Chapter 54: Alternate Dimension

Raf il-Cul, the commanding demon of the Qeddah Sultanate Army, stood stoically inside his command tent, his gaze fixated on the town of Cardinal Peaks. The mysterious voice he had heard earlier echoed within his mind, raising questions about whether Aena herself favored the town and protected it from his army's advances.

The Black Unicorns, renowned for their powerful lightning storm spells, had cast three consecutive strategic-class spells, depleting their mana reserves. They required time to recover before casting again. Meanwhile, the Hoplites' numbers had dwindled, owing to Councillor Jengo's brilliant counter-strategy.

Despite his frontline army's defeat by Zanno, Raf il-Cul refused to concede his failure and called for a second wave to prepare for an assault. The battlefield was tense, and the outcome was uncertain. Nevertheless, the demon, disguised as Laksmana Ohma, was relentless in his determination to conquer Cardinal Peaks, regardless of the cost.

「 Laksmana Ohma / Raf il-Cul 」

"It's your time to shine, my loyal knights..."

"Go forth..."

"And make it a blast."

"Hahaha..."

The Sanguine Knights were a formidable sight to behold, with their blood-red Gear riding on the back of majestic lavaraptors. The knights themselves were skilled warriors, trained in combat and riding personally by the Laksmana himself, forming an unfathomable bond between the soldiers and their leader.

The Knights was a newly formed division of the Qeddah Sultanate Army, established when Laksmana Ohma took on the responsibility as the invading commander. They only answer to him and he alone, not even the Sultan of the Qeddah Sultanate had any authority over them.

Their Gear was specially designed from brown and red æsther alloys, a rare combination of choice to use as armor. The barding of their steeds was also made from the same material, instilling fear in those who would dare to go against them with their gory appearance.

Approaching Cardinal Peaks, the Sanguine Knights made an imposing sight. Their blood-red Gear and lavaraptors created a formidable presence that sent shivers down the spines of all who saw them.

Standing amidst the defenders, Zanno watched as the enemy drew closer. The ground beneath him trembled, mirroring his determination to defend his home. He knew this battle would test his newfound powers and the Xeno Armor's capabilities to the limit.

As the Sanguine Knights drew nearer, Zanno narrowed his eyes, assessing the situation. He understood that a direct confrontation would be dangerous, and a plan was needed to exploit the enemy's weaknesses.

The Xeno Armor provided Zanno with a wealth of information. The helm displayed a dizzying array of technical details, including speed, trajectory, and force. With this data at his fingertips, Zanno was able to carefully analyze the situation and plot his next move with precision.

The defenders were instructed to fall back, baiting the Sanguine Knights deeper into the battlefield. Zanno then positioned his forces strategically, utilizing the town's defensive wall and buildings to provide cover.

When the Sanguine Knights charged forward, Zanno unleashed a wave of energy that caused the ground beneath them to erupt in towering columns of earth and rock. The lavaraptors stumbled, their riders momentarily thrown off balance.

Zanno directed his fellow defenders to fire a barrage of ranged attacks on the disoriented knights. Arrows, spells, and projectiles filled the air, striking the Sanguine Knights and weakening their defenses.

「 Babah 」

"I haven't seen a Gear in this color before..."

"Zanno."

"Please, be careful."

「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」

"Understood, Babah."

Zanno acknowledged Babah's concern, his focus unwavering. He understood the dangers posed by the Sanguine Knights as their unique Gear's capability is still unknown. Their armor's composition could potentially withstand his energy blade, requiring him to adjust his tactics.

With a quick mental command, Zanno activated the defensive capabilities of his Xeno Armor. Energy shields materialized around him, forming a protective barrier against incoming attacks.

Zanno leaped into action, his Xeno Armor granting him unmatched agility. He darted between the columns, striking with precision, and exploiting the openings created by his allies. His energy blade sliced the Sanguine Knights' armor, leaving trails of searing light in its wake.

As the battle intensified, Zanno realized that a confrontation would not be enough to overcome the Sanguine Knights' resilience. He needed to exploit their weaknesses further and turn the tide in favor of the defenders.

