image [https://i.imgur.com/eY2gF5l.png]

The group embarked on their journey at the break of dawn, and the voyage to the eastern coast stretched over four grueling days. The thick forests presented formidable barriers, harboring lurking monsters within their depths. However, these malevolent creatures, sensing an aura of power emanating from within the group, hesitated to assail them.

Mila's unwavering determination radiated from her very core. Empowered as never before, her aura glowed with intensified energy. A divine force surrounded her, and the lurking monsters recoiled from its holy essence, refraining from aggressive advances.

Once they emerged from the enshrouding woods, the expedition advanced with newfound ease. Yet, throughout their journey, an unsettling feeling of being observed clung to Mila's senses like a persistent shadow.

As the fourth day edged toward its close, a veil of darkness crept over the sky. Just moments away from the town, they caught sight of its outer walls from their elevated position.

But what awaited them was a sight that struck despair into their hearts: the city was engulfed in flames.

"Miss Mila! What should we do now?" questioned Contii urgently.

Mila's gaze shifted from the inferno to the concerned expressions of her companions. "Graybeard..." she murmured, her voice steadying. "We must hasten to the city without delay. Time is of the essence."

image [https://i.imgur.com/7fgH3qs.png]

Within the city's boundaries, numerous figures cloaked in robes ravaged the city. Flaming projectiles were hurled onto buildings, igniting an inferno.

Within the city square, a scene of battle unfolded. The ground was littered with hundreds of dead bodies. Amidst the chaos, guards valiantly defended the people sheltered within the church's embrace. At the forefront of this all stood a dwarf, wielding a massive two-handed axe.

"FEEL THE STING O' THIS, YA BASTARDS!"

With a mighty swing of his axe, the dwarf felled three cultists in a single blow.

This brave dwarf was none other than Graybeard himself. His beard had grown even longer, and the weight of the passing years had etched deeper lines upon his face. Yet, he remained vital and brimming with vigor, his axe relentless in its purpose.

His gallant efforts rallied the city's defenders, infusing them with unity and renewed resolve. A resounding cry from the gathered ranks heralded a ferocious charge against the encroaching cultists.

One by one, the cultists surged forth, and one by one, they succumbed to the defenders' blades. Yet, the cultists surged forth from the darkness, with their numbers, limitless.

"Just how extensive are the roots of this accursed cult?!"

"I'm not sure!" a guard bellowed amidst the fray.

Graybeard's stamina waned. Regardless of how many foes he struck down, the onslaught seemed unrelenting – an unending surge of cultists.

"We must find their leader," Graybeard proposed, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Should their leader fall, the ranks will surely disperse."

"A sound strategy, but," replied a sword-wielding guard as he parried a cultist's dagger, "how on earth are we to pinpoint their leader amidst this chaos?"

Graybeard swung his axe in a sweeping arc, toppling a cultist who threatened a guard at his side.

"Thanks for the save there."

"Don't mention it, lass."

As he surveyed the unfolding battle, Graybeard's gaze fixed upon the distant horizon, even as more cultists advanced upon them. Seeing he had no other choice, he resorted to desperate measures.

"Ifrit... Are you able to hear me?" Graybeard murmured under his breath.

A voice of a demon resonated within him, his response being. "I do."

Fighting against the cultists, just barely able to fend off their attacks, Graybeard muttered. "Listen, I need your help against them."

"Is that so? Why should I help you?"

"For the simple reason that my death would seal your fate as well." Graybeard's words dripped with exasperation.

"Fair enough... But, I may not be able to help you with this one..."

"Is that bastard still siphoning your mana?"

"His powers have grown considerably... I can't even materialize anymore. This conversation alone is taking a huge toll on my mana reserves."

"Damn it, then what can we do?"

"You must maintain this resolve of yours... I sense the presence of an angel... Perhaps they've come to our rescue. If hope exists, it's to move forward."

"Argh... Curse it all!" Graybeard roared. "Fine! I'll give it my all!"

image [https://i.imgur.com/lhqCDcB.png]

"Light of the heavens! Unleash your judgment upon the forces of darkness!"

With her invocation, a luminous beam of divine energy descended from the heavens, its brilliant radiance obliterating scores of demon cultists within mere moments, reducing them to ash in the blink of an eye.

"Bravo, Miss Mila! Your prowess is truly awe-inspiring!" Exclaimed Contii, amazed by her display of magic.

