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Dark Beasts have always been a thorn to Humans and Migas alike​​

Eulogeo wasn't included because Dark Beasts are rarely left to grow

Each Eulogeon is a powerhouse capable of taking groups or even armies depending on their strength so they easily wiped out Dark Beasts.

Instead, they had problems with the Dark Beasts that somehow survive and grow.

Those tend to be at least 3 to 5 times stronger and durable than the standard.

The explanation for this is because of Eulogeo's prosperity of ether.

The more focused the amount of energy in the world is, The more the occupants of that world benefit from it. Dark Beasts were not an exception to that rule

Humans have often had the most problems with Dark Beasts being the weakest amongst the 3 races.

Migas had fewer problems due to being stronger on average.

Irrespective of the ease of handling Dark Beasts among the races, none of them would want a stampede to occur.

Because wherever the stampede went.

Chaos was sure to follow.

And in Aemplefort now.

Such Chaos was brewing.

/////

Zeph Mammoth sat before the Principal of Aemplefort.

"It looks like your plan did not work," Instructor Zeph said to the principal.

"Well, it was not too much of a surprise."

"The overall strength of students and the mercenaries participating were incapable of carrying out the plan to the fullest.." The principal retorted, drinking down his tea with a calm face.

"Indeed, but it did lessen the multitudes a bit."

"Sigh, Either way, that move was made because of its ease without risks."

"After all, Aemplefort is a city that is incapable of falling." The principal said.

"You seem so sure even when a stampede is just at the doorstep."

"A stampede is nothing, it'll be just like last time."

"Last time?"

"Oh, You weren't alive then so you do not know." The principal replied with a mysterious smile on his aged face.

"Alive during what?" Instructor Zeph asked.

"Have you ever heard of the miracle stampede?"

"Miracle Stampede, that is just a legend"

"A legend," The principal scoffed," Well I guess it's been so long that it could be classified as such."

"Anyway, the miracle stampede is not a legend, it did happen."

"Wasn't the miracle stampede the story of how Aemplefort overcame one of the greatest stampedes ever known?" Zeph asked

"Indeed, On that dire day, Aemplefort was surrounded. No room for escape. The trees couldn't even be seen, only beasts."

"But through a miracle, we lived and Aemplefort stood strong ever since."

"What miracle was it exactly?" Zeph asked

The principal had a smile of mirth as he replied, "Don't worry, you'll soon see."

"But know this, The miracle that arose that day is the reason why none of the other cardinals mess with us."

/////

Aemplefort for the most part was in chaos

A gold film encircled Aemplefort within it attending as a shield of protection but it was no source of relief to those within

Folks were in anxiety and havoc, Some scurried to load what little belongings they had and head on to another cardinal of Migas

Others hid in the subterranean hatch of their homes.

While some were somewhat lax, largely the aged which arose some curious looks

Frantic violent cries of the hungry beast's miles away could be heard faintly, getting clear as the time passed

Vincent stood on the roof of Aemplefort looking out in the distance at the stampede.

Soon another figure moved toward him.

"It should be around 6 hours before it arrives." He said to the person nearing him.

"You can see that far?" The person inquired in wonder.

"Yes, I can Amelia," He said whilst turning to her, "Why are you here?"

"I like this spot." She answered back.

Vincent noticed her change of clothes.

Amelia wore a cross between the original armor she used during the assessment and the traditional military defense

Armour colored Green and White with lightweight and speed in mind.

"You seem prepared for this."

"Well, I thought something like this would happen.

"From the Dark Beast Hunt Event."

"Mmh" she acknowledged

"I also felt that the event felt off, but it was chalked up to the increase of Dark Beasts."

"Oh that's right, You lived outside of Aemplefort it makes sense that you didn't know about the stampede." She said

"Mmh…… Right, So how many times has a stampede occurred." Vincent asker

"As a whole or only in Aemplefort."

"Aemplefort."

"...... About three times."

"Mmh."

There was a moment of quiet between them

"Why are you fighting?" Vincent asked.

"If I remember correctly, You're an heir candidate. The Maeth family should be capable of protecting you, so why are you fighting?"

"...... I'm fighting for prestige."

