The Demon Emperor's Next Move

"Ye who hath turned against the Creator, be judged by His eternal light."

Boom!

The darkened skies turned asunder as a golden pillar of light descended from the heavens. Millions of demons were purified and burned alive by his divinity, yet it did not stop the hasty advancement of the demons. Soon, some disorderly goblins had already reached the city walls as they tried to climb.

"It's time for us to move." The other leaders nodded. Soon, they all jumped off the Keep and flew towards the battlefield. The Templar Knights also began bombarding the demons with their holy light, beginning a long and arduous battle that would decide the fate of humanity.

In just a few minutes after the start of the battle, the casualties had already reached tens of millions, all coming from the demon's side. With the protection from the city's Sacred Domain, almost no demons could even penetrate the city's defenses.

Despite the case, the fights still looked very bleak for the side of humanity. Although tens of millions of them already died, the massive size of the demon army still proved to be a problem.

On top of that…

"Begin our next move." Above, Noah faintly heard the Demon Emperor give an order. He suddenly felt uneasy, looking around for an attack. He didn't need to wait anymore as the attack arrived in a way he hadn't expected.

Boom!

From afar, numerous explosions were heard all around them. Noah, realizing what that "next move" was, turned pale in shock; The attack was directed at the other cities and towns under the State!

It was the cities that they renovated as refuge for the converted people that came from the Empire. For all of it to be attacked meant…

Plop! Noah's legs lost its strength as his knees plopped to the ground. "Master Noah!" The leaders and the other Templar Knights that saw him fall was shocked and terrified at the same time. Through that momentary lack of focus, tens of Templar Knights were killed by the stray attacks of the demons.

The lines almost faltered if not for Elric and some quick-minded knights remedying the frontline's weak spots.

Slap!

Noah was shaken awake when his father, Lamech, slapped him across the face, his expression livid in anger. "Noah, get a hold of thyself!"

"Those people…" Noah mumbled, "Those people that entrusted their lives to us were killed."

In a fit, Lamech said something that sounded quite indifferent, "So what?"

Noah lifted his head and looked at his father with disbelief, not being able to process that his father said such heartless words. "Because the refugees died, thou would let all thy men that is fighting in this field join them?"

Lamech scoffed and looked up at Elric, shouting, "This man is not suited for commanding the force. Take over for now." After saying that, he resumed his battle in the front lines.

Elric, before assuming his role wholly, first descended and went to Noah's side, "Fellow Noah, the heavens will not forsake our people. He will not forsake His people."

"Their deaths are unexpected, yes. But their return to the glory of God and the judgement that would befall these demons are things that are destined to happen."

"Just because we lost a fight does not mean we lost the war. Don't seal our fate just because of their deaths. Fight until the very end, even if all of us perish." Elric then patted his back before ascending once more, blasting demons and Nephilim out of the city walls.

Thus, the battle for supremacy resumed without Noah. Without stop, the demons charged at the lines of the knights even if it's to kill just a couple of them. Because of the sheer number of demons in the battlefield, and the other demons that were also still approaching from the fallen cities, they could afford such huge losses.

Then came setting of the sun. Anticipating the moonlight to give lamination, the knights continued defending the city. Unfortunately…

"Where's the moon?!" They gasped in shock. The skies where the silvery ball was usually situated was nowhere to be seen.

Soon, fear creeped up onto everyone's heart. Without light, they wouldn't even be able to see who or where they are attacking.

Suddenly, above the sky, Elric in his angelic form shined with the light equaling that of the sun. Some weaker demons had their skins burned due to his divine magnificence, while the others felt mildly uncomfortable. In the knights' ranks, they cheered, continuing their attacks against the demon army.

Behind the enemy lines, the Emperor, Nefarius, seeing Elric shine down his divinity as sunlight, smirked, "Although the light illuminates the land, too much of it would prevent one from seeing clearly." After saying that, he turned around and looked at the six hooded people behind him and commanded, "Go and wreak havoc."

"As thou wilt, Emperor." After saying that, the six vanished from their positions, their shadows descending secretly into the knightly lines without being noticed.

"Supplement the eastern front!" Within the city, Ilmar, Garuth and Lamech, Eilmad and Eleina, and Kiliu and Reino, became the backbone of the four fronts, organizing and forming the structure of the frontlines utilizing various strategies to improve their efficiencies in fights.

It took them a little more than an hour for them to adapt to their positions, with Ilmar even being left by himself to manage one of the fronts. While overlooking the situation, Ilmar sighed as he momentarily looked inside the city. "Please recollect thyself sooner, Lord Noah."

Munch, munch, munch…

Ilmar's ears perked as he vaguely heard sounds of eating, which confused him. At this point of time, the rations still hadn't been distributed since they were saving up so that the food can last at least a week. Walking towards where the sound is coming from, Ilmar arrived in front of the storage building.

Opening the door, his complexion paled, and his face was filled with the expression of terror and wrath. "Bastards!"