The sun was already high in the sky, and the shadows of the night were gone.
A change in weather would not save them now.
But even if a divine miracle helped them escape, how far would they be able to go?
‘Hey, Sheto. Let me ask you something.’
The demon general said calmly. By now, the soldiers around them were so few that they could no longer be called an army.
‘What?’
‘The protection you cast on me. Could you cast it on everyone who is here?’
‘No. Salia’s protection, only affects those I touch. And don’t think, Salia can cast it again.’
‘That is fine. It doesn’t change what we have to do.’
Bergand raised his axe towards the knights on top of the hill.
‘The last barrier. All of you…follow me!’
Without stopping, the bull-headed demon charged in a cloud of dust.
“No! The dragoons will…”
‘Salia! Their magic. Listen to it! Will stop right before chanting! Just like that time!’
Her fingers moved swiftly, and her vision shifted towards the dragoons. The magician’s lips were chanting, and the hands were together.
‘T-to the right side. Target the dragoon!’
While the command came so suddenly, Berganda’s hand threw the rock with precision. And like that, one of the dragoon squads crumbled while crashing into the shield-bearers who surrounded them on all sides.
‘Miche! Deal with the one on the left side! You just need to make them scatter!’
‘Yes, general!’
While covered in wounds and dripping with blood, the goblin squad attacked the dragoons. As the horsemen turned and retreated, the heavily armed cavalry unit surged in as if to take their place. They then charged straight at the demon general.
‘Rush past them and escape into the forest! We will all survive and reunite!’
Without losing momentum, the giant body swung his arms, unleashing his double-sided axe into the knights. In one strike, ten men and horses were knocked down.
‘ARAAAAAAAGHHH!!’
As if to follow after the battle axe, the minotaur’s giant body flew into the air.
The mass of muscle that exceeded two meters and was covered in armor, danced into the remaining row of humans, trampling over them.
‘GRAAHHHH!’
His free hands grabbed the horses by the legs, throwing them over the screaming humans.
Still, the knights raised their spears and started to charge.
While stepping over the corpses of their comrades, the masses of iron and flesh went into a line and swarmed around the demon general in order to crush him.
And just as the tips made contact with the giant, the horses and humans were launched high above.
‘Lukewarm! Is this the cavalry charge of the Hero’s army!?’
He raised his bare fists and crushed the armor off the knights. Some of the spear-wielders shuddered and recoiled.
‘What’s the matter, you tykes! If you wish to defeat me, come with more force!’
But their attacks were now dulled with fear. They bent against the plate of his armor. And then his arms swung, crushing and cracking their helmets and skulls.
With every step, the knights were flung to left and right as they screamed.
“Wh…what…unbelievable…”
Even after losing the battle axe that was his weapon, Berganda’s strength was overwhelming the enemy.
Like a mad bull, he charged into the clusters of riders and tore them up.
His hand could crush iron and toss horses lightly. The simple lack of mercy was like watching a machine of violence that continued to work against the humans. It was no wonder he was a demon general.
‘You’ve killed many of my subordinates today!’
He retrieved his thrown axe and shouted with rage.
‘We lost this time! However, know that we will surely return. We will tear you apart. You will be so thoroughly destroyed that not a single drop of blood or shred of flesh will remain. And your lives will be offered up to the glory of the great Demon King!’
After saying this, he jumped lightly into the air, away from the swarm of remaining knights, and dashed into the forest.
The knights stood in stunned silence amidst the carnage.
And as she watched, Salia was just as speechless as them.