34 Dance of the Crimson Flames

(A/N: With the introduction of Optics and his worker crew in chapter 29, I wanted to build on his character more than what's originally known about him! With that in mind, I hope you enjoy the chapter! Make sure to give it a review and what I can improve in the future!)

[Timeskip - 3 Days]

[Narrator's POV]

A swordsman with red hair swiftly decapitated yet another beastman soldier with a swing of his firey weapon. He took a deep breath and exhaled before locking his red eyes onto another savage beast, who was charging at him with clear killing intent.

"It just never seems to end…" The man muttered under his breath, taking a defensive stance and letting the beastman close the gap between them. 'This beastman is sloppy, just like most of them we've fought thus far…' He thought to himself, looking at how the beastman ran at him with his weapon and his posture.

And just like the beastman the red-haired swordsman ended only moments ago, this savage soldier found his head and right arm separated from his main body as the fresh cuts spewed blood all over. The swordsman wiped away the small amount of blood that found its way onto his cheek before repeating the process.

The swordsman's gear was nothing special, yet it was visually striking for anyone that laid their eyes on him. The red detailings littered around his protective fighting gear were definitely a contributing factor to the impressive attire. Furthermore, the swordsman proudly wore a flaming flower sigil on his right shoulder and the centre of his chest, acting as the final 'touch' to the look.

The red-haired swordsman was none other than Optics, leader of the worker team Blazing Crimson.

'Still,' Optics dodged an attack from a beastman that aimed to catch him off-guard by flanking his left side. "You shouldn't underestimate a beastman no matter their level of strength…" He plunged his sword straight through the beastman's chest.

The beastman violently coughed and choked before the life in his eyes drained out of him. Optics looked around and saw no more beastmen in the nearby vicinity, giving him a momentary break to relax and meet up with his other team members.

As he walked towards his team, he could see that they had already gathered and were waiting for him. "Hey, Optics, looks like we've cleared out the immediate area. What's the plan now?" One of his teammates asked, holding his spear at the ready.

Optics looked around for a second time, taking note of the current situation. The battle between the Beastmen Nation and the Dragonic Kingdom had only raged on for three days, yet neither side seemed to be making any headway.

But that was a good thing, at least for the Dragon Kingdoms' inhabitants.

Looking back at the history books, battles with the beastmen nation typically lasted less than a week. As a matter of fact, battles could've ended in half the time. But, the beastmen usually toyed with the humans, feasting on their fear and flesh while delving into carnal pleasures via innocent females.

Considering an army of just over 70,000 beastmen warriors was invading humanity's first line of defence, it was a testament that the major cities of Clebus, Igale, and Entoross hadn't capitulated to ruin. Their walls were still standing and their soldiers were still fighting.

"The plan?" Optics repeated the words of his teammate, reflecting on them for a brief moment. A few soldiers looked on, waiting for the worker's answer. "With the north side of Clebus secured of no beastmen, at least for the time being, we need to solidify our defences here." He said, looking at the soldiers who understood what he meant.

"In the meantime," Optics turned to his worker crew which numbered six, not including himself. "We head towards the central district and support Báthory however we can." The teammate that prompted Optics with the question nodded.

"Understood." He said plainly and calmly, raising his spear up before having its end hit the ground. "Can't wait to kill some more beastmen. You feelin' the same way too, Caen?" A female voice spoke up, her words directed to the worker with the spear in his hand.

The man with the spear, now identified as Caen, replied in-kind. "If it means for this war to end quicker, then I guess so, Ari." If you met Caen for the first time, then the words he spoke now would've sounded normal. But to Ari and the rest of the crew, there was always a hidden layer of sarcasm somewhere in his voice. Nevertheless, he meant no harm.

Ari clicked her tongue and smiled, playfully punching Caen on the shoulder before leaning next to his cheek and planting a kiss. Another man a metre away from the duo only looked on and shook his head slowly. "Oh, how it feels to be single…" He muttered under his breath before looking back at Optics.

"Alright," He started. "Let's get a move on. We don't have all day, do we?" By this point, Optics was already starting to move towards the central district. "Favian's right." He said as Caen and Ari followed in pursuit, putting aside their skirmish of love for another time.

