? Are you sure that they can hold out until then?”
“Yes. It is not about the number. Even if the enemy had a billion soldiers on their side, it would still take several days to siege the city. That city only has 1 gate facing them. They would still need battering rams or siege towers. And even if they force it by scaling the walls with ropes or making makeshift ladders, we still have at least 20 thousand troops. You esteemed gladiators do not need to expend such an effort or risk.” Steven said with confidence.
Parker assumed his thinking pose now while pondering. If Parker agrees with Steven. There is nothing that I can do. I can’t reach Alpas by myself. I wonder if I should persuade Parker about my dream again. But I don’t actually have a vision about Alpas’ fall. I just see that they battled and lost in front of Elysion, which was already written in the letter.
Parker looked at me. His eyes seemed unsure about the decision. He finally breathes out a sigh. “Fine… I will go with Stella to Alpas right now… “Parker said while looking tired.
“But sir,” Steven interrupted
“Nana and Hart need to stay and secure the surrounding region. I am just going to take a look at Alpas. Besides, we still need several resources and possibly hire more workers to work on this city’s defenses. We can handle that while on the way. Whether it is now or several days later, we still need to go to Alpas either way.”
Parker said, and the rest didn’t question him. Even Steven only nodded at his decision, seemingly accepting it. I wonder how I can be like him. When I talked, sometimes I offended people. Steven was still somewhat hostile to me, though, with our difference in military rank, he still acted civil and gave clear explanations. Unlike me, Steven seemed genuinely okay with Parker’s decision. He reacted more supportive toward him than the rest of us.
“Okay, Stella… pack your things. I also need to go to the smithy to clean my sword and do some maintenance. We will go at 6. with my abilities, we should arrive there at 10 or midnight, depending on how many scouts or monsters we can’t avoid.” Parker said while standing up and dismissing the meeting.
At night the group assembled, and we said goodbye. Like in Alpas, I hugged Parker from behind, and we did the piggyback ride.
“Not a princess carry?” Nana complained.
“No. It tires me.” Parker replied. Am I heavy? I thought with his abilities, it would not matter how many he carried. Am I wrong? Should I go on a diet?
“I thought you were going to carry her like a sack. But this is actually more romantic if I look at it more closely.” Hart smirked
“Shut up!” Parker shouted while hiding his face. A red tinge flashed for a moment on his cheek. It was hidden by the dark night except for those close to him.
“Okay! See you. When will you be back?” Nana asked. Her face tinged with worry.
“2 days or a week at most… We will be back after we repelled the enemy.” I answered back at her.
We started out at the south gate. Parker was running at high speed. Faster than a carriage at full speed. He ran as fast as a flying bird. Sometimes he jumped at the trees, sometimes dropped to the ground, and sometimes, he jumped in midair with his air jump skill. Not only that, he looked to the left and right, sometimes making abrupt turns as he tried to evade some unaware monsters lurking in the night. He moved so fast that I had to close my eyes and use my magic sense instead.
“Parker… I am sorry.” I apologized to him for my selfishness. We are already halfway there to Alpas. In just 2 hours, we reached halfway to Alpas in the dark with only moonlight.
“It doesn’t matter. As I said before, we need to go there anyway. “
“Thank you.”
The silence continued for a while between our rest. With a silent nod, we packed our water canteen, and I hugged him again from behind, attempting another piggyback. As we came near our destination, scouts from the dark alliance started to appear. Parker whispered to me which one needed To be taken out.
“Stella, I know it might be difficult to see them, but do you see that beastmen?” Parker pointed towards some random light in the distance. I can’t see anything but a randomly flickering light far away, like a candle hanging on a windy day and as faint as the glow of fireflies.
However, with my magic eyes and sense, I can sense the movements of the mana in the air. Gray world spread before me. 2 soldiers are standing still with their mana flickering in laziness. They sometimes yawned, and it was clear that the soldiers were exhausted. From the movements of mana in the air around them, I can also see the torch they are carrying.
