Episode 914
Chapter 228: The Fierce Battle at Grosh Fortress (10)
An hour later, Valas and Alpen arrived at the Empire, while Dante reached the front lines.
“We’ve been in constant communication, but it feels like it’s been ages since we last met in person, Jin.”
“Indeed. You look healthier than before.”
“You always notice right away. I’ve been honing the energy my grandfather left behind. Though, I do wish Prince Veradin were here on the other side as well.”
“While still in his right mind, you mean.”
“I always feel a bit guilty that it’s just the two of us doing well.”
“There’s nothing to feel sorry about. As long as we keep things in check before he crosses the line, it’s fine.”
“True enough.”
“Are you ready to fight?”
At Jin’s routine question, Dante’s eyes sharpened instantly.
“Of course… The Jinma realm, those damn fiends have been wreaking havoc on the Empire through dimensional rifts for far too long. I’ve lost count of how many nights I’ve woken up in fury. Finally, the chance to crush their stronghold with my own hands has come.”
Dante gripped the hilt of Rashid at his waist.
“When shall we begin?”
“If you want, right now. It’s been a while since we fought side by side.”
“Sounds good. It brings back memories. Which only makes me miss Prince Veradin more. If only you could just thrash the enemy like old times and come back in one piece.”
“I’m exploring several options. Once Valeria masters the recording magic further, we’ll seize the opportunity to review the records of Veradin, Elona, and Ziphl. Maybe that will help them recall what they’ve forgotten and bring about some change.”
“Just imagining that is a hopeful thought.”
The two left the command bridge and leapt into the sky.
As Jin unleashed his magic, the air froze, forming a path beneath their feet. They sprinted along the glowing ice trail, catching the attention of Vanessa, who was sweeping through the battlefield.
“The Governor and the Sword Emperor have arrived! Salute!”
Vanessa’s shout caused every superhuman and knight engaged in battle to turn and salute in unison. The airborne platform artifact developed by Quaul shimmered brightly, ready for aerial combat.
They ignored the swarming demons directly opposite them.
The demons couldn’t attack the alliance members who had their backs turned while saluting. Intimidated by the fierce aura radiating from Jin and Dante, they merely cowered.
“I’ll take the center as the Sword Emperor. Knights, follow Lady Vanessa and Lord Heddo to the flanks and charge!”
“Understood!”
Shing…!
Sigmund and Rashid slid from their sheaths, releasing a deep, resonant hum that rippled through the air. The demons felt the vibrations against their skin and gritted their teeth.
The ice path halted just five hundred steps from the demon formation. Dante stepped forward, pointing Rashid at the enemy.
“I am the one called the Sword Emperor. I stand here to punish those who dared defile the Empire and the mortal realm. Tell me—who among the Jinma realm’s swordsmen dares to face me without fear?”
Dante’s voice thundered across the battlefield.
After a tense silence, a demon stepped forward, a massive axe resting on his shoulder.
“I am Rektus Kitalin, Grand General of Kitalin. I accept your challenge—”
Crack!
A flash of light erupted. Before Rektus could finish, his head was severed.
Being a demon lord, death by decapitation was not permanent. Rektus reattached his head through rapid regeneration, attempting to continue his response, but a series of blinding slashes followed.
Two seconds—the time it took for Rektus to be reduced to a pile of flesh.
“I did not ask for an answer. I asked to see if anyone ignorant enough to challenge me remains. If so, I will be the first to cut down that worthless life.”
No one stepped forward.
The other demons of Kitalin who had come with Rektus to the third defense line held their breath. Though they had heard the Governor Milius had fallen and the situation was dire, they hadn’t expected it to be this bad.
“Seems there’s no one left. Very well, then I shall proceed.”
With a slash of the sky, the sword energy from Rashid split the battlefield in two, surging toward the enemy.
Dante stayed in place, unleashing wave after wave of sword energy, slaughtering demons. Each time the blue blade scorched the field, a group of demons vanished.
Alongside the Heavenly Slash, Ron’s intangible sword technique spread as well.
“You must have enjoyed threatening the powerless. You should have never left the underworld. Now, you will face destruction.”
The demons who had narrowly escaped the light of the Emperor’s Sword were soon torn apart by the intangible sword storm.
‘I see Lord Ron’s spirit in Dante. He would be proud.’