Drawing upon the spirits of the land, Zanno channeled their essence through his Xeno Armor. The earth beneath the Sanguine Knights' lavaraptors trembled, causing the ground to crack and fissures to form. The lavaraptors lost their footing, their steely momentum disrupted.

Seizing the opportunity, Zanno unleashed a concentrated burst of energy, targeting the weakened joints and vulnerable areas of the Sanguine Knights' Gear. His strikes were precise and calculated, exploiting every opening with lethal efficiency.

Babah's warning proved to be legitimate as the once fallen knights began to rise from the ground, one after the other. Despite Zanno's presence, the reanimated knights seemed to have lost all sense of reason and charged straight toward the main gate of Cardinal Peak with a single-minded determination that was eerily reminiscent of a horde of mindless zombies.

The scene was unsettling, and the gravity of the situation was not to be underestimated. From a distance, Laksmana Ohma wore an evil grin while intently observing his loyal knights, preparing to issue his command.

「 Laksmana Ohma / Raf il-Cul 」

"Sanguine Knights..."

"Activate your Gears!"

As soon as the order was given by Laksmana Ohma, the Sanguine Knights started activating their Gears. Bright, blinding lights started to radiate simultaneously, illuminating the battlefield with an eerie crimson glow. The ground beneath them trembled as the Gears powered up, emanating an unsettling energy.

Zanno's senses heightened as he witnessed the activation of the Sanguine Knights' Gears. He could feel the surge of dark power emanating from each one, a stark contrast to his own Xeno Armor fueled by the spirits of the land.

Realizing the imminent threat, Zanno swiftly assessed the situation. He knew that he had to neutralize the Sanguine Knights before they could unleash their full potential. But it seems that it was too late as the knights were already at their objective. Cardinal Peaks' main gate.

「 Babah 」

"Zanno... the knights."

"They are just empty shells of armor!"

「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」

"What do you mean?"

「 Babah 」

"There is nobody inside the Gear!"

「 Olivia 」

"Sorry to interrupt you kids..."

"But judging by the chemical compound of the Gear, I think they are highly volatile and very unstable."

「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」

"Meaning, Mom?"

「 Olivia 」

"The Gears are walking bombs!"

Zanno was shocked by Olivia's revelation, but he couldn't afford to let his surprise slow him down. The realization that the Sanguine Knights' Gears were rigged to explode only heightened the urgency of the situation. He needed to act swiftly to protect Cardinal Peaks and the lives of its defenders.

「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」

"Everyone, fall back!"

"Take cover, immediately!"

Zanno's voice boomed over the chaotic battlefield, his urgency evident. The defenders, startled by his command, quickly responded, retreating from the area surrounding the main gate.

Zanno, with his Xeno Armor's enhanced speed, raced towards the Sanguine Knights, his mind racing to find a solution. He couldn't allow the knights to detonate within the town, causing unnecessary destruction and loss of life.

With a surge of determination, Zanno focused his energy on disarming the Gears. His Xeno Armor's advanced interface allowed him to quickly analyze the mechanisms within the Sanguine Knights' Gear and identify the detonation triggers, but it was too late.

「 Laksmana Ohma / Raf il-Cul 」

"Now..."

"Light up the sky!"

The blood-red Gear of the Sanguine Knights detonated successively, setting the area ablaze. The explosions shook the ground with such force that shockwaves rippled across the battlefield, while debris and shrapnel scattered in all directions, creating a lethal storm of destruction.

Caught in the midst of the explosions, Zanno activated his Xeno Armor's defensive shields, shielding himself from the blast. Despite the intense heat and pressure, he stood firm, determined to shield as many defenders as possible from the devastation.

As the smoke and dust dissipated, the once-mighty Sanguine Knights lay in ruins, their Gear reduced to smoking debris. The battlefield transformed into a scene of devastation and sorrow.

Zanno surveyed the aftermath with a heavy heart, battered but alive. The sacrifice of the Sanguine Knights, although they were mere empty shells, served as a somber reminder of the cost of war. Cardinal Peaks had suffered a significant blow to its defenses.

In the distance, Laksmana Ohma watched the destruction unfold. His evil grin gave way to twisted satisfaction. The commander of the Qeddah Sultanate Army had achieved his objective, even if it meant sacrificing his own forces to meet his ends.

