Chapter 259

Chapter 259

Veronica could have completed her mission by simply returning to Nahun. However, she encountered the formidable Erergus, the second strongest being in this layer after Glashalavras.

Veronica let out a subtle breath. She had realized from the beginning that Erergus was not an ordinary person. There were quite a few soldiers behind him.

“Commander, we should fall back for now.”

“If we do that, we’ll get surrounded.”

“…No. It’s already too late to run.”

The reason Erergus seemed to have many soldiers was that the troops Veronica brought were few. While their situation warranted it, the opposing side definitely did not come with just that little force.

“They are already surrounding us. There is only one way.”

Thus, Veronica made a sound judgment.

“We can only break through.”

“Seeing the title of ‘Commander’, you serve the Demon King.”

Erergus thought for a moment and quickly concluded.

“Is it the 25th layer?”

Since his lord, Glashalavras, would have gone to intercept the 20th layer, there were only two Demon Kings who could come this way: Runwe from the 22nd layer and Seere von Debata, who had recently conquered the 23rd layer. Among them, Seere von Debata was assumed to have a higher possibility of coveting the 21st layer.

That assumption turned out to be correct. Veronica judged that the opponent already knew everything and deemed it best to take him down here and now.

“…What a coincidence, to invade at this exact time when the 20th layer has launched an invasion.”

Erergus grasped the handle of something he had slung on his back. In his hand was a large sword with a dull end, larger than his own body. Upon seeing it, Veronica shuddered instinctively.

“It’s clear what’s happening without having to think too hard…”

Killing intent flooded the atmosphere. A chilling aura emanated from him. It was felt not only by Veronica but also by the cavalry of the 2nd Legion that followed her.

“Hi, hiiih!”

The horses they were riding began to panic. The soldiers had to sweat profusely to calm their mounts, and Veronica’s fierce Bicon managed to endure without backing down.

“What should we do, Commander? That… that looks like a monster.”

“As I mentioned earlier, there is only one option.”

“Pardon?”

Veronica shook the blood off her sword. It was the blood shed while dealing with the rebels in the arena.

“We need to charge in and break through.”

Veronica gripped the reins and struck down hard. The Bicon, as if in rage, roared and kicked its front legs. Drops of blood began to rise around Veronica.

“Entangle, piercing thorns.”

【 Bloody Sting 】

The rising drops of blood elongated, and like thorn vines, they gathered around her sword. Veronica lightly shook the reins of the Bicon, which seemed ready to dash away.

With a snort, the Bicon charged forward. Simultaneously, Veronica’s cavalry followed suit. The sight made Erergus’s soldiers exclaim.

“General! We’ll handle it!”

“…No.”

“Pardon?”

Blue magic began to gather at the blade of Erergus. It was a cold, ruthless magic that resembled his lord, Glashalavras.

“I can manage from here.”

Erergus, based on his extensive experience, was someone who never let his guard down. Due to a critical mistake arising from overconfidence in the past, he had also been demoted to the arena like Eliza. Ever since he had not given up and worked hard until Glashalavras reinstated him, he had never allowed himself to relax.

Always from the beginning.

“O Sword, crush the enemy.”

【 Crusher Blade 】

He meant it.

BAM!

With a deafening sound, Veronica’s strike was blocked head-on. Not only that, but the crushing hammers that appeared following Erergus’s swing struck down upon the incoming cavalry.

“Scatter!!”

The moment Veronica’s cavalry charge was halted, she jumped down from the Bicon to evade the follow-up attack. Thanks to her swift command, the cavalry trailing behind managed to avoid having their heads smashed.

Recognizing that Erergus’s power was beyond her expectations, Veronica immediately changed her approach. While descending from the Bicon, she gathered her magic and placed her hands on the ground.

“Rise up, Chepesh.”

【 Bloody Skewer Punishment 】

The blood droplets that rose all seeped into the ground. Then….

CRASH!!!

The blood-stained thorns erupted from the ground, piercing through Erergus’s Bicon and the soldiers behind. Startled, Erergus dismounted, thankful that the thorns had only pierced the Bicon.

“…Calm under pressure.”

Despite the rapid eradication of the soldiers who had quickly risen to the forefront due to his earlier attack, Veronica’s judgment was incredibly swift.

That quick decision struck a critical blow to Erergus and his soldiers, leading to the demise of numerous enemy troops impaled by the blood-red thorns.

“Now I see why the young Demon King, Seere von Debata, has grown so much. Even a young commander like you shows such skill; it’s impressive.”

“…I’ll graciously accept the compliment.”

Veronica observed Erergus, who appeared speechless like herself. Erergus also gazed at Veronica.

“All forces, disperse left and right to disorient the enemy.”

“All forces, raise shields and bear spears. When the cavalry charges, thrust the spears in response.”

The two generals gave straightforward commands to their respective troops and then looked at each other. They both understood. The outcome here would not hinge on one-on-one battles but rather…

“I’ll break through.”

“I won’t let you.”

They knew their battle would directly determine the win or loss. Without a moment’s hesitation, Erergus and Veronica dashed forward. Their swords moved, targeting each other’s vital points.

