Chapter 223 - The Demon Warlord Vs Jennie ( Part 1 )

Morning had just arrived in Seraiya.

The city was slowly starting its awakening process.

Traders opened their shops. Their voices mixed in a melody of everyday life. Guards changed their shifts at the royal gates. Armor of those soldiers sounded every step. Kids were playing in the streets. Laughter was floating in the air. The warm sunlight was shining on the faces of the citizens.

For the first time after many days, Seraiya felt peaceful.

After illusion attack. After Morgatha’s curse. After the return of Lilia’s memories. After the revelation of Demon Emperor’s awakening.

They were wrong.

The skies grew dark.

Not because of clouds. Due to magic.

A bright crimson ripple started spreading across the skies over Seraiya. It ate away all the blue. Sunlight disappeared. An unusual red color started covering the city in a shade of blood.

Birds left their perches and started flying away. Wind stopped as if the world held its breath. Bells in the capital started sounding.

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

People raised their heads.

Then they saw something terrible.

An enormous black gate was appearing in the sky. Crimson fire was blazing along the edges of it. Darkness was swirling inside the gate. It was expanding. A terrible sound was echoing in the city – the sound of an ancient beast that was about to attack.

A huge being stepped out of it.

Huge figure. Black armor that absorbed all the light around it. Enormous battle axe on his shoulders. Two crimson eyes glimmering from under a horned helmet.

As soon as the creature stepped with his foot onto the sky over Seraiya, the entire city started shaking.

BOOOOOM!

The shockwave spread everywhere. Glass broke in thousands of pieces and was falling down to the streets. Roofs’ tiles were flying in the air. Screaming people ran to escape. Royal Knights were thrown off their horses. Their armor crashed onto the cobblestone roads.

Peaceful city turned into battlefield.

Terrible laughter started echoing through the skies. Deep and rumbling sound that reminded of the sound of thunder in the cemetery.

"Hahahahaha!"

Draven.

The Third Demon General.

The Black Warlord.

He slowly raised his axe. The weapon was enormous. A blade made of black steel, which was forged in the fires of abyss, with the chipped edge and stains of blood from numerous battles. It glimmered in the crimson light and seemed to burn in it.

"SERAIYA!"

His voice sounded like the rumble of thunder across the city.

"I HAVE COME FOR THE SWORD!"

The citizens of Seraiya were stopping. Their faces paled, eyes widened in terror. They’ve heard tales about Demon Generals – horror stories told at night to scare kids. But no one thought that they’ll have to face them.

A demon general was standing right above their city.

Dozens of black gates started opening behind him. More and more of them.

Hundreds. Thousands.

Demoniac beings were emerging through them. Ogres with enormous clubs and tusks smeared with the blood. Flying creatures with leathery skin and fiery eyes. Demonic beings in armors full of spiked plates. Wolf-like monsters with burning eyes and dripping acidic jaws.

Dark mages in robes of shadow. Their hands were crackling with forbidden magic.

A huge Demon Legion was descending upon Seraiya.

Panic started spreading in the streets as fast as wildfire.

"Demons!"

"Run!"

"Hide!"

"Palace!"

"Queen!"

Royal Knights instantly started to move.

But it was not enough due to the sheer number of demons. They were coming everywhere – from the sky, from the gates, from the shadows. Their number was infinite, the tide of darkness threatening to swallow the city in itself.

Lucas stood in the center of the palace courtyard.

His sword was already drawn. His silver armor was reflecting the crimson sky. Brown eyes of Lucas were glaring with determination. He looked at approaching Demon Legion, then at frightened civilians that were still running to the palace gates.

His face hardening.

"Royal Knights!"

Hundreds of knights were gathering in front of him. Their armor was shining, their weapons were prepared. They were standing in perfect formation. Their discipline was intact even in the face of chaos.

Lucas raised his sword.

"Form defensive lines!"

The knights instantly started moving. The training and discipline made them forget their fear and do what they should.

"First formation, protect the eastern district!"

"Second formation, take care of the civilians!"

"Third formation, come with me!"

Lucas pointed his sword at the incoming horde of demons.

"We will hold the city!"

Knights shouted in unison.

"YES!"

They started charging.

Metal clashing against claws. Magic exploding in the streets. The sounds of the fight were filling the air – screams and roars, the sound of weapons and spells.

