Dark Lord of Tartarus - Chapter 34

Chapter 34






Vincent and the others hurriedly rode towards the unknown people and the surviving soldiers. John put the pedal to the metal and the passengers firmly held on as the vehicles shook as they cross the bare land and dust clouds came with the turn of the wheels.

Vincent narrowed his eyes and fixed them on the people that were to potentially pose a significant threat. As they rode closer, the unknown people have already taken the hold of the surviving soldiers. At this moment, Vincent thought he was right that something terrible might happen to the survivors.

The survivors were forcedly fell on both knees and some were fighting back but were to no avail and only got beat up and fell to the ground, all it took to make them fall is one hit, it was as though they did it with so little effort. And Vincent looked at the oppressors with enmity.

Then, one of the oppressors, wearing a black coat with glowing markings turned to look at them as though he was expecting them. Well, Vincent and the others were obviously coming towards them so the man's actions were to be expected. However, the man acted casually and looked like he was all confident. After the man turned to look at them, the others also turned to look at them. Also, the survivors were turned to look at them, it was as though they wanted to show the survivors.

A moment later, the vehicle where Vincent, John, Maya, and Zoey was in came to halt, the other vehicles also stopped. The oppressors were a few distances from them, but this will be enough to be called a safe distance, of course, they have to be careful. Recklessly driving or charging towards them would be a very stupid thing to do, especially when these unknown beings caused the destruction of the town of Yusorga.

They all carefully stepped outside of the car while on guard. Vincent had his sword inside its scabbard hanging on his left waist and also carrying a magic-powered rifle. John readied his already loaded shotgun and held it firmly while closely looking at his surrounding, mostly at the unknown people in front of them.

Then Vincent stepped forward and standing straightly facing the potentially powerful enemies. Also, John, Maya, and Zoey stepped forward and stood at Vincent's sides, the other people also formed themselves up beside them and behind them.

Both the groups glared at each other for several seconds as a cold wind blew by crawling through their skin and swaying their clothes. Vincent could feel a bit of tense coming from his allies. Some were heavily breathing and some shakily breathing, however, they tried their best to have a stable breathing.

Vincent analyzed the group in front of him.

They're wearing strange clothing and outfits… as well as battle gears. Some are of modern and medieval times.

It is the modern times and wearing something from the medieval times as well as holding a sword is already suspicious enough. Not only that, the other forms of them are suspicious enough. One of them has the form of a little girl, but Vincent is already certain she is no ordinary human girl or is she even human?


She wore a black and white dress with a matching short skirt reaching her knees. Like a human girl, she's short and looked innocent and unthreatening. She wore a mask the covered her could be adorable visage. However, the most noticeable of them all is her ears. Her pair of ears were long and pointed, not those of a human and this gave Vincent the conclusion that she's no human. In addition, to at least have an idea of what she is just basing on her ears, it could be taken from fantasy stories, and her race could be what they called "elves".

I never thought elves really do exist.

Of course, he would never think they really exist, well not even other humans could think of their existence. No one has ever seen an elf nor even found a piece of evidence they exist, there was not even a single sign found in any remote places. Perhaps elves lived this world considerably far in the past, and in time they vanished into the unknown leaving no evidence of their existence. Or perhaps a creature or creatures that appeared countless centuries in the past have something to do in the disappearance of such race.

Also, one of the strangest things is that, what would a person like her doing in a place like this? Such a young girl in the middle of the battlefield is just not right. However, she's no human so Vincent decided to just not think about it a lot. She must be something like a secret or reason that able her to get here.

Next, there was a person straightly and confidently standing. He wore a formal suit, something that someone would not expect or even think of seeing someone wearing a formal outfit amidst all this. Just like the young elf, he wore a mask hiding his face. And this is all too fishy.

If this place really became a battlefield. Then someone wearing that kind of clothing is too out of place. I could not even think of someone wearing something like that in a massive fight or rather a war.

What kind of man could that guy be? He must be valiant enough to wear something like that amidst a war zone. However, what if this man is not a fighter but rather an observer? Someone who just overseer a battlefield or perhaps a strategist or maybe a supporter of this massacre. After all, he looks rich judging by his clothes. If so, how could he bear to see the slaughter and annihilation of an entire town? What kind of person is he? How could he not care or at least intervene in the annihilation of his own kind?

