The Author's POV

"Whooooo!"

The Abyssal Mammoth raised its tusk into the air and let out a ferocious cry, much like the way a trumpet would sound. Simultaneously, its body raised up on its two legs―exposing its fluffy underbelly in the process—with its legs smashing down against the ground when coming down.

Rumble! Rumble!

The cave began to shake as a result of the mammoth's violent movements, and the color of the mammoth's eyes shifted to an ominous crimson hue.

"Not good; it's agitated!"

"The cave will collapse at this rate!"

Confronted with an unexpected circumstance, the demons began to panic a little. However, the panic didn't last too long. After all, they were all seasoned veterans.

It didn't take long before the order was restored, and immediately after, every demon began forming formations and barking orders at each other.

"Aim for the underbelly! That's its weak point!"

"Make sure you don't kill it!"

"Coming!"

Boom―!

The cave began to shake once more, and the combatants on both sides—the mammoth and the demons—engaged in a struggle with one another.

'This is worse than I anticipated..."

As I turned my head to look at Amanda, I heaved a sigh of exasperation and gazed at her with a frown.

It wasn't just her; everybody else was affected by it as well. They were getting to the point where they were a real pain to deal with.

...but I couldn't really blame them, to be honest. It was my choice to bring them along, and I was aware from the very beginning that the more mana, or demonic energy, they used, the more their minds became corrupted by the demonic energy.

It was also the reason why I avoided using my powers as much as possible.

Really...

If there was anyone to blame, it was me.

Xiu―! Xiuuuu―!

"Whoooooo!"

Amanda's arrows tore through the air as she continued to shoot in the direction of the mammoth. They rode through the air like silver bullets, arriving at the beast in a matter of seconds.

Ca―! Clank!

Unfortunately, when they collided with the mammoth's hide this time, unlike her first attempt, the arrows were deflected away and sent careening aimlessly toward the ground.

I wasn't surprised by this.

After all, there was a significant gap in the level of strength that existed between the Mammoth and Amanda. The simple fact that she had been successful in obtaining a hit in the first place was mind-boggling in itself.

Of course, it would have never occurred if it had not been caught off guard. But that was the whole point.

"Are you not going to make a move?"

asked, observing the battlefield

them to get rid of the beast. If you were to help out, I'd help

"I guess..."

nodded, agreeing with her

continued to observe from the

you could make the same argument for the Duchess. If she were to make a move, things would turn for the

as strong as the

chose to omit the

***

Clank―!

"Whooooo!"

weapons and claws struck against the hard fur of the mammoth, which further

that hung above the ceiling of

cave, held an incredible amount of weight—came hurtling down toward a series of demons, impaling

"Argh!"

"Watch out!"

one as dark blood spattered all over the

that their cores were not damaged,

size of the stalactites made sure that no demon survived,

many demons have fallen so

the entire battlefield from

to linger over the mammoth as her

lost about ten Marquis ranked demons,

replied, seemingly prepared for the

"Ten already?"

frown appeared on Priscilla's pristine features as her brows momentarily moved

than

caution. "I believe that the reason for the losses is due to none other than the premature shot that was made at

"Enough!"

same couldn't be said for her voice as

test them. If it were up to me, I'd have killed the beast

be wary of. Sure, if she were alone, it'd prove to be an annoying foe for her...but she

to appease her uncle for a

moment as he once

"Yes, I know, but—"

"Did the shot miss?"

gaze focused on the hooded

has made it a point to keep a close eye on the individual ever

wasn't out of spite or annoyance. It was more out of

courageous people to cowards. The hooded's figure

liked reckless ones. Had the individual missed,

nothing wrong.

had to adapt to any situation that was presented

gained a good advantage. It was now up to them to exploit that

its right side! At its belly! That's its weak

a loud shout coming from the distance that once

'Another hooded figure?'

that the person who had yelled was donning a black hood, the same kind of hood as

based on how clear it was, and the instructions that she was giving seemed to be directed toward another hooded figure who had

side, you fuckwit! That's where

words were rather

watched as the figure leisurely approached the beast, walked up to it, and then made its way

was due to the chaos, or the figure's skills, or perhaps both, but much to her surprise, he stood right beneath

SHAAA!