Reinforcements are coming

The sea breeze blows fiercely, carrying the scent of salt. At the forefront, Esdeath stands majestic in her distinctive white military uniform, under the sunlight, her blue eyes glisten like frozen ice as she gazes at the demon army approaching from the sea. The Vermilion Kingdom's troops, led by Esdeath, and the members of Night Raid prepare, their weapons ready to strike.

Akame stands beside Esdeath, Murasame drawn sharply, waiting for the order to attack. Behind them, Najenda oversees the battlefield.

"Attack!" Esdeath shouts, her voice booming above the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

In one swift motion, Esdeath raises her hand, creating a towering wall of ice that splits the approaching demon waves. The wall freezes at lightning speed, blocking the first wave of the terrifying creatures. The demons groan in pain as their bodies become trapped in ice, immobilized.

"Akame, attack the rest!" Esdeath commands.

Akame does not wait long. With incredible speed, she darts forward, Murasame flashing like lightning. Every demon she encounters falls immediately, their blood splattering everywhere. Her fighting skills make her a terrifying specter amidst the chaos.

Meanwhile, Najenda leads the troops behind, giving orders and ensuring everyone remains organized.

"Formation! Don't let them spread out!" her voice is firm, boosting the soldiers' morale.

The remaining demons begin to counterattack, letting out horrifying screams as they surge toward the Vermilion forces. However, Esdeath does not remain idle. She focuses her power, conjuring a raging snowstorm. Snow and icy winds freeze the approaching demons, trapping them in a pit of ice.

Esdeath swings her hand, transforming the battlefield into a sea of ice.

Suddenly, from the midst of the demon horde, a leader emerges with a terrifying aura of power. He is large and scaly, with glowing red eyes. He steps forward, challenging Esdeath. "Fool, we will not be defeated by a mere human!"

Esdeath smiles coldly, "How bold. But all of that is just empty talk."

In an instant, Esdeath launches a sharp ice attack toward the demon leader. He dodges nimbly, counterattacking with his sharp claws. However, Esdeath spins gracefully, avoiding the attack and retaliating with a more powerful ice strike.

Esdeath creates a larger wave of ice, obliterating hundreds of demons behind their leader.

On the other side, Akame faces several stronger demons. They wield swords and use dark magic. Yet, with every move, Akame dodges their attacks and counters with Murasame. Each time her sword makes contact, the demon falls to the ground, dying under the ravages and deathly power of Murasame.

"Don't let your guard down!" Akame shouts to her comrades, realizing they must remain united.

Back in Esdeath's battle, the demon leader grows furious.

"You will pay for all of this!" he shouts, gathering his dark power and launching an energy attack toward Esdeath.

However, Esdeath calmly raises her hand. "You have no idea who you are facing."

With poise, she creates an ice shield that withstands the attack and immediately counters with a stronger ice strike.

The two forces collide in mid-air, creating an explosion that shakes the battlefield. Soldiers from both sides are thrown back, but Esdeath stands firm.

"It's time to end this," Esdeath says as she gathers power within herself. She raises her hand high, conjuring a terrifying ice storm. "Ice Storm!"

The storm surges toward the demon leader, who tries to evade but is too late. The ice storm envelops his entire body, freezing him in an instant. With one swift motion, Esdeath shatters the ice, and the demon leader crashes to the ground, losing all of his power.

"No...!" he screams before his body shatters into pieces.

Victory is in sight, but there is no time to celebrate. The other demons, witnessing their leader's fall, begin to lose their spirit. However, they continue their assault, more brutal and desperate.

Akame and Najenda quickly take charge, leading the counterattack.

"We will not let them escape! Attack!" Najenda shouts.

....

Under the bright shining moon, the battlefield in Africa is filled with the whispers of the night wind carrying a cold breeze. Thousands of demon troops gather in an orderly formation, their red eyes glowing like burning embers, ready to pounce. In the midst of the crowd, at the forefront, stands the A-rank demon leader, a terrifying figure enveloped in an aura of darkness.

However, on the other side, in the eerie silence, Edelweiss stands calmly and nonchalantly. The silver armor clinging to her body glistens in the moonlight, creating the illusion that she is a celestial being descended from the heavens. Edelweiss's silver hair gently sways, as if dancing with the movements of the wind. With the Testament in hand, every detail of her weapon reflects sharpness and elegance, ready to carve a new tale upon this battlefield.

Edelweiss stands serene, her sharp eyes highlighting every movement of the demon army. In an instant, the authority of the sun activates within her body. The heat radiates from within, flowing to the surrounding area and sharply increasing the temperature.

With graceful movements, Edelweiss steps forward, her feet gently touching the ground, yet each of her steps trembles the earth around her. She leaps into the air, harnessing the power coursing through her body. In a flash, she is above the demon army, swinging her sword with perfect precision. The silver light dazzles the eyes, and as her sword touches the bodies of demons, a sharp sound like lightning strikes the ground.

