When Christopher set foot in the castle town, the scene before him was far more chaotic than he had imagined.
The streets were in turmoil; ordinary citizens, gripped by fear, ran frantically, screaming as they tried to escape. Flames devoured houses, sending black smoke soaring into the blue sky, painting the town in shades of red and black. Broken tiles and the debris of collapsed buildings littered the streets, and it was impossible to tell where the fire would spread next.
“To think that a mere two hundred soldiers would challenge the greatest kingdom in the world… how foolish,”
Christopher muttered, surveying the destruction with a calm but steely gaze.
Indeed, the Kingdom of Twaizaran was the largest in the world. Its knight divisions numbered over 200,000, and when combined with the magical battalions, the total fighting force exceeded 300,000. The Ice Knights alone counted more than 40,000. Add the apprentice knights, apprentice mages, and conscriptable civilians, and the total military potential of the kingdom surpassed 1.5 million.
Yet, the garrison stationed within this castle town was limited. Only about 2,500 Ice Knights were present in the royal palace, with the Earth Knights numbering roughly the same, and the Fire Knights around 5,000. Altogether, the present force was merely 10,000.
Against an enemy of around 200, that was overwhelmingly sufficient.
“The cost of underestimating Twaizaran will be high,”
Christopher muttered inwardly, issuing commands to the soldiers gathered in one corner of the town.
“This will be our Ice Knight division’s base. Move in teams of three according to your training combinations. The safety of civilians is the top priority. Bring any protected citizens to this base. Units 1 through 8, totaling 1,200 soldiers, remain here to handle civilians and tend to the wounded.”
The knights immediately understood their orders and dispersed to their positions.
Lieutenant Commander Chiria furrowed her brow and voiced her concern.
“Sir Christopher, isn’t this a bit too cautious? Most of our troops are staying to guard the base, and the orders focus on protection rather than offense.”
“It’s fine, Chiria. The enemy numbers around 200. They will be suppressed quickly. Also, the Earth Knights have been deployed. Knowing Levin, they’ll charge straight into battle, paying no heed to civilian protection or defense. We must balance their recklessness.”
Chiria nodded slightly, acknowledging the reasoning.
Yes, it was overwhelming numbers against a small force. There was no need to rush. The enemy would be subdued soon enough.
After roughly thirty minutes at the base, a sudden explosion resounded a few hundred meters ahead.
Turning toward it, a house had been completely obliterated, debris flying toward their base.
“What in the world is happening!?”
From amidst the rubble, a massive dragon’s face appeared.
“The Dragon God Clan… they’ve even deployed dragons as subordinates!!”
Immediately, some knights who had been heading to the battlefield returned, visibly panicked.
“Sir Christopher! Report! The enemy includes several large dragons, and the soldiers are no mere novices. Suppression is not progressing at all. Half of the Earth Knights have fallen, and most of our Ice Knight forces sent to the field have been annihilated.”
“W-What!?”
The unexpected situation shattered Christopher’s composure in an instant. Desperately, he searched for a solution, but his mind went blank.
“Damn… I’ll have to go myself.”
“Lieutenant Commander Chiria, I leave this in your hands.”
Leaving the words behind, Christopher dashed toward the battlefield.
He had underestimated 200 soldiers—each one far more capable than he had imagined. The battlefield trembled, morale wavered. He had to take the front line and restore order.
As he ran, he sensed a swirling black murderous aura from above.
Reacting instantly, he twisted his body, only to see a man in a black cloak descend, driving his sword into the ground. The impact cracked the earth within a five-meter radius, creating a small shockwave.
Without a word, Christopher drew his sword and struck.
The man blocked, countered, and a relentless duel ensued—each attack met with a parry, each strike repelled.
“I never imagined I’d struggle like this…”
Two hundred enemies of this caliber—indeed, this was far worse than expected.
After some time, Christopher took a step back, questioning his opponent.
“Are there more of your strength among them?”
“I’m one of the weaker ones in this raiding party. Tell me, how many are stronger than you?”
With that, the man closed the distance and struck.
Too fast. Christopher couldn’t react in time, and the blow hit his left shoulder, nearly sending him to his knees.
“Damn… this is the worst possible answer…”
“Ha ha ha! There’s no one stronger than you? Then this kingdom is finished!”
The man tilted his head and laughed eerily.
Today was the worst day of Christopher’s life.
At seventeen, he had become the commander of the largest knight division in the world and had been arrogant in his belief in his invincibility. Heroes and a Demon King from another world, the minions of the Dragon God Clan… he had never imagined such beings could surpass him.
“This ends now…”
Just as the man lunged again, a streak of light flashed past Christopher’s side.
The light struck the cloaked man, producing a small explosion.
“Ha ha ha! Who the hell are you!?”
Turning around, Christopher saw Zeek and the female Demon King standing there.
“The lost Hero and the Demon King!!!”
To be continued
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