“Stella? Should we come closer? I doubt they will notice us, but it is our chance while their back is turned toward us.”
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“Okay. I can see them. Does ice spear spell good enough? Or should I use earth lance?”
“Yes. It will make less noise and no light. You can use either of those spells,” Parker said. “Stella, I need to remind you that we are not to interfere unless absolutely necessary. We are extremely outnumbered. Even if we somehow win this with perfection by killing their gladiators and routing their army, the country and nobles might fear us instead. Even if we are the strongest in this world, assassination can still kill us.”
“Yes. I understand.” I replied. “We will only intercept if the gate is breached.”
“Yeah, we can’t afford to lose Alpas. So we did have to help them if it does happen.”
With that as a mark, I began to gather mana. I molded it to form two ice spears and launched them slowly. It accelerates faster and faster, being guided by my mana. When I lost control of the spears, they flew straight to their mark and pierced the soldiers’ hearts in unison.
“Impressive,” Parker said. “Hop on.”
Parker crouched, and I returned to his back and hopped into it. As he carried me with a practiced movement. We met with several more scouts whom we dispatched similarly. And, at long last, we can see Alpas’ gate with a sea of monsters in front of it.
“Whoa! This scenery reminded me of that famous siege in the VR Lord Of The Castle. “Parker said
“What is that game?”
“It is a game where you defend a castle with millions of monsters coming at your castle which hold a precious relic of the ancient to kill a demon lord.”
“I see.”
“did you play it?” Parker asked while looking excited
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.
“Sorry for asking.”
“It’s fine. My mistake.” I answered while blaming my amnesia.
“The gate is broken!” Parker shouted. I am currently unable to see what is actually happening. But with my mana sense, I can see a powerful entity breaking open the door. An entity of mana was raging in fury as it smashed the gate with extraordinary power. The gates were broken down in a few slashes, and it came inside, unleashing its fury.
“Should we attack them?” Parker prepared his blade.
“No… I am going to attack it from here… please keep me safe. We won’t make it to the gate if we have to cut down the entire army of demons between us and the gate.”
“... okay.”
“I will prepare the thunder and aim it at their leader.” I could only assume the bright blob of mana to be their leader. It was bright enough that it disfigured its actual shape.
“You can see the leader?”
“I can sense him,” I replied while preparing my mana. It floated to the sky, and gray clouds gathered and darkened in the night sky. I hold still as I mold my mana. I sensed that the entity was rampaging and killing our comrades. I don’t have any time, but the target is so far away that I need time so that my aim stays true without harming our allies nearby.
“Stella?” Parker asked, pondering why I took so much time.
“Enemy gladiators are currently engaging our own. I can’t find a good time to hit it without harming our allies.” I said.
“I see. Are we winning?” Parker said curiously
“No. The enemy’s gladiators seemed to be very strong. It has defeated Riki and Riko now. Bane and Richard’s mana also indicated that they are losing.” I replied.
“I see. Just wait and pay attention. I am sure the timing will come soon. I can’t see past the gate. But I can sense John’s mana welling in the sky. When he strikes, maybe you can match him?”
“Ah. I see. Excellent idea. It will certainly help me aim if I use John’s mana as a signature. Thank you.”
“I will take guard around here. “Parker said as he collected several random pebbles around. With his skill, even ordinary rocks can become as deadly as canons when thrown at enemies. He then left to guard the area. I think he could also sense my mana that has been gathered in the sky. And if he can feel them, that means some magician in the enemy camp will also perceive them. But that is not my problem. I trust him to take care of me. Right now, my job is to help John.
Surprisingly, he is the last man standing. He successfully cast his thunder at the entity. With that as a mark, I tried to match his target.
