With the demon vanguard and the Legendary Red Dragon Sorcerer focused on the battlefield, this was their best chance to act.
The Villain Legion had assembled. Annan gave one final speech: "This may be the only chance you ever get to devote yourselves to something."
"You may not want to be good people, but this is an order. I won't let anyone's cowardice or carelessness make us fail." Annan swept his gaze over the Villain Legion, pausing on Lloyd for several seconds.
"But this is also your chance to clear your names. Complete the mission, and I don't care what mistakes you made before... Free City will take care of them."
"Your families, your enemies, your Loves... Free City will take care of them all."
"Don't look back. Move out!"
Enhancement spells rained down on the Villain Legion as though they cost nothing. They moved as fast as if they were on horseback, silently approaching the Black Rift's perimeter under cover of night.
Illymoyas and the Three Archmages stayed close behind Annan. He had no need to go himself, but with three Talismans on him, he could affect the mission's chance of success—and save some lives.
The Red Dragon Sorcerer and Andrius battled in the sky. On the ground, Meteor Showers, Blizzard Winds, Meteor Spells, and Rains of Fire crashed into the demon ranks. The demons endured the spells and clashed with the human soldiers.
Their roars and howls mingled with the soldiers' shouts and the clang of metal.
The battle wore on. Thanks to the Mage Corps' bombardment and the soldiers' coordination, the humans began to gain the upper hand, closing in on the Demon Vanguard from the edges of the battlefield.
Stray arrows fell among the demons. An arrow buried in a demon's chest burst into flame. A