Chapter 91: Demi-human Army
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the distance. The tremor grew clearer with each passing second. Velka and Ramiel glanced at each other, then sharpened their hearing. Before long, hundreds of marching steps could be heard descending the staircase.
"What will you do?" Velka asked.
Ramiel did not answer. He remained silent, staring at the corridor beside them. He knew the situation was about to become complicated. Never had he expected that another reinforcement unit would also come into this dungeon.
Ramiel rose to his feet. Velka pulled the bodies of Alvaric, Serya, and the soldier inside the room. Sure enough, not long after, fully armed demi-humans appeared. They marched in formation as they descended.
The royal banner fluttered at the center of the line. The unit was led by two fierce-looking captains, along with a reserve commander—a tall, muscular man clad in pitch-black armor. The moment their eyes landed on Ramiel, they immediately saluted.
"Ah, so you are here as well. Our respect, General," said the Reserve Commander.
Ramiel merely nodded. He said nothing. Of course, this puzzled the demi-humans. They exchanged glances among themselves. Even the Reserve Commander shrugged both shoulders, unable to understand what was going on with Ramiel.
"Is something wrong happening?" the Reserve Commander asked.
Ramiel shook his head. "Just go inside! Ignore me!" he replied.
The demi-humans grew even more confused and bewildered. They could not comprehend it. Eventually, their gazes drifted toward the room. That was when they spotted Velka and several figures lying behind her. Seeing this, the Reserve Commander immediately stepped forward.
"Come with me!" he ordered. Before marching further, he turned toward Ramiel. "Permission, General!" he said respectfully.
Only when Ramiel nodded did they proceed into the room.
Inside the room, Velka stood with trembling hands. She was alone there. The enemies she had to face numbered in the hundreds. Clearly, this was not an ideal situation for her. She tried to steady her breathing so as not to panic. She had to stay focused, or else she would be killed here.
Velka clenched her teeth. "Damn... there are too many of them."
The demi-human army had already entered the wrecked room. Once they had all come inside, nearly a quarter of the chamber was filled with them. Velka was surrounded. There was no way out. The only exit was now blocked behind the demi-human soldiers.
They came in various forms. Some bore the bodies of wolves, others of horses, and some were reptilian. Their eyes brimmed with murderous intent, especially when they saw Velka standing guard in front of the three figures lying on the ground. They knew who Velka was, for she often entered the palace.
Once, Serya and Velka had been respected for their courtesy and humble demeanor. But since the incident where they saved Alvaric during the death of one of the main generals, they had been branded as traitors who must be executed.
One of the captains stepped forward. He was a bear-type demi-human, his body twice the size of an ordinary soldier. His booming voice rumbled through the chamber.
"So, what General Leon said was true. You are indeed here. But what’s surprising is that you are without an escort force," the captain declared.
The captain cast a glance toward Ramiel. He was certain it was Ramiel who had slain the soldiers of Vashtraal City. He was convinced, for to Ramiel, slaughtering soldiers was nothing but child’s play. Ramiel was a main general, after all, someone tremendously powerful.
"Lord Ramiel has made our task easier. Thank you," the captain said.
Ramiel gave no response to those words. He remained silent, playing the part of a mere spectator. He would not intervene unless something crucial forced his hand. For now, there was nothing. He would simply watch for the next few minutes.
"I surrender. Can you release us?" Velka asked.
The captain burst into laughter upon hearing those words. "Do you think our mission here is to capture you?" He drew his weapon, pointing it at Velka. "Our orders are to kill you all without exception. The only proof we need to bring back... is your heads."
The captain felt delighted and proud as he spoke, while Velka grew increasingly anxious. The situation was far worse than she had expected. She had thought that perhaps surrendering and being taken to the palace could give Alvaric time to wake up during the journey.
But that hope was gone. There would be no capture—only death, as the captain had said.
The captain turned toward the Reserve Commander. "May I kill her with my own hands?" he asked.
The bear captain raised his massive axe. His eyes narrowed with hatred, as though Velka was nothing but prey waiting to be torn apart. He was confident he would win easily.
"Go ahead, Captain. Finish her," the Reserve Commander replied coldly.
Velka tightened her grip on her spear. Her breathing was ragged, sweat mixed with blood dripping from her temple. Her wounds had not healed, and the pain made it hard for her to move freely. The mana in her body was nearly exhausted after fighting Ramiel earlier.
This was certainly not an ideal fight for her. Yet surrender meant dying without meaning. No matter what, she had to resist.
Velka stepped forward, her spear quivering in her weakened hands, but her gaze still burned with fire. "If you want my head... then you’ll have to take it with your blood!"
Ssshk!
Velka’s figure seemed to vanish. In the blink of an eye, she appeared beside the Bear Captain, thrusting her spear forward. The strike was aimed straight at his eye. Speed was Velka’s advantage.
Zraaaak!
Lightning crackled along the spear, bursting into blinding bluish-white light. The thrust nearly pierced the captain’s eye.
Clang!
With a single swift swing, the giant axe parried the strike. Sparks scattered. Velka’s small body was thrown back. Her breath grew heavier. She nearly collapsed, but forced herself to stand.
"Hahaha! Your speed truly is impressive... but you’re weak!" the captain mocked, stomping hard against the floor. Cracks spread beneath his feet.
Velka launched herself again. Her body darted left and right, leaving behind afterimages. Five figures of herself now surrounded the Bear Captain from all sides. The illusions moved in different directions. Her small frame made her hard to track.
Booommm!
With a single sweeping spin, the giant axe swung in a circle. Every illusion Velka had created shattered like glass. The real Velka barely managed to evade.
Dhuughh!
The axe struck her stomach. Velka’s body was hurled, smashing against the wall. Blood gushed from her mouth.
"Urghhh...!"
Her hands trembled, barely able to hold onto her spear.
Velka tried to rise, staggering, before igniting lightning at her spear’s tip once again. But this time, the glow was faint, flickering, unstable. The mana within her was nearly gone.
"Damn," she muttered.
The captain grinned broadly. "Come on, fight me!" he taunted again.