Chapter 693

All sensation snapped back into focus the very next moment.

Crunch—

Ian’s back slammed into something solid as he was hurled backward. The lack of pain was likely due to the crushing dizziness and cold flooding over him instead.

"Ian!" Thesaya’s voice barely reached his ears.

Only then did he realize she was holding him upright, almost embracing him as she supported his weight.

He was back in his body.

Whoosh—

As he gasped for breath, mist like heat haze spread from him.

—See? You made it back safely. I told you to trust me, my friend.

Yog’s weak whisper brushed his mind. Ian couldn’t respond. The world was still spinning, but more than that, his thoughts were elsewhere.

Did it subdue Akihatara using the power of an ancient god? Or....

His mind replayed what he had seen just before returning. It didn’t seem as though Dharmaraja was exerting direct control over Akihatara. The memory of the past vision, Dharmaraja appearing behind Akihatara, now carried new weight.

That explained the sheer number of monsters. Whether by choice or coercion, Akihatara had truly brought all of its vassals from the Black Lands.

Then does that mean the ruler of the Black Lands is now Dharmaraja?

It followed naturally that Dharmaraja hadn’t come along. There was no reason to. With the archdemons gone, it could finally unleash its madness without restraint.

The Black Lands would still swarm with the corrupted and demons, but none of them would pose a real challenge.

"Did you see that? That was insane!"

"Only the spellcasters are having all the fun. Damn it, we’re just sitting here watching!"

The explosions and flashes of light spreading from above became vivid, and loud and quiet exclamations from behind filled his ears. As the dizziness subsided, all his senses returned to their proper places.

"Don’t worry. No one noticed," Thesaya whispered.

Nila stood directly in front of him. Beside them, Moro snorted and turned its head away.

Only then did Ian realize he had collided with Moro’s flank.

"Right. Thanks for the support."

"Don't mention it." Thesaya looked up at him with a curious glint in her eyes. "So, how was it? It seemed like you went on quite an amazing adventure."

"I guess you heard the whispers."

As Ian curled one corner of his lips, Thesaya nodded. "Not all of it. It faded partway through, then I couldn’t hear anything."

"It was far more than—"

At Yog’s giggling, Ian, who was halfway answering, stopped and looked up.

Shouts spreading from atop the wall pierced his ears. Orders were being given to the soldiers with crossbows to fire. Fireballs rising from all over the sky were also shooting out wildly the moment they were formed, unlike before.

"Let’s go. This is something everyone needs to hear."

Narrowing his eyes, Ian slipped his arm free from Thesaya’s shoulders.

"Really? Alright," Thesaya answered with a look of anticipation, pulling her hood back on.

Ian turned and walked toward the front of Moro. Without breaking stride, he drew the Fang Greatsword from his pocket dimension and gripped its hilt.

Rrrrrk—

As the protruding blade scraped the ground where the snow was melting, the view hidden behind Moro opened.

What caught his eye before the legionnaires was the sacred fire, burning brighter and illuminating the surroundings.

—Of all times... can’t we just stay behind Moro a little longer, my friend?

Ignoring Yog’s groan, Ian strode forward. He fixed his gaze on the priests praying in a circle around the brazier and on Cherwyn, who had her arms raised high.

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The area where the legionnaires had gathered was bright as day, and the closer he drew, the more warmth seeped into him.

"Quiet!"

"Everyone up. He's here!"

The murmurs died instantly. Legionnaires who’d been lounging by wagons or sitting on the snow rose to their feet one after another. Stopping at a suitable distance, Ian looked back at them.

"As you can see, the garrison is holding for now. However, the number of monsters advancing is far greater than expected."

The return of color to the legionnaires' faces wasn't solely due to the light of the sacred fire. They had recovered a fair amount of stamina as well.

"Before long, they will reach the walls. We must prepare for battle as well. There will be those who come for us," said Ian.

