Through out the streets of Aluteria and several villages near the Northern Border, a rumor about a man with priestly robes with a child are bringing alarming stories as the demon army appearing there are being chase out and some of them are running toward the human settlements, not to terrorize, but to plea for help. Some of the sentient demons are speaking directly to ask for help.
"Help... Us! Help!!" A squid looking demon bleeding from its injuries are asking help from a patrol of Adventurers as one of them tries to slay him but the man who catch him stops his comrade from doing so. "Hey man a demon is asking for help..." But before he finish what he is saying, the man in the rumors appears in front of them, slowly approaching them while a child and an armored man are looking at the back.
"Hello good fellows. If you don't mind." The priest looking man suddenly appears in front of them and violently grabs the demon's head and it contorts and spins so violently that the demon's blood splatter over the patrol. They flee in horror as Soli is just remaining with the same facial expression through out the whole event, smiling with that unnatural smile.
"Come here my friends. I certainly believe that we do need to teach them that true beauty is to be good and remain good, don't you agree?" Soli ask as Louis, a kid that he's looking for before, nods and the armored man steps in as well. "Yes, we need to show them the real beauty." The armored man answers as Soli happily continues to walk toward the nearby village.
"Tell me Mr. Knight. Do you believe that love is one of the most beautiful thing around? I do think so, but how about you... What's your name again?" Soli ask as they are walking through an upward slope. "I... Am Lenny. Yes I believe that love is the most beautiful thing."
Soli uses Lenny like a puppet on a multiple limb leash while he maintains the man's brain, particularly his mind, intact while he make both Louis and Lenny submissive to him. The three of them takes a leisurely stroll outside the said village as they are looking for the next monster they can prey on. This events have set several alarm for the Heralds of the Demon Lord to act in accordance to their return.
"Our Demon Lord is not pleased with what is happening. Is this monster wearing a man's face gonna slaughter us? We need to prepare against it!" A Herald sitting in a skeletal horse ask of his comrades as the demons cheer and agrees. "If we're gonna have to kill this being, we need more blood and flesh to make demons with." A hooded figure holding a crystal ball advices as the rider agrees to the suggestion.
"Since we are coming from northern and eastern side, I highly advice for us to divide and terrorize more of humans and mixed race within the borders." A succubus states as she is sitting in a red couch while she is bathing in the moonlight. She then put her right palm upwards and a hologram like image appears.
"If we move our activities eastward, we can avoid alarming much of the Kingdom's Holy Knight defence as they have an ongoing trouble with the elites at the Eastern and Southern borders. Something we are handling out." The succubus add as she feels an incoming telephatic communication from one of her minion from the southern border.
"Speak..." The succubus ask as the other demons and the three Heralds quiet down while the succubus is listening to what the culprit says. She nods and she later speaks. "Then you need to use the orcs and the wyvern. You can use the elven slaves and the thunder sprite to deal with that infiltrator." The succubus answers as the telephatic communication disappears.
"What's going on Harker?" The man in hood ask his fellow Herald. "Just an annoying fly the Kingdom sent to deal with the annoying nobles in Kairan. Honestly I would like them dying there as they have already did there purpose, but I bet the other Herald will not let this pass." Harker answers the hooded man's question. "So what are your plans, Conquer? Trismegistus?" Harker ask for the other two's plan, namely the hooded man Trismegistus and the rider named Conquer.
"I'll try to see if the being in the rumor is as powerful enough that he will resist my power. We need to stop that monster from killing our subjects." Conquer expresses his deep need to avenge some of his fallen demon comrades as they are suppose to be dormant at the moment. "Well if that's the case, I shall accompany you. I am curious as to what magic this man are pulling off." Trismegistus says as he wants to join the rider in his plight.
"Well do your best holding the Northern Border then." Harker says as she transform into bats flying through the moonlit sky.
Conquer then commands his horse, Blazer, to turn and go out of the abandoned castle they are having a meeting with. "I do really want you to know that I can't tolerate people that are holding me back!" The Herald Rider says as he points out to Trismegistus.
"Yeah yeah, I'll help you and all."
Trismegistus answers as his crystal ball that is a size of a basketball rattles as the two leaves. In the midst of these events, Mayuri have manage to reach her destination as a trail of blood is pouring down from her dagger as several bodies are already lying from the entrance. She feels the weight of what she is doing, but her mind is constantly repulsing the whole event.
