Chapter 73: Warrior’s Virtue

The battlefield was engulfed in chaos.

Humans and demons clashed with unparalleled ferocity, their cries of rage and pain echoing across the plains.

Blood flowed on both sides, staining the ground and testifying to the intensity of a struggle where neither side was willing to yield.

Every soldier, whether human or demon staked their life on this battle, determined to triumph or die with honor.

At the center of this fierce conflict, Marcus and Ilyud were locked in an extraordinary duel.

Each exchanged blow sent tremors through the air, and nearby combatants instinctively moved away, aware of the danger posed by these two opposing forces.

Marcus leaped backward, his boots slamming heavily against the ground.

He closed his eyes for a moment, his breathing deepening.

He focused his magic, letting it flow through every fiber of his being. Intense heat surrounded him as his body was engulfed in flames.

 "I can't afford to lose here..." he murmured to himself.

Then, in a flash of fire, he vanished and instantly reappeared behind Ilyud.

Caught off guard the demon attempted to block, but two of his six arms were severed in an instant by Marcus's flaming sword.

A roar of pain escaped his mouth as black blood spurted from his wounds.

Realizing the danger, Ilyud suddenly unleashed his demonic aura—an oppressive, dark energy that sent Marcus flying backward.

The knight crashed violently against an ancient elven structure, the impact causing a thunderous crash as part of the building crumbled.

Smoke and debris filled the air, momentarily obscuring the battlefield.

But through the chaos, a silhouette slowly emerged.

Marcus stood up, spitting out a trickle of blood, an unyielding smile on his lips.

"Hahaha! This is what it means to be human… You thought you could crush me, but look at me, demon."

Ilyud his turtle-like head now marked with battle scars, narrowed his eyes as he studied this relentless human.

"You seem entertained Knight Marcus. It appears we are evenly matched."

Marcus wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and thought silently.

 "This superhuman strength… Is this another work of Woltuk Koldor? This demon could never reach such a level without sinister magic. I must stay focused. The slightest hesitation, and he will kill me."

He cast a quick glance around. The battle raged on all sides. The knights of Ednia fought valiantly against the demons, but losses were mounting on both sides. Corpses littered the ground, silent witnesses to the brutality of war.

Demonic Arrogance

Marcus turned his gaze to Ilyud, observing his severed limbs regenerating, flesh and bone reforming at an unnatural speed.

 "Ilyud" Marcus said gravely, "you don't seem particularly affected by the fate of your soldiers."

The demon let out a deep, thunderous laugh.

"Why should I care human? .Unlike you, I do not grow attached to my subordinates their only purpose is to die so we may triumph."

He paused a smirk of arrogance on his lips.

 "Defeated or dead demons are worthless those who cannot survive war are useless.

On the battlefield only the strongest deserve to live that is the only rule that matters."

Marcus listened to these words, his expression unreadable.

 "So you admit it," he said calmly "your soldiers are nothing more than tools to you.

And you, demon… Do you truly believe you can win this battle?"

Despite his cynical words, Ilyud was a proud demon.

Before his defeat in Ednia, he had been the second-in-command of the fearsome demon Giyard fighting by his side in countless wars.

After his humiliating return to Katakiel, he had sworn revenge.

Prince Niolz had given him a golden opportunity to join the campaign to conquer the Azulferia Federation, reclaim Ednia and crush those who had shamed him.

Returning to the present moment, Ilyud observed Marcus with renewed intensity.

 "Marcus" he said "I am a great demon warrior.

Whether I live or die does not matter. Even the greatest races, even the immortals, eventually disappear so I choose to live for the thrill of battle hahaha!"

Marcus, somewhat surprised by this declaration, lowered his head briefly in thought. Then he looked up, a respectful smile forming.

 "I see. If that is the warrior's path you have chosen, then I can only respect it."

The flames around Marcus flared even brighter, burning with an almost unbearable heat.

"Ilyud" Marcus declared solemnly, "I recognize you as a true warrior."

Ilyud burst into laughter.

 "Hahaha! Interesting. I respect your strength as well, knight of Ednia. But know this—I will kill you. And as long as I live I will alway remember you."

Without another word, the two combatants lunged at each other, their attacks ringing out like explosions.

Marcus cloaked in fire, clashed against Ilyud and his six regenerated arms, each wielding a deadly weapon.

Their blows fell like meteor strikes, shaking the earth around them while the brutal war between the human and demon armies continued to tear the battlefield apart.