Chapter 357: But not Outgunned.

Chapter 357: But not Outgunned.

The most common type of grimgarian were the goblins and kobolds. Ogres, trolls, even orcs werent as often seen on human soil mainly due to the hunters guild targeting those grimgarians, as they were more threatening than unintelligent monsters.

A nest of goblins left unperturbed could grow into an entire colony within weeks due to their rapid gestation period and, coupled with their ability to grow similar to humans, even G rank goblins could prove dangerous to a village. Not to mention how trolls and ogres had a base rank of C, making even a single one of them more than enough to decimate an entire town.

This is without accounting for how grimgarians could also gain Jobs and also evolve like normal monsters. Kobolds evolved into echikobolds and then, with a further evolution, into a gnoll. The more they evolved, the more the common grimgarians would be able to escape their weaker base rank, eventually becoming equal or even superior to humans, beastmen, and elves in certain fields.

However, even if their form changed, it was hard to change the personality they grew up with. In this case, goblins, no matter how strong, were still cowards.

In this case, a single hobgoblin scout was frozen in place, unable to move as [Terror (Major)] had frozen his brain and muscles. He was one of the grimgarian armys most prominent rangers, being responsible for reconnaissance since the beginning of this invasion.

Their goal was clear: conquer the Divide of the Five Princes in one fell swoop. Years had gone into preparing this plan, even before the main forces from the Ogre King had arrived on this side of the continent. Tunnels were established, all to accommodate the invaders. Once it was time, the army was snuck into the country with the help of the demonkins and their network of sympathizers and supporters amongst the human race.

With the navy readied and the rats in place, the first stage of the grimgarian invasion was executed. A two pronged attack from land and sea, launched far too fast for the humans to react in time. While Hestias involvement had saved Artorias from the full brunt of this plight, the other countries along the coastline werent as lucky. This included the Kingdom of Yeos.

As such, the morale of the grimgarian army was sky high, in addition to being fueled by religious fervor. Despite some inconveniences at the start of the invasion, as in the destruction of multiple battalions and even a B rank being killed, the army still arrived in time at Yeoss capital, Elyonda.

With a combined pincer attack from the navy and army, even the usually cowardly goblin foot soldiers thought it was decisive victory. They held an overwhelming advantage over the enemy in number and strategic options, to the point the goblins even joked how they wouldnt have to act as fodder. They were so confident, they thought a majority of even the G rank goblins would survive! Their commanders had boasted how this siege would only last a single day.

It was joyous! Oh, woe to them, for overconfidence had blinded them. Their wishful pride, eager and already accepting of the bright illusions of victory, was easy to break and crumbled into fire and blood.

This hobgoblin saw all the dominoes fall. Mighty magic decimating the entire fleet in one go, killing five B ranks in the process. Although the ancient SS ranked monster Karhalentheel was freed just as intended, the sudden emergence of Melloxtressa had only driven the scout down into despair. Still, he held onto hope that Kronnazs chosen would lead them to victory.

Unfortunately, when he saw those sent to the port being pushed back by giant water dinosaurs and a giant serpent in the sky, the hobgoblins only thought was to flee back to the main army. When he arrived, his feet were paralyzed. His eyes stared at the hell unfolding before him,

A decisive victory? What a joke. A close victory would already be embarrassing with their clear number advantage, but what kind of victory would they actually get? Only a strategic, or maybe, a tactical victory? At least they would fulfill their goals, even at the cost of massive casualties. There was still honor there, right?

So, why did this feel like it would lead into a pyrrhic victory at best? To the point they wouldnt even be able to take over the territory?

Why did this thought flash in the hobgoblins mind?

I descend on Earth with Wings of Death!

A Storm of Fury

Creating Ash and Dust

I am the Incarnation of the Sun

I shine so brightly, I bring your death

My lineage belongs to the God of Dragons!

Despair, color the sky crimson!

Earth scorched by rain of undying flames

Hope born from misery!

Quash it all, you are facing me!

To some, it was the voice of an angel. A perfect pitch fluctuating around with the notes and musical instruments, bringing life and character to this opera-style remix. However, to the grimgarians, this voice sounded nothing like that To them, it felt like they were facing something beyond their comprehension. As if they werent worthy of being in her mere presence.

However, words were just words, after all. It was just unfortunate her words translated also into action, as her song brought down dragon-formed flame meteors. In addition, giant rocks were falling from the sky, large hurricanes ripping through the land, and giant balls of lightning sizzling anybody drenched and freezing in this monsoon-blizzard combo.

This was natures terrors made manifest, brought about the power stored within flesh and blood, summoned by the wellspring of this worldmana. It wasnt the keen blade before them which scared a soldier, but something they could not stop. The unseen arrow, a warrior of unstoppable might, and a mage free firing grand magicks.

