Ｓｉｄｅ・Ｍａｎａ
I took flight from the *Wing of Order* with Prim, utilizing *Fly Wind*.
My vision captured Ritter’s figures, battling demons riding Chimeras while soaring freely through the sky. The aerial force comprised about 300 riders, with roughly 200 Ritters engaged in interception.
The demon race possessed not only their inherent abilities but also the advantage of Chimeras, meaning they might hold an individual advantage. However, by skillfully employing *Scaffolding*, we had superior maneuverability compared to their Chimeras, giving us a slight edge in the battle.
Still, their forces consisted of Normal Demons and High Demons mounted on G-rank and P-rank monsters. Any moment of disadvantage could lead to them overwhelming us. The presence of about ten *Ancient Order* members was crucial for us to even mount a defense.
However, there was no need to inflict unnecessary casualties.
I unleashed *Thousand Stream*, a newly developed Unique Magic, piercing the Chimeras’ wings. *Thousand Stream* is a Fusion Magic that combines wind, ice, and lightning attribute magic into arrows, which are then fired. I can create approximately 1,000 arrows, which are typically fired freely. However, using Telekinetic Magic, I can control them in groups of tens, up to four groups, granting high pursuit capabilities and preventing friendly fire.
It’s difficult to use in a chaotic battlefield where friend and foe are intermingled, as I’m still unaccustomed to it. However, the Ritters were prioritizing interception and not pushing too far forward. Therefore, I could target demons at a considerable distance without hesitation.
Still, I felt a bit exasperated watching Prim, who unhesitatingly flew through my *Thousand Stream*, defeating demons one after another. I made sure not to hit her, of course.
“It would have been a little easier if Luna and the others were here. But, it can’t be helped,” I muttered. For this campaign, I had not brought any of my familiars or summoned beasts. This was because many of them were C-rank monsters, and it was judged that they wouldn’t be able to keep up with the battle. Even though my summoned beasts had evolved to S-rank and G-rank, they would still face considerable difficulty. Yamato’s Jade and Mako’s Snow White had evolved to M-rank, but they would likely struggle against the demons, especially with the Chimeras. Given this, the decision was correct.
However, this meant that Summoning Mages like myself were at a disadvantage. The selected Ritters had taken this into account, so apart from Mako and myself, only a few Hunters were participating as Summoning Mages. The only consolation was that we were informed beforehand that familiars would not be brought along for the expedition to the Gradia Continent. This allowed both Mako and me to complete our Unique Magic without relying solely on Summoning Magic, thereby minimizing our combat power reduction.
“Well then, I suppose it’s time for me to head to the front lines as well!”
While *Thousand Stream* had taken down quite a few enemies, there were still about 150 demons and chimeras remaining. Prim was flying around at the forefront, so I could have stayed in the rear to provide support. However, Mako was much better at that role, and my true strength lay in close-quarters combat, so I decided to move forward.
I activated Wing Burst and Feathering Wind simultaneously, drew my Flare Edge Sword, and began to fly using *Fly Wind*. A demon riding a Tri-head Wyvern appeared directly in front of me, so I channeled magic into the Flare Edge Sword and released its multi-jointed connection.
The multi-jointed sword, Flare Edge Sword, functions as both a sword and a whip. Its durability as a sword was insufficient, but this could be compensated for by performing Mana Ring, and with Element Class magic, it could exhibit sufficient lethality even against Demise Species. Therefore, against a P-rank monster like a Chimera, it was more than enough to cleave through it. In fact, I succeeded in severing two heads of the Tri-head Wyvern before me and inflicted damage on the High Demon riding it, leaving its left arm barely attached.
“Gaaaaah!”
“I have no mercy for you. If you have anyone to blame, blame the Divine Emperor who disrupted the order of the world, and yourselves for aligning with him.”
With those words, I unleashed Wind Lance from my left hand, blowing away the High Demon and the Chimera together. As demons pose a significant threat to the survival of the Helios Orb, there was no option but to eliminate them, regardless of who they were or where they were. Moreover, as enemy soldiers of the Abaricia Divine Empire on the Gradia Continent, there was absolutely no room for mercy or hesitation.
