Flames blaze around me as I stand amidst the infernals. Some try to get close but are swiftly deterred by the magical fire. Mages try to focus me but their attacks don't reach me.
I have waited for this moment for so long. Finally, I can offer my strength to the empire. I will be the horror of infernals!
The earth trembles from the fierce battle. The demon I killed wasn't the only one with the power to threaten our formation.
Now finally warmed up, my connection to Flame of the South deepens by the second. I can feel its conviction. Its will to eradicate evil. And I certainly won't hold it back!
Brimming with power I dash through the battlefield, slaying every infernal in my way. Some more powerful opponents manage to delay me for a few seconds but eventually their heads turn to ashes as well.
I enter an almost trance-like state. My body moves on its own. Dozens of infernals die under my blade.
Suddenly roars echo through the battlefield, shaking me awake. I notice how the infernals begin to escape. They are retreating!
As expected, they are selfish even in escape. They show none of the discipline of an army. Several infernals are pushed aside by others, falling to the floor, making for easy prey for our mages.
"Endal! Take half a centhura and give chase! Kill as many as possible but beware of traps!"
Immediately my eyes light up. I am still in a peak fighting stance. It would be a waste not to decimate those scattered infernals now!
"Yes, sir!"
I salute the crown prince hastily as I wave at the leader of the second centhura. The man, sceptic over the last few days, now doesn't dare to show any negligence. He instantly chooses half of his troops to follow me.
A cry rings through the air. Tumbly communicates with the other basilisks, following me with a group of five. As I begin to sprint, I hear the rhythmic melody of hooves coming closer. A sweet smell of roses reaches my nose. I smile knowing that my beloved came to assist me.
With such loyal friends by my side how could I not be elated? I increase my speed, soon catching up to a small group of skeletons. The other infernals, instead of trying to outnumber me, scatter in all directions.
But the valley is surrounded by rocks and sparse foliage. How could the infernals escape us here? I quickly dispose of the first group before chasing after others.
Out of the corner of my eyes I notice the crown prince continuing to march with the army. Only the troops following me are left behind, chasing down enemies.
However, something strange happens. After killing only about 20 infernals we are suddenly unable to find any more.
I come to a stop on top of a large boulder, scanning the rocky mountain flank. Tumbly circles above my head, scanning the land. Lady Somme stands on another boulder, frowning.
At this moment the leader of the centhura approaches me.
"Sir. Perhaps we should catch up with the crown prince. If we can't eliminate all enemies right now, so be it."
I feel somewhat reluctant. Not because I am out for blood. But because Flame of the South still trembles faintly. The enemies can't have gone far!
Nevertheless, I am slowly nodding my head. But suddenly I am interrupted by Lady Somme's exclamation:
"It is illusion magic!"
Everyone stares at my beloved in surprise. Illusion magic is extremely rare and usually associated with holy or water magic. Can infernals use it?
My question gets answered swiftly as my beloved conjures a large sphere of fire and shoots it at one of the rocks.
Flame and rock collide and for the untrained eye nothing looks suspicious. But I see it clearly. The minute differences. The flame which scatters into the surroundings upon shattering on top of the rock is not the same which Lady Somme used!
"Amazing, my beloved!"
I can't help but praise my gorgeous lady. I don't care for the strange looks the soldiers are giving me. Lady Somme has captured my heart, and I won't hide it!
Eventually the centhura leader coughs and orders his soldiers to destroy the illusion. Under the rain of swords and magic it can't hold on for long.
The rock suddenly disappears and reveals a spacious tunnel. Multiple infernals fall into our eyes, all of them wearing shocked expressions.
I can see that the infernals are trembling, traces of magic lingering around them. This was clearly the sign of a backlash. They must have infused mana into something or someone.
And my conjectures are quickly proven correct as the infernals scold a black-hooded mage standing in front of them.
"How did they see through the illusion?!"
"How is this possible?"
"Didn't you say this artifact was of the highest quality?"
"Wasn't it handed down from a devil?"
"How could mortals see through devilish magic?"
My heart throbs with pride. How could my beloved be considered a mere magician? She is a genius without peers! I would love to let her know but now is not the time. I raise my sword and wordlessly dash into the group of enemies.
The soldiers follow me and within second the infernals lay at our feet. We search for the aforementioned artifact for a few seconds but without success. It must have been destroyed by the backlash.
I look deeply into the tunnel scanning the dark silence with my eyes. My instinct tells me that we aren't alone. I turn towards the soldiers.
"Let us cleanse these tunnels. There shouldn't be many infernals left. But be careful, we might meet soldiers of the Twenstar kingdom."
"You think these are the tunnels the infernals used to harass our border?"
"Highly likely."
I notice everyone nodding, agreeing to my conjecture. If this is the case, it is worth it to scour these tunnels and gather more information.
I signal the soldiers to advance slowly. Our steps echo between the rocky walls. Like this it would be surprising if we don't alert the enemies minutes in advance. Luckily, we have Lady Somme. With a swing of her staff all the noise is suppressed to an area of a few feet around us.
This allows us to strike down another group of infernals after a while. But then we are met with another obstacle as the tunnels begin to fork out.
Pondering briefly, I decide to split up the soldiers. Our priority changes from eliminating enemies to gathering information. Especially if other humans reveal themselves there is no need to fight but rather to bring the information back.
The soldiers nod seriously. I know that they won't act against my order. Their discipline is unquestionable.
Thus, I can be reassured as my beloved and I follow the main tunnel. Despite being only two fighters our group is the most powerful. We stride confidently. Soon, another group of five infernals falls below my blade.
We slowly reveal more and more of the tunnels. It becomes apparent how extensive of a network has been created here.
"This must have taken years… Is it really only for the purpose of harassing our borders?"
My worried voice echoes through the tunnels, prompting my beloved to reassure me:
"We will find out!"
Just as I am about to answer, the situation changes. The flames, which had previously shrunk back to the sword, begin to blaze fiercely. The entire tunnel is immediately engulfed in flames.
Lady Somme let's out a piercing shriek as she dodges. I instantly jerk my head around. My heart hurts as I see flames latching onto her robe.
"I… I am sorry, my beloved. I…"
"Alright. I know, I know. You should rather figure out what caused your sword to react."
"Right!"
I am relieved as my beloved doesn't blame me. I heed her advice, looking down on my sword which vibrats like never before. Some terrifying dark magic must have been used somewhere.
But where? Is it the tunnels?
I focus intensely on Flame of the South, tracing this ethereal feeling of our connection. I perceive a faint will. Information slowly becomes clear in my mind. Large-scale magic had been used. And it was outside!
My blood freezes immediately. Who could warrant the use of such magic? It was naturally the crown prince!
"My brother is in danger!", I shout in shock.
I exchange a look with my beloved. My thoughts race but she helps me to calm down. I take a deep breath before shouting:
"Let's go!"
Together with Lady Somme we rush out of the tunnels. Forgoing all caution, we are swift as the wind, leaving the dungeon in minutes.
"Tumbly!"
It only takes one shout. Tumbly feels my anxiousness. He descends from the skies, landing before me. I quickly jump onto his back.
After I suppress my sword's flames, Lady Somme follows me, holding tightly onto my body. I feel gratified as I know Tumbly usually wouldn't let anyone ride him but me. However, in this tense situation he makes an exception.
The proud basilisks flaps his wings and carries us into the sky.