To the fleeing goblins, the being flying in the skies could not be compared to the white dogs of Aurena they had faced in the past. No, this was a being which left nothing but fear in their hearts. Those flame-like hair, crimson clothes, and the steam from all the rain and snow boiling from her body temperature alone; to them, it looked almost as if the God of Fire, Danterno, had personally descended onto the mortal realms in the form of a woman.

Graaaaaah!

Graaa! Graak! Graaaa!

The first to flee were the lowly goblins and kobolds foot soldiers, far too terrified to continue fighting even with the mages and orcs screaming for them to stop. This caused the giant blob fighting against Hestia, Fargryneill, and Larent to dwindle.

Up next where the evolved hobgoblins, echikobolds, and D rank orcs. With so many dead from Hestias spells, Fargryneills mana blasts, and Larents swordsmanship, they couldnt rally when their commanders ordered them to. To the woods, the cravens fled. To live another day.

The undead and tentacles spawned from Karhalantheels Territory were also quickly taken out from this chaos. To see their allies destroyed so easily and their numbers falling like flies, the usually stouthearted C rank orcs began to fear the inevitable. The B ranks, knowing disaster would strike if the morale were to plummet even further, tried to roar and reinvigorate everybody, but Larent, the seasoned army man, aimed for these moments with his blade. A moment of hope was quickly turned into despair.

The screams quickly spread to the forces at the walls. The grimgarians saw their brothers and sisters-in-arms flee from their stations, drawing their senses towards the fight happening behind them. It was then when they finally heard the sound of the devils voice singing in their ears, and with it, the sound of meteors falling onto their heads.

In a panic, they rushed up the walls, pushing down anybody in their way as they tried so desperately to cling onto their lives. To see these flame dragons dropping down from the sky awakened a primal instinct in them. But, this was all the newly-appointed commander of the walls was aiming for.

Archers! Fire! A knight in feathered armor waved her wind flag around, accelerating the force and speed of the arrows released from behind her. This tailwind surged, accompanying the projectiles, almost as if the Goddess of Wind had blessed them.

Numerous grimgarians fell from this attack, blocking the wall off from others as these meteors crashed against the large earthen walls and army. Cries of despair rang out, only hastening the destruction of this plan. They had no way to flee, so the grimgarians fought and moved even fiercer to find some inkling of hope.

Unfortunately for them, whether it was outside or inside the city, nowhere was safe. Outside, meteors would rain down while their kinsmen would trample each other to death. Inside, roots would sprung up from the ground, trapping the grimgarians for easy pickings. Even if assassins and mages snuck by with [Shadow Dash] through conveniently placed crevasses, adventurers would await them there with wide grins.

Rita, I need you to cast over there and there. Use those roots to open some holes in that wall over there, too!

Arck, Renee, youre overworking me like crazy! Ill die from arcane corruption at this point!

You and I both know you cant, so stop complaining and cast! We need to win this or we will all die! Soldiers, listen to the winds! This monsoon has nothing against us! She waved her flag once more, calming the winds within this area of the battlefield.

This cant keep on going! We need to do something!

It wasnt an exaggeration to say this siege had been turned on its head by a single person. It wasnt Larent, a war veteran with more medals than most soldiers could ever imagine, or the Champion Tehmrayn, who had challenged and killed many arrogant Champions from the other gods of the Water Pantheon. No, it was a lone dragoness with the third highest amount of mana in this entire battle. And it wasnt even a contest.

Mighty spells ravaged the battlefield before the [Shadowtouched Hobgoblin] shaman. She was a B rank mage who had access to [Tenebrous Magic Lv. 5] spells, making her the leader of the shamans and mages of this army. She knew her role in this battle was to take down enemy mages, to prevent them from causing terror onto the bulk of the army. As such, when she saw the dragon responsible for the destruction of the navy, she understood she had to challenge her.

Although anxious, since she wasnt sure she could win, she had to for the sake of vengeance and victory. She thought she could conjure up a trick or two, using her catalyst and potions to tip the scales, believing victory wasnt out of hand already. Although a mage could control an entire battlefield if trained enough, they could easily die from attacks if they werent careful, even if that mage were a B rank dragon. After all, she had B rank ogres on her side.

A mages most frightening enemy was arcane corruption, as even the strongest archmages had to stop casting otherwise their bodies would crumble away from this corrupted mana. Even if the dragon had restored her mana from a level, she should still be weakened and feeble from the [Heavens Sword] and giant dragon-fire she had conjured to destroy the fleet. That was what the hobgoblin thought.Witness the debut of this chapter, unveiled through Ñôv€l--B1n.

She thought she had a chance.

How is this possible?!

