An enemy. A powerful enemy, so dangerous it threatens to take all we have.
Now. Now is the time. God, take all I have. Grant us the power of miracles.
✦ ✦ ✦
“C-Captain! Captain Zakkow! It’s another demon!”
“So what? Is that a reason to abandon citizens who can still be saved?” I shout, pushing a pillar out of the way. I pull out a dusty child. He’s struggling to breathe, but at least there’s no bleeding. A broken leg, maybe, but with a splint he should be fine.
“Okay, men! Let’s move!”
I can’t save many people with only fifty men under my command. Perimeter patrolling, removal of debris, protection from falling objects, carrying of the wounded, and battling the vampires... we’re severely undermanned. Our position is awkward, as well. Having split up to investigate the vast palace and gather up surviving citizens, if we were to try and escape together, the vampires would easily target us. Even a single vampire would create a bloodbath. Not to mention, we could all be crushed instantly by the demon at any time.
I hear explosions. Is it fire magic? Or is it vampiric destruction? Either way, we can’t allow the citizens to go near it. Gotta wait for the opportune moment to escape. For now, we’ve set up camps inside the large barracks by the western gate, as well as the grain storehouse by the eastern gate. Our people are holed up in there and fairly secure. Marius is out doing hit-and-run attacks as well; that should buy us enough time.
“Sniff... It hurts...”
“You’re doing great. Really great, kid.”
“Mommy... Mommy!”
“It’s okay. It’s okay. Leave everything to us.”
Dust and ash cover the soles of my boots as I make my way down the avenue. Most of the side paths are blocked off by collapsed domiciles. I close my eyes and listen; I won’t let one cry, one moan, not even the rustling of clothes escape my notice.
Augh! An ear-splitting noise, like rolling thunder. The demon is howling. So annoying. Stop it! Shut up!
“Captain, enemies! Six vampires, coming at us!”
Hmph. Separated from your main squad, huh? Bloodshot yellow eyes, fangs, drool—they’re excited. They’re ferocious beasts that will attack any human on sight.
“Greatshields, forward! Intercept!”
“Yes, sir!”
But in the end, they’re just wild beasts. The correct response is to create a wall, block them off. These things crush the weak underfoot; they are not warriors.
“Rahhhhh!”
That’s the way. Hit them with your battle cries! Push them back with your spirit! We have citizens to protect. Don’t let your warrior’s shields waver, even if it costs your life!
“Prepare for ignition! Smash!”
With the vampires stopped, we hit them with oil bags. They burst on contact, covering them in the stuff. Even those that miss splash all over the ground. Good, now ignite! Even normal oil becomes magical when lit with mana. Thus, it works wonders against vampires.
“Time for a hunt! Forward!”
Hatchet in hand, I proceed into the fire. I drive my blade into a writhing vampire’s neck, again and again. Damn, some blood got in my eye.
“Gah!”
Something impacts my stomach. A knee? My body rises slightly in the air. The monster’s still so strong, despite being half decapitated. The difference in resilience between our species has never been more evident.
“Rahhh!”
I drive my fist into the hatchet stuck in its neck. Once, twice, three times and it severs. How do you like that? I won’t back down, not even for a second. We are the fireproof soldiers! We receive the God of war and fire’s blessing with our whole bodies and wade into battle. Humanity’s survival depends on us.
“Anyone wounded?” I call. A few report light wounds. Two have lost their dominant arm. Battles against vampires are never an overwhelming victory for us. Our tactics may outclass them, but... we still lost one man. His head was bitten right off. I offer a short, silent prayer for my fallen brother, then quickly open my eyes. The demon’s voice rumbles.
“You men, help move the wounded. Relieve those who are still fighting. Tie them to your backs with rope—”
“Captain! More enemies!”
“Damn! It never ends!”
About a hundred vampires stand at the end of the avenue. That’s too many. It’s time for a decision. I look at my men—fire burns in their eyes. They shake their heads.
All right, we’ll make our stand here, so the citizens and injured can escape.
“Let’s do this! Let your spirits burn, so that we may continue to fight under Lady Kuroi’s command!”
Here they come, the man-eating monsters. They charge, vulgar smiles plastered across their faces. Bring it; come to us! Taste the blade of humanity!
Hm? A rumbling shakes the ground—the sound of galloping horses... Cavalry. Bomber Knights burst into the avenue via an intersection. Fifty men? Oh, I see Marius at their center. Is that his squad? They charge the vampires from the rear, ready to pierce right down the middle.
“Move to the sides! Make way! Defensive formations!” I order.
The cavalry run right through, whooping and yelling; they’re so fast and intense. Swords, spears, fire bombs, and flame canisters make up their attacks. They cut through the enemy easily.
Heh! Marius, the idiot. Of course he winks at me as he passes.
“Form a line! Shields up! Throw your fire! Make them burn and scream!”
Once the last rider is through, we form up and block off the avenue. What we lack in men, we make up for with blazing fire. Our spirits high, we draw the enemy’s attention. If they chase after Marius, it’ll be chaos; horses aren’t meant for the tight streets of urban warfare.
Then again, I suppose my concern was unfounded. I feel a fiery spirit from behind me.
“Out of the way!” shouts Marius.
House Willow’s cavalry tactics are impressive, charging again so quickly. Their blades flash as their rush of destruction commences. And then, in the blink of an eye, it’s over. The least we can do is finish off the stragglers.
“Captain Zakkow!”
“Yo, Marius. How goes the battle?”
I wipe away my sweat. If not for his help, we would have been goners. We spread out in order to save the citizens while taking out vampires, but this strategy is really testing our fortunes. Battles like this are happening all over the city.
“We’ve shaved down most of their main force, but now that thing is back.” He’s looking at the demon. We’re all looking up at it, but it never looks down at us. I don’t think we or even the vampires register in its eyes. “The battlefield is disjointed, chaotic, and scattered. The vampires are unusually excited, as well. You could even call them crazed. I’ve heard reports of them killing each other.”
“Drunk on blood, perhaps? Or are they overjoyed in the demon’s presence?”
“...Perhaps they are sad to see just how small they really are.”
A demon is a giant monster, an avatar of violence. Yes, I see; that would certainly impress a sense of insignificance upon anyone. My hatchet would be less than a bug bite to it.
“Hmph... If that’s true, then they have no pride.”
Humans have always been powerless, but through hard work and teamwork, we have overcome our weakness to become warriors. Our wills have reached the heavens; look up, and you can see it. Yes, the demon is gigantic, but an unending volley of flames is launching at its terrible face. Spears—Lady Kuroi’s special fire magic—pierce, burn, and explode.
What a relief to see.
Take it! Take it, you evil creature! Those attacks are our rage incarnate. Behold, vampires, elves, demons, dragons, Demon God, and Dragon God—all who would belittle us—look and be afraid! This is humanity. Humans exist, and we are proud.
“Ha ha, that’s Lady Kuroi for you. Look, she’s luring out the demon again,” points out Marius.
“This is a good time to evacuate.”
“Yes, my brothers are probably on their way to assist us.”
“The eastern gate is closest. Can I ask you to take care of the western gate?”
“Roger. Good luck to you!”
“And to you!”
Run! Hurry forward—there’s no time to waste. Just a little longer. Our luck isn’t the greatest, but it can at least hold out until this operation is done. Even if our fortune does run out, there will be warriors to take our place. After all, there is a battlefield after death. Ah, how blessed are we. I can fight without fear!