Lucas entered the battlefield personally.

His sword cleaved the first demon. Then second one. Then third and fourth. His movements were precise, careful. The movements of a professional military leader.

It was not his purpose to defeat the enemy.

"Don’t let them reach the civilians!"

A demon rushed at the group of running children. Its claws were stretched out, hungry eyes were staring at them.

Lucas instantly reacted.

He jumped in between them, raising his sword.

CLANG!

Claws of the demon struck his sword. Sparks appeared, and vibrations spread through his arms.

Lucas pushed it back.

"Not today."

His blade flashed again. The monster dropped to the ground, disappearing in the shadow.

More soldiers were coming after him, but the wave of the demons did not stop.

Too many of them. Way too many.

Roxy was standing in the middle of another street.

Her red hair was flaring, her ears were flattened against her head, she watched the huge number of demons advancing from the northern part of the city, and her eyes were wide open.

"That’s..."

Her voice trembled.

"So many..."

A demon attacked a group of civilians. Its claws were trying to catch a mother who was holding her baby.

Roxy’s expression changed. Her fear was gone; there was only determination in her eyes now.

She planted her staff in the ground.

"Barrier!"

BOOOOOOM!

An enormous magical wall emerged from the ground. It was rising up like a wave of crimson light, the runes of protection flashing on its surface. The demon crashed against it, making the whole street shake.

CRACK!

The barrier was shaking. Its surface was splitting and cracking.

Roxy’s expression became serious.

"No."

She tightened her grip on her staff.

"You don’t get to hurt them."

Magic exploded from her body. Fire. Ice. Lightning. Wind. Earth. All five elements were spiraling around her.

The demons stopped. They looked around with widened eyes full of fear.

Roxy smiled nervously. Her fox tail was trembling.

"Okay..."

She lifted her staff.

"Maybe I should have practiced controlling this better."

She swung.

"Too late now."

BOOM!

A huge magical explosion tore the street apart. The demons were thrown in the air, and their shadows dissolved. The ground was splitting and shaking.

Civilians were watching Roxy in shock.

One little girl was looking at her with sparkling eyes.

"Are you a hero?"

Roxy stiffened. Her face was becoming bright red.

"Eh?"

She looked away. Her ears were twitching.

"N-No! I’m just... doing my job!"

The little girl was smiling.

Roxy smiled back. And then her expression became hard.

"Stay behind the barrier."

She was turning toward the battlefield.

"Jennie would kill me if anything happened to you."

Roar shook the city.

Roxy was looking upward. Her smile was gone.

Something enormous was descending.

Draven.

He landed in the center of the main boulevard. His fall broke the stone under his feet, sending debris flying all around. A few buildings were shaking and crumbling, their windows breaking.

Draven was slowly getting up. His huge axe was sliding along the ground, cutting deep furrows in the cobblestones.

SKRRRRRRT.

He was looking around. Then he started laughing.

"This place..."

He took a deep breath, as if inhaling the smell of fear.

"So peaceful."

His crimson eyes were narrowing.

"Almost makes destroying it enjoyable."

A Royal Knight was charging him.

"For Seraiya!"

Draven didn’t even look at him. He was swinging his hand.

BOOM!

The knight was knocked off his feet and was sent flying across the street. He crashed through the wall and disappeared inside the building.

Lucas’s eyes were widening.

"Everyone!"

He was immediately moving.

"Stay away from him!"

Draven was turning his head. His eyes landed on Lucas.

"Another Fool?"

Lucas stopped in his tracks. His grip on his sword tightened.

Draven was looking at him. His eyes were tracing the lines of Lucas’s face, the color of his hair, the shape of his eyes.

"Interesting."

Lucas was raising his sword.

"You won’t take this city."

Draven was smiling. It was a terrible smile.

"I don’t need the city."

He was lifting his axe.

"I came for one girl."

Lucas’s expression was changing.

"Raven."

Draven was laughing.

"Exactly."

A voice rang behind him. It was cool and steady and utterly unimpressed.

"Looking for me?"

Draven was stopping.

The battlefield became suddenly quiet.

Lucas was turning. Roxy was looking toward the palace. Snow was raising his head.

Lilia was stepping out of the palace, on the balcony.

