The Decisive Battle (1)
Time flowed on, and it had been a full week since Monster Season erupted. As always, the academy's morning was buried under a blizzard—not exactly a cheerful sight. Snow had fallen relentlessly every single day without fail. Academy residents had to shovel it daily, and the scene felt almost like an omen of the empire's doom, leaving people a touch uneasy. Of course, it was mostly the lousy weather's fault. The overall atmosphere was holding steady. Tianis looked a lot different now compared to before.
For starters, buildings had been restored. Not everything back to its original state, but the key structures were mostly fixed. The walls shattered by monsters had been rebuilt too. Stronger than ever, they looked utterly impervious to any outside assault. Such rapid repairs were all thanks to the dwarves. No wall was too massive for their hands. There were minor hiccups with materials and manpower, but those got sorted quick. The empire wasn't exactly broke, and Tianis brimmed with mages. Winter's snowfall had dented morale a bit, but the restorations erased it entirely.
Other factors helped too. Per treaty, every nation sent aid troops the moment they heard. But support for a war zone didn't stop there. Monster Season was a continental catastrophe. Fail to end it, and everyone knew the fallout. So groups across the continent—guilds, excluding nations—dispatched personnel. Adventurers stood out, the ones who delved into uncharted ruins and crushed threats. They formed the biggest chunk of aid. Easily over half. The reason was obvious.
No opportunity like this anywhere else.
A massive monster outbreak meant prime chances for cash and fame. Even without glory, the loot was guaranteed. Adventurers were glorified mercenaries anyway. For all those reasons, Tianis had transformed since the first raid. Not that it was all peaceful. Monsters prowled the capital outskirts, after all. Several assaults hit deep night or predawn, when everyone slept. Defending wasn't tough, though. The capital and Tianis kept constant vigils manned.
The poor bastards pulling watch must be dying.
What could you do? That's ambush hour. Bitch at the monsters if you had to. Still, the watches let everyone else sleep sound. I reached the Student Council Hall and headed straight in. Morning meeting called. The first one slotted me as defense lead for the capital and academy, but it stuck after the third. Partners: Justia Holy Kingdom. Stuck defending with them.
Obviously, I refused. Move with those assholes? I'd rather die. But saint plus holy kingdom? Optimal combo, so the alliance greenlit it. Grumbled plenty, but as commander, skipped no meetings. Marched to the chamber every dawn. The session brought good news. Evan's boss furball analysis was finally done.
The analysts laid it out. “Our findings: its position shifts constantly.”
“Meaning?”
“Exactly that. It never stays put. Seems... it can teleport.”
Silence fell. The Imperial Knight Commander spoke. “Way to catch it?”
“Not a true method, but it teleports about ten times daily. Range limited to its horde.”
“Then...”
“Strike all hordes at once. Burn its teleports.”
The analyst stressed cornering the boss to exhaust its jumps. “Only way?”
“Best for now. Nullification magic's too vast. Time and resources wasted anyway.”
All sound logic. Better invest elsewhere. “Thoughts, everyone?”
Elena's question. The gathered commanders chimed in.
“Solid. Post-capture: how fast reinforcements...”
“Mountains? Handled.”
“Prep comms channels.”
One by one. My turn. Elena eyed me. “You?”
“Got better? If best, roll with it.”
A few ideas floated, but nah. Boss was Evan's. “Understood. Then...”
More back-and-forth. Big crowds bred issues galore. Supplies requested too. Meeting wrapped. I bounced. Elraim waited outside, fresh off shift. Not solo. Elena—left early—with her. Mid-chat.
“Happened to you too, Lady Elraim?”
“Yes. Even after recent reunion...”
“Same here. Unaware sometimes, total hassle...”
“I get it. Age gap amplifies it...”
Familiar sight. They clicked on whatever, chatting happily. Approached with a noise. Elraim turned.
“Back, young master?”
