Capítulo 270: Training & Etc. (4)
Second Stanza Western Barracks, Great Plains of Stanza.
Two Guards were on top of a wall, overlooking the eastern view of the Great Plains of Stanza that points towards the direction of the Pit of Tar'asque. One Guard, a man in his mid-20s, was lazily leaning on the merlon with his arms folded on his chest and he had a sword on his waist, while the other, a man also in his mid-20s but with dark skin, was sitting on the crenel with his halberd leaning on the merlon.
Normally, they would be properly patrolling around the barracks, standing straight with their chest out and then would march to another location every 30 minutes. But since they were in the Second Stanza Western Barracks which was truly in the middle of nowhere and it was also night time so where there weren't any officers, aside from the Knight who was the assigned leader for tonight's night duty, they were a bit laid-back.
However, they all wore a Magic Item that allowed them to see at night.
"I'm sure of it, man. The demons are coming. That hole is pure evil," the Guard with dark skin and sitting on the crenel said.
The Guard leaning on the merlon let out a lazy yawn.
"Just so we're on the same boat, these stories you heard about that hole, they are from people who entered the hole or who just heard stories from other people who supposedly entered the hole?"
The dark-skinned Guard sitting on the crenel scoffed.
"You're not from here so you don't know anything. I grew up in the Heisen Kingdom so everyone heard all of the stories about that cursed hole. The hole is either an entrance to the Demon World or a deep and dark place where ancient powerful monsters that have been hunted to extinction and are now living there.
"I have this uncle who is already a retired Adventurer. But back in his youth, he and his team ventured there to search for treasures. But what they encountered was a giant black bird demon-monster with wings spanning over 10 meters and talons that could rip out a Karfax in half with just one swoop. It killed all of his companions except him.
"I also have this cousin who met a Merchant who claims that he saw a giant fish-like monster with claws as long as 3ft climb out of the hole.
"There was also Guard Captain Almuta, a Guard Captain that I used to work with in my previous post and someone I really look up to. One night, we bumped into each other at Heisen City and went to an alehouse. And during his drunken state, he shared with me a secret: One day, while one of the Knights he was serving was flying on a Rhonea over the Great Plains of Stanza and heading to the La Spada Kingdom, as the Knight passed over the Pit of Tar'asque, the Knight heard a loud demonic howl coming from the hole and thousands of birds flew out of the hole. The sight frightened not only the Knight but also the Rhonea that the Knight immediately ordered the Rhonea to fly faster and take a longer route.
"These are just some of the stories from the people I know. There are many more stories from people I've never met and many more since that cursed hole appeared."
The Guard leaning on the merlon raised an eyebrow.
"So you're saying that our companions are lying?"
The dark-skinned Guard turned his head to face him.
"Who?"
"Every first week of the month, we send a group to check around the Pit of Tar'asque and Killing Fields of Tar'asque. Meanwhile, those at the First Stanza Northern Barracks send theirs at the third week of the month."
"We're not looking hard enough."
"Not looking hard enough?"
"But that's fine. I think it's because we're protected."
"Protected? With what? Heisen Kingdom's voodoo magic? Even if that's the case, how come the others before us have never seen any of those things you claim?"
"None of us? What do you think just happened now? That earthquake we felt earlier?"
"So now you're claiming that earthquakes are caused by demons?"
The dark-skinned Guard scoffed and then turned away. He stared at the people camping outside of the barracks.
The Great Plains of Stanza was a vast and endless desert, making it a perfect hiding place. And between the Inner Stanza and Outer Stanza Border Checkpoints, it would take at least 7 days to travel by carriage, and that is assuming that you don't stop, take any breaks or encounter something. Furthermore, depending on which kingdom you're traveling from or heading to, different routes are needed. Because of this, barracks and seaports were erected, not only to serve as watchposts, but also as checkpoints. However, unlike the Inner Stanza and Outer Stanza Border Checkpoints, travelers are not required to pass through them unless they choose to visit. But even if they choose to visit, only special guests are allowed to enter the compound of the barracks and seaports. Meanwhile, those who aren't considered special guests can only camp outside.
There is also a limit on how many days travelers can camp outside the barracks and seaports. This is to prevent any new kingdom from forming, such as the Luxen Kingdom, Heisen Kingdom, Azatea Kingdom, La Spada Kingdom, etc. According to experts and scholars, anyone who could form a kingdom at the Great Plains of Stanza would have such a huge advantage because it's the only land bridge connecting the Northern and Southern Continents. Although protecting it would be a nightmare, the toll fees they could charge for anyone trying to cross would be worth it. For now, the Twin Kingdom, the Holy Kingdom and the Marbleam Kingdom are the ones sharing it.