Her golden hair was gently dancing in the breeze, and her sapphire eyes were looking down from the height at the battlefield. She was every inch the Queen – regal, composed, and radiating authority.

And beside her was standing Jennie.

Silver-white hair. Calm expression.

Five Divine Swords were hovering behind her.

Excalibur. Leviathan. Tempest. Eclipse. Gram.

The whole battlefield was freezing.

Draven was slowly turning his head. His smile was vanishing. His eyes were widening.

"There you are."

Jennie was stepping forward.

Lilia was grabbing her arm.

"Jennie."

Jennie was looking at her. Her expression was softening.

"I’ll be fine."

Lilia was squeezing her tighter.

"I know."

She was looking into Jennie’s eyes. Her voice was barely a whisper.

"But come back."

Jennie was smiling.

"I always do."

She was jumping from the balcony.

Lilia’s heart was stopping.

"JENNIE!"

Jennie landed softly on the ground.

Dust swirled around her as her silver-white hair came to rest on her shoulders. The five Divine Swords descended behind her, lights glowing in the crimson darkness.

Draven looked at them. His eyes sparkled with greed.

"Five..."

Draven chuckled.

"Five Divine Swords."

Jennie looked at him. Her expression was indifferent.

"Are you still counting?"

Draven grinned even wider.

"Excalibur."

Light shone with golden light.

"Leviathan."

Energy appeared in blue hues.

"Tempest."

Thunder crackled in the air.

"Eclipse."

Twisted in darkness.

"Gram."

The crimson flames burst forth.

The grin of Draven transformed into ecstasy.

"All five."

Jennie sighed.

"You make this embarrassing."

Draven held his axe.

"You."

His voice became more guttural.

"You die here, Leonis."

Jennie raised her head.

"Do you always say such idiotic things?"

Draven chuckled.

"You clearly wish to die."

Silence.

His eyes of crimson stared at her eyes.

"Leonis."

Jennie’s expression became entirely indifferent.

"No."

Draven frowned.

"No?"

Jennie smiled.

"My name is Jennie."

Draven’s grip tightened on his axe.

"You cannot escape from your past."

Jennie shrugged.

"I’m not trying to."

She looked at his enormous axe.

"I simply don’t care about what you’ll call me."

Draven’s expression turned dark.

"Leonis."

Jennie sighed.

"Wow."

She looked towards Roxy.

"Does he always talk so much?"

Lucas stared at Roxy. His expression was puzzled—he did not understand the conversation, he did not know why the demon was calling her the name which she did not recognize.

"I never met him before," Roxy said.

Jennie nodded.

"Then he must want to make an impression."

Draven’s eyebrow twitched.

"You insolent..."

Suddenly Roxy smiled.

"Wait."

She pointed at him.

"I recognize you."

Draven stopped.

Roxy smiled wider.

"Rosario Village."

Silence.

Roxy suddenly covered her mouth.

"Oh no."

Lucas glanced at her.

"Why?"

Roxy whispered.

"He came to Rosario Village."

Draven’s face darkened.

Jennie continued.

"You came to Rosario Village."

Draven’s eye twitched.

"You destroyed half of the village."

Twitch.

"You challenged me."

Draven’s grip tightened.

"You called yourself Black Warlord."

Jennie’s smile became brighter.

"And then..."

She paused.

"you ran."

Silence.

Even the demons stopped moving.

Roxy’s shoulders began to shake.

Snow barked once.

"Woof."

Jennie nodded gravely.

"Exactly."

Draven’s face became red.

"You..."

Jennie raised one finger.

"Actually, I remember one more thing."

She raised her head.

"You ran so fast that I thought you were late for dinner."

Roxy could not hold it any longer.

"PFFT!"

Lucas turned away. His shoulders were shaking, but his expression remained carefully neutral.

The Royal Knights started coughing suspiciously.

Even several demons looked uncomfortable.

Draven’s aura burst out.

BOOOOOOM!

Cracks appeared on the street under his feet.

"I DID NOT RUN!"

Jennie blinked.

"You certainly ran."

"I RETREATED!"

"Same thing."

"I WAS STRATEGICALLY WITHDRAWING!"

"while screaming?"

Draven stopped.

Jennie smiled.

"You screamed."

Roxy fell against the wall.

"She is going to get herself killed."

Then something happened.

Snow’s body began to glow.

