[Vol. 7] Chapter 282: Heart of Radiant Light
The commander was slightly stunned.
“Demonic language? So she really is a demon… but why would a demon sing this kind of song? Wait a minute, the front of the unit should still be several hundred meters away from here. How are we even able to hear it—”
BOOM!!!
Before he could finish speaking, a loud crashing sound suddenly came from nearby, like something heavy had just fallen. The two of them, startled like frightened birds, quickly turned their heads to look.
What they saw was one of the medium-sized magical mechanical hounds that had come with their unit, now lying on the ground.
This kind of hound was over a meter tall, created using technology based on the [Graeme]. Like the [Graeme], it didn’t have its own intelligence. It only followed orders to perform specific actions. However, it was more flexible and adaptable. It was one of the Empire’s secret, mass-produced weapons and was recently being integrated rapidly into the army.
Normally, these machines were highly resistant to interference or environmental effects. Unless their magical core was destroyed or they were badly damaged, they could keep fighting until they ran out of power. So how could one just… collapse like that?
At that thought, Bernard’s eyes suddenly widened. As if realizing something terrible, he quickly looked toward the maintenance soldier next to the fallen mechanical hound, and was shocked!
That man, had just removed the hound’s magical core from a hidden compartment, thrown it on the ground, and crushed it under his foot!
Worse yet, the man’s face now wore a strange smile, and in his eyes, a faint pink-gold light shimmered. Seeing this unnatural scene, the well-informed deputy director of the Imperial Intelligence Bureau finally understood in horror.
“It’s charm! That singing... the little girl is a succubus! Everyone, cover your ears—NOW!!!”
To be fair, Bernard’s knowledge and instincts were sharp, and he gave the order very quickly. But unfortunately, by the time he realized something was wrong, the holy-sounding song had already grown louder as its source came closer. It had reached the ears of nearly every unprepared soldier in the Imperial force.
The Empire’s newest magic-powered armor, which could boost strength and protect the body, wasn’t designed to block out sound. So all the soldiers wearing this gear, including technicians, had already heard that gentle singing before Bernard could even react.
The powerful charm took effect the moment the song entered their ears, instantly taking away everyone’s awareness. All they could hear was that holy-sounding voice, everything else faded from their minds.
Strange pink-gold lights began to shine in their eyes. Calm, peaceful smiles appeared on their faces. One after another, they dropped their weapons, threw away or destroyed the control tools for the magical equipment around them, and knelt down in the direction of the voice. They looked like devout followers, praying and praising with deep reverence.
And the one they were worshipping, that small figure, had already appeared at the edge of Bernard’s vision, sending chills down his spine.
She hadn’t used any special spell to spread her voice. She had simply walked step by step from the front of the army to this central area. And not a single soldier had tried to stop her. Their condition was now very clear.
“Damn it, what kind of charm is this!? Anyone who can still move, open fire! Kill that succubus! As long as she dies…”
Thud~
But before Bernard could finish shouting, his deputy, Jerry, suddenly dropped to his knees. He let go of his sword, which hit the ground, and his eyes filled with that same glowing golden light. His blank expression slowly turned into one of deep devotion, and he bowed down completely in worship toward the approaching girl.
He had already heard the song earlier. Back then, he had been far enough away, and had quickly run to report to Bernard, so he was spared. But now, there was no way to avoid it.
With Jerry falling under the charm, Bernard finally heard what the other “charmed” soldiers were murmuring.
“O radiant light of the most holy one, we praise your name. Grant us your healing and salvation. Soothe the pain in our hearts. You are the origin of all things…”
What the hell!?
Bernard was about to lose his mind. These soldiers, all charmed by a succubus, were actually praying like they were followers of the goddess from the Holy Empire?!
What kind of nonsense was this!? Was he dreaming or what!?
Charm and holy light, these two forces are complete opposites, natural enemies. And yet, they were now appearing together from the same person?!
Not only was there no official record of something like this ever happening, even the wildest, most ridiculous legends wouldn’t dare write about such nonsense!
A deep sense of absurdity and fear swept through Bernard as he stared at the scene before him. His body shook as he stumbled backward several steps, as if afraid the charmed soldiers might suddenly turn on him, the only one still in control of his mind.
In just a short time, almost the entire unit had fallen. Only a few were still standing, able to think for themselves. The sudden fall from control and order into total chaos hit Bernard hard, pushing his mind to the edge of collapse.
He had personally promised the Emperor that he would succeed in leading this mission. Success would bring great rewards, but failure? The price was something Bernard simply could not afford.
“Ah… ahhhh! Damn it, damn it, damn it! How did it turn out like this?! Why is this happening all of a sudden?!”
When a person loses control of their mind, they often do crazy things. Bernard’s mouth twisted into a wild smile. He reached into his coat and pulled out a secret weapon that the Emperor had given him before the mission.
“Heh heh… it’s not over yet. How could it end like this?! I don’t care if you’re a succubus or some so-called 'Primordial Light'. I’m going to make a name for myself! No one is going to get in my way! Anyone who tries… can just DIE!!!”
CRACK!!!
The clear crystal pendant was thrown to the ground and shattered instantly. It looked like some invisible force was released from it. A moment later, with its protection broken, Bernard’s eyes suddenly turned gold, and he collapsed unconscious.
A little while later, the small girl walked slowly through the army, whose members had lost all will to resist. As the kneeling soldiers continued to bow to her like worshippers, she made her way forward.
Her long pink hair shimmered like crystal. Her smooth platinum-colored tail and cute little horns reflected the sunlight in a soft, misty glow. Behind her, white, fluffy wings gently fluttered. All of it came together to form a figure full of both mysterious charm and holy beauty. A succubus who looked like an angel.
This was something no history book had ever recorded, a being so mysterious it seemed to have walked out of a myth, a divine presence that couldn’t be explained.
The prayers slowly quieted. No one dared to attack the girl who had walked alone into the army. These soldiers of the Austre Empire, carefully chosen and well-trained, simply stared at her in silence, their eyes glowing with pink-gold light and filled with awe and admiration, as if through her, they could see something even greater and more sacred beyond.