No one's POV
After thinning the ranks of the Dark Mages and Ogres, Alice had landed on the ground near Fanatio and the other soldiers, before she fell, however quickly Fanatio caught her.
Fanatio: You did well. The enemy has retreated. You brought us victory.
Alice: Lady Fanatio... The battle isn't over yet. We must use Healing Arts to consume the Sacred Power that formal Art generates so the enemy can't reuse it. After all, their main forces, the Dark Knights and the Pugilist guild are still untouched.
Fanatio: Everyone who can move, take the wounded and fall back! Monk unit, focus on healing the wounded until all spatial power is depleted! And watch for enemy movement!
As Fanatio sat Alice down, she got ready to leave.
Fanatio: I'm going to report to the Knight Commander. Can I leave things here to you?
As Alice nodded, Fanatio walked away, before looking towards Amayori.
Alice: You did well, too, Amayori. Go back to your bed and eat your fill.
As Amayori nodded and flew off, Eldrie has walked up behind Alice, as she saw that he was covered in blood.
Alice: Eldrie! You're not injured, are you?
Eldrie: Right... I haven't sustained any major wounds... But I should have perished in battle...
Alice: What are you saying? Your duty is to lead the guards until the battle is over.
Eldrie: I failed to carry out my duty... Not only was my camp breached by Goblins, their Chief was brought down by Sir Renly. How shameful is that? I betrayed your expectations of me...
Eldrie's thoughts: To think I had presumed to seek her heart... her love...it's beyond laughable!
Eldrie: I have no right to call myself your disciple!
Alice: You... You did well. I, the Guard unit, as well as all the people of the Human Empire need you. Why are you being so harsh on yourself?
Eldrie: Need? For my strength? Or...
Suddenly, the two heard growing and looked over in the smoke and saw a Ogre, who had been badly wounded from Alice's attack walking towards them.
Alice: Your life must almost be depleted. So why are you standing there unarmed?
??? I'm the [Chief of the Ogres, Frugr].
Alice: The Chief of the Ogres? A member of the land of Darkness's Council of Ten?
Frugr: I saw... That light art... It was you who unleashed it. That power, that appearance...it's you...the [Priestess of Light]. If I take you back with me, this war will end. The Ogres can return to the grasslands...
Upon hearing this, Alice looked at Frugr confused.
Alice: What are you talking about? Priestess of Light? This war will end?
Eldrie: Curse you! You lowly beast, how dare you spout such drivel!
As Eldrie then went to slash Frugr, Alice grabbed his arm to stop him.
Eldrie: M-Mentor! Why?!
Moving him aside, Alice walked up to Frugr.
Alice: I am indeed the Priestess of Light. Tell me, where will you take me? Who is it that seeks me?
Frugr: [Emperor Vecta]. The emperor only wants the Priestess of Light. He'll grant any wish to the one who captures and delivers the Priestess. The Ogres will return to the grasslands. Raise horses, hunt birds, and live...
Alice: You don't resent me? It was I who massacred your people.
Frugr: The strong carry a burden as heavy as they are strong. I also shoulder the burden of chief. That's why I'm going to capture you, and take you with me!
As Frugr lunged at Alice to attack her, she quickly drew her sword, slashing him across chest,
killing him, before resheathing her blade. As she walked up to his body that was disappearing, she collected his soul and blew it towards the grasslands.
Alice: This soul, at least, can fly to the grasslands...
(Elsewhere)
Back within the Dark Territory, Dee Eye Ell was bowing, in front of Emperor Vecta or Gabriel, telling him what had happened.
Gabriel: So you're saying the reason your strategy failed and a thousand Dark Mages perished was because the enemy absorbed and depleted the Spatial Dark power before us, is that right?
Dee Eye Ell: Yes! That's correct, Your Majesty. I wasn't informed that even with the Pontifex gone, the enemy still had mage of that caliber.
Gabriel: Is there no way to replenish that Dark power?
Dee Eye Ell: Unfortunately, sir. In order to replenish enough spatial Dark power to annihilate the enemy, we'd need ample amounts of rich land and sunlight, but both are absent from the battlefield.
Gabriel: I see. But from what I see, there's no grass or trees in this land, and the sun seems to have already set. What power were you going to use to attempt to cast this large scale spell?
Dee Eye Ell: Well, the blood spilled by both the Demi Humans and enemy soldiers, their expired lives became Dark power and had filled the air.
Gabriel soon got up, as Dee bowed down once again, terrified.
Gabriel: Blood and life, huh? Dee Eye Ell. Would 3,000 be sufficient?
As Dee Eye Ell looked up confused, she looked over to what he was looking at and was surprised, before blushing excitedly as they were looking at the Orcs.
Dee Eye Ell: That would be more than enough, Your Majesty.
