We arrive at a very green garden. It’s the place I saw from the hall in the castle.
It’s quiet around here, but I can hear the sounds of metal clashing and explosions in the distance.
“What do we do?”
Asks Sera while looking towards where the sounds are coming from.
We didn’t walk around the castle too much when we were here before, so I don’t know my way around. I ask the others, and they all say they don’t know either. There were rooms not shown on Map too.
The large throne room where we met Eris was one of them.
But if those noises are from a defensive battle, I assume they’re coming from the direction of the entrance. If there are demons there, maybe we can ask them. If we know them, of course.
We could look around too, but I really want to check who they’re fighting.
“Let’s check it first. If there are demons there, we might be able to talk. If they’re fighting, I think it’s safe to assume it’s the party that’s here to defeat the demon king.”
Kotori holds her staff tightly.
It’s highly likely that the people coming here to fight are the ones that were summoned with us. If they’re being manipulated by Elesya, we might not be able to avoid fighting them.
We start moving fast while being cautious of our surroundings, and I see it. There are broken stone statues on the floor, and people too. Some show reactions, others don’t.
I can still hear the sounds of intense sword clashes, and magic being thrown both ways.
“Let’s help the ones we can.”
“Only demons?”
“…Yes. The others, after we hear what’s going on.”
I answer Mia’s question after thinking for a second.
We need information about Chris. Even after getting inside the barrier around the castle, I still can’t see her reaction on Map. I can only hope she’s in one of the places it doesn’t show.
We split into two groups, and cast Heal on the wounded demons.
At first I wonder if it will even work, but the demon recovers without any issues.
The demon is surprised to be saved by a human and looks cautious, but soon sees Kotori and relaxes.
That reaction makes me wonder if Mia is all right, but the demon she’s healing knows her, so it’s fine.
“Why are you here?”
“We’re looking for one of our… For Eris’ sister. Did you see her?”
“Ah, our lord’s sister. She should be in the castle.”
The demon is looking towards a destroyed door.
“Some have already made it inside. The higher ranks like Mister Ignis are here, so I think it will be all right, but… I think those were heroes.”
The demon says the heroes broke through from the front, and Chris went inside after them.
The demons also went after the ones who got inside, but knights got in the way, and the demons were defeated by a pincer attack. Apparently they don’t know where those knights are now.
I think about what to do next, and use Parallel Thinking to check the situation around us.
Things are balanced over here for now, but enemies are going to keep pressing in.
I don’t know how strong the heroes are, but if the others break through here, things might get even worse.
“These are potions. Sorry, but use them on the ones that can still breathe.”
“Y-yes, I got it.”
“Sorry Hikari, but please go too.”
She nods, and takes off running.
“What about us?”
Asks Kotori.
“We’ll talk after meeting up with Mia and the others.”
We give potions to the demon Mia healed too, and tell them Chris is already in the castle, and so are the heroes.
“Then we need to hurry.”
Says Rurika, sounding like a shriek.
“But it’s dangerous to leave things like this. Me… And Hikari will hold the enemies here. You go after Chris.”
“I’m staying too. You might need a healer.”
Mia is right, but I’m more worried about Chris.
I’d feel better if there was someone who could use holy magic if necessary.
“Stay here, Mia. We have potions, and if anything happened with Chris, we can bring her here.”
Sera throws me a bone when I can’t decide what to do.
Yes, and if we can heal the wounded here, we can end this battle faster.
It’s actually not safe to split up like this, but we have to find Chris. Although if they get through here, the damage is going to spread even more.
It would be better if Kotori stayed here to use her spirit magic, but I don’t think she can attack other people. And…
“Yes. And Kotori, if it looks like you can talk the heroes down, please try.”
I say, although I don’t think it will work.
It would be tough for Kotori to stay here and fight people, but if she has a reason to go with the others, that will make things easier for her.
“Yes, got it.”
I send the canine golem with them too, mostly for Kotori.
After seeing the others enter the castle safely, I meet up with Hikari, and then we split up again to treat the wounded.
The demons are stronger when it comes to raw power, but the other side is more coordinated.
Furthermore, demons are pulling back, but on the other side, as people pull back, more and more keep coming to reinforce them, so the situation is gradually getting worse.
But if we can treat the demons that couldn’t fight anymore, they should start pushing them.
“Master, there.”
Just as we’re done treating them and almost ready to go after the others, a group comes out of the forest.
They appeared from a different place compared to the rest, and are attacking the demons.
They’re mostly wearing black, and a lot are wearing masks I recognize… Slave masks.
That’s Elesya’s army, no doubt about it. Most of them have hair the same color as their outfits, black.
“…Can you fight, Hikari?”
“Leave it to me.”
If she couldn’t, I’d send her after Rurika and the others first, but Hikari answers firmly.
I run to the back row of the demons, and join the defensive battle.
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
Thanks for the treat.
Let the battle begin