“Nia, before the next operation, can you please tell me the exact plan in advance so I can prepare?”
EI got up from the ground, rubbing his face with a dissatisfied expression.
“I already told you ahead of time.”
“How is anyone supposed to react that fast?”
EI wanted to say more, but people on the city wall had already recognized him.
“EI, what are you doing here?”
In the firelight, a young knight clad in armor and holding a longsword approached.
His armor was stained with the foul blood of lesser demons.
From his imposing aura and steady gait, Nia could tell he was likely one of Bellon’s main garrison troops.
“Of course, I came to help you. Frank, what’s the situation?”
EI embraced the man briefly before asking.
“Not looking good.”
“The squad Danfu sent couldn’t defeat the draconic demon.
We need to hold out a bit longer and evacuate the townsfolk first, then we’ll have to retreat as well,” the knight, whom EI called Frank, sighed heavily.
“Without any fire mages, we’re no match for the draconic demons. We have to fall back to Danfu and wait for the lord there to handle it.”
“If you ask me, we should just fight these things to the death.” Someone in the crowd behind Frank shouted back, “The nobles in Danfu don’t see us as human. They only remember us when it’s tax time. Remember how the lord handled the refugees? He sold them all to the slave traders!”
His words instantly shattered the uneasy silence.
Whispers spread among the people.
Within moments, voices rose in agreement.
“Exactly! Better to fight than become slaves!”
“Let’s take them on!”
The rising chorus gave Frank a slight headache.
He could guess what awaited them in Danfu, but if the other monsters still had the strength to fight, the draconic demon—thick-skinned and tough—was simply not worth dying for.
Better to avoid a hopeless battle and survive.
As long as they lived, there was hope…
Frank’s eyes darted anxiously as if searching for a solution, then suddenly he noticed the woman who had been following EI.
If he wasn’t mistaken, she had used magic on the battlefield.
Thinking this, he immediately asked.
“EI, who is this beautiful lady?”
His words were directed at EI, but his gaze never left Nia.
“She came with me to help,” EI said. “She’s a knight who can use magic.”
The words “can use magic” sparked hope in Frank’s eyes.
Nia felt uncomfortable under his gaze and spoke up to clarify.
“Unfortunately, I don’t know fire magic, so I can’t contribute much against the draconic demon.”
Frank’s brief flicker of hope was instantly extinguished.
“Don’t be so down.” Seeing Frank’s spirits sink, EI interjected. “Speaking of which, you said the draconic demon invaded, but I haven’t seen a trace of that thing.”
“That creature evolved during its fight with the magic lady,” Frank said grimly. “It was just a normal draconic demon before, but now it’s advanced to a higher tier—the green draconic demon.”
Frank pointed into the distance.
Following his finger, EI saw a brutal scene.
The squad they had briefly met lay dead in disarray, and a huge green bat-like creature with a dragon’s head leisurely fed on the corpses.
Its massive fangs dripped with revolting green fluid.
Like savoring dessert, it swallowed the female mage’s head whole.
“When it finishes eating, it’ll probably launch its final assault.” Frank sighed again. “We don’t have much time left.”
“Everyone, retreat to Danfu.”
Frank made his final plea.
This time, there was little opposition.
The crowd’s faces were numb, their thoughts hidden.
“Actually, it’s not completely hopeless.”
Amid the flickering firelight, EI suddenly spoke.
His words struck the crowd like thunder, and all eyes turned to him.
“EI, what’s your plan?”
Someone asked from the crowd.
“If the draconic demon is weak to fire, I think I have a way,” EI hesitated, then added, “But it’s only a probability. I’ve only seen up to level three magic; beyond that, I can’t be sure.”
“Tell us what you need to do.” Frank was surprised but willing to try anything.
“I need you to open the city gates and let the draconic demon in.”
“EI, do you know what you’re saying?”
Frank thought he must have misheard.
“This is not the time for jokes!”
Nia was also surprised.
She looked at EI.
His gaze was resolute—not joking.
What could he possibly have in mind?
This was no ordinary draconic demon but a high-tier green one, whose combat strength was on a completely different level.
If they abandoned the city walls and let the draconic demon and lesser demons flood in, their terrain advantage would vanish.
If it weren’t for knowing EI for some time, Nia might have suspected he was a monster spy planted in Bellon town.
“I won’t gamble with everyone’s lives, nor my own,” EI said, scanning the crowd.
“At this point, we all know how this ends. Why not trust me just this once?”
The crowd fell silent; no one wanted to be the first to take the lead.
After what felt like an eternity, a figure pushed forward from the back.
“EI, I believe you!”
Kater, who had met Nia before, stepped to the front of the crowd. “I trust this kid. He’s always had some crazy ideas.”
“Thank you, Uncle Kater,” EI expressed gratitude while giving a warning.
“Uncle Kater, this plan requires your warehouse,” EI said gravely. “If it succeeds, we probably won’t be able to keep the warehouse intact.”
“Take whatever you need. If we lose our homes, what use is a warehouse?”
With Kater’s lead, others stepped forward.
“If EI says there’s hope, then I believe him. He’s lived alone in the Turgue Mountains for a long time. You can’t survive there without skills.”
“I believe EI too.”
“Me as well!”
More and more people stood up.
In the end, they reached a consensus: the entire town’s hope was placed in EI’s hands.
“I won’t betray everyone’s trust.”
EI bowed deeply to the townsfolk, then looked at Nia.
“Nia, the key to this plan’s success is you.” He pleaded, “On behalf of everyone in Bellon town, I beg for your help.”
Looking at the hopeful eyes surrounding her, Nia was silent for two seconds before responding earnestly.
“It’s my honor.”
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