Mila's reservoir of mana was dwindling, the spell she had cast, a 5th-tier holy magic, consumed a considerable amount more due to her yet imperfect mastery of its art.

She couldn't help but smile at his remark. However, danger lurked within every corner.

"Thank you Contii. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but there is no time for it yet."

"My apologies, Miss Mila."

Looking around themselves, Mila's eyes scanned the burrning city that laid before her. The streets were deserted, bodies piled up everywhere she turned. Blood covered the streets and screams were heard in the distance.

"Contii, Joan, both of you to remain at my side. Straying from my presence is not an option. Understood?"

Both nodded in unison as they trailed behind Mila.

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They advanced through the city, the lifeless bodies of humans strewn across their path. Flames engulfed the city, and anarchy reigned. While their arrival offered a glimmer of hope, the city's wounds were profound. Nevertheless, hope persisted.

A band of cultists, concealed amidst the rubble of the ruined buildings to the sides of the road, ambushed them.

"Ice NOVA!"

Contii's incantation conjured a frosty nova that temporarily immobilized the cultists. Exploiting their frostbite-ridden state, Joan executed a powerful sword swing, felling them in one decisive motion.

Mila stood astonished at their seamless collaboration, though her focus lay elsewhere.

"Graybeard... Please... You have to endure a moment longer."

Her soft murmur did not escape the ears of her companions.

"Miss Mila, it appears that a skirmish is unfolding in the city square. We must head there immediately!"

"Agreed. Let's move!"

image [https://i.imgur.com/Qj0qq7o.png]

Mila and her forces charged resolutely into the heart of the city square. The Demon cultists found themselves flanked from both sides, drastically shifting the tides of battle in her favor.

"In the name of the heavenly father!"

Mila's sword struck with formidable might, clashing against the demon cultists. While their physical strength was evenly matched, her swordsmanship skills were admittedly subpar at best. Yet, it was the realm of magic where her true excellence lay.

Creating distance between herself and the fray, Mila began to cast a spell.

"Air Shards!"

The air surrounding her condensed into crystalline ice projectiles that streaked forward at astonishing speed, cutting through the ranks of the cultists with deadly precision.

Unbeknownst to her, from the lingering shadows around them, a sinister cultist was stealthily closing in on Mila's vulnerable position. Just as his blade was poised for a fatal strike, a dwarf descended from above, wielding a massive axe that struck down the cultist with a final, fatal blow.

"Mila!? What in the world are ye doin' here, lass?" Spoke the dwarf, concern etched on his face.

It was Graybeard, his exhilaration palpable in his voice. He cast an assessing glance over her, momentarily taken aback.

"Nay... Ye've joined the Holy Knights? What were ye thinking!!"

"The choice was not mine, Gray. I did it to save you."

His features softened, understanding dawning in his eyes. A quick exhale escaped him before he refocused on the battle at hand.

"Aye. I appreciate ye'r efforts. Nay, the whole town does! We'll talk more on that later, lass. For now, let's set our minds on the fight afore us."

"Agreed, Gray."

Side by side, Mila and Graybeard stood, flanked by Contii and Joan, while the remnants of the city guard, wearied but resolute, gripped their swords with fury burning in their eyes. Preparing themselves for the next wave.

The cultists came to a sudden halt, their ranks snapping to attention. The two opposing forces stood face to face, a tense standoff building between them.

From the darkened clouds above, a barrage of flames rained down, erupting upon impact with the ground. The valiant town defenders were caught in the fiery maelstrom. Just in time, Mila conjured a protective magical barrier that shielded her and her nearby companions, while Graybeard deftly sidestepped the inferno, his body rolling across the terrain. His gaze shot skyward, fixating on the source.

However, many of the defending town soldiers were not so fortunate, their forms burning to ash in mere seconds.

The display of power from the cultists was a terrifying sight that sent shivers down their spines. The vast difference in powers was palpable.

"What in blazes was that?!" Graybeard roared as the magical assault tore through their ranks.

Before the cultists, a sinister magical circle manifested, shrouded in darkness. From within those shadows emerged what he could only presume to be their leader—a man clad in resplendent white robes, his attire grander than the rest. Upon his robes, the sigil of their cult, a three-tongued lizard, was intricately woven in black threads. With a subtle gesture, he raised his hands on both sides, prompting all the cultists to bow in eerie unison.

"You should flee while you can," Ifrit's voice whispered to Graybeard. "Victory in this battle can no longer be achieved."

