274. Demon's Camp II

At first, Snow had a bit of trouble going through the terrain, trying not to trip over rocks, roots, or jagged edges. But, as time went by, she could differentiate what she was stepping on to become natural to her.

Her senses become stronger, allowing her to even find a demon scouting party way ahead of Dairen.

It didn’t take long for them to find the Demon camp. The number of demons that she sensed seemed as numerous as the stars in the sky.

They were a variety of monsters that she knew and never felt before. The ones that were sent to attack the castle walls were just the tip of the iceberg. Closer she observed, she saw strange demons that were either purely made out of magic, glistening like the sun. There were even ghouls-- both humanoid and beastly-- bumbling around or unmoving, rotting under the cloudy sky. There was a stench of rotten flesh that would come and go every time the wind blew toward Snow.

Even still, there were other fantastical monsters. Cyclops to goblins that danced and screamed at each other, trying to outvoice the others. Even hellhounds the size of an average dog and as tall as an elephant was grouped together. Still, the humanoid demons outnumbered the beastly monster. Some rode on top of the beast-like horses, wearing black armor from head to toe, glowing with dark, mysterious power.

Snow saw from demonic-looking birds to rotting black dragons curled up sleeping. Luckily, there weren’t too many black dragons in the vast army, but the thought of having even five were considered cataclysmic. How such a demon army was able to get five undead black dragons were mind-numbing.

Despite the large army, Snow couldn’t help but feel her heart and stomach squeeze from nervousness. The enemy was too many to the point of being overwhelming. If they sent the whole army in one go, the whole city would be completely devoured.

The only reason the Demon King was sending small pockets of its enemy was just to test out the city defense, or there was something else that was stopping it from completely overtaking it. The only answer she could think of was the sacred trees that protected the city walls.

“That is quite a bit of a demon.” Dairen had said with a low voice. He was next to her, hidden in the bushes overlooking the demon camp. “Do you feel the demon king?”

“Not yet…” Snow continued to scan the army. The more she sensed, the endless the army seemed.

Suddenly, a pull of powerful surge of power smashed into both Snow and Dairen. Both of them snatched their heads toward the powerful energy.

“It seems we have found it,” said Dairen.

The dark aura around the monster was pulsating heavily throughout the whole field. Each wave would have made anybody frozen in fear. It took a lot out of Snow to shake the uneasiness away and get back her bearings.

From what she could sense, the demon king was quite small in height. The demon was the size of an adult male. Its horn jutted forward and up. Even the way the demon carried itself was completely different from the rest.

“What do you have planned?” Dairen asked.

“We should scout for a bit.” Snow said slowly. "Quick question, how much of the army can you fight against?”

Dairen smirked. “I assure you, I can handle a third of it.”

“A third?” Snow gaped. That was quite a large number of forces.

“Yep, the battles have been helping me grow faster than any fight I have gone through.”

“What about the final demon prince?”

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Dairen shook his head. “I haven’t found him yet. It’s weird. It’s like the last demon prince doesn’t even exist.”

For the next few hours, both Dairen and Snow quietly watched in the bushes, overlooking the army from above. It wasn’t easy to keep watch as Snow and Dairen did get hungry as time went by.

It was mid-afternoon when the commotions in the demon army seemed to become agitated.

A group of humanoid demons came walking in. The demon army broke away, allowing the group to go through. They headed straight toward the only tent in the middle of the demon army, protected by powerful demons.

“What do you think they are here for?” Dairen whispered. He was getting bored until now.

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it. I think something big might happen in the next few days to come.”

“I get the same feeling as well.”

Something else caught Snow’s magical senses. The Demons that came were holding something in their hand. A powerful lull of magic was calling toward Snow, resonating with her. Powerful waves of magic rejuvenating her energy. Her mind became daze as if it was calling her.

Snow suddenly spoke, “Let’s go join the demon army.” Her words escaped her lips without realizing it.

“Wait, what?!”

Snow snapped her hand onto Dean's lips, raising her finger to quiet him.

“Sorry.” Dairen peeled her finger off her mouth. “Why? This doesn’t seem like a sensible thing to do. You have strong light magic surrounding you. Already, bringing it down has made you….too weak.”

“We need to,” Snow replied. Even though it was dangerous, she had to regulate her magical energy to the point where she was almost a ghost. The only magic that would protect her was the magic to equally neutralize against the darkness that would suffocate her.

“This is suicide.” Dairen retorted. “We now know where the demon king army is. We should go back and get everyone ready to attack.”

Snow shook her head. “No, not this time. Getting information is not the only thing.”

“Then what is it?”

“There is a Black Box Series.”

“So? We can get it later.”

“There is something different about it. We get in, grab the Black Box series, and run back out. It’s simple.”

Dairen sighed. “There is nothing simple about this Snow. This isn’t like you.”

Snow couldn’t help but agree with Dairen, but the lure of power from the Black Box series coming from the box was irresistible. Her mind wouldn't let her turn away from the call.

“I know, but something about that Black Box is important. Why would the demons come in bringing it?”

“I don't know."

“It's going to be quick in and out." Snow assured him. “Let’s go grab some demon patrols and

take their outfits.”

"But-"

Snow had weaseled her way out from under the bush before Dairen could say anything else.

Dairen and Snow crawled out from the bushes. This time, they tracked a few demons away from the main group. It wasn’t difficult to overcome the demon patrol as there were only five.

Pulling the dead demons into the bushes. Snow pulled their armor off. A stench of sweat was present, making Snow’s nose crinkle. With a quick wash of water, using magic, she washed it away as best she could. Then, blowing it with air magic, she quickly put it on.

“You ready?” Dairen asked. He was wearing battered black armor that covered him decently well, but it still made him look raggedly.

Even the Snow glow around her still did not lessen, even when she wore the enemy's armor.

“Yea.” Snow grabbed the crappy weapon that was sticking out of the ground. It was a chipped sword with a wrapped cloth that was a bit grey and worn.

“You and I are going to split ways. I’m going to draw their attention, and you're going to steal the black box.”

“Okay, but I’m going to summon up my generals to protect you.”

“Perfect.”

Dairen summoned up the four generals that surrounded them like a guard. They stood beside them in a square pattern, waiting for their master's direction.

They continued toward the demon army. Every step was heavy, but Snow and Dairen didn’t break character. Until Dairen broke away into the shadows, disappearing before them.

Snow took a deep breath.

The moment they came at the foot of the demon army, they kept walking. Snow walked through the thick crowd of demons, her heartbeat furiously.

“You.” A demon that was twice the size of them called out to them from the right. His muscles bulged, and his angry red skin seemed to become bulkier than before.

Snow didn’t listen and kept on walking.

The other demons started to stop what they were doing and looked over, interested in what was

going on.

“I told you to stop!” The demon’s large hand came crashing down to squash Snow in one go.

Out of pure instinct, Snow reached up and grabbed the demon’s hand. She then directed the force of momentum and flipped the monster onto the ground.

The demon laid down stupefied, looking up into the sky.

Silence descended upon the group as they curiously looked toward her.