CHAPTER 102: THE SITUATION STABILIZES

The Libius Arcane Cannon, one of the most powerful spells of Stevenson Academy, was an unparalleled single-target attack. While Arcane Comet specialized in massive area destruction, the Libius Arcane Cannon focused on obliterating a single target with extreme precision.

The spell required an immense amount of magical energy, making it incredibly taxing in terms of magical arrays and equipment.

It typically took over half an hour to charge and cool down before it could be fired again.

A beam of concentrated energy tore through everything in its path, reducing winged demons, minotaurs, and even structures to atoms under its overwhelming might.

The beam was targeted at the Hellgate, which hovered above the scorched ruins of the slums.

The beam caused an explosion that instantly engulfed the entire area. The shockwave, far exceeding that produced when Wang Yu detonated a reality anchor, obliterated everything within its radius.

Minotaurs, winged demons, and all nearby entities were ripped apart by the impact.

The enormous crater caused by Wang Yu's earlier detonation also began to collapse under the force of this blast, burying everything inside it completely.

"Observer, what's the outcome?" The knight captain, still clutching a mana crystal for communication, requested a status update from the academy.

"The spatial fluctuations of the Hellgate persist. The Arcane Cannon was weakened by the field of scorched earth surrounding the gate. Much of the magical energy was converted into mere physical force, which is ineffective against the Hellgate."

The observer's solemn voice came through the mana crystal. It was clear that this seemingly devastating attack had failed to produce the desired effect.

Indeed, as the dust and debris from the explosion settled, the Hellgate remained suspended above the ruins. It had only dimmed slightly.

This indicated that, while the gate had been impacted to some extent, the damage was minimal.

Repeated strikes might eventually destroy the Hellgate, but the field of scorched earth around it significantly weakened attacks from the academy.

At a firing rate of one shot every half hour, even the appearance of a hellish overlord wouldn't guarantee the gate's destruction.

"We don't have that much time. Adjutant, how soon can the nearest army reach the capital?" The knight commander lowered the communicator and turned to his adjutant, who bore a royal insignia similar to his own.

"Within ten minutes. Commander Garcia is leading the Nightblades' light cavalry toward our location at full speed," the adjutant replied promptly.

"Inform them that in fifteen minutes, we'll coordinate a simultaneous assault from both sides." The commander gave his orders calmly. He glanced at the Hellgate, from which demons were still pouring out.

"Fifteen minutes might be too long. The demons emerging from the Hellgate grow stronger over time. By then, their strength may reach a new threshold," the adjutant pointed out.

"Your strategic insight is commendable, but you need to study the enemy more. Each phase of the Hellgate lasts fifteen minutes. At this point, it won't summon stronger demons for another half hour," the commander explained.

"Understood." The adjutant accepted the clarification without further argument or embarrassment.

"Observer, prepare another Arcane Comet. In fifteen minutes, clear the path for the royal guards and outside forces," the commander instructed the academy.

"Understood. The next Arcane Comet is already charging. However, the Hellgate is entering its next phase. More demonic energy is leaking out—expect butchers and beholders. It's imperative not to let these higher-tier demons enter the capital," the observer warned.

"Acknowledged. The royal guards may be called elite, but they're essentially a suicide squad. All units, do not allow a single butcher or beholder to enter the capital," the commander ordered resolutely.

The observer and adjutant wiped the sweat from their brows. The commander was as blunt as ever. If he had shown even a little more respect for the royal family, he might have risen far beyond his current position.

As the commander's orders were relayed, troops across the battlefield—including academy mages, formation specialists, and cavalry units outside the city—sprang into action.

Clad in golden-red armor marked with royal insignias, the royal guards positioned themselves at the frontlines near the slums.

In the distance, beholders—giant, bloated eyeballs surrounded by chaotic, fleshy masses—floated slowly toward the city. Despite their lack of direct action, their mere presence exerted a suffocating pressure on the soldiers.

Beneath them were the even more terrifying butchers. Massive and muscular, these demons wore crude, bloodstained cloth resembling butcher aprons. Their colossal, blood-drenched bone cleavers dragged along the ground, carving deep gouges into the earth as they advanced.

Unlike the swift and agile winged demons or rampaging minotaurs, the butchers and beholders moved at a slow, deliberate pace—but their sheer size and oppressive aura overshadowed the threat posed by their lesser counterparts.

"Cavalry, harass the enemy. Avoid direct combat with the butchers. Mages, deploy mental energy barriers. Do not let the beholders exploit any gaps," the adjutant ordered swiftly.

The soldiers quickly formed small groups of knights and mages that began to harass the approaching demons. Meanwhile, the adjutant, commander, and priests prepared for a direct assault.

"Follow me—charge!" the commander bellowed.

With the priests casting layers of divine shields and blessings of haste, the group—led by the commander wielding an enormous greatsword—launched a thunderous charge straight at the ranks of the demons.

