The Great Demon War ②

Third-person perspective.

[Darsalow Fortress]

A fierce exchange of magic unfolded at Darslow Fortress.

The human in charge of Darslow Keep, the eldest magic-user among humans, surpassing even the elves, is the venerable Ronant.

And deployed were the disciples under the tutelage of the aged Ronant.

The human race's premier magical combat unit could have been said to be concentrated at this fortress.

The demonic army facing them was the Sixth Army, led by Hyui.

Hui was also among the most exceptional mages within the demon army.

The legion led by Hyuui was likewise proficient in magical combat.

The battle was evenly matched.

Against the magically superior race of demons, humanity fights using the geographical advantage of fortresses.

The fiends excelled through their own strength. The humans, through terrain advantage.

The flashy exchange of magic was merely a facade.

Behind the scenes, both sides measured the timing to unleash their ultimate large-scale magic.

In large-scale wars where armies clashed, large-scale anti-army magic held significant strategic value.

These spells existed within advanced magic skill sets and could not be activated by a single caster without exceptional talent.

Thus, several assistants equipped with the Support Spellcraft skill were required, transferring mana via the Mana Transfer skill to enable execution.

And given the scale of such large-scale spellcraft, even elite mages with Spell Pattern Detection could perceive it.

Once the nature of an opponent's spell was identified—whether offensive or defensive—countermeasures could be prepared.

Therefore, assembling mages of various elemental affinities became a necessity for mobilizing an army.

As a result, even if a great spell boasts immense power, it is frequently thwarted when cast casually.

Great spells consume vast amounts of mana, making repeated casting impractical.

To be effective, a great spell must either exceed the opponent's expectations in power, penetrate defenses entirely, or be constructed and fired at a speed that leaves no time for defense—alternatively, it must exploit an unexpected variable.

However, increasing power is not easily achieved.

The speed of spell construction converges among those classified as top-tier mages, resulting in similar execution times.

Success is rare unless the opponent is significantly weaker.

Therefore, the only viable option remains outmaneuvering the opponent.

The application of magic in combat reduces to a single principle: how to deliver a great spell effectively against an enemy.

To drive the great spell home, one must read the opponent’s great spell and prevent one’s own from being read in turn.

The true battlefield for armies centered on magic is this concealed struggle to anticipate each other’s moves.

That was the expectation.

By the time Hyui realized this truth, the situation had already tilted significantly.

Hyui, a mage of high skill, had focused more on reading the opponent’s great spell than on command.

Normally, this approach was correct.

But the opponent was an exceptionally experienced mage, considered among the best of the human race.

Though appearing youthful and boyish in appearance, Hyui, a demon of long lifespan compared to humans, had lived for a considerable time.

Even so, this time the opponent proved too formidable.

Old Ronant deviated from conventional tactics, using grand magic as bait while gradually weakening the demon army through precision strikes with low-tier spells.

Ronant and his disciples had devoted years to refining the potency of low-tier magic.

Normally, such magic cannot achieve this level of power.

The spell matrices cannot withstand the required force.

Moreover, low-power spells cannot fully overcome an opponent’s resistance.

At best, they cause minor injuries.

Ronant shattered this convention.

He focused his training exclusively on reinforcing spell matrices.

Strengthened matrices enabled the casting of more powerful magic, and allowed previously impossible enhancements to low-tier spells.

As a result, even low-tier spells now achieved sufficient force to inflict fatal wounds on high-resistance demons.

Lorant the Elder used this method to train disciples, enabling them to achieve high power from low-tier spells.

The attack, believed to be merely a deterrent, actually carried lethal force.

Lorant the Elder directed Hyui’s awareness toward a grand spell, deliberately preventing full comprehension of its limits.

By the time Hyui realized it, the legion had already suffered damage beyond disregard.

"Damn it!"

"Lord Hyui, retreat!"

Hyui considers.

If he retreats now, will that demon lord forgive him?

No.

That demon lord would not allow it.

The enemy's losses were minimal compared to their own.

Achieving the quota was unlikely.

Therefore, compensation for the shortfall would be demanded.

That demon lord was such a being.

"Retreat is not possible."

"Why! If we continue like this, losses will only increase!"

"It can't be done! That's all!"

The副官 did not understand the situation.

Not knowing, he could speak of retreat.

Hyoui's frustration grew toward the ignorant副官.

"Use a great spell. Provide support."

"Using a great spell now is meaningless! Retreat!"

"Provide support."

The command left no room for argument. Silence fell around Hyoui.

"Quickly assist me!"

Furious, Hyoui stamped his foot.

That was Hyoui's final action.

A long-range assassination spell pierced Hyoui's forehead.

A high-impact shot, precisely targeting only the commander.

Lonaut's attack—having detected the enemy lines in disarray, exploiting every opening.

The spell's power, the mana expended, the complexity of the casting formula—by all measures, it was a long-range sniper spell equivalent to a high-tier spell.

Hyoui ended his life at the hands of Lonaut's concealed technique.