Countless explosive rounds kicked up a curtain of dust; inside it, even echoes held their breath.

Did it work?

The same thought flashed through everyone on the field, like sparks racing a fuse.

As soldiers, they shouldn’t clutch at luck; but this lopsided war strung every heart like a bowstring. Now that victory glimmered, joy rose like dawn through fog.

Congrats in advance on General Wang’s victory~

The old man who kept butting in sounded meek, like a cat hiding its claws. Wang Xiaoming’s brow stayed knotted, a blade pressed between his eyes.

I think... it’s not that simple. My plan hasn’t reached the last step.

Come on, General Wang; if we’ve won, why fuss about the plan?

No. My plans don’t leave seams. Those Daemons have lost all wit—no magic, no strategy—but their bodies are iron plows. Rocket barrages and firebombs at most leave them grievously hurt.

Grievously hurt isn’t enough?

Not enough. Not even close. Mindless as they are, even headless, their muscles will thrash like dying snakes before true death. This “badly wounded” won’t stop their charge.

It sounded like thunder without rain, yet the truth stood with Wang Xiaoming.

When the haze peeled back, Daemon bodies carpeted the ground like burnt leaves. Their once-crimson skin had been fired to charcoal black.

Soldiers nearest caught the scorched stench like a wave slapping the shore. Anyone not hardened would vomit bile on the spot.

Rrr...

A low, droning roar rolled out, like a drum under the earth. One Daemon that had lain like a corpse trembled and pushed up on its hands.

Their skins, crisped to flakes, shed like black snow as they moved. Blood leaked from every cracked charcoal seam and hit the ground with a sizzle.

They were men of blood now—face, body, even trousers a red second skin. Here and there clung shards of charcoal armor; bone winked pale beneath.

Even so, they rose, reeds in a storm righting again.

One Daemon, less ruined than the rest, needed only a breath to knit enough to fight. Without reason, he knew only battle, like a wind‑up beast.

Pain and wounds weren’t reasons; they were sparks in the rain that wouldn’t die.

ROAR!!!

He roared, lifted his right foot, and stamped; his body lurched forward two meters like a broken cart. Pain clenched his jaw in a mind with no reins.

He lifted it again. Pain from tightening muscle made him sway like a mast in a squall. He fell; the ground took his whole body, not his foot.

See? I said they weren’t that simple~

He said it like a child showing off, pointing at the Daemon that had face‑planted. He’d been the only one to stand; you couldn’t pretend otherwise.

The elder, guarding his dignity, glanced away and tossed a thin retort.

In that state, he’s as good as dead. What’s the difference?

Hahaha~ Old man, are you actually old or what? That’s a Daemon. Worse, one that’s thrown everything away. Leave them alone an hour, and they’ll crawl back and flip the board.

Slapped once already, the elder didn’t argue this time. Wang Xiaoming made sense; to argue would parade ignorance like a flag.

Then I’ll leave it to you~

What do you mean?

Irritation pricked; why was it suddenly about him again? The elder couldn’t read Wang Xiaoming’s turn.

Obviously, I need you to cast a Holy Light spell~

Why not get some other mage?!

Pride spoke first; he could do it, he just hated owing Wang Xiaoming.

Because you’re the only S‑class here who specializes in Holy Light.

Undeniable—like a brand pressed hot. He was the only S‑class for Holy Light. Refuse, and they’d name him sloth, sinner, maybe traitor; life would curdle.

So he pinched his nose with a cold snort and raised his wand like a flagstaff.

—I’m doing this for the Empire, for myself; it’s got nothing to do with him!

He repeated it to himself to ease his heart, like beads clicking in prayer. Then he began to chant.

O strongest light under heaven,

O greatest of elements,

heed my call.

Take shape as an unbreaking sword.

Unfurl your sovereign radiance.

Pour blessing on all living things.

Cast your shine upon the world of men.

Turn the invading wicked to nothing!

—[Light That Shines Upon the Mortal World]!