But wait, is he even human? If he is, he could have at least felt something or anything even for just a little. Still, he looks like he didn't have a clue that a massive annihilation just happened. Does he even care about everything that happens? If he doesn't, then he could be a psychopath that doesn't care about anything. Or someone that has a very evil heart. Metaphorically speaking, he could be a demon in the form of a human that doesn't care about the demise of anyone. A demon who does not care about anything, to say the least.

I can't understand why he's even here.

He couldn't even grasp an understanding, so he decided to keep his guard. Besides, his appearance might be deceiving and might turn out he's a powerful being.

Next, there was a man, wearing a full plate black set of armor. All of his body was covered which not even a piece of skin can be seen. Amazingly and surprisingly, his armor was stylishly and impressively designed, one would think his armor is incredibly well made. Not only that, the armor looked hard enough and one could not easily pierce it. Unlike the others, he was not wearing a mask, but rather a helm which covered his head.

However, the most noticeable thing on him was his pair of raven black wings. It was like the exact opposite of the depiction of the wings an angel would have. This made Vincent question if he could really be called an angel. His form was not all that holy or even harmonious, he could be described as a raven flying and hunting in the middle of the night which one would not be able to quickly notice.

What could his race be? Could he be a fallen angel?

It's quite possible his species are called fallen angels. However, black wings were only depictions the people made to what those fallen angels have. Angels that was cast out of heaven, thus their form changed from their former beautiful and majestic wings into wings of darkness which can people described as dreadful. However, is that really the case? His wings were not quite dreadful but rather one could feel a bit of tranquility by just glancing at those.

Either way, the strangest thing about him is his ensembles.

I don't see the reason to wear something from medieval times.

He was wearing a full set of armor was already off enough. He seemed like he is out of sync with the generation. No one will ever wear a full set of armor in a war, for the generation now is all about body armors and guns. And wearing a full set of armor will only mess one's mobility and that could mean one could be an easy target, not to mention one wearing a full set of armor would significantly stand out.

If he is wearing a set of armor, then where are his swords?

He was wearing a full set of armor so naturally, those set of armor would be paired with a sword or two. However, there was not a single blade could be seen, not even just a glimpse of it. If he didn't bring any swords, then what could he have used? No way he could have used a gun, using even just a pistol or a small gun would be not felt right, hell it would not even fit the set one bit.

If his sword cannot be seen, then perhaps he used magic to conceal his blade and used his it when the time is right or perhaps to surprise his enemies. Also, the fact that he wore a full set of armor should have a reason. If one thinks he really is an angel, then perhaps wearing those full set of armor was because that's just how angels fight and what helped him survive the recent battle.

Vincent decided to just think of it that way.

Next was a man wearing a black robe holding a weird black staff with a crystal at the top edge which could think he must be a mage or some kind of magic caster. The man's robe was surprisingly impressive and seemed uniquely made which is quite rare to see. Not a lot of people get to make that kind of clothing, well in fact not a lot of people gets to make a mage robe. Well, some indeed make mage robes but most are simplistic and a few were gotten to be made unique and some are only for cosplays. Then just like the others, he wore a mask concealing his unknown visage.

However, from the looks of it he could be a human, but basing on the on the previous people, one can not be sure this man on a robe is human. There is still the fact that he might have helped in the annihilation of this town – no, he definitely helped in the annihilation. If not, then what is he even doing here.

One of the feelings that made Vincent think he must not be human and one of the people who destroyed the town was –

What is this? It felt like the more I look at him, I feel some strange vibe. Something… corrupting, defiling… something opposite of holiness. Why is that?

Vincent could not completely explain the feeling, however, it's just a feeling. It seems to be coming from the man wearing in the black robe. Vincent could feel some different aura from him or something like that, a vibe he has never felt before. Vincent could not understand why he was feeling it, maybe perhaps his holy magic is reacting which is why he was feeling like that.

