Cedric, exuding an air of confidence, ordered his guards with superior authority.

"Support mages, focus on protecting the wounded. Assault mages, let's put on a little fireworks show for our unwelcome guest."

Cedric's support mages erected shimmering barriers and tended to the injured, providing a lifeline for those on the brink. The assault mages launched a dazzling array of spells at the Elite Demon, encasing it in blinding flames, paralyzing frost, and shocking lightning.

As the Elite Demon writhed under the onslaught, Cedric looked down upon it with disdain.

"You foolish creature. Attacking a city under the protection of the Lacroix Family, you've sealed your own fate."

With a final coordinated assault, the Elite Demon met its end, shattered into a storm of fiery fragments, its roars fading into a whimper.

Cedric's guards, with their collective might, had managed to defeat the formidable adversary.

Cedric allowed himself a satisfied grin as he surveyed the battlefield. He then quickly took note of the demons still pouring in through the breached walls. Without hesitation, he issued orders to his guards. "All of you, eliminate these foul creatures immediately!"

His guards, all but two, obeyed without question. They rushed to confront the incoming demons, their magic and combat skills put to use to protect the city.

The two remaining guards stood by Cedric's side, ready to fend off any threats that might come their way. They remained vigilant, watching over their charge.

While his guards battled the onslaught, Cedric's eyes shifted back to Captain Roan.

"How in the world did that wall break?" he asked with genuine curiosity. "A Sixth Order Demon wouldn't have the strength for such a feat."

Captain Roan took a deep breath before explaining, "The Elite Demon used a mysterious artifact. It unleashed a powerful energy ball that shattered the wall."

Cedric mulled over the information, his brow furrowed.

‘An artifact capable of such destruction... it must be of Seventh Order Rank or higher. But why would an Elite Demon resort to using such a powerful artifact to breach the city's defenses? What's their true motive?’

It wasn’t just Cedric, even Captain Roan had spent quite some time thinking about it, but unfortunately he didn’t know the answer.

Just as Cedric considered seeking the City Lord for more information, a flicker in the corner of his eye caught his attention.

Amid the chaos, amidst demons and defenders clashing, a familiar figure with blonde hair stood out.

As Cedric focused on the familiar-looking blonde-haired man, it dawned on him that this man was no stranger.

In fact, he recognized him as his youngest brother, Adrian, the same brother who had been cast out of the Lacroix Family.

A wicked grin tugged at the corners of Cedric's lips.

The chaos around him momentarily forgotten, he couldn't resist the urge to move in the direction of his estranged younger brother.

The reunion was bound to be...interesting.

As Adrian fought fiercely against the encroaching demons, he hadn't yet noticed the approaching figure.

His focus remained fixed on the immediate threats, and with each moment, they managed to improve their position on the battlefield.

It became evident that the swift intervention of Cedric's guards was making a significant impact.

"Great job, Elena! Keep those arrows coming!" Adrian shouted, providing cover for his archer companion who was nailing demon after demon with her precise shots.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

James, who was built like a human battering ram, bellowed as he pummeled his way through the enemy lines.

"Adrian, your flank is clear! I'm heading in!"

Clara was chanting incantations that sent searing flames and bursts of frost at the demons. Her eyes glittered with fierce determination as she responded, "Just a little more, Adrian! We've got this!"

Even in the heat of battle, their coordination was seamless, and they fought back the demons with determination and teamwork.

As Adrian and his comrades were on the brink of clearing out the demons around them, an unexpected torrent of fireballs rained down upon their position.

The explosive onslaught targeted not only the surrounding demons but also the valiant defenders, leaving no room for escape.

Adrian, quick to react, unleashed his Battle Aura, channeling all his energy into a Thunder Strike to intercept the approaching fireballs.

Meanwhile, Clara cast a protective barrier, enveloping her comrades in its magical shield.

Their efforts, however, proved futile. The fireballs were far more formidable than they had anticipated.

Adrian's attempts to sever these fireballs fell short as the fireballs overpowered his attack.

Clara's barrier managed to absorb the brunt of the assault, saving her comrades from immediate annihilation.

Nevertheless, the explosion of the fireballs left Adrian and his team gravely injured, struggling to regain their footing as they coughed in the midst of the dust cloud that enveloped the area.

Adrian's voice emerged from the shroud, his tone reflecting deep concern, "Is everyone alright? Talk to me."

His comrades responded weakly, their injuries apparent in their voices.

Amidst the chaos, a slow, mocking applause echoed through the air. As the dust settled, it revealed the source—Cedric Lacroix.

“Although I controlled the power of those fireballs, you still did a good job enduring that assault, my dearest brother.”

A serene smile graced his face as he observed Adrian and his comrades.

Upon seeing Cedric, a surge of anger washed over Adrian, his eyes bloodshot with fury.

“Why did you attack us, Cedric?!” Adrian asked while gritting his teeth.

“It was just a greeting, my dear brother,” Cedric responded with a wide grin.

Upon hearing that response, Adrian’s anger increased tremendously. He gripped the sword in his hands tightly while glaring at Cedric.

