[88.9] For Glory

[Author's note: This part of the chapter is from no one's perspective.]

….Meanwhile…

The Holy Army pushed past the barricade and made it to the palace walls. Sounds of shouting and explosions filled the air as the Holy Army started scaling the wall.

The sides instantly turned to ice, plunging them all to their death below.

The Headmaster looked down at them with cold eyes, "...Just where is that brat? Isn't a King supposed to protect his Kingdom?"

The Headmaster silently made another mental note as to why Cyrus wasn't fit to be with his daughter.

As he thought of this, a golden arrow shot towards him. A vine quickly grabbed it and threw it back.

The Headmaster looked down, "Thank you, Belle."

She fluttered up with an irritated look, "Master! Is now the time to be thinking about other things?"

His eyes caught sight of the Swordmaster who had plunged deep into the Holy Army and was massacring them without hesitation. After a while of swinging her sword around, her final sword shattered from the constant bashing with holy weapons. She launched herself upwards and landed next to the Headmaster. She casually tossed her broken sword to the side as she sat on the wall's edge.

"That was number six." She pulled out an apple from her pocket and wiped it, "My swords are still no match for Holy weapons. I wonder if I should start learning the smithy process again."

"Maybe you should focus on the battle first?" The Headmaster clicked his tongue in annoyance. He still hadn't forgotten her attack on his daughter. If it wasn't for needing her help in the war, he would never allow her to sit so close to him. "Where is the brat?"

The Swordmaster knew what he had meant and shrugged nonchalantly, "Dunno. Not down there."

"Is he… Dead?"

She responded casually, "I haven't found his dead body, so probably not?"

The Headmaster's expression darkened.

"Relax. I'm sure he's fine. I trained him well."

"Hmph."

She motioned below, "Ah. They are going to the right as you said they would."

The Headmaster's eyes narrowed, "They are actually trying to retreat as we predicted. But why? They could have won."

The Swordmaster kicked her feet as they dangled over the ledge, "Vira probably has other plans."

"Like what?"

A burst of light erupted to their left, shaking the ground and causing trembles to shake the buildings. The Headmaster held on to the wall and stared at the Academy that was covered in a beam of light.

The Swordmaster cleared her throat, "Like that."

He slammed his hand against the frozen wall, "Just where is that d*mn brat?!?"

A thick black cloud of smoke covered the city to the right of the palace. Hundreds of black butterflies flew into the sky, mixing with the ominous cloud.

The Swordmaster motioned to it, "Seems like he's busy over there."

"Ugh."

"So? What should I do? I don't think you need me here anymore. You want me to go help out your son-in-law-"

"-He's not my son-in-law."

She ignored this, "-Or do you want me to go fight Vira?"

"Go to the Academy and make sure everyone is able to escape. I don't trust Vira. I don't think her plan is to simply attack the Academy and remove the citizens who can't battle."

The Swordmaster gave a nod and hopped down the wall, sliding down it with quick precision.

In the distance, Hazel's father was in battle with the retreating army. Their plan had worked accordingly and caught the Holy Army off guard. Just as things were getting bloodier, the golden sword in the King's hand started to dim. He could feel it getting heavier and heavier, and his body becoming more exhausted from his swings. The King quickly fell back to the back and stared at his palm which once held a sword, "...Hazel. No…"

"Your majesty?!" His general looked over fearfully, "Should we retreat?"

The King clenched his fist and looked up with hateful eyes, "No retreat. No survivors."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Although their army was significantly outnumbered, they fought brutally.

Unfortunately, there was just not much they could do.

They weren't blessed with the magical abilities of those in the Holy Army or even those in the Odalis Kingdom. There was little they could do except hold on as long as possible and take out as many as they could before perishing.

Even the King who was arguably the strongest, was covered in his own blood and others. His breathing was labored but his eyes were covered by madness.

"THIS IS FOR MY DAUGHTER!"

Just as their strength waned, trumpets called out from behind them. Both sides turned to see three portals open up and armies of different Kingdoms rushing out. 

Neither side knew who they were with until their swords pointed at the Holy Army.

"For glory."

The King grinned through his bloody face and screamed, "FOR GLORY!"

The tide has finally turned, and those who once were relentless in attacking now were desperate to escape.

However, only a few would.