Chapter 58

The news of the breached gate quickly reached the inner manor of the Ganesha familia. Upon hearing this, all members of the Bahamut familia rushed towards the gates.

However, their objective was not to engage the horde of monsters, but rather to rescue the three members currently battling there: Nikolaos, Clair, and Michalis.

Upon their swift arrival, a devastating scene unfolded before them. Michalis was drenched in blood, while Nikolaos carried him with tears streaming down his face, desperately fleeing from the chaos.

Gazing at a colossal, crimson, dinosaur-like creature towering at five meters tall, Eleni whispered in disbelief, "What has happened to Michalis, and where is Clair?" She couldn't identify the monstrous being, but it was clear that it surpassed their capabilities.

The creature was mercilessly hunting both evilus and adventurers alike, leaving them powerless in its wake, except for the elite 2nd and 1st class adventurers.

"Nikolaos, over here!" Vasiliki exclaimed, casting her ice spell to create an opportunity for them to escape the chaos.

Before long, Nikolaos arrived at their location, wiping the tears from his face and gently setting down Michalis. Amidst the turmoil, Vasileios anxiously scanned the surroundings, searching for Clair.

Despite the lurking danger, the members of the newly arrived Bahamut familia refused to entertain the thought that something terrible had befallen her.

"She's gone," Nikolaos replied, his voice filled with anguish. The shock and disbelief on their faces mirrored their reaction to his words.

"We can discuss the details later. Right now, we must retreat," Vasileios snapped, the first to shake off the shock. His words jolted the others back to their senses, and they hastily departed.

"I can't fathom what Draco-nii and Bahamut-sama will say," Eleni muttered as they made their way towards their goddess's location.

They were all left pondering why and where most of the experienced adventurers had disappeared.

......

The seasoned adventurers of Orario had abandoned their posts, converging on the heart of the city with the intention of launching a suicide attack against the monsters. Aware of the risks, their bravery and sense of duty outweighed their fear.

Charging towards the beasts and evilus with all their might and magic, they were determined to prevent any interference in the battle between Ottar and Zald, and above all, to protect Babel, the very core of their city.

Valletta seethed with anger at the unfolding events, but she pressed on with her orders, knowing that the reckless adventurers would never be able to eliminate them all.

However, to her astonishment, Allen continued to dart around the barrier, mercilessly dispatching anything that dared to approach.

As Ottar battled his formidable foe, his indomitable will kept him going. Acknowledging the vast disparity between them, he humbly accepted his inferior status. Ottar reminisced about his past, a time when he sought power and honor for his goddess in solitude.

But now, witnessing the selfless sacrifice of his fellow adventurers, something within him changed. For the first time, he heard the voices of others— their aspirations, dreams, and pain. He found himself filled with admiration for them.

The fervent request to become a hero ignited an intense passion within Ottar. Though not fully comprehending it, he channeled his unwavering determination towards defeating Zald.

As he prepared himself for the decisive strike, a thought crossed his mind: "Forgive me, Freya-sama, for I will fight not only for you but for others as well, for the first time." Ottar appealed to his goddess, acknowledging that his allegiance now extended beyond her alone.

Ottar and Zald engaged in an intense battle, each unleashing their most powerful magical incantations. Ottar chanted Hildis Vini, a spell that enveloped his weapon in a radiant golden light, augmenting its destructive force.

Zald countered with his own magic, Rea Ambrosia, which engulfed his weapon in flames capable of consuming an entire battlefield.

The collision of Hildis Vini and Rea Ambrosia created a violent tremor that reverberated throughout the city, shattering the ice wall and barrier.

As the dust settled and the smoke dispersed, the atmosphere grew tense with anticipation, everyone eagerly awaiting the outcome. Valletta, in her confidence, believed Zald would emerge victorious.

"Wonder what took him so long," she muttered, convinced of their imminent triumph. However, as the dust settled and the smoke cleared, Ottar stood victorious.

The adventurers erupted in euphoric celebration, their cheers echoing through the air, while the evilus stood in stunned disbelief, unable to fathom the defeat of one of their champions.

Valletta, being quick to snap out of the shock, swiftly issued orders for the tamers scattered throughout the city to redirect the monsters towards the center. They still had a chance to defeat Ottar while he remained weakened from his battle with Zald.

.......

Meanwhile, at the Ganesha familia manor, Michalis had yet to regain his composure. Nikolaos informed the other members of the familia about what had transpired, at least what he saw.

Although they were left in shock, they couldn't afford to mourn at that moment; they had to suppress their sorrow and focus on reaching their goddess to survive the ongoing onslaught.

"Bahamut-sama, where are you?" Eleni shouted as they arrived at the inner manor. However, there was no response from Bahamut. They soon encountered Ganesha, who was being escorted by several adventurers.

"Ah, you must be members of the Bahamut familia," Ganesha addressed them. "Your goddess Bahamut has departed to tend to an important matter. Stick with us; she entrusted all of you to my care. Our primary goal is to protect the civilians in this area, as the monsters will soon converge here. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated," Ganesha spoke, his tone deviating from his usual self.

A defensive line swiftly formed to confront the rampaging monsters within the manor, positioning the civilians safely behind.

Michalis, his senses regained, remained silent yet filled with fury and a palpable intent to kill as he vigilantly searched for something.

Soon, the monsters came into view, seemingly signaling the end of the evilus. However, their approach took an unexpected turn.

Abruptly changing course, they started retreating towards the manor's exit, their controlled movements hinting at the influence of a higher power.

Most of the monsters gradually departed, leaving behind only a few under the control of the evilus tamers. These remnants were tasked with preventing the adventurers from regrouping with their allies at the city's center.

With the tension easing for the surviving adventurers, caution became their guiding principle. Although a few monsters still lingered, they could be dealt with if approached carefully.

The adventurers began systematically eliminating the remaining monsters in groups. However, during their endeavor, they stumbled upon a bloodsaurus from the lower floors.

Michalis, upon spotting the red monster that had claimed Clair's life, immediately sprang into action. His desire for peace could only be attained by slaying that creature.

"Stop, Michalis!" Vasileios shouted, desperately attempting to halt Michalis's impulsive charge towards the monstrous creature.

Consumed by fury, Michalis had completely lost his rationality. Soon, other members of the Bahamut familia and a group of adventurers from the Ganesha familia joined in the pursuit.

"I will end you!" Michalis bellowed in anger, fiercely attempting to strike the bloodsaurus. However, to his astonishment, his weapon could not even penetrate its hardened skin.

...….

Meanwhile, deep in the dark and eerie dungeon, Vito, with a sinister gleam in his eyes, had just concluded his grand and menacing speech. He savored the moment, relishing the power he held over my fate.

Unbeknownst to him, as he stood there, consumed by his cruel intentions, a subtle yet significant change was occurring in the atmosphere above. The air, once stagnant and heavy, started to twist and spin, forming a spiraling vortex of pressurized energy.

It crackled with an otherworldly force, as if nature itself was preparing to intervene. Little did Vito realize that, in the midst of his malevolence, a powerful force was gathering, ready to disrupt his plans and alter the course of this dark tale.