And lastly, because the barracks are truly located in the middle of nowhere, although they still have the same number of 25 personnel as the border checkpoints, the people assigned here are stronger. And for the Guards who choose to be assigned here, although they are still weaker compared to the officers, their chances of climbing through the ranks would be higher, especially if they get to participate in killing a powerful criminal.
"Heads up," the Guard leaning on the merlon said before running back to his post and standing properly.
The dark-skinned Guard sitting on the crenel immediately grabbed his halberd and went back to his post as well.
Booom!
Booom!
Booom!
A Draghorn was flying in the sky and then the rider, a Knight, shot three red flares into the sky, illuminating the barracks.
When the Guards on duty for the night saw the red flares, their eyes widened.
TANG! TANG! TANG! TANG! TANG!
One Guard stationed at the watchtower immediately began ringing the bell.
A second Guard rushed over to the Knights Quarters building.
And a third Guard rushed over to the Priests Quarters building.
There are different flare colors and combinations used for signals. If it was only red, it meant the target is a single demon with no indication if it's a Necromancer or not. And depending on how many red flares were shot simultaneously, the higher the number, the stronger the demon.
But of course, not everyone has the same Physical and Magic Force so what's strong for other people may be weak for others. However, the Second Stanza Western Barracks was one of the barracks that is truly located in the middle of nowhere, so the people assigned here are stronger. So to see three red flares shot simultaneously in the sky was a grave sign.
The Knight riding the Draghorn whipped the reins, ordering the monster to descend faster.
***
Second Floor, Knights Quarters building.
A naked man in his early 40s was lying down on a bed inside a dimly lit room. And beside him was a naked woman in her late 20s with her arm on top of his chest and her body pressing against him. They were both asleep with a blanket on top of them, covering only their lower bodies.
TANG! TANG! TANG! TANG! TANG!
The sound of a bell rang outside and they both opened their eyes.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
There was a loud knock on the door.
"Knight Major! There's an emergency! A powerful demon is headed this way!"
The man and woman looked at each other and then got up.
"Hold on!" the Knight Major said as he got up and put on some clothes.
The woman got up and then put on some clothes as well. She also grabbed an Inquisitor Half-Mask and wore it. And after getting dressed, she opened the door.
The Guard hurriedly stepped aside and saluted.
"Honored Priestess Inquisitor."
The Inquisitor ignored him as she passed through.
***
Vooom!
The Knight riding Draghorn landed and immediately jumped off before running towards one of the walls.
BLLLAAAAAAAAAKKK!!!
As he reached the wall and was about to check where the demon following him was at the moment, a 40-meter-tall Lesser Demon suddenly appeared and it raised one of its enormous hands.
[Soul Bomb].
A white-colored ball that was appropriate for the size of the enormous Lesser Demon's hand appeared on its hands.
BAAAAAA--OOOOOOOOO…!
It slammed its palm against the barracks, destroying almost half of the area and covering it with a white mist.
Another hand of the Lesser Demon raised up to the sky.
[Poison Bomb].
This time around, a green-colored water-like ball appeared on its hand.
BAAAAAA--PSSSSSSHHH…!
***
Vivian's demonic eyes moved independently, checking to see if there were any survivors.
THHHUUUDDD!
She moved and stepped on the blue-colored nervous systems, crushing and flattening everything underneath it.
Don't blame me for this, you little insects…
THHHUUUDDD!
Blame yourselves for being such busybodies…
THHHUUUDDD!
As she continued stepping on every nervous system it could find, she suddenly felt something.
[Explosive Sword].
Booom!
A blue-colored nervous system struck her left pinky toe but made no damage.
It was none other than the Knight Major with his clothes mostly torn.
Oh...?
There's still one who can move…?
[Power Tail].
WHOOOOOO-RIIIIIIIIIPPP…!
With one swoop of her enormous tail, she destroyed the rest of the buildings. And whoever or whatever was hiding inside the remaining buildings turned into shreds.
[Greater Origin Transformation].
Blaaak!
She turned into a 9-meter-tall Lesser Demon and faced the Knight Major.
"YOU CURSED DEMON!!!" he said as he got into a sword stance with his Mana Sword.
"YOU'RE NOT GOING TO RUN, BLUEIE? NOT THAT IT'S GOING TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE," Vivian said and then chuckled, causing the tentacles on her mouth to wiggle.
