Black Gooey Mass

*WHOOSH*

The wave of Aura flew as it cut through the air. The Aura Blade reached the black mass, but it didn't damage it.

'Right...it's a liquid. Slashing attacks won't damage it. Damn, I really am an idiot aren't I? Anyway, whatever that thing is, I don't think my knights and I can handle it. 'He' can probably solve this. The only problem is I need to buy time until 'he' arrives.'

William pulled out a piece of rolled paper and a blue gemstone from the Magic Pouch that was tied to his waist. He unrolled the paper and spread it out on the ground, revealing an intricate design drawn on its surface. It was a magic circle.

"Ahh, man! This is 6 months' worth of my salary. *Sigh*, no choice but to bear with it. You can cry on the bed later, William. Let's do this!!"

He placed the blue gemstone in the center of the magic circle. The blue gemstone started crumbling immediately, leaving specks of light hovering in the air. The specks of light were then absorbed by the magic circle below, activating it. The magic circle faintly glowed.

Just then, a small black cat-like creature materialized on top of the magic circle. As if it was burned to ashes, the scroll containing the magic circle disappeared.

'There it is... 6 months of hard work gone. Why are summoning scrolls too expensive!! Damn those money-grubbing mages!!!' William sniffled.

"Hi there, little Night Crawler. Go to the Montampes Estate and go inside the unnecessarily big house. Inside find a very old butler that looks like he's about to breathe his last and give him this." William gave a small rolled-up note to the summons creature. The latter held it with its mouth and it nodded to William.

Night Crawlers. A 5-star monster that is usually docile and will attack only when threatened. Their strength is only around 3-stars at most, but their frightening speed is the reason why they are ranked at 5-stars. They are nocturnal creatures as they use the darkness as a medium to perform their feats of incredible speed and agility, hence the name 'Night Crawler'. They can take the shape of many forms, but the most common one is the form of a cat. Their speed is halved in the day, but they still shouldn't be underestimated as even under the light of day they are still incredibly fast.

The summoned Night Crawler nodded its tiny head as it sprinted in a blur, leaving a black smoke-like trail.

'Hmm... judging by the distance between Leghorn and the manor... maybe 3 minutes before the Night Crawler reaches him?'

William turned back his attention towards the mass of black gooey liquid that has now tripled in size. The undead army was almost gone, the remaining undead was following in the footsteps of their predecessors and were devoured by the black mass.

William equipped the shield that was strapped on his back as he watched the black mass continue to grow bigger from devouring undead.

The adventurers, mercenaries, and city guards were all evacuated back into the city by William's orders. The Griffin Knight members at the Neophyte and Chromatic stage were also sent back behind city walls. William and the three members at the same stage as him—which is the 3rd stage—stayed on the battlefield.

"Alright guys, whatever that thing is it's too strong for any of us. I've already sent a summoned Night Crawler for backup."

"A Night Crawler? Do you mean he's going to come out?" Rebecca, one of the 3rd stage knights asked.

"Yeah... time for the Crimson Devil to come out once more," William smirked.

"It's been 6 years since the last time he took action right?" Mike, also one of the 3rd stage knights asked.

"Yes. The incident at that time was quite serious. His Grace almost caused a rebellion." Blande, the last of the three knights accompanying William spoke in a monotone voice, but one could hear lingering fear behind his words.

"Alright alright, enough chitchat."

William took a deep breath as he reactivated his Aura. A gentle mint green energy wrapped around his body and equipment.

"We have to buy time for 'him'. We need to hold whatever appears for 3 minutes. Don't try to beat it, just distract it. Prioritize your lives... I don't want to lose comrades who fought by my side again."

"""SIR, YES SIR!!""" The three knights all responded simultaneously as they all activated their Aura.

***

Back at the Montampes manor. Weiss is giving reports about the duchy to Duke Montampes in the Duke's office.

"Lastly, there were suspicious hooded figures spotted in the south-eastern edge of the Triangle last month. No one knows who they are. They may or may not be connected to the mercenaries who broke in last week. I do not have enough information to confirm my guesses, so I implore Your Grace to permit me to send my forces to investigate."

The Duke, who was listening to Weiss, stood up from his chair and looked through the window behind him. There he saw his daughter, Rosaline, as hyperenergetic as always. Running around the garden with her maid Rachel right behind her. Rosaline tripped every once in a while, but she didn't let those mishaps stop her as she takes off into a sprint once again with a joyful smile on her face.

Duke Montampes' stern face softened as he watched the scene. Fond memories flashed through his mind. His face scrunched up soon after with cold determination in his eyes. He spoke to his loyal butler without looking back, "Do what you must. I will not lose Rosaline as I did 'her'.". The last sentence was spoken in a murmur, but Weiss' ears still picked it up and heard what he said.

Weiss put his hand across his chest as he bowed saying, "As you wish, My Lord."

Just as Weiss was about to leave a ball of black smoke phased through the window Duke Montampes was facing. It whizzed right past him and stopped in front of Weiss. It was the Night Crawler sent by William.

The Duke and the butler were both surprised. Weiss took the note held by the Night Crawler. The Night Crawler, now finished its job, disappeared into a puff of black smoke. The black smoke soon disappeared after, leaving no traces of the Night Crawler's existence.

Weiss read the note. He repeated the words in the note to the Duke.

"Your Grace, I-"

"Go."

"Understood."

Weiss disappeared from where he was standing. Duke Montampes sighed after that.