Kase on the last day at the castle part 3

Elan's griffins are quite fast and it didn't take us long to catch up with the rest of the flying squad. Most of the beasts that the others ride are winged horses, which is the most common flying mount, but among all of them, there are some others like eagles, one that looks like an insect with wings and even a wyvern on which Liira, the commander of the royal guard, is riding on. Behind her is a woman who I suppose is a healer of the royal guard because of her attire.

Each mount carries between two to three people. That will slow the pace a bit, but it is better than going with just a few.

"How long will it take us to get there?" Tricia asked me, covering behind me from the strong wind.

"At this speed, we should arrive tomorrow before dark."

"Elan said that we are going to kill some monsters who attacked a village. Do we really need all these people?" Tricia asked confused.

"Didn't Elan tell you everything?"

"Heh?"

After explaining to Tricia in detail, even if I can't see her face, I know what expression she has. It seems that she did not expect us to go to a battle of that magnitude. After all, Tricia only joined my party for fun knowing that her life would never be in danger since I'm with her.

"I would have brought more mana potions if I knew..." She said with a depressed tone. "By the way. I didn't find your dagger."

"It's okay, that's not a problem."

I extend my arm, showing the small magic seal that I have in the palm of my right hand. I only need to use a minuscule amount of mana that even someone like me without magical abilities has. The seal glows and my dagger appears in my palm. This dagger is without a doubt the most valuable and expensive thing I own. It cost me a lot of work and money to get it, but when I discovered that my class profited from using daggers, I didn't hesitate on getting it. It is one of the most valuable relics left by [Zrephia]. It has teleportation magic which in these times is impossible to recreate since its secrets died along with that city. There is no weapon like this dagger in existence and it is said that the Princess of Calamity herself created it. Not for nothing did it cost me a large part of my fortune.

We continue and as expected we arrived at the place, next day before night, stopping only a couple of times to give the mounts a rest. Even taking turns to sleep without stopping.

"Tricia, wake up. We've arrived."

"Still sleepy Tricia lifted her face from my back where she was asleep," R-Really? Where are the others?" She answered me looking around.

"Elan's griffins are pretty fast so we got here first."

"Is that the village they raided?" Tricia asked me looking down.

Below us is [Merton] or what's left of it. It is completely destroyed. There are still some monsters behind, but I don't see people anywhere. The mansion is ruined and where Ilene's house was, there is only destroyed wood now. From what Alice said, Ilene went to nearby villages to evacuate them before the monsters reached them. I can see the trail where the monsters advanced through the forest. If I go in that direction I will surely find her.

Following the trail where the monsters advanced, we passed four more destroyed villages. Far in the distance inside the forest, we can see the immense amount of monsters advancing at a slow pace, but without stopping. This won't be easy...

Going ahead of them, we reached the next village. There was chaos. All the villagers were **** to take what little they could and escape. Besides that, a few monsters had already reached the village. There were some people on the outskirts of the village trying to stop the few monsters from entering the village and give the others time to escape. Watching the battlefield from the sky, a girl caught my eye. Uh? Isn't that the pink-haired girl I saw in the castle!? I didn't see her the whole way. How is it possible that she got here before me? Did she take another route? Strange...

On the other side was a woman in armor being attacked by several monsters at the same time. She was having a hard time defending herself. It was there that I realized who she was, "ILENE!?"

Without thinking twice, I threw my dagger at a giant wolf that was about to attack her from behind, piercing his forehead. We descended as fast as possible and before we even touched the ground, I jumped right where she was. In the fall I used the seal in my hand to make my dagger appear in my hand and kill two more.

Ilene, disoriented, tried to attack me with her sword, but her attack was weak and I easily stopped it, "Ilene, are you okay?"

Ilene turned to see me with blood on her face from a cut she had on her eyebrow. "...K-Kase!?"

Ilene couldn't remain on her feet and fell to the ground and I quickly caught her to cushion the fall.

"Ilene, you are covered with wounds. What were you thinking fighting in this condition? You've lost a lot of blood too."

"...The village is destroyed... t-they killed almost everyone." Ilene answered me with a sad expression, which I never saw her do. She put her arm over her eyes maybe trying to hide tears, "We need to evacuate the nearby villages before more people are killed. W-We need to stop the monsters to give the villagers time to escape." She said trying to stand up.

