482. Amiss

Edithe Dawnrise watched as the armies converged on the city. Wilford was overflowing with wild Demons. Creatures that had already been locked in battle with themselves. It wasn’t a rare sight— to see these wild Demons killing each other. The redhead had seen similar things before.

For example, during the battle with Belzu. There had been an outpouring of wild Demons fleeing the [Hellabomination]. It was a stampede— a horde of all kinds of Lesser Demons to Archdemons. But even amidst the chaos, they fought amongst each other. They couldn’t help but pounce on any chance they got when one of them was vulnerable.

It was a scene of pure savagery. Edithe looked on as a group of [Hellhounds] fled the front ranks of adventurers, only to be intercepted by a [Hellhorror]. The giant six-legged creature was like a wolf mixed with a bear. It tore apart the Lesser Demons in glee, only for a flurry of [Fireballs] to strike it down.

“Is all of the Netherworld really like this?”

Edithe couldn’t help but wonder aloud. Was this the kind of landscape Salvos grew up in? If so— that explained so many things about the Demon girl.

“What did you think it was like?”

A voice asked, and the redhead turned around. She blinked as a regal figure made his way to her. She recognized him immediately, accompanied by a group of escorts.

Mori Gladius the Champion of the Human Lands walked up to Edithe. Scarlet the Red Rose and a retinue of Platinum and Diamond Ranked adventurers followed him. He came to a halt right before the cliffside.

Edithe blinked a few times before shaking her head.

“Well, I never really thought too much about it. But I was under the impression that it was… less chaotic?”

“Oh?”

Mori raised a brow. Scarlet nodded next to him. The Red Rose spoke as she swept her gaze over the battlefield.

“I thought that all Demons fell under the banners of the Demon King. I had no idea that these ‘wild Demons’ existed. They’re like monsters— no, Centinels.”

Certainly, Edithe could see the comparison. The way the wild Demons fought was without any rhyme or reasoning. She looked on as an [Arachne] barreled into a group of soldiers, killing dozens before being cut down itself.

“They’re mindless. And, honestly, I can kind of see why this Demon King wishes to leave the Netherworld. If you have to live through this every single day of your life, you’d want to escape it too.”

Edithe spoke, shaking her head. But Mori Gladius frowned.

“Perhaps it seems to be a harsh environment. However, that may be the reason why Demons of the same level are stronger than Humans. And that is why…”

“That is why…?”

The redhead glanced back at the man curiously. She stared at him as he trailed off. Her eyes narrowed as she continued to peer into him. He was Mori Gladius. The Champion of the Human Lands. A [Divine Spearmaster].

But right now, he looked… amiss.

“You’re…”

She opened her mouth. But Mori Gladius just shrugged and started forward.

“That is why they have to be stopped. We cannot allow these Demons to turn our world into their wastelands. Let us go, Scarlet.”

Scarlet nodded and followed after him. Edithe watched as the retinue of adventurers joined the battle. Mori Gladius and his adventurers tore through the ranks of wild Demons as the redhead waited up above.

It was really odd. Edithe felt something was wrong, but now, that feeling had gone away. She wondered what that was for a moment, before looking up as a ball of fire descended.

“You’re back, Willy.”

“Am.”

He flitted next to her as she just continued to stare at Mori Gladius from behind. Edithe pursed her lips.

“Do you… do you feel like there’s something wrong with Mori?”

“Yes.”

“You do?”

She blinked at the [Will O’ Wisp]’s response. He just hovered there, and she frowned.

“What is it that you see?”

He didn’t say anything. Edithe tilted her head at him.

“Willy?”

“Nothing.”

The Grand Spirit flew forward as she just stared.

“Wait, Willy—”

She called out after him, and he flew down into the battlefield. Edithe gave chase, but he refused to answer.

Peris Dolonia, the Crown Prince of Dolonia, cut down a [Savage Agarat] before it could reach his troops. He glanced back, watching as his ranks of soldiers moved in a rigid formation, refusing to break.

He nodded approvingly at them. They didn’t fight like the adventurers, moving with loose formation that was full of vulnerabilities. The Helbir League fought battles intelligently. Each member of a regiment had a specific task, and their Classes were specialized with carrying out said tasks. And there were Captains— Commanders and Generals— all of which with Title Skils that better aided the soldiers.

And altogether, they were doing everything they could to minimize their losses. So Peris watched as his army crawled behind the rest of the adventurers. He looked on as Clayton Skyshredder flew high, trailed after by a retinue of [Mages] riding on staffs or wings, hurling powerful spells at the Demons.

By the time Peris and his forces caught up, only a few stray Demons were remaining. He strolled forward as he cut down a group of [Hellbeasts]. He only paused when he saw a familiar figure riding throughout the battlefield with an escort.

Rana Alyras, the princess of Alyras, came to a halt next to him. He raised a brow as she glared.

“My beloved, what are you doing here?”

“What are you doing, Peris? You aren’t helping them. Your forces are crawling behind everybody else!”

He gestured simply back at his army.

“We are simply sticking to our formation. We are soldiers. We do not fight foolishly like the adventurers. We follow our training, regardless of the situation.”

She frowned at him.

“Don’t give me that. You’re just trying to avoid as much fighting as possible. You’re a coward!”

“After the losses we suffered at Lunaris? You are indeed correct, my dear. But it is not cowardice, but simply a loyalty to my people first and foremost.”

Peris shook his head. He glanced back to the army and spoke simply.

“Look at them. Look at your people. Do they seem like they want to be here?”

“What?”

Rana blinked. She glanced towards the first rank of soldiers. They wore a uniform set of armor with helmets that partially obscured their faces. But even she could see the way they gritted their teeth. The exhaustion they’d been overcome with. Especially when faced with an enemy that did not seem to falter.

“We have already given much to this cause. We have joined a battle which we are not responsible for causing. That is enough from you, princess.”

Peris shook his head as he walked back towards his men. She stared at him, blinking as he continued.

“Go back to your father. You are not fit to be in the battlefield. You will only endanger your own life.”

“I…”

She tried to argue, but nothing came out.