There was also a feeling that stood up above the rest. A feeling he has never felt before, a feeling that seemed to be precisely an aura of some kind emanating from the being on the black robe. This was a feeling opposite of a living being, Vincent felt that life itself is warm and pure, however, he could clearly feel something like cold and corrupt.

I couldn't understand why I'm getting this feeling at all. Perhaps there's something up with that man, I best to be on guard against him.

If he couldn't understand the feeling now, then he might understand it later. Perhaps they might reveal who they really are or perhaps Vincent and the others might find out once they battle.

Next one was what made Vincent feel a bit relieved, something has finally felt right in the current situation, something that fit the timeline or the event. There was a woman wearing a black and gold themed military uniform that was impressively designed and was absolutely fitting for her. Looking at her long beautiful and silky smooth looking black hair would absolutely tempt all men to at least have a feeling of her wonderful hair. Her outfit showed her gentle and slender body figure that would make all men looking at her dumbfounded and gawk at her with adoration. Also, ladies who come near her, even supermodels would be put to shame, even with the ones called with beautiful har would not begin to compare to this military girl.

She's appealing, indeed, so appealing.

Vincent thought.

Because of her attractiveness, Vincent has grown curious about her face and what level of beauty she could have. However, her mysterious visage was concealed by a mask. Still, even if her face was covered, Vincent knew and believed she could be absolutely beautiful, no, she's undoubtedly be beautiful, judging by her form alone would be enough to know the beauty she possesses, it is absolutely impossible if that was not the case.

At this point, Vincent has begun to question. What could someone like her doing her?

Judging by her outfit, she's definitely be a member of a military. However, adding the impressively designed military coat, it could mean she was of a high-ranking officer, could probably be a General. How ironic it is to have someone like her as a general, however, it seems it was definitely the case she is a high-ranking officer.

However, if that was the case, then where are her army? Vincent looked around to confirm however there is still none that can be seen. At that point, Vincent thought that it's highly possible they have not brought an army with them. If they didn't bring any army, and they are the only ones who attacked this town, then how powerful could they be, could they have used a magic item or something? Regarding that, the answer is probably won't be easy to obtain.

Vincent peered the woman closely for the last time. He saw that the woman doesn't have any firearm, not on her arm or her waist whatsoever. However, there was only a hilt that can be seen on her waist, then it could be said it was a sword. The blade cannot fully be seen, but based on its hilt, it's probably a rapier.

So, she uses a blade, noted.

Vincent thought.

If she possessed a blade, then she must be skilled in swordsmanship. Thus, one must be wary in close combat with her, and also in sword combat.

Then next, he saw an angel. However, this was different from the angels that were ever depicted, too different, or perhaps that is just how it is to personally meet an angel. This being of absolute holiness and purity was wearing a full plate of white armor with the secondary color of gold which shows her slender and curvy body figure, however, her visage which is probably full of wonder was concealed by a white and gold helm. Still, the sight alone made Vincent's eyes widen in amazement and captivation.

On top of all that, what stands out most of all, the thing which determined her as an angel of holiness, and that alone would be enough to realize that fact, was no other than her pair of wings. However, those were no regular wings, the one she possesses was not to be expected to be seen on an ordinary angel basing on depictions alone. In depictions all around the world, most all of them depicts angels as having white pure wings, however, this being possessed wings of golden wings, adding her wonderful form, her presence alone can be described as majestic.

I never thought I would see something like this might entire life. What could an angel be doing here? Wait, do angels even do exist? One is in front of me, but I can't be entirely sure if she's genuine.

Angels only existed in stories and myths, and now one of them is before Vincent. How could an angel reveal themselves here? There was already another angel here except that one has raven black wings. Not to mention this angel with golden wings stood before the ruined town. Could that angel be involved in all of this? It's quite a high chance that is the case – no, that is definitely that case, if that is not, then she shouldn't be here with them in the first place.

But still, there is still the fact that an angel graced Vincent and the others with her presence. But, why would an angel appear now? Where were they? Centuries have past and none has given a concrete evidence nor an angel shown themselves to the people. Could have the angles themselves hid their own existence? If that is the case, then what is the reason? Could a creature that appeared countless centuries ago has something to do with their disappearance? However, it seems those question will never be answered, unless an angel or something states the reasons whatsoever.