The reason for Hestias mana dropping so quickly during the navy attack was due to overkill. She had invested too much mana into [Dragon Fire]s singular blast and even recklessly used [Purple Flash] on her [Heavens Sword]. While it did make casting the spell instantaneously, it also tripled the mana cost of the level eight [Sacred Magic] spell. If Hestia hadnt had more mana than a normal dragon of her rank, this wouldnt be possible.

She would have exploded like a balloon from overusing her mana so much. Or, the [Mana Stress] and [Arcane Fever] would have knocked her out of the battle entirely. It hadnt been too long since the nuclear option.

However, behold, for the dragoness was consuming dragorade like crazy. Normally, she wouldnt be able to cast her grand spells in this chaos, since the B ranks, mages, and archers were all aiming at her. Her casting spell of the high tier spells wasnt fast enough, forcing her to use [Purple Flash]. Fortunately for her, this would only be the case if she were alone.

The ranger tried to escape, but his abysmal casting time was further delayed by the fact his shoulder was messed up and had a crater. Hestia flew over to the ogre and kicked him away from his magic circle. She inspected the damage of her bullet, noting how it didnt completely dismember him, before ending his misery with her glaive.

If this was when she fought her first high ogre, it wouldnt have ended so quickly.

[Master!] Rajah strutted proudly before Hestia and placed the vulture corpse before her, wagging his tail, wanting his master to acknowledge him.

He really is a cat. Hes even doing the bird thing. Hestia thought while stroking her virigress before storing the bird and telling him to hide back in her shadow. With the anti-air B rank down, it was time to help with the rescue effort.

She rushed over, following the smoke. While flying she noticed grimgarians fleeing from the area before noting the knights flying on gargoyles. Many of them were dodging mana cannonballs and arrows, while others kept attacking with spells. On land, she saw a couple of knights led by a familiar man and winged girl with a noticeable horn.

Before them was a troll, two orcs, and two ogres. All were B ranks and they were engaging them in a rather fierce battle. One of the knights was Alistar, and while he wasnt down yet, he was struggling. On the other hand, the other knights were close to death from how their wounds looked. The only one hanging on was Fargryneill, but even to her, five B ranks were too many.

It would have been a different story if she were in her true form, though. Stubbornness was one quirk both sisters had in common.

Hestia glanced to the left, noticing more than ten mana cannons before preparing ten [Tornado Bullet]s. Shooting them out caught the attention of the B ranks, forcing them to either dodge or block them and delay shooting the cannons. Regardless of what they did, this gave Fargryneill the chance to stomp the ground, spreading her dragon paths to explode right in front of them.

She and the knights quickly dashed away, with them all getting back into the sky with Hestia providing cover fire. However, instead of retreating, the knights turned to the mana cannon. The two girls were flabbergasted at this, but apparently the cannons werent all destroyed yet. Seeing as this was the case, Hestia told them to focus on fleeing and to leave the rest to them.

... All of you, retreat! Make it back to the walls. Lady Hestia, Lady Fargryneill, Ill cover your retreat with spells! Alistar stated.

With no complaints to that idea, the two sisters flapped their wings and immediately went on the offensive. Fargryneill, although tired, dove right into the mix of the B and C ranks to get their attention, leaving Hestia all the time to unleash her breath attack on the remaining cannons, scorching them all of them black until they exploded.

The cumulative explosions nearly blew away Hestia, but by twisting her body a bit, she began shooting spells again at the B ranks. However, this time, unlike when they had been taken by surprise, the B ranks blocked and countered by throwing either weapons or broken items at her. Some even cut themselves, using their blood as projectiles like the time Hestia fought Vulgrim Beastslaughterer, the high ogre responsible for the grimgarian battalion Aurora met in the Greenveil duchy.

[Enmity Axe], one of the skills of the Slaughter Blade techniques taught amongst this group of ogre berserkers. All of them knew Vulgrim. All of them understood what the hobgoblin shaman said before, and now they knew who killed their blood brother.

NIAKASH BAALAK

Niakash go fuck youselves! Unlike back when she fought Vulgrim, this time she knew how to deflect weapon abilities. Using her aflamed glaive, she parried both blows and sharpened her glare.

Always annoying when even warriors can use long-range attacks like this. They wont let Sis escape at this rate.

However

Great, Im turning purple now? Fuck. Wouldve been better if I were just blue, dabadee dabadie.

The arcane corruption was worsening. Flying with her boosters demanded mana, after all. She thought it would take a bit more for her condition to worsen, but looking at her mirror, she really had to slow down.

She stopped her boosters and landed on the ground, swinging her glaive to confront the B ranks. Fargryneill grimaced, understanding from her face she couldnt hang on for too long. She needed a break. Fargryneill herself was tired, but neither exhausted or in danger of arcane corruption. While she knew her younger sister was a fantastic mage, her melee capabilities were still lacking compared to herself.

