Sin System: Demonic Harem After Reincarnation-Chapter 238. First Dungeon Outbreak

A few miles north of Gera City, there were about a hundred crusaders marching forward. Although their pace looked slow, they were actually going faster than a normal human's running speed.

Winter wind flapped the golden-edged banners held by these warriors. The holy emblem on the banners, crimson and silver, remained pure like their faith.

As sunlight peeked from the cloudy sky, the crusaders' armors glistened like mountaintops.

At their front, a pair of paladins rode white horses, their red cloaks lifted by the soft breeze. Hawk-like eyes gazed ahead through the slits of metallic helmets.

"It is the midday hour. I do not hear the bell." One of the Paladins lifted his lance and pointed downward. [1]

"Reclaim the Cathedral. Exterminate the demons!" The other did the same with a shout.

Horses neighed, raising their legs before galloping downhill, toward the city.

"Charge!"

The rest of the crusaders unsheathed their swords, nocked arrows to their bows, or straightened their spears.

Marching ahead in a triangular formation, they arrived outside the city's walls in no time.

The guards stationed there began firing arrows while the crusaders jointly used their skills to break open the city gate.

"So they're here…" Standing atop the church's bell tower, Panchel could see what was happening outside.

After Calliya left, the adventurer's guild in Gera had stopped gathering more talents despite his best efforts.

Since there were no prominent noblemen living in the city, it had little defense. Despite having such a large population, the number of 2nd and 3rd Circlers didn't even cross 50.

How could they fend off these crusaders with such a weak force?

Still, Panchel was put in-charge of this city by Jake. He couldn't just surrender without a fight.

'With the help of Orpheus, I can perhaps hold on until master's reinforcements arrive…' The Dark Bishop thought, stepping into the air and chanting a devilish spell.

His whole body turned into black dust which moved toward the northern gate with an unnatural gust. At the same time, a deep shadow also accompanied the dust.

Reaching the gate, the Dark Knight and the Bishop immediately attacked the unsuspecting crusaders. However, their attacks were stopped by a pair of glowing lances.

"Orpheus? Panchel?!" The leading Paladins were in shock.

What could have made such pious men turn to the dark side? They wondered.

…

By now, just outside the Dungeon of Sins, monsters had filled the Redwoods forest. There was a flying lizard above the skies that circled in odd directions, avoiding nearby villages.

As expected, the monsters collectively followed Yvonne, spreading across the land in hordes. Some had their own tribes which stuck together, like the ogres, goblins, orcs and lizardmen.

However, there were some monsters which came from a single family, such as demon spiders, burrowing ants, direwolves, etc. They formed separate companies of their own.

Minotaurs, Cyclopes and Trolls were larger than most foot monsters, so they commanded those who didn't have their own tribe or family.

The first wave didn't have many aerial monsters other than harpies, stinger bees, and the dragon herself. Actually, Jake just realised that he hadn't invested much in airborne creatures for his dungeon.

'I should buy some imps and gryphons from the system once I accumulate enough points…' He thought, looking at the monster horde whose size had reached that of Erpis village.

Since undead creatures and ghosts were severely weakened under sunlight, Jake had told Minerva to wait until sunset before mobilizing her army.

Along with Ash, and the Dark Summoners, she would lead the second wave. This would consist mostly of monster reinforcements arriving from Tartus.

It could be said that Jake had already conquered Karsuda. Ardin was left for Nyssa, Pristina and Marquis Jones' forces. Thus, he set his sights toward Gaephia which was to the west.

Jake planned to use the first wave to conquer all the important fortresses and cities on Gaephia. The second wave would clear out any remaining resistances up north before meeting with the nymphs and elves.

Jointly, they would infiltrate Nuving through the Moonlight Forest while keeping a low profile. By that time, the forces from Ardin would be coming down south. The first wave would also turn east after going through Gaephia.

Thus, the three part monster army would then invade the central province at the same time.

The remaining forces, consisting of Fiona, Calliya and other members of his harem, would stay in the dungeon to guard it. Droge would also be present.

It was foolish to think that his enemies wouldn't target the dungeon. Although the other side had two 5th Circlers, they could very well be hiding another one.

After all, for a royal family that's been ruling this kingdom for hundreds of years, it wouldn't go down so easily.

But even so, Jake had his own wild cards for such a situation.

Right now, Zevik Isenwing should've already reached Ulford along with the other three assassins. Their task was to save Court Mage Ivan and kidnap the royal family members, especially the Queen and the Princesses.

Other than the Isenwing Clan, however, there was another powerhouse under Jake which nobody had any idea about.

…

Clang! Clang!

Sounds of battle rang across the city of Gera whose gates were already broken through.

Panchel and Orpheus were severely wounded as they fell back while fighting the two Paladins at the front. They had underestimated the power of those 3rd Circlers.

Just ten crusaders was enough to keep one of them occupied for a while. These were elite warriors who had honed their battle prowess for years.

Only those who could survive hunting literal demons in the wild would be honored as a member of the crusading knights. Thus, against the corrupted bishop and paladin, only a few had died.

The rest were injured but their will to battle never faltered. Even without Sir Paladins, they could win against two 4th Circlers.

Panchel wasn't really aware of the crusaders' strength but Orpheus knew. Still, he couldn't believe how easily he was being pushed back.

"If they purify the cathedral, we won't be able to preserve the faith of our Lord!" The Dark Bishop gravely sent a mental message.

Orpheus was bleeding from his left arm. There was a burning sensation on the long cut which simply wouldn't heal.

"This is it." He coughed, creating an Unholy Shield in front of the Bishop who kept firing curses.

"Bring the believers. They wouldn't kill the innocents…"

This was the last resort for them. If it didn't stop the crusaders, they would truly lose the city and die here.

Panchel didn't want to do this but right now, the lives of his Lord's followers had to be sacrificed for a greater cause.

"Hear me, O' Believers of…" Just as the Dark Bishop began chanting his spell, a disturbing source of mana stopped him.

This type of mana had something fundamentally evil to it. Every corrupted being in the city was attracted to it for some reason.

As the source of mana rapidly closed in, even the crusaders felt it. The paladins at the front narrowed their eyes, looking toward the south.

The same eyes then widened as something red and black entered the city's premises.

As 4th Circle Paladins, they had hunted hundreds of demonic creatures and exorcised many undead. But it had been a long time since they felt a sense of dread and powerlessness.

"Lord be praised…" The Holy Warriors behind them began to step backwards.

Suddenly, a shockwave pushed away Orpheus and Pancel as a gigantic humanoid creature landed in front of them.

"This…"

"Impossible!"

"How can such a being exist in this world?"

The Paladins retreated tens of yards away after seeing Issac. They had only seen depictions of a Hell Knight in the Holy Books, which recorded vile beings of the Infernal Realm.

But now, a 5th Circle Hell Knight stood right in front of them, menacingly raising his sword!