The enemy’s central formation was already beginning to collapse. With Vanessa, Heddo, and the superhumans and knights pressing hard, the demons had no chance to hold.
Jin advanced, swinging his sword.
‘As expected, there’s not a single one trying to escape using Jito’s flesh or any sacrificial magic.’
The suspicion that Sakiel had played a decisive move grew stronger.
‘He must have prepared some kind of grand magic using Jito’s flesh and the power of the demon lords… Whatever it is, it won’t go as planned.’
Swish!
Demons fell in droves. Blood and flesh spread like mist but never touched the two warriors. Not even their clothes were soiled.
If the demons tried to scatter left or right to avoid Jin and Dante, they ran into Vanessa and Heddo’s superhumans and knights. If they retreated, Murakan’s Black Chain devoured them.
Even the Golden Fleet and various war machines under Amela’s command provided artillery support. The hundreds of thousands, even millions of troops, were meaningless before this force.
A proper counterattack was out of the question.
Sometimes demons infiltrated the alliance’s rear through the sea. But they never expected to deal significant damage.
Even the great generals and demon lords couldn’t break through the Golden Fleet and Enya’s dragon-fire barrier amplified by mirrors to strike the alliance’s main force.
[All fleets and troops, increase your advance speed! Maintain distance from the commander!]
The number of demons holding the defense line visibly dwindled in real time. The third defense line was effectively destroyed.
Thirty minutes later.
Not a single demon remained on the third defense line. No wounded groaning, no barely breathing survivors.
Even corpses were scarce. Some had been disintegrated to particles; others left behind what could be called remains, but all had vanished into the air or sunk into the sea. Only a massive purple stain of demon blood remained on the water.
“Keep moving. To Grosh Fortress!”
Without pause, the assault on the fourth defense line began.
The fourth line fell just as easily as the previous ones. The demons collapsed helplessly before the alliance’s overwhelming power.
It took only two hours for the fourth defense line to be wiped out. Again, no survivors.
This war was strange. In a human conflict, there would be deserters, prisoners, and negotiations.
But here, so many lives—most of them beings who had lived for centuries—vanished without a trace.
“Is it brainwashing? I don’t understand how this is possible… Does that Jito not care for his subordinates at all?”
“If he had any sense, he wouldn’t allow such meaningless mass death to continue, Dante.”
“True, but these are the ones who threatened the mortal realm and the Empire. They deserve to die a thousand times over. It’s fortunate that knights like you and I bear the burden of these deaths. If ordinary soldiers faced them in battle, no matter how much of an enemy, witnessing such mass death would break their minds.”
“You’re right. This is our duty, and no one else’s.”
“After the war with the Jinma realm ends, when the war between humans begins, I hope there won’t be so many pointless deaths. I hope there will be those who plead for mercy, who admit defeat and ask for clemency for their subordinates.”
“That will happen.”
In the distance, Grosh Fortress, wrapped in a protective barrier, came into view.
Before it lay the final, fifth defense line. As the last line before the fortress, it was visibly more heavily fortified than the previous battlefields.
Still, no one appeared who could make Jin nervous. Neither Paelito nor any demon lords of similar rank had yet appeared on the battlefield.
On the right, Luna and Luntia were breaking through the defenses and were expected to reach the fourth line soon.
Meanwhile, Ziphl and Kinzello had yet to breach the third line, as powerful demon lords continued to be deployed against them.
“I and Dante will enter the fortress first to see what Sakiel is planning. The main force will join us after annihilating the fifth defense line.”
{Understood!}
{Charge!}
Jin and Dante fell like comets through the ranks of demons at the fifth line of defense. They swiftly cut down any enemies blocking their path, breaking through the defenses with ease.
The cleanup was left to the main force, so they quickly cleared a way forward. After dozens of sword slashes and leaps, the two reached the protective barrier surrounding Grosh Castle.
Crack…!
At last, Jin and Dante shattered a section of the shield and stepped inside. The moment they crossed the threshold, a powerful surge of demonic energy pulsed through the air—so intense it forced them to steady their breathing.
And it was an energy Jin had felt before.
“Sakiel. Looks like you’ve used up all the flesh you were handing out to the Demon Lords on your own. Show yourself. It’s time to face defeat.”