Preparation
(At Night, In the City Lord Mansion)
"Ms. Leviantine, it's an honor to have you here."
"Don't be so courteous, Lord Arcavdol. I'm here on orders of the Queen." Samara said.
Count Liam smiled, but he kept a respectful and humble attitude, and desperately tried to ignore her stunning beauty. Of course he looks 10 years older than her but in reality, they were a mile apart. Being a Demigod, once they transcended into one, their age of appearance stops, halting their appearance until they die for the next thousands of years. While Samara was over 200 years of age, her appearance is more like in her early 30s.
"To be honest, I'm surprised. When I heard that the Queen was going to send a Demigod here, I was not expecting The Queen's most trusted royal guard! Also known as the Captain of the Order of the Church of the Golden Dawn herself!"
Samara just looked briefly at the Count and ignored his obvious attempt to flattery.
"How is the situation?" She asked.
The Count then proceeded to explain everything to Samara.
Samara frowned. And when she heard that the estimate of enemies was between one hundred thousand and two million monsters, she scowled.
"One hundred thousand or two million? How can your intelligence be so inaccurate and shitty?"
Count Liam Arcavdol smiled wryly, "In fact, our intelligence indicates that the number is around one hundred thousand, but... This morning, someone came here and told me that the number is actually two million."
"Someone? Is that person reliable?"
"I think so." Liam nodded, "However, I have been unable to confirm his words."
Samara furrowed her brows. It seemed that it was right of her to come here.
Samara was the personal Bodyguard of the Queen, she could be considered as the Leader of a force from one of the largest religious factions. She was a Saint Demigod that took care of most of the military matters in both the kingdom and the church.
Thus, she normally would not be sent to this kind of mission, if it were, she would only just be sending a small number of Legendary Realm combatants and one Transcendence Demigod in here, but she is only here for one reason. Being here is not just helping the city from the horde of monsters. No, that's not her real purpose, her real purpose of being here is to find something or someone... or a group of people of course according to her Queen's orders.
But hearing that two million monsters were about to attack the city, even she could not remain calm.
"Have you evacuated the citizens?"
Liam turned embarrassed, "We were too short on time. Besides, I didn't want to cause panic and chaos."
"I see. I need to know tomorrow's defensive strategy. But first, I will take a look at the situation and confirm the number of enemies."
"I understand." The Count bowed respectfully.
At that moment, though, he put on a hesitating expression.
"Ms. Leviantine, can I ask you a personal question?"
"Hm? Do ask."
"Does the surname Barrus, or Cunningham ring a bell?"
"Barrus and Cunningham? That is a very unusual surname, especially the last one that I first thought pronounced Cummingham." Samara then fell silent and started to think.
"I don't remember any noble families or hidden families with that surname. At least, there is none nearby. Except there is a name for the Kunninghun family from the Saraleves Kingdom in the Great Isthmus Region, but I don't think any of them ever want to go to Goldrose due to the two kingdom's relationship and other political reasons."
"Is it so?" The Count fell deep in thought.
"Why the question?"
"Huh? No, nothing. I was just curious about something."
"Mhm..."
Well, that question is out-topic, but for some reason, she couldn't help but feel a strange feeling hearing the surname Barrus and Cunningham. But she just shook her head and forgot it.
———
"So in other words, will we be a response force?"
"Yes. Father thought that it's the best position for you three. Although it will be a bit risky to face the monsters that pass through the defense line, the risk is less than in the frontlines."
Basically nodded. To be honest, he was happy with this arrangement. This way, he could try to protect as many civilians as possible.
"You will be behind the defense line in the north of the city with another three parties. Also, although there are parties in the other parts of the city, you must be ready to reinforce them if the situation turns dangerous."
"Uh huh..." Basically simply nodded. "I understand. Don't worry, I know what to do... Mr. Herald, can I ask how the situation is?"
"Things are not looking good. Yesterday, our intelligence went to recheck the situation and they confirmed that the number of monsters is over two million… It looks like your words were right, Mr. Cunningham."
He continues, "Fortunately, the kingdom sent a particularly strong Demigod this time. You will not believe it, but they sent The Queen's most royal guard! Can you believe it? With her, I'm sure we will manage to defend against the monster wave in a matter of minutes."
"Oh? You said it's a 'her'?"
"Wait, you don't know who she is?? She is a powerful Saint Demigod, she is also from the Leviantine family! She became the Holy Paladin after her father Grave Leviantine. Her monstrous level of talent, abilities, strength, and skills makes her reach third place of being the most powerful demigods in the continent."
"Oh, I see. But I don't really know her because I came from a very very far country, nah, so I don't think I know her much." Basically says, trying to hide his suspicions.
"Okay, understandable. Well, I have to go, Mr. Cunningham. The monster wave will arrive in four hours. So get ready for them."
"Right."
———
(In Another Part of the City)
"Don't worry, Gracie. You'll be safe here." Stella patted her little sister's head with a smile.
"I know, sis. Be careful." Stella smiled gently. She took something out of her shirt and put it on Gracie's hand. "Take this communication item with you. If something happens, tell me."
"I understand. Worry not sister, I'll be safe :) "
Stella nodded with a frown. For some reason, she felt strangely jittery today.
"Then, I'm going." With a last smile, Stella turned around and left for the battle then vanished like a ghost in front of Gracie's sight.
Gracie saw her sister left with a smile. Her smile was more beautiful and brighter than ever.
Even when her sister was far away, she was still smiling.
"It's better like this, sister. It's better like this." Gracie whispered.
