Chapter 328: Youngsters These Days Are Truly Frightening (2)
Chapter 328: Youngsters These Days Are Truly Frightening (2)
What is a meeting?
Originally, a meeting is a very basic form of communication where multiple people share opinions to find the best possible outcome.
However, there is one problem.
The conclusion reached through a meeting isn't necessarily a good one.
Regardless of whether it's good or bad, what often matters more is: How many people’s interests can be aligned?
This phenomenon tends to be particularly prominent in political settings.
The reason I’m saying this is…
“Then, our Harbor Duchy and the Magellan Kingdom will take the lead and break the enemy’s momentum.”
“Please, leave it to us.”
It was because Grand Duke Schneider’s concerns were completely ignored, and the proposal of two fools blinded by the desire for glory was passed.
Sigh… It can’t be helped.
In short, Grand Duke Schneider’s words were brushed aside.
He had expressed his concerns and voiced his opposition several times, but his words fell on deaf ears. The Harbor Duchy and the Magellan Kingdom were desperate to claim the achievements of the vanguard.
Grand Duke Schneider felt uneasy, but he had no choice but to accept the decision made by the majority.
If that fellow were here, things would have been different…
Of course, if Patrick had been there, he would have overturned the decision even if he had to beat everyone up to do it.
But what was the point of thinking that? No one but Patrick could pull off something like that anyway.
“Phew… This is going to be troublesome.”
Since things had already turned out this way, he could only hope that nothing would go wrong.
* * *
The allied forces of the Harbor Duchy and the Magellan Kingdom took the lead. They marched their troops toward Pezan Fortress, where the Overlord was confirmed to be stationed.
A total of seventy thousand soldiers and two 7-Star Knights.
Furthermore, with the support of the Tower of Truth, their ranks included hundreds of mages and numerous magic swordsmen. They were overflowing with confidence.
Of course, they couldn't wage an all-out war with this force alone.
The Overlord’s military strength far exceeded theirs. However, their role was strictly to launch a preemptive strike and observe the enemy’s reaction.
From the beginning, they weren't delusional enough to think they would win a grand victory and take the Overlord’s head.
The most important thing was simply to record the achievement of having fought at the front lines.
“So, do not worry so much, Count Tyrone.”
Prince Gadius spoke reassuringly to Count Tyrone, who was riding his horse beside him.
However, Count Tyrone’s expression didn't change at all.
“Your Highness, the Yuzef Kingdom led by the Overlord is not an opponent to be taken lightly.”
“Are you still on about that? We are merely going to fight the opening battle and retreat safely. How could that be dangerous?”
“That is…”
“Are you not also a transcendent who has reached the Supreme Realm? It is a mere scouting mission; what are you so worried about?”
“……”
Count Tyrone was at a loss for words.
True. If it had been a while ago, he would have agreed with those words.
Even if he wasn't the strongest on the continent, what would a transcendent who had reached the Supreme Realm have to fear?
He used to think that even if the entire army was annihilated, he could at least escape safely on his own. But…
It’s impossible. It’s absolutely impossible.
He had already seen it.
In the battle between April and the Overlord, he had confirmed that there were powerhouses who far surpassed him.
Even among fellow 7-Star Knights, like Sanson or Oliver.
And he had confirmed that the 7-Star Knights of the Yuzef Kingdom were also clearly a level above him.
Once he realized the reality, his confidence vanished.
To be honest, his true desire throughout this war was to stay in the rear and avoid combat at all costs.
Yet, without knowing his heart, this damn prince had proudly announced that they had taken the vanguard. At that moment, Tyrone had barely managed to suppress the urge to lay him out with a punch to the jaw.
Damn it… This is driving me crazy.
Regardless of his feelings, the vanguard eventually arrived within sight of Pezan Fortress.
What they saw were castle walls that had been left half-crumbled and neglected without any repairs.
And outside those walls, the soldiers of the Yuzef Kingdom were lined up in formation.
“This is a perfect opportunity.”
Prince Gadius cheered.
Presumably, they hadn't had time to repair the fortress, and with too many surplus troops, they didn't have the luxury of stationing the entire army inside.
In any case, it was a golden opportunity for him.
If he could just attack the enemy outside the fortress once, claim some achievements, and return to the main camp, it would be enough to prove his merit.
“All troops…”
“Charge!”
Just before Prince Gadius could give the order.
Duke Edwards shouted first from right beside him, leading his troops in a charge toward the enemy lines.
Seeing him galloping excitedly at the front with his spear leveled, Prince Gadius felt like he had been outmaneuvered.
“Damn it, we’re going too! Don’t fall behind the Harbor Duchy!”
He drew his sword and galloped at the front, leading his soldiers into the charge.
Beside him, Count Tyrone followed to provide protection, though his expression remained uneasy.
* * *
“The moths are coming to the flame.”
A cruel smile played on the lips of Greed, a direct disciple of the Jonsa, as he watched the charging enemies.
Those fools didn't know.
They had no idea what it meant for a Dark Mage to reveal themselves openly.
It meant there was no longer any need to hide their strength.
The moment had finally come to unleash the power they had suppressed and accumulated bit by bit for the moment of the Sunset.
“Hahaha…”
A mirthful laugh escaped Greed’s lips.
From the beginning, he was one of the most violent and cruel individuals among the Jonsa’s disciples.
Such a man had suppressed himself solely for the moment of the Sunset.
But now…
The leash was off.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve personally lent a hand.”
Greed raised a staff topped with a skull made of red crystal.
* * *
Duke Edwards of the Harbor Duchy ruthlessly devastated the enemy at the front.
The enemy seemed completely unprepared for a surprise attack and was left helpless.
Then again, even if they had been prepared, how could they have stopped him, a 7-Star Knight?
Should I just stir things up quickly and pull out?
However, he hadn't lost sight of his objective.
Having already experienced what kind of monster the Overlord was, he had a clear grasp of his own standing.
He absolutely refused to meet such a monster one-on-one on the battlefield.
Is it time to withdraw?
He had already torn through the enemy enough; it was a sufficient achievement to boast about.
However, it would be even more perfect if he could take one or two significant heads before leaving.
Just then, a knight caught Duke Edwards’ eye.
A knight clad in red armor, his face hidden by a full-face helmet, was charging toward him.
I don’t recognize that face.
He knew the faces of the Overlord, as well as all the 7-Star Knights of the Yuzef Kingdom participating in this war.
The fact that he didn't recognize the face meant that the red-armored knight was at least not a 7-Star.
However, judging by the ornate armor and his heavy presence, he might be a fairly renowned knight.
“Perfect.”
Duke Edwards galloped straight toward his target. To quickly establish his merit, he was about to thrust his Aura Blade with all his might when…
“Huh?”
A chilling sensation washed over him, and he reflexively retracted his extended spear to take a defensive stance. And then…
BOOM!
“Urgh…”
He was certain that if he had been even a second later, his body would have been split in two.
The red-armored knight’s attack was so terrifyingly powerful that even Duke