"You lot aren't gonna survive like that?" Her dead expressive eyes are tipping off the basic grunts working for the elites of Kairan are being forced to do their bidding. Mayuri manage to eliminate the guards that are protecting these elites. Mayuri then sees the fear showing in their eyes. "Lets end this farce right now." Mayuri mutters to herself as she dashes through the guards trying to stop her but her bodies slides off.
The noble residing in this house are trembling in fear as the guards are rushing in to defend him. Mayuri continues to hunt as Gran and Gina are standing in front of Princess Lucy as Gran wants to speak first.
"Hello your Highness. What is it that I can be of service for you?" Gran ask in such a formal way that Gina doesn't want to show but she also wants to follow suit. "Mr. Gran... I summon you here due to one of my, lets just say an employee ask about something. This is a perfect time as you also have the Leader in question as well." Lucy leans her chin on her palm as she looks at the two.
"If I may speak Your Highness. What is it you need of us?" Gina ask as she bows her head a little while putting her right hand to her chest. Lucy giggles a little as she answers. "Please break up with that man." The princess commands as she points to Gran. Their eyes widen as they look at the princess. "What?" The couple ask as they want to know more.
"Well the one who put me in this situation is a girl named Mayuri. She comes to me asking if she can be of use to me, and I put her to a good work." The princess explains as Gina stands back and slams her hands to her desk. "What work did you happen to ask of her?" She says as her murderous aura emanates through the room. Gran tries to calm her down by rubbing her back.
"Why she ask you that? It isn't like her at all." Gran says but he knows that she may request it to separate them. "Yeah, that's so out of character of her. Also, why she goes here? Where do you send her?" Gina aggressively ask as Lucy stands and looks away to her guests as Van, the Sword Saint, enters the room. "Hey, long time no see." Van greets Gran when he looks to the door.
"Oh hey..." Gran curtly says while Gina is getting the feeling that the entire situation is getting out of hand as she needs to calm down. She inhale and exhale and proceed to slap her face to reorient herself. "I apologize about how I act Your Highness. I am... Very emotional earlier." Gina says as Gran remains quiet.
"Apologies as well. I never meant to rail you up like that." The royalty apologizes as her tone finally becomes serious. "I meant to honor Mayuri's wish though. Right now she is engaging the nobles at the Southern Border of this kingdom as we speak." The princess explains as Gina's eyes widen and got surprised.
"What's the reason you sent her there? Does she willingly do it?" Gina ask as he fist tighten. She doesn't want to accept the fact that she willingly return to her old profession as she can't accept her relationship with Gran. The Exorcist just stand right there as he feels that this is very personal for Gina.
"Yes, in fact she's the one who approach us. I expect for her to succeed as she's very much a capable adventurer, you can vouch for that, right?" The Princess says as she looks at Gina's expression.
"I understand. But still..."
As soon as Gina say that, Lucy receive a report from a pigeon that landed in her window sill. When she opens the letter put in the bird's right foot, she get serious and she wants to change topics immediately. "I'm sorry my guests. It seems the issue at Kairan is much dire than I anticipate. It seems we are gonna be dealing a more pressing issue soon." Lucy says as Van ask what's going on. Gran and Gina remains silent as they just want to spectate for the moment.
"It seems a powerful monster appears in Kairan. We sent the Rogue there to dispatch of it, but a powerful demon guard the said noble and they need a back up." Lucy details as Van quickly leaves the room as it's Gina's turn for clarification. "Your Highness, what's the meaning of this?"
"We need to help your friend there. I talk to the Oracle several days ago and she said that a powerful threat will appear. She says the Northern Border, but I can't dismiss the fact that it may move everywhere." Lucy sits down to her comfy chair but beset by an uncomfortable situation. "Kairan? Got it. We will be heading there now." Gina says as Gran ask one thing.
"Well, do we need to have a ride? I want to have them involved." Gran suggests as he points outside. He is referring to Veronica and Rinko. Gina nods as they move out. Princess Lucy is left alone with a headache and she calls for her servant. "Please make me your best chamomile tea."
