"The snow is beginning to melt." Scarlet walked around the capital of Ponterim County while taking a bite off a grilled fish skewer. "Summer in the Northern provinces only lasted a month or so, but in that short period of time, people celebrate and rush to gather as many resources to sustain themselves throughout the next winter."
"It is a testament for the resilient of humanity in the face of nature." Marion similarly took a small stroll while munching on a freshly grilled bread on a skewer. "However, the presence of those monsters may disrupt the balance and peace of our world. We need to reclaim our world from the clutches of those beasts."
Scarlet and Marion soon reached a forge located on the Southern part of Nessoria city. The smithy was brimming with activities where many skilled craftsmen concentrated in perfecting their creations. While most of the worked on products were weapons and tools for daily necessities, several workers polished gems and turned them into intricate jewelries that many would desire during the summer celebration.
"Oh, miss Scarlet! G'day ta ya! Thank ye fer ta help with tha fire forge. W'll can get work don much faster!"
"Happy to help mister. Besides, I ought to thank you for your help in the processing of the materials we have collected."
"Hahaha, ta Count's order fer us ta assist yall! Side, ta 'ol missy there's doing all ta work!"
Within the forge, a large amount of materials were being processed and turned into weapons and armours. Many of the monster parts were left on the snow for preservation while the blacksmiths worked on them piece by piece. A silver haired girl could be seen sharpening a long blade with a refined whetstone; each stroke brought the blade closer to its perfect sharpness.
"Oi... Aria, I have brought something for you to eat." Marion was cheerfully approaching Aria while shaking a leather pouch. "It is the stew from your favourite stall here in Nessoria. We brought some meat skewers and bread as well."
"Ah, Marion and Scarlet." Aria washed the blade with water coming from a nearby stream with wooden ladle. The beautiful blade's edge that appeared after the wash reflected against the light, attracting the audiences' gazes. "Perfect timing, I am done with all of the equipment crafting."
"Oh, thanks. Great work." Snapping out into the present, Marion poured the warm stew from the leather pouch into a wooden bowl while Scarlet placed a piece of flatbread and some meat skewers on the wooden plate.
"Looks good." Aria, having expended a lot of energy crafting equipment, devoured the meal with gusto. "All of your new equipment are finally ready."
Aria, after finishing her meal, led both Marion and Scarlet to the back of the forge where she was sharpening. Many equipment were laid for all to see and both Marion and Scarlet were impressed at the marvelous craftmanship.
"Let us begin with the weapon first." Aria wiped the blade that she had washed and presented it to Marion. "This is made from the Banbaro that the Kushala took out during its rampage. It is called the Mammoth Long Blade."
"That is huge... or rather... long. It is probably around the same height as me, or even more." Marion was contemplating on how to use the sword presented to her. "Well, I guess this increase in reach will allow me to inflict deeper wound on the larger monsters."
"We can do some practice later. Anyway, Scarlet, this is your new weapon." Aria presented an ornate spear with sleek and colourful design. "The Blizzard Glaive, made from the Blangos and Blangonga carcasses. It turned out that Blangonga is stronger than the average of its species."
"You mean to say that beast is a high rank species." Scarlet took the glaive that is taller than her, but she felt no inconvenience and wielded the weapon with relative ease. "That explain why it can withstand my most powerful magic at such close range."
"I incorporated magic gem throughout the glaive to ease magic flow; it works as your magic staff as well. However, since it is an ice elemental glaive, I suggest not using your fire magic too often since it can wear down the weapon much faster. On the contrary, using you water magic allow you to freeze it and turn it into ice magic."
"While I am happy about the increase in my capabilities, I would still want to keep my strongest skill within reach or to make it even better."
"That is why I made this as well." Aria attached an insect-like ornament on Scarlet's right forearm. "This magic crystal has a higher purity compared to the gems. This will enable you to use your fire magic with better efficiency and potency."
"This... Must be expensive." Scarlet was baffled, but was also entranced by the ornate beauty.