(Elsewhere)
Within the camps set up by the Human Empire, Alice had went to tell Bercouli what she had learned.
Bercouli: Priestess of Light?
Alice: Yes. I don't recall ever seeing such a name in any of the history books, but there's no doubt that it's what the enemy commander desires.
Bercouli: Commander... The Dark God Vecta, huh?
Fanatio: I find it hard to believe. A God has been resurrected.
Bercouli: Little one. Let's assume that the Dark God Vecta has descended to the Dark Territory, that he's seeking the Priestess of Light, and that it's you. The question is, how will that affect the current battle situation?
Alice soon started to think.
Alice's thoughts: There's no question thar five tribes of the land of Darkness are after the Human Empire. But Vecta's Target is the Priestess of Light...
Alice: Uncle. I shall breach the enemy lines alone and head to the edge of the Dark Territory. If it's the Priestess of Light that the enemy commander seeks, then he'll definitely pursue me with a considerable force. Once enough distance has split them, please counterattack and annihilate the remaining forces.
Alice's thoughts: Not to mention, the World End's Altar is in the Dark Territory...
Alice soon remembered the conversation she overheard between Nhazul and Kikuoka after he had contacted him.
Alice's thoughts: If I go there, perhaps...
Bercouli: Fine, then. But you're taking a third of our troops with you.
Alice looked surprised hearing this.
Alice: But... I can't have spare a third of your men!
Bercouli: The enemy still has more then 30,000 troops left. I don't think that many would come after you if you're the sole decoy. Only if a big enough number fled together would it work to split them up.
Alice: You do have a point, but...
Bercouli: Also, I have one more condition.
Alice: What's that?
Bercouli: I'll be joining the raid unit.
(Elsewhere)
Dee Eye Ell was currently telling the [Chief of the Orcs, Lilpilin] to sacrifice 3,000 thousand of his soldiers. Upon hearing this, he looked completely shocked.
Lilpilin: T-That's insane! We all came here to fight! Not to pay for your failure with our lives!
Dee Eye Ell: This is an imperial order from the Emperor himself.
As Lilpilin gritted his teeth, someone called him from behind.
???: Chief. We have no choice but to obey the emperor's orders.
Lilpilin looks back and saw it was a female Orc.
Lilpilin: Lenju...
Lenju: I and 3,000 of my troops will gladly give up our lives. For the Emperor and our tribe.
As Lilpilin clinched his fists, Lenju held them.
Lenju: Lil. I believe. That the souls of not just humans, but the Orcs will be sent to heaven after they die. Let's meet again there someday.
As Lilpilin started to cry, he held her hand.
Lilpilin: I'm so sorry, Len... Forgive me... I'm so sorry...
As Dee Eye Ell looked at them with a disgusted look, Lenju and 3,000 of the Orcs all gathered near the ravine, as the Dark Mages surrounded them all.
Dark Mages: System Call: Transfer Human Unit Durability. Area to Self. Generate Umbral Element. From Element, Worm Shape.
As a dark field surrounded them, slowly, one by one, Orcs started to fall over and die. As Lilpilin watched in complete horror,
he looked at Lenju, who looked back at him with a smile on her face before she died as well. Seeing this, Lilpilin fell to the ground and, with tears streaming down his face.
Lilpilin: Damned humans...damned humans...! Curse those damned humans!
As Lilpilin dug into his face, as his right eye soon began to glow red.
(Elsewhere)
After discussing their plan of action, Alice, Renly, the back haired woman Integrity Knight and Bercouli along with the raid unit all started to head towards the ravine. As they are approaching, they soon heard the sound chanting of a Sacred Art.
Alice: This sound....is it group chanting of a formal art?! Impossible! There's not enough Sacred power left in this area to cast a large scale formal art!
As he thought, Bercouli soon realized what they were doing.
Bercouli: Those bastards! What have they done?
In the distance, a massive orb made of worms hovered over the Dark Mages.
Dee Eye Ell: What power! Ah, how magnificent! This devastating spatial power.
Dark Mage: Madam Chancellor, there are Integrity Knights approaching ahead.
Dee Eye Ell: This Deathworm curse attack can't be blocked by any sword or armor. You damned Integrity Knights...you'll see what we can do! Don't rush! Let them get close enough! Not yet...
As Alice and the others got closer, Dee saw this.
Dee Eye Ell: Now! Fire!
As the Dark mages launched the Deathworm attack at them, Bercouli saw this, quickly beginning to command everyone.
Bercouli: Get close and lure them this way! Pull up!
As they all pulled up, the Deathworm curse chased them, before splitting apart, as one half went for the raid unit.
Bercouli: No...!
As Alice then flew down to try and stop it, but saw in the distance, Eldrie flying towards them at full speed, shocking her.