As soon as the couple leaves the great mansion they look for Veronica and Rinko, who are hanging out in the cafe still. Gina calls them out with a hand gesture and when the two gets out, Gina explain the situation to them.
"Aren't the situation dire?" Rinko expresses as Veronica whistle so loud that anybody in that street hears her. "Yeah, I'll bail her out and stop this madness." Gina says ad she's looking down, thinking what she needs to say to convince Mayuri to return. Gran gets close to her back to back as he gives her an idea. "Don't think about it too much. You must believe on the bond that you two have. Also, the whole party is here as well." Gran states as Gina raises her face and look up instead.
"You think I can do this?" Gina ask as she is doubting her own capability to lead due to this turn of events. "Remember this my love, I believe in the Mentor that teaches me before, never doubt yourself." Gran answers as Gina finally orient her face forward, flashing a determination in her face.
"You're right, even before I met you I am facing this kind of hurdles. I shall be the top Adventurer my Father will be proud off!" Gina declares as the renewed determination lit a fire inside her heart. Gran subtly smiles as Faffy flies out and carefully landing on the street, startling the populace and the patrol guards.
"Valkyries listen up! We will get back our own comrade whether she likes it or not? Rinko! Veronica! Are you with me!" Gina ask confidently as the girls looks at her and smiles and looking at each other.
"Yes Leader! We will get her back even in the end of this world!"
As both of them replies they hop on Faffy's back as Gran embark last. Veronica commands her dragon to fly out and head to the southern city of Kairan.
Meanwhile...
Mayuri have manage to corner and points her blade to the corrupt noble's throat as she ask him everything he knows. She is trying to get more information out of him as she falsely guarantee that if he talks, his life will be spared.
"I don't know really that much! There is this woman that paid us to withhold supporting the crown as they're saying that the crown will use it to persecute even those who aren't fully loyal to them!" The noble says as Mayuri take an inch deeper to his throat, making the skin bleeds as she continues the interrogation. Outside her peripheral vision is somebody entering the said house while the dead guards are suddenly standing up again.
"Ahh... Smells like a perfect person to have an experiment with. Such splendid work of art you did here." The tall person admires Mayuri's handiwork when she slay those protecting the target as a thunder sprite appears on his right side and fires up the little rods poking through his head. "This is no time to admire them. Go have the bodies stand up and fight the assassin again." The thunder sprite speaks in a monotonous tone as the tall man laughs that follows up with a cough.
"I hope that Harker will let me play with her again. Hehehehe." The tall man says as he steps out of the shade and he shows his patchwork face and existence itself. "I, Yegor, will start the experiment."
As soon as he say that he extend his hands out and several magic circle appears from his hands. The dead guards rises up again as a zombie and they start cumbering and groaning in horror. "My brethren, lets start the attack." Yegor commands as the zombies starts walking back inside the mansion. Meanwhile all of this are happening, Mayuri knock out the noble instead of outright killing him as she wants to extract more information from him.
"That's strange, where the heck are the bodies?" Mayuri ask herself out loud as soon as she steps out of the noble's room and sees that the guards she slaughter in the hall are all gone. The only thing left there are the blood stains and splatters that she made along the way. Due to this irregular occurence she restrain the hands, arm and foot of the noble and she drops him back to his room. She lock it down as she is very wary of what is going on.
Mayuri then starts quietly walking back to the hallway and back to the lobby. She hears several breathing heavily across the said hallway, and she puts her hand on the wall.
"Okay I sense that there is some people waiting through the rooms, why are they standing there and nothing doing anything?" The green haired Rogue ask herself again as she feels the presence of numerous people inside the rooms. She tries to sneak past by walking carefully and silently.
She manage to reach the end of the hallway, only to see somebody hiding and waiting for her. "What the..." She expresses as she jumps out on the opposite direction and the doors suddenly opens. The tall, monstrous being named Yegor starts smiling as he hears the zombies getting out of the room and clamor to Mayuri.
"Welcome! You must be the assassin? I never imagine that you are a beauty yourself. Unfortunately your time in this world have come to an end." Yegor says as the slow moving zombies starts rushing in to the Rogue. Instead of waiting she jumps back to the wide lobby as she prepares her weapons to fight them on.