The battle begins. Edelweiss dives into the crowd with an unexpected speed, her every movement graceful and mesmerizing. She spins, evading attacks from demons lunging with claws and sharp weapons. Each time her sword makes contact with an enemy, shockwaves of light spread out, like the sun exploding in the middle of the night. The demons struck by her attack seem to burn under the rays of the sun, their bodies disintegrating instantly.

The demon army begins to panic. They did not expect to face a figure as strong and swift as this. Edelweiss gives them no chance to breathe. With a relentless barrage of attacks, she swings both of her swords simultaneously, creating waves of energy that pierce through the enemy lines. Each attack is accompanied by grace, as if she is a Valkyrie dancing on the battlefield, while her enemies fall one by one.

The demon leader, watching from afar, senses the threat drawing closer. He commands his troops to attack Edelweiss all at once. Thousands of demons rush toward her, attacking with all their might. However, Edelweiss remains calm. With extraordinary agility, she leaps into the air, soaring above the attacks like a bird flying free.

In mid-air, she swings her sword, creating a circle of light that radiates solar energy. Every demon caught in that light seems to burn alive, their screams filling the night air. Edelweiss lands softly amidst the crowd, and with a single movement, she twirls her sword, creating a storm of energy that cleaves through the surrounding demon army.

However, the demon leader does not remain idle. He gathers his dark power and launches a counterattack. A wave of dark energy surges toward Edelweiss, attempting to engulf her in darkness. But with remarkable composure, Edelweiss raises both of her swords, facing the attack with the sunlight surrounding her. An explosion occurs as the two forces collide, creating a thunderous wave that shakes the ground.

As the wave of dark energy dissipates, Edelweiss darts toward the demon leader. In an instant, she stands before him, her silver sword gleaming sharply. With one swift motion, she swings her sword, launching a final attack filled with power. The silver light dazzles, and the demon leader cannot evade.

One slash, and it is all over. The demon leader falls, his body shattered as if struck by a solar storm. The demons surrounding him freeze, watching their leader fall, and one by one, they begin to retreat. Not out of fear, but because without their leader, they have no chance of victory, so without hope of winning, they withdraw to await the next leader to lead their next assault. Edelweiss stands in the middle of the battlefield, surrounded by the shattered bodies of demons.

....

Back to Japan.

The atmosphere at the military base, once filled with laughter and cheer, had now turned into a tense silence. Faces that were once bright with celebration now looked pale and serious. Kirito, Klein, Egil, Sachi, and other SAO players glanced at each other, sensing the looming uncertainty.

"Mayor, we need to strategize immediately!" Kirito exclaimed, trying to calm the atmosphere. "We can't underestimate their numbers. We need more information about their strength and the types of demons approaching us."

Mayor Takeda nodded, though visibly concerned. "We'll summon all commanders for an emergency meeting. We need to know how fast they're approaching and where they're likely to appear."

Klein, usually cheerful, now looked serious. "We need to prepare. If they're really coming in such numbers, we can't just defend. We need to prepare for a counterattack."

"And we need to ensure everyone here is ready. Not just us, but all of Tokyo's residents," added Egil. "We need to protect them."

"Let me go to the front lines," Kirito said firmly. "I can scan their location better using my abilities. If we can find a weak point in their formation, we can launch a more effective attack."

"Kirito, that's too dangerous," Sachi shook her head worriedly. "We need to work together."

"She's right," Yuuna chimed in. "We can't let anyone go alone. This is a fight for everyone, and we need to uphold the magical barrier we've created."

Mayor Takeda raised his hand. "Everyone, calm down. We'll decide our next steps together. We'll devise a plan that involves all parties—the JSDF soldiers and the SAO players."

As the emergency meeting began, everyone gathered in the command room. On a large screen in front of them, a map of Tokyo displayed markers showing detected magical forces. The number and distribution of demons looked alarming.

"From initial analysis, it seems they're moving towards the city center," one analyst explained. "If they reach the center, we won't be able to stop them."

"What about the borders?" Kirito asked. "Is there a chance we can block them there?"

"Our troops are already there, but their numbers aren't enough. We need to deploy more forces," Takeda replied, his face grave.

Klein stood up. "I and the members of Fuurinkazan can help! We have experience fighting demons and have coordinated attacks that can cover a wide area. We can organize small teams to divert their attention."

"Good, that's the right idea," Egil said. "We should form several reconnaissance groups to gather more information about their strength."

"And we need to ensure all civilians are evacuated from high-risk areas," Sachi added. "We have to protect them, no matter what."

"Leave the civilian evacuation to the police force," Mayor Takeda replied.

