Rising Of The Blind Swordsman

Declaration of War

Archon seethed with unexplainable anger, his heart consumed by a pure hatred for the Blade family who had abandoned and treated him as nothing more than trash. Unfortunately, fate had brought him face to face with his brother here. He knew this encounter would come sooner or later, but for now, he wasn't prepared to confront them. His purpose in Beron City remained distinct and unwavering.

"Hmp, morons," a man sneered, stepping forward accompanied by a group of fifteen hooded figures. These individuals were Mages, specifically Earth Mages, distinguished by their brown robes, denoting their specialization in earth magic.

Mages, were known for their pride and love of ostentation, always adorned themselves in mysterious robes, the colors indicating their elemental expertise.

The leader of this particular group was Regal, son of a renowned high-ranking Mage in the Magical region. Known for his cocky demeanor and womanizing tendencies, Regal exuded confidence as he commanded, "Take formation, Earth Wall!"

The Mages swiftly arranged themselves in a circle, pressing their palms against the ground in unison. "Earth Wall!" they chanted, causing the very ground in Beron City to tremble. Regal smirked, casting a glance at the women present, before raising a crystal and began to chant, "Bless be the maiden of the earth, Iron Shield!"

The earthen wall underwent a remarkable transformation, transmuting into pure iron. But it didn't stop there. Large iron spikes sprouted from the wall, enhancing both its defensive and offensive capabilities. It was an impressive display of powerful magic, a formidable barrier.

It didn't take long for the horde of Horned Boars to reach the iron shield. The resounding collisions that followed revealed the immense strength possessed by these beasts. For approximately twenty minutes, the clash persisted, until an unexpected silence descended upon the scene. Confusion swept through the people witnessing this spectacle. Had the iron shield managed to withstand the onslaught of the horned boars?

Regal stood proudly, flexing his muscles, relishing in the belief that he alone could handle these creatures. As he boastfully extolled his own strength, a thunderous crash shattered the air, abruptly interrupting his self-praise.

Archon turned to Lady Zina, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "It's a formidable one, a rank four. What should we do?"

"We cannot leave now, Archon," Lady Zina responded with conviction. "There are many innocent lives at stake within the city."

"I thought as much," Archon replied, a knowing smile crossing his lips.

The iron shield finally succumbed, revealing its frailty to all present. Panic swept through Regal and the surrounding onlookers. It was evident that this horned boar was no ordinary creature. Standing amidst the debris and dust, the colossal humanoid beast possessed a boar-like head adorned with two horns protruding from its mouth and another two from its forehead. Towering at nine feet tall, its muscular physique exuded an aura of pure strength.

An ear-splitting roar erupted from the beast, causing the entire vicinity to tremble in its wake. A horde of horned boars, consisting of both rank two and rank three creatures, began their relentless advance into the city.

Their numbers were twice that of the previous rank one army, rendering the previous skirmish a mere precursor. Lady Zina couldn't help but worry. In a matter of days, she had encountered two highly intelligent beasts—an uncommon occurrence, as beasts were typically devoid of intelligence, with only a few rare exceptions, such as the eight beast generals.

For now, the mercenaries stood locked in a stalemate with the beasts. They valiantly clashed, striving to hold back the relentless onslaught. However, the odds were against them. One by one, the adventurers fell, their bodies joining the grisly landscape of ruined buildings and spilled blood.

Among the chaos, only twenty survivors remained, including Archon, Lady Zina, Zeld, and Regal.

The air reeked of death as the fallen adventurers and slain beasts lay scattered about. The survivors had attempted retreat numerous times, but the cunning creatures had surrounded them, trapping them within a tightening circle. It became clear that their objective was not to attack the survivors directly, but rather to isolate and subdue them.

"The humans in the city have met their demise," the rough voice of the rank four horned beast resounded, shattering the silence that had settled upon the battlefield.

Everyone was struck with disbelief. The arduous battle they had fought, sacrificing themselves to buy time for the evacuation of civilians, now appeared futile.

How could this monstrous beast claim to have slaughtered them all? It made no sense. They were certain that no other beast had breached their defenses, unless there was a hidden force lurking beyond the city's borders.

Panic gripped the mercenaries as they realized the dire situation they were in.

One man, overwhelmed with terror, cried out, "Will he finish us off? I shouldn't have come here. I have a son!"

In a swift and brutal motion, the rank four horned boar swiftly dispatched the terrified man, his head rolling on the ground, blood staining the earth. Zeld, overcome with fury, spat disdainfully over the lifeless body. "You four-horned abomination! You lie! The people of this city have escaped. Allow us to depart, and perhaps your life will be spared."

"Hahaha! To think a weak human like you would dare to threaten me, Gorgan," the rank four horned boar, Gorgan, laughed mockingly. "My mission here is complete. Let the humans bear witness to this declaration of war."

With that proclamation, Gorgan turned and led his horde of horned boars away, disappearing into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of devastation and shattered hopes.

The remaining survivors, overwhelmed by grief and the weight of their failure, stood amidst the wreckage, pondering.

The city was lost, its inhabitants presumed dead or scattered. Yet, amidst the despair, a flicker of determination ignited within Archon's eyes. With a heavy heart and resolute spirits, he vowed to avenge the fallen, to seek justice, and to protect the innocent from the encroaching darkness that threatened to engulf their world.