Volume 4 Chapter 22 The Beginning Of The End
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
That day, a record-breaking thick fog enveloped the area.
The sky was clear, not a single cloud in sight. The town streets bustled with their usual energy. But that familiar daily life was quickly swallowed by a creeping sea of white.
As if dark clouds had begun to gather, a shadow thick enough to block out the sunlight spread across the land. In an instant, the vibrant town lost all signs of life along its main street. People vanished. Residents, alarmed, abandoned their work and rushed home.
In all of Shinnit’s history, never had such a dense fog brought life to a halt like this.
A heavy silence fell over the townspeople.
Soon, as they huddled in their homes and public shelters, an unease began to seep into their hearts.
And rightly so—this wasn’t the first time the kingdom had faced unnatural fog.
Old rumors stirred once more—tales from ten years prior.
A strange incident in the northern Royal Capital, Rocetta.
Ghosts emerging from the fog.
Many of the townsfolk who had once been caught in that panic were now in Shinnit.
That half-forgotten nightmare began to resurface, spreading an ominous premonition throughout the town.
”Whoa?!”
”What’s wrong? What happened?” one soldier cried out.
A gendarme, patrolling in a two-man unit, let out a startled shout. He was young, steadfast in his duty, unshaken even by the eerie fog.
Then, suddenly—one of them disappeared into the mist.
His partner was left behind.
He glanced around, but a white haze, thick like smoke, obscured everything. Nothing was visible.
”Hey, did you fall or something?” he called out, his voice tinged with unease.
No answer.
Just as he began to wonder—what’s going on?
”Hey. What the—ugh?!”
The voice abruptly stopped.
All that remained was a pool of blood.
Shrouded in fog, no one saw it happen.
And in other parts of town, similar phenomena unfolded.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—no one was around at the time.
Visibility was reduced to just a few meters. Life could no longer go on as usual.
No one witnessed what became of the patrols. No others were drawn into the scene.
And so, in the thick white fog, as the seconds ticked by, lives were quietly extinguished.
One by one.
In a town plunged into darkness despite the noonday sun, people simply vanished.
A strange calm filled the air—ominous and heavy, like a voyage to the heavens.
It was as if they were being kidnapped in their sleep.
Without resistance, they were being taken.
One after another.
However, that stillness didn’t last long.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion shook the area near the quay.
The roar echoed so loudly, it could be heard across the entire port town of Shinnit.
Unlike the moment a month ago when a knight girl decapitated a phantom beast and reduced a wooden gate to splinters, this was an entirely different kind of devastation.
This was the sound of fire. Of destruction.
An abnormal situation—immediately recognized as such.
The workers nearby all came to the same conclusion: some kind of accident had occurred.
If it were a fire, it could spread fast—and if they were too slow to react, the results would be disastrous.
Understanding this, they scrambled to determine the source of the sound.
Through the fog, people rushed into the streets.
──If an unwelcome guest had come to town, someone would surely notice.
And so, the unlucky ones who raised their voices were the first to find out.
”Hey, hey?! There’s a monster!!”
The cry rang out.
A moment later, the head of the brave soul who had shouted was severed from their body.
Where it went, no one knew.
Only the headless corpse remained, collapsing lifelessly.
And then—
”Ugh, uwaaaah?!”
Before the people’s eyes, heads were skewered, one after another.
Blood sprayed—a horrific surprise party of death.
A blood-drenched carnival had begun.
From that moment, growls echoed from every direction.
Had they no need to hide anymore?
Like a pack of magical wolves ambushing travelers in the forest, hell revealed itself in the middle of town.
”Kyahhh!!”
The silence ruptured like a bucket overflowing.
What had been creeping in steadily, unseen, now erupted with noise and chaos.
The tide couldn’t be held back.
The innocent were caught in its swell.
”Spears! Grab your spears and shields! Evacuate the residents to the east gate!” a commander shouted.
The once peaceful port town had become a battlefield.
But this was the kingdom’s most vital trade hub.
In preparation for emergencies, a substantial force had been stationed there.
In fact, the number of standing troops even exceeded those of the Royal Capital, and the armory was well-stocked.
Upon receiving reports of monsters, soldiers burst out of the barracks, weapons in hand.
The fog posed a problem, but their two-meter spears helped keep attackers at bay.
Despite the poor visibility and lack of formation, they pushed toward the danger, guiding fleeing civilians as they advanced.