"Enough, you are not in a condition to continue... and that is why I am here. I will take care of it." Then I turn to see Tricia, "Heal her!"

"A-Ah, yes." She replies.

Leaving Ilene in the care of Tricia, I took care of the monsters that were around. There were around thirty. They weren't necessarily strong but they were fast. That must be the reason why they got ahead of the rest of the monsters. In any case, it was not a problem for me. It seems that they were only a few monsters that were ahead of the great army that I saw.

Returning to where Ilene was, she was ****. She was really on her limit. I carry Ilene and took her to the village. There were several wounded and the villagers used the inn to take care of the injured. While I waited for Ilene to wake up the rest of the flying squad arrived as well as soldiers who were in the vicinity.

Liira called me to create a defense plan now that everyone has arrived and we had an idea of ​​the location, the terrain, and our numbers against theirs. Although our number is much lower, our level should be higher. Most are between rank C to A. Except for the soldiers who arrived from the vicinity who are only rank E or D. With that in mind we devised a plan.

At the end of the reunion, we would have less than an hour before the monsters arrive. I went with Ilene to see how she was doing and fortunately, she was awake. She was talking to a rather tall guy, with hair all over his body, strong arms but a big stomach. He kinda looks like a bear.

"Ilene." I called her interrupting their conversation.

Ilene got up from the chair where she was sitting quickly, "Kase!" but she sat down again as she was dizzy.

"Hey, calm down. Are you feeling better?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm just a little dizzy." Ilene then turned to see me, "Thanks, Kase. If you hadn't saved me maybe I wouldn't be alive right now. I'm really grateful, but what are you doing here?"

"Alice told us what had happened. When I found out that you were in danger, I came to make sure you were okay."

"I'm glad Alice arrived safely." Irene replies with a gentle smile.

While we talked the guy just stared at us which was annoying.

"Ilene, who is he?" The man next to her asked.

"I am her fiance." I answered before her.

"F-Fiance!??" He replies astonish.

"He is lying." Ilene replied, "He was my student for a while and now he is an S-Rank."

"S-RANK!!??" He responded in shock, looking at me in amazement, "Ahh, ohh..."

That's right, so now go, "Excuse me, but can you let me talk to Ilene for a moment alone."

"Sure..." He replies, then he went to where 3 girls of different ages were.

"Who is he?" I asked Ilene.

"Like everyone, he is someone trying to escape. His village was destroyed and he has been helping me along with his three daughters to evacuate the nearby villages."

"Is that all? You guys seemed very friendly."

"Well, he is a handsome guy and we have things in common. He also has a son called Ryul, who went to Riledo this year to be an adventurer, just like Darx"

Ryul...? I think I've heard that name before, but can't remember where.

"Are those the kind of men you like? Are you trying to make me jealous?" I replied in a joking tone.

"You think too much of yourself. That has been always been your problem."

"Well, it's not my fault that I'm a prodigy."

"I had already forgotten this feeling of wanting to punch you in the face." She said half-serious but finally smiled a little.

"Haha! How cruel, I just saved your life, remember!? I took a horrible trip and I will face an army just for you. But in any case, I'm glad to see you are feeling better."

Although her sad eyes say otherwise. She really must have been through hell those days.

"Shut up! Maybe those words will work with girls your age, but not with me." She replies.

"Although what I would like the most is to keep talking with you, we don't have time. Soon the monster army will arrive. I need to go."

"Tell me what's going on. I'm going too."

"W-Wait, you are not fully recovered."

"I'm not asking for your permission." Ilene responded, standing up.

I know that no matter what I say, I will not be able to make her change her mind so I explained the plan and together we went to the fields where I meet with Tricia and Elan. We will take advantage of these wide fields of crops to stop the monsters from advancing. Ilene joined Tricia's group, waiting for the moment.

There is almost complete silence on our side, but inside the forest, we can hear the roars and the sound of trees being destroyed by hundreds of monsters. In the sky are the Beast-Tamers on their mounts waiting impatiently. On the ground, the knights are in front with shields in hand and little behind them, and also the warriors, all the fighter adventurers. At the back are the archers and magicians reciting their incantations, waiting for the hundreds of monsters to appear from among the trees. And further behind them are the healers. This will be a bloody fight and not letting the monsters get near them is a primary task.

"[Predatory Eye]"

This skill lets me detect and track the monsters inside the forest, even if I am far from them and can't see them with the naked eye. I can see green illuminated silhouettes of all of them almost about to exit the forest.