Hah, is this what you call being an elder sibling? Really feel anxious seeing her nervous like this. Putting yourself in danger for me, who do you think I am, huh?

Fargryneill took in a deep breath and invoked memories from her past, resurfacing these memories to jumpstart her heart and brain. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, hastening her blood to the point her body couldnt stop trembling.

[Battle Frenzy (Moderate)].

Hestia!

H-Huh?! Hestias head darted over to her sister for a moment, before adjusting back to the B ranks. She couldnt let her guard down.

The enemy were wary of the two, even more now that they could visibly see and feel a difference in Fargryneill. Her neon bright purple was glowing even brighter, her three horns emitted translucent mana, and a veil of black flames covered her form. They quickly understood this opponent was just hiding her real strength up until now.

Ill take the lead, okay? Follow my steps and attack. Just assume this is another part of your training, this time, to help you fight without relying on your spells and scale manipulation.

Urgh arcane corruption sucks. She readied her weapon and took the stance her two weapons teacher Farron and Yorshka had taught her. Right behind you. Lets do this and then escape!

Ha, you jester! I didnt go [Battle Frenzy (Moderate)] for nothing! Were taking these bastards out and then Im changing my class you hear! These grimgarians think they can take on two dragons?! Ha, by fathers maw, this nightmare of theirs hadnt ended yet! To evolve into an A rank, sometimes you just need to take a fucking leap of FAITH!

... You are crazy, huh? Then how about becoming my retainer for the exp boost? Would help you out, right?

HA! What? Want to break my pride? Sorry, but I really want to act like a good elder sister to you, alright, and that means I need to prove you can do this without any random blessings. Curse you for having stupid Kramps blessing.

[Bearer of Kargryxmors Blood] was a blessing, not a title naturally given to Kargryxmor dragon descendants.

However, Im not an idiot. Ill do it after were done, but only if you manage to get more or the same amount of B rank kills, Fargryneill said, despite knowing there were only five B ranks in front of her. She was confident she wouldnt lose this bet against her own sister. Alright, you ready? HEY, YA PUNKS! STOP STARING AT US AND GET YOUR WEAPONS READY!

It seemed foolish at first, but both girls still had an ace up their sleeves their dragon forms. With [Battle Frenzy] and their dragon forms, stats alone could probably solve their issues, but this meant losing experience for their Jobs. It was risky, but it was possible. At least, in Fargryneills mind, it was in the realm of possibility for a Kargryxmor.

Now Lets go!

Gotcha!

Both girls charged at the B ranks, their bodies poised to strike first. This would the the decisive blo

Ooooooh, thats good form, auntie~

Truly magnificent, Lady Hestia. I could feel your lingering mana saturate the area to the point I was scared an A rank would spawn, even from up in the castle.

Hmm, but take a break, lass. Let us take over for now.

[Princess Hestia, we have returned. Your orders, fulfilled!]

The girls stared in the sky as those voices echoed through all the rain and No, now that they had time to focus, there wasnt any rain or even snow falling on them. After all, a single mage fluttering in the sky with her butterfly-like wings was freezing anything, stopping them from falling onto her one and only mistress.

T-Tasianna? Shay? Beth? Hestia exclaimed as she saw her familiar fairy maid smile while forming a giant blade of ice with her catalyst, while two snow wyverns hovered over the B ranks, eyeing them as prey.

However, her surprise didnt stop there as she saw two people she hadnt expected to see standing in the air right now. No, she wanted them to be here, but she had mostly forgotten about it due to how hectic everything was.

Yorshka? Farron? You guys made it time?

Family comes when you need them the most, right? And from what I can see, my little aunt seems to have an arcane corruption problem. So, who's the big, bad green meanie who pushed you to this point? Is it those guys? Because I kinda have had it enough with grimgarians for one week

The allies from Griffonpeak had arrived, accompanied by a giant, floating fortress appearing from the dark clouds. It glowed red like blood and had the malignant appearance of a monsters head. What was it, and why was it here with her friends and family? This was what Hestia thought.

However to her sister, all of these random visitors only sent a chill down a spine.

Are you kidding me?! I was trying to look cool in front of my whelping sister! Fuck! I wasted moderate for this?! Wait, nooo! I need to kill one of them! Come on, mo-

Well, then I better pay these grimgarians a lesson. Tasianna, Shay, Beth! Look at them bullying our Hestia! Farron, lets do this quick! Princess Neill seems to be in trouble, too! Nordor Style: Silver Dragons Skyfall!

Stoooooooooooop iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!

Today, somebody lost a bet.