A deep growl, like that of a four-legged beast, halted their steps.
They immediately raised their shields, shouting to warn and protect the others.
A monster lunged at them.
But the soldiers did not falter.
The black beast was pierced from multiple directions.
It was a magical wolf.
There truly were monsters in Shinnit.
Some soldiers relayed the situation to the capital. Others continued evacuations. And more still prepared for battle.
The troops of Crotopone adapted swiftly to the chaos and responded with composure.
A frail yet determined woman fled hand in hand with an elderly man.
Adventurers unsheathed their weapons and faced the threat.
Even the townsfolk began to regain their wits and joined the resistance.
A terrifying monster—but in the end, it was just a monster.
The people would not cower.
”Hehehe. Looks like you’re enjoying the prelude to the festival,” a voice rang out.
It wasn’t aimed at anyone.
Nor did it come from any particular direction.
Yet everyone heard it clearly.
A few, however, understood it as mental resonance (T/N: telepathy or thought communication common in fantasy settings).
”Now, let us begin. A battle for revenge, a hundred years in the making. Let us crush each other until one side is annihilated!”
His voice, filled with a strange excitement for war, carried a weight that silenced the surroundings.
People exchanged uneasy glances.
Someone looked up at the sky.
What was happening? What did this all mean?
The speaker… he must have known the truth.
”I am Bandanzine, the Earth General of the Four Generals of the Demon Lord! In the name of the world’s rightful ruler, Demon King Dainheorl, the Demon Lord—Gustira—declares war on the Humans!!”
At that moment, a powerful shockwave enveloped the town.
It wasn’t destructive.
To human ears, it was inaudible—but to animals, it was maddening.
A tune that wouldn’t turn heads at a concert, yet it ensnared all non-human creatures—
Grrooooarrrr!!!!
The monsters roared in unison.
A chorus of despair filled the vast town of Shinnit.
It was a howl close to a death wail—a cry soaked in lamentation.
Soldiers and townsfolk instinctively clutched their ears.
And then, chaos exploded.
The Demon Lord’s army had begun its assault.
As the monster roars faded, they were replaced by human screams.
The beasts, burning their own lives as fuel, launched into a mindless slaughter.
”Ugh…”
”Elide!! Stay strong, it’s going to be okay…” a voice called out.
In the middle of this apocalyptic scene, two sisters made their way down the main street.
No others were in sight.
It was clear they had failed to escape in time.
The reason was evident.
Deena, the elder sister, clutched a blood-soaked knife.
Her younger sister, Elide, stumbled beside her, trailing blood.
”Big sister, you go ahead and escape first!”
”No way!! I’ll protect you—I swear!!”
A touching exchange.
Even amid this crisis, they could think only of each other.
This was the kind of love that seemed to exist only in stories—yet it was real, blooming in the middle of the battlefield.
But only those with hearts could weep for such love.
To a frenzied beast, they were merely slow-moving prey.
”──!! Big sister!!?”
A scream.
Noticing the growl behind them, Elide tried to shield Deena.
The two were civilians. They had no experience in combat.
By the time they recognized the danger, it was already upon them.
In Deena’s vision, a terrifying creature—its form eerily close to human—dripped with saliva.
Its twisted eyes locked onto them.
The sisters trembled, collapsing in fear.
The beast crouched low, mouth agape—and leapt.
”Take that!!”
”Hey!!”
”Get lost!!”
Just before its fangs could reach Deena’s flesh, three strikes pierced the monster from different directions.The heavy black body collapsed with a thunderous thud, sinking to the ground.
Before the stunned sisters, the fearsome beast lay defeated.
”Did… did we take it down?!” one of the girls gasped. “Wow, Cla-Cla is too strong—it’s hilarious~!”
”Yay! One hit! No way, we might be catching up to Buddy Tiet!” another girl cheered.
”No, no, that’s not important—we need to evacuate quickly!” the third girl said urgently, turning to her sibling. “Are you okay, Big Sister?!”
The sisters stood frozen. It was those girls—dressed in knightly garb—who had saved them. But they were so young. Far too young. Apparently, they were apprentice knights.
”Thank you… You saved us,” one of the sisters murmured, accepting the outstretched hand offered to her.
Not all heroes who appear in times of crisis are princes on white horses. As they stood, the sisters exchanged glances and managed a smile, heartened by the bravery of these girls.