“Ss... Stella…” a dark wisp formed in front of me, forming into shapes and undulating. As it talked, my senses clouded, and the black-and-white world extended to my eyes. As the undulating black mass formed before me, I forced my mana to dispel it. The world quickly restored its color before my eyes. I returned to John’s mana residue with my magic sense and cast my spell on the entity currently strangling John.
“Sorry. But I have something more important to do now. We shall converse later.” I said in a whisper to it. Whatever it was, I believe that it has helped me so many times. So it makes me feel bad that I decided to ignore it this time, as rescuing John and others is a priority.
The arrow from heaven strikes true. I could sense that my mana in that thunder magic pounded the entity, but it was far from enough. The entity seemed unharmed, but I managed to attract its attention. Now, he was speeding his way to our position.
“Stella. It’s coming!” Parker suddenly stepped beside me. “It’s a vampire.”
“A vampire?”
“Professor Saha at the academy explained it to us briefly. Vampires are the strongest in the dark alliance. We need a group of heroes or at least an angel to combat it.”
“We only have two heroes now.”
“That guy beat Richard’s team, right? How are we going to play this, Stella?” Parker asked while readying his sword.
“It is fine… I can beat him….” I said, preparing myself. The black mass wiggle with glee. Somehow my spirit is lifted. The world is full of mana and is now concentrated in this place. The deceased’s soul, the mana that was gathered and expelled by the enemy’s magician, and most of all, the entity’s mana. That vampire is leaking mana all over his body.
With a swing of my staff, mana gathered, and another thunder fell down instantly at that bloodsucking creature. Even after a direct hit, it still carries on with its speed, seemingly unaffected. With my momentum carried by mana, I molded yet another thunder spell, and it struck true again with the same result. The vampire finally reached us with a ragged breath and unmistakable rage.
“Who are you!” The vampire walked in a rage
“I am Stella. Will you please retreat from this battle? And if possible, could you also retreat from Elysion. We need that city,” I asked politely.
“Heh. If I say no. What are you going to do?” The pale skin asked in arrogance
“I might seriously injure or kill you,” I stated the truth. In this state, I can form magic effortlessly. I don’t think I can lose, except for ambush, but Parker can detect ambushes, so it is impossible.
“Heh. HAHAHAHA!! I have never met a human so arrogant! She said she would kill me with this puny warrior beside her! HAHAHA!! Very well, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Vampire Craine. Kin of the 5th line of Dracul, Count Marcias, The Hellfire. Today, I am going to make you my kin and slaves! Hahaha!!” He laughed as he charged at me. His sword was at the ready.
I quickly raised my barrier, and in conjugation, countless ice spears rose up from the ground with a single swing of my staff. And before he even reached me, another swing of it made the spears rain down on him. Without losing my momentum, another earth lance rose up and sent him flying, followed by another thunder towards his body. The mana obeyed me effortlessly. I only need a sliver of mana to send my will, and they rampaged with such power against my enemy.
“Damn you! Don’t get cocky!!” He raised up, and this time wings grew out from his body as he flew in a zigzag pattern trying to reach me.
“Parker. Make sure that I don’t get ambushed by soldiers from behind. I can deal with him alone!” I shouted as I kept my magic rhythm. With a gentle wave of my staff, boulders formed in the sky, homing in toward the enemy. Another swing and ice chains formed from the ground, trying to bind the enemy. And with another wave of my staff, mana automatically molded to create a firewall that repelled the vampire. Even though it flies so fast, it can’t dodge all the barrage of spells I cast.
“Good... Dance... We... Sing...” The black mass whispered.
“Don’t get cocky just because you are a little good with magic!” he roared, and at once, the mana rhythm was disturbed, and every spell around him was dispelled. He then raced towards me with his sword and slammed it into my barrier.
BANG!
The barrier barely held out. I repressed my desire to enforce the border and instead followed the mana rhythm of the world and cast a tornado with countless wind blades forming around it. The pale canine-toothed man was struck with a direct hit and started bleeding as his clothes were torn and battered.
