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# 32. Stories of Others (3)
#4 Their Situation: The Situation of Ria El Nermia
“Attack!”
With my command, thousands of spells rained down from the sky.
No matter how resilient the evil G.o.d’s army was, they couldn’t withstand such a barrage of magic.
ROOOAAAR!
But of course, there were exceptions. Some beings were naturally resistant, like the descendants of ogres or dragons, with their tough scales.
“Burn, Surtr.”
WOOOSH!
The fire giant Surtr took on those tough enemies.
“Everyone, use fire magic!”
“Understood.”
The sorcerers from the Magic Tower cast their spells. Surtr, a demon with a legend of burning a world, was unaffected by human fire. Only flames from a fire spirit king or a similar deity could harm Surtr.
Still, he couldn’t defeat even a simple stick.
– What about the master?
– True.
A stick or metal rod that makes one’s body tremble at the thought of facing it. I’d rather fight the demon king than that.
This battle against the evil G.o.d’s army was no different.
“So, I must give my all.”
I didn’t need to use magic myself. Just increasing the mana supplied to Surtr was enough. The flames grew stronger, shifting from red to blue, then to white!
The army of the evil G.o.d began to disappear as Surtr’s white flames swept across them.
“Phew…”
I drank a mana recovery potion as I felt my energy draining rapidly. Adjusting Surtr’s mana flow was crucial.
My grandfather, the head of the Magic Tower, often said that the difference between a high-level sorcerer and a grand sorcerer was the ability to manage mana distribution.
Summoning was the same. No matter how powerful the summoned creature, if the mana supply was inadequate, it couldn’t perform effectively.
But using too much mana would lead to rapid unsummoning.
“Ah, Nerkia, the spirit legion.”
He was famous for using all his spirits effectively. Unlike others who would only use high-level spirits once contracted, Nerkia used lower-level ones based on the situation. This earned him the nickname ‘spirit legion.’
“Have I overdone it?”
Thinking of my poor seniors, I might have used too much mana. But with most of the evil G.o.d’s army defeated, it should be fine.
“Phew…”
Feeling dizzy from using most of my mana, I held my forehead. I’d done my part. Time to let others handle the rest.
“Clean up, please.”
“Understood.”
A former mercenary king and hero, now my senior, led the charge.
“Let’s go!”
Mounted on his horse, he drew his sword, followed by many mercenaries. Despite their numbers, only a few could use magic.
As my professor once said, there’s strength in numbers. No matter how strong, multiple hits will eventually hurt.
“Ah, where did that stinky mouth come from?”
ROOOOAR!
Even the evil ogres couldn’t withstand continuous attacks from humans.
In the end, many monsters fell, unable to tell if they died from the blows or blood loss. The battle ended in our victory.
“More casualties than expected.”
It was inevitable. Fighting the relentless evil G.o.d’s army, who didn’t value their lives, meant many mercenaries also fell.
Yet, mercenaries kept joining because of the huge bounty offered by Magic Origins.
“Please confirm and prepare the list. Magic Origins will handle the rewards.”
Money was the driving force. As long as there was money, mercenaries would follow and replenish.
My professor was right—money was indeed the best motivator.
“Just do as usual?”
I nodded at my senior’s question. With Swyn’s endors.e.m.e.nt, Magic Origins had no choice but to pay. Swyn’s reputation ensured it.
“Yes. And recruit more mercenaries.”
“Got it. I’ll handle it.”
My senior left, handling everything smoothly, as expected from someone taught by our professor.
“Resting isn’t an option with my grandfather around.”
“Grandfather…”
“No casualties among the sorcerers, but the mercenaries suffered.”
“Yes, unavoidable sacrifices.”
Actually, these weren’t unavoidable. With better strategy, many could have survived, but it would delay our mission. We wanted to end this war quickly.
“So, I must bear their sacrifices to save more people.”
“Ria…”
His eyes filled with mixed emotions, my heart ached slightly.
– A small remnant of your conscience, cherish it.
– Quiet.
My words held no falsehood. Ending the evil G.o.d’s army quickly would save countless lives.
– But the goal is different.
– Quiet, I said.
Surtr, once only a decoy, now became a figure of fear and respect. Recently, he began nagging me more.
“I wish I could explain our contract to you…”
“Can’t believe my granddaughter has grown so much…”
My grandfather’s wet eyes and gentle hold on my hand made me endure.
“I’m not a child anymore.”
“Yes, you’re all grown. Your sister married years ago.”
“Ah…”
My sister, who left the family through an arranged marriage, now had a large family. She was a talented sorcerer, yet chose love and family.
“Ria, after this war…”
“Grandfather, let’s talk about it later.”
His words hinted at a future, post-war. Professor once warned us about making such plans during missions. They often led to unnecessary risks and deaths.
“No, grandfather. I’m fine.”
After a long talk, I finally managed to send my grandfather away, exhaling a small sigh.
“Tiring…”
Every day, battling the evil G.o.d’s army, moving from place to place. It was exhausting but necessary.
“Once I defeat the demon king…”
I’ll take a year off, away from people.
– And that was your unachievable dream.
“It is achievable.”
It is, really… maybe.