Road to the Main Base (3)
Life in the Gaia Empire was like paradise to Siana Daybreak.
Ever since the first Saintess, Licorice Sunshine, vanished, the Gaia Empire had slowly begun to rot away. The other three empires respected it only because it was a theocratic nation worshiping the continent's sole god and had a Saintess—but they never saw it as an equal. It wasn't an exaggeration to say the empire was upheld solely by the goddess Lai Teresa and her Saintess, Silvia Sunshine.
True to its rotten state, the empire's national power was extremely weak. That was why Vain Slay had dispatched Siana under the pretext of protecting the empire from other races. In name only was it protection; in reality, it was to place the empire firmly under his thumb, using Siana as the cornerstone.
At first, Siana had grumbled about having to live in a temple brimming with holy power, which clashed extremely with her own energy. But as she settled in, staying in Gaia started feeling more comfortable than being back in the Rear Duchy. For one, aside from the Saintess, there was no one in the rotten church with enough power to inconvenience her—she could almost forget it was a temple. For another, the Saintess's residence was a detached annex farthest from the imperial palace where Siana stayed, so its influence didn't reach her. Most crucially, the empire's nobles—and even Emperor Pope Zelrain Gaia—bowed their heads before her.
Siana, addicted to the sweet taste of power, ignored Vain Slay's recall orders with one excuse after another. Then the incident happened.
In a dark room.
-Crack! Bang!
Sounds of things colliding and shattering filled the space.
"Vain Slay...! A mere human like you dares...!"
Siana Daybreak—Siana—couldn't contain her rage and started hurling objects everywhere.
The spot where Vain Slay had struck her had already healed, but the impact to her abdomen lingered like a phantom pain. It was probably not physical pain, but the agony of humiliation.
"Huff... huff... It's all because of that bastard...!"
As time passed and her heated head cooled, the fury aimed at Vain Slay shifted elsewhere. Why get mad at someone so much stronger? When the gap is that wide, you can't even muster the anger. Even though they were bound in the same hero party, the power difference between Vain Slay and Siana now was embarrassing to compare.
Thus, it was only natural for Siana's rage to turn toward Cluster.
When she first heard the report of an intruder, she'd assumed it was some mid-level demon causing trouble. Most demons in pro-Demon King Boreas had bowed to humans anyway, and the scattered pro-Demon King demons hadn't moved in 500 years. She figured the empire's forces could handle a run-of-the-mill demon, so she just watched.
But that was wrong.
'He's hiding his power as much as possible—looks like a mid demon at a glance—but the demonic mana wrapping his legs for attack and evasion is top-tier even among high demons.'
Seeing the black-haired demon rampage, Siana had no choice but to step in herself. If he took the Saintess, Vain Slay would surely hound her to return. Plus, even if she didn't, the Pope would beg for help—so she figured she'd show some hero-party initiative.
Facing a strong foe for the first time in ages, Siana judged pure swordplay wouldn't cut it and tried to overwhelm him with her specialty, blood magic.
That's when things went off the rails. Fascinated by how effortlessly he dodged her blood mist, Siana got so immersed she ignored Vain Slay's messages. She won in the end, but the envoy who received them in her stead reported her blood magic use to Vain Slay. The envoy was eliminated by Vain Slay afterward, of course.
"Where the hell did that freak come from...!"
Knowing Vain Slay's personality, he'd tie her down in the Rear Duchy for a while. But Siana couldn't bear handing the honey pot of Gaia over to some dim-witted elf or arrogant lizard. She racked her brains for a way to reclaim her spot.
After much deliberation, a guy popped into her head: strong, but just dumb enough and loyal.
"Summon Girar."
"Ahh... [Extinction Evil]! This Girar is honored to carry out your will! Dong-dong-dong-dong!"
The demon that suddenly appeared in the forest started ranting to himself. Towering at least 3 meters, with dark navy skin, a bald head, and long protruding fangs—he was striking.
"[Extinction Evil] has given me a mission! What an honor!"
"Ahh, are these tears in my eyes from the joy of being chosen by the noble [Extinction Evil]? Tears of?"
"[Extinction Evil], alas! This Girar has failed to properly carry out your command! Lost and wandering—could you guide me?"
His intense expressions, voice, gestures—and intermittent drum sounds—made it feel like watching a musical or pansori performance.
"Cluster, he doesn't seem interested in us. We should slip away quietly."
"What if he notices? He might charge at us suddenly."
"He mentioned [Extinction Evil]. He's definitely one of her minions. Best not to get involved—could be a hassle."
"Extinction Evil?"
The name sparked a question mark in my mind. Reading my face, Veronica opened her mouth...
