Chapter 4.5: War against demons

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"I won't entertain any further discussions on this matter! That decision is mine to make!" King Girsal's voice thundered with authority. He quickly softened his tone, trying to reassure his daughter. "I'm sorry, my dear, but our chances of quickly defeating the demons are much better with these heroes."

Aurianna pressed for clarity, "And once they defeat the Demon King, they will be sent back to their world, right?"

Her father's response was brief and dismissive, "Yes, they will be sent home. Now, good night, Aurianna." With that, King Girsal ended the call abruptly, leaving Aurianna alone to ponder her father's decisions and the uncertain future.

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Time passed quickly, and in four months, a large army assembled at the gates of Sandeph, ready to move out. Ralph and Aurianna led the procession, riding atop enormous lizards with six spider-like legs called Droles. The creatures moved with surprising agility, carrying them effortlessly.

Ralph occasionally shot smug glances at Aurianna, leaving her uneasy and puzzled. She couldn't figure out why he was acting that way but dismissed it as his usual odd behavior. They were accompanied by a group of armored men and women, also riding Droles, creating a grand spectacle.

Kent, wielding a radiant white sword that glowed when it touched light, enjoyed the attention. He flashed flamboyant winks as people cheered and beautiful women blew kisses his way. Aurianna rolled her eyes at his showy antics, used to his need for attention.

Among the crowd, a young girl approached Aurianna, holding a delicate flower. Aurianna signaled her mount to stop, and the flower floated gently to her. She took it with a graceful smile, inhaling its sweet scent and returning the girl's warm smile. Her kindness and elegance enchanted the onlookers, who admired her more with every moment.

With their forces assembled and spirits high, the group was ready to start the war. The country's fate was at stake as they prepared to face the looming threat of the demon army. Determined and united, they set out to confront the dangers ahead.

"Please come back safe, Saintess!" a child called out with excitement before dashing back into the cheering crowd.

Sitting tall, Aurianna addressed the onlookers with confidence. "Fear not, people of Sandeph! I promise to return safely. Please keep us in your prayers and ask our revered goddess, Paige, for protection," she said, waving gracefully in response to the enthusiastic cheers.

As the crowd began to thin, Aurianna scanned the area for a familiar face but found none. Frustration slipped into her voice. "It's all my father's fault for ignoring the church's warnings! Now we won't have their support in this war."

Kent, exuding confidence, flashed a sly smile at Aurianna. "Forget about those cowards. Who needs those dim-witted priests when we have a remarkable Saintess like you?" His words were met with cheers from the knights behind him.

Aurianna's brow furrowed at his comment. "Don't be so dismissive, Kent! Even though I have the power of a Saintess, I'm not all-powerful. My mana is limited, and I can only cast a certain number of healing and revival spells each day."

She wanted to make it clear that while her abilities were strong, they had limits. She understood her responsibilities and the expectations on her, but she needed to set realistic boundaries. Aurianna was determined to give her best in the battle, using her divine powers to support her comrades, but she knew she couldn't perform miracles without constraints.

"Hey, don't worry about it. You've got me," Kent said with a confident grin. But his attempt at reassurance only made Aurianna's frown deepen.

Derek stood nearby, clearly annoyed as the crowd threw flowers at him. But when they looked his way, he instantly flashed a charming smile, making the ladies swoon.

Aurianna noticed the change in the heroes' behavior, particularly Cindy, who stood behind a knight with a wooden staff topped with a large gemstone, signaling her mage class.

Aurianna shook off her worries, determined to focus on their mission. She joined the other soldiers as they left the High Land and began their challenging journey.

As they traveled, they encountered different landscapes—tall mountains, thick forests, and wide plains. Villagers cheered them on, while dark creatures watched from the shadows, planning their attacks.

After days of marching, they arrived at a grim, blackened area. The air was thick with the smell of blood. Aurianna gasped as she saw corpses on spears and three-headed birds scavenging them.

"Disgusting creatures!" Kent shouted angrily.

The group was horrified. Aurianna noticed pebbles jumping and the ground shaking. Demons were gathering in the distance.

Demons emerged from the shadows in various forms, some looking like beasts and others with human-animal hybrids. They wore dark, heavy armor and radiated menace.

Ralph, leading the charge, raised his sword and shouted, "Demons! Your reign ends today! We stand together with the hero. Surrender now or face our wrath!"

A demon with fiery red hair and large horns flew into the air. His black eyes with red irises burned with defiance. Dressed in shiny silver armor, he roared, "You humans think you can enslave us? Think again! Let's fight for our freedom!"

The demon's words fired up the demon army. With a loud roar, they charged forward, ready to fight.

The battlefield was a scene of utter chaos as the human and demon armies clashed fiercely. Magic projectiles flew through the air, creating fiery explosions that shattered the once peaceful landscape. The ground was littered with the bodies of both humans and demons as the battle raged on.

Amid the chaos, a striking young woman with dark skin and vibrant yellow hair stood out. She fought valiantly, her weapon flashing as she defended Aurianna from the oncoming demon waves.

"Aurianna, head to the Demon King's castle with the heroes. My men will guide you," she shouted over the din.

Kent, full of confidence, quickly took charge. "You heard her, let's move out!" he urged, leading Aurianna and the others forward.

Determined, Aurianna joined the heroes. They pushed through the battlefield, cutting a path as knights led the way, their swords slicing through demons with precision.

Aurianna's staff glowed with a powerful pink light. She waved it to blind and damage approaching demons while simultaneously healing the wounded knights.

Kent and Derek dismounted from their mounts, ready for the onslaught of demons. Cindy, recognizing the danger, summoned her magic. With a raise of her staff, she unleashed a powerful blue hurricane that swept through the demon ranks, sending them flying and tearing them apart.

Surrounded by the noise of clashing weapons and the cries of battle, couldn't help but tremble.

As Aurianna wrestled with her fears, the cries of the brave knights fighting beside her renewed her resolve. Their unwavering determination and faith in her gave her the strength she needed. She knew she couldn't let them down. With a deep breath, she set aside her fear and focused on her duty to protect the kingdom and support her allies.

Determined to see the mission through, Aurianna followed the knights and heroes toward the Demon King's Castle. Every step brought near the enemy's stronghold, where the final confrontation awaited.

During their journey, Kent tried hard to impress Aurianna. He frequently complimented her and attempted to save her from situations where she didn't need rescuing. Despite his genuine efforts, Aurianna found his advances out of place amidst their dangerous mission. She understood that the urgency of their task left no room for personal matters.

Although she appreciated Kent's attempts to lift her spirits, he crossed a line after a particularly tough battle. When they finally had a moment to rest, Kent tried to kiss her. Aurianna, maintaining her composure, gently turned him down, explaining that she was engaged to someone she deeply cared about.

Kent's anger was evident, but he retreated into the forest to cool off. From then on, an awkward tension settled between them. It was clear that their relationship was strictly professional, focused on their shared mission and the impending battle. Despite the discomfort, Aurianna remained dedicated to her role, committed to ending the threat to their land.