I cast another barrage of fireballs, which made the vampire fly back, and he landed while gasping for air. I twirled and sensed the mana rhythm begin to cool down. With it, I repaired my barrier and prepared my mana for another magic dance.
“Shit!” he cursed in frustration. His mana molded his body as he was physically changing. His pale eye started to redden with a glowing fire, and mana was gathering around his body. Empowering his body. The stage was then set for mana to clash once again.
“Will you retreat?“ I asked calmly. I then sharpened my magic sense. I need to enhance my stability and speed further if I were to follow the excitement of mana coursing on this battlefield.
“ARRGH!! Don’t underestimate me, you bitch!! I will not retreat from a duel!!” he screamed loudly, and the mana around him made his howl pulse through the battlefield. The goblins and traitors that tried to pester me but were intercepted by Parker suddenly retreated, leaving him a gap to view our duel. Parker then looked around, searching more of these plagueskins, but he found no one.
“Stella! They are fleeing. Let me help you now. Let’s fight it together!” he shouted.
“No! I need to defeat him alone. This is a duel. Mana is watching.” I replied. I know I am not making sense, but I can feel that this world is alive. And it wants me to battle him alone. It wants me to triumph over him in a holy duel.
I put more mana into my staff, and with it, the mana of the world reacted. It swirled upon the sky as the clouds followed in its footsteps. The mana coalescent with a blue lightning glow. The shadowless cloud began forming and darkening as the mana began its cadenza. The heaven growled as if announcing the might it now held upon the pitiful earth. The finale of this duel approaches.
The blood eater also didn’t let up and again charged upon me. Mana empowered him as his form grew larger. His skin now turned blue as scales grew over his body. His form was an incarnation of terror. His gaze spreads terror to all that dare to peer into his eye. He wielded his sword no longer with elegance but with raw, brutal strength as he lost all reason.
Demon…
That’s the word that came to my mind after looking at him. I didn’t know what that meant, but the terror I felt shook my body as his roar reverberated around the battlefield. He then lunged at me, unfazed by various spears and spikes I made around me. He slammed them with a swing of his sword and rushed towards me, uncared of the many wounds and battered his body had been.
I twirled again with more elegance, and the mana around me swirled around my barrier, transforming the transparent film into an icy blue glow. Misty ice enforced my border, making it impenetrable by all but the strongest attack.
The demon started its mad dash as the monster began gracelessly slamming his sword upon my barrier. The barrier echoed with a loud bell. Nevertheless, it stood firm against the lunatic slash of the black blade.
“Strike true. Ultima Lux!”
As the final tune of mana cadenza approached, I waved my staff to the sky, and the ground spewed its pillars, flinging the lizard into heaven. With a strong sweep of my staff to the floor, the cadenza of mana stops, unleashing its held-up might upon the pitiful blue scale. The sky roared. Its sound was heard by the audience. The beam of thunder dazzled everyone with its gleaming light, and the earth trembled in excitement as the cadenza was over.
Silence permeated the atmosphere as the show ended. Everyone froze as the black smoke that charred the earth began to settle, revealing the clean dark night sky. The glow from the stars began illuminating the world as it tried to soothe the audience after a heated performance.
I walked toward the audience. As the silence was broken, everyone turned towards me with a wary tone on their face. As I approached them, Parker stood beside me confidently. His eye reveled in glory as we triumphed.
“Now, Will you retreat?” I asked calmly.
As if on cue, the audience began to disperse in a frenzy. Fear and anguish were painted on their face as they fled back to Elysion. The battlefield soon became deserted, with no life in sight. Before long, silence returned, accompanied by a peaceful night.
“Parker… I am tired… “ I complained
“Yeah… me too…” He answered calmly, “let’s go to the city and rest. Okay?”
We then walked slowly toward the city gate that had opened. Cheers and applause follow suit as a tribute to our triumph.