Last Stand

On an unknown battlefield, the struggle between humanity and the demons ultimately came to a conclusion.

The battle for humanity's survival had persisted for the past three days, and with the lifeless body of the Great Demon, surpassing over five meters in height, sprawled on the ground, humanity had emerged victorious over them.

"Cough… Cough…"

Ren coughed heavily as he dragged his battered body across the battlefield. He wanted to share his triumphant moment of vanquishing the demon with the comrades in his military squad, but there was no one to be found.

Apart from him, there was no other sign of any living beings in motion.

Struggling to widen his vision through his bruised eyes, he was overwhelmed with shock upon succeeding.

The landscape before him seemed like a hellish scene straight from nightmares. 

The expansive battlefield, stretching to the horizon, was coated in a hue of deep crimson red, the result of blood mixed with the mud on the ground.

Lifeless corpses and dismembered limbs of the empire legions were strewn across the vast battlefield. The magnitude of lives lost was so immense that it led to the creation of small rivers composed of blood cutting across the battlefield.

He was so engrossed in confronting the Great Demon that, before he realized it, the twenty legions of the Empire stationed in the battle had been completely annihilated.

"Hah… Am I the only survivor?" Ren uttered with a bitter expression as he scanned his surroundings that were devoid of any life.

Upon realizing that he was indeed the sole survivor, he didn't harbor any sadness. He simply leaned against a protruding rock, resting and counting down his remaining time.

With one of his arms blown apart and various critical injuries sustained, particularly at his abdomen, he concluded that it wouldn't be long until he joined his comrades-in-arms in the afterlife as well.

"Powerful human who halted my advance... What exactly are you?"

While Ren's consciousness was slowly slipping away, a sinister voice echoed throughout the silent battlefield, drawing him back to reality.

Although Ren was annoyed by the sudden disruption, he did not mind engaging in conversation with the owner of the voice during the final moments of his life.

"You can still speak? You aren't dead yet?"

About a short distance away from Ren, a massive figure in humanoid shape laid on the blood soaked ground. The figure belonged to one of the three Great Demons that descended into Ren's world a month ago.

The appearance of the Great Demon perfectly matched what humanity had visualized. 

With a pair of enormous horns as sharp as obsidian crowned on its head, and skin as dark as the void capable of withstanding the legions' attacks, the Great Demon that decimated all twenty legions defending humanity's last stronghold was a menacing disaster fitting of its title.

With each swipe of its claws, it could instantly claim hundreds of lives, and with every devastating spell it unleashed, it would result in thousands of blood-curdling screams echoing in the air.

The Great Demon was a terrifying existence capable of ending humanity, and yet after the fight with Ren, its appearance ended up being a far cry from what it once was.

With both its limbs obliterated by Ren's magic, and part of its skull completely torn apart, the Great Demon could only writhe in agony.

"Soon… My end is approaching. Tell me your name before I draw my last breath…"

"..."

"I go by the name Ren, the thirteenth Magic Lord of the Empire." Ren answered. He figured that there was no harm in doing so as there was no conceivable way for the Great Demon to survive the severe injuries he inflicted upon it.

"There are twelve more individuals like you?"

"No… Not anymore. They were killed by your friends while defending the others. I'm the last one remaining." Ren sighed heavily.

A month ago, seventy-two demons descended upon the continent, wreaking havoc and sowing chaos for unknown reasons.

Talented individuals fell one after another before any resistance could be mounted against the demons as humanity was completely blindsided. Internal turmoils and politics between the countries did not help the situation either.

The invasion was so swift and devastating that Silverleaf City, located several kilometers behind Ren, became the last bastion of civilization for the Empire. The twenty legions of the Empire army assembled were the last remaining force. If they couldn't halt the advance of the Great Demon, humanity's last hope would be extinguished.

"What are friends? Are you speaking of Vorkathra, Infernos, and their followers?"

"Infernos, indigo, impotent—none of it matters to me. I only seek one answer. Tell me, why did you damn bastards come to this place?" Ren spat.

Confronted by Ren's inquiry, the Great Demon chose to remain silent, refusing to answer. Nevertheless, it did make a remark about Ren.

"Despite how strong you are. In the end, you know nothing. No matter how much you struggle, the end is inevitable."

There was no emotion behind the Demon's voice, but Ren could tell that he was being mocked.

"For someone who has been defeated, you're displaying quite a bit of arrogance. Allow me to inform you, humanity has won. We have successfully thwarted your invasion! And as long as I continue to breathe, I will ensure that humanity prevails!"

Boiling blood surged through Ren's veins. In the war against the Demons, many of his loved ones had perished. To suggest that their sacrifices were in vain, the words of the Great Demon undeniably managed to provoke him.

With mana swirling in his hands, he was on the verge of unleashing Death Thorn. However, before he could complete the casting of his spell, he abruptly stopped.

Before he realized it, the Great Demon had already taken its final breath.

"It's finally over…" Ren muttered as he stood at the edge of the Great Demon's lifeless body. With the demise of the Great Demon, the war had come to an end.

After dispersing the mana he had gathered in his palms, he stood in silence. He was glad that he could finally rest his battered body that was beyond repair. 

[Ding!]

[Wave One Completed! Wave Two will begin in ten seconds!]

"Wha—What is this? Who is speaking to me?"

While Ren was off his guard, an eerie voice suddenly echoed in his mind, catching him completely by surprise. The voice was devoid of emotion, but its content sent shivers down Ren's spine.

"Wave One…" Ren muttered absentmindedly, contemplating the significance of it all. For some reason, the words of the defeated Great Demon echoed in his mind.

"Who is speaking to me? What does Wave one mean?"

Then, as if in response to Ren's queries, the crimson sky that had been stained red tore apart before him, unveiling a dark void that extended to the horizon.

Ren could only hold his breath as he witnessed the apocalyptic scene unfold.

One after another, towering knights emerged from the abyss, clad in radiant armor. Armed with spears that seemed crafted from pure light and adorned with pairs of wings, they bore a striking resemblance to the Angels depicted in religious scriptures.

It was evident that the 'Angels' were sent to destroy humanity.

"Is this truly the end?"

Before Ren realized it, a feeling of despair engulfed him. Encircled by thousands upon thousands of angels hovering above him on all sides, Ren could only curse at himself for being powerless and weak.

Ultimately, he had broken his promise. He failed to save anyone.

Nevertheless, confronted by the legions of countless Angels seeking to pass their judgment on humanity, he did not flee.

A precious someone had taught him to never give up. Had he given up without a fight in the face of adversity, he wouldn't even be alive, let alone becoming the youngest Magic Lord of the Empire.

Concentrating the last remnants of mana within him, Ren focused his intent on the relentless Angels, releasing his most potent spell in his arsenal. 

Instantaneously, six colossal and complex magic circles materialized one after another in the sky, progressively expanding until the final circle matched the dimensions of a town, lighting up the entire sky. He had expended everything he had in his tank!

With blood trickling from the corners of his mouth despite the overexertion, Ren chuckled heartily as he completed the spell formation. If he could take down at least one or two Angels with him, he deemed it a worthwhile deal. 

Like a maniac, he shouted with all his might! 

"Take this!"

"Nature's Wrath!"

And as he did so, utter silence enveloped the entire sky!