"The Count gifted it to you for your help in Roantar. From the report he received, he knows that you single-handedly killed that Beotodus in the effort to prevent it from harming the evacuees. Take this as a thank you gift that represented the people of Roantar."
"... I guess, I was just too emotional at that time..." Scarlet blushed while turning her head sideways to avoid Aria's gaze.
"Hehehe, you can be cute sometime."
"Excuse me, do I need to remind you that I am older than you."
"Hahaha, well physically speaking, Aria can play the part as your big sister."
"Marion, I will make you into the target practice for my magic."
"I am joking. Please stop charging your magic. You are scaring me now." Marion raised her hands while slowly taking 2 steps back. "Anyway, we have also received the same kind of rewards from the Count as well, right?"
"Indeed. I have a similar magic crystal as well." Aria also placed a similarly beautiful ornament on her right arm before taking another spear. "I modified the spear that the knight captain Ludwig gave to me with some of the rare ores found in the Northern province. This is the Steel Blade, a versatile weapon with great severing capability."
"The Steel Blade... a little dull don't you think?" Scarlet was a little confused with Aria's naming sense. "You should call it Dragon Severing Double-Bladed Metal Spear or something."
Aria and Marion were genuinely concerned about Scarlet's naming sense.
"Anyways, for Marion's gift, I asked for 2 small magic jewels from the Count and embedded them into your armour; more specifically, the greaves that are made of Blangonga's materials. Both jewels had been augmented with magical properties that allow you to roll a greater distance. Basically, it will improve your mobility and enable you to cover more distance with every dash. There are 2 of them so, you will be able to get in and out of the attacking range more easily."
"That is sweet. I have never known that these jewels have such properties."
"They are called the Jumping Jewels. Well, most will only recognise them as jewels with some wind magic circulating within."
"Wait... so since the beginning of time... we have been treating those jewels as if they are like any other magic crystals...?" Scarlet was in disbelief. "How many of those magic jewels that humanity had mined, but didn't know their true values...? Argh... what a waste..."
"Ahahaha..." Aria could not properly respond. "Umm, so all of your armour had been made with either Banbaro or Blangonga materials. These will help to resist the cold and help to stabilise your footing by dispersing the vibration. This mean that even if the ground shook a lot, you will be able to remain on your feet and not fall. These properties will boost your defense as well."
"The materials from those monsters will definitely fetch a good price with these properties." Marion took her armour and put them on. "These feel comfy. The insulating layer of the fur block the cold wind while providing protection to the vital areas."
"Indeed, these will help to boost the combat capabilities of the knights in case those monsters appeared again." Scarlet followed suit and adorned her equipment. "We at least ought to thank that dragon for taking down the Banbaro. Even though it feels a little vexing."
"Selling those monsters materials will also help the economy. Speaking of monsters, I heard more Popo herds have been observed further North." Aria tidied up her workplace and equipped her armours. "As long as they do not overhunt them, it can be a source of income to rebuild the devastated Edrom village."
"Yeah, we do not want a repeat of Roantar. Anyway, let's head to the castle barrack; apparently the Count has something to tell us." Marion stretched her body, seemingly ready to venture out.
***
"Ah, ladies, you are here." The Count stood from his seat and motioned the trio towards the bench. "As you all know, we will be heading to the capital once the Flare's Ember festival, a local celebration to welcome the summer, is done. However, I do need to ensure that my people will be free from the danger those invading monsters pose."
Count Riinol placed a report on the table and urged the ladies to read. "As you can see, it seem that the scouts encountered a herd of Popo in the northern forest, which is a good thing. However, they also encountered some unruly bandits who targeted the hardworking citizens who are hunting and harvesting the Popo."
"Those lowlifes..." Scarlet let out a slight burst of anger as her voice deepened.
"Those bandits were hiding within the various caves found in the forest. While our knights were capable in subduing them, they were quite busy with the recovery of the Roantar city and Edrom village, leading to them doing as they please. Quite the smart move I must say."