Vincent has no idea what brought an angel here, however, if she is indeed involved in the annihilation of Yusorga, then it is best to be on guard. No matter how holy her presence can be, if she is guilty, then she must be struck down.

Finally, the one which Vincent has a bad feeling with from the beginning. This one stood in front of the unknown beings and standing nonchalantly like there was no threat at all. This one wore a black trench coat with markings on it glowing with the color of neon blue. Surprisingly, his clothes were meticulously detailed and stylishly and impressively designed, one could think his clothes were more expensive than one's entire expensive home.

Like the others, this one wore a mask concealing his visage and his coat also has a hood concealing his entire head. Also, the strange thing is that there seems to be azure blaze leaking through the mask's eyes which Vincent has never seen before. He has not even seen something similar to that. And those azure blazing eyes seems to be glaring at Vincent, he was not sure, but it felt like it.

He's the strangest one of them all. Especially the aura that he seems to be emanating.

Vincent thought.

One of the things Vincent could not understand was that this man was gleaming with black radiance. His clothes may have covered all his skin, but his clothes themselves were covered in black radiance. That radiance was like a blaze in the color of darkness, not entirely thick, but the radiance was enough to be seen by the naked eye in the late afternoon.

As he stood ahead of them and gleaming with dark radiance as well as a strange aura, it could be concluded he is in charge of them all. In addition, his presence and form itself seem to be like Vincent and the others were in the presence of a supreme ruler. If one uses those as judgment, including the feeling and vibe that this man before them is powerful, then it could be concluded that this man is in charge of them, the leader of these strange beings, and could be the person behind this annihilation.

"How valiant of you to come here."

A calm and confident voice rang out that broke the silence. However, his voice didn't sound like it completely ruined the momentum of silence, but rather it was as though it blended almost perfectly with the silence.

The voice came from the suspected leader of the strange beings. The one whose azure eyes were leaking through the eyes of the mask, and the one emanating the dark radiance.

Vincent glared at the man while not having to respond to the man as Vincent went on full guard just in case something happens.

"I suppose you people came for the survivors?"

The man said as he extended his hand to the survivors as though presenting them.

The survivors were kneeling on the ground with both knees and each one has a strange being behind them. However, it seems the elf child was not holding any survivor.

"You lot could have been safe from all of these, but still you chose to approach us just to save the survivors. Why?"

The man asked like he totally has no idea whatsoever. However, is that suppose to be asked? The answer is quite obvious. Anyone would already know the answer to that. Still, Vincent decided to answer his question.

"That is because they needed to be saved. They still have hope to live. When one has power, he must do his best to save the ones who needed to be saved, and protect them."

"What a typical answer…"

The man said in a quiet voice.

"That's what I always hear, protect the weak and save… *ahem*…" The man muttered to himself. "Even when you know you might die?"

"Of course, no matter how hard it is or if we might die, we'll do everything to save everyone."

"Do everyone in your group truly concur to that? Never mind that, the important question is, you don't even know these people nor you have any relationships with them, why bother going that far? I'm curious about that."

The man again asked a question, the question may have some similarities to the previous one, it still has differences and Vincent gave a different answer.

"It doesn't matter if we know them or not, they're still people. Not doing so will be selfish, especially when you have the ability to save them."

"Even knowing that the opponent is powerful and might possibly be more powerful than you ever are?"

"Yes." Vincent confidently answered.

"Hehehe." The man chuckled and he sounded like he was mocking Vincent. "Is it not another form of selfishness?"

Another form? Saving other people definitely cannot be called selfishness. You're giving help to other people and giving them hope. Putting your own life for the sake of others is not even in the definition of being selfish. Does this man not know the meaning of selfishness?

"What do you mean?"

"If you know there's a possibility of death and knowing the opponent is powerful and yet still chose to save the ones you don't even know, then what about the people you know and have relationships with?"

Once again, the man asked, however, he continued.

"You think about other people you don't know, and not think about the people you have relationships with. Then if you might perish, do you not think about the people who love you and care for you? You had a chance to have a tomorrow but still chose to charge towards demise. Do you not think you have people waiting, hoping, and praying for you to return?"

