The wind on the battlefield always carries the stench of blood. But for me? I'd say it's currently carrying my 'coolness' and smashing it right into the enemies' noses.
I stand tall at the absolute peak of the vanguard, clad in full plate armor polished to a blinding shine. My trusty greatsword is planted firmly in the dirt before me. Both hands rest over the pommel, shifting my weight into a pose I've practiced a hundred times in the mirror...
Ah, yes. This is my best angle.
This is the position of the 'Commander of the 1st Division of the Demon King's Army'—a spot every demon agrees requires at least a 'Demon God' tier of power to hold. Honestly, without tooting my own horn... forget Demon Gods. I'm obviously leagues above the Demon King himself.
But hey, I'm a humble guy. Plus, I love an easy life. Stealing the boss's thunder would just invite a mountain of extra work. It's much better to play the highly-paid employee, do the bare minimum, and get drunk with my subordinates by nightfall.
"Hmm... so they've arrived."
I feign a deep, gravelly sigh, narrowing my eyes at the insect-like swarm of the enemy army marching from the horizon.
So boring... All this pointless war ever brings is death upon death. I'd be better off napping and scratching my belly back in the countryside. Maybe I should just hand in my resignation after this battle? Go grow vegetables, raise some fish, and live that sweet slow life...
While daydreaming about my post-retirement plans, I straighten up, yank my greatsword from the earth, and billow my cape. Time to turn around and give my orders with the ultimate commanding presence.
"Alright. Time to show these insects a mirac—"
Schlick!
A freezing chill pierces my back, severs my spine, and bursts out the center of my chest. Agonizing pain rockets through my entire body, snapping my eyes wide open.
It isn't just pain... it's pure bewilderment.
Impossible... My 'Ironclad Physique' was actually pierced? What kind of mythical weapon is this? And who the hell managed to sneak up on a Demon God like me without a sound?!
The overwhelming strength I took so much pride in evaporates in a flash. The legs that stood so firmly buckle, crashing into the dirt. Amidst the chaos, the panicked screams of my unit drown out the war drums.
"Commander!!"
"Hey! What the hell are you doing, August?!" My closest lieutenant roars in a mix of confusion and terror. "Step away from the Commander! Are you betraying us, August?!"
...August?
The name of my best friend echoes through my rapidly numbing brain. I force my leaden neck to turn, straining my eyes to look at the shadow looming over me.
It really is him. 'August'. The friend I trusted most. My loyal vice-commander.
That deadpan, emotionless face stares down at me... with the exact same look one gives a thrashing cockroach.
Ah... I get it now. So this is how fragile 'loyalty' truly is. How ridiculously laughable.
"Ugh... cough!"
Clots of blood spill from my lips. My consciousness is rapidly fading. But in this critical second, her face flashes in my mind—my late lover—along with that nagging voice that used to annoy me so much.
'Listen here, you idiot! If you ever slip up and are about to die, chant this spell. Don't you dare forget!'
Damn it! You crazy woman... I'm literally dying here, and I have to recite some ridiculous ten-line incantation?! Who has the energy to speak?!
I grind my teeth, mustering my absolute last ounce of strength. Blood and saliva choke my throat as I try to force out that bizarre spell as fast as humanly possible, entirely ignoring the curses and the clashing of steel as my men desperately charge in to save me.
"Grand... Spell... of... ฿&@*#%..."
The sounds I make are completely unintelligible. It sounds more like a man choking to death on his own blood than a mage casting a spell. But my mind focuses on those syllables with fierce intensity.
My eyes grow heavy. Pitch-black darkness consumes my vision, and my consciousness snaps.
And just as the final syllable of the chant ends, a bizarrely warm, blinding light explodes, swallowing the darkness whole.