The Demon War ④

[Hero Julius]

Cut down the demons attacking from the front.

We operated as a guerrilla unit, striking from the flank against the demon army advancing on the fortress.

At first, we had been defending from the fortress walls, but we judged that continuing like that would lead to exhaustion, so we decided to go on the offensive.

Our forces were still capable, but the other units were beginning to falter.

Therefore, we attempted to break through the demon line.

If successful, we might reach the demon commander's position directly.

If we could eliminate the commander, the tide of battle could shift.

A demon shouting something in demon tongue, charging with sword drawn.

I do not understand demon language, but I sever the demon's body in two, along with the incoming blade.

Proceed forward.

The demon before me hastily raises its shield.

Swinging the sword horizontally without slowing, aimed at the shield.

The shield and the demon behind it split cleanly in two.

All charging demons are severed in a single stroke.

Some demons begin to retreat.

"Clear the way! We do not pursue fleeing targets!"

Shouting with faint hope.

Yet no demon fled.

"No, Julius. Speaking in human tongue won’t reach them, I think?"

Reston’s calm observation made me feel slightly uneasy, despite being on the battlefield.

"Still, the threat seems effective."

Glancing around, the surrounding demons encircle us but hesitate to attack.

"Terrified of Julius’s absurd strength, that’s what it is."

"Would be faster if you just stepped back."

The demon circle splits at my mutter.

From within, one demon advances toward me.

"A hero, then?"

"Coming all this way to ask in human tongue. Yes. I am the hero. Julius Zagan Anarait."

The demon man nods once, slowly drawing his sword.

"I am General Broth of the Seventh Demon Army. Hero. Let us settle this fairly."

"Accepted."

We lock eyes.

The surrounding demons, our allies, all hold their breath—watching the one-on-one duel between the demon general and me.

The first to move is the general known as Broth.

A diagonal slash.

I raise my blade in response.

Our swords collide.

Despite my full-force strike, I cannot cut through Broth’s blade.

Forced to rely on raw power, I push Broth back.

"Hey, that demon stopped Julius's sword?"

"That demon's quite the monster, isn't it?"

I press the attack as Broth staggers from the blow.

Broth decides to avoid the sword strike—judging it too dangerous.

But that won't be enough.

I release the holy light coiled along my blade.

The holy light strikes Broth like a cutting shockwave, forcing him to dodge.

To my surprise, Broth blocks it with his sword.

Broth regains his footing.

I wrap the holy light around my blade once more.

Simultaneously, I deploy ten holy light spheres.

"Julius has gone serious."

"Means the opponent's real, then."

The holy light spheres drift around me.

I send commands to each one.

Then I launch them toward Broth.

Each sphere moves by my will alone.

They pursue regardless of evasion, relentless in their advance.

Broth appears poised to intercept the approaching holy light spheres.

The first holy light sphere collides with Broth's sword.

At that instant, the sphere disperses destructive light across the surrounding area.

Broth is struck directly by the impact and thrown backward.

The remaining holy light spheres detonate without mercy.

I maintain my sword stance, scanning the surroundings.

The demon forces stare in disbelief.

Their comrade remains calm, as if this outcome were expected.

"Still... not yet."

I return my gaze to the voice.

To my surprise, Broth stands once more, blood streaming from every part of his body.

The wounds heal rapidly.

No magical activation is perceptible—this is not a healing spell.

Likely, a skill involving mana restoration or vitality recovery was used to mend the injuries.

"Pushing yourself is unwise. You should already understand the difference in strength."

"Not finished yet! If I go back like this, I won't be able to face my elder brother!"

So, this man has an elder brother.

I have one too.

But more than anything, I feel like I'm Shin's older brother.

As an elder brother, I should want my younger sibling to return safely rather than push themselves too hard.

That's how it should be.

"If you have a sibling, you especially can't die here. Withdraw. Don't pursue further."

"I can't withdraw!"

Blow charges forward.

I strike Blow down, sword and all.

Holy light shatters Blow's body without mercy.

Yet Blow rises again.

Again and again.

Until, finally, it ends.

Blow's recovery ceases.

"End of the line."

"Not... yet... I... can't... give... up..."

"End of the line. I warned you. You ignored the warning. You lost."

I approach Blow quietly.

Slowly raise the sword. Bring it down.

"Chi...ku... shō... a... ni..."

Fragmented words spoken in demon tongue.

Yet I understand the meaning, somehow.

A bitter feeling rises.

But mercy is unnecessary toward an enemy.

Silence settles among the demons.

From within, a figure steps forward.

It was white.

Only that description fits—a white girl.

And her closed eyes slowly open.