Burning

The wind was biting, the sky was dark, and the nights in the Anzeta Great Wasteland were always cold and desolate—but today was different.

The trails of artillery fire ripped through the dark sky, weaving a shimmering, dazzling net that illuminated the earth as if it were daytime, and also revealed the hideous faces of the demons lurking in the darkness.

"Boom!"

"Boom! Boom!"

The artillery fire did not stop for a moment, nor did it decrease in frequency.

This is the current military strength of the Embers of the Burned Empire.

The war had been going on for a whole day, but the defenders of the Imperial Wall had not even run out of their stockpiled artillery shells, and ammunition was still being transported in from the north.

Amidst the surging Magic Tide, terrifying smiling faces flashed by.

These bat-winged, tall demons were only vaguely recognizable by their teeth and claws; the rest of them were hidden in the darkness, Become One the shadows.

They are Shadow Demon, known as hunters of the night.

It is said that when a particularly jealous soul is pulled into the Abyss, it transforms, splits, and recombines with other souls until a body that is nothing but jealousy and malice without any physical form appears—this is the Shadow Demon.

The Shadow Demon moved and flew through the shadows, easily dodging repeated artillery fire as they stepped into dangerous minefields.

They flew close to the ground like ghosts, unable to trigger the landmines at all. In just a few breaths, the Shadow Demon arrived in front of the Imperial Wall.

"Aww—"

"Hehehe, you cannot stop the Abyss."

A jumble of dark shadows moved across the land, Shadow Demon's deep, hoarse laughter echoed before the fortress, sending chills down one's spine.

In reality, they are looking for something to possess.

Rumors of demonic possession are common, often used by the ignorant to explain strange or violent behavior. While in most cases this merely manifests as madness or insanity, that's usually the work of the Shadow Demon.

When war comes, the Shadow Demon will possess enemy soldiers and generals, causing them to fall into suspicion and distrust of their own comrades.

Inside the bunker, Adelovel stared at the dark figures and instantly recognized their origin. He said urgently, "Those are Shadow Demon! We must find them as soon as possible! Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

However, the moment he spoke, several soldiers Imperial Wall revealed eerie smiles that were barely perceptible, and a faint black aura permeated their faces.

Dolo looked surprised, but remained calm. "Shadow Demon?"

Adelovel closed his eyes and cast several detection spells in succession. When he opened his eyes again, his silver pupils shone with starlight.

He explained solemnly, "This kind of demon is a combination of the power of the Abyss and the shadows. It can travel through the shadows and possess mortals. It is extremely difficult to deal with, unless..."

"Whoosh—"

Suddenly, a blinding light appeared, and a new sun appeared in the sky, enveloping an area of hundreds of meters in its God Domain radiance.

"No--"

"Aaaaaahhhhhh—"

"Damn mortals, how could you possibly possess such power!"

The possessed soldiers struggled and writhed on the ground, wisps of black smoke rising from their bodies, and twisted shadows howling mournfully.

Finally, as the twisted shadows turned to dust, the light completely Purification the Shadow Demon, leaving only bewildered possessed soldiers behind.

"A legendary-ranked Light Cleric."

Adelovel muttered to himself before continuing what he had been saying.

"Marshal Dolo, I have come to assist you in accordance with His Majesty's orders."

A woman holding a scepter and wearing a white robe with gold trim emerged from the light and nodded slightly in Dolo's direction as a sign of respect.

She is none other than Ingrid, the former Honorary Bishop of the Amanata Church and the current court Cleric of the empire.

"Thank you for your help, Ms. Ingrid."

Dolo greeted her in return, a hideous smile spreading across his face, revealing even the fangs at the corners of his mouth.

"You're too kind. This is all for the sake of the empire, and besides, exorcising demons is my duty."

Ingrid nodded again, giving a polite smile, her beautiful eyes sparkling.

Doro placed his hand on his chest and replied, "Of course, it's all for the Empire."

Adelovel's eyes widened in shock and disbelief— the Embers of the Burned Empire had actually recruited a legendary-level Light Cleric!

It should be understood that these beings are basically pure lawful good beings and would never endorse an empire, a force with aggressive and expansionist tendencies.

Ingrid also saw Adelovel beside her and said, "You must be Lord ' Guardian Scale,' the righteous warrior who has fought against demons for many years."

Adelovel said, quite pleased, "You flatter me, madam."

Then, Ingrid turned around, her eyes slowly closed, and she gradually floated in mid-air, placing the scepter horizontally in front of her chest.

When Ingrid opened her eyes again, golden-red flames were dancing in her pupils.

Gazing at the surging Magic Tide and dense artillery fire in the distance, Ingrid was filled with emotion and couldn't help but murmur to herself.

"Empire."

Years ago, during that battle, she was coerced by the emperor and forced to sign a contract under threat of death, to serve the empire for thirty years.

During these years, Ingrid witnessed the growth and expansion of the empire, saw the new life the emperor brought to the people, and also saw the dark side filled with bloodshed.

Later, she turned her attention to the brutal war in the south and lamented the deaths of the Fadlanites.

Even now, she is somewhat confused.

What is right? Those three self-proclaimed descendants of emperors, who claimed to have divine blood, started a war for their own selfish desires, causing countless people to lose their homes and lives.

On the contrary, this "Dragon Emperor" brought the Anzeta people a life of plenty and a new order to them.

Perhaps letting the Empire rule Fadlan is the right choice?

Whichever choice is correct, eliminating demons and resisting the invasion of the Abyss is never wrong.

Instead of pondering what the right path is, it's better to address the inevitable mistakes.

"Call"

Finally, Ingrid sighed, choosing to clear her mind of these distractions and focus solely on dealing with the approaching demon.

The Cleric raised her hand, and the scepter rose into the air with her movement, releasing endless radiance, like the sun rising in the night.

"Boom--"

As the radiant energy gradually gathered, a golden wall slowly rose from the ground, leaving no place for any demons hidden in the darkness to hide.

Even the Shadow Demon that were still moving in the shadows and trying to pass through the walls were instantly engulfed in flames, emitting painful roars and vicious curses.

The Wall of Light

"For the empire, or rather, for the world."

Ingrid hovered high in the air, her cold gaze fixed on the burning demons, and spoke in a low voice.