Chapter 16: Saint of the Battlefield

Saint of the Battlefield

In search of clues to help with the treasure search initiated by Tiana, the group of heroes decided to head to the royal capital.

(For Tiana's sake, I just need to get some information about the treasure...)

With this in mind, Alto accepted her proposal.

The unofficial request he made earlier was also intended to question the kingdom.　

However, the heroes were contacted by a certain person, as if to obstruct their journey.

They were about to depart from the inn where they had been staying for a long time.

He is a spy for the kingdom who mediated the unofficial request.

The man claiming to be a spy had made a second request.　

"Beyond this city, there is a stalemate in the conflict zone. There has been some movement among the demons. We would like to ask the hero to please assist our country's garrison..."

"Hmm... if it can help the people of this country... I think I'd be happy to accept the request."

Alto readily agreed to the request.　

Asha and Erina stand on either side of him.

They tilt their heads, look at each other, and shrug.

"Alto is still as good-natured as ever."

The two seem to have a mutual understanding of his character.　

"Another unofficial request? I accepted your last request for the sake of this city... but I was skeptical. Just be glad that Erina-san is vouching for your identity."

However, Tiana wondered if he had any concerns about the fact that the previous request was also unofficial.

It would be best to ask him about his true intentions before going to the royal capital.　

"I am truly sorry for testing you all, especially the Saintess, at that time... There were many in the country who doubted the Hero's strength. If you were offended, I would like to apologize again on behalf of the country."

Even if it was just for this occasion, he would apologize on behalf of the country. Only a select few people are capable of doing such a thing.

Even within the kingdom's public security agencies, this man seems to hold a fairly high-ranking position.　

“And so, nobles were able to understand our capabilities… well, it was true that the lord was a traitor… so in the end, it was a great achievement that we were able to eliminate him. The kingdom employs excellent spies…”　

Tiana gave the spy a sarcastic compliment.　

"How honorable. This time, the unofficial client is the kingdom. If you wish... I can also prepare an official document with the kingdom's seal. I would be very grateful if you could kindly assist me, Saint of the church."　

The man explained to Tiana, looking embarrassed.

The way he spoke to her was far more humble than the way he spoke to the hero Alto.　

"I understand. Of course, I was planning to go if Alto-san agreed."

"Really?! That's a relief... if everyone can help! The soldiers of the garrison, and even the king, will be very happy!"

The heroes immediately headed to the conflict zone accompanied by a guide sent by the spy.

During the journey, the guide provided them with as much information as possible, such as the strength of their allies and enemies.

After a while, Alto and his friends finally arrived at their destination, the fort in the conflict zone.

By this time, many soldiers were intercepting the demons with their backs to the fort.

War had already begun with the invading demons.

Demons are often stronger than humans.

On this battlefield, while demons are greatly outnumbered by humans, they make up for it with individual strength.　

Of course, the kingdom's guards are no fools.

Against a single demon, multiple humans deal with it.

Archers and a small number of mages are also providing covering fire from the fort.

That's why they have been able to maintain their front lines so well up until now.

But that was until now.

Faced with the strength of the demons, they were gradually pushed back.

One by one, the soldiers begin to drop.

It was only a matter of time before the front line collapsed.　

Then a group of heroes arrived.

Not only the hero, but also the church saint and princess knights also come to their aid.

This was a great inspiration to the soldiers on the front lines.

Their morale was soaring.　

Furthermore, the hero Alto and the others performed in a manner that was hard to believe was their first battle.

The frontline hero Alto and princess knight Erina charge at the demons.

This caused great confusion among the enemy camp.

Saint Tiana followed the two front-guards, finding wounded soldiers and administering healing magic.

Meanwhile, the magician Asha... her boastworthy area magic can also hit her allies, so she focused on providing support.　

The tide of battle turned and the demons began to retreat.

"This is our chance! Let's find the enemy commander and attack him!"　

Hero Alto left Erina and Tiana behind and tried to penetrate deeper into the enemy camp.

He was a bit high after his first successful battle in war.

"Alto-san! It's dangerous! You're going too far forward! Please step back for a moment!"　

Tiana scolds the brave and courageous Alto.

Still, he doesn't stop and continues to push forward.

Tiana called out to Alto desperately.

Without even noticing the enemy sneaking up on behind her.　

"Alto-san! Get back! Alto-san! Fall back! Al-- ugh!?　

"How careless of you to show your weakness on the battlefield, Saint-sama?"　