“Casual's fine. What're you two on about?”
“Not telling.”
Slight smile. Curiosity low, dropped it. “Sleep okay? Not drowsy?”
“Only you say that to a swordmaster.”
“Hate it?”
“...No.”
She flushed. Eyed the elf. “You, head out. Sis's with me.”
“I was with Lady Elraim first.”
“Talked enough. Sort the beastkin. Fights everywhere, everyone's pissed.”
Fucking brawlers. Monster Season drew powerhouses; incidents daily. Yesterday, some mobbed a famous adventurer for scraps. “Your duty as saint-commander. Lead, don't lounge.”
Classic elf—stubborn. Gods' folk hopeless. Irked, grabbed Elraim's hand. “Sis, grub...”
“Kyle.”
Quiet call. Froze. Turned. “Wrong move. Still mid-talk with Elena.”
“...Fine.”
Drag her, she'd rage. Inner tch, released grip. She approved. They about to resume—
BOOM! Signal flare burst skyward. Monsters incoming.
“Monsters massing! Move out!”
“Sortie prep! Warp to sectors!”
Shouts everywhere. Academy snapped to battle ready.
“Tch, finally.”
Not shocked. Pinpointed position, so attack due. Just sooner than novel.
“Sis, no breakfast together. Catch ya post-fight.”
“Got it.”
She nodded. But drew close. “Don't get hurt. Promise?”
Worried gaze. Grinned. “Forgot? I'm stronger than you now.”
“Then versus now? Different.”
“Eh?”
“Real.”
Farewells done. Knight Commander Elraim dashed to her unit. Watching her back, I said, “Let's go.”
“Yes, Saint.”
We headed walls.
***
Armored up, atop walls with holy kingdom crew. Far off, black specks swarmed. Monsters.
“Total count?”
“Nine hundred thousand.”
“Fuck, that's a shit-ton.”
Our time prep equaled theirs. Scraped empire monsters; boss horde topped two million. Half barreled here.
“How to handle that mess...”
Plan roughed out. Variables could derail. Some monsters beyond our grunts; morale crash could snowball. Human psyches fragile—deaths spread panic. If blockable...
“Guess I gotta step up.”
Optimal. Me out front? Casualties plummet.
“Everyone at posts?”
“Yes. Holding as ordered.”
Holy kingdom sent four races: dwarves, elves, beastkin, humans. Assigned roles to holy-magic users.
“Beastkin obey orders, might work smooth...”
Pre-arrival, mind raced. Elena muttered, “War flips you. So meek with Lady Elraim.”
“What'd you say, bitch?”
“Praise.”
“...Warning: stay off Sis. Or die for real.”
Stressed it. She puzzled. “Future saint over us—why the hate? Even Mother's fond.”
“None your business. Heed the warning.”
“Pass.”
“What?”
“We click with her.”
Can't spill World Tree bit. Frustrating as hell. Faced front. “Tell priests prep.”
“Yes.”
She signaled wall priests. Moments later, monsters neared walls. Horde filled view, charged straight. Madness in eyes, slaughter intent. Crossed my first mark, second. No orders yet; Elena pressed. “Ready. Fire...”
“Not yet.”
“Timing demands now...”
“Not.”
Held to absolute limit. Elena yelled. “What the hell! Trying to die—?!”
Instant they hit my final line. Mana surged; magic deployed. Massive array bloomed skyward. Yelled at her. “Transmit: fire now!”
“Too late! Walls gone even if...”
“Do it!”
Commander was me. She bit lip, ordered priests. Holy magic launched. Late as she said, slow to hit. No issue. All calculated. Holy power pierced my array—amplified—hurtled forth. Ground impact.
KABOOM!!!
Power multiplied several-fold. “...”
Monsters to ash instant. To dazed elf: “Told ya, no problem.”
Her face twisted sour. Screamed. “You call that fine?!”
Angry elf mug? Priceless.