Chapter 153: Turning Point [4]

"I've called for someone to find you earlier. Did you not get the message?"

"I did, Sir."

Omar confirmed.

"However, breaking formation is impossible. There are too many of them, there are even some who are capable of flight."

Omar turned his head slightly and pointed at the sky.

There were beasts with wings that span a few centimeters wide. But for some reason, they didn't join in the battle.

Then that could only mean...

"So they're blocking us from leaving the rift."

"Most likely. We don't know how strong they are. So retreat is impossible at the moment, until we've fully gauged their difficulty."

Albert nodded at Omar's words.

Without even realizing it, Lucian Frost had gone off and joined the battle once more.

Several strategies of retreat sparked in his mind. One where they would all focus on retreat as Lucian Frost would serve to buy some time.

However, he knew how risky that plan was.

Yes, Lucian Frost was strong, the strongest even.

But one man alone couldn't cover for over 15,000 soldiers and aid in their retreat.

There were simply too many variables to count.

He couldn't risk unnecessary casualties. That's because, once they all start flying, it would leave them defenseless from oncoming attacks.

Flight entails extreme focus, and although simultaneously attacking was possible. However, it was too risky because of how unstable flying was.

And with so many flying beasts around, clearly, it wouldn't be a smooth exit out of the rift.

Looking around, more ground was being covered and the army continued to push forward.

All of a sudden, Albert's deep voice rang in the air as he voiced out his instructions.

"Men!"

And though no one turned to look at him, due to their attention being fixated on the attack, Albert knew they were listening attentively.

"We're going to charge into their lines. Find me their leader, their source, whatever's controlling this horde."

As Omar ran off to join the battle, Albert raised his voice again, making it resound across the entire battlefield

"We're at the start of a new time! Push forward! Show these beasts how strong humans are!"

A loud cheer rose from the Imperial ranks. Spells flew harder, swords struck faster. The battle began to turn in their favor.

Albert himself joined the fight, every move he made incredibly powerful.

Where he walked, the ground shook. Beasts fell in huge numbers with each wave of his arm.

But even as the Imperial Army pushed forward, all sorts of beasts came from the depths of this strange world.

But the army did not waver and pushed forth.

The battle seemed to be in their favor.

However, that was when...

"Hwoooooar—!"

From a distance, the sound of a bellowing roar echoed throughout the entire battlefield.

It was so loud as it served to rip apart their eardrums. However, condensing mana in their ears proved to counter the after effects.

And as all the soldiers' fixed their gaze to trace the source of the scream, they could see a silhouette that was obscured by fog.

From what they could make out of it, it seemed like giant snake-like heads.

No.

As Lucian narrowed his eyes to fully focus on its figure, the giant snake-like heads seemed to be attached to a single body.

"Holy fuck..."

"Fuck is that?"

The soldiers' horrified tone.

Lucian frowned as his gaze was fixed on the giant beast. It was far and he was aware of it.

More space was covered, and each soldier continued to fight with their lives on the line.

However, as Lucian gazed into the distance, the sense of foreboding washed over him.

The Hydra...

His instincts told him that something was about to happen.

...That the Hydra wasn't something he could easily handle.

He clenched the handle of his blade.

"This isn't like me."

The operation must continue.

Until every last creature in this realm was exterminated.

Lucian's resolve hardened as he surveyed the battlefield once more. The Imperial Army was making progress, but the onslaught of beasts seemed never-ending.

He knew that to truly turn the tide, they needed to strike at the heart of this monstrous horde.

With his usual indifferent demeanor, Lucian charged forward, his blade a blur of motion as it cut through beast after beast.

Swoosh—! Slash—!

His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as he weaved through the chaos of battle.

"Lucian!"

Albert's voice cut through the battle, reaching Lucian's ear.

"We need to push deeper into their ranks!"

Nodding in acknowledgment, Lucian began to carve a path through the sea of monsters. Soldiers rallied behind him, inspired by his fearless advance.

As they pressed on, the landscape of the rift became more alien and twisted.

The ground beneath their feet pulsed with an otherworldly energy, and the air grew thick with mana that made breathing difficult.

"...!"

From the swirling mists emerged a creature unlike any they had faced before. It was a hybrid of sorts, with the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and a serpent for a tail.

"Stand your ground!"

Lucian shouted as the beast charged towards them.

The hybrid's claws raked across the ground, leaving deep furrows in its wake. Its eyes glowed with an unholy light as it fixed its gaze on Lucian.

Time seemed to slow as Lucian faced off against this new threat. He could feel the eyes of his fellow soldiers upon him.

"Hoo..."

With a deep breath, Lucian centered himself. In a flash, he was moving, his sword a silver arc through the air.

Swoosh—!

"Hieeek!"

The hybrid roared in pain as Lucian's blade found its mark. It lashed out with its serpent tail.

However, with his quick reflexes, Lucian dashed to the side and dodged the attack.

Seizing the opportunity, Lucian leapt into the air, his blade infused with crackling energy.

Swoosh—!

With a thunderous strike, he brought his sword down upon the hybrid's head, cleaving it in two.

Thud!

As the beast's corpse hit the ground, a cheer went up from the Imperial ranks.

"Damn."

But Lucian paid no heed to them and fixed his gaze on the ominous silhouette from a distance.

He knew this was just one battle in a much larger war.

In the distance, the Hydra's silhouette loomed ever larger. Lucian could feel its presence weighing upon him.

But that was when...

"Hyeeeeek!"

A piercing shriek filled the air.