Cedric seemed amused as he saw the sword in Adrian’s hands, “So, you decided to become a warrior after being thrown out. I guess this does suit a squib like you.”

Upon hearing that hateful word ‘squib’ from Cedric’s mouth, Adrian could no longer hold himself back.

He leaped forward while infusing his Battle Aura into his sword while utilizing the Thunder Strike skill! He wanted to slaughter Cedric right this instant!

Even though Cedric saw Adrian coming at him with that hateful look on his face, his face still had that same serene smile.

“Lightning.”

As Cedric muttered that word, a pure golden lightning flashed in his hand which struck Adrian’s body.

This lightning didn’t seem to be that powerful as it didn’t kill Adrian, but it paralyzed him on the spot.

“Hehe…I like the look on your face,” Cedric spoke out with a grin.

At this moment, Cedric looked around and stared at James, Clara, and Elena.

The three of Adrian’s comrades were completely flabbergasted at this moment as they failed to comprehend just what was going on.

Soon, Cedric’s gaze returned back to Adrian’s face as he spoke with a sinister grin, “I wonder what face you will show me if I kill them all.”

“What?!” Not just Adrian, even his comrades were shocked to hear these words.

Even though he was paralyzed, Adrian forced his mouth to move and said, “…If you harm them…I…will…kill you!”

“Woah! That feels rather threatening. It makes me believe a bit that you can actually do that,” Cedric spoke as his smile widened.

“Alright. This will be a good game then,” Cedric spoke while heading towards James’ position.

Adrian’s eyes flashed with anger and anxiety as he saw Cedric moving, “W-wait! No…! Don’t do anything!”

James was at this moment holding onto his Great Sword. His grip on it tightened as he attempted to get up.

However, Cedric suddenly kicked him and spoke haughtily, “Stay down, mutt! It will be over soon.”

As he said that, Cedric picked up a sword that was dropped on the ground. This sword belonged to one of the random soldiers who had fought against the demons. It was stained green with the blood of demons.

“No! James! Please stop!” Elena shouted as she saw Cedric picked that sword and hang it over James’s chest.

Clara’s eyes widened as she conjured a flame arrow to attack Cedric.

“Flame Arrow.”

The Flame Arrow quickly moved towards Cedric, targeting his head at the moment.

Unfortunately, before it could strike Cedric’s body, a barrier appeared around Cedric that easily blocked the Flame Arrow and dispersed it.

Cedric stared at Clara as he spoke with a grin, “You sure are feisty. I will deal with you next.”

And as he spoke those words, he brought his sword down and struck James’s chest. Crimson blood spurted out of James’s chest as the sword stabbed him!

“NOOOO!!” Adrian’s shout filled with despair resounded in the entire area.

Unfortunately, there was no one here who would save them.

Meanwhile, Cedric laughed aloud wickedly as he pierced James’s chest with the sword, “Haha… It really is fun to stab people with a sword. Much more fun than killing by using magic.”

He didn’t just stab James once. He stabbed him repeatedly.

Each stab seemed to kill something inside of Adrian.

Meanwhile, Clara and Elena were completely taken over by despair as they witnessed this shocking and gruesome sight.

After the merciless onslaught, Cedric took a moment to sigh, then turned to address Clara and Elena with a cold, chilling smile.

Cedric mused aloud, “It’s really a pity for the three of you. I never would have taken notice of trash like you three. But unfortunately, you committed the crime of becoming my youngest brother’s friends.”

As he spoke these words, Cedric actually wanted these two women to start cursing out at Adrian.

He wanted them to blame Adrian for what is happening right now. He knew that this would shatter his brother’s spirit completely.

That would certainly be interesting to see.

At this moment, Adrian felt his spirit break as he heard those words. He couldn’t help but think to himself while glaring at Cedric, ‘Why is this happening to me? Just why?! I was exiled from the family. But I accepted that. I accepted that I have no magical talent. I accepted that I was disgracing the family with my presence. But…But I built my new life here…I moved on… Was it too much to ask for a happy life? Cedric is killing them just because they are my friends. Do I deserve such punishment for just trying to live a happy life?’

Soon, Adrian gritted his teeth while glaring at Cedric, ‘NO! He needs to pay for that! I will make him pay!’

Unfortunately, Adrian couldn’t move his body at all.

Cedric had naturally noticed Adrian’s face which was full of hatred, and he certainly was very pleased to see that. Now…He wanted to see the reactions of his dear comrades.

"Shut the heck up! It's not Adrian's fault, but yours!" Clara burst forth in fury.

Her voice was a torrent of fury.

"You are the one who killed James! You're nothing but a sicko trying to torment your younger brother! I've never encountered anyone as despicable as you!"

Elena, her eyes blazing with fury, chimed in, "Yeah, you heartless monster! Adrian is ten times the person you'll ever be!"

The unexpected defiance caught Cedric off guard, his smirk faltering for a fleeting moment.

He then spoke with a cold voice, “I guess you don’t know manners. I was being so polite with you all. Ah well…”