”U-Um, which way should we go? I’m lost!” one of the apprentices asked, looking around in confusion.
”Ugh, are you lost again? Licia, you’re the one who said we should go play in Shinnit! I knew following you was a bad idea!” Cla-Cla groaned, exasperated.
”Cla-Cla, you do weird things too!! Like trying to drag the shopkeeper into an alley to extort money!!” Licia shot back.
The three girls broke into spirited bickering, their carefree energy completely at odds with the recent life-or-death battle. Yet somehow, that warm, almost comedic atmosphere carried on the wind like a gentle breeze, bringing a measure of calm to the sisters’ tightly wound hearts.
”It’s okay,” one of the sisters said gently. “I can guide you, so don’t worry. The north gate is closer from here—let’s head that way.”
Thus, the elegant sisters and the lively girls formed an impromptu party and began their retreat together.
A few moments later, they slipped through the less populated northern gate, managing to avoid any further encounters with monsters. They had successfully escaped the port town of Shinnit.
But they were not the only ones left behind in what had now become a battlefield. Some had been too slow to flee. Others had fallen in battle. Countless soldiers and civilians lay strewn about the streets, corpses piled upon corpses. And those corpses, in turn, became food—monsters devouring the dead to satiate their endless hunger.
When would the fighting end? No one remained to even ponder the question.
The town echoed with the low, guttural growls of beasts. Monsters, emerging in swarms from unknown places, soon filled every corner of Shinnit. In just half a day, the key stronghold of the Kingdom of Crotopone had fallen.
Now, only a few Demonkin and a massive horde of monsters remained—the enemies of humanity.
Not a single human soul was left alive within the town.
A few moments after hell unfolded in Shinnit, far to the north at the very top of the continent—
—stood the imperial capital of Alvenia.
The day had been peaceful, stars beginning to scatter across the sky. That tranquility was about to be shattered—without warning.
”I report!! A mysterious fleet has appeared in the bay near the imperial capital! They’ve approached the military terminal!” a soldier shouted breathlessly. “There are over twenty vessels, flying four-horned flags, and they’re forming a blockade!”
”──So it really is the Demon Lord!!” someone cried.
Chaos erupted in the assembly chamber.
It was the middle of the night, and some lords and ministers of the Second Empire of Dusselhelm had been urgently summoned to the imperial capital. Several had yet to arrive. Even so, tension gripped the room.
From the innermost central seat, a man with a neatly groomed beard stood up abruptly and struck his knee.
”Could it be… they have truly come?! Give me the full report!!”
The speaker was none other than the Emperor himself—Magdous Augusk Vilnessa, sovereign of the Second Empire of Dusselhelm. His voice rang with authority as every eye in the chamber turned toward the reporting soldiers.
”The fleet is currently one nautical mile from the capital’s bay,” the soldier replied. “They’re moving slowly, forming a line to block us in. Naval deployment was not in time—we’ve switched to coastal defense operations.”
Murmurs of concern rippled through the nobles. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation.
The report of the fleet’s appearance had only just reached them. It had sparked this emergency gathering, summoned personally by the Emperor. The Demon Lord’s name was still fresh in their minds after recent attacks by his subordinates.
War was now more than just a possibility—it was reality.
But it was already too late.
The enemy was here, practically at their doorstep.
And the most terrifying part was—they hadn’t even detected them approaching.
The Empire’s defensive network had been completely bypassed. Their opponent possessed a means of evading reconnaissance entirely.
From the very outset, the disparity in military technology was painfully clear. The Imperial Army hadn’t even secured enough time to dispatch its fleet as a learning cost.
”To come so boldly to the Imperial Capital… They’re underestimating us,” the Emperor growled. “We must do everything in our power to prevent them from landing. Yureisa, has Hermine not returned yet?”
At her father’s question, the Second Princess, Yureisa, slowly shook her head.
Hermine was not a mere figurehead. She was the Empire’s strongest military asset. There was no one in the Empire who did not know her name. Her presence alone could rally soldiers and bolster morale.
”There’s been no communication,” Yureisa said, concern clouding her voice. “Your Majesty, Hermine would never break a promise lightly. Something must have happened.”
It was possible her disappearance was connected to the current crisis.
The Emperor had already taken note—an entire night had passed without her return. Until recently, that would not have been unusual. She often vanished for months at a time on her adventures.
