Chapter 174: Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (38)

Chapter 174: Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart (38)

Eyes of a Dragon and the Human Heart ()

Ravaged by explosions, the city was in ruins.

Craters, born at the epicenter of the blasts, marred the landscape, and the groans and screams of dozens of people sprawled on the ground filled the air.

The Homecoming Festival was an event that involved not only academy students but also a huge number of civilians.

Considering that multiple explosions had gone off in the middle of such a big event, the devastation they wrought was unimaginable.

I hadnt expected, even in my wildest imaginations, that there would be self-destructing demonic beasts.

All living creatures typically adhered to their survival instincts. A creature, regardless of whether it was demonic or not, sacrificing itself to cause an explosion contradicted all norms.

It seemed more plausible that these creatures were purposely engineered for malevolent purposes, and they successfully brought down pandemonium.Follow the latest novels on no/velbin(.)com

The masses were in a frenzy as they screamed and hastily attempted to flee. It was utter chaos.

It was understandable. If I was feeling this bewildered despite having anticipated an attack, it was obvious how panicked everyone else was feeling.

However, fleeing was the worst response. The attack wouldnt stop merely because they were running away.

Just like I expected, more cats began growling and swelling, their bodies grotesquely deforming as their flesh expanded into abnormal lumps.

At a glance, there appeared to be dozens of them.

On paper, we had enough force to withstand hundreds of demonic beasts with proper coordination. Although we were just a ragtag group of students, each and every member of the Knight Division and the Magic Department was a student of the prestigious Academy whose individual talents had been recognized.

Yet, the lack of practical combat experience and the ghastly sight of blood and gore splattering everywhere posed a serious problem.

While some third and fourth-year students reacted promptly and armed themselves, the majority of first and second-years were screaming and frantically trying to escape.

As for me, I swung my hatchet and swiftly shattered the skull of a demonic cat that was fiercely rushing towards me.

With a resounding crack, blood and brain matter splattered across my vision.

Then, slicing through the air, the hatchet carved the faces of two more cats that were lunging towards the people on the ground.

I raised my voice.

Dont run! Organize yourselves and evacuate the injured!

Although they were still visibly shaken, several students hesitantly began to follow my instructions. They would soon realize that my directive was the best course of action they could take.

Dashing forward, I retrieved my fallen hatchet and charged at the two demonic cats with my sword in hand.

Blood flowed down their faces from my previous strike, and blinded by their own blood, they wildly flailed their paws haphazardly. Although their movements looked fierce, their random attacks posed no threat to an experienced swordsman.

-Swish.

Diving into range, I severed the cats paws with a single step. Then, driving my sword even deeper, the sword cleanly severed its head.

The cats head tumbled to the ground as blood erupted like a fountain. Unperturbed, I swiftly turned and dispatched the remaining cat.

These demonic cats werent very strong.

The real problem laid in the uncertainty of how many could self-destruct.

As evident from the numerous students writhing on the ground in pain, the resulting explosions were strong enough to pierce through magical protection.

First and second-years, focus on aiding the injured! Priests from the Theology Department, begin emergency treatment! Mages, provide rear support! Knight Division upperclassmen, get out there, NOW! Evacuate the civilians!

As I had requested of her, Senior Delphine promptly assumed command and decisively responded to the crisis. It was more suitable for the heir of Yurdina to issue orders to the noble students than the despised son of a rural viscount.

The impact was immediate. Several members of her group were already ushering civilians to safety, and other students rallied together as she shouted out a few more orders.

Given the risk of explosions, it was crucial to reduce the population density.

Only now could I somewhat relax and dive into battle.

Blood continuously sprayed and splattered across my body as I maneuvered through the demonic beasts. Crushing their skulls, severing their necks, and piercing their heartsI didnt stop until blood, brain matter, and bone fragments all merged together and rained down.

The spectacle of pure carnage drew frightened glances from the surrounding students as admiration, aspiration, and fear emanated from them. Most were underclassmen with little to no real combat experience.

Shaking off the excess blood off my hair, I flashed them a smile.

What are ya looking at, ya runts? Arent ya gonna start swinging your swords?!

Blood threatened to spill from my mouth. It felt as if all my internal organs had been shaken. As a result of shielding the Saintess and bearing the force that should have hit her instead of dodging the blast, while I wasnt critically injured, I sustained definite damage.

-Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-



All my senses were disoriented, and a constant ringing pierced my ears.

When my senses finally returned, the first thing I heard was a shrill scream assaulting my eardrums.

Kyaaaaaaah!!



It wasnt a singular cat that was dropped. Besides the one aimed at the Saintess, more had been released by the birds.

While some students discerned the situation and reacted early upon witnessing my frantic movements, it was still impossible to completely prevent them all.

Chaos erupted everywhere.

The center of our formation, where non-combatants were gathered, was especially vulnerable, and the shortage of priests became increasingly evident.

Heck, they were the ones who were supposed to be treating the injured, but right now, most of the people who were collapsed on the ground were either the priests or those who were already injured.

It was unfortunate, but they were likely to suffer permanent damage in this battle. No, they would be lucky if they didnt lose their lives here.

My eyes sank in despair as I imagined the grim future.

I had been careless. I didnt expect the birds to be demonic beasts as well.

If only I had noticed, I would have been able to prevent this disaster

What snapped me out of my despair was a hand.

Someone was frantically shaking my shoulder. Dazedly turning my head, what entered my sight was a womans tearful face.

It was the Saintess.

Her trembling hand gradually approached my bloodied mouth.

A-are you okay?! O-o-o-oh no I-Ill treat you right now, so just wait a bit. I-I need to heal you immediately

Sain-cough! S-Saintess.

I tried to speak normally in an attempt to pretend I was fine, but it was futile as I coughed up blood. If anything, it seemed to only further aggravate her panic.

Her eyes quivered violently, and she immediately mustered up more holy power than I had ever seen before. She seemed determined to rouse every last bit of her holy power to heal me.

While I was grateful for her intentions, I grabbed one of her arms to stop her.

Bewildered, she looked at me as I feebly opened my mouth.

Take Take care of the patients first

I smiled at her, trying to convey my sincerity, but instead, her gaze turned blank.

Then, the next moment-

-Pak!



Her palm smacked my back.

Are- Are you crazy?! Youre the patient right now!

Blood spurted from my mouth.

It seemed my bravado wasnt very convincing

It was only a few minutes later that I belatedly realized that the Imperial Princess was nowhere to be seen.

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