50.The Demon’s Revenge/Guardians of the Kingdom

Merslin and the Blood Elves had barely severed their demonic contract when a terrifying warning echoed across the sky. The heavens split open, flames erupting as an enormous voice boomed through the land.

The Demon's Wrath

A massive inferno tore through the sky, splitting the dark clouds apart. Within the raging flames, two ominous red eyes glowed menacingly. It was the embodiment of pure demonic fury.

"You traitors! How dare you defy me! I will make you suffer eternal torment!"

The earth trembled beneath Rubion as a tide of demonic forces began their descent. The city had not yet fully recovered from the last battle, but another catastrophe loomed.

Merslin felt the demonic energy surging through the air, gripping his staff tightly.

"He's coming… We have to stop him, no matter the cost."

Then, in an instant—

A massive army of demons began pouring from the skies.

The Battle of Rubion: The Demon's Onslaught

Thousands of demons rained down, darkening the already crimson sky. The city's protective barrier flickered under the intense pressure.

Standing atop the battlements, Merslin raised his staff toward the heavens.

"Reinforce the defenses! We cannot let them breach the walls!"

"Hold the line! There is no retreat!" — Lisa

"May the divine light protect us!" — Aria

As the fires of war raged, the desperate battle to defend Rubion began.

•Elena conjured massive walls of fire to block the enemy's advance.

•Lisa wielded her Sunblade, cutting down any demon that approached.

•Serena moved like a phantom in the shadows, eliminating enemy commanders.

•Aria cast healing spells, restoring strength to the wounded.

But the demons did not rely on brute force alone.

They were conducting a powerful summoning ritual, continuously calling forth more of their kin.

"Once the ritual is complete, true despair shall be unleashed!"

Merslin recognized the danger immediately. He had to stop it.

But then…

"No… My staff… It's losing power?"

The Aether Staff was nearly depleted.

In that moment of desperation, he recalled something—a final hope.

"The Unstoppable Dance of Sella, the Master of Dance."

"This… This might be the only way!"

Unrolling the ancient scroll, Merslin began chanting the incantation.

The Unstoppable Dance: A Rhythm No One Can Resist

A golden aura enveloped Merslin as he took a deep breath.

And then—

"Cause I-I-I'm in the stars tonight! So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight!" 

His feet moved instinctively to the rhythm. The battlefield itself seemed to shift with the beat.

The very air pulsed with magic.

The moment his foot touched the ground, waves of energy rippled outward, ensnaring everyone—friend and foe alike.

"What… What is this?!"

The demon general looked at his own body in horror.

He struggled, trying to resist…

But his body had already started moving.

Even the most powerful demons could not resist.

Elena's Realization: An Unstoppable Spell

Elena watched the battlefield in shock.

"Is this… truly irresistible?"

Ordinarily, powerful demons and dragons had immense resistance against curses and offensive magic.

But buff-type magic?

They had no defenses against it.

If this spell had been a debuff, the demon would have countered it immediately.

But this was a buff—a forced enhancement.

"No… This isn't a curse… Why can't I stop?!"

Elena's mind reeled.

"Did Merslin plan this? No… It must have been pure luck."

The Final Strike: Victory Amidst Chaos

"Now's our chance!" — Merslin

Lisa's Sunblade gleamed as she leaped into action.

"I've been waiting for this moment!"

Elena summoned a whirlwind of fire.

"Let's turn up the heat!"

Serena moved with deadly precision.

"Before this dance ends, we finish him!"

Merslin's body moved into position for the final sequence.

"I'm diamond, you know I glow up! Let's go!" 

Lightning surged at his fingertips.

"Thunder Strike!"

A crackling lightning spear shot forward, piercing the demon's core.

"Aaaaaaaarghhh!!!"

The demon let out a final, bloodcurdling scream before disintegrating into nothingness.

His army collapsed alongside him, their connection severed.

The End of War, A New Threat Arises

Aria fell to her knees, tears brimming in her eyes.

"…We did it."

Athanis, the leader of the Blood Elves, bowed his head in gratitude.

"We are finally free."

But then—

"Do you think you've won?"

A voice echoed from the void as the last remnants of the demon vanished.

"The true chaos has yet to awaken."

Merslin tightened his grip on his staff.

"A greater threat is coming…"

He took a deep breath, exhaustion weighing heavily on his body.

"We must prepare, no matter what."

