《A Dryflame Child's Life (Rewriting)》Chapter 48-Siege-2
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''Damn Giants!''Kong smashed the table in front of him, blasting it to the smithereens.''What guarantee!? Bunch of brainless traitors!''Guards standing near to him were scared and worried because of his behavior. Most of them have never seen Kong in such a state. They understood that something was wrong.
''Kong They were neutral from the start''Auber said calmly. Even so, his gaze had a burning flame like it wanted to burn down everything.''Auber is right, we can only rely on ourselves. Hydra queen is already at Realmgate, so we can only take care of here.''A creature appeared behind Auber and Kong while talking.
It was a huge spider. It had 8 slender long legs and a pitch black body. Its eyes were also pitch black, looking ferocious.4 fangs sprouting out of its mouth were radiating a sharp aura, like they could pierce even the toughest matter.''Nemesis''Auber greeted without any facial change.
Kong suppressed his anger and greeted with a respectful nod. She was Arachne Queen after all. And he was still a notch weaker than her as if her position was not enough.''My children are ready and waiting. They are boiling with emotions, Kong.''Queen's voice was sharp and sounded more like a screech. But she had no control over her voice, this was her nature after all.
''Where are Guardians?''She asked.''Raiden is scouting, Kimbel is on his way to Realmgate.''Queen looked dissatisfied, but didn't blame them.''It pains me to use my children as cannon fodder.''was all she said. Kong lowered his head a little, Auber's face fell a bit.''It's same for us.''
Queen nodded with her big head, understanding.''Paladin, there is a message from Guardian!''A soldier rushed with hurry. Different from others, his armor was not full plate like the others nor white or golden. He was not directly under Kong but working for Guild leader, or Guild to be more clear.
Kong took the stone without asking, then adventurer left at same speed. He still had several void stones that were glowing so it was clear he had to deliver news to their respective places. Kong sent his mana to listen to the reports.''15 minutes.''Was all he could hear.
As he heard it, a boom shook the whole city and a lightning bolt appeared. Before magicians could activate city barriers lightning bolt directly landed next to the Kong. But surprisingly, there was no damage other than a burn mark.''Good work, Raiden.''Auber said and turned around.''I'll visit Truman for the last arrangments.''
As Auber disappeared, leaving his position to Raiden, Kong also said a small thanks.''Their strengths are above what we expected.''Raiden said, his face a bit grim.''Before you ask, no Giants refused.''Kong said plainly, cutting Raiden's voice. Raiden gritted his teeth in anger.''Screw them, we don't have much time. Give the orders.''He said and shot towards the center of the city.
''Everyone!''Kong shouted, his voice echoing through the entire city. All the people in the city dropped what they were doing and looked towards the main gate, where Kong was standing.''Time is tight, the enemy is near.''Soldiers standing in ranks were buzzing and trembling while talking. Adventurers standing at high places or amidst crowd was clenching their fists with excitement. Guards of the city were nervous, the reason completely different from others, yet a strange sense of relief filled their heart because of Kong's voice.
''Now, the enemy is coming towards us. They are superior to us. They have more power and knowledge, their tactics are better and their numbers are greater. If so, why are we standing up? Why am I here? Why are you people here? I don't think anyone likes to die or get killed. Then what is the thing that makes us fight?''
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Kong stood silently, gazing towards the masses. He could see several people clenching their fists. There were some people silently lowering their gazes and some looking unwilling to fight. He could clearly see, they didn't want to fight. But some were different. People's eyes blazed with fires of desire, decisive gazes locking on him. They were adventurers, people he admired most. Soldiers looked at him with reverence, their hearts thumping with fear. But a single strand of light was keeping them at their places. A strand of light that brought them hope, Kong.
