The villagers of the Flower Harpy village were about to join the fight, but Ivan intervened to stop them.
Keiga approached Ivan, who stood between the two parties.
“You rebel, I’ll tear off the limbs of your entire family and feed them to pigs. You’ll be last, of course.”
Ivan flinched slightly as his opponent, jingling with heavy equipment, approached. He wanted to flee immediately but seemed determined to show some courage. Perhaps inspired by his stance, one of the female soldiers stepped forward.
Keiga showed his irritation at the tiresome obstruction.
“What, has another self-righteous woman joined the ranks… A bunch of nobodies who don’t know their place, I’m about to throw up.”
She calmly assumed a posture, her expression unchanged.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m a woman or a man; I’ll just fulfill my duty. I will protect the villagers with my life. Even if you are our chief.”
Following her lead, the man who had spoken to Ivan earlier removed the helmet he was wearing. His wrinkled face suggested he was likely the superior officer leading this army.
“Lord Keiga, let’s end this. As this youth says, we have no future like this. We will perish eventually. All the villagers live in fear.”
“Is that so? You too? What a shame.”
Without hesitation, Keiga turned his blade towards the aged soldier. The soldier, still holding his helmet, closed his eyes gently as if he had given up. The other soldiers watching nearby stiffened at the ruthless punishment.
“Hey, wait! You haven’t finished with me yet.”
Keiga stopped and turned at a familiar voice. There stood the Dark Harpy woman who had collapsed earlier.
“More interference. I’m tired of these pathetic insects’ struggles. I can’t stand any of them.”
“I’ll say the same to you, you big-mouthed fool. I can’t stand scumbags who enjoy seeing others miserable.”
He closed the distance in an instant, intending to deliver the finishing blow, and drew his blade horizontally. She dodged it with a swish, accompanied by smoke. The woman narrowly evaded Keiga’s attack while retreating.
Beside them, Philiana and Sharin watched the battle with tense expressions.
The next moment, as she continued to dodge, the woman swiftly seized Keiga’s upper arm. He grinned, pleased that she had rushed into his embrace. However, his smugness was short-lived; a purple flame suddenly erupted from her distinctive black wings.
“Wh-What is this, Ggh…!”
With a roaring sound, Keiga’s brown feathers were engulfed in flames and burned. This clearly hurt him, as he gritted his teeth and grimaced in agony. No matter how tough his body was, he couldn’t win against fire.
Still, he didn’t give up and grabbed her back, throwing her aside. Exhausted, the woman lay limp.
“Hah… hah… Damn it, you really did it. But don’t think such tricks will last forever.”
He said that, but the large blade attached to his wing was warped by the heat, and his side was clutching his injured flank as he panted, the earlier wound taking its toll.
“Now, it’s our turn.”
Philiana, who had been observing silently, drew her sword and rushed towards him.
