Salvos

Chapter 513: The Rose Has Thorns

513. The Rose Has Thorns

Saffron saw the explosion. A blast of black flames that came from the center of the ruins of Inor. The city was now nothing but mounds of rubble and debris having been blown apart by both the grand ritual and by the fighting. The grand summoning ritual did not help, but at that point, the Capital city of the Inoria Empire was already unrecognizable.

But even still, that blast of black flames drew the attention of everyone in the battlefield. It wasnt just Saffron who was briefly distracted, turning to see the source of the explosion. Helena Warshade, Peris Dolonia, Laux Lionfist, Daniel Song, Edithe Dawnrise the entire Human army raised their heads as the rumbling shook the battlefield. And they all saw the same thing.

An undulating figure that stretched nearly a hundred feet. As long as a Wyvern, and more terrifying than any Demon Saffron had ever seen. It was Levithus. A Primeval Demon; a [Hellprince]. He exploded up in the tempest of fire as Salvos the Sentinel of Secely and Mori Gladius the Champion of the Human Lands clashed with him in battle.

It was a sight to behold. Even a few of the Demon soldiers turned to stare at their leader fighting. But not all of them. Especially not the wild Demons. The [Archarachne] hissed as it raised its scythe-like blade at Helena. The Great Tempest Archmage of Mavos Academy was uncharacteristically distracted by what she saw. And that made her vulnerable.

The [Archarachne] swung down at her, only for a figure clad in a knights arm to block the attack. Kaitlin Darkhelm repelled the slash with her shield as she yelled out.

Now!

And a large man leapt out. His four arms were hefted over a great axe. His one eye fixed only on the [Archarachne]s neck. The wild Primeval Demon tried to stumble back, but it was too slow. Too tired and too hurt. Revis Umontos, the Seer of the Cosmos, cleaved the [Archarachne]s head straight off.

The last of the wild Primeval Demons collapsed, sending a small tremor that nearly knocked Saffron off her feet. A hand caught her, and she glanced back.

Careful.

Crocus Merryster Saffrons father helped her to her feet. She turned back to face him as she blinked. He just stared forward, watching Salvos and Mori fight.

Your friend is really impressive, isnt she?

He spoke as she shook his head. Saffron paused, even the fighting continued on. She heard the cheers. She watched as the United Coalition Army of the Human Lands pushed on. But she just saw the look on her fathers face.

It was not too long ago we were roughly the same level. Now look at her.

Crocus stepped forward as he reached for a crimson vial at his side. Saffrons eyes grew wide. Reaching out, she tried to stop him.

Father

She started. But he stepped forward and downed the red liquid. And he was consumed by a red aura. His muscles rippled as he smashed the glass bottle against the rock ground.

Vampires!

He yelled as his voice echoed around him. All the nearby Vampires turned to face him. It didnt matter which family they belonged to whether they were a part of the Greater Vampire Families or not. Gannon Norwood, Anya Veridian, Bolton Crimsonfang each and every head of the various families nodded at each other.

They followed suit. They downed their own respective bottles of red liquid as Saffron just watched with wide eyes. It wasnt just them, either. A few of their most loyal followers their highest-leveled bodyguards uncorked vials of their own and gulped it all down.

Thats blood.

Saffron whispered. Crocus himself nodded as he turned back to his daughter. His eyes unfocused, and he spoke slowly. Like he was barely in control of his own thoughts.

This is blood blood of our fallen comrades.

He took in a deep breath, steeling himself.Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

The blood of our greatest warriors who have perished over the course of this war. It will help us remember what we are fighting for even when we give in to our innate bloodlust.

Crocus Merryster stepped back as he reeled. Saffron reached for him.

Father

But he shrugged her off. He forced himself forward as the crimson aura wisped wildly off him. He raised his head and roared.

It is time for us to show our grit as the Demon Slayers we are said to be!

And with that, he charged into battle with the greatest fighters of the Vampire families. They tore through the remaining ranks of Demons as they encroached on the grand summoning ritual. This was it. The final push. Saffron looked on, seeing the might of the Vampires in action. As they slew Demons above their levels.

She was so entranced by what she saw, she didnt even notice that with each death, the grand summoning ritual just grew stronger.

The Red Rose turned to face the [Cerberus] as she continued.

I am no fool. I understand that you are not the current enemy, I understand that this [Cerberus] is who we have to take down right now that otherwise, this grand summoning ritual will be complete, and all our efforts will be in vain.

The [Cerberus] growled as it eyed the Red Rose. It sprinted around her, leaping from side to side before darting straight her way. Scarlet moved. She reacted faster than her mind could even process what was happening. She kicked up with the Greaves of Alexander, once again parrying the clawed strike. There was a flash of sparks, and she backed away.

But she still continued speaking to Belzu.

However, that doesnt change the fact that you killed Mori Gladius. You took his identity. You can say you did not kill him, but it was because of your actions he died. And you are as culpable for his death as much as even Levithus.

She stepped forward and threw a kick at one of the three heads of the [Cerberus]. It ducked under the strike, and countered with a flurry of strikes which she narrowly avoided thanks to the Boots of Alexander. She gritted her teeth as she eyed the [Cerberus].

Once this is over, I shall bring you to justice, Belzu. I shall expose your deceit to the world. And you will pay!

Scarlet screamed, leaping at the [Cerberus]. She raised her daggers as she uttered a Skill.

[Fatal Division

She started. But the [Cerberus] just opened one of its three mouths. A cone of black flames was already shooting out when the Red Rose realized she had thrown herself right into the attack.

No

Scarlet the Red Rose tried to pull out of her way. It was as though the world moved in slow motion. She saw the breath of black fire coming her way, but she couldnt escape. And a hand grabbed her from the side.

Stupid!

Salvos called out, dragging Scarlet out of the way of the attack. The Red Rose blinked and found herself in the air. She was being carried by Salvos who was barely keeping afloat with only three of her six wings.

Youre 30 levels below him! Just because youre fast with the Boots of Alexander, doesnt mean you wont die if he touches you even once!

The silver-haired girl reprimanded Scarlet as she descended back to the ground. The [Cerberus] spun around, growling dangerously as the Red Rose got back to her feet.

I-I right.

Scarlet nodded slowly, and Salvos looked past the Red Rose with a wary gaze. The silver-haired girl lifted a scythe made of gray flames before gesturing at the [Cerberus].

Anyway, if you really want to get revenge, youre in luck because this [Cerberus] is Levithus. So nows your chance to kill him as well!

What?

The Red Rose paused. Her eyes darted to the [Cerberus], and she saw the look on its three faces. It was hurt and injured and it was sapient. It understood what was going on. It very clearly knew what Salvos was saying was true.

Scarlet eyed the growling [Cerberus] as she whispered softly.

Thats Levithus?

Yep.

Salvos nodded. Scarlet closed her eyes for a moment, before nodding at herself. She remembered Levithus the large serpent that appeared from above the clouds. He had slain Mori Gladius from behind, right as the Champion of the Human Lands was about to defeat Belzu. And from that day on, Scarlets life had been full of nothing but sadness and anger.

For all that pain and suffering, it was finally time for revenge. The Red Rose raised her head and nodded.

Then lets deal with him, so we can deal with Belzu next.

Salvos just grinned.

Alright!

And the two women charged forward as the [Cerberus] howled. The three of them clashed in combat. A battle that was but a blur. Three combatants, moving so fast that even most Elites couldnt keep up.

All the while Belzu just watched from a distance.