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The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills ,Volume 2 - Chapter 44

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Chapter: Battle of the Divine Tree Brigade

Under the light of a vast, looming moon, the members of the Divine Tree Brigade found themselves surrounded by more than two hundred zealots of the Dolls’ Cult. At their head stood a dark elf woman, issuing crisp commands.

“Lord Asrom!”

Teresa, one of the warriors, hurried over to the Hero of Twelve, her brow furrowed.

“There are at least five cultists in the rear who appear to be mages, all wielding staves.”

“…I see. So we’re facing the elite among the Dolls’ followers.”

Asrom’s violet eyes swept over the enemy lines, gauging their positions.

“This isn’t looking good.”

Douglas, the brigade’s heavy warrior, scratched the back of his head.

“The numbers are nearly seven to one. And more than a few are carrying poisoned weapons.”

Nearby members stiffened at his words.

“Stay calm.”

Asrom’s gaze moved across his companions.

“We’ve overcome worse than this before, haven’t we?”

“True enough.”

Douglas grinned.

“Compared to that time we fought two dragons at once, this still feels survivable.”

“Exactly. And there’s only one dark elf among them.”

Asrom’s eyes settled on the dark elf woman.

She smirked as she called out, “Is the Hero of Twelve, Asrom, among you?”

“…And if I am?”

Asrom stepped forward, meeting her gaze.

“So you’re Asrom.”

The woman’s lips curled upward.

“I am Didra, loyal servant of Lord Zeldia. I came to deliver a message.”

“A message?”

“Surrender. Do so, and I’ll spare your life.”

“…Just mine?”

“Yes. A generous offer, is it not? You need only stand aside. Meanwhile, we’ll slaughter the rest of your adventurers.”

“So… you’re telling me to betray humanity?”

“What choice do you have? Fight, and you’ll die.”

Didra tilted her head as if genuinely puzzled.

“If you resist, both you and your followers will perish. If you yield, at least you’ll survive. The choice is obvious.”

“…I see. Then you truly don’t understand the Twelve Heroes.”

Asrom’s voice was calm, almost gentle.

“Not one of us would ever accept such terms. And besides—those aren’t the only options.”

“Not the only two?”

“That’s right. There’s always the choice where we defeat you—and all of us survive.”

With that, Asrom drew the longsword at his hip. Its blade shimmered in seven colors, and a jewel engraved with a magic circle glowed from the hilt.

“To all Dolls’ cultists: throw down your weapons and surrender at once. Otherwise, none of you will leave this field alive.”

“That’s no different than surrendering!”

A man with a black dagger jeered.

“If we’re captured, it’s the death penalty—or life in chains at best. Surrender means nothing to us.”

Others nodded in agreement.

“He’s right! We’ll never yield! If we kill all of you here, there’s no problem at all!”

“Besides, we have Lord Zeldia of the Six Demon Stars on our side! The Twelve Heroes don’t scare us!”

“…I had hoped you might reconsider.”

Asrom closed his eyes briefly, then exhaled.

“…Truly disappointing.”

“Foolish man.”

Didra’s golden eyes gleamed.

“Then die here, regretting your choice.”

She raised her hand, and from the rear emerged six towering ogres. Their bodies were over three meters tall, their skin rough and jagged like stone.

“These are Rock Ogres—brought forth by Lord Zeldia’s secret arts. Stronger and tougher than any ordinary ogre.”

The Rock Ogres lumbered forward, each step shaking the ground. At the same time, the cultists surged in from all sides.

“Kill them all!”

A cultist shouted, and countless fireballs flared into existence. The brigade’s mages reacted instantly, conjuring a translucent wall overhead. The fireballs burst against it, scattering orange sparks.

“GROOOAR!”

One of the Rock Ogres swung down a massive fist. The blow smashed through a defender’s guard, the man’s body crumpling under the impact.

“Don’t engage the ogres head-on!” Asrom roared. “Cut down their numbers and break through the encirclement!”

“OOOH!”

The brigade charged the cultists.

But Teresa soon found herself targeted by a Rock Ogre. Its colossal fist slammed her sword aside, nearly tearing it from her hands.

“Teresa! Fall back!”

Asrom rushed to her aid, drawing the monster’s attention.

“GRRROAAAH!”

The ogre’s punch whooshed past as Asrom dodged and countered with a slash. A metallic clang rang out, leaving only a shallow cut in the beast’s side.

“Hah! Even a magic blade can’t pierce a Rock Ogre’s hide!”

Didra laughed, her voice dripping with triumph.

“So that’s all the Twelve Heroes’ sword can manage?”

“You’d best not underestimate the national treasure—Sevenlight Sword!”

Asrom gripped the gem on its hilt, channeling power. The blade blazed even brighter.

“HAAAAAH!”

He swung upward in a radiant arc. A rainbow flashed along the sword’s path, and the ogre’s arm fell, severed cleanly.

Didra’s eyes widened in shock.

Seizing the opening, Asrom darted past the ogre, charging straight for her.

“Not so fast!”

Four cultists leapt in front of him, black daggers drawn.

“Die, Asrom!”

They struck in unison—

“Blessing of the Time God!”

Asrom vanished, reappearing meters ahead in the blink of an eye. Before the cultists could react, his Sevenlight Sword pierced each of their chests in a flurry of thrusts. All four collapsed.

“Follow Lord Asrom!” Douglas bellowed.

“Show them the might of the Divine Tree Brigade!”

“UOOOOOH!”

The brigade members surged forward with renewed fury.

Each was a skilled warrior, armed with multiple combat techniques and honed through countless battles. Their coordinated strikes overwhelmed the cultists, who had no answer for the relentless teamwork.

In moments, the enemy ranks thinned dramatically.

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