Despite the devastation, Zanno's determination remained unbroken. He knew that he had to rally the remaining defenders and devise a new strategy to protect Cardinal Peaks. The imminent threat was still on Cardinal Peaks' horizon.

Taking a deep breath, Zanno addressed the defenders with a resolute voice, his words carrying a sense of purpose.

「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」

"Gather the survivors!"

"We will regroup and strike back!"

"We will show the Qeddah Sultanate Army the strength of our resolve!"

"Cardinal Peaks will not fall!"

The defenders, battered and shaken, found solace in Zanno's words. They rallied around him, resolute in their determination to protect their home.

「 Lord Mormont 」

"It's ok kid..."

"Cardinal Peaks is much stronger than those scum from the capital think!"

The battle for Cardinal Peaks was intense and Lord Mormont Deveraux, leader of the Marque de Ivory Guild was among those who were wounded in the explosions caused by the Sanguine Knights. Despite his injuries, his unwavering determination and leadership inspired the other defenders to keep fighting.

Zanno quickly assessed the situation and contemplated his next move. He knew that relying solely on the town's defenses was no longer an option. They had to take the offensive and engage the Qeddah Sultanate Army head-on, to ensure the safety of Cardinal Peaks and its people. The stakes were high, and the outcome of the battle would determine the fate of the town.

Zanno formulated a plan to counter the Qeddah Sultanate Army's advance. He gathered the remaining defenders and strategized their next move.

「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」

"We will not wait for them to attack again!"

"We will take the fight to them!"

The words of Zanno lit a spark in the defenders, filling them with a renewed sense of purpose. They knew that they had to act quickly and take the fight to the Qeddah Sultanate Army before they could regroup.

However, to their fright, the shattered and empty Gears of the Sanguine Knights began to reform themselves. The destroyed helms and battered cuirasses were mending themselves in front of their very eyes, as the Sanguine Knights prepared for another attack.

The defenders were filled with a sense of horror as they watched the empty Gears coming back to life, ready to launch another assault. Their resolve was shaken and their will to fight was diminishing.

「 Babah 」

"Something is not right, here."

"Mom, activate Global Awareness."

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[ Skill: Global Awareness…

Activated ]

[ Name: Anonymous

Race: Demon

Level: 10

Class: Rogue / Assassin

Job Level: 20

Threat Level: 5 ( Mediocre )

End of Appraisal ]

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The holographic Status Reports did not appear on top of the Sanguine Knights but about two feet behind them before scattering everywhere on the battlefield and disappearing completely. With this information, there was only one conclusion that came into Zanno's mind. The Gears were controlled by demons, invisible to the naked eye.

Zanno's realization sent a chill down his spine. The presence of demons controlling the Sanguine Knights' Gears explained their resilience and inexplicable reformation. It also meant that the battle was far from over and their true enemy was still hidden.

「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」

"Be on guard!"

"The true enemy is among us!"

"Stay vigilant and watch for any signs of demonic presence!"

The defenders, though shaken by this revelation, heeded Zanno's words. They scanned their surroundings, searching for any signs of the invisible demons controlling the Sanguine Knights.

Suddenly, a faint shimmering in the air caught Zanno's attention. He focused his gaze and saw a distorted figure, an outline of a demon concealed by an illusion. It was clear that the demons sought to manipulate the battle from the shadows.

「 Xeno Armor Zanno 」

"There!"

"Attack the illusions!"

Zanno pointed toward the shimmering figures, alerting his allies. The defenders unleashed a barrage of arrows and spells towards the illusions, disturbing the demons' control over the Sanguine Knights.

As the illusions shattered, the Sanguine Knights' Gears faltered, losing their coordination. Their attacks became erratic and uncoordinated, providing an opening for the defenders to strike back.

Zanno, fueled by determination, charged forward, his energy blade slashing through the vulnerable gaps in the Gears' armor. With each precise strike, he severed the connection between the demons and their controlled Gears.

The Sanguine Knights, now deprived of their demonic influence, crumbled to the ground, lifeless once again. The defenders, emboldened by their successful counterattack, regrouped and pushed forward, determined to rid Cardinal Peaks of this demonic threat once and for all.