That last question struck Vincent. Vincent looked to his colleagues, and it seems they were too thinking about it. Then the man continued.

"If you chose to charge knowing there is death, then you never even tried to think about the people who care for you. For example, you went here to save the survivors knowing death is a probability, only to satisfy your own desire to save the people, you charged forward foolishly, do you not think if you perish the people who care for you will mourn you and will be filled with grief and sorrow? Tell me, is it not selfishness to not think about the people who loves you and cares for you."

He was right, if they perish here, the ones who care for them will be left alone and will grieve for a long time. How could they not think about something like that? Everything that this man has been saying is correct, and it greatly struck everyone in the order.

John has his wife and son waiting for him. Maya has her father expecting her return and to do his wishes to explore. Zoey has her mother and father waiting for her safe return and to think about what her parents said.

"In short, you will only make things worse than it should be." The man said.

"As you said, it is only a probability, so there's a chance we might survive."

Vincent tried to fight back the logical words the man said.

"I'm sure you have witnessed the destruction, no, the disintegration of this town. Is that not enough to judge the circumstances? To me, you don't look and feel that powerful, hmm, but I guess I shouldn't judge people that easily."

The destruction of this town is already enough evidence that these beings are powerful and are probably more potent than all the people here who belong to the order. But still, Vincent chose to approach them.

"There might be a chance of death, but if we don't at least try, we won't know if we die, and there might be a chance to save those survivors. Especially, there might be a chance to destroy you, if we don't do it now, you might bring the world into a brink of destruction."

Vincent still tried to counter everything the man said even though his colleagues already thinks the man's words made sense and they are indeed so powerful judging from the destruction of Yusorga.

"You're right, however, if you all think the opponent is powerful than you. Would it not be better retreat and think of a better way to handle things, even if it means leaving the survivors behind?"

Vincent has nothing to respond to the man's words. Everything he said made sense, in the fact it's better to retreat and think of a better way and some other things. Vincent did think this opponent is powerful but still decided to go forth believing that they have a chance, even though the night sky that obliterated the town is enough to make a judgment but he still paid it no heed. But still, Vincent denied everything the man said, even if the opponent is powerful, there is still hope to everything.

After a few seconds, the man spoke again.

"It appears you are their leader, that means you get to make the call. Your allies appear to have realized it, but you seem to be still denying everything. Could it be?"

Vincent raised his head to look at the man.

"Hmmm, could it be the reason you easily made the call to charge here is because you have no one waiting for you? Or perhaps no one cares for you? Or you are just too confident? Or maybe you are just being selfish, trying to satisfy your own desire to save the people and never thought about the lives of your allies?"

The question that came flying towards Vincent struck him so hard. No one special is indeed waiting for Vincent's return, not even in his own house. There are people who care for him, but there are only too few. Overconfidence, could that be the case when he believes he can survive all this as well as his comrades? Lastly, now that Vincent realized it, he never thought about his own comrade's lives and families, so it might indeed be selfishness.

"Augh… How did it become a debate? Perhaps I just got dragged by my curiosity. Now then."

The man said, and his last two words sounded more severe than before.

"You coming here is for naught. For there was no hope for you and these survivors from the very beginning."

After saying those severe words, the man turned his head to look at the strange beings, and then he raised his chin.

Following that, the survivors began to scream in despair.

"AAAAAAAARRRGGGGHHHHH"

The soldier kneeling before the angel with golden wings cried in what seems like in great agony. The angel clutched the soldier on the head and what seemed like orbs of light began to appear. The orbs flew around the soldier and the next moment the orbs began to touch the soldier's skin. As that happened, the soldier's body began to crack from feet to head and the cracks have golden light between them – or rather, the cracks themselves are in the color of gold and was glowing.

As the cracks spread and increased, the soldier began to wail more than before. The cracks have spread to every corner of his body and started to glow brighter every second. Then the cracks began to open wider as though his very skin was getting ripped apart.

The soldier struggled and struggled and tried to remove the hand which gripped his head, but apparently, he can't even make a twitch of the angel's fingers. He tried to stand but was unable to, perhaps he has become too weak to stand or because the angel's grip made him stay on the ground.

"Waaaaugghh!"