[Earthspike].
A 10-meter-incantation circle appeared under Vivian's feet and sharp spikes made out of solid clay and about 5 meters tall emerged. However, as they struck Vivian's skin, they disintegrated into soft clay before returning to the ground.
"NICE MAGIC TRICK. THAT'S MY FIRST TIME SEEING IT. IS IT PART OF THE [EARTH MASTERY]?"
The Knight Major closed his eyes for a moment.
All of the people he loved, liked, knew and hated, both alive and dead flashed inside his head, and his lips slowly curled up into a smile.
"At least I'll die right away instead of becoming this demon's slave and causing more problems, especially for my family…" he said under his breath.
He opened his eyes and a determined expression appeared on his face.
[Enchant Fire].
Flames erupted on his Mana Sword and he tightened his grip.
Vooom!
He charged forward with his full speed.
As the Knight Major assigned in this barracks, he was the most powerful. Aside from being in his early 40s, he was also a Noble with 3 Magic Arts -- Earth, Fire and Wind. In fact, his stats were:
Class: Warrior
• STR - 195 (+30) (+30)
• VIT - 195 (+30) (+30)
• AGI - 195 (+30) (+30)
• INT - 195 (+30) (+30)
Meanwhile, the second most powerful was a White Cloak Priest from the Infantry Division who was in his mid-30s, had the Captain Rank, and only had 2 Magic Art Affinities with a Physical and Magic Force of Rainbow Steel or around 180 points. And wherever he was or his remains were, only the Elemental Gods knew.
Despite all that, in Vivian's eyes, looking at the Knight Major charging towards her at full speed, it was no different from watching a snail move that she was more focused on her other eyes, checking if there were other survivors.
Once a nervous system dies, the light of their nervous system doesn't go away immediately. It will take a few minutes before it stops shining. And the weaker the light, the less it delicious it becomes, making it nothing more than a normal piece of meat on Vivian's tongue.
I don't think there's anyone alive anymore…
But I still have to make sure they can't be resurrected…
She returned her focus to the Knight Major.
After this little snack…
She rolled one of her eyes.
He's taking so long…
CHUD!
She leaned forward a bit and caught him with one of her hands.
[Poison Strike].
PSSSH!
The Knight Major immediately went limp on her hand.
As she brought him close to her mouth, her tentacles parted away, revealing a chinless jaw with a circular and nightmarish mouth that had 4 rows of teeth. Her long snake-like tongue slithered out and then wrapped around the Knight Major before pulling him down her mouth.
Crunch.
Crunch.
The sound of flesh tearing and bones breaking could be heard from her throat.
Gulp.
She swallowed and then focused on all of the destruction and death around her.
I want more…
She shook her head mentally and then stared at the three red flares that already landed on the ground.
I can't waste any time…
With these flares…
I won't be surprised if backup arrives from a nearby bases…
[Power Tail].
WHOO-RIIIP!
[Power Fist].
BAA-RIIIP!
[Power Tail].
WHOO-RIIIP!
[Power Fist].
BAA-RIIIP!
She began destroying every nervous system she could find, regardless if they were blue or red.
Ugh…!
[Power Tail].
WHOO-RIIIP!
This is so tiring...
[Power Fist].
BAA-RIIIP!
Why can't I just leave a corpse behind…?
[Power Tail].
WHOO-RIIIP!
***
A few moments later…
[Power Fist].
BAA-RIIIP!
Vivian destroyed the last nervous system when she noticed something.
Great…
They're finally here…
From a distance, about a couple of kilometers away, she could see two Draghorns and two Rhoneas flying in the sky.
Do I run…?
Or do I kill them as well…?
But if I kill them…
The security within the Great Plains of Stanza will only increase…
And I won't be able to hunt…
However…
Will that make any difference…?
I've already destroyed one base…
That alone would attract the attention of many people…
She shook her head mentally.
This is already too much attention…
I don't want to add anymore…
The Holy Kingdom might decide to send a Cardinal…
While the Twin and Marbleam Kingdoms might each send a leader of an Aristocratic Noble family…
And I'll be royally fucked…
Gangbang style…
[Greater Origin Transformation].
Blaaak!
She reverted to her human form except for her head.
Vooom!
And then appeared next to where she left her belongings.
"My God! This is becoming such a long night!" she said with her female demonic voice that sounded heavily distorted with a screeching and guttural sound.
Vooom!
She burst into a run. But instead of heading back to the Third Inner Stanza Border Checkpoint, she headed southwest.
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