91

Multiple infantry units were digging trenches along the rocky terrain of the demonic continent, it was hard and tiring but the humans deem it worth it. Any land units would not pass through this trench is what they wanted.

Several high ranking officials ordered a reconnaissance for several districts of the city, even though they have already took control of the city, several resistance unit are still within the city, using guerilla warfare and cutting of supplies against the humans.

Most of these resistance unit are actually staggering the advance of the human forces, it also believed that the demons are getting supplied via unknown procedures. They're yet to know what it is.

General Khorne lurked over the map on the table, multiple pins were stuck to different locations.

"General, another resistance unit appeared at district 6."

He heard over the radio, Khorne sighed of exasperation. Everytime he continued this fight it feels fruitless. The humans pushing the demons back and soon the humans getting pushed back.

This war in his eyes is pointless. After the emperor declared war, he thought the justification right. Till he came to the battlefield itself. Where even is Leonard? It was told that he was spotted here.

And even if Leonard is here the demons wouldn't just show him up, and why would the emperor want to save the duchy's young master? Obviously there are other reasons and truthfully, Khorne doesn't see the reason why.

The fauna and flora of the demon continent is completely alien from the sapient continent. It is comparable to that of a dungeon strata than anything else, unless its a herb that could make someone immortal, Khorne doesn't see any other reason.

"Genera! We have news, Leonard Marchen is spotted by the volunteer forces."

"...!!"

Khorne nearly jumped from his table. Looks like their goal is not that far away.

"There's a problem general, it seems that Leonard Marchen is fighting for the demons."

"What?!"

"The volunteer forces also told us that it seems that Leonard Marchen is not in his right mind."

"Do anything to capture the target entity. The emperor's order comes above others."

"Yes, general."

The General immediately alerted other captains within the vicinity, especially the volunteer forces.

Not a lot of nobles wanted to risk themselves in war but those that do seek glory. So whoever 'saves' Leonard first will undoubtedly get the honour given to them by the Emperor himself.

Or, if they manage to cripple the demonic army which Khorne doubted. Will give them the glory of a lifetime.

***

Abigail went to another tent, she's haggard but she didn't have time for rest. A lot of patched up soldiers lay on bed.

Some even groaned in pain, but others minding their own business and some even chatting together.

The one that Abigail focused on more is the ones that are more brutally injured. Like the one she is walking towards.

A man with his leg gone, but he was groaning in pain. Most likely phantom pain but Abigail could help with that.

"What happened to your leg."

"A demon slashed it off clean."

"Cursed?"

"No…"

"The leg? Was it saved at least?"

"No, sadly."

Abigail sighed, it means the soldier would be patched by prosthetics. She did the best she could with her healing magic, especially to the nerves of the severed limb.

Once she was done she continued surveying for more injured that are urgently in need.

Till then, someone came running inside the tent. Shouting news at the top of their lungs.

"LEONARD HAS BEEN FOUND!"

"ALL AVAILABLE PERSONNEL ATTEND THE MEETING AT THE GENERAL TENT!"

When Abigail heard the news she immediately rushed her job healing as much as she could.

She thought it would exhaust her but it didn't seem much, her mana pool seemed to take little change as she healed all the injured folks.

"I've reached peak efficiency in healing."

That is the only explanation for why her mana pool took so little dent after all that work. Abigail is not a mage for combat but for rather, support.

In the first iteration, she managed to master all magic related to support completely. It's not that she wanted to but she had to, the arduous journey just to defeat the demon king forged her that way.

Hopefully, Abigail can use this magic for Leonard. Abigail requested to see Leonard's diary once, she could tell that a lot was missing in the entries. She knew Leonard didn't write either from embarrassment or that he subconsciously wouldn't.

He was hurt so much he wanted to forget things. Now that she is aware of it she has the power to help him, she would do anything to repay him.

…

The briefing was concise, the general with every volunteer and high personnel was briefed on their strategies and shared opinions.

Fortunately, Abigail was assigned as a special task operation support mage. The problem is that Walter was glaring at her.

"U-uh… brother."

"You know, we agreed not to talk about the past, despite knowing it. Somehow my trust was still broken."

"..."

"Abi, do you know why I even told you I'm going to the demonic continent?"

"Yes…." She avoided her eyes.

Abigail knows that Walter is now aware of the past. But she didn't hold her for it, she could already see the massive difference between the two Walter's that she had lived with.

This one was more stoic, cold and indifferent but still feels compassion aside from the past Walter, who was more of a hard headed fool of a goody two shoes.

"I'm yet to hear an explanation."

"L-look brother! I-I have information who killed our family—"

"That's good, that's great." Walter nodded, interrupting her. "But that's not an answer to my question is it?"

"Ugh…"

"Let me guess, like the others you genuinely wanted to save Leonard."

"Yes."

Walter scratched his head before taking a deep sigh. "Leonard is directly taking his anger out on the girls, Abi."

"..."

"Especially being a support mage wouldn't do you good if he—

"He won't."

Abigail said with conviction in her voice. Convinced that Leonard wouldn't harm her.

"How?"

"I…"

Abigail took a look at the past, she saw a masked man who gave her flowers and words of comfort. With a clumsy tone as if it was his first doing it.

Abigail couldn't help but smile.

"I know what to say for him to return to us."

"... That's… "

"Not enough?" Abigail shook her head. "Brother it was between the two of us. He will pause when he hears it."

"Nothing else?"

"He'll probably won't be able to do anything."

Walter narrowed his eyes, he didn't want his sister to be in the midst of the battlefield, he specifically had two motives regarding the enrollment to the academy.

To find clues on who killed their parents and to teach Abigail to defend herself. He just hopes that it did something.

"Alright. But if you got placed in danger you're staying back here in the camp."

"I understand."

"Alright then."

Walter walked away and Abigail sighed in relief. Though, unexpectedly, Yula walked towards Abigail.

"Is it true?"

"What is?" Abigail asked confused.

"You have something that would make Leonard think twice?"

"Uhm… it's more like a silent agreement."

"Agreement?"

Abigail kept her mouth shut and averted her gaze.

"It's a secret."

Yula pouted by inflating her cheeks but didn't push the topic.

"If it gets Leonard to come back, then that's all I wanted to hear."

"I see… Yula."

"Yes?"

"There's a lot of work to do before being forgiven isn't there?"

"..."

Yula slowly looked downwards, she didn't smile and somehow, something itched in the back of her mind.

"Right, I have a lot to do."

Yula's foot shifted and she walked away, Abigail's words etched to her mind.

"It would be a luxury to be forgiven."

Yula thought so.