The expressions of the mercenaries and defense forces stiffened at once. The barbarian warriors, who made up the majority, exchanged looks and nodded to one another.

"More than the last erosion?"

The question came with a hesitant raised hand. It was Volber.

Ian looked at him and nodded. "Yes, incomparably so."

"Damn it. And to think we have to stay put here..." Volber dropped his arm and grumbled, and other barbarians clicked their tongues or spat out curses in agreement.

The mercenaries and defense force soldiers looked back at them as if they were being ridiculous.

"But there’s a more serious problem than that."

Ian gestured for Mev, standing among the legionnaires, and Mukapa, waiting by the wagon, to come closer.

"Akihatara is advancing while hiding within the storm clouds. It may bypass the wall entirely and come straight for us."

Akihatara wasn’t hiding merely to conceal itself. It was expanding its domain. The proof lay in the way the area was steadily sinking into something closer to midnight than nightfall.

Once the region was fully absorbed into its territory, there would be no need for it to hide any longer.

By now, even the barbarian warriors were listening with grim expressions as Ian added, "If that happens, do not face it. Retreat in the opposite direction immediately."

Unlike the mercenaries and soldiers who nodded, the expressions of the barbarian warriors crumpled.

There was no need to wonder why. They didn’t want to look like cowards running away in front of Ian. Of course, Ian had already prepared a reason to silence any dissatisfaction.

"That thing is my prey." Ian’s eyes settled heavily on the legionnaires as he declared it. "I won’t allow anyone to steal my hunt. Nor will I allow anyone to die from foolish arrogance. If you have complaints, step forward and challenge me."

That was enough. Large and small grins spread across the faces of the barbarian warriors.

"We will obey, Great Warrior!"

"We will gladly retreat!"

Noisy shouts followed. While the mercenaries and soldiers shook their heads as if fed up, the sky above brightened for a moment.

Rumble—

Dazzling flames soared up in unison atop the walls. It was a spell very familiar to Ian, the Flame Barrier. Judging by its length, several mages had cast it simultaneously. Almost at once, purple trails pierced through the curtain of fire and flooded in.

Screech— Screech—

Engulfed in flames, the monsters shrieked and scattered in all directions. Even so, they continued to flap their wings instead of falling immediately. The trails that soared upward to evade the Flame Barrier dyed the sky a dizzying purple.

"The time has come! We fight beneath the blessing of the Blazing Goddess!" Ian shouted, raising the Fang Greatsword in his hand. His voice rang clearly through the chaos.

Crimson divinity surged along his left arm. Feeling the heat pooling within him, Ian raised his voice once more.

"Raise your weapons! Prepare for battle!"

"

Oooooo

!"

"Come on!"

"Come at us, you filthy monsters—"

The barbarian warriors roared as if they had been waiting for this very moment. In response, magma-like heat surged within Ian as well. He did not restrain it. He let it pour out freely.

"------!"

With a thunderous battle cry, crimson divinity exploded outward in concentric waves.

Yog let out a strangled, almost dying groan. Moro reared back, shaking its head and howling as the divinity washed over it. However, no one noticed.

"

Oooooh

!"

"For eternal battle—"

"Come on!"

Every single one of them was shouting toward the sky. Fiery red divinity now clung to the barbarian warriors as well.

"So that’s why they’re called the Crimson Legion...."

As Thesaya’s laugh-laced voice brushed his ear, Ian curled one corner of his mouth slightly.

It’s been a while.

His entire body overflowed with power and fighting spirit. This time, Karha had truly not held back its blessing. Calming his mind and steadying his breath, Ian looked ahead.

Through the roaring legionnaires, Mev was approaching, with Lucas and Edith close behind her. They had long since begun acting like her aides. Mukapa was there as well, and even Phaden was making his way forward.

"Demigod..."

Lucas and Edith murmured the word as they bowed their heads. Despite it, neither of them bore the Blessing of Battle. The same was true of everyone approaching now.