Having defeated the High Demon before me, I channeled magic into the Flare Edge Sword and took to the skies once more to defeat the next demon.
Ｓｉｄｅ・Ｐｒｉｍ
Clad in blazing wings enhanced by Wing Burst, I soared freely through the sky using Flare Penetrator, piercing through Chimeras and the demons riding them that stood in my path. The commander-class demons had already been defeated by Mako’s Meteorite Light Sphere, so what we were doing now was akin to mopping up the stragglers. However, the demons showed no signs of retreating.
Well, demons are designated as divine enemies that lead to the ruin of the Helios Orb simply by existing, so there’s no issue with defeating them. Besides, the reason they aren’t retreating is likely because they believe they’ll be executed by the Divine Emperor if they do. For the demons, it’s a hellish choice whether to advance or retreat. They probably chose to become demons by willingly incorporating Demon Crystals, so I have no sympathy for them.
“Lady Primrose!”
After defeating all the demons approaching the *Wing of Order*, I deactivated Flare Penetrator. It turned out that area was precisely where a Beastar had been assigned. What surprised me was that the person who called out to me was a beast knight from the former Duke Hydransia’s household. What a coincidence.
“You all maintain the front line! I’ll continue to defeat the demons!”
“Yes! May your combat be victorious!”
After giving instructions to the Beastar, or rather, requesting them to maintain the front line, I re-enveloped myself in Flare Penetrator and charged towards the Chimeras ridden by demons.
As I pierced through several Chimeras and their riders, I realized that demons, it seems, cannot fly without using a mount. The Divine Emperor is an Engraver, so he can fly using an Engraving Art called *Fly Wind*. However, Mako believes that *Fly Wind* is strictly regulated, and criminals like the Divine Emperor are stripped of their eligibility to learn it, so he likely cannot use it. As evidence, there are no records of the Divine Emperor flying in battles even 30 years ago, let alone the Lunea Battle. Furthermore, he seems to be focusing on enslaving dragons and manufacturing Chimeras, so I believe Mako’s prediction is accurate.
“Still, the riders are High Demons, so they won’t die if they’re just knocked to the ground. So, the objective remains to defeat them along with their Chimeras.”
“Indeed. Also, it might interfere with Ludia and the others heading to the ground, so we must defeat them decisively.”
Mana has arrived. Well, I had noticed her using her new Unique Magic out of the corner of my eye, so I had been careful not to get caught in it. However, Mana’s Unique Magic, *Thousand Stream*, is a long-range attack magic, similar to my Flare Needle and Seraphim Strike, so I hadn’t expected her to come to the front. But then again, Mana is also a swordswoman who uses a multi-jointed sword, so she naturally prefers to be at the forefront. It was only a matter of time.
“I agree. In that case, there’s no point in dragging this out. Let’s finish this quickly!”
“Agreed!”
They are demons. Beings that are not permitted to exist, created not by gods but by humankind, that erode not only the twelve Treasure Trees supporting the Philia Continent, but even the Celestial Tree, the pillar supporting the Helios Orb. To protect the Helios Orb, to seize the future for Tsubaki and the others, and to live with Yamato, I will absolutely win this battle! With such resolve, I channeled more magic into my blazing wings, layering the light attribute magic bestowed upon me when I evolved into Element Fox. This wing-armor magic, completed during a labyrinth exploration six months ago, manifests as silvery-white flames, akin to my hair and body fur. I’ve decided to call it the White Flame Wings.
Although it consumes a tremendous amount of magic power, the new Seraphim Penetrator, named Silver Ray Penetrator, clad in the White Flame Wings, is arguably my strongest magic at this moment.
“If you touch this white flame, mere demons will burn to ashes in an instant. If you’re okay with that, come at me from anywhere!”
It’s confirmed that it can easily burn monsters up to about P-rank, so it’s not particularly effective against demons specifically. However, the demons who saw my White Flame Wings are faltering, and I have no intention of wasting time, so I’ll proceed as I declared. Wielding Crimson Wing clad in white flame, I unleashed my White Flame Wings and Wing Burst to their fullest, soaring through the skies of Envidia.