However, as they deliberated, bad news arrived. Leaders of nations worldwide held a virtual meeting through a special world. After analyzing the increasingly dire situation and the threat of B and A rank demons capable of destroying large areas and even major cities, an extreme decision was made: to launch nuclear weapons.

In a desperate situation, Japan launched nuclear weapons while they were still far from Tokyo. The nuclear blast destroyed much of the demons, but many survived, especially those of B rank and above, who had the ability to survive.

The nuclear explosion even made the military base not far from the outskirts of Tokyo shake.

"What's going on...?"xn

They were confused by the sudden shock.

"What?!" Mayor Takeda was stunned to hear the shocking news that nuclear weapons had been launched by the central headquarters. In his heart, he realized that the decision was made in a very urgent situation, showing how serious the situation they faced.

"Huff..." Mayor Takeda took a deep breath, trying to calm himself from the chaos that struck his mind. He knew that the leaders at the central headquarters did not do this without a strong reason. The situation worldwide had reached a critical point, where even weapons of mass destruction had to be taken.

With a sense of responsibility, Mayor Takeda informed Kirito and the others about the nuclear weapon launch. He explained that although many demons had been destroyed, tens of thousands remained. With a determined face, he stated that they must fight with all their might against the remaining remnants of demons, no matter how difficult the battle.

Without hesitation, they rushed to the border where the demons were gathering. A sense of despair enveloped them as they witnessed the devastation caused by the nuclear weapon. However, they knew that the struggle was far from over.

Despite many demons being destroyed by the explosion, the remaining A-rank demon leaders did not stay idle. Filled with rage and a desire to avenge the deaths of their subordinates, they launched powerful magical attacks. Waves of magical energy spread across Tokyo, creating dark clouds that covered the sky. Kirito and the others felt dread as they saw the destructive power approaching.

In desperation, they could only watch as the magical attacks approached, as if nothing could stop them. Their hearts were filled with fear and helplessness. However, in the tense silence, a voice began to echo in the air.

The anthem sung by thousands in an unfamiliar language sounded, but strangely, the meaning of the lyrics felt clear in their hearts.

"With resounding voice, we pray,

Vermilion God, we entrust our souls.

Bring forth the shield, strong and pure, unshakable wall,

Sanctuary!!"

Suddenly, a giant shield of light appeared, protecting the entire city of Tokyo. The energy radiating from the shield was so powerful that it seemed to bring new hope to everyone who witnessed it. The terrifying magical attack struck the shield, and although it trembled greatly, it stood firm, resisting the onslaught.

Kirito and the others were astonished at this miracle. They turned their gaze towards the source of the anthem and saw thousands of soldiers in red-armored with gold accents. They stood in orderly ranks, each holding swords and shields. In front of the soldiers stood a beautiful and graceful woman in a red gown. Her long, light pink hair gently fluttered in the wind, and her deep purple-blue eyes emitted a soft yet commanding light.

She was Euphemia, Queen of the Vermilion Kingdom. Beside her stood a woman with long green hair and shining golden eyes, exuding a mysterious aura. She was C.C., who accompanied Euphemia in the battle against the demon invasion in Japan.

Behind them, a woman with tan skin and long black hair covering her right eye stood upright, looking like a loyal guardian. She was Aisha, Euphemia's guardian.

Seeing this majestic sight, Kirito and the others felt as if they had stepped into another world, where Templar knights fought bravely. Hope surged back into their hearts, though the situation was still dire.

Euphemia looked towards Kirito and the others, as if sensing their presence. With a gentle yet firm voice, she said, "We are here to help and protect Tokyo."

A renewed spirit flowed into Kirito and the others. With the strength shown by the mysterious troops, they felt hope again for victory.

Amidst the tense atmosphere, Euphemia stood tall in front of her troops. The gleam of her gown was like a flame in the dark night, creating an aura of unquestionable leadership. Beside her, Aisha stood ready with a shining sword, waiting for the signal to attack.

In the distance, the tsunami waves summoned by C.C began to strike the demon army, creating a thunderous sound that shook the ground. However, the mighty demon leader did not remain passive. With a gesture of his hand, a giant stone wall appeared in front of his army, blocking the incoming tsunami.

C.C, unaffected by the failure of her initial attack, quickly ran towards the demon leader. In an instant, hundreds of ice spears spun and shot towards the demon leader. However, the agile demon leader avoided and destroyed the ice spears with a single hand movement, showcasing impressive strength.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Euphemia continued to lead her troops boldly. She shouted orders to intensify the attack.

"Attack with all your might!" The immortal soldiers attacked with blazing spirit, facing waves of incoming demon troops. Beside Euphemia, Aisha darted forward, wielding her sword with graceful technique, cutting down demons attempting to approach. The sun's fire burned around her, as if igniting the fighting spirit within her.