The arrival of the royal guards stabilized the frontlines, preventing further demonic incursions into the city. However, the demons already within continued their rampage.

Gradually, with the help of adventurers, the minotaurs and infernal worms within the capital were slowly being eliminated, though at great cost.

"Don't crowd around! There's nothing to see here. Go back! You've been warned!"

"Get back! Do you even realize how many people have died here?"

Edward and the squad leader were overwhelmed—not by demons, but by the residents of the city center.

Many of these individuals were influential, and the city guards didn't dare treat them as they did the residents of the slums. Instead, they resorted to persuasion and indirect blocking.

"I need to check the damage to my properties in the outer district! My guards are more than capable of handling this," a portly merchant pushed past a guard, his expression impatient. His entourage of guards exuded an equally intimidating air.

"My uncle is still guarding my shop. He's been trapped outside by the demon invasion! You can't stop me. If he dies, I'll have the tribunal hold you accountable for his death."

The young man was furious. He was clad in the uniform of a royal civil servant. By invoking the tribunal, he intimidated everyone present. Even the squad leader, a minor noble, dared not oppose him.

The squad leader glanced at Edward. Having built some rapport with the man, he knew Edward held an astonishingly high status. If Edward were willing to intervene...

But Edward merely stood there, his expression dark, not saying anything.

The man shoved aside anyone blocking his way and strode through the city guard's barricade with his bodyguards in tow.

"If he can leave, why can't we? My brother is still out there! Let me through, you useless cowards!"

"Let me out! I haven't even seen any demons. Are you just making excuses to steal from us?"

"Damn it! We pay taxes every year for this, and this is how you repay us?"

After the tribunal official left, chaos erupted among the crowd in the city center. As one person received special treatment, envy and resentment spread like a virus.

Edward's temples throbbed. These clueless fools had no idea how dire the situation was. Once outside, they would encounter the infernal worms still scattered throughout the city and learn exactly why they were being stopped.

There were no demons by the city center because most of the infernal worms that breached the capital had been drawn to the outer districts. They wouldn't advance further inward.

But these residents, oblivious to the carnage, refused to understand Edward's reasoning. They dismissed his efforts.

Edward was fuming. Frankly, he wanted to emulate the gods Wang Yu occasionally mentioned in their conversations: one, a Buddha who wouldn't save those courting death, and the other, a God who forgave only those who met Him after death. Edward was tempted to simply let these self-destructive people be.

If Wang Yu were in his place, he'd likely do the same without hesitation. Edward knew his friend well: Wang Yu was fiercely protective of those he cared about but utterly indifferent to those he didn't.

But Edward wasn't Wang Yu. Glancing at the crowd, he noticed some worried faces in the distance—ordinary residents unsure of what was happening.

Perhaps they had something important to retrieve or protect in the outer districts and didn't know what to do.

Edward frowned. He suddenly caught sight of a pair of furry cat ears in the crowd—the feline girl who worked at the flower shop. Agile but not particularly strong, she was being jostled within the crowd and unable to find stable footing.

She had a worried expression on her face. Her eyes were fixed on the slums, but she didn't try to force her way through. She stood at the edge of the crowd and continued to observe the situation from afar.

"What's she up to?" Edward sighed. He couldn't bring himself to abandon these people, no matter how foolish or frustrating they were.

Suddenly, the feline girl broke free from the crowd. Edward tensed. Was she going to rush out? No—she was moving farther out from the crowd, not the barricades.

Edward tracked her movements and noticed a city guard had been bowled over by the crowd. He was curled up on the ground and cradling his head, obscured by the sheer mass of people. Edward hadn't even noticed him.

The feline girl darted through the crowd with remarkable agility, trying to clear space for the fallen guard. But the crowd was relentless, shoving her back and forth until she was about to fall as well.

"Are you alright? Let me handle this." Edward pushed through the throng, steadying the feline girl and ignoring the curses around him. Using his strength, he cleared the people crowding the fallen guard and helped him to his feet.

"Ah, thank you, meow." The feline girl's tail twitched as she tugged on her ears. She had wanted to help the guard but ended up needing help herself.

"It's nothing. I should be thanking you. If not for you, I wouldn't have noticed this guard's predicament. Are you alright?" Edward nodded at her and turned to check on the guard.

The guard nodded, indicating he was fine. It was a close call, though—any longer, and things might have turned serious.

Edward exhaled and shook his head. "How can I just walk away? Forget it. I'll keep trying, even if these clueless people keep hurling insults at me."

But just as Edward steeled himself, a wall of fire erupted on the outskirts of the crowd, reducing a large group of people to ash in an instant.

A demon with sharp claws and a gaunt frame, its body radiating chaotic fire-attuned energy, emerged from the flames.

"Die... Burn to death... Die..." it growled in broken human speech as panicked screams filled the air. People fled in terror.

"A demon summoner? How is this possible? How could such a thing appear here?" Edward's eyes widened in disbelief as he recognized the demon before him.