"Please give us orders. Your Excellency," Mev said, stopping at a measured distance and bowing slightly.

"I want to spread the formation wide. Is that possible?"

Lucas and Edith nodded in unison. Mev answered immediately. "Yes. It is."

Catching her gaze, Lucas added, "We have a formation designed for encirclement scenarios. It won’t be difficult."

Nodding, Ian looked past them. The centurions, barely containing their excitement, were already weaving through the legionnaires and drawing closer.

"Don’t let anyone stray beyond the warmth of the sacred flame," Ian said. "Those without the Blessing of Battle stay inside and take up crossbows."

"We’ll carry it out immediately." Mev bowed once more and turned away.

Just then, Ian spoke again. "Sir."

She paused.

"When the moment comes, don’t hold back this time," said Ian.

"Yes."

She understood at once that he meant the divine sword. Lowering her visor, she dipped her head and turned away, signaling the centurions to gather. Lucas and Edith followed at her heels as Phaden stepped forward to face Ian.

"Is it true that an archdemon might target us, Agent of the Saint?"

So that's why he came running.

Ian shrugged. "It’s come to that. Inform Asme as well, and focus solely on Her Highness’s safety. It would be best if she stayed lying flat beneath the carriage floor."

"

Oh

, Lu Solar..." Phaden closed his eyes tightly as he sighed, then turned away without another word. He clearly knew nothing would change, no matter what he said.

Ian shifted his gaze to Mukapa, standing beside him."The archdemon may target the braziers. Warn the Saintess and the priests. If it comes to that, buy me time. Just hold out for a moment. I’ll be there."

It was a precaution. The sacred fire would be both conspicuous and irritating to the enemy. It wouldn’t be strange if Akihatara chose to eliminate the braziers first.

"Yes," Mukapa answered as concisely as always and turned away, gripping the battle hammer with both hands.

Almost at the same time, the sound of hooves approached from behind.

"They’re holding better than I expected. I thought they’d break already."

Thesaya had mounted Moro at some point. She stared up at the wall, where flashes, explosions, and shrieks echoed without pause. Ian glanced at Nila as it approached and lifted his gaze as well.

The sky above churned with chaotic purple trajectories.

Boom! Rumble—

The trails were falling all over the long wall, and every time they did, large and small explosions followed in chaos. Fireballs, Dancing Flames, Fire Beam—various red spells, including Spark Dance, were being fired indiscriminately.

Screech—

Monsters engulfed in fire shrieked as they fell. Those that dropped without being burned were no doubt already bristling with bolts from the crossbows.

Zap!

A few managed to descend intact, but none rose again. Soldiers and knights stood waiting below with spears and shields. Like the front-line troops, they were wielding weapons tempered in sacred flame.

Ian, who took in all that scenery in a split second, stepped onto Nila’s stirrup.

"This isn’t the time to just watch, Thesa."

A cluster of purple shapes was already veering toward them. Whether they were drawn by the legion’s roars or the glow of the sacred flame didn’t matter.

"Move it! You bastards!"

"If anyone charges out in a frenzy, I’ll smash their skull myself!"

What mattered was that the legion was still busy reorganizing its formation. Under Mev’s command and the centurions’ guidance, the troops were dispersing into position.

Snort...

Seated firmly in the saddle, Ian shook the reins. Nila surged forward at once, sparks dancing through its flowing mane.

"I see them too, but there are too many. Even I can’t hold them off for long," said Thesaya.

"That’s fine. That’s enough."

If it comes to it, I’ll just use magic myself.

Ian lifted his gaze toward the flock flying in at an angle. Dozens of grotesquely mutated harpies, griffins, and gargoyles filled the air.

Magic gathered hazily in Ian’s narrowed eyes. However, there was no need for him to use it, not because Thesaya blocked them alone.

Whoosh— Aaaaaah—

Before she could even begin a spell, orange flames tore across the sky above them like a dragon’s breath.