On the battlefield, the Templar knights formed a tight formation, watching each other's backs and facing tens of thousands of demon troops. With determination, they prepared to attack. The sound of swords clashing echoed in the air, creating a symphony of battle strength. Meanwhile, arrows from Templar archers soared high, piercing the sky before diving towards the enemy, creating a deadly rain among the demon ranks.

On another side of the battlefield, Kirito and the other SAO players were equally active. They used various sword and magic skills to attack the approaching demons. Kirito, with incredible speed, dodged demon attacks while delivering deadly strikes.

Behind them, healers took action, chanting healing spells to address the wounds suffered by their comrades. Magical energy flowed, creating a protective aura among them.

On another side of the battlefield, various weapons and military vehicles from the JSDF continued to attack. However, despite launching attack after attack, the demons appeared unaffected. They moved agilely, evading projectile attacks and destroying military vehicles launched by the JSDF.

Mayor Takeda, overseeing the situation from the command center, felt tremendous pressure. He understood that their strength was not enough to face the endless waves of demons.

"Evacuate the civilians!" His command rang out firmly amidst the chaos of battle. The JSDF troops swiftly moved, separating themselves from the fighting to rescue the civilians trapped near the outskirts of the city. They rushed towards a safer area, guiding the residents to a place shielded from the chaos unfolding.

On the battlefield, Euphemia continued to lead her troops bravely. She shouted orders to intensify the assault.

"Attack with all your might!"

The immortal soldiers surged forward with burning spirit, facing waves of demons that kept pouring in. Aisha, with her fighting skills, battled a demon of B-rank strength. Both sides fought intensely, each strike and block a matter of life and death.

Meanwhile, C.C. was doing her best to approach the demon leader. She used her ice magic to create more ice spears, but each time her attack came, the demon leader easily countered it. Nevertheless, C.C. did not give up. She gathered her magical energy, preparing to launch a more powerful attack.

On the other side, Kirito and his companions continued to fight. With coordinated combo attacks, they tried to break through the lines of demons that kept flowing in. They utilized their best skills, creating deadly combinations of strikes. However, even though many demons fell, even more emerged from the darkness, as if there were no end to them.

As time passed, the battle grew more intense. The strength of both sides clashed, creating a rumbling sound that shook the earth.

C.C. cautiously stepped away from the main battlefield, ensuring that neither she nor the demon leader would bring further destruction to their respective forces. In the quiet ground, the scent of wet earth mixed with the cold air, creating a chilling atmosphere befitting the impending confrontation.

With a sharp gaze, C.C. focused her energy, channeling the magical power flowing within her. She raised both hands, summoning a high-pressure water tornado. Water spun rapidly around her body, creating a vortex that emitted blue light. The tornado shot swiftly towards the demon leader, ready to surround and destroy him.

The demon leader, sensing the approaching threat, quickly raised his hand. Darkness enveloped the surrounding area, and with tremendous power, he created a dark shield to protect himself. As the water tornado collided with the dark shield, a massive explosion shook the ground, sending waves of energy that scattered dust into the air.

C.C. staggered for a moment but quickly regained her balance. She realized that the shield wouldn't hold forever. Swiftly, she redirected the energy from the tornado and concentrated it to strengthen her next attack. She gathered water from her surroundings, making it denser and sharper.

C.C. launched a sharp wave of water towards the demon leader. The wave moved quickly, piercing the sky and striking the still-standing dark shield. The sound of thunder echoed again as the attack hit, forcing the demon leader to retreat.

With every strike, C.C. drew closer to victory. The demon leader exerted more power to reinforce his shield, but C.C. gave him no chance. She changed tactics, summoning more water elements to surround the demon leader, creating a constricting coil of water that narrowed his movement.

C.C. focused all her energy to create one final attack. With outstretched hands, she summoned a swirling water storm, directing all her magical power to break the shield. The spinning water latched onto the dark shield, forcing the demon leader to struggle hard to maintain it.

The demon leader began to feel the strain on his shield. He tried to cope with the increasing pressure. However, C.C. was undeterred; she saw an opportunity to end the battle.

With a powerful shout, C.C. unleashed the accumulated water storm. The wave of energy struck the dark shield with incredible force. The shield began to crack, and in an instant, a tremendous explosion occurred. The raging wave of water shattered the shield and directly struck the demon leader.

C.C., with unwavering focus, watched as the demon leader staggered back, trapped in the swirling water surrounding him. She wasted no time. With a quick motion, she gathered ice energy and created sharp ice spears.

"This is the end for you!" she said calmly, launching the ice spear towards the helpless demon leader.

The ice spear flew quickly, piercing through the wave of water and hitting the demon leader's heart. He collapsed, caught in an inescapable force. C.C. looked on with a sharp gaze as the demon leader's body slumped, his power fading away.

With heavy breaths, C.C. stared at the motionless body of the demon leader.