When Christopher arrived 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 engulfed houses, sending black smoke soaring into the blue sky, painting the town in shades of red and black. Broken tiles and debris from collapsed buildings littered the streets, making it impossible to predict where the fire would spread next.
“To think that just two hundred soldiers would dare 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 with the magical battalions included, the total fighting force exceeded 300,000. The Ice Knights alone counted more than 40,000. Adding apprentice knights, apprentice mages, and conscriptable civilians, the kingdom’s total military potential surpassed 1.5 million.
Yet, the garrison stationed within the castle town was limited. Only about 2,500 Ice Knights were present at the royal palace, with roughly the same number of Earth Knights, and around 5,000 Fire Knights. Altogether, the deployed force was barely 10,000—more than sufficient to handle an enemy of two hundred.
“The cost of underestimating Twaizaran will be severe,” Christopher muttered to himself, issuing orders to the soldiers gathered in one corner of the town.
“This will be our Ice Knight division base. Move in teams of three according to your training combinations. Civilians’ safety is the top priority. Escort all protected citizens here. Units 1 through 8, totaling 1,200 soldiers, remain at the base to guard civilians and care for the wounded.”
The knights immediately understood their orders and dispersed to their positions. Lieutenant Commander Chiria furrowed her brow and voiced a concern.
“Sir Christopher, isn’t this too cautious? Most of our troops are staying behind, focusing on protection rather than offense.”
“It’s fine, Chiria. The enemy numbers around two hundred. They’ll be suppressed quickly. Besides, the Earth Knights have been deployed. Knowing Levin, they’ll charge straight into battle, paying no attention to civilian protection. We must balance their recklessness.”
Chiria nodded slightly, acknowledging his reasoning. With overwhelming numbers against a small force, there was no need to rush; the enemy would be subdued soon enough.
About thirty minutes after establishing the base, a sudden explosion resounded a few hundred meters ahead.
Turning toward it, a house had been completely obliterated, debris flying toward their position.
“What in the world is happening!?”
From the rubble emerged the massive face of a dragon.
“The Dragon God Clan… they’ve even deployed dragons as subordinates!”
Immediately, some knights who had been heading to the battlefield returned, visibly shaken.
“Sir Christopher! Report! The enemy includes several large dragons, and their soldiers are far from novices. Suppression is failing. 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. 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 those words, Christopher dashed toward the battlefield. He had underestimated two hundred enemies—each far more capable than he had imagined. The battlefield trembled, morale wavered, and he had to restore order from the front line.
As he ran, a swirling, black, murderous aura descended from above. Reacting instantly, he twisted aside, only to see a man in a black cloak strike the ground with his sword. The impact cracked the earth within a five-meter radius, creating a small shockwave.
Without hesitation, Christopher drew his sword and engaged. The man blocked, countered, and a relentless duel began—each strike met with a parry, every blow repelled.
“I never imagined I’d struggle like this…”
Two hundred enemies of this caliber—indeed, far worse than expected.
After a brief pause, Christopher stepped back, reassessing 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?”
The man closed the distance and struck. Too fast. Christopher couldn’t react in time, and the blow slammed into his left shoulder, nearly sending him to his knees.
“Damn… this is the worst possible answer…”
“Ha ha ha! 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 commander of the world’s largest knight division and had believed himself invincible. Heroes and a Demon King from another world, minions of the Dragon God Clan… he had never imagined such beings could surpass him.
“This ends now…”
Just as the cloaked man lunged again, a streak of light flashed past Christopher’s side. The light struck the man, producing a small explosion.
“Ha ha ha! Who the hell are you!?”
Turning, Christopher saw Zeke and the female Demon King standing there.
“The lost Hero and the Demon King!!!”
To be continued.
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