Midnight chimes followed by the Behemoths roar and crimson flame pillar Theon released signaled the beginning of the war.
Archers and long-range weapon users positioned themselves above the first wall. Squad of earth mages started chanting as per the given instructions.
Rod could be seen meditating near Theon. Golden color sura swirling around him. Kleines was on the other side of the wall underneath the section where Theon and those around him are standing.
There were small blue particles glowing around him due to the buffs applied by Marla. Usually, she would buff all five of them but right now, her sole power was focused on Kleines. He felt an unimaginable surge of strength running through him
Despite his rough appearance, Kleines was a gentle soul looking for the positive side despite any problem they would face. He would often reply with a kind smile and never once have anyone had heard him curse.
But right now, his face looked like he accidentally swallowed a fly. He was cursing non stop and the one who was responsible was standing on the top of the wall like some damn protagonist pretending everything is going according to his plan.
Fuck you Adrian. I swear if I survive I'm gonna drop a fucking mountain on you.
...............
Back at Command,
So want me to use " Hardening" on the wall? Kleines asked skeptically.
Yup, just reinforce the wall and increase its durability. No biggie. Theon replied while waving his hand.
Adri.. I mean Theon-
Adrian is fine. It feels weird when you guys call me Theon.
All right, Adrian. That's not how hardening works. Its main purpose is to reinforce myself. And while doing that, I can increase the strength of small objects like swords or shields. If I try to reinforce the wall, I can only increase the durability a little bit.
But it is possible right? Even if it was a small amount, you can increase the durability, right?
Well technically yes, But I don't know how it could be useful.
As long as the possibility exists. We just have to arrange the proper conditions to make it useful.
And what are those conditions young master? In fact, how do you even know about the Behemoth? Draven asked
I saw it in some ancient literature left behind by an oracle a long time ago. Apparently, she and my grandfather were close. I found it among his belongings before he disappeared.
Theo replied with a grin. Although he got this knowledge from Adrian, Its not like he can say that. So he bend the truth and lies a little bit. It's true that he found Some stuff belong to an oracle among his grandfather's things. But it was hardly literature. Theon immediately burned them all, fearing that people will see him and mistake him for a pervert. Damn that stupid old man.
Draven looked a little bit satisfied, even though he had some questions, he resolved to hearing Theon out. And anything is possible if Magnus Ignisborn is involved.
Hmm, as I was saying, you don't have to reinforce the entire wall, just a part of it. Part where Behemoth collides with. Marla will buff you and few more earth mage will support you. Just reinforce it for a few minutes. I will shoot a flame pillar into the sky. That's the signal.
Behemoth will see the pillar and come rushing to where we are. You just have to endure. Elara will cast a barrier at the other side to reduce the impact and a reflecting circle. We will reflect the force back to the monster, disorienting it.
Easy peacy right?
Kleines thought for a while and replied with a polite smile, I'm sure your right. Sounds easy enough. As expected of you Adrian, you always give the best solutions.
Just like that, naïve kindhearted fool agreed to one of Theon's plans again without learning from his previous mistakes.
Theon made it sound so possible that Kleines actually went with the flow without thinking much.
..................…
Now, Theon shouted, and earth mages started casting their circles. Ground between dungeon and the wall became incredibly muddy and deep, trying to reduce the speed of behemoth.
Long range weapon users fire at the monsters' eyes trying to disrupt its momentum.
Here we go Kleines, It's now or never. Everyone, it's about to get bumpy, hang on. Theon shouted and everyone braced themselves for the impact. Elara created a barrier and a giant reflective magic circle, personally created by her father, The strongest mage in the world.
With a furious roar, behemoth collided with the wall, in the exact spot they wanted it to. All of Vermaris shook with a giant earthquick shattering glass windows.
But against all odds, the wall did not fell down and held itself together.
In the split second after the collision, the magic circle Elara casted, rotated its rings clockwise and counterclockwise, rearranging itself and release an equal force along side the collision impact, momentarily disorienting the creature.
Rod stood up from his lotus position and drew his sword. Think you can keep up with me Mr. monarch of flames? He asked with a smirk.
Theon took a deep breath. The temperature around him skyrocketed. White flames bursted out from his body and wrapped around him like a cloak.
Let's find out. He replied and jumped down from the wall. About halfway down, he adjusted his movement and flew towards the Behemoth using small explosions at his feet. Using the force of the explosion he flew towards Behemoths hind legs.
Considering its overly large body and shape, most of its weight is bared by the right hind leg. The weakest structural point is below its knee. Theon was an expert in breaking down the structure of a target and finding its weak points. It's the fighting method he developed throughout last year.
But his accuracy has dramatically improved at this moment. He could see the exact weak point of the leg. It was shining brightly in his vision. He could also see the exact angle and the line he needs to draw his sword to deal maximum damage. This was due to his unique skill, "Monarchs gaze" which he acquired at the end of his duel with Thalia.
White flames condensed around his sword, and drawing it at the most optimum angle, he left a deep gash at Behemoths leg, injuring it and marking the weak spot.
Behemoth roared in pain. But before it could respond, a golden streak appeared, further widening the injury.
3 to 1 ratio. Rod would attach the leg once and attack a different painful area 2 times diverting its attention from its leg. Theon attacked the leg once again, further weakening the structure. The both of them attacked simultaneously, completely severing the leg.
Bhemoth led a pitiful roar and fell down, unable to support its huge body. Theon moved towards its face and stood Infront of its eyes. He took a deep breath. Time to act confident than you actually are.
"This is pitiful. Is this the best you can do? I expected a lot more. In the end your methods are just as average as your stupid king. Is this it? Is this the legendary army of the Demon King? Is this the great invasion that will drown the world in blood?
Theon let out a slow, mocking laugh.
Your magnificent plan is falling down, and we barely started. I expected a monster. Instead, I see a coward. A half-wit hiding behind a wall of disposable beasts. Tell me, Zeroth, do you enjoy watching your pets get butchered while you sit in your little hell hole? Or are you waiting for your King to hold your hand before you show your ugly face?
Keep hiding, You bald headed disgrace, my sword will eventually reach you"
With that, Theon condensed all of his flames on his right hand and unleashed a swirling torrent of raging white flames at Behemoths eye, piercing its skull and blowing a hole in its brain.
Let's see whether he takes the bait. Theon mumbled as ground started vibrating as if symbolling the arrival of an army.
Thousands of deep screeches roars echoed through the crack, silhouettes of different types of monsters started appearing, signaling the beginning of stage 2.
...............….
Unbeknown to Theon, his provocation worked a little too well, ruining poor Zeroth's standing in the demon realm in front of thousands of demons, monsters and the newborn demon king.