Reborn As A Maid

Chapter 67: Chapter 67 - The First Demon General ( Part 11)

The battle paused.

Ash fell over the streets of the destroyed Gray Hollow city like invisible snow.

The broken pieces of barriers glowed under the feet of those standing on the battlefield; their light was covered by the dark mana that was everywhere on the battlefield around the Demon General.

Azrakiel did not move.

The enormous sword was resting idly on one of the General’s shoulders.

And everybody watching...

It seemed that he was not even started the fight.

The revelation crushed the last bits of self-confidence in the expedition.

Headmaster Roland clenched tightly his sword.

"So this..."

"...Is the difference between history and legend."

Beside him, a few hunters were struggling to get up.

One of them laughed bitter.

"We are the strongest warriors of the kingdom."

The other one looked at Azrakiel and replied in a low voice:

"Not today."

Princess Lilia glanced at the battlefield.

Knights were injured.

Students embraced each other.

Healers ran from one person to another in order to stabilize them.

Village was turning into a painting of despair.

Her hands shook.

Not because she wanted to escape.

Because she wanted to help...

But she couldn’t.

Jennie noticed the frustration in her eyes.

The girl put her hand on Lilia’s shoulder.

"You’ve done enough."

Lilia shook her head.

"I haven’t."

"I couldn’t protect anyone."

Jennie smiled.

"You were in the first lines."

"Sometimes..."

"That’s the way the true courage looks."

Lilia lowered her head.

"...I still feel powerless."

Jennie did not reply immediately.

Instead of it, she glanced at the Demon General.

"So do I."

Over their heads...

The dark mana gathered again.

The remaining black spears dissipated into smoke.

On their place, huge magic circles made from red light expanded over the sky.

One.

Three.

Then ten.

Each magic circle was several hundred meters large.

Ancient demonic symbols slowly rotated around them.

The surrounding air got incredibly hot.

Breathing even became hard.

Headmaster Orion’s eyes widened.

"...Everybody move!"

"It’s another spell!"

Azrakiel slowly raised one hand.

"I have observed enough."

His voice echoed around the village.

"You possess courage."

"You possess loyalty."

"But..."

His crimson eyes became colder.

"...Neither of them can save you."

The demon clenched his fist.

The sky exploded.

The columns of black flames descended from each of the magic circles.

It was not an ordinary fire.

It burnt mana itself.

Wherever it touches, stones were melting into glowing liquid.

Buildings disappeared under the columns of the darkness.

The battlefield went into chaos.

"Protect the students!"

Lucas jumped forward.

The silver aura erupted from his body as he interrupted the nearest column of the fire.

His sword sliced through the darkness in beautiful arc.

BOOM!

The explosion knocked Lucas back across the square.

His boots gouged trenches in the stone until he finally came to a halt.

Blood dropped from his mouth.

But...

He stood.

"I’m..."

"...Not finished yet!"

Some Royal Knights joined him.

They made a defensive line with intersecting sword auras.

One pillar after another was pushed away from the students.

But...

For every attack they stopped...

Two more appeared.

A young hunter screamed.

"Left side!"

The pillar of the fire hit the marketplace.

It exploded.

The flying stone and burning debris filled the air.

Several students fell down.

Jennie moved without thinking.

Gentle breeze surrounded her fingertips.

Invisible.

Noiseless.

The flying debris curved harmlessly before somebody noticed it.

To others...

It looked like luck.

Excalibur whispered.

"You are still protecting them."

Jennie replied in her thoughts.

"Yes."

Lilia glanced at the burning streets.

"Jennie!"

"We must help!"

But before Jennie could reply...

The collapsing bell tower fell toward a group of children from the nearby village that had been rescued by the expedition a bit ago.

The heavy construction grinded with noise.

Then collapsed.

Lilia’s face turned pale.

"They’ll be crushed!"

She ran.

"Lilia!"

Lucas shouted.

She ignored him.

Jennie sighed.

"...She really never listens."

Despite of her words...

A small smile appeared on her face.

The princess jumped toward the children.

There was not enough time.

The tower had fallen.

Some knights tried to reach her.

But it was too late.

Headmaster Orion clenched his teeth.

"No!"

The shadow of the collapsing tower swallowed Lilia.

At that moment...

Gentle but powerful gust of wind exploded in the square.

Not destructive.

Not violent.

Gentle.

Elegant.

The enormous tower slowed down.

Its impossible weight shifted in such a way that Lilia could pull the children out of its path before the heavy construction crushed the kids harmlessly next to them.

The dust filled the air.

All people stared.

"...Wind?"

Lilia blinked.

She looked around confused.

"I..."

"...Didn’t cast it."

Jennie quietly dusted her maid sleeves.

"No."

"You didn’t."

Over the battlefield...

Azrakiel watched the scene.

His eyes narrowed.

The move was almost imperceptible.

But...

Sombody interfered with his spell.

His gaze slowly scanned the battlefield.

Knights.

Hunters.

Teachers.

Students.

Then...

It stopped.

The silver-haired maid was calmly helping frightened children.

She smiled gently.

As if there was nothing more normal than it.

Something stirred in the ancient memories of the demon.

Not recognition.

Not yet.

Just curiosity.

"...Interesting."

Somewhere away, Excalibur’s voice resounded in Jennie’s heart.

"He starts noticing you."

Jennie glanced at the dragon-shaped hairpin that was resting in her silver hair.

Then at numerous wounded scattered all over the Gray Hollow village. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Her smile disappeared.

"If it goes on..."

"...I won’t be able to hide much longer."

The wind fell silent.

As if the whole world waited the moment when the legendary sword would leave its place.