Soon, the other members of Blazing Crimson were tailing Optics as the remaining soldiers called orders at each other to re-secure the area with proper defences.

"Considering Báthory is in the central district," A new female voice spoke. "What are the chances she's wiped the floor in beastmen blood already?" Favian was quick to retort in his typical burly voice that matched his bulky body.

"Don't try and squirm your way outta battle Alda…" Favian said a way a caring father would scold their disobedient child. Before Alda could reply, Caen, a few metres away, cusped his hands near his mouth and jokingly yelled 'boo' before Ari slapped his shoulder.

"Why are you booing me? I'm right!" Alda returned the humour in kind.

"Whatever you say short stack," Alda did a comically exasperated gasp at the obvious jab at her physical appearance by Favian. The team of five walked in momentary silence before Caen broke it. He never really was a fan of awkward silence and loved to keep a casual conversation in the air.

"How long are you guys thinkin' this war's gonna last?" It was a simple question, with a not-so-simple answer. "I'm not too sure…" Ari stated, putting a finger on her cheek as she looked at the blue sky above.

"Are we gonna factor in external aid from Baharuth or Slane?" Alda scoffed. "I highly doubt it. Not that they don't want demi-humans on their doorstep but they have their own issues." Favian could only nod in agreement as Optics only listened in.

"The Theocracy is still at war with the elves, and they haven't sent in the Sunlight Scripture which they would have done by now previously. As for Baharuth," The burly man took a temporary pause before continuing. "They're shitting their pants with that new undead ruler in E-Rantel."

"170,000 people dead, can you believe that?!" Ari said with visible disbelief clear in her tone of voice. "I mean I'd be shittin' my pants too if I were the Emperor, but that's just me." Caen shrugged his shoulders as Ari slapped him.

"The Cardinals are also more likely worked up with the undead ruler there rather than us. What's his name again? Heinz something?"

"Ainz Ooal Gown is the ruler's full name." Optics chimed in. "He's a powerful man not to be trifled with." All of Optics team members could only nod in agreement, even if they were uncomfortable with that fact.

"It's truly unfortunate that the Dark Warrior, Momon, had to submit himself as his subject to protect the people of E-Rantel from death's grasp," Alda said softly. "He's a noble warrior that stands up for anything unjust and fights relentlessly to protect even one soul. May the 6 Great Gods bless him…"

"He's just like Ordan Karris, fighting for the greater good of humanity and slaughtering the demi-humans and heteromorphs that stand in their way," Caen added with some levels of professionalism in his voice, before that all quickly drained away.

"Who'd you think would win in a fight?" He asked out of the blue. "What? Momon and Ordan Karris?" Favian questioned, clarifying Caen's sudden question. "Ordan Karris, duhh…" Ari boldly claimed, slapping Caen once more as if that question was a stupid one.

"Now hold on there Ari," Favian said, raising his palm towards her like a stopping gesture. "You can't really compare the two adventurers despite both being Adamantite. As Momons title implies, he's a knight, a warrior, a swordsman. On the other hand, Ordan Karris is a powerful magic caster that can easily use 5th Tier Magic. And while we don't know what he looks like, taking into account his voice, he seems fairly young. He could, quite possibly, rival Fluder Paradyne."

Ari and the others took in Favian's great wisdom, pondering what he said with great care.

"Either way, I could easily beat both of them with my hands behind my back!" Both Alda and Ari tried to slap him as he dodged and weaved out of danger from making two women mad. "Don't be rash." He stated, putting his palm in the air once more.

"Well don't try and murder Favian, not when the war has just begun. Anyhow, we're nearing our destination." Caen pointed out, looking ahead at the empty husks of buildings with bashed windows that previously housed happy families.

The surrounding area was quiet, devoid of clashing swords or howling beasts and screams of terror. Optics scanned the area and internally huffed. 'I could only assume Báthory dealt with the beastmen soldiers here.' He said to himself as his team walked past the dead bodies of both beastmen and humans alike.

Blazing Crimson kept on walking towards the heart of the central district as the bodies of fallen beastmen soldiers just kept on becoming more prevalent the closer they got to the centre. The weapons they used to dice families apart lay scattered across the ground with limbs and tendons here and there, all the while thick layers of blood coated the walls of nearby houses.