''We fight because we fear. We fear death.We fear the horrible consequences of dying. Many of you know how it feels to be right in front of the death's door, little not know. We know how bad war can be, we know how terrifying losing would be. But let me ask, do you want others to also feel this emotion? Do you wish others to feel like you, in anguish and hopelessness? Do you want others to feel pain all over their body, their hearts sinking into a swamp called despair like you do?''
''NO!''Replied someone from the crowd, his eyes bloodshot. Some people knew who he was. He was a recruit, with a crippled wife back at home. He was just an ordinary man among them. Even so, he chose to leave his wife to come here. He was not one to fear from death, nor fear of the pain of being cut. But he feared only one thing. He feared for his wife, he was afraid of the things that could happen to her. So no matter what happened, he would take this burden.
''No, I won't let anything happen to my little son. He still has to grow, he has to see things'' Another man shouted from the crowd.
''No! I can't let my husband's sacrifice be for nothing! He has given me another life, so I shall give it to others.''Another woman said, her eyes filled with tears, her back straight like a mountain.
Shouts rose from the crowd, Screeches of Arachnes hurting the ears. Yet all of them were telling a different story a different tale. Even so, the main point was the same. Everyone wished to shoulder this responsibility. There were criminals or robbers, saints and ordinary men with only a bit of power among them. Even so, even if everything seemed more hopeless, they were willing to carry mountains for their loved ones.
''I ask again. Do you want them to feel the very same thing you will feel?''Kong said again, his voice calm.
''NO!'' Replied the whole crowd, their sound shaking the city. Kong's face brightened, eyes filled with emotions. He took out a small hammer, made from pure white divine metal. There were several runes on it, shining.''Then let's drown together in this hell we call battlefield!''
Feeling hope rising in their hearts, people started to work harder. Whole speech only took a little time, yet it changed stories worth to tens of years. The city was filled with a bright atmosphere like it got rid of something. The same gloomy air was now gone, replaced by a new found excitement and hope for this war.
...
''Young Emperor, it's time.''A sound reached Ruh's ears from outside. Ruh stood up, his sun like black battle-ax making a small clang sound. Leaving the palanquin, he turned his gaze towards the city ahead of them. He could see 2 different armies surrounding city from west and east. At the main gate, the northern gate which was facing them stood at 3 people. One of them was a spider, one a man in purple armor with lightning traveling around him and a simple old man. But Ruh could feel that all 3 of them were strong people.
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But this didn't mean anything to him, who was much more stronger than them. Feeling his gaze, Kong and Raiden trembled a bit.''How strong is he?''Kong thought of the dangerous aura around Ruh which was making him worried.''He looks different from all Demon Emperors in our records, this is troublesome.''Arachne queen said in a strange voice. Even though Humans had much more knowledge because of Dryflame family, their records about Demons were not clear as Arachne. Because both Arachne and Demons lived in Dark lands after Giant Emperor's descend.
''Those white marks looks familiar, but I can't quite remember.''She said, looking puzzled.''It may be something important, keep an eye out for it.''Kong said and urged a man below the gate with a stomp. The man took out a strangely shaped horn and blew with all the power he had.
Horn's sound reached to all ears in the city, signaling them the arrival of the enemy. The moment horn sounded,600 people appeared on the walls. They were wearing robes adorned with a symbol of an eye, held by 2 hands. They were followers of Celeste and a part of the Holy army. They started to chant a magic, their voices booming with a strange power. With a strange popping sound, a huge transparent barrier appeared outside the city.
The barrier was a spell mainly used by Mages to protect themselves, a spell that could be used in any rank. Its power was decided by the amount of mana and purity of it. So when it was used by hundreds of 5th and 6th rank, it had such a power it could even stand to an attack of 2nd rank for 15 minutes.
But this was not the end. After 600 people created the barrier, another 400 people started to chant magics. After a moment, the wall turned to a bright golden color,looking like a miniature sun from outside.''Holy barrier?''Demon King of east. He looked curiously to the barrier, his interest piqued.