"Count, allow us to take care of those scums."
"Wait, Marion." Aria continued reading further. "It seems that some of the bandits that had been subdued said some interesting thing."
"Indeed, it seems some kind of monster were killing some of them. They described it as pale white that crawled around the wall. I believe it may be the monster that you have encountered in your travel."
"Khezu. To think it appears here." Aria was thinking about how to fight it, but was struck with another thought. "Wait, are the bandits still alive? I want to ask them more questions."
"They are." Count Riinol rung a bell and a butler came in after knocking. "Take them to see the bandits we just captured last night. Ensure that enough knights were around to keep them safe."
"Understood my Lord."
As the butler led the trio underground where the temperature plummeted, some knight joined in and escorted them. The dingy underground never experience the warmth of the summer as the thick layers of permafrost surrounded the cells. Many prisoners died from the cold before they could be executed.
"These are the bandits that we caught last night. They were a little delirious, probably from the cold." The butler explained as he motioned towards a group of men lying on the cold floor, shivering underneath the rugged clothes. "Please, ask away, but do be careful."
"Hey, scums. Get up." With a voice that was close to a growl, Scarlet knocked the iron cells with the glaive. The aura that she unleashed sent shivers down the bandits' spine. "Count yourselves lucky for I would have incinerated you if not for the information that we want."
"Scarlet, enough." Aria stepped out and looked down upon the cowering men. "The monster that you encountered, what did it do to you and your companions? What kind of attacks did it do?"
"Tha thang cum up ta us from 'bov n grab one of us up."
"We tryna run, but tha thang shot sum lightnin at us n we can't move. We can do nuffin."
"And yet you managed to escape? Did you all lose consciousness?"
"Ye! We saw black n when we saw light, we ran outta there! We wand round frm caves ta caves till we join another group, but got caught by em knights!"
"Hey Aria, I got a really bad feeling. Why did the Khezu let them escape?" Marion was uneasy and was looking around, albeit discreetly.
"I am unsure, but if I am to guess, perhaps the monster was injured and failed to properly paralysed its prey, allowing them to escape."
"Heh, these guys are really lucky." Scarlet scoffed with cold eyes, seeing them as lesser.
"Lucky or not, they are going to be executed anyway. Now, what I am concern about is the fact that it hunted down so many in one sitting."
"Now that you mentioned it, that last Khezu we encountered just ate 2 bandits and you did say that it is not going to chase us since it was on full belly."
"Yes, I did, Marion. That is why I am surprised that it paralysed more than 5 humans in 1 sitting."
"Perhaps there are multiple of them." Scarlet glared at the bandits, urging them to tell the complete story.
"Khezu are generally solitary, but I do not deny that sometimes 2 individuals may inhabit the same cave system. However, there will be issue with food availability."
"Hmm, this is getting nowhere, but at least we know that it is the Khezu. Whether there is 1 or 2, we just have to take it down." Marion decided to walk out of the underground prison with the rest following behind. "We will set out tomorrow after the bandits' execution."
As the sun rose in the morning, many citizens of the city finished their breakfast with gusto. Most headed towards the execution center in front of the castle barrack where a large muscular man was holding onto an impressively large and broad blade; waiting patiently atop a sturdy wooden platform for the criminals to be brought in front of him. The citizens gathered around the marked perimeter where the condemned would be brought out of the barrack.
"The people are really full of energy." Aria looked around in awe with the sheer number of people.
"The execution of criminals served as a kind of entertainment for the common citizens. Afterall, you do not get to see it done very often and serve as some kind of a break from their mundane life. It also works as a proof that the government is looking after them by punishing those who disrupt their peace."
"You seems to know a lot, Marion."
"Does it not happen in the Sultier Earldom?"
"Well, I spend most of my life in the mansion. I rarely ventured out into the city and the province of Sultier is relatively peaceful. Maybe, I just missed it."
