Author note: In this chapter it talked about outside of the wall of fire when they fought Asche. It also talked about the blue swordman in the previous chapter.

I didn't know it would be this hard to overlap one event at a different place and it was longer than i expected!. I haven't re-read this before posting so i might have made a mistake. Please tell me if there is.

Fruush village was a normal rural village within the Fleur kingdom territory. It was a small village with the population of five hundred people that live off by doing agriculture and hunting animal from the forest that was next to the village.

The ratio of the people lived there were 40% elderly, 40% adults, and 20% children. This village every years had a problem regarding their childbirth rate but, by marrying the adventure that came here, they managed to keep the village exist.

There wasn’t anything special about this village that located far from the capital. If there are then it would be that from time to time an adventure would come there to stay for a few days for the same reason, which is to challenge the demon lord of fire.

Why would they come here before they challenge the demon lord of fire? If you look at a map then you will found out that this village was the last stop before going into monster zone and straight to demon lord of fire’s castle.

If there’s something that dangerous there why would they build a village there? First of all there are few who managed to pass through the monster zone and reached the castle.

Just like it name, monster zone was a marked place that inhabited with monsters and it was rare for the monster to leave their place except something big happened.

Second, according to their past knowledge and experience, the demon lord of fire wasn’t the kind of demon that would indiscriminatingly kill human in the village when someone challenged him. Or rather he welcomed them.

Daughter and father likewise, the demon lord of fire like someone strong and accept their challenge without involving the innocent bystander. Sometimes he even recruited his challenger.

Then why he was called demon lord? Although he doesn’t kill the weak he was merciless to the strong. If he heard a rumor about the strongest country or even group, he would come to them and personally test their strength. Countless people already fell into his hand and still counting.

Because of that at least for the last century they weren’t any problem and they live a peaceful live.

That was until a certain evening.

The villager men just finished their work for today and the women were about start preparing dinner, suddenly from far a fire pillar soared through the sky.

Because of the unusual event almost all of the villager came out form their house and looked into the direction it came from. Not long from that direction a group of people that was wearing same cloth came into the village

with heavy breath.

At first the villager thought that they were a mercenary group or some sort of organized bandit. However they immediately throw that idea away when they saw that the group consist people from child to adults.

“Please save us!”(James)

A man with black clothing and a tie said that. His tidy hair became a mess and covered with dust because he ran all the way to the village.

“There!!! Demon!!”(James)

The man’s word was a mess because of the fear he was feeling.

The villager was at lost because their lack of understanding on what was happening.

“The student! They were attacked by Leisha!”(Jane)

Next they became more confuse because suddenly this kingdom’s princess name came out from a woman with similar outfit with the man from before. The woman tried to endure her hard breathing by holding her chest so that she can explain clearer but, it had the opposite effect.

Not only that, the situation became worst when a wall of fire appeared from the place the fire pillar appeared.

That wall of fire looked like a tall tower from the village so they panicked and shout out something about a tower suddenly appeared.

“Is there any problem?”

From the inn a group of people wearing weapon appeared and join the conversation. That group was consisted of four people.

Man with blue sword on his waist, gaudy man with gauntlet on his arm, woman wearing black robe and hold a big staff, and woman that wore white robe with hood that hide her face.

The one who took the initiative and asked the villager was the man with blue sword.

“Ah, mister adventure, this person over here said something about demon near that fire tower.”(Villager)

“Is that true?”

The man with blue sword asked for confirmation.

“Yeah, so hurry up if you want to save them! Who know how long they can survive with the sticks they use.”(Huke)

“Stick?”

The man obviously confused from the answer he got from the man with curly hair.

“Yeah, stick, wooden stick! You know wood? That wood.”(Huke)

Either he was mocking the man or an idiot, the man didn’t believe him. In this world open field also considered monster zone and for them to cross it using wooden stick, at the very least he thought that they weren’t sane.

“Forget it, Ein. They must be planning to trap us.”

The man’s companion the gaudy man warned the man. Ein, the man with blue sword thought about it for a second.

“I’m sorry but, we’re busy preparing ourselves you know. We don’t have time to go with your play.”(Ein)

Ein thought that it was unthinkable for them to lay a trap from their member, although Ein thought that making a fire tower was exaggerate prank he decided to plead ignorance because tomorrow is their big day.

Ein’s party was somewhat a famous adventure party. They had a good reputation from clearing difficult quest and overcome most crises that usually killed most people. Although they can’t be called the strongest they can be still called one of the best party in this Fluer kingdom.

That’s why they decided to challenge the demon lord to test their ability and then they arrived in Fruush village just a day ago.

“Please, this isn’t a trap so please save the student!”(Jane)

Jane once again pleaded.

“Even if you tell me that…”(Ein)

Ein looked into his comrade that was behind him. Just from eye contact he knew that they don’t have the need to do it. Personally Ein wanted to save them but, as expected he prioritized his party first.