The level of his cry began to decrease. However, he doesn't look right. His face began to form a dying expression, it may be difficult to clearly see with all the cracks, he still human and can still be analyzed, and later on, his expression became blank. Then he the angel let go of him and his body fell to the ground, a second later, his body turned to ash as the gentle wind blew every piece of him.

"You bastard!!!"

Zoey cried out and grabbed her dual submachine guns with both her hands, which surprised everyone in the group on the sudden outburst and action.

"Stop it!"

Maya loudly shouted and she took her submachine gun and her knife. Her submachine gun was held by her right hand and the knife on the left hand.

"Everyone let's save them!" Zoey said to everyone.

As to support her own words, Zoey suddenly charged forward, and immediately, Maya followed Zoey, they looked so desperate as they hurriedly ran to save the survivors before they suffer the same fate as the previous one.

John was just as surprised as the others in their sudden actions. Their leader, Vincent has not yet issued the order to engage, plus the two ladies' sudden actions made John and the others not to act quickly and freely.

"Vincent?!"

John immediately called Vincent to give the order to act. However, Vincent did not react to his call, he looked like he was spacing out and was in deep thought. Thus, John once again.

"Vincent!"

Vincent shrugged as though he was shocked, then he quickly looked at John, then he shifted his sight forward and saw Maya and Zoey rushing forward.

"Ah-eh, everyone, attack! Save the survivors."

Following Vincent's orders, some soldiers including John charge towards the enemy, well that so that their magic can have more effect. Some were left at the rear to provide firing support.

Vincent held back for a second before he decided to move, perhaps the questions of the enemy leader left a big impact on him, then after a second, he charged forward as well and readied his weapon.

The ones who charged forward fired their weapons towards them while running and the ones at the rear also fired, of course, they were being careful not to hit the survivors and their allies.

At the same moment, and a loud yet soothing voice rang out.

"No one shall even try to harm and nor touch my master!"

Those words came from the angel with the pair of golden wings. In an instant, the angel suddenly appeared beside her so-called master, they saw a bit that the angel made a move but her movement to go beside her master was too fast to be clearly seen, but still, they saw a bit of the approach. They were able to follow her movement of approach a little because of their training for years and their level.

Then the angel suddenly held a golden sword, which puzzled Vincent, also others were puzzled as him. She was not holding a sword before, nor she had it sheathed on her waist nor anywhere on her, but now she suddenly produced a sword out of nowhere.

Her sword was amazingly and gorgeously designed, the hilt itself was extraordinarily detailed and impressively designed with the color of gold and platinum. The blade itself looked flawless, with the golden linings smoothly embedded on the blade. Seeing the blade can make someone think the creation of the sword took a very long time and extreme hard work.

Then Vincent saw the glowed with a golden radiance on its blade, then immediately, the angel swung the sword in a swiping motion. With it, a broad wave of bright golden light came forth blowing off every incoming, and the projectiles that were the closest – every bullet and magic particles – got vaporized into nothingness.

As for the members of the order that was not caught up in the ravaging magical energy got blown away far away from their former position by several meters and ricocheted on the ground, with the energy that pushed them and the impact got them hurt, but of course, it's not even close to fatal.

"How foolish of you to charge blindly just to save the lives of these people you don't even know instead of your own. At least think about people who care for you."

The enemy leader said.

As the members of the order laid on the ground, they saw what was happening to the survivors. Every soldier began to scream in pain.

"AAAAFGH!"

The soldier that is kneeling before the man wearing a black mage robe was screaming in despair.

The head of the soldier was clutched by the man, as the soldier suffered, the soldier tried to forcefully remove the hand which is gripping his head. However, the soldier tried so hard, using every force of his very being, the fingers of the man won't even budge. Still, he didn't stop struggling.

Later on, it could be seen that something was happening on the soldier's skin – to be exact, the skin seems to be changing. The soldier's skin began to crack, it appears to be like how the skin would be when it gets so dry. As the cracks spread, every part and every side of the soldier's skin began to wrinkle, almost look like an old person's skin. Then, it began to change in the color of grey, and the skin began to rip apart as it appears.

