BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

CRASH

CRASH

CRASH

CRASH

Damn it, I still wasn’t done yet . . .

The sounds of guards yelling started to echo throughout the castle.

I ran to try to find Aura as fast as I could.

SCREEEECH

Things started to pour in from outside.

They had the appearance of black shadowy forms.

Shades, the minions of demons that could overwhelm human towns in an instant.

Nothing more than mindless bugs and yet they were so effective on humans.

Tch, they couldn’t ignore the fact that all the important people would be here tonight.

Chaos started to spread and some of the guests decided to force their way out of the castle.

Unfortunately, they were killed nearly instantly, the shades tore them up.

Only the ducal houses had any weapons here.

That means Arthur and Leon might be able to help these people out.

But Maria was plenty strong too and not to mention Aura could hold her own.

. . . Maybe I still had some time

“EVERYONE OVER HERE!”

It was Leon, he was shouting for everyone to move further in to castle.

“THERE ARE STORAGE ROOMS, EVERYONE HIDE IN THERE! THE GUARDS AND I WILL FEND THEM OFF!”

I hide behind a pillar and watched as countless people started to run in his direction.

“OUMPHF!”

A small child had tripped and was about to be trampled but I managed to save her in time.

“Are you ok?”

“Yes, thank you”

Hmm, this girl . . .

She started to run back to someone who looked like her guardian.

She flashed me a smile before turning around again.

Silver hair and yellow eyes?

Hmm, interesting combination.

I hid once again and saw the rest of the people run outside.

The guests were either dead, followed Leon’s instructions and ran further inside, or used the opportunity to run outside.

GONG

GONG

GONG

Pretty soon I hear many alarms going off, it sounded like the castle was putting the city on full alert.

I guess the demons’ invasion had started.

Maybe it’s finally time to stop playing human.

“HOLD THEM BACK! WE CAN’T LET THEM THROUGH!”

SLASH

I slew shade after shade but they kept coming.

SLASH

“AGH!”

“MOVE BACK!”

A guard had fallen and now we were being pushed to where the people were hiding.

“WE CAN’T LAST FOR MUCH LONGER!”

No, we can’t let it end like this . . .

Trish! I’m sorry, it was my fault you were here.

DAMN IT!

Why did I have such a selfish wish?

I can help you know? Just let me go . . . but if you do . . .

Your life is forfeit . . .

Not to me but to the people . . . and to her . . .

You’ve made me strong, are you saying that even with your help I can’t beat them?

You and I are incapable at the end of the day.

Chose right now, her life or your ideals.

I chose . . . them.

Do what you want . . .

I felt a strong rush of power flowing from my sword and I held it above my head.

I leaped towards the shades and unleashed it.

[Dark Blast]

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEE

The loud howling stream of dark energy swallowed them all and carved out a path.

I looked at the speechless guards and people behind us.

“ANYONE WHO CAN FIGHT FOLLOW ME!”

No one stepped forward . . .

I saw Trish standing amongst the crowd.

Tears were streaming down her face.

She shook her head.

“Tch, it’s not safe here we have to leave!”

They all had scared looks on their faces and remained motionless.

“Fine, I’ll be back with reinforcements then”

“WE DON’T WANT YOUR HELP DEMON!”

“GO AWAY!”

“DIE!”

They all started to shout at me.

Fear, anger, and sadness.

These were the emotions now running through these people.

“ENOUGH!”

A wall of ice suddenly separated me from the people and exploded.

A girl stepped forward from the crowd and started to speak.

“He used demonic powers to save our lives, we should be thanking him.He chose . . willingly to use dark arts for us. No

one here can doubt his words when he says he can help us. If no one will go with you, then I will. I won’t wait to die here

and certainly not with these people”

The people calmed down and started gather.

The guards started to move in to a formation to protect them.

The girl walked next to me and nodded.

“I’ll take point with you”

“I’m Leon”

“Aura”

“YOUR MAJESTY!”

I ran up to Arthur and the King.

“I’m fine, what is the castle’s status?”

“Shades have overrun us; many nobles and other guests were killed. The knights are trying to push them out of the castle.

But it seems they’ve also started to move on the city as well”

“This is the worst case possible, isn’t it? Can you move your troops?”

“Troops?” Arthur shot me a look.

“They were supposed to be just in case anyone tried to challenge my succession. They’re camped about thirty minutes

away from the city”

“GO! Signal them and lead them here!”

“As you—“

!?

CLANG

I jumped and deflected a blade with my spear.

“Oh? I didn’t know capable humans were here except for the hero”

A cloaked figure appeared from the broken window and leaped in front of us.

Three more figures walked next to the first one.

“So, you’re the ones in charge?”

“Not quite”

“The boss is busy”

“Let’s play”

“ . . . “

“Arthur, take the king and rally the troops. I’ll cover you and then go get mine”

“Not so fast” The first figure said slyly.

Her shadow started to stretch and shadow clones started to step out.

Now over a dozen cloaked figures had blocked one side of the hall.

Shades had appeared at the other end and were waiting for their masters to signal.

“I was saving this for actual combat but . . . Arthur get ready to run!”

I pulled out a small orb and placed it in the slot of my spear.

CLICK

I shook the spear head to lock the orb in place.

“GET THEM!”

The shades and demons started to rush at us from both sides.

“GET DOWN!”

I shouted to Arthur, warning him not to do anything except run.

BOOOOOOOM

I slammed my spear’s handle in to the floor and a burst of light exploded from the spearhead.

EEEEeeeeeeEEEEEEEeeeeeeee

The demons and shades started to scream in pain.

[Barrier of Light]

I formed a defense wall of light and sent it flying in to the demon’s direction.

This should stop them for a few precious seconds.

The burst was supposed to be used in a targeted precise blow though.

Using it as a distraction . . . hopefully I won’t need it later.

I ran through a broken window and started to run towards the city.

I had to signal my men, I had to send up a flare.

“I’m sorry Samil but they’ve escaped”

“No matter, just take the castle first. The saint being here was unexpected, unfortunately we’ll have to hurry then. We can’t

risk her and the hero ruining our plans. Heca, you go distract Arthur. Mardu, go with Onyx and keep everyone else

distracted in the city. And Karn snag any more rats that try to get back in to the castle. I can handle everyone else here”

They all nodded and promptly left.

The time had come, my desires were finally about to be realized.

HAHAHAHA WITH THIS!

I COULD EVEN BECOME A DEMON KING CANDIDATE.

THEN I COULD BE A KING NO . . . A GOD.

My body flowed with dark energy and I started my hunt.