Alice: Eldrie?!
As Eldrie past her,he flew directly towards the Deathworms, making Alice's eyes widened.
Alice: No! Eldrie!
As Eldrie ignored Alice's and pleas, he soon narrowed his eyes.
Eldrie: Divine Serpent of Ancient Times! If you clam to be the King of the Snakes, then let's see you devour that horde of mere worms completely!
As Eldrie took out his Frost Scale Whip, he flew into the air, looking at Alice.
Eldrie: Release Recollection!!!
As the worms chasing Bercouli and the others began to go for Eldrie as well, they both combined into one once more.
Eldrie: This way! You vile insects!
As Eldrie's whip split into thousands of Cobra heads, they all began to devour the worms, chasing him and as he flew around, dodging.
As as the Cobra heads continue to devoured them, they managed to catch up to him, latching onto his arm, decreasing his life, rapidly. Once it had drained to 0, as he felt his life slip away, he felt a hand push him forward, urging him to keep going, before he heard a voice speak to him, a voice he heard once before.
???: You determination... Your desire to protect... It needs no payment in return, does it? Love is not something you ask for, something you give and give and give, as it never runs out. Isn't that right?
Hearing this voice, Eldrie began to think of Alice and his love for her, he continued to push forward.
Eldrie: Not yet! I can't fall just yet!!!!
As Eldrie's life began to reach the negatives, the Deathworms continued to eat away at him, however through sheer willpower, he managed to endure all of the Deathworms as they devoured most of his body, causing him to fall off of Takiguri.
Eldrie: Lady Alice...
As an explosion occurred, Alice flew up to catch Eldrie as she could see what remained of his body through the fire.
Alice: Eldrie!!!!!
Alice continued to fly up at full speed, she continued desperately reaching for Eldrie.
Alice: ELDRIE!!!!!!!!
As Alice managed to catch Eldrie, she quickly landed on the ground with him in her arms.
Alice: Eldrie! Your eyes! Open your eyes! I won't allow it! You're not going to leave me like this!
Hearing her voice, Eldrie weakly opened his eyes and looked at Alice.
Eldrie: Mentor...are you safe...?
Alice: Yes. Yes, I am safe, thanks to you! Didn't I tell you that I needed you?
Eldrie: Lady Alice...there are more...far more people who need you. I was such a selfish person...to think I could keep you all to myself...
Alice soon held Eldrie tightly with tears streaming down her face.
Alice: I'll give you whatever you wish for! So come back! You're my Disciple, aren't you?
Eldrie: I already have more then enough...
Alice: Eldrie! Eldrie!
Eldrie weakly moved his arm up, wiping the tears off of Alice's face, as smiled at her.
Eldrie: Don't cry...Mo...ther...
As Eldrie drew his final breath, died within Alice's arms, his soul then started to fly into the sky, making Eldrie the second Integrity Knight casualty in the war. Aa Alice grabbed his Frost Scale Whip, she gripped it tightly and looked up completely furious.
Alice: After all the havoc you've wrecked... Don't think you're not going to pay! Amayori! Takiguri! Charge in full speed!
As Alice drew her sword and flew in along with Takiguri, full speed at the Dark mages, they flew above them all. Seeing this, Dee saw was completely shocked along with the other Dark Mages.
Dee: Retreat! All hands, retreat!
As the Dark Mages all started to run away terrified, Alice pointed her sword at them.
Alice: You're not getting away!!! Fire!!!!
Both Amayori and Takiguri fired off their blasts, killing multiple Dark mages, turning then to ash, as well as blowing Dee Eye Ell off her chariot. As she looked up and saw Alice above her, Alice's rage was not halted.
Alice: Enhance Armament!!!!
As Alice used her Armament Full Control, she began to rain down her flowers on the Dark Mages, causing Dee Eye Ell to look completely terrified and panic.
Dee Eye Ell: Shit!!! Damn!!! I'm not going to die! Not in a place like this! I'm going to be Empress of the World!
Without warning or hesitation, Dee Eye Ell implied her hands into the backs of two of her Dark Mages, as they looked back at her completely shocked.
Dark Mage#1: L-Lady...Dee!
Dark Mage#2: What are you....P-Please stop...
Dee Eye Ell completely ignores their pleas and looked up with a sadistic smile.
Dee Eye Ell: System Call!
After annihilating the Dark Mages, Alice hovered above them, giving her declaration.
Alice: My name is Alice! Integrity Knight Alice Synthesis Thirty! Proxy of the five gods who protect the Human Empire, the Priestess of Light! All those who stand before me, brace for my Holy authority to vanquish every last one of you!
In the distance, Gabriel had seen Alice and his eyes widened.
Gabriel: Alice...
Soon Gabriel grew a sadistic smirk on his face.
Gabriel: Alicia...