The crowd suddenly erupted when a knight came out of the barrack holding a thick rope. Behind him was the 5 bandits that the trio had interrogated, bounded on their hands with the rope that the knight was tugging on, urging them to move faster. Several citizens threw ice chunks and stones upon the bandits who were furiously shivering from the cold due to wearing only a thin rag.
As they neared the platform, 1 of the bandit collapsed, begging for mercy, but the knight ignored the plea and continued dragging them up the platform where the large executioner was waiting. The crowd threw jeers and insults at the criminals atop the platform, cursing them to be eternally buried in the dark cold earth, rotting away.
The first bandit was brought in front of the executioner and was made to kneel in front of a wide wooden bucket. The executioner raised his blade and with a swift motion, swung down to decapitate the criminal. The criminal's head fell into the bucket while the body slumped sideway. The crowd cheered with jubilant when the life was reaped. The next bandit died in similar manner.
As the third bandit in line was brought down to kneel, he convulsed violently and dropped on his side. The entire crowd got surprised when the bandit fell on his side, but decided to ignore the situation, thinking that the bandit may be acting pathetically to escape execution. However, Aria, Scarlet and Marion who were watching from behind, knew something was off.
A knight approached the collapsed man, trying to lift him up and pinned him down if needed. As he grabbed onto the convulsing man, the chest cavity of the latter bulged out, making the former retracted his hand in shock. Several people who witnessed event became silent and in the next moment, the bandit's chest erupted in flesh and blood. Still in shock, the knights stood frozen in the presence of such gory scenery.
The audiences fell silent as blood spurted out of the chest. Before they could process it, the 2 decapitated corpses convulsed, sending them into panic, thinking that the dead had rose up. Their thought soon perished as the neck opening of the corpses spurted out blood and a creature emerged, each from the 2 corpses. Similarly, another creature emerged from the chest of the third bandit who died with his eyes wide open.
"What in the world is that!?" Marion rushed up the platform with both Aria and Scarlet close behind. Just as they all reached the gruesome platform, the other 2 bandits vomited blood and collapsed, convulsing violently. With the bandits thrashing around violently, they squirmed in pain as they banged their head upon the platform. With a sudden burst, a creature poked out of each of their mouth and mandible, tearing their faces in the process.
The 5 creatures, covered in blood and mucus, crawled out while gorging themselves full with the flesh of their hosts. As they emerged, they unfolded their limbs and stretched out their neck to appear bigger and let out their first cry.
"Khezu..." Aria brandished her glaive.
"That is the baby version of Khezu!?" Marion unsheathed her sword and rushed in to cut at the beast, but an electric ball shot out from the small creatures, flinching her. "What the...!"
"Do not let them escape!" Aria and Scarlet jumped in and slashed the juvenile Khezu.
With 2 of the Khezu killed, Marion stepped in and stabbed another escaping Khezu, impaling it. The remaining 2 that burst out from the decapitated bodies buried into the corpses in order to hide, but with them remaining in the same spot, Scarlet shot out a fire ball to incinerate the corpses and the Khezu all together. As soon as the last cry of the juvenile Khezu subsided, the trio let out a relief sigh.
"They are multiplying." Aria informed the knights that the threat had been taken down and that there is no need to call for reinforcement.
"That is one gruesome way to die. I almost feel pity for them."
"That is too soft, Marion. I'd say it is befitting."
"That is not as important now. What we need to handle now is to cull that Khezu. It must be carrying multiple of its offspring to implant into any living creatures it paralysed. The fact that it allowed these 5 to escape mean that there are more in its den. Perhaps some had already burst out of their host."
"If that is the case, we must go immediately. Aria, Scarlet." Marion got down from the platform and headed out to the Northern forest of Trinkle where the Khezu was reported to reside within. "Is there any other information about the Khezu that we should know, Aria?"
"I have already poured out everything that I know as a fact. I believe the reproductive cycle of Khezu is not yet fully known and I did not want to give out information that may be incorrect."