"As you said, I am an heir candidate but that doesn't mean the clan would protect"

"Rather it'll force me to participate, I need a feat to make me more of an heir than the other candidates." She said with determination, "Or at least give me a high enough position to remain safe"

"The Maeth family is a family that supports power first above all, then family."

"To have an adequate standing in the Maeth family you need to prove your strength."

"If not," Vincent asked.

"Then you'll be cast aside or worse used for 'the betterment of the family." She said with distaste at the end.

"Mmh, So Taudar should be next on that list since you're stronger than him"

"Sigh, If only."

"While Taudar is not strong and has no feat of strength, his father does."

"His father's strength and multiple achievements are plentiful enough to cover him, So they can't do anything to him unlike me."

After that she said nothing more, creating a moment of silence between them.

Amelia turned and began to walk away from Vincent.

"Will you fight in this battle?" She asked as she sauntered.

"....... Maybe"

"Mmh, in that case, I hope to see you on the battlefield and after."

///// At the Gates of Aemplefort /////

A great army of thousands of warriors banded together before the gates.

At the front of the assembly stood a tall buff dark-skinned man with pitch-black hair and amber eyes.

He wore the traditional armor of Aemplefort's military defense.

Strong Medieval armor colored green and white with dual battle axes rested on his back

Behind the military defense were mercenaries ready to face the oncoming stampede.

There were no students among them, only Amelia.

'Pussies.'

Behind the massive army stood the Instructors of Aemplefort.

Instructor Pryde, Vinda, Selussa, and others he didn't know.

The much elusive Zeph was also amongst them which was a wonder.

At the side of the Instructors was a group of old men that drew Vincent's attention.

There was some kind of tension between the instructors of Aemplefort and these old men even though they did not look at each other

As the amber-eyed man at the front began to speak, Vincent eavesdropped.

Devouring 3 Planar Giants did him a whole lot of good; he was able to catch everything that was said.

"My fellow strong men and women, I am General Luthais Karga" The man began with a strong voice.

"As you know, A stampede is en route to Aemplefort at this moment."

"If let to do as it please, chaos will rise"

"So here we are, The first stand against the stampede."

"The plan is to stall the stampede, while our second team heads deeper and diminish the strength of the stronger Dark Beasts."

"In this we are alone, No one knows when reinforcement will arrive.

Not too far, The stampede was in eye view to them.

" You'll be rewarded for your efforts If you do survive."

"Sincerely, I advise you to head back into the city, Aemplefort is a city that won't fall you'll be protected."

"But those that wish to partake in this battle."

"The only thing I can say to you is"

"Kill!!!"

A combined loud and fierce roar of bloodthirst followed soon after as the first line of warriors rushed towards the stampede, The second following calmly behind.

Vincent saw as they rushed towards the stampede, He began to question their sanity.

From his view, he could see that the stampede outmatches their numbers and he was sure that they saw or at least sensed it too.

But somehow they still rushed in with such ferocity.

Vincent will soon understand why.

As the army rushed out through the protective golden film, A gold shimmer could be seen still on them.

Vincent was of course curious about this phenomenon.

The first line rushed into it with a cry, Vincent foresaw carnage inflicted upon the first line

His prediction wasn't wrong

The first line of the defense army was soon dead with only some fighting with mild or grave injuries

As the battle progressed, Vincent noticed that some of the fallen warriors began to rise with others losing their shimmer.

This began again, The numbers of those rising back up dwindling, and those of the Dark Beast falling faster.

Soon the second line of thousands ran in.

The same phenomenon occurs again, those that fell seem to rise while others lose their shimmer.

Vincent also noticed that those that were alive with the golden shimmer on seem to not die as easily as before, even with deep gashes.

'How is this happening." Vincent wondered as he saw a Dark Beast leave a huge gash on a warrior's chest, but he just seems to chalk it up and kill the Dark Beast.

A gold shimmer left the dead beast's body and entered into his, concentrating on the wound and healing it leaving behind a bloodstain.

[What you see before you is 2 abilities of The 7 Ringed Paths Of Healing.]

[Healing By Death]

And

[Revival By Equivalent Exchange.]

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AN: MC's name has been changed to Vincent Cadmean.

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