Chapter 137
“Damn Aura Master...!”
Galveron sprang to his feet at the sudden sound of shouts. Rushing out of the makeshift tent, he quickly took in the situation unfolding in the distance.
“An ambush? They attacked first?”
His expression twisted with rage.
“These madmen... How dare they...!”
They had launched a preemptive strike against them? Such madness could only come from those who had lost all sense, eager to be annihilated by the overwhelming power of the Empire, leaving not even a grain of sand behind.
“Galveron, sir!”
“Hurry and prepare for battle. We move out immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
Fweeeeet!
His lieutenant blew the whistle, signaling the troops. Soldiers scrambled frantically to gear up for battle.
Once preparations were complete...
“I will wipe these fearless fools from the map.”
Galveron quickly moved to join the main force. Or at least, he was about to when...
“...!”
He froze. A chilling presence suddenly emanated from the darkness beyond.
The sensation sent a tingling shock through his body, forcing him to stop in his tracks.
His lieutenant noticed and asked, “Galveron, sir, is something wrong?”
“Can’t you feel it?”
“...Feel what, sir?”
The lieutenant swallowed hard and glanced where Galveron was staring—into the pitch-black darkness that seemed haunted by something ominous and cold.
“Could it be... that they’re only focusing on me?”
In this unseen, oppressive darkness?
For a brief moment, Galveron felt the urge to laugh.
“That crafty old man...”
“Sir, what is it?” the lieutenant asked again, perplexed.
“Hold position,” Galveron ordered, his voice so cold and laced with murderous intent that it made his subordinate step back in fear.
Even Galveron’s gaze toward the darkness was now icy and unblinking.
‘What... what’s happening?’
He was staring straight ahead, his expression as cold and still as ice. Then Galveron’s lips pressed together tightly as he caught sight of something—or rather, someone—in the shadows beyond.
‘Is this how it’s going to be?’
The moment he moved, the enemy was poised to strike from behind.
It was clear to Galveron who was exuding this overt threat of hostility.
“Hainel... Fremunt... Is that old fox trying to suppress me?”
The nerve of that old man.
Galveron finally drew his sword. If he pressed forward with his troops, Hainel would surely launch an attack on his rear.
In that case...
Clench.
Once was enough. He would not retreat a second time.
‘How dare he try to oppress me.’
Galveron’s eyes gleamed with resolve.
“Change direction.”
“Sir?”
“We’re going... to hunt the old fox.”
Galveron lifted his sword high, signaling his decision.
“Forward, all units, charge!”
With his command, Galveron’s forces surged into the darkness.
And...
“Is he coming?”
Hainel, watching Galveron approach, drew his own sword.
It would’ve been best if the man had simply stayed put, but his pride evidently wouldn’t allow it.
No matter—it made no difference.
If that was his choice, Hainel was prepared to respond in kind.
“Glory Knights, prepare for battle.”
At Hainel’s quiet command...
“Prepare for battle!”
The Glory Knights’ eyes gleamed with sharp resolve as they braced for the incoming enemy.
* * *
Boom!
The charge of the shield-bearing vanguard broke through first.
“Gahhh!”
“E-enemy attack! We’re under attack!”
Slice!
Thud.
Caught in a trance-like state, Damian continued to cut down enemies with his spear.
His movements were sharp and precise, and every time he swung his spear, an enemy fell.
Their attacks with swords and spears were so clear and slow in his eyes that...
‘It’s as if...’
Time had slowed down.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Spears came thrusting toward him from both sides, but Damian effortlessly twisted his body and dodged them.
Then, with a sweeping motion of his spear, he deflected their weapons.
“Hyaaaah!”
“Where do you think you’re going?!”
The Caion soldiers behind Damian quickly finished off the disarmed enemies.
“Captain! We’ve almost broken through!”
“Reform the ranks. Once our allies start attacking from the front, we’ll head back in.”
Their tactics were a textbook example of hit-and-run warfare.
The Caion unit, though numbering fewer than 300, wreaked havoc among the Imperial soldiers with their swift and efficient strikes.
And when the enemy tried to pursue them, the archers positioned like wings on either side sniped them down, killing their will to chase.
Swish.
Having fully broken through the enemy lines, Damian turned his gaze toward a distant point.
‘It’s your turn now.’
Clank!
As soldiers from the Baroque Kingdom launched an attack on the Imperial army’s flanks, the enemy’s attention was diverted to that front.
Outside the walls of Sragan, General Mateus now stood with his army ready. Lowering his helmet and raising his sword, he declared:
“Today, we write a new chapter in the history of the Spanian Kingdom!”
They would drive the Empire back to their own lands and ensure they’d never dare invade again.
Mateus thrust his sword forward and gave the order.
“Charge! Full assault!”
“Uwaaaaaaah!”
With a roar, the soldiers of the Spanian Kingdom surged toward the Imperial army, driven by fierce determination.
* * *
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ground and hills shattered as the terrain was altered, becoming so unrecognizable that new maps would have to be drawn.
A massive black serpent of aura rampaged wildly, while bolts of lightning rained down in an attempt to contain it.
Rumble! Crash!
The sheer destructive power wiped out everything in its path.
Galveron leaped backward, escaping the absurdly wide range of the attack.
“...Impressive.”
He had thought of him as an old fox, but it seemed this old man still had the strength of a tiger.
It was now clear why Hainel was called the protector of the Baroque Kingdom.
But...
“It’s time for a new era.”
Galveron gathered his aura once more.
The earlier use of aura had placed a strain on his body, but...
‘If I slow down now, that old man might devour me.’
And Hainel was undoubtedly feeling the same strain.
Aura gnawed away at the user’s body, no matter who wielded it.
Galveron’s eyes gleamed as he focused on his opponent. But then...
“Hm. This should be enough.”
“...?”
Hainel suddenly sheathed his sword, causing Galveron’s brow to twitch.
“What the hell is this?”
But Hainel merely looked at Galveron and spoke softly.
“We’ll finish this later. My body doesn’t quite keep up as it used to.”
“What?”
Galveron shouted at Hainel, but...
“Retreat!”
At Hainel’s command, the Glory Knights quickly began to fall back.
Galveron’s eyes widened, and he instinctively started to pursue them, but...
“G-Galveron, sir!”
His lieutenant’s urgent cry made Galveron freeze and look toward the source of the commotion.
Fire was erupting in the distance.
It was the main camp.