In short, it could be said that soldier was being decayed. And obviously, the man in the black robe is the one doing it and making the soldier suffer. Then the man is capable of such a horrifying and nauseous thing.

"Auuugghhh"

The man last cry – can it really be called a cry? It sounded like the soldier was trying and forcefully letting out a sound. It sounded like his throat was being firmly gripped and as the soldier tried to make a sound it was as though it was from his last breath. No, that sound of his is definitely him releasing his last breath while he let out his final cry from despair.

Then, the oppressor – the man in a black robe – released the soldier from his grip. The soldier fell lifelessly to the ground, and his entire skin began to completely change to the color of grey – or to be exact, to the color of ash. Then the soldier's body broke apart into little pieces and every piece was blown by the wind like ash – for the record, he did become ash.

On the other one.

A soldier wailed in agony by multiple pain. The soldier that was kneeling before the female wearing a military uniform was being put in despair through multiple small beams – small and thin blue beams but was able to pierce through skin and bones. Pen-like objects floated before the soldier and releasing beams each throughout different parts of her body.

"Aeeiiiiieeeggh!"

The soldier was either shrieking, wailing, groaning or crying as she felt the pain coursing through her in multiple points of her body. She struggled hard, however unable to move, if one would look closely, the soldier had her hands behind and her hands were tied up using chains – from magic of course – and her feet were also chained to the ground. Thus, no matter how hard she tries, she won't be able to get free or even able to run, and the pain will keep filling up her body.

Then the beams began to move up, down, left and right. As the beams move, blood started to spill, the soldier's skin was getting sliced up from different part of her bodies all at the same time. The beams cutting was so smooth like the bones or other hard parts was nothing.

"WUAAAAHHH!"

The soldier began to scream more loudly than before in agony. Of course, that would be incomprehensibly painful, it could be judged like that just by looking at it. The beams revolved around her body leaving clean slices around her body, it was indeed a gruesome sight, one could vomit by glancing at the event.

Then as though the beams had already done enough, the pens that generated the beams disappeared like bubble. A blank expression was on the face of the soldier as blood crawling on her face – nope, not blank expression, it was a dead expression, well that is because she was already dead. Lifeless, her body fell to the ground.

Next is the soldier kneeling before the angel with black wings and wearing a full plate armor.

"Aiiiieeehhh!"

The soldier shrieked as he watched sharp blades coming from the ground surrounding him. There were numerous of these blades and were big as swords. The soldier tried to stand up but was unable to, that is because the blades near his feet suddenly rose up instantly, it was as though the blades won't let him stand and are being used to lock him on the ground.

"EEEEGGGHHHHH!"

The soldier cried in pain.

He moved his hand as he struggled desperately to be free, however as he spread his arms, blades in instantly rose up, impaling his arms which shocked the soldier in the outburst of sudden pain.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

The soldier screamed to his fullest as though his veins on the deck is going to snap off. That is because multiple blades had already deeply pierced his body, through his feet, legs, back, and belly. As the blades continued on, blood began to leak from his body and crawled on the sharp blades causing his despair and agony. Thick load of blood has stained the soil and still continued to flow, the blades on his legs and feet have stopped but the blades pierced his body continued on. Not for long, the blades have reached his throat, he seemed like he tried to either speak or breath as his mouth and throat move with blood going down to the soil.

"Ggrrgrgghh"

He made those sounds as his throat was getting cut apart by those blades. Then later on, in an instant, all blades rose up, and with it the death of the soldier and with a shocked expression on his lifeless face. He was ended as though he had already suffered and now had to die.

Then finally.

The man wearing formal clothing extended his hand and clutched the soldier's head that was kneeling before him. He only clutched his head for a few seconds, and as it happens fear was written in the soldier's eyes, and most noticeable in his eyes. Then as his desire to be free, the soldier tried to remove the hand gripping his head. He tried and tried, however, the man's finger won't even twitch.

Then flames began to engulf the man's hand which is gripping the pitiful soldier's head.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGHHHH!!!!"

The soldier cried so loud and it sounded like he was about to lose his voice and at the same time, he screamed like he was in unimaginable pain. His eyes began to look around in panic as veins starting to show up, and he struggled so desperately and rattling so much in hopes to be free from the man's hold. However, the man's hand did not even move one bit.