"Just tell us everything you know. It doesn't matter if it may be speculation, I'd rather be prepared than having my heart jumped out from the sheer grotesqueness of that event." Scarlet spotted the massive cave entrance described by the bandits. "That must be it. Let's slow down and prepare the torches."
With torches made with animal fats and sticks, they ventured into the chasm. The darkness was flickered away by the bright light of the fire, but the chilly air remained. All 3 pulled out a vial from their pouch and drank up the content. As soon as the liquid entered their stomachs, the heat permeated throughout their body, warming them up and improving their blood flow.
"This potion really works wonder." Scarlet opened and closed her palms, feeling the rigidness of her body dissipating in an instant. "Those imported herbs from the South is really useful."
"Indeed, this hot drink is made from the fire herbs that warms the body." Aria stepped into the dark with her torch. "Now then, it is time for our second round against that monster."
The trio explored the cavern network in search for their target and as they delved deeper into the dark, the air felt heavier. They could only see a few meters ahead, but soon a pungent odour struck their senses. The flickering light from their torches illuminated the sources of the smell: various corpses and carcasses in different stages of decomposition. The grotesque scene of various limbs and dried blood scattered all over the cave sent shivers down the trio's spine.
"These poor souls..." Marion wept in her heart for the tragedy that befell upon the victims. "How many offspring that that Khezu had given birth to?"
"It does not give birth. Rather, it lays eggs within the paralysed prey." Aria wandered around while examining the bodies. "It seems that we are near. Everyone, stay alert."
The trio spread out to cover more ground while encountering more victims. As they continued forward, an open area came into view where various crystals and ores acted as sources of light albeit dim. Several equipment could be seen scattered alongside corpses; many might have ventured in to harvest the crystals and ores, but fell prey to the monster lurking in the dark. Streams of water could be heard echoing around the opening with many pools of fresh water dotting the area. Icicles hung on the ceiling, akin to spears dripping their icy fluid upon those who dared to enter.
"Hey, over here." Scarlet beckoned the others to come. "This old man's still breathing."
"This... He is the chief of Edrom village! Why is he here?"
"That is not important now, Marion. Looking at his injuries, I am surprised that he still clings to life." Aria casted healing magic upon the man whose breathing began to stabilise and opened his eyes a little. "Do not worry, we will slay the beast and get you out."
"Nay... Yer.... hafta... go..."
"Do not give up. We can still rebuild the village, your home, your people, as long as you persevere, God will bless-." Before Marion could finish, the old man raised his right hand to point at something behind them. The sound of moist footsteps echoed from the ceiling and several icicles fell. Amidst the darkness, the beast revealed its grotesque mouth and stretched its neck towards the girls, seemingly probing the intruders. Saliva dripped down as it opened its maw, revealing the rows of teeth.
"Aria, bring him away to safety. Scarlet, you are with me."
The monster roared as Aria carried the old man away towards 1 of the many paths in order to take cover while Marion unsheathed her long sword. Scarlet began chanting her magic spell as the Khezu dropped down and lunged its neck forward. Marion parried the attack and countered with several slashes on the stretched neck. The beast pulled back its neck and jumped back, but Marion stayed close to unleash more slashes.
Khezu stuck its tail on the ground while anchoring its entire body on the ground. Noticing this, Marion instinctively leapt back before the monster covered its entire body with electricity. However, being immobile, it became a prime target for Scarlet who finished chanting her spell. "Ignea Sagitta!"
As Marion stepped back, a brilliant flame arrow struck the beast, burning and drying out its skin. Without a pause, as soon as the fire and lightning dissipated, Marion stepped in again and continued her attacks.
Aria laid the village chief against the wall and wrapped him in layers of cloths and furs that she picked up along the way to keep him warm. She also set aside some charcoal and ignited it nearby to warm up the area before continuing her healing spell. "Old man, is there any other survivors?"
