[Reminiscence 4] Demon Majin Becker
The atmosphere in the Demon King subjugation team had become somewhat relaxed, but as they continued their journey, a fog suddenly began to thicken. Visibility worsened rapidly, and the surroundings were enveloped in a gray haze.
“I sense magical power in this fog,”
Louise warned Rainer and Ciel to be cautious.
Looking around, they noticed that other parties were also becoming aware of the abnormality of the fog.
“Everyone, be on guard! Don’t spread out, maintain a tight formation!”
Ganon shouted instructions to everyone. He too had readied his massive battle axe, gripping it with both hands as he shifted into a defensive stance.
For a while, everyone remained tense and silent, but eventually, the fog began to gradually dissipate, and visibility improved.
“We’re surrounded…”
someone muttered.
As the fog cleared, the surrounding landscape revealed demon soldiers standing in orderly ranks where there had been no sign of them before. All were clad in black armor, with their formations divided according to their equipment: bows, spears, and swords. The sword-wielding demon soldiers were also equipped with shields.
There was no bestial roaring or disorderly movement typical of monsters, suggesting their high level of training.
The number of demon soldiers encircling them easily exceeded three hundred.
From among them, the largest demon at the forefront slowly stepped forward.
He had four arms, each gripping a great sword. Four glowing red eyes were visible from beneath the helmet covering his head. His appearance left no doubt that this was Majin Becker, the leader of the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings.
“I trust you’re prepared to pay the price for setting foot in the Demon King’s territory?”
His voice, though low and raspy, echoed throughout the area.
“Mages, cast enhancement spells on the warriors! Clerics, defensive barriers!”
Ganon ignored Majin Becker’s words and issued orders to prepare for battle.
As expected of S-rank adventurers, everyone swiftly moved according to instructions.
“Go,”
Majin Becker thrust one sword forward, and the archers positioned at the rear of the formation began firing simultaneously.
Their arrows traced unnatural trajectories as if possessed, accurately targeting the adventurers’ hearts.
However, the clerics’ barriers were deployed in time, and the arrows were deflected by walls of light. But then,
“The barrier won’t hold much longer! These aren’t ordinary arrows! They’re imbued with magical power!”
One cleric cried out in a near-scream.
The deployed barriers were repelling the arrows, but each impact resonated with an eerie sound, significantly weakening the barrier’s strength.
“Mages! Target the archers!”
At Ganon’s command, the mages immediately launched a magical counterattack, but the sword-wielding demon soldiers lined up in front of the archers used their shields to block the magic.
“Tch, how considerate of them to use shields capable of magical defense. Well-equipped bastards!”
Ganon spat out the words, then raised his battle axe and charged towards the demon soldiers’ battle line on the left flank with a speed that belied his massive frame.
“UOOOORAH!!”
With a roar like that of a magical beast, Ganon bore down on them. The spearmen in the front row thrust their spears in a tight formation to meet his charge.
Ganon let the spear tips glance off his armor with slight movements of his body, then swung his battle axe mightily.
That single strike bisected four spearmen. Without losing momentum, Ganon pressed on, assaulting the sword-and-shield-wielding demon soldiers in the second row.
The demon soldiers raised their shields in a defensive stance, but Ganon swung his axe regardless, sending them flying, shields and all.
In no time, Ganon reached the archers. With a smirk, he said,
“Farewell!”
and proceeded to decimate the archers as they frantically tried to attempt close-range shots.
“Follow Ganon! Break through the encirclement!”
The sub-leader of the Golden Fang, understanding Ganon’s intent, took over giving orders to the whole team.
Immediately, the warriors charged into the gap Ganon had opened in the enemy formation, breaking through the left flank. The clerics and mages followed close behind.
Of course, the demon soldiers didn’t stand idle. The archers fired arrows incessantly, while the spear and sword-wielding demon soldiers rushed towards the subjugation team.
The warriors, centered around Ganon, made the mages fall back and moved forward to engage the demon soldiers instead.
By this point, several had been wounded by arrows, but they were quickly healed by the clerics.
“Use items liberally! Don’t hold back!”
Ganon shouted.
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The battle was intense. While the subjugation team had the advantage in individual strength, the demon soldiers launched well-coordinated attacks, making it difficult to counter.
After all, the vanguard of the subjugation team, though half of their total force, numbered only about fifteen. In contrast, the enemy numbered close to three hundred. Not only did they face a nearly twenty-fold numerical disadvantage, but they also had to protect their rear guard. Even after breaking through the encirclement, they were forced into a challenging situation.
However, these were adventurers who had overcome numerous difficulties. By covering each other’s blind spots between parties and moving in coordination as if each party were a single organism, they steadily reduced the enemy’s numbers while quickly recovering from any damage taken.
(We can do this!)
Just as hope began to dawn on the subjugation team that they could win despite the enemy’s strength and numbers, it descended from above.
As one party desperately fought the enemies before them, a massive black shadow suddenly loomed overhead. In the next instant, four adventurers were impaled by four great swords.
“Pathetic,”
said Demon Becker as he shook off his swords, discarding the instantly killed adventurers’ corpses.
“He’s here…”
A shudder ran through the subjugation team. While not unexpected, they had honestly hoped to delay this confrontation.
“I’ll take him on! Don’t break the battle line!”
Ganon immediately moved to block Majin Becker’s path. If Majin Becker had his way here, the team would likely be annihilated.
“I’ll help too. This should balance things out, right?”
Rainer took his place beside Ganon. Since Rainer’s Blue Ring party consisted of one vanguard and two rear guards, adding Ganon would make for a good composition.
“To be honest, I’m grateful,”
Ganon replied without taking his eyes off Majin Becker. Even for the strongest warrior, it would be tough without support.
“Are just four of you enough?”
Majin Becker asked mockingly.
“Shut it, four is too many for the likes of you,”
Ganon retorted, but in reality, he knew they couldn’t spare any more people without compromising the other battle lines.
“Well then, shall we begin?”
With those words from Rainer, he and Ganon spread out to the left and right, positioning themselves to flank Majin Becker. Not only that, but from behind where the two had been standing, Louise unleashed a spell she had already begun chanting.
“Megaflare!”
A super-high-temperature explosion spell with firepower beyond ordinary flames. She launched it at Majin Becker as a surprise attack.
For normal monsters, this would leave not even ashes behind, but…
“Hmph!”
Majin Becker crossed a pair of great swords from his left and right hands, smashing the spell and dispelling it.
He also blocked the attacks from Rainer and Ganon with the great swords in his remaining two hands.
“Tch, ridiculous strength,”
Louise clicked her tongue but began preparing her next spell.
“Judgment Arrow!”
Ciel cast one of the few offensive clerical spells, a light arrow, but Majin Becker didn’t even bother to evade, letting it hit his armor. It showed no sign of having any effect.
“I’m starting to lose confidence…”
Ciel’s shoulders slumped as he decided to focus on support, beginning to cast healing and defensive magic on Rainer and Ganon.
Meanwhile, Rainer and Ganon, though fighting two-on-one, were completely overwhelmed. Majin Becker had four arms, and his power and speed were overwhelming, negating their numerical advantage.
“We could use two more people…”
Rainer glanced around, but every party was fully engaged, even struggling. There was no hope for reinforcements.
Ganon moved closer to Rainer.
“I’ll buy time. Do something in the meantime.”
“…Understood.”
Though not originally part of the same party, they communicated their intentions with just a few words.
In those words lay the resolve of both men.
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