The area around 2 kilometers of the carriage turned red. Even the white clouds and the blue sky turned bloody red.
The enemy cavalry felt a suffocating feeling in their chest. It felt like their lungs were being squeezed, making it hard for them to breathe.
The magicians couldn't even cast their spell because the mana turned chaotic and it pained their body by even trying to use mana.
"What is this power?"
"I cannot cast my spells."
"I can't breathe. Help!"
The horses slowed down, struggling to breathe. With the heavy soldiers atop of them, the pressure on their body increased, and they fell to the ground immediately .
The armor and weapons on their body started to grow heavier as their bodies became weaker.
Some couldn't even stand up anymore because of the weight.
And then the sky rumbled. Red lightning flashed.
That was when hell began.
Hundreds of 10 meter long fire spears fell from the sky like ferocious rain drops.
"Fuck! Run!"
"Leave your armor and run!"
"Leave everything behind!"
They all tried to run away, but it was too late.
Jleb! Jleb! Jleb! Jleb!
Dozens of them were being stabbed every second.
One man tried to run away but a fire spear penetrated his leg. He fell, and was about to stand up again before he realized his leg was being pinned to the ground.
He grabbed the fire spear about to pull it out, but the flame burned his hands and then spread to his fingers and arms.
"AHH! It burns! Help me!"
No one could help anybody as the same fate befell them later on.
The vast plain was drenched in blood and covered in flames.
"Trying to kill him was a mistake! My friend tried to warn me not to hunt the Death Lord. I should have fucking listened."
This man got both of his legs pinned on the ground as he recalled his friend's warning. He then looked at the sky and a blazing spear stabbed his heart.
"Gaggh!" Blood came out of his throat, and as he held on for dear life, another spear stabbed him in the head, making everything look dark.
Aldred scoffed when he saw two or three people had successfully escaped from his spell. He then glanced at Mira who saw this atrocity with tears in her eyes.
"Are you okay, Mira?"
"I am fine. Don't mind me, Aldred"
"Do you want to talk about it? It helps to make you feel better."
Mira sighed. "I know what you're doing is not wrong, but it's sad to see so many people being killed."
"Some people kill to defend their family, to defend their country," Aldred said. "But on the other side, some people will kill for wealth, honor, glory, jealousy, greed, and anger."
Aldred softly grabbed her hand. "What do we kill for, Mira? What do we fight for?"
"Peace?"
"No. We fight for power. Because only when having power can you do something."
He looked at Mira. "Without power, you can affect nothing."
Mira widened her eyes. "Without power, you can affect nothing…"
"We don't bring a sword and knock on people's door, Mira. We bring a sword, so we can be ready when someone knocks at our door."
"I… I understand. I don't want to bring you down. I know of your noble ambition."
"But my ways might be not so noble," Aldred said.
"Sadly yes, but we have no choice."
"Yes. Sometimes we have no choice, but I am not a kindhearted person either. I can let them live without killing them. Instead, I drop hell upon them."
Mira shook her head. "They will come again. When you let demons live, they always return or wait for a chance. You cannot risk that."
She then took a deep breath. "I am good now, Aldred. Thank you for talking with me."
Aldred gave a small laugh, and pulled her into his embrace. "Why are you thanking me? We're family, remember?"
Mira smiled as his hand caressed her head.
The both of them stayed like that until the night came.
They camped for the night, creating a bonfire to cook their food, and set up their tents.
"Aldred," Bartrem sat down on the log ahead of him.
"What do you need, Bartrem?"
"I want to ask where you want to buy the ship?"
"What do you mean? Shouldn't we get the ship in the capital?"
Bartrem sighed and looked down. "The capital is a good place to look for a ship, but that's where a lot of emperor's men stay."
"The empress has a lot of influence as well, right?"
"She does have a lot of influence in the capital as well, but that makes it even more dangerous."
"Will they really fight in the city?"
"Their fight will not create a ruckus. It will happen in the dark."
"Assassination…" Aldred frowned.
"Yes. They might not kill you immediately, but kidnap your friends and blackmail you."
"Crap! With their power, they can do that easily. But we will still go."
"Eh. Why?" Bartrem asked.
"I have a plan. Even though they are more powerful, I believe we can do something about it."
Bartrem sighed. "Alright, since you are so sure about it. You're not the type that will recklessly do something unless you have something good in mind. Well, a year ago you might, but not currently."
Aldred laughed.
A few days later, they arrived in Thory.
The capital city of the Great Ceraisian Empire.
Like every capital city, it was located near the sea because that was where wealth mostly came from.
And as the most important city of the empire, the city was enormously vast.
Even from a distance away, Aldred already saw its grandeur. Tall, thick walls with Gold Rank guards patrolling around.
"I can finally see this city again," Mary said. "It felt like so long ago that I brought you out of this city, Aldred."
Bartrem smiled. "I left this city for more than 10 years. A lot has changed."
"It's a fast-changing city after all."
"Yeah." Bartrem laughed.