"Nay... cough! Cough!... Wheeze... Got taken out by ta beast... Wheeze... See em eaten... n die... tryna fight... run... Sum die witha thang... burstin outa... em chest... Wheeze..."
"Did it do something to you as well?"
"Dunno... Ye shall help yer friend... I'mma be alright ere... Fellin betta..."
"Hang on. Here, drink this potion." As the village chief drank the potion, redness returned to his face and as if relieved, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Aria built an earth wall around the old man before returning to the battlefield.
As Aria returned, she saw that the Khezu flew and stuck itself onto the ceiling while Scarlet continued shooting out her magic. The beast hung down using only its tail and began shooting out balls of electricity that exploded upon impact. Both Marion and Scarlet were running around to avoid the electricity, but Aria used her glaive to launch herself into the air, slashing the Khezu. She repeated the attacks with more ferocity, combining several slashes into combo while utilising her wind magic to remain airborne.
Seeing Aria, Marion chanted wind magic on her legs, allowing her to leap high and cut the Khezu's tail. She landed against the wall and jumped back to pierce the beast, damaging its tail and sending it crashing down on the floor.
Scarlet used the opportunity when the beast was flailing around to pierce its head with her glaive. Using the momentum, she jumped onto the beast and unleashed an onslaught of slashes that exuded chilling air. As the beast got back on its feet and crawled up the wall, she chanted her most powerful fire spell. "Novus Stella!"
A brilliant white flame expanded out from her right hand as the magic crystal ornament enhanced her power, creating a powerful force that shook the area. The surrounding ice and water dissipated in an instant and the Khezu's body shriveled from the heat and lost of moisture; it fell down and writhed in pain as Aria and Marion leapt in to attack, bruising and breaking the thick hide of the beast's head.
"This monster's skin is truly flexible! Our blades can hardly cut through!"
"Indeed, but Scarlet's fire damaged it enough that it lost that elasticity! Now is the chance, Marion!"
"I'll continue burning it!"
Soon, the Khezu got back on its feet and let out a loud roar that shook the cave, sending some icicles down that almost hit the girls. As they recovered from the noise, Khezu leapt back and tossed out several electric balls on all direction.
All three avoided the attacks that left an area of electric field that continued to crackle on the ground. Marion dashed in between to inflict several slashes while both Aria and Scarlet vaulted over with their glaive to avoid the large patches of electricity; both rained down several fire spells and downward strike with their glaives onto the Khezu's head. The rapid temperature change and stress tore the monster's hide, resulting in several open wounds that revealed its vulnerable flesh.
"Continue with the pressure! Those broken hide will do more damage on Khezu!" Aria increased her air mobility and landed several slashes.
The Khezu let out another loud roar and crawled along the wall while shooting out electricity. Both Aria and Marion jumped up to approach the beast, but without any warning, Khezu coated itself with streams of electricity that hit the girls. Paralysed, both fell on the ground, unable to move, while Scarlet desperately shot out multiple fire spells to prevent the Khezu from approaching her immobilised comrades. However, the monster, being fueled by rage, tanked the attacks and lunged its jaw unto Aria that flew back several steps, crashing against the wall. It then swept it stretched neck and hit Marion who was about to stand up, pinning her against the wall.
"Aria! Marion! Damn you!" Scarlet dashed and stabbed the beast's head, preparing to chant her magic. However, Khezu coated itself with electricity again, striking Scarlet and paralysing her as well. The beast opened its mouth, seemingly trying to devour the paralysed prey. Aria stood back up and rushed in before the monster could clamp its jaw on Scarlet. She slashed on Khezu's head and dragged Scarlet away from the danger zone.
Marion, having recovered, rolled towards the beast and stabbed it before launching herself into the air. As she dropped, she raised her blade high up and swung it down onto the monster; her slash landed on the beast's body, flinching it. However, without any pause, Marion swung her blade ferociously in multiple angles, all landing perfectly onto the Khezu that tore the hide of its hindlegs.