"Hum, It's time for me to move." I said.

"Kase?" Ilene asked me as soon she saw me move, "Where are you going? It's still too early to move."

"I am an assassin. My class works best when I am not part of the group."

"I-I see... please be careful." Ilene told me with a worried expression.

I guess seeing so much **** has affected her even though she denies it.

"No need to worry!?" I said smiling at her, "This is a piece of cake for me. On the other hand, you be careful, okay. You are not completely recovered and we still need to get married."

"Idiot." Ilene answered me looking away.

Interesting, she blushed and didn't reject me like she tends to do. It seems that being here and saving her life gave me extra points with her. But unfortunately, right now I can't think about it since the enemy is in front of us.

After saying goodbye to Ilene, I use one of my most useful skills.

"[Silent ****]"

This skill makes me invisible, soundless and even eliminates my smell and presence. It is practically impossible to detect me.

I enter the forest in this way and climb to the top of a tree. I can see the hundreds of monsters passing under me without them realizing that I am here. From childhood, I trained in the use of the shield and the sword. I always fought head-on so it was a bit difficult to get used to this fighting style at the beginning, but now I enjoy it. Seeing my enemies die with a confused expression not knowing what killed them, is thrilling.

After all, an assassin has to attack from the shadows.

I jump out of the tree to start the hunt. I fall in front of an orc that will be my first victim. Without him being aware of my presence because of my [Silent ****] ability, I used my next skill:

"[****]"

Perhaps my deadliest attack. It's not flashy and it seems like a normal stab, but it is not. It increases my critical chance a lot, and given at the right spot, it is a deadly attack. It doesn't matter the size or armor of my enemy, if I use it in combination with [Silent ****] to catch him off guard, just one stab is enough to kill. Also, as long as my target dies the effect of [Silent ****] persists. Until now I have not faced anyone who has survived the combination of these two skills and breaks the effect of [Silent ****].

After using [****] on the orc's back, noiselessly he falls to his knees with a confused expression without even roaring as he doesn't understand what happened to him. Some nearby orcs and goblins noticed his body fall to the ground just as confused. But the confusion doesn't last long since they are next. Walking through the shadows of the night, one body after another fell before they could reach the exit of the forest. But no matter how many I kill in this way they are too many and soon they reach the exit.

As soon as they reached the exit of the forest they roar and accelerate their pace when they see the adventurers in the distance waiting for them. Hundreds of monsters from the weakest to rare and strong monsters.

But to their surprise, we were prepared.

"FIRE" Was heard in the distance.

A large number of normal and magic arrows received them. The wizards finished casting and elemental attacks of all kinds with the exception of fire, to not cause a fire in the forest and make things worse. Water, wind, electricity and others destroyed the bodies of the first wave of monsters that came out of the trees. Magic mines previously placed on the ground explode, destroying monsters that managed to advance further, but more of them wouldn't stop coming out. It almost seems that there is no end to their number. Due to the delay in the casting of the mages, the monsters advanced until they reach the tank's front line and the moment of frontal combat began.

"[Blind Thrust]" "[Shield Bash]" "[Roar]"

The tanks simultaneously used their different provoke skills to attract the monsters. While from on high the Beast-Tamers descended attacking from the sky.

The plan is simple. Since we are at a numerical disadvantage we made small groups. Each group has a Tank and a designated Healer accompanied by a group of attackers. The groups will be separated from each other, but close enough to provide support if needed. The Beast-Tamers by having a better view of the battlefield in the sky will be supporting where it is most necessary. Mages will continue to attack with AoE spells at the forest entrance to avoid hurting teammates. And meanwhile, I will be attacking in between where magicians are using their spells and the battlefield is without the enemies realizing of my presence. That will reduce the number of monsters that reach the tanks.

But it will be exhausting. We need to hold out as long as possible until more support from the soldiers in nearby points arrives. Right now each Tank has at least twenty enemies attacking them at all times, which causes a heavy burden on the healers to keep them alive. Some villagers offered to assist the healers by passing mana potions to them, but those potions won't last long.

Using my [Predatory Eye] skill in the forest, I can see that there are still too many and now the strongest monsters are beginning to appear. It's time for me to take care of them. If we kill the one who is leading the other monsters, victory will be ours.