“Pleasee!!!”(Jane)

However even so he was having a hard time rejecting them. Unable to handle it anymore, the gaudy man from ein’s party came forward

“Sorry about that young lady but, just like you can see we’re busy. If you want my attention can you do it later?”

“Grey…!”(Ein)

Ein tried to stop the gaudy man, grey, have this ‘let me hand it’ face. So he let him handle it.

“But, but…”(Jane)

“But what?”(Grey)

The gaudy man slightly increased his voice to tell them their intention. He didn’t want to do it especially to a female because he was a feminist, but, he didn’t want to get into trouble and not in perfect condition when they fight the demon lord tomorrow.

He thought that was for the best but, soon the woman cried.

“*Sniff* *Sniff*”(Jane)

“W- WAIT! Don’t cry, I’m troubled if you do that!” (Grey)

The gaudy man started panicking from seeing the woman’s tear. As a feminist woman tear was the last thing he wanted to see. That’s why his will was weakened and started to consider helping them.

“What a petty man, making a woman cry.”(Ophie)

That insult came from one of the twin sister, the one with long black hair.

“For a man like you I guess it was unavoidable. A man that only looks tough but on the inside he only cares about himself. You must be the type that thought women only exist to be your playthings right.”(Ophie)

That was clearly a provocation. Grey also knew that but, still he was unable to ignore that remark.

“What is this young girl saying? Like you understand me…”(Grey)

“Obviously, some trash man like you who made a woman cried. Your linear thought was on the same level as one celled organism!”(Ophie)

“You sure said it young girl!” (Grey)

“Grey!”(Ein)

“Don’t stop me. That was the worst insult someone ever told me! Like I will stay here and do nothing about it!” (Grey)

Blood rise to his head and he decided it.

“Just you wait young girl! I will prove you that I am not some thrash man like you said I was!” (Grey)

“Go ahead.”(Ophie)

With the last push from Ophie, Grey ran toward the fire wall that Asche made. His other friend held their head and soon followed him.

“Truly. What a simple minded man.”(Ophie)

Never did they hear that last word that Ophie left to them. After this point Ophie and the other request assistant from the villager and the group was split into two, the stay over, and the one that went to help group.

Including the adventure group, Huke , and some villagers were the one that went to the wall of fire.

When they got there the first impression they got were.

“What the hell is this?!” (Grey)

The one that was shocked the most was the woman with black robe and big staff. Just like her clothing she was a magician, that’s why her knowledge about magic was vast. However even to her this wall of fire was something she can’t believe.

“Even you were surprised by this, Olwen?”(Ein)

Olwen didn’t hear what Ein was saying. She was deep in thought.

“This fire... Ein try cutting it with your sword!”(Olwen)

Without questioning her Ein tried to cut the wall of fire. However the moment it made contact with it instead of thinning, it became thicker and hotter.

“Just as expected, it adjust it temperature so that the one that go inside it will be burn black. With this maximum output, even with multi-layer barrier it was impossible to breakthrough. The one that made this either a monster or a sadist”(Olwen)

“Is that true?!”(Huke)

Huke suddenly asked her in a big voice. Although he didn’t know what multi-layer barrier is, he knew that they can’t help them.

“That’s right. There’s someone who could extinguish this wall but, at my level it was impossible.”(Olwen)

“No way……”(Huke)

Olwen’s skill wasn’t low by any standart. However in face of the Asche’s Feuerblume it was insufficient.

Huke who heard that went pale. His friend was inside of this fire and they were unable to help them. Huke who was useless when they fought the monsters felt ashamed.

Although at that time he can still joke about it, this time when they were in real danger. He wanted to help them but, how?

Huke keep hearing the sound of his friend fighting and fire pillar rising from behind the wall. That meant they still haven’t given up.

“Old man, lend me that bow!” (Huke)

“S- Sure. What are you going to do with it?”

The villager’s old man lends him the bow, and Huke asked for another thing.

“Weapon! Please lend me your weapon! A sword, dagger whatever is fine!” (Huke)

The other what at lost on what he was going to do. Soon the Ein and the other realized but, thought it was impossible.

“Here you go!”

However someone was faster than Ein to warn him, she threw a weapon at him saying him to use it.

“You’re… Teena!? What are you doing here?” (Huke)

“Just hurry up and use that weapon before he takes it back.”(teena)

“Wait! That weapon…!”(Ein)

The thing Teena threw at him was a blue sword that was on Ein’s waist.

“Go for it!”(Teena)

Teena let out a mischief smile and gave him a thumps up.

Seeing that smugged face, Huke also let out a mischief smile and pull the bow with the sword as it arrow.

“Don’t do it! There’s no way it can reaches it!”(Ein)

Huke ignored the warning and tried to do the impossible.

The blue sword he was using as the arrow was something valuable. Of course, for a weapon that was planned to use again the demon lord, there’s no way it wasn’t valuable.

The sword of the flowing river, Kalimaya.

A water sword that was made for Ein to fight again the demon lord of fire. The material needed to make this sword was many but; the rarest was the pure water stone.