CLANG!!!

However, at the last moment, their magic collided, blocking and bouncing off each other’s swords. Yet, neither of them appeared flustered, immediately preparing for their next strike the moment their swords were halted.

SWOOSH!!!

Erergus’s sword gouged the ground. But Veronica was already gone. Some of her silver hair was clipped off, but she was unharmed.

She fiercely thrust at the gap that appeared when Erergus swung his sword wide. Yet, Erergus was already aware of the opening he had created.

“Bind them, chains of the earth.”

【 Chain of Ground 】

The spell was completed quickly, and chains shot up from the ground. The chains snatched Veronica’s sword in a flash, dragging it down as she aimed for the gap.

“Ugh!?”

Veronica had no choice but to let go of her sword. If she had clung on, she would have been pinned to the ground along with it. However, relinquishing her weapon in such close quarters was hardly a good option.

By this time, Erergus’s next move had already been set, and the massive sword was swung towards Veronica.

SWOOSH!!!

“Ugh…!”

In that split second, she concentrated her magic to block the strike, but she could not wholly dissipate the impact. Veronica was pushed back significantly by the force, and Ergus immediately followed up on her, not intending to give her a moment to breathe.

“It’s over.”

Erergus’s following movements were precise. Drawing together enough magic to pierce through the rapidly converging magic of Veronica, he slashed at her body with fluidity.

SLASH!!!

“Gah…!”

Her pink eyes widened in shock. For an instant, she coughed up blood, and hot crimson liquid began to flow from the wound on her abdomen as she stumbled back.

“Your youth, that’s what holds you back. If you were more experienced, even if you noticed the opening, you would have considered it once more before acting.”

“…Cough… Ugh….”

One of Veronica’s eyes shut. Her expression twisted in pain, leading her to that involuntary reaction. To Veronica, Erergus said:

“Regret your naivety.”

Erergus raised his sword high. He intended to strike down the now incapacitated Veronica with a single blow.

“…I don’t think having much experience means knowing everything…”

“What did you say?”

Veronica stole a glance at the ground. Her spilled blood flowed across the floor, reaching Erergus’s feet.

It was a fact that many demons had forgotten, having lived away from their kin for so long, but the blood of their lineage did not simply take the form of blood…

“…Devour, bloody fangs.”

【 Blood Pang 】

The blood itself was magic.

CRACK!!!

A wolf-shaped figure sprang from the ground, tearing into Erergus’s lower body. As Erergus had aimed to swing his sword, he was taken aback, watching his body float without its legs.

With a loud thud, Erergus’s upper body fell onto the pool of blood. Veronica sank to the ground with a pained groan, but compared to Erergus, it was nothing.

“…This time, I didn’t let my guard down… not even for a moment, yet…”

Erergus murmured with a tone of despair.

“Was it a blunder not knowing about the bloodline…?”

It made sense. A considerable amount of time had passed since the bloodline left the Demon World, following their progenitor, Ersha. Still, he laments his ignorance rather than blaming the times, gasping his last breaths in solitude.

“…Haah…, huh…”

While Veronica had dealt with Erergus, her injuries were likewise severe. She was barely holding her insides in with her hands.

“Cough…”

But she couldn’t exactly call for her soldiers to help her. Now that she had removed the commander, it was the perfect time to crush the enemy.

“…Is this… the end…?”

Veronica muttered despondently. Having been chased away from the sanctuary and wandering the streets, she had somehow managed to earn the title of commander. While she still had a desire to do better…

“…I’m quite… satisfied…”

Her vision grew increasingly blurred. It was the result of losing too much blood. Just as her eyelids started to close, she suddenly heard the sound of someone stepping next to her. A hurried shuffle echoes for a moment, and someone sat beside her.

“Commander Veronica! Bite my neck quickly!!”

Though her vision had blurred and she couldn’t see well, she could make out something long and sky-blue. She could only feel that her lips had touched a rather delicious part thanks to this person.

Can I survive…?

Awakening her survival instinct in the face of death, Veronica bit into the flesh without thinking. A thin voice let out a pained whimper, but Veronica didn’t have time to dwell on it.

As she gasped heavily while sucking blood, she felt her wounds begin to heal as the blood filled her. Her vision was gradually returning, and her once-dizzy mind began to clear.

“…Hmm?”

Then she checked who she was biting. Sky-blue hair and snow-white skin. And armor similar to hers…

“…E-Eliza!?!”

Veronica quickly regained her composure and released her bite in shock. Though her wounds hadn’t completely healed, realizing that it was her direct subordinate, Eliza, she couldn’t continue sucking blood. But Eliza held onto Veronica and said.

“…Your wounds are still open. They could reopen severely, so keep feeding until they completely heal.”

“Uh… ugh? No, more importantly, how…?”

“Nahun sent me. He said to help in case of danger.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Still…”

Eliza turned to look at the half-dead Erergus.

“You’ve done excellently, Commander. Nahun will be pleased.”

“…Yes.”

Veronica smiled widely.

“Finally, I might have been able to help the old man.”

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