What was strange though was that the soldier was not being burned. The blaze was so clear and the flames were at zero distance from the soldier's skin, but nothing was burning or something, and still, the soldier was screaming in agony which no one in the order understood.

Then suddenly all movements of the soldier come to halt, it was as though he froze for a second with eyes that seemed like looking at the far distance. However, his eyes looked empty, lifeless. After a short moment, the man released the soldier from his grip and the soldier simply fell to the ground, and there it was apparent that the soldier was dead.

The members of the order had shocked expression on their faces as they witness what happened to the survivors. These strange beings first brought the survivors to their despair before they took their lives, how cruel could they be? It could have been faster to kill those survivors quickly and might save them from suffering, but they still chose to put them through it.

"You bastards! How could you?!!"

Zoey exclaimed as she stood up.

"You'll pay!"

Maya said as she readied her weapons.

Then the rest of the orders that was lying on the ground stood up.

"Your cruel scums, you don't have to make them suffer."

John said as he glared at the enemy angrily.

"They wouldn't have suffered if you did not come here, but you did."

"You heartless monster!!!"

Zoey shouted at the enemy leader.

"Now, after witnessing all of that, I wonder what you will do. You may try to escape, but know that there must be no witnesses, so you might not be able to escape from us."

Escape, that word stuck on Vincent's head. He looked around and saw his allies and the plains. If they tried to escape, would they be able to get far? This place is plain land, so there won't be anything that can be used as a hiding spot or cover, and also the enemy is apparently powerful so escaping would prove difficult.

Vincent thought that these people could not be very powerful that the order would not be able to fight back – in actuality, the other members of the order also thought of it that way. They're confident they can resist against them. But will they be able to survive long?

Vincent can escape from all of this easily, but that would mean leaving his comrades behind. However, he could never do that, especially that he is the one who made them come here and face these strange people.

"Escape?" Vincent asked as he strengthened his legs and feet. "My ancestors as well other people who helped through countless centuries, they never gave up for the sake of the world. So why should us who are members of the same order give up? We will protect this world from the ones seeking to destroy it, so we won't back down. Everyone, prepare to engage."

Everyone responded in affirmative and readied themselves to attack.

"Persistent I see. Very well, if you want to fight, then so be it. Besides, we won't let you escape, to begin with."

The enemy calmly said, then he extended his arm forward towards Vincent and the others. However, before anything else, someone spoke to him.

"My Lord?"

"Hm? What?"

"May I handle them, I believe you don't need to waste your precious energy to these humans. So, please let me take care of them"

"Is that so? Very well, after all, this could be a good training exercise for you."

"Indeed, it will be so. Thank you very much."

The angel with a pair of black wings bowed as he gave his appreciation. Then he nonchalantly walked forward, however, he was unarmed.

He alone is going to face us? Then this wouldn't be too difficult.

Vincent thought.

He was confident they will be able to defeat this angel, with all the years of training and their numbers, fighting against one would give the possibility to win, and the said possibility is high.

To ensure, Vincent looked at the group of enemies. And they indeed looked like they have no intention to fight.

Some members of the order thought of this as foolish – letting one handle a large group would give the former a considerable disadvantage. However, some felt and thought this is bad – letting one fight a group and looked so confident about it is something that looked foolish, but it only looked like that, for it is obvious that these strange people are powerful – and some felt they might not have a chance in this battle.

"Everyone, think that this must be what it's like in every century, this must be how it is to the members of the order in the past. And even that is the case, they still chose to fight, so we must do so too."

Everyone responded in affirmative to the words of Vincent. However not all of them said it from the heart, some only forcefully responded, well that is because they thought there is no escape or they will stand no chance.

Then the angel with black wings stopped walking, and even this time he was still unarmed. Vincent and the others went on their guard to prepare for anything.

Suddenly, the angel swiftly waved his right hand, and with it, a black sword appeared in his hand from out of nowhere which shocked everyone.

They let out the word "what" in the sudden and unexplainable event. However, not for long they just thought of it as done by magic.

Then the angel said to the order.

"Let us begin, shall we?"