"Are you a human or a mixed race? Doing something like this is prohibited you know?" Mayuri ask as the zombies starts falling and some of them starts running through the stairs instead. "Tch, this will be troublesome." She then swipes through the nearest zombie as she slice its head off in a single, clean motion. The setting sun is being apparent as the shadow is slowly covering the place while she keeps slashing and killing the zombies, only to see the unfairness Yegor applied to them.
"Tell me, do you enjoy battle of attrition? Because you'll be in for a hell of a night!" The patch faced monster ask as the thunder sprite that is clinging beside him starts helping the zombies. "Hey! You're awfully loyal for that pig! Are you hired for the money? Because that employer of your is dead!" Mayuri calls for a bluff as she wants to get some rest as the zombies are still flooding her space as she keeps slicing and slaughtering their ranks, only for them to stand back up again with their dead bodies intact.
"Dark spells and Necromancy. The Kingdom banned this alongside slavery and human experimentations. How the hell somebody survived the assassinations Mom and Pops done before? I witness the last of Necromancer die by their blades..." Mayuri's mind are running thoughts of how such a nefarious spell is being practice and being used against her. She later feels her Mana depleting as the zombie still keeps going onto her.
"Guess I have no choice but to go all in..." Mayuri says as she sees the sprite shoots several lightning shots on her. She concentrate her Mana on her legs as she dodge and sweeps through the lobby as she jumps through the zombies heads like skipping rocks on a flowing stream and she jumps to the second floor where she comes earlier and brandishes her dagger to slice the sprite first.
"You'll going down first!" Mayuri declares as she raise and vertically slice the thunder sprite in four. Yegor catch the slice as the fingers falls and the sprite fires a fast lightning bolt on her. She defends herself but she is sent back to the lobby's floor as her arms are stinging with the electricity. The sprite is preparing to fire again, but this time Mayuri decides to fight asymmetrically.
She grabs the nearest zombie and she use her arms to throw it to the said sprite. It zaps the zombie as it falls to the ground again, and this time Mayuri follows suit to slash the sprite. Yegor finally decides to become a proper bodyguard and block the slash with his coat and he reveals his patched body. By parrying Mayuri's dagger, he follows up with a right hook, which now the Rogue evades but still hits her right arm that she used to try slashing the sprite.
"Crap!"
The Rogue feels the intensity of the hit as even if he miss, she is still sent spinning as she properly lands to a bunch of zombies, which she dispatch when she lands. She perform several slashing moves as she lands and their blood splatters, but she know that this effort against the moving corpses are useless due to the active Necromancy Yegor have cast into them.
"You! Are you a survivor of a Necromancy practitioner?! You should be long dead! My parents have made sure you lot are dead." Mayuri questions the patchwork monster as it just tilts his head and the thunder sprite fills him out about the situation about the Necromancy in this world.
"Necromancers and such are killed by the Kingdom as a way to secure the peace of the throne decades ago. It is also been banned to be practiced as well." - Thunder Sprite.
"What? Why? Necromancy is such a good thing! You can make somebody dance..." Yegor express out while he grab a dead guard and he dance with it for a short time.
"You can also make it do whatever you want." Yegor adds as he stops and points to the green haired Rogue and it walks toward its certain fall. Mayuri doesn't get any straight answers as she feels her Mana in a critically low state and she feels her right arm numb.
"Damn! I got careless again... Is this my fate? Maybe this is it." Mayuri thinks as she looks back and seeing the zombies are trying to grab her. She turns around to slice them up, then she hears something heavy drops to the ground. She turns her head so see that Yegor and the sprite are on the other side. Her situation is too dire as she is now surrounded with no way to run.
"I guess this is it... Mom, Pops..."
But before her resignation to fate ends, something comes crashing down through the ceiling. It violently burst out as it hits the zombies as a loud blast destroy that portion of the house. Mayuri faces the one who cause it, and her face and her expression glows up as her tears well up.
"Are you okay Mayuri? You're not injured or anything?" A familiar voice ask the green haired Rogue and then a powerful spell shoots from outside and it burns several zombies that survive from that initial strike.
"She's there Leader?" A pink haired mage ask as the timid shield bearer stands between Mayuri and the patchwork monster.
"She's here Veronica!" The shield bearing girl replies as Gina reorient her spear by spinning it out and declares.
"Good, then Valkyries... Is now assembled and ready to kick ass!"