Before I could act, Liira and her Wyvern were already taking care of a Chimera. A monster difficult to deal with. In the distance, a group was being destroyed by a huge six-headed Hydra. I've never seen one before. I'll have to take care of it myself or else that thing will end up killing everyone in that group.

Getting closer, still with the effects of [Silent ****] that I haven't lost since the start of the fight, I used [****] on the huge creature saving a healer who was about to be killed.

Even though [****] seemed to cause it great damage, it wasn't enough to kill it with one blow. As a consequence of, I lost the effects of [Silent ****] and I will have to wait ten minutes to use it again.

After a loud screech, three of its heads fell limp, but three more were still alive. The Hydra, realizing my presence, changed its objective from the healer to me and tried to attack me with its huge tail. I use another of my skills, [**** Blossom] which increases my penetration attacks against physical enemies and magical defenses and stuns them for ten seconds. Enough time to deal with at least one of the remaining heads.

After a few minutes and with the help of the surviving members of this group we killed the Hydra.

Lowering his guard when he saw the Hydra die, a magician was attacked from behind by a lion with bat wings and a scorpion's tail. The tail pierced his abdomen killing him instantly. That thing attacked us from behind. It seems that another group fell elsewhere.

"Shit! Space was made somewhere." An archer said.

"[Predatory Eye]"

Where did it happen?

Searching all over the battlefield I finally found where the opening that gave entry to the healers was formed. Not just one, but two squads have fallen. At that moment I saw some kind of mantis kill a tank by splitting him and his shield in half.

Shit! That monstrosity is now heading towards Ilene's group.

"We'll take care of that thing. Go where you have to go." The healer told me, "And thanks for saving us!"

"Get together with another group." I reply before going as fast as possible towards Ilene.

The monsters that managed to pass are going directly for the healers. Whoever is controlling them knows exactly what he's doing. Otherwise, there is no way for monsters to use that kind of strategy.

I'm too far away and the monsters are going against Tricia. I can see her running for her life, but she has left Ilene **** and that mantis has already reached Ilene. Shit, Shit, What should I do?

Most of the parties are at their limit and if I don't hurry up, I won't be able to save either of them. Luckily in the sky, I saw Elan, but he is so focused on the fight that he has not seen me. I threw my dagger near him so he could see me. Surprised Elan looked down and saw me. I pointed out the direction where Tricia was and he managed to see her from above and understood what he had to do. He guided his griffin in the direction where Tricia was running. I'll leave her in Elan's hands, while I take care of saving Ilene.

In the meantime, on the other side, Ilene and the mantis fight has already started. From what I saw the blades that this monster has in its limbs are so sharp that they even cut the shield of the other tank in half. No matter how fast I go, it will still take me at least a minute to get to where she is. Not to mention that I am killing multiple monsters as I advance. Now that I can't use [Silent ****] my attacks are weaker, but enough to kill most of the monsters around. Hold on, Ilene.

The mantis attacked her at an incredible speed, brandishing its limbs that are more like a pair of blades. However, Ilene stopped each of his attacks with her shield. Every time Ilene received an attack with her shield, her shield glowed for a very small moment repelling the blade strongly making the mantis recoil. I remember that skill since she used it against me while training. It is a skill that lasts only for a split second, but being calculated well, it parries any attack that receives on her shield. Ilene is using it constantly and with such precision that the mantis cannot break the shield as it did with the other tank. But she is so focused on repealing the mantis that she cannot worry about the other monsters, who are attacking the rest of her party and therefore they cannot help her either.

I was about to get there when Ilene parries the mantis one more time, but this time she made it lose its balance. Ilene didn't miss the opportunity and holding her sword high, she let it fall vertically on the mantis using a skill that I had never see her use before.

"[Sword Oath]" Ilene yelled.

Her sword shone white and not only split the mantis in half but completely destroyed it, causing also a current of air around her from the strong blow.

Amazing! Ilene won. However, it seems that she has already reached her limit. A couple of monsters were about to attack her without her being able to react, but luckily I arrived in time, killing them with ease.

Besides that, I also managed to catch Ilene before she fell to the ground once again. I helped her sit down on the floor and I kneel beside her, letting her backrest on my leg.

"Are you okay Ilene?" I asked her.

Ilene, breathing heavily from how exhausted she was, answered me with difficulty, "I've been better."

"I'm going to take you to a healer." I told her as I carried her in my arms.

"T-Thanks," She told me with her eyes closed, "It seems like you saved my life one more time."

"Well..., Are you more attracted to me now?" I said in a lively tone.

Ilene giggled for a moment, but stopped after feeling pain, "You really are persistent."

"I am! But we can save that for later. Now you need a healer. You've been taking too many hits."

Ilene really managed to withstand all that on her own. She... she is really amazing! I bet she's better than a lot of A-Rank Tanks. The calculated way she uses her skills requires a lot of experience and training.

Fortunately, I didn't have to search for long as Elan arrived with Tricia.

"Tricia! Are you okay?" I ask her.

"More or less. I don't think I can continue anymore. I didn't think this was going to be this dangerous."

"I warned you." I reply to her.

"I know, I know. Whatever..."

"Tricia please heal Ilene. She is quite hurt."

While Tricia healed Ilene, I and Elan took care of more monsters that kept coming. After a few minutes of healing, Ilene stood up with a better face, but still not fully recovered.

"It's all I can do with my level." Tricia said.

"Thank you, It's more than enough. Thank you very much!" Ilene responded.

"And now what?" Elan asked. "At this rate, we will be annihilated. Can you see how many more monsters are in the forest, Kase?"

"Can you really do that?" Ilene asked in surprise.

"I can! I am quite handy." I answer her smiling.

"I-I see... Then do it." Ilene said a little embarrassed.

I can tell that Ilene is falling for me. It was a good idea to come here.

"[Predatory Eye]"

There are still quite a few in the forest. I can keep going, but the rest will not last until dawn. Searching for more high-level monsters, I notice something peculiarly strange in the forest. The silhouette of what appears to be a human next to the monsters that are emerging from the forest.

"I found it."

"Found what?" Tricia questioned me.

"I'm sure, I found who is behind it all in the forest."

"WHAT?" Everyone was surprised.

"For real? Where is? What is it?" Elan asked,

I stretch out my hand and activated the seal on my palm. The dagger that I previously threw to get Elan's attention appeared in my hand.

"I'll take care of it. Meanwhile, all of you get together with the other groups that are still fighting and hold on until I take care."

"Wait, isn't it too dangerous? I'm going with you." Ilene told me.

"I don't think it's a good idea..., if it is someone capable of controlling so many monsters, it would be very risky. I don't thi..."

"Don't be stupid. I'm not asking for your permission and I don't need you to worry about me. I can take care of myself." Ilene said angrily, cutting off what I was going to say, "But if that thing inside the forest really is the one who destroyed my village and killed so many innocent people; I need to face him and take ****, or else the friends I lost will not be able to rest in peace."

Ilene never ceases to amaze me.

"O-Okay... I get it... Let's go then." I reply, "...Elan take care of Tricia."

"Roger that," Elan answered. "Did you really think I was going to say that!? I'm going too!"

"W-What?"

"Of course, I plan to go too. "Tricia spoke. "I'm curious to see who is behind this. And I still have some mana potions, so I can continue a little longer."

....I suppose there is no point in refusing.

"Let's get going then."

Elan called his other Griffin, who had been flying on his own account killing monsters. Riding them will be easier than crossing the battlefield on foot.

"I want to ride Ilene." Tricia said, with a perverted expression. "I mean, I want to ride the same griffin as Ilene."

Ilene ignored her since it didn't seem that she got the hint, which is better.

"You go with Elan." I replied to Tricia.

Sometimes I think that Tricia is even hornier and perverted than me.

I and Ilene ride one while the unhappy Tricia and Elan ride the other. Heading into the forest, killing the few flying monsters that we crossed, we descended at the entrance to the forest.

Good, the cooldown of [Silent ****] has expired and I can use it again.

Before entering the forest I addressed them, "I will enter first while you wait for me nearby. I want to get closer without being discovered. I need to see what kind of opponent we will face first. If I have the opportunity, I will kill him instantly, but if for any reason things get complicated, I will expect your aid."

"Sounds good." Elan answered.

After pointing out the direction where our adversary was to them. Without stopping using [Predatory Eye], I used [Silent ****], and sneaking through the trees, I reached my destination. I jumped into the branches of a nearby tree to get a better view and there it was.

Looking at him from the back he had the form of a human wearing black armor that covered almost his entire body. But he had 'horns'. A characteristic that humans or other races do not have with the exception of one.

He is a demon.