**********

The grand plaza in front of the Royal Palace of Luminaria was overflowing with the energy of a grand celebration. Vibrant banners fluttered in the wind, and the streets were adorned with colorful flowers. Citizens gathered in elegant attire befitting the occasion—men wore finely embroidered silk robes, while women donned dazzling dresses adorned with precious jewels. High above, the crest of Luminaria—a dragon and a phoenix intertwined—fluttered proudly upon the towering castle walls, shimmering in the golden sunlight.

At the center of the palace, the royal throne stood magnificently adorned with gold and encrusted with gemstones, reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling display. Behind it, a massive canopy bore the symbol of Luminaria, and surrounding the king were noblemen and high-ranking officials, all standing solemnly. A mixture of authority and pride was etched upon the king's face.

The royal herald stepped forward and declared in a resounding voice,

"Presenting the heroes of Luminaria—Merslin and his companions!"

Merslin, Elena, Lisa, Serena, and Aria entered the plaza one by one. Though they wore simple attire, their dignified posture and unwavering gazes exuded the presence of true heroes. As Merslin walked, he observed the hopeful expressions of the gathered citizens, reminding him of the weight of the moment.

The king rose from his throne, his voice filled with grandeur.

"For your extraordinary courage and unwavering dedication in protecting Luminaria, today, I bestow upon you a great honor."

Merslin stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, I am honored beyond words. We merely did our duty."

The king smiled and nodded.

"Such humility… Very well. I now grant you the title of 'Guardians of the Kingdom.' This is not merely a recognition of your deeds, but also a symbol of the greater responsibility you will bear from now on."

The golden sashes were handed to each of them, embroidered with the title "Guardians of the Kingdom" alongside the royal crest of Luminaria. These sashes would forever remind the people of their achievements.

Elena accepted her sash, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Your Majesty, we are deeply grateful for this honor. We will continue to serve Luminaria with all our strength."

At that moment, the king's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Merslin and his companions.

"They are indeed great heroes… But heroes who grow too powerful can be dangerous."

A silent thought lingered in the king's mind as he examined them once more.

The crowd erupted into cheers, their joyous voices filling the air. An elderly man wiped tears from his eyes.

"Thanks to you, our village is safe. We owe you everything!"

A young girl ran up to Merslin, offering a bouquet of flowers.

"One day, I want to be a hero just like you!"

Yet, beneath the resounding cheers, whispers passed quietly between a few townspeople.

 "The Red Masked Group… They used to fight for us, didn't they?"

"But in the end, they turned to violence. No matter how noble their cause, their methods were unacceptable."

"…And what about the king? Were the high taxes truly justified?"

As the ceremony concluded and Merslin's group stepped back, the king turned to his advisors and spoke in a low, deliberate voice.

"Their achievements are commendable, but we must ensure that they do not disrupt the existing order. Their strength should serve the kingdom—not challenge it."

As they left the palace, Merslin and his companions found themselves deep in thought. Merslin let out a deep breath.

"What does this title truly mean for us? It feels like more than just an honor."

A sense of pressure settled upon him, as if the expectations placed upon them had suddenly become even heavier.

Lisa nodded in agreement.

"Yes, this title isn't just an award—it's a responsibility. The people now look up to us. We have to live up to their expectations."

She had already begun considering their next steps, planning how they could continue to support the people.

Serena, lost in thought, murmured,

"The love and trust we've received… How do we balance that with the burden of this responsibility?"

She recalled the scars and exhaustion from past battles, wondering how they could fight more wisely in the future.

Elena, ever optimistic, smiled reassuringly.

"As long as we stand together, we can overcome any challenge. We can meet the people's expectations while staying true to our beliefs."

She was confident that their friendship and teamwork would allow them to triumph over whatever lay ahead.

Aria, her gaze warm and gentle, spoke softly.

"Our true strength doesn't come from our magic or weapons—it comes from our trust in each other. As long as we have that, nothing can stand in our way."

She understood the power of belief and hoped their bond would only grow stronger.

Merslin, now resolved, clenched his fist.

"You're right. This is about more than just slaying monsters. We have to become the hope of the people. We have to prove that their faith in us is not misplaced."

Determination burned in his eyes as he looked at his companions. No matter how difficult the journey ahead, as long as they stood together, they could overcome anything.

As they walked forward, preparing for the challenges ahead, the cheers of the citizens continued to echo behind them. Within the rising voices of admiration and expectation, Merslin and his companions reaffirmed their resolve.

The road ahead would not be easy. But no matter how heavy the burden, they would face it together.