The monster, having accumulated a lot of damages, flapped its wings and fled into 1 of the various holes. However, after recovering and downing a health potion, both Aria and Scarlet prepared their magic.
"Fire! Burn my soul into a star and blast it upon my enemy! Ventus Solaris!" A bright light shone from Scarlet's ornament that shot out a continuous flurry of fire that flowed like a stream.
"Fire! Raise your pressure and ignite! Wind! Rush across the atmosphere! Inferno Tempest!" Aria waved her right hand as the magic ornament shone, unleashing a vortex of fiery wind that ripped across the arena.
Both spells rushed towards the fleeing Khezu and burned it with intense force that ravaged the entire area. Icicles melted and crashed down as the violent storm of fire swirled around Khezu, pushing out air that blew the girls several steps back. When the fire died down after a few seconds, the sudden rush of cold air towards the low pressure area created a second impact on the beast that was struggling to get back on its feet.
"This is your end!" Following the wind flow from the second impact, Marion set the blade against her waist and rushed in. She unleashed her Iai spirit slash that cut deeply into the monster's head as she rushed past it.
The Khezu wobbly raised its head in an attempt to escape before falling down and letting out a final desperate cry as life left its battered body.
"Is it over?" Scarlet slowly approached the motionless body and stabbed it with her glaive. "... I think it is..."
All 3 girls let out a sigh of relief before remembering about the old man and went to see him. Aria warned the others to maintain vigilant since the Khezu offspring may sprung out. As they approached the cavern chamber, they saw the resting old man and gave him a health potion to drink. However, being so weak, he could barely swallow a few gulps of the liquid.
"The beast has been slain. You can rest easy now." Aria casted healing spell after drinking a mana potion. "We will get you out from here. The guild members and those from the Count estate will come here and do the clean up."
"I.. thank... ye... fer ta... help... but I... saw me son... n grandson..." Tears started to flow from the man's eyes. "Now... I can... rest in-!"
The old man coughed out blood and started to convulse, alarming all 3 girls who immediately held down the old man. In an instant, the old man's stomach burst with blood and a juvenile Khezu emerged; Aria pulled out a dagger and stabbed it on reflex, reaping its life.
"Damn it! Old man! Aria! Healing magic!" Marion pulled out more health potion for the old man. "Here, please drink!"
"Stop! He can't drink like this!" Scarlet poured her health potion on the old man's wound, but more blood was leaking out of the wound. "Damn it!"
"S... sun..."
"What?" Aria looked confused.
"Lemme... see... ta... sky..."
"Old man, please!"
"Aria!" Marion held Aria's shoulder while shedding tears. "Let's grant him his final wish."
Scarlet used her fire magic to light up the way while both Marion and Aria carried the village chief's dying body. They ran as fast as they could while tears flowed.
"There! The exit!" Scarlet shut her magic as the light from the sun shone upon them.
"... I... saw... yer... beauty... n... warmth..." The village chief was laid atop a flat rock facing the sky. "I... hava... good... life..., take... me... in... to... yer... embrace... Lord Flare..."
With a final whisper, the village chief closed his eyes as he smiled from the light of the sun that basked him with warmth and radiance.
With a heavy heart the girls prayed in silence before Scarlet took out an explosive ball that Aria had crafted and launched it into the sky. The fire magic that coated the ball burned the outer layer and reacted with the explosive powder inside, building up pressure and burst out with brilliant green.
After a few hours of waiting, the adventurer's guild staffs and some knights dispatched by the Count arrived with all their equipment. They proceeded to clean up the cavern system of bodies and equipment; they built a large fire pit with woods from nearby trees and place the deceased within. The cleaning operations took several hours as more Khezu's offspring were found and eliminated. As the sun began to near the horizon, all personnel of the guild and knight order stood around the fire pit in silence as prayers were chanted by a priest for those who had passed.
The somber atmosphere lingered as the priest finished his prayers and lit the wood on fire, offering their souls to their God. The fire burned brightly as the remains turned into ashes and gave respite to those who had been slain.