White light enveloped him. It was warm and pure—the light of ancient power, of divine authority, of something which existed long before the first kingdoms arose.

Roxy looked up.

"Snow?"

The ancient Divine Wolf appeared. His body grew, bones changed, fur erupted. Nine gigantic tails unfolded behind him, as long as the trees. Ice wings unfolded on his back, shining crystalline surfaces catching the light.

The temperature suddenly dropped. Frost appeared in the streets, spreading in waves.

Demons surrounding him stepped back. Their eyes widened with fear.

Snow was not the little wolf anymore which always followed Jennie. He returned to his original Divine Wolf form.

Nine tails waved through the air. Golden eyes sparkled with ancient authority.

Roxy stared.

"... That’s Snow?"

Snow growled. The growl shook the battlefield—deep and rumbling, like the growl of the earth.

"Grrrrrrrr..."

One of the demons trembled.

"The Divine Wolf..."

Roxy smiled.

"Yes."

She raised her staff.

"That’s our Snow."

Snow opened his gigantic jaws. Roar echoed through Seraiya.

ROOOOOOOOOAR!

The ice spread along the street. Dozens of demons froze instantly, encased in crystalline prison.

Roxy pointed her staff.

"Now that’s more like it."

War broke out yet again.

Lucas led the knights into battle. Roxy protected the civilians. Snow cut through the demon legions, swinging his nine tails about as if it was scythe cutting through wheat.

And there on the battlefield, Jennie and Draven stared at each other.

Draven lifted his axe.

"Enough."

Jennie stared at him.

The killing intent emanating from Draven overwhelmed her, pressing down on her as a physical burden.

"You have beaten me once before."

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

"Once?"

Draven snarled.

"But that was Leonis."

He held his axe toward her.

"Today, I want to see Jennie."

Jennie’s golden eyes narrowed.

Draven’s words reverberated throughout the battlefield.

"Prove to me that you deserve those swords."

Five Divine Swords responded to the challenge. Excalibur gleamed. Leviathan roared as if an ocean itself had come to life. Tempest crackled with electricity. Eclipse deepened the darkness. Gram blazed crimson.

Jennie lifted Excalibur from its hilt.

At the same instant...

BOOOOOOM!

A column of golden light burst into the sky. The clouds ripped apart. The crimson darkness receded.

Demon Legion stopped in their tracks. Royal Knights looked up into the sky.

Lilia gazed at the sky from the balcony of the palace. Her hand clenched over her heart.

She smiled.

"Jennie ."

Jennie lifted Excalibur. The golden eyes met the crimson.

Draven grinned.

"Yes."

He lifted his great axe.

"I want to see that."

Jennie took a step towards him. Then another.

Her face went blank, neither angry nor fearful but almost bored.

"Do you wish to know whether I deserve them?"

Draven let out a roar.

"YES!"

The five swords Jennie wielded floated around her, golden, blue, silver, black and crimson. Their auras mixed together.

Jennie smiled.

"Then don’t blink."

Draven charged.

"LEONIS!"

Jennie disappeared.

BOOM!

The clash of sword and axe produced a shock wave which tore through the streets of Seraiya, shaking the buildings, shattering the windows and cracking the ground.

Draven opened his eyes and found himself staring directly into Jennie’s. Their weapons clashed, locking.

Her silvery white hair flew in the wind. Her golden eyes were cold.

"Still calling me Leonis?"

Draven grinned.

"Always!"

Jennie smiled.

"Alright then."

Her aura exploded.

"Then I’ll beat you as Jennie."

BOOOOOOOOOOM!

The five Divine Swords responded instantly. The sky above Seraiya ripped apart.

And for the second time... the Demon Warlord realized that the girl he was facing was no longer the Sword King he once knew.

She was something different. Stronger, more formidable, something that the ancient demons never anticipated.

Jennie. Or Raven.

Or The Markless One.

The girl wielding five Divine Swords.

And the battle for Seraiya had truly begun.

From the balcony of the palace, Lilia watched.

Her heart beating hard in her chest, she clutched the rail, her knuckles turning white.

She wanted to go to Jennie. She wanted to join the fight. To protect her.

But she couldn’t.

She was the Queen. Her duty lay in protecting her people.

So she could only watch. Wait. Pray.

Come back to me, Jennie.

Please.