"Sheeeeeeeeeesh," Caen whispered in a not-so-quiet way. "Did Báthory do all this?" He asked himself, witnessing the aftermath of the first assault against Clebus. "I can only imagine Ordan Karris' strength if Báthory is capable of such carnage…" Alda murmured.

"On the topic of Báthory," Ari started. "You think she and Ordan Karris are married?" She questioned, turning to her right and looking directly at her lover, Caen as if silently alluding or suggesting something.

"Ordan Karris would undoubtedly, without question, be an absolute Chad considering he can wife up both Báthory and Elsa. If he isn't married to them yet, they're dating him for sure. I know that." Caen replied, totally oblivious to what Ari meant with her question, and getting a well-deserved slap.

A couple more minutes passed before Blazing Crimson finally reached their destination, meeting up with Báthory and a couple of dozen conscripted men and lower-ranked adventurers.

"Ah, Blazing Crimson," The vampire opened as the many eyes focused on the worker team. "What a convenient time for you to all arrive. I suppose you dealt with the beastmen where you were set up?" Shalltear asked, doing her best to not throw up by conversing with inferior beings.

(A/N: Picture of Báthory as it's been forever)

"Correct, Báthory," Optics stated professionally, showing respect to the blonde-haired adamantite adventurer. "I've instructed the soldiers there to repair the defences and secure the perimeter. We came to see if you need any assistance, but I suppose," The red-haired swordsman gestured to the numerous amounts of beastmen carcasses not too far from where they were standing. "That won't be necessary at all."

The other members of Blazing Crimson could only nod and hum in agreement.

'Hmph,' Shalltear internally huffed in disgust. 'How dare these… insects doubt my ability to systematically slaughter those lowly beasts! If I were not acting as Báthory, these pests would be nothing but red mist in the air. How'd I torture them for doubting my obvious superiority…'

But that got Shalltear thinking about something else…

'That fucking man who touched me… Cerabrate…' It was a miracle that Shalltear didn't let an ounce of rage appearing on her face, keeping character as the heroic Báthory from Hope. 'Oh, how I can't wait for Citrinitas and me to torture him together. It'll be our special moment that we can bond over!'

Unfortunately for the bloody valkyrie, she had to put the wonderful thoughts of going on a date with Citrinitas while torturing the pathetic clump of cells aside, needing to deal with Blazing Crimson and Optics instead.

"I'm flattered," Shalltear replied, meeting Optics' professionalism in kind. "But, your worker group is also invaluable in the defence of this city, and of the country. There is no need to doubt your strength or your worth."

Shalltears words came off as nothing but sweet and sincere for Blazing Crimson and even the surrounding soldiers. 'Báthory truly is an exceptional adventurer. Kind and humble despite her monstrous strength…' Ari and Alda thought in unison.

'These worms disgust me. They are nothing but pawns in Citrinitas' execution of the Supreme One's grand plan…'

"And the same here goes for the brave conscripts and adventurers protecting this nation from the savage beasts that dare take everything away from us." Shalltear quickly turned around and noted the contributions and bravery of the conscripts and adventurers while she was commending the worker group, hitting second base so to speak.

"Still, we have to be unyielding in our resolve to drive out the beastly invaders south of here. Though our battle today was bloody, and we have lost good men in the process, there are still thousands of savages beyond those walls that are ready to tear us apart."

"And so with that," Shalltear took a quick pause before continuing. "We must re-prime our defences and collectively plan a successful counterattack, so we can prevent the beastmen from taking even one step into Clebus. We have held out from the Beastmen Nation's initial onslaught in the past 3 days, but more savages will surely siege this city en masse."

"Therefore," All eyes were on Shalltear, with everyone listing intently and with morale high. "We must strike while the iron's hot! We will sabotage their supply lines and delay their siege towards this city, and we will be victorious!"

(A/N: I wanted this chapter to introduce the Blazing Crimson group that's not really developed in the series more here, along with giving some spotlight to Shalltear and setting up the next chapter. Though it was short, I hope you enjoyed it!)