"Who the devil is that?" Graybeard demanded.

"That is an adversary none of us can hope to overcome. A Cardinal of Sin, though I am unfamiliar with his name."

"Cardinal of Sin... I see..."

"If you grasp the peril at hand then you must flee.."

Graybeard's gaze flickered to the church behind him, his resolve unwavering. "I shall stand firm."

"Is that their leader, the mastermind of this vile scheme!?" Mila inquired.

"Hush, lass. Let's hear him out."

Their leader lowered his hood, revealing a visage marred by deformity.

"I am Yosef Pendrogo, Cardinal of the Demon Cult representing Wrath and Sloth. It is a pleasure to personally witness such audacious courage... Especially from the likes of you. However, I must implore you to simply surrender."

Looking at the group standing vigilant before him, his eyes gleamed with a maddened fire, his voice dripped with ominous dread. "Still... I would prefer to spare you the might of my wrath... But... Killing you offers a means to further my own powers... Hm... decisions, decisions..."

His gaze shifted to Mila, his words directed at her. "Nevertheless, your powers hold a captivating allure... You must be the Touched One, as prophesied in the third infernal scripture..."

Mila advanced a step from the group, her grip firm on her sword, her brows knitting with anger that kindled her fury. "What do you want from me!? Is the wake of all this madness and chaos because of me?!"

"He foretold your arrival. By day's end, every soul here shall meet their demise, according to the prophecy. No defense you muster will suffice. Our operatives are entrenched within the church you so call a safe haven, poised to act upon my command."

"You... YOU MONSTER! YOU WOULDN'T DARE!"

He grinned; his eye ablaze with fervor. "Naturally, I shall withhold my judgment of wrath... That is to say... Should you wish to spare them, relinquish your arms and accompany me."

Stepping forward, Graybeard stood beside her. "Who? Who informed you of her presence here?"

"That is knowledge beyond your grasp, Dwarf. I shan't divulge it to one of your kind."

Graybeard exchanged a glance with Mila, who clenched her fists in mounting tension.

"Think not of this folly, lass. If you yield, they will surely end you."

"And what alternative would you propose?!"

"We fight! If they believed they could conquer us easily, they would not bother with words. Our sole recourse is to stand and fight."

"And what of those within the church? If his claims hold truth..."

"Put no faith in the words of demon worshippers. I shall personally see to the church's safety. I beg of you, Mila, for my sake, do not act recklessly."

"I still can't do that!" Mila exclaimed, her face terrified at the prospect. She had encountered countless dead bodies on her way forward, her only guiding light being to rescue Graybeard, yet the further she went, the higher the toll. She could not afford to let another innocent person die for her shortcoming.

"Listen, Mila..." Graybeard's gaze shifted to the patiently waiting demon cultist, his eyes unwavering. "If that absurd book of his claims that everyone in this place is fated to meet their end, there's no doubt in my mind he'll go to great lengths to ensure that prophecy becomes reality. Are you following my drift here?"

A flicker of comprehension dawned upon Mila as she nodded, a deep understanding settling within her.

With her weapon drawn, she bellowed, her voice resonating powerfully.

"Fine! I'll put my faith in you! Graybeard, take Joan with you to the church. Breach the demon cultists' grip and rescue the innocents. As for him," she pointed at the cultist, "I'll make certain he's too preoccupied to chase after you."

"A wise course of action, indeed. This, too, was foretold within the scripture." Yosef chimed in.

"Silence, you accursed fanatic."

A shadowy shroud materialized, its presence pulsating with crimson hues, while an aura of malevolence seeped into the air, fostering an overwhelming sensation of foreboding and wickedness.

"What... Did you just say? A fanatic? Is that all you think we are? Is that really all?! You... You bitch! You dare to insult me?" Yosef's tone oozed with fury, his composure shattered. "Insolent fool! Mark my words! Your suffering will eclipse all before you! I shall personally see your remains devoured by rats and hounds! You wretch!"

Mila's eyes widened at his sudden eruption of anger, witnessing the grip his rage had on him.

"The lunatic's mad!" Joan uttered.

"Enough! Go now!" Mila's command cut through the tension like a blade. "I will hold him off!"

Graybeard and Joan hastened towards the church, leaving Mila and Contii to stand their ground against the darkness seeking to consume them all.

"Come now! Devil Spawn! And meet the true wrath of our heavenly father!"