The icy wind at the top of the wall hit with force; the smell of blood permeated the air while the sounds of lament and steel flooded Ethan's ears.
Marcus was held with his wrists tied to a metal post. The fingers of his hands had disappeared, leaving only the thumb of each hand.
Blood trickled down the post while groans of pain escaped from his mouth. However, a subtle smile was drawn on his face, though it was covered with wounds.
"Hehehe, you are an idiot, Ethan." His blood-covered eyes observed the battle below. "Your stupid tactic only inspired my soldiers. You have truly presented me with a great view. Ahaha."
Cough, cough.
The void army retreated desperately to hide behind the wall.
Sigh.
Ethan shook his head and discarded the dagger in his hands.
At that moment, Malphas, covered in wounds and blood, his suit torn and his mask semi-destroyed to reveal a world of darkness, presented himself.
His always straight back bent slightly in a bow.
"My lord... the situation is critical. The legion has been reduced to a breaking point. We have lost more than half of our men in the retreat. The survivors are exhausted, without mana to continue the fight."
Ethan turned quickly toward Malphas, giving his back to Marcus.
"And Seraphina!?" His normally calm voice sounded severe and full of urgency.
"She continues fighting alone at the front... She will not last long, my lord." Malphas paused, his eyes rising for an instant. "She is at her limit."
A hoarse laugh followed by an uncontrolled cough escaped Marcus's lips. Blood gushed from his mouth, but he continued laughing with gusto.
"I knew it... I knew it..." Marcus coughed. "They are only a group of peasants playing at being soldiers. They are doomed, Thorne. Hahah."
Ethan's fists clenched with force. He turned again and struck.
The metal post where the inspector was held trembled from the impact.
Ethan's face darkened when a rusty sword appeared in his hands and he placed it against Marcus's neck.
Ethan's lips trembled slightly before speaking. "Do not forget that I still have your life in my hands, Marcus..."
The inspector smiled. "And so what? You can kill me, but then you will also die. Of course, you will see all the people you dragged with you perish first."
Malphas clenched his teeth and aimed his shadows.
"Insolent!"
"Stop!" roared Ethan.
He frowned, pushed the sword aside, and headed to the edge of the wall. He stroked the purple veins that ran through the stone while he observed the field.
The first floodgate was closing behind the last soldiers. Seraphina still fought like a storm, destroying innumerable warriors.
The gigantic flesh golem that Malphas summoned did the same at another point. However, it was already about to fall.
Sigh.
"Let's make a deal, Marcus." His voice sounded cold again. "We do not have to continue this." He turned and walked until stopping to look the inspector in the eyes.
"Your life in exchange for you ordering the retreat... Of course, you could go with them if you accept it." The power of the void swirled over his body. "If you refuse, I will make sure to make you suffer until the end."
Marcus's body shuddered. He hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.
"Okay."
...
In the esplanade, the S-class heroine remained on her knees for quite some time. Her greatsword was still stuck in the ground and terror was engraved in her eyes.
"Monster..."
Her companion's body was still at her side; his heart had stopped several minutes ago, resting outside his body.
She got up without even looking at him and walked heavily in the opposite direction of the battle.
Her teeth clenched, her fists trembled, and her greatsword dragged over the gravel.
The wounds on her body were not that serious. However, the fear and doubt persisted in her mind.
´Why, why, why?´
The soldiers walked around her, some resolute, others trembling.
"They are all dead..." a whisper escaped from her dry lips. Her gaze fixed on the sky. "I should be dead... Then why do I remain alive?"
´See you later?´ She clenched her teeth. "She let me live..." Her trembling hand covered her mouth. ´Does she truly believe I will return?´
In the background, a great roar resonated like lightning; the soldiers' cries reached her ears while bodies were sent flying, each one connected by a powerful electrical current.
The heroine shuddered. Her step hurried when, suddenly, a soldier stopped in front of her.
"My lady, Ema." The soldier bowed.
´Lady?´ She blinked and looked at the soldier.
"Situation report!"
´It's true, I'm in command... I must make them retreat.´ Ema was about to order when a sudden smile on the soldier's face stopped her.
"Victory is on our side."
´WHAT?´ Ema frowned. "Report."
"The enemy has been reduced to less than half; the survivors retreat behind the walls. The shadow demon finished many soldiers. However, he was cornered and forced to retreat. A flesh summoning rises in his place. Although it will take time, we can take care of it."
She opened her eyes. "And the valkyrie!?" she asked with impatience.
"She... is sweeping through our army in the center." The soldier paused for a moment. "But not even a monster like her will last long. Her energy is exhausting fast. Soon she will fall under our spears... Maybe, if we use—"
Ema sighed and put her hand to her head. "Silence."
After a moment, she observed her trembling hands.
´The situation is too favorable... Did I get carried away by fear?´
Upon lifting her gaze, the soldier was still there, waiting for her orders.
Then, the sound of a strong cough resonated over the field, attracting the attention of Ema and her soldiers.
A moment later, a familiar voice boomed in every corner of the valley.
"Soldiers of Aleskra!"
´Marcus.´
The silence lasted a few seconds and then the words came out in a hurry.
"LISTEN! THE ENEMY IS BROKEN AND DESPERATE, FINISH THEM, DESTROY THE WALL, DEST-"
The transmission cut off abruptly, leaving the world in silence.
However, the doubt disappeared.
Ema turned toward her soldier, breathed deep, and spoke: "Bring the ram, summon the golem. We cannot return without victory. Move!"
At the other point of the field, the figure covered in lightning ruthlessly slaughtered innumerable enemies.
Her mere presence tore the flesh of those surrounding her while she advanced; seas of bodies fell around her.
Seraphina stabbed with her spear at the front, from one side to another, stopping each group of soldiers that tried to approach the gates.
Only when the first gate closed did she stop. She looked at the top of the wall and an almost imperceptible smile was drawn on her face.
"It is enough now."
In the following instant, she launched herself toward the enemies; this time her energy was decreasing until the lightning disappeared.