If Asche’s Levatein was a sword purely made out of fire, Kalimaya was a sword that eighty percent made out of water. The rest twenty was for the handle and other to maintain the sword figure. This kind of sword owner can be count with one hand.

Without knowing the value of the sword, Huke pulled the bow and launched it. No one believes that it will reach it.

That was normal; no normal person can surpassed the five meter wall in front of them. However the moment Huke let go off the sword a notification sound came to his head. And then the sword flew to the sky and passed over the wall of fire.

“Selia, can you hear me? Take this!” (Huke)

Huke shout as loud as he can. He didn’t know if his voice reached her but, soon the pillar of fire stopped appearing.

They didn’t know the situation behind this wall of fire. However they thought that this was a good sign, so Ein tried to call out to the one behind the wall.

“Hey, are you guys alive?”(Ein)

From inside someone answered them.

“We’re alright!”(Yuu)

“Is that our friend’s voice?”(Ein)

Just in case Ein tried to confirm that.

“…… Not sure but, it was a man voice so, maybe.” (Huke)

Huke didn’t have any idea who was that but, that was enough.

“… Aaa, I had no idea who you are but, because there’s no longer rising fire pillar that mean she was defeated right?”(Ein)

“Yes, we defeated her.” (Yuu)

[OOOOOO!!!]

The villagers were impressed. Especially because they were told that they fought using a wooden stick. Even Ein and his party were impressed by it.

“Good job! We didn’t expect for you to do it.”(Ein)

“Can you continue that for later and do something about this wall? We got several heavy wounded people here!” (Yuu)

“Can you explain your situation and the wounded?” (Ein)

Yuu tried to explain their situation and how worse the other injuries were. Ein then asked the villagers to get the medicine they have and he asked one of his party member to help them.

After he finished giving order he finally replied to Yuu.

“Sorry for the wait. If you defeated the caster than shortly it will disappear by itself. Currently we’re collecting people to help the wounded. Please hold out for a little longer!” (Ein)

“I……Understand……”(Yuu)

Ein was worried by Yuu’s weak voice so he hurried the other. They were already standby so that when the wall disappeared they can treat the wounded.

Finally the wall disappeared. They were about to step forward but, an unexpected thing happened.

The wall of fire disappeared and together with that a loud explosion was sounded from Asche’s direction. It blew away everyone that were weak and immobilized the else.

Ein and his party weren’t blown away but, most of the villager was.

“What the heck is that demon? She isn’t normal!”(Grey)

“…… Laevatein!?”(Olwen)

Olwen muttered that.

“………”(Asche)

The expressionless Asche was silent. To Ein and the other that silent was a dangerous sign to them so they immediately prepared to move.

Asche only took a glance at them and slowly raised her hand. Ein who saw that immediately realized her intention.

“Dangerous……!”(Ein)

He tried to warn the other. However before he finish saying that, his comrade already started moving.

Grey grabbed the people close to her and move away. Olwen casted a protection again fire attack. And the hooded person casted body enchantment spells on him and Grey.

Faster than his own voice, he ran toward the blue sword on the ground and received it back. The sword let out a bluish glow and that man went toward Asche in a single line.

He managed to shorten their distance into a mere meter but, it was too late. Asche already swung her sword down and an enormous wave was made toward the direction of the village.

“Haaaaaaa!!!!” (Ein)

Ein hasn’t given up and their weapon meets. Hearing the sword’s name He put all of his skill on that attack so that he can save as many people as possible. He didn’t think that even his sword can handle again that sword.

Just like he expected, his blue sword only managed to hold it for one second. The next second it made a crack and shattered leaving nothing but the handle.

He was blown away by the shockwave and wasn’t able to stopped the wave. However he managed to slightly changed it direction when their sword met.

When their sword met he swiftly made his sword took Laevaten’s strike and let it ran through it until it break.

The result, his sword break but, the village was saved.

When he looked back, he went pale form seeing the destruction from a mere swing.

Everyone was shivering in fear and helplessly waited for the next strike.

Ein realized the danger and so does the other form his party. They didn’t know that the one in front of them was the daughter of demon lord of fire but, nevertheless they were shown the difference in strength.

So much that they realized how foolish they were for trying to challenge the demon lord when they were petrified from facing the demon in front of them.

Ein and the other already accepted their mistake and prepared for the next strike that will spell their death.

“………”(Asche)

However no matter how much they waited, the finishing strike didn’t come. After Asche delivered her attack, she just blankly stared at the sinking sunset and spread out her wing.

She started to flap her wing and she was slowly ascending to the sky. Ein and the other weren’t brave enough to stop her, neither they strong enough to do that.

Without saying a single word Asche went above the sky and disappeared from there.

For a while all of them were speechless on what just happened. However they all knew that they were no enemy to her and were spared for some reason.

To Ein and the other it was like getting slapped in the face. It was as if the world was saying them to wake up from their dream for being strong.

Realizing on how powerless they were, Ein and his party gave up on challenging the demon lord that day.

With shame on their back, they carried the wounded and return to the village while seeing the road of fire that barely missed their life.