Labyrinth: Chapter 44: The Devil’s Dream

The blazing curtain of fire in the sky reflected in Benimaru’s pupils.

“Don’t worry. That’s just my companion’s magic.”

“Tsk…”

The Orc General gritted his teeth.

Was that massive spell cast by the Lizardmen?

We need to finish up here fast and kill the one casting those high-level spells.

He turned around, magic power behind him morphing into five giant snakes.

He raised the massive shield in his hand.

“Ogre Clan… Looks like you’ve come to help these lizards.”

“But it’s pointless!”

“No matter how many losses we take, our advantage remains!”

Chaos Eater!

The serpents shot toward Benimaru like streaks of lightning.

“Watch out!” Gabiru shouted.

This strike was even faster than before. So the pig wasn’t going all out earlier?!

Benimaru’s face didn’t twitch.

“A defeated opponent?”

“Then allow me to show you.”

A black flame rose in Benimaru’s palm.

As the black snakes lunged forward.

His figure suddenly vanished, reappearing behind the Orc General.

“Nani—?!!”

The General’s pupils dilated.

What speed!

Before he could react.

Benimaru’s palm was already touching his back.

A cold voice followed.

Black Flame Prison.

“Perish.”

In the next instant.

The Orc General was trapped inside a purple barrier.

Immediately after, searing black flames filled the inside.

“AAAAAAHHHH!!!”

It was like the fires of hell were burning an evil soul alive.

A piercing scream echoed through the battlefield.

“You… Who the hell are you?!”

Benimaru said nothing.

He just stared calmly as the General was devoured by the flames.

The screaming gradually faded.

Eventually, it went silent.

All that remained… was a thin layer of black ash.

Gabiru stood there with his mouth wide open.

“Whoa… That was amazing…”

Benimaru pulled out three bottles of recovery potion and tossed them at the unconscious Lizardmen nearby.

“Give those to them. It should still be in time.”

“Huh? These are…?”

“Healing potions.”

“Chishiya-sama gave them to me before we left.”

“Said they were blessed by a goddess or something.”

Goddess… Well, maybe that’s just how he phrased it.

Benimaru popped a red pill and shut down his racing thoughts.

Then he turned toward the battlefield.

“Hey, if you can still move, follow me.”

“We might need more people on the front line.”

With that, his figure leapt into the air and vanished.

Gabiru clenched his fists as he looked in the direction Benimaru disappeared.

So this is the gap… I’m still not even close…

———————

Meanwhile…

On the battlefield

“Sensei! Sensei!”

Megumin clung to Chishiya’s back, shouting excitedly.

“Did you see it?!”

“It’s really a new staff!”

“That Explosion Magic just now was the best one I’ve ever done!”

She patted his back excitedly.

This girl… We’re in the middle of a war. Can’t she take anything seriously?

Chishiya kept his calm, expression deadpan.

“This is the result of training.”

“How is it? I didn’t scam you, did I?”

Megumin nodded furiously, still riding high on the joy of her detonation.

Not far ahead, an Orc General was engaged in battle with a blonde knight.

“What’s wrong with you humans?!”

Chaos Eater!

Black and red serpents slammed into Darkness’s armor.

Cracks began to spread… on the armor.

Darkness herself? Totally fine.

The Orc General was starting to doubt the entire concept of being born a pig.

What kind of person is tougher than their own armor?!

Why even wear armor then?!

“What the hell are you made of, human?!”

“How can you be this hard?!”

Darkness blocked the giant axe, cheeks turning bright red.

“H-Hey! I can’t just ignore that!”

“Say it clearly! Who are you calling hard?!”

Despite her embarrassment, she stood her ground.

After all, being called “hard” wasn’t exactly something a young maiden wanted to hear...

“Hey! Hey!!”

Darkness shouted back.

“Your attacks are too weak!”

“This has nothing to do with me!”

She glanced behind her at the Lizardmen and Goblin Wolf Riders.

“Everyone!”

“I’ll be the meat shield! Don’t worry about me!”

“Just hurry up and finish it!”

Boom!

Another Orc General bit the dust.

Rimuru turned his head toward Chishiya.

“Chishiya-san, your subordinates are really something.”

Impressive…? Yeah. In a certain way, extremely impressive.

Also possibly clinically insane.

“Ahem…” Chishiya cleared his throat.

“Well then. Let’s go find the Orc Lord.”

“Okay. I’ll head up first.”

Rimuru sprouted bat-like wings and took to the sky.

Oh yeah… He can fly…

One day, I’m definitely learning that skill.

Chishiya pouted slightly and followed on foot.

“Sensei, why are you still walking? It’s embarrassing.”

Megumin chirped while still hanging onto his back.

Chishiya muttered, “Yeah, yeah. So sorry.”

———————

Now the entire battlefield had basically fallen under the Oni’s control.

Shion swung her massive greatsword, its blade glowing with a violet light.

Every swing unleashed a flash of purple energy.

Every strike carved a seven-meter path of destruction through the Orc ranks.

Not just cut in half. Enemies exploded into pieces.

Her beautiful face lit up with a cheerful smile as she danced her blade through the crowd.

She didn’t even seem to be getting tired.

Her barrage was nonstop, and no Orcs could get within reach.

Absolute domination.

Meanwhile, Hakurou handled the enemy commanders and generals.

He didn’t even need a battle. Just walked in and sliced them to ribbons.

At the Orc Lord’s side.

Gelmud was losing his mind.

“What… what the hell is going on?!”

Across the battlefield.

The once-formidable Orc army was getting shredded.

Out of nowhere, more than a dozen Oni had appeared.

Wielding magic swords, they pounced on their prey like starving tigers.

The Orcs didn’t even have a chance to fight back.

“Are you… kidding me?!”

“I already ordered the Orcs to destroy the Ogre Clan’s village!”

“Where the hell did these monsters come from?!”

Gelmud’s eyelid twitched wildly.

And that wasn’t all.

In the center of the battlefield, a blonde knight was holding her own against one of the Orc Generals.

What faction is she from?

Western Holy Church?

And that little loli mage over there!

He saw her spell with his own eyes!

One blast and nearly a quarter of the Orc army was obliterated!

“Ahhh—gahhhh!”

Gelmud clutched his head, practically screaming.

“Where did these people even come from?!”

“Why are they ruining everything at this critical moment?!”

“If this keeps up… If it keeps up… that adult will kill me!”

“Damn it! The Orc Lord… The Orc Lord—!!!”

Gelmud howled.

“Hey, Orc Lord! Get moving already!”

“What the hell are you waiting for?!”

Behind him stood a grotesque pig-headed creature.

Over five or six meters tall.

Yellow, clouded eyes full of malice. A demonic aura seeped from its body.

But something was off…

It didn’t seem to have any will of its own.

As if it were being driven purely by—

(…To be continued.)