The Demon Saint is Missing, so I Ran to Another World

Taking Sides (Part 2)

"Leave the noblewoman alive; kill the others!" was the shout of the person in command of the human forces.

"Raaargh!"

Just as the humans charged their position, the demons hid behind the sand barrier, waiting for the melee to arrive in front of them.

"!!!"

The battle evolved from ranged, hide-and-seek combat, to an up-close and personal fight. The humans fought like they were in a frenzy, not even bothering to tend to their injuries, even if they were shot at—or bayoneted multiple times—by the demons. They just kept on advancing, hacking their way even if they were already bleeding...only falling down dead when enough blood from their bodies were already drained. It was a shocking sight.

The guards' retinue of the House Usarved—though hopelessly outnumbered and dwindling with every second passed—fought on valiantly, throwing jabs, hurling magic spells, thrusting and slashing with their bayonets, and even biting back, desperate to protect their princess. Shevaun also contributed to the defense of her lady, though she could only cast defensive magic.

"Th-These are not even h-humans!" one of the demon soldiers remarked. The tenacity of their enemies was not what they expected; it's as if those people were hypnotized...drugged, even. They were there only to kill or be killed.

As for Lady Noir, she didn't pay attention to what's happening around her. She was focused on trying to make her magic work, though she repeatedly failed to even light a spark. Frustration after frustration piled up, as she kept on attempting to activate the curse she made. Finally, Lady Noir's patience snapped, and she leapt towards the nearest enemy to vent out her frustration by slashing the human's neck.

"If you won't die by my curse, then you'll die by my blade!" the demon noblewoman continued on stabbing the dead man, while Shevaun and the guards rushed to her side to defend her.

"Your Highness, the sandstorm is intensifying," the chamberlain told Lady Noir. "Please stay close to us!"

The demon princess hadn't even uttered anything when the sandstorm struck them, effectively blinding everyone caught in it. The battle quickly ceased, as no one could make out who was friend or foe. Nevertheless, Shevaun and the guards' retinue wouldn't let their guard down; they drew even closer to their mistress, as they sought to protect her from any enemy that might've slipped.

"..."

Several quiet, yet tense moments passed, and the demons never let their weapons down. The sandstorm was increasing in intensity, up to where it was hard to keep one's eyes open for too long. The orders had to be shouted, or it wouldn't be heard. Shevaun then created another sand wall reinforced by her magic, to keep their group from getting buried in the sand as well as for the soldiers to take a breather.

"!!!"

From behind their hiding spot, Lady Noir and her companions heard the muffled screams of their enemies. It's as if someone was attacking them. However, no matter how much they wanted to check on what's happening outside, Shevaun asked them not to exit her 'sand wall'. So, they just had to content themselves listening to the horrible cries of pain coming from their enemies.

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When they determined that the sandstorm had passed, an eerie silence came upon the battlefield. Everyone waited for their enemies to resume shooting at them, but to no avail. Finally, not wishing to wait any further, the captain of the guard volunteered to climb out of their 'sand wall' and take a peek at the situation. He realized that the storm buried their hiding place for about a meter of sand, also effectively burying the dead and the road. However, what was even more remarkable was the 'people' the captain saw...