"[Extinction Evil]? Ohh, do you know of Lady [Extinction Evil]! No, of course—who in the world doesn't? I got too excited!"
The demon, who had been monologuing, reacted to the name and closed in on us in an instant. His face was wildly excited.
"I am Girar, demon servant of [Extinction Evil]. Heading to the Gaia Empire on her orders."
"Gaia Empire? Why's a demon going to the Holy Empire?"
"Because it's [Extinction Evil]'s command, of course."
Grinning maniacally to himself, Girar abruptly stopped and shoved his face into mine again.
"Black hair. Black eyes. Are you the one [Extinction Evil] spoke of? The one who clashed with her recently?"
"Nah, I haven't fought anyone like that."
"Hmmm!"
Girar stared at my face intently, then glanced past me at the sleeping Silvia.
"Black-haired, black-eyed man. Blue-haired girl. Just as [Extinction Evil] described. To think you'd dare deceive me—should rip you apart!"
At that moment, demonic mana exploded from Girar's body. Intensely strong—stronger than even Alicia at first glance. Not unbeatable, but fights aren't just about raw power; technique and experience matter, so I couldn't be sure.
"Cluster, protect Silvia. I'll handle him."
"Hm?"
As I prepared to counter his mana with my own, Veronica slipped between us. I felt Girar's mana split around her. It wasn't just a feeling—the ground was torn in a fan shape radiating from her.
If we were weaker, we'd be dead for sure.
"Didn't expect you'd block my attack. Fine, I'll get serious too!"
Black energy swirled around Girar's fists, forming gauntlets. A close-combat specialist, then. A 3-meter giant demon versus Veronica—tall for a woman at around 170cm, but slender.
I wondered if she could win against that size gap, even if it was fists versus sword—but doubts vanished quickly.
-Clang!
She blocked his overhead punch with her blade, but the thin rapier strained; she was driven into the ground with it.
-Thud!
Simultaneously, Veronica's heel slammed into Girar's chest. One hand on the ground like a handstand—she'd redirected his power into a tumbling kick.
"Hoho! You got me good! My turn!"
Despite the heavy chest hit, Girar laughed heartily and grabbed her embedded leg, swinging his own massive leg at her face. Simple, but devastatingly efficient. Caught like that, Veronica couldn't dodge or block.
Arms might work, but her slim limbs against his calf's power? Doubtful. And it was mana-infused.
"Veronica!"
"I'm fine! Focus on guarding Silvia, Cluster!"
She stopped my rush.
-Crunch!
Something burst. Dust flew as Girar's foot met her head—I couldn't see clearly, but his silhouette held her leg firm.
"Elves truly aren't to be underestimated! I learned something today!"
-Thump.
Veronica, dangling from Girar, hit the ground. His hand still gripped her leg.
"Learned my ass. You were just too dumb to notice."
Rising, Veronica ripped off the hand still clutching her leg.
"Didn't expect you'd summon an earth spirit in that split second for defense. Surprised me so much I lost a precious hand."
"Watch out for spirits next time you fight an elf. If there is a next time."
Blood trickled from her mouth. She downplayed it, but it must've been taxing. Girar examined his stump, swung his arm—whoosh—and a hand regrew.
"Watch out for demons in your next fight. Some regenerate like this."
They glared, circling, poised to strike at any opening.
-Dash!
-Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Girar moved first, charging with a flurry of punches. Veronica parried each with her sword. Meanwhile, the ground under his feet softened—earth hands erupted, grabbing his legs.
"Told you to watch the spirits? Forgot already?"
Startled by the sudden earthen grip, Girar tried to pull back—but
"Too late."
Veronica's rapier flashed. Girar, missing his left leg, toppled. Aimed for the thigh, but clipped the calf due to size—regrettable, but the tide had turned. She thrust at his fallen chest.
-Thud!
"Gahk!"
A death rattle—and Veronica flew back. His regenerated leg had kicked her solar plexus. Hit in a vital spot, she lay motionless, unconscious.
"Told you to watch for regenerating demons. You forgot too."
Echoing her words back at the prone Veronica, Girar's foot hovered over her head. A little pressure, and it'd shatter.
"Farewell. Short, but a fine bout."
He raised his leg high. Then stomped down.
-Squelch!
Blood sprayed—though we'd seen plenty, this seemed final. Girar's massive frame toppled backward.
"Bitching at each other about forgetting while forgetting me? Unbelievable."
Fights matter strength, skill, experience—but above all, numbers rule.
Meanwhile, long after Cluster's group vanished.
-Squirm squirm.
"Ahh! Should've asked for directions before fighting! Wandering lost for days—what a shame!"
A dejected voice scattered on the wind and faded away.