Chapter 78 - Reprise

"Shadow clones! Eliminate the enemies' remaining forces. You must redeem yourselves!" Isaias said to them.

Upon hearing his request, they all moved and disappeared on a whim. Isaias then comforted the remaining citizens and the ones who have lost their loved ones. Praying that their souls will be eternally in their Creator's arms.

Just outside the barracks, the four shadow clones then moved and scattered. Eliminating enemies while on the way.

Dashing like the wind, swiftly decapitating the goblins with their daggers. It seemed to cut their necks swiftly as they felt stronger. Even Joan's body was still thin, they felt that they absorbed enough monster essence to feel that they got stronger. It was different and far surpassing their past strength. While they were on their killing spree, they also saved some citizens who were attacked..

Launching their chained daggers towards the enemies and it was enough to cut deeply. Making the enemies shriek while in pain. Still, it was not enough to decapitate. They all imagined that it will be possible to do it in the near future. It will only be a matter of time that they will reach that kind of level.

While being scattered all over, Joan was running towards the back gate. Breathing fast enough to cope up with the air consumption of his brain, he dashed towards the back gate. Lights were beside the road and were flickering.

It was just a few moments that he saw the other summons. Making him conclude that it was a success on Duplicate's side. Just as Joan saw them, he greeted them all.

There were Skeletons, bears and vines, wolves and crows that were by his side. Two shadow clones were guarding him and he was just leaning his arms behind his back. The duplicate was just casually walking and he was unscathed. Not even breaking a sweat and was whistling.

"What is your report?" Joan asked the Duplicate.

"The back gate enemies were all killed. We are moving towards the front," Duplicate said to him.

"Good, eliminate the enemies that are scattered abroad. I will find Isaias in the meantime." Joan said to him.

Just after their conversation, there came shouts that were heard from the front gate. Making Duplicate to be perplexed.

"Well, I got to go!" He said to Joan then left.

Joan then immediately ran towards the barracks. Hasty as it seems but he was in the race of time. Making him to use his all just to arrive immediately on Isaias' side.

Just as he was running, he passed by houses by the road. It was silent but as he leaned his ears some more, he can hear wails of children and mothers. Some houses were on fire and others were burned throughout. Flickering lights of fire were seen and the fire that crackles were heard by his ears. Eating away the wood as it scattered throughout the vicinity.

Joan then saw that the building he was going to was liberated. Isaias was just outside and was stroking his mane while contemplating. Looking at the bodies covered with cloths on their faces and was arranged on the ground.

"Isaias! What happened here?" Joan asked in worry.

"Ah, Joan. You see, the guards defended the civilians until their last breath. Only four of them were the survivors and the others perished. Their bodies will be cremated in the fire soon," Isaias said then went on his way.

"I am sorry, I can't save everybody even though I am the Child of Hope," Joan said to him.

Isaias was then silent for a moment then coughed.

"No one is blaming anybody, Joan. All things happen even with or without us. We can't blame also ourselves as there are things we can't stop even with our powers. But still, you've done your best. And that Joan is what's important. Keep it in your mind and heart that you have saved far enough. Look at those kids that survived. Maybe they are saved because of you? You didn't know but small things happened. And it resulted in saved lives. Now, we should move on. Many enemies still await us." Isaias said to him.

The Duplicate then saw that the front gate was teeming with enemies. Still have many numbers despite them killing many of their brethren. They have encamped just outside the walls and many enemies were still there.

They have killed the ones on the inside of the village and soon was heading outside the walls. Making the enemies blow their horns to alarm their comrades.

Torrrrrrooooooootttttttt!!!

Shrieking shouts and bellows emanated from the background. Some goblins were alerted and some were struck with panic. Some roused their brethren to take up arms while shouting in their language.

Kara!!! Kuruk!!! Shra!!!

Other hobgoblins were smashing the back of their goblin army to scold them. Others were now prepared and so, they all stared at the entrance of the gate. Surrounded the gate with their numbers, they all were looking forward to what enemy will arise and emerge to battle them.

Soon after, their voices lowered down and saw that there was a lone figure that appeared. Moving out of the gate while being solitary. Making them whimper in confusion, others were shrieking in excitement. Wanting them to rip apart the cocky bastard that wants to challenge them solitarily.

Just as they want to laugh at him. Duplicate was silently walking towards them. He immediately summoned a crow that perched on his shoulders and then smiled at them.

Upon staring at him, they were all laughing. Mocks were heard in their language and then, he soon grinned.

"Rise!" Duplicate shouted at them.

[Skeleton]

After using his skill, emerged skeleton soldiers from his feet.

[Beast call]

The wolves and crows appeared and were all prepared to combat.

[Summon bear] [Summon vine]

The two then appeared at them and the bear roared. Vines shrieked and snarled.

[Shadow clones]

Two shadow clones appeared and they conjured their weapons.

"Attack!" Duplicate shouted with all he got.

Immediately, chaos was made and all enemies attacked full force. With the fighting ensued, they all fight for their lives. The bear then used its skill [Charge] and charged to the fray. The enemies were all thrown after charging at them.

[Charge]–a skill that uses weight to assault the enemies. Strength and weight can increase the damage dealt with to the enemies.

With the enemies thrown all over, they soon get up but they felt that their ribs were broken. Others were just laying down and were writhing in pain. Hobgoblins attacked as the lead of their charge but skeleton soldiers duelled them. Specifically the Skeletal Knights and Warriors. Making them clash their weapons in the process and was doing fine even with their bony bodies. Two Skeletal archers then fired arrows at them and did a number on the enemies. Skeletal Mages fired fireballs at them and the enemies burned.

Vines were spitting poison and sometimes ice. While the others were spitting fire at the enemies. Wolves were all in a high horse, killing enemies at a terrifyingly fast speed. Crows were assisting the wolves with their enemies.

Shadow clones were also not left behind in the contest. They were all throwing daggers left and right while slashing chained daggers to the enemies. All were in chaos and enemies were all killed in just minutes.

Making them roar in victory as the dead bodies were now disintegrating and were turning into monster essence. Glowing with yellow radiance and were all disappearing one by one.