"Oh, damn this light! My eyes— they burn like fire! Feels like I've gone blind… why the hell did I have to run into this despicable woman, of all women?" Asmodeus cursed in his thoughts.
Finally, the searing brightness dimmed. Darkness settled again. He could feel his eyelids relax, and slowly, he peeled them open— only to see her.
Standing before him was the most mesmerizing yet terrifying woman he'd ever seen.
Her golden hair cascaded all the way to her waist, with a thick lock veiling one eye. A crown-shaped helmet sat on her head, regal yet sharp. Her silver mittens glinted— each embedded with three radiant stones: red, green, and blue. The mittens wrapped firmly around her wrists, leading into gauntlets molded to her slender figure.
She wore light armor traced with intricate sky-blue patterns, silver boots that reached her knees, and in her grasp was a sword like no other.
The hilt shimmered with a blue, pulsing material— almost alive— while the silver blade gleamed so sharply it seemed to slice the very air with its presence.
"Asmodeus… that's your name, isn't it?" Velisara's voice boomed like thunder, cutting through the air.
"You think women are nothing but slaves to you? You think you're the strongest thing in this world?
Today I'll show you— no woman is born just to become someone's slave! You'll die here today because of your ignorance!"
Seeing Velisara's stance, Lola stepped forward with her staff gripped firmly.
"Let me back you up," she said sharply.
"Oh, our Velisara… our lost legendary hero has finally appeared!"
"Papa, I'm so afraid! Papi—ouch! Tch! You expected me to say that, huh?"
"Last time, your majestic green blade stopped our battle. But not today. Today, I'm here—and I'll give you insects, you so-called heroes, a little advance notice."
"This battle will have no hiatus. So say your final prayers to your fake gods," Asmodeus declared with an evil grin stretching across his face.
Asmodeus gathered water between his palms. The swirling sphere grew in an instant— swelling larger and larger until it was colossal, vast enough to drown the entire city beneath it.
Down below, panic erupted. People screamed and scattered in every direction, frantically seeking shelter. Emergency bells rang across every district, their shrill echoes cutting through the chaos.
From the crowded streets, Mr. Smith bolted toward the Adventurer & Challenge Guild, desperate to rally help.
Chaos spread like wildfire. Lola sprinted towards the looming water spheres, her staff in hand, face tense with determination.
A squad of Rance soldiers and UPSC soldiers hastily raised their rifles, firing round after round at the massive water orbs. The bullets pierced the sky but dissolved harmlessly into the swirling currents— powerless against such a vast spell.
"Sir! Our bullets are useless! If that much water drops on the city, we'll be wiped out— everyone will drown from lack of air!" one soldier shouted in alarm.
From the UPSC command post, another soldier burst through the door, breathless.
"Sir! I'm a sniper— let me try! Give me one shot!"
Meanwhile, back near Velisara, she leapt effortlessly across rooftops— her movements sharp and fluid, each high jump looking as casual as a step.
"Asmodeus! You coward! Come down and fight me face to face!" she roared, her voice booming across the skyline.
"Ah… isn't it bad for both of us if these people learn our true identities?" Asmodeus called down mockingly.
"You— the fallen queen of a shattered kingdom. Me? The eighth demon lord. But unlike you, I don't mind stepping into the open. I enjoy testing my powers on ordinary citizens." His grin twisted darkly.
"You psycho!" Velisara spat, fury burning on her face.
"Oh, come on— you can't blame me! The citizens are weak cowards. I can't hold back now, can I? Look below, Velisara… see how hard the soldiers are trying?" Asmodeus taunted.
Reluctantly, Velisara glanced downward. Below, squads of UPSC and Rance soldiers rallied, still firing in vain. Then, one soldier unleashed a burst of magical energy. It shot upward, striking the water ball— but the spell rebounded, doubled in strength, and instantly obliterated three soldiers on impact.
"Ha… ha… ha… how foolish. Humans really are like toys," Asmodeus sneered.
"You… You monster! How dare you hurt the people of this country!!" Velisara shouted, her voice shaking with rage.
"Oh? You're getting emotional over just three deaths? You're not even their queen anymore, remember? They betrayed you— they crushed your kingdom and forged their new nation atop its ashes. You're so soft. And what can you even do from down there? You're still stuck on that rooftop— not even flying like me. How will you ever reach me, Velisara?" Asmodeus mocked.
"I don't care what they did to me. The reason I'm still alive is because of them," Velisara growled.
"Even if I'm no longer their queen… I will always protect this land and its people. I swore it. No matter how much they hate me or turn against me— I will always fight monsters like you."
From behind her, two golden lights burst forth. In seconds, twin golden wings unfurled from her back. Her sclera turned pitch black, her pupils gleamed gold, and her irises darkened to obsidian— her gaze majestic, yet terrifying. She resembled the angels from ancient texts, divine and merciless all at once.
With a single flap of her golden wings, she was instantly in front of Asmodeus.
Asmodeus didn't hesitate— he hurled one of the massive water orbs straight at her.
Velisara calmly raised her sword. With a swift motion, she touched the water sphere's surface with the hilt— then effortlessly redirected it, hurling the entire mass away toward the distant river.
"How fascinating… Did you just manipulate my attack and throw it away with just your sword?" Asmodeus said, his grin twitching in surprise.
"You know…" Velisara's voice dropped, sharp and cold.
"You talk too much. It's annoying."
Down below, Lola stood frozen, watching the clash unfold in the sky above. Her eyes widened, her grip tightening on her staff.
"This is bad… How are we supposed to fight him?" she muttered, her voice tight with dread.
At that same moment, far from the city center, a black carriage rolled to a stop along the main road leading toward Neutral City.
A soldier stepped down swiftly and bowed before the carriage door.
"Sir, it appears someone is attacking City. Would you like to continue the journey? The situation is dangerous— two massive spells have been unleashed."
Inside the carriage sat a man draped in a black overcoat. Beneath it, he wore the distinguished uniform of a high-ranking Rance Republic officer, decorated with numerous medals and badges of honor. A single lens of a monocle gleamed over one eye. He was calmly reading a book.
Hearing the report, the man gently closed the book and glanced toward the door.
"Cornell, did you say two massive spells are threatening to destroy the city?" His tone was cool but edged with gravity.
"A soldier's first duty outside the battlefield is to safeguard innocent lives. How could I possibly turn my back and continue onward?" he said, matter-of-factly. Without waiting for a response, he reopened his book and resumed reading.
"I understand, sir. We shall continue our journey toward the city," the soldier, Cornell, replied. He began to rise from his bow.
At that very instant, one of the massive water orbs could be seen arcing high across the sky, hurtling toward the distant forest river. A colossal boom echoed moments later, shaking the ground.
"Cornell… wait. Describe the spell to me," the man ordered, his eyes never leaving his book.
"Sir, we believe they were twin water orbs—each large enough to drown entire mountains," Cornell reported crisply.
The man gave a faint, approving nod.
"That's an impressive spell. Thank you, Cornell. You may return to your position." His voice remained calm, composed— untouched by the chaos unfolding ahead.