Gracie knew that if she asked her sister to stay, Stella would stay.
However, she did not do so.
Only one of them was the target of the shadows. Her sister must not come to harm due to her.
"I wonder if the heroes will come for me."
With that last whisper, Gracie closed her eyes.
———
(In the Walls of Kalren City)
Thousands of Adventurers were standing nervously. They were looking towards the horizon, waiting for the attack to start.
Delirious was among them. His body was standing straight, and both of his hair and jacket were blown by the wind as he held both of his dual weapons. He seemed like a heroic warrior ready for an epic battle.
But despite his battle-ready stance, his face had a dazed expression.
"Are you alone, young man?" A young guard beside him asked curiously.
Delirious was startled, but he quickly recovered and nodded.
"Yeah! I am ready to face the upcoming flames of war and chaos, the blood of my enemies has been shivering upon my lust, as today marks the beginning to the end..." Delirious spoke in his weird quotes. "The flames of war shall develop this city leaving nothing but devastation in its wake from the horde of beast, but the great Delirious will save this town and the hoochies will fu-!"
"Dear gods, can you even shut the hell up with your babblings!?" The young soldier yelled in annoyance.
He's not the only one though as many other people in the surrounding look at Delirious weirdly.
"Well, it doesn't matter. Stay close to your mother, she will be sure to protect you when the monsters come under your bed. Haha!" Another soldier said mockingly.
Delirious frowned deeply, he wanted to kill that bastard right now, but it was not the time when there are millions of monsters just a few kilometers from them.
But if Delirious knew a lot more about cultivation ranks, he would laugh very hard when he sees that the young man was just at the intermediate-stages of Rank 1, equivalent to a
"Yeah yeah, I bet you are the first person to die in this battle."
"What did you say?"
"Hey Bob! Keep it down! That is not the time for messing around with adventurers. The city was about to burn and we have to defend it in our lives!"
Ignoring the arguments behind him, Delirious then uses a binocular through the huge grassy field that leads to the dark forest before he then spotted a black line that suddenly appeared on the horizon.
In his sight, thousands upon thousands of monsters, or far more are advancing furiously towards the walls to destroy the city.
The Adventurers, Hunters, and Guards turned pale. Some of them even started to shake when they saw the great number of monsters marching towards them.
But Delirious just kept his serious look. Clenching his fist, he smiled in such a way that created a terrifying aura around him, making all the people around him feel intimidating.
'I'm not even sure if I can see Liz and my childrens again.'
———
(In Another Part of the City)
Count Liam Arcavdol and his son, together with the three Legendary Realm warriors of the city and some other important people were standing behind a blonde woman with a stunning look.
Samara, The Queen's Royal Guard, looked at the wave of monsters coming towards them.
Despite the overwhelming number of monsters, her expression did not change. As a Saint Demigod, Samara did not fear the monsters in the slightest.
"I'm sure I will remember this sight for a long time." Samara muttered. She then unsheathed her great longsword that was locked onto her curvy waist and walked until the edge of the city wall.
"Lord Arcavdol, how are the preparations?"
"Everything is ready. We have twenty thousand people ready to fight the monsters, and with the help of the city walls and you Ms. Leviantine, we are confident in defeating them."
Samara nodded. That is good. Make sure to keep the casualties at the minimum. The kingdom can't afford to lose much of its combat force.
"I understand." Count Liam replied seriously.
"Very well, I'm off then."
As soon as she spoke, the Captain of the Holy Paladins took a step forward.
But instead of falling to the ground, she stepped in the air as though she was stepping on an invisible foothold.
Then, she kicked the air.
And rushed towards the monsters at Massively Hypersonic Speeds.
The Count and the others looked at that scene with both envious and surprised expressions.
"So that is a demigod, huh. How powerful." The buff man said.
The mage woman nodded, "Just the fact that she can fly makes her almost invincible against non-demigod opponents. Unfortunately, there is a huge gap between Legendary Realm experts and Demigods. I don't know if I have a chance to bridge that gap in my lifetime."
The other Legendary Realm expert nodded.
Seeing such speed. To be honest, not even Count Liam himself and the other three warriors couldn't catch the speed. If all of them faced her at once, no matter if they were extremely smart, clever, cunning, or worked together in a very organized manner, no doubt that they wouldn't last long in less than a minute.
Even facing an army of a hundred Legendary Realm combatants and mages or more against one Saint Demigod, no less it will be a total massacre.
At that moment, a man approached the Count and told him something in his ear.
Liam was startled, but quickly, his expression turned to one of contemplation.
Then, he looked at the three Legendary Realm experts beside him.
"My friends, can you help me with a little thing?"
———
Gracie was sleeping on a table. Her chocolate brown hair rested against the table and she moved up and down slowly.
But suddenly, she frowned in her sleep.
Cold sweat flowed on her forehead, and her face turned pale. It was as though she was experiencing something incredibly frightening.
Less than one minute later, she opened her eyes.
"I wonder if I can change fate." Gracie furrowed her brows. She could feel the shadows approaching her. There was not much time left.
However, Gracie did not want to give up so easily. So, she stood up and walked towards the entrance.
"Even if it can't be changed, I must not give up."
With such resolute words, she left the house.
Strangely, none of the people guarding her noticed when she left.
But then...
...the shadows were quickly approaching.
———
A/n: Hope y'all notice, Samara is the character back at Chapter 5 and 6, I changed Samantha's name to 'Samara' because the meaning behind it like "Guardian or Protected by God" seems fitting for her character.