''It wouldn't matter though''King said and looked at a Demon lord beside him. Demon lord directly raised his hand and shouted in a strong voice. In moments,2 thousand people were standing in front of 8 thousand people from the army. These 2000 people wore weird clothing and held strangely shaped staffs. They were Sorcerers of the Demon army. Different from mages, who could use magic by learning knowledge, Sorcerers got their magic from the inside. It was a natural ability.
''Oh great lord of all times...''Their chant reached the ears of Kong, his face looking a bit down.''This is going to be troublesome.''As they were preparing, other 2 armies and Arachne were also preparing. Ruh's army didn't have any sorcerer or any kind of magic user, with some exceptions. All of his soldiers were wearing heavy armor with halberds longer than them. As most demons were higher than average humans by 2 or 3 head, their length could be imagined. They started to march slowly, their armors making clanging sounds and steps shaking the ground.
West army was filled with ferocious demons, who rode on big beasts. These beasts were as big as a bear, their fangs sharper than wolves and their 2 skeletal wings looking like a dragon. The claws at their paws were like sharp daggers, able to cut down 8th ranks easily. And there were demons riding these strong beasts. They only wore light armors with strange helms looking like a dragon head. They had deep crimson spears, filled with deep killing intent. They were laughing crazily while waving their weapons, radiating a berserk aura.
Arachne was nowhere to seen, but Ruh knew where they were: Underground. The only people that could feel them was him, as he was the only 2nd class hero in the battlefield. Not even 3rd class hero realm Demon kings or peak 2nd rank experts like Demon lords could feel them. This was the same for Kong and Raiden. If not for the Nemesis, they also didn't have any way to know.
''CHARGE!''With a shout, all mounted demons started to rush. Clouds of dust rose from the ground and earth shook. Mad waves of laughter of Demons gave people creeps, their spears leaving a sense of hopelessness. Army of Ruh let out strong shouts and shook the air. Their armors leaving trails on the hard ground.Sorcerers' magic flashed in the air, giving a deep sense of fear.
People looked with awe and fear, their hearts once more becoming heavy. It was way too strong! But at that time, everyone became surprised. West gate, which was facing mounted demons, opened. All city guards gushed out of the gates like a flood and stood in a horizontal line. All city guards amounted was 256 people. Compared to 10000 mounted demons, they looked like ants.
At the head of city guards, a familiar face stood. It was the new Captain of city guards, Cartman. He was still in the same armor, holding the very same iron spear. His face still same, cautious but a sneer deep within. His gaze was locked on the mad group of demons.''Heh, who wants to die?''He said while laughing.
All of the guards smiled, their faces filled with sneer and disdain.''We want to die!''They said in unison.''Good, then let's die together with them!''Cartman said, and a deep aura surrounded him. His body started to glow and in a second, he was covered by boundless lights. Behind him, each guard was starting to transform like him, becoming miniature suns.
''Miracle Of Celeste, Deserving of his name''Ruh spoke as Demon lords gazed towards Cartman. Demon King of West was dumbfounded, but it was replaced with excitement in an instant.''GO TO HELL!''With a shout, he increased his speed and left his army in a dust. He could feel an equal aura coming from Cartman, which made his instincts scream at him. He loved to embrace death, he loved to destroy lives and reap souls, so this was a rare chance!
''See, he wants to die with us too!''Cartman said while laughing, his laugh accompanied by his fellow guards. Releasing his fearsome aura, Cartman revealed his real power. A 3rd Class Hero! And each man behind him was no lower than 4th rank! They were an unstoppable force in this world, one of it's kind. Yet, they were against a force much more powerful than them. This made their blood boil, awaken their battle spirits.
''Man, if the last captain survived, it would be nice to show him this scenery.''One of the soldiers sighed.''That fudge is probably filled with regret right now.''Another one added. Cartman laughed as well, saying ''Then tell the tale when you meet him.''
''YEAHHHHHHH!''
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