But this time was different.
She had only just been punished with restrictions on her movements. For her to break those orders and not return? That was not like her.
She was not the kind of child to act so selfishly or with such disregard.
The Emperor sighed heavily and placed a hand to his forehead, clearly troubled. He wished the hero party that had been staying in the capital until just a few days ago were still here.
But those who were no longer present could not be relied upon. They could not be factored into the strategy.
The minister stepped forward, his brow furrowed with concern. “Your Majesty,” he began, “there is something that troubles me. Doesn’t the enemy’s behavior seem unnatural? If they had the capability to breach our detection net, surely they would’ve already launched a landing operation. Even if their aim was to lure us into a naval battle, coming so close and exposing themselves defies logic. Might there be something deeper behind this?”
According to the latest reports, the enemy fleet was approaching—slowly, and with an eerie deliberation.
Indeed, it was a strange movement. The gathered ministers exchanged uneasy glances.
Another official stepped forward, adding gravely, “Your Majesty, I find it odd as well. Those people aren’t under the protection of the Saintess on the continent. If some among them have become Demon Lords through conquest, it stands to reason their military doctrine would surpass that of the peace-loving Humans. However, whether their movements match such a doctrine is questionable. They should know that attacking the Empire means war with the entire continent. If their target is the heart of the Empire, they must crush us before reinforcements arrive.”
At those words, the chamber fell into a heavy silence. It didn’t feel like speculation—it felt like an answer.
Emperor Magdous swept his gaze over each face, then parted his lips.
”In intercontinental warfare, strategy begins with an assault landing,” he declared. “Indeed, this is a diversion.”
The Emperor’s words sparked a ripple of realization among the lords. This was not merely a war between the Empire and the Demon Lord.
This was an all-out war between Humans and Demons.
”Dispatch swift horses to every nation!” the Emperor commanded. “Full speed. Secure damage reports as quickly as possible and prepare for coordinated response—”
But before he could finish, the heavy doors to the assembly hall burst open with a thunderous bang.
A lookout rushed in, breathless and still wearing his sword belt, and fell to one knee.
The gathered nobles turned to him as one. In the current situation, the contents of the report were already obvious.
”I report! The Demon Lord has launched a full-scale offensive! We are currently engaged in combat with the Marine Corps!”
”What was that just now!?”
Maverick, the Sea General’s aide, snapped in agitation. The navy had shifted to coastal operations due to difficulties fighting on the open sea. Their objective was to prevent any enemy landings. Offensive responsibilities had been passed to the magic troops, who were still unprepared, while the marines moved frantically to buy time.
”Sea General’s aide! It’s dangerous! Get away from the pier!!”
The soldier’s voice rang out over the din, and those nearby quickly pulled back. Soldiers, tasked with halting the landing, were retreating from the coast in growing numbers.
Yet not all followed. Among them were fresh recruits—too inexperienced, too excited. Ignoring orders to fall back, they raised their bows with trembling hands, determined to fight.
Their recklessness came at a price.
”Ugh?!”
”Blugh!!”
Without warning, they were blasted away by a super-pressure stream of water from beneath the waves, their formation instantly shattered. It wasn’t a child’s toy but a devastating water cannon—powerful magic, perhaps, but no one had time to assess.
As the coastal defense scattered like leaves in a storm, shadows began to rise from beneath the sea.
Near the enemy ships, one after another, humanoid figures surfaced. Fish fin-like ears, tridents, feminine forms—features found in only one kind of marine creature.
”──Mermaids!!”
They emerged by the dozens—no, hundreds. The fierce women of the sea. Fishkin warriors.
Raising both hands as if holding the sky itself, their right arms clutched spears while their left hands curled empty. Between those uplifted arms, seawater began to gather.
”Here they come!!”
The water twisted into spheres, and from each sphere stretched a line—like a barrel and muzzle. What followed were torrents of water, shot like artillery toward the land.
Water spears streaked through the air. Over a hundred of them.
Each one struck with crushing force. The port was devastated in an instant—quays obliterated, mooring facilities torn apart, paved roads ruptured from the impact.
Overwhelming force trampled through the Empire’s defenses. Screams echoed as soldiers broke ranks and fled. Even when insulted as weaklings by the mermaids, they turned their backs and ran.
By the time the barrage ceased, the coast had fallen silent. Not a single soul remained in sight.
”Land on the shore,” a voice commanded.
Observing the absence of defenders, the Demon Lord’s fleet advanced to land. The ships, still moments ago ominously quiet, now growled like beasts in labor.
One by one, monsters poured forth.
The first to land was a black beast, larger than a man, baring its fangs and growling with raw, primal menace.
Dozens followed, then hundreds.
They hit the ground running—predators unleashed. Their speed was terrifying, their intent unmistakable.
Among the debris, a few soldiers huddled. Seeing the beasts descend, they broke into a desperate sprint.
But it was too late.
Their allies were too far behind. Reinforcements wouldn’t reach them in time.
They would die here. Everyone knew it.
Some threw down their spears and ran without a backward glance.
In the distance, none came to their aid. The enemy’s power was too great. The soldiers had broken too easily.
Their fighting spirit had already collapsed.
The beasts closed in. One young soldier screamed, a cry of bitter regret.
He should’ve run sooner.
”Oh, they really are attacking,” a calm voice said.
”…What she said was right,” another replied.
Before the beasts could reach their prey, they fell—blood splattering in all directions.
”Hah!”
A woman in a white robe burst onto the scene, striking down the oncoming beast in a single blow. The creature’s neck shattered, crumbling into pieces.
”Here we go—hah, huff!”
Another figure—an agile knight girl—emerged, swiftly cutting through the horde. She weaved through the attackers, severing a beast’s neck from below before slashing another diagonally across the torso. She pounced on a hesitating one, crushing its skull beneath her heel.
The soldiers halted, frozen not by fear but awe.
It wasn’t her flowing gray hair that captivated them.
Nor was it the dazzling swordplay or her overwhelming brutality.
It was the unmistakable presence she carried—one recognized by all across the Empire. No, by all Humans.
Even the mermaids watching from the sea furrowed their brows.
They, too, knew who she was.
All eyes turned to the gray-haired woman.
”All right! I’m going to take them apart! You handle that side!” she shouted.
”Understood. Leave the monsters to us,” came the reply.
”Tiet-Tiet,” the woman added, glancing back, “if things get dangerous, retreat, okay?”
The strongest adventurer party in the world—the Brave Knight.
The hero party had arrived.
Without hesitation, they charged straight at the flag bearing four horns.
Notes:
• Shinnit – Located south of the royal capital of the Kingdom of Crotopone, separated by mountains. A bustling trading town and the nation’s largest economic hub, controlling the Four Islands. It is a port city with gray outer walls, known for its strategic importance and military presence.
• Rocetta – The royal capital of the Kingdom of Crotopone, where the knight barracks are located.
• Bandanzine – They are one of the Four Heavenly Kings, appeared as a warrior with a dignified gaze, known for their frontline combat prowess.
• Dainheorl – He is the conqueror of the Demon Continent, appeared as the council leader, known for his godlike strength and four horns.
• Elide – A 19-year-old woman, Deena’s younger sister. Her appearance is described as cute with a youthful, innocent face. She is engaged to a man who is currently away on a long-term fishing expedition and is expected to return in three months.
• Deena – A 21-year-old unmarried woman. Her appearance is that of a beautiful woman wearing black mourning attire. She is grieving the recent loss of her father in a maritime accident. Deena is the older sister of Elide and is initially mistaken by Klock for a widow.
• Cla-Cla – Female. A junior knight in the Crotopone knights. She is energetic and a joker, often making light of serious situations. Her appearance is not described in detail. She has a casual relationship with Tiet, who sighs at her lack of growth.
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
• Licia – Female. A junior knight in the Crotopone knights. Her playful banter adds warmth to the tense situation, reminding readers of the bonds between comrades.
• Alvenia – The imperial capital, located at the continent’s northernmost point, is a grand city that becomes the next target of the Demon Lord’s fleet. It is a powerful empire ruled by Magdous Augusk Vilnessa.
• Magdous – He is the majestic Emperor of the Second Empire of Dusselhelm, a powerful leader who quickly assesses the grave situation. He recognizes the threat and takes action.
• Hermine – Daughter of the Emperor of the Second Empire of Dusselhelm. A companion and friend of Anna. The mage. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Yureisa – The Second Princess, a determined young woman who stands by her father’s side during the emergency assembly. She’s concerned about the absence of Princess Hermine.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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