Bzshhh...　

"--, cough!"

Someone's arm pierced Tiana's chest.

Her fresh blood stained the pure white cassock.

"This is revenge for what happened back then. Hehe... You were so shocked that you couldn't even use you special healing magic! Hehehe... I killed her! I killed her! I have slain the saint of the church! The honor belongs to me, Satya, the Demon King's greatest vassal! Ahahahahaha!"

It was the demon woman who was in collusion with the city's lord.

"What?! Tiana...? Tianaaaaaaa!!!"

"... Guff... Guff..."

Tiana was convulsing from the shock of having her body penetrated.

She repeatedly vomits blood and her whole body twitches.

"Hahaha! We weren't able to take this fortress or the town beyond, but we still got a good harvest. We were saved by the hero's stupidity! As a reward for our efforts, we will take the remains of this saint! Ahahahaha!!"

The demon woman had fled the battlefield in the blink of an eye.

Still holding the bloody Tiana.

"Damn it...! Alto! You idiot! Pull yourself together! The battle isn't over yet!"

Erina scolds Alto.

Alto, who had been stunned, immediately regained his composure and readied his sword.

"Shit! Shit! Shittttttttt!!!"

He fought with all his heart.

By the time he realized it, many of the demon soldiers had retreated and withdrawn from the battlefield.

With the help of the heroes, the fort did not fall.

The kingdom's request was fulfilled with its defense.

The mood of the three when they returned to the fort was, to put it mildly, terrible.

The heroes had solemn expressions on their faces, which was hard to believe for the MVPs of the defense.　

"Alto! It's your fault... it's all your fault!! We shouldn't have accepted this request! You're too involved! It's all your fault! Because of you, Tiana.... My Tiana!"

In the heavy atmosphere, Asha grabbed onto Alto.

With a fierceness no one had ever seen before, she approached Alto, tears streaming down her face.

"...I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry..."

Alto looked down and muttered something.

It was an apology, but it was unclear who it was directed to.　

"Asha, please don't blame Alto too much. If that's the case, then I'm just as guilty for not being able to protect Tiana..."　

Unable to bear it any longer, Erina comes to Alto's defense.

However, it was also a time of repentance for his own failure.　

"No, no, no...Tiana...Tiana...Uh...Uh...Uhh. Ahhhh..."　

Asha could only lament helplessly.

The three decided to stay at the fort that day.

The demons' headquarters is majestic yet exudes a dark atmosphere.

And at the center of it all is the castle, the Audience Hall.

The demon woman came over, carrying Tiana's body.　

Satya is a female demon who boasts of her own abilities and beauty.

She went to report the results of the battle and to meet with the leader of the demons.　

"Demon King! Although we were unable to capture the enemy fortress, we achieved a great victory! Look! The hated saint of the church! I have defeated that woman!"　

The leader of the demons in this generation was a wise man.

In addition, he was a good-looking man.

The man looked at the demon woman in front of him.　

"Oh... is that the one that was in bloody mess beside you?"　

The Demon King pointed at a blood-stained woman who appeared to be a priestess lying next to Satya.

"That's right! If you take this into consideration, I think this will be an even greater success than sieging the fort!"　

"So Satya, I have a question for you."　

"Yes! What can I do for you?"　

"Isn't that a little too lively to be called a corpse?"

"Huh?"

Satya was confused by the Demon King's unexpected statement.

"Hey human woman, stop pretending to be asleep. There's not even a little wound on you right?"

"...Ah? You've seen through me? You're amazing, as expected of the Demon King. You know everything, huh..."　

There, wearing a blood-stained robe, was Tiana, looking nonchalant as she standing up while dusting her butt.

"Huh!? You! Why are you still alive!? I already pierced your chest with my hands!!"　

Satya was so shocked that she fell to her bottom, pointing at Tiana.

She seemed very flustered, which was hard to believe considering her priorities were the most important thing.　

"I have always wanted to have an audience with the Demon King, the leader of the demons... I thought this would be a good opportunity... so I had you bring me here. Tehe!"

Tiana showed no remorse and charmed the demon king.　

"......"　

Satya, who claims to be the most powerful and beautiful of all demons, was speechless with her eyes rolled back.　

"Kufufu... Kuhahahahaha! I never thought that the one known as the Saint would be, hehe... This kind of person! Hehe... You're actually entertaining me to my surprise!"

The Demon King was laughing, holding his stomach.

Tiana was smiling as well.　

Satya's mouth was agape.