The aftermath of the battle was chaotic. Demon citizens cautiously emerged from their hiding places, gathering to witness the destruction that had unexpectedly brought terror upon their city. The faint glow of fires illuminated the devastated streets of Albille, and whispers slowly filled the air.
Above, in the dark, cloud-covered sky, shapes began to appear, strange silhouettes descending closer with each passing moment.
Five colossal airships descended from the clouds, their enormous shadows covering the land below. Their wooden and steel hulls were reinforced with ancient magic, while glowing crystals and carved runes pulsed with blue mana, keeping the massive vessels suspended in the sky.
As they lowered toward the ground, the air itself seemed to grow heavier. Powerful winds swept across the area, scattering dust and forcing the crowd to step back. The hum of their magical engines echoed through the surroundings as the ships slowly landed, their impact shaking the earth beneath them. For a moment, everything went silent.
The people could only stare at the towering vessels before them. A single airship represented wealth and power, but five arriving together was... unusual.
Othid, the General of the 1st Army, stepped out first. His towering figure and bulky, muscular physique made him impossible to ignore. He had short black hair and a jagged scar running across his left eye. He wore a jet-black royal military uniform adorned with intricate designs and gleaming gold medals.
Behind him, a line of commanders and guards followed. Finally, they stopped and lined up in front of the crowd as Othid stepped forward.
"My dear people," his deep voice rang out, "I offer my sincerest apologies for the destruction brought upon the beautiful city of Albille."
His gaze swept across the gathered citizens.
"I, Othid, son of Dyon and one of the Five Generals, vow that destruction like this will never happen again. Every piece of damage will be paid for by the kingdom."
Although slow at first, the crowd began to cheer and clap for the general. However, some uncertainty still lingered among them. Othid observed the crowd with his hands crossed behind his back.
"The kingdom owes you an explanation for this cruel destruction of such a beautiful city."
His calm voice dropped.
"There was a gold delivery today from the capital. Unfortunately, a prisoner had secretly infiltrated the airship and escaped, forcing us to chase after him. He eventually found refuge within this city, and our men were unable to capture him. During the pursuit, serious damage was caused to the city's infrastructure, and many innocent lives were lost, along with the lives of brave soldiers."
"The prisoner in question is a highly dangerous human mage. If you happen to see him or possess any valuable information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the local authorities. More detailed information about him will be provided as soon as possible."
Othid closed his eyes for a brief moment and took a deep breath.
"I trust that when we next meet, it will be under better circumstances. Perhaps even to celebrate a great event."
With that, he signaled to his men, and they began returning to the airships. The crowd erupted into cheers once again, clapping harder and shouting with excitement while chanting Othid's name.
From the airships, groups of soldiers began deploying into the city. Alongside them, they carried wooden boxes filled with supplies and other necessities.
The citizens remained still for a long moment, their thoughts racing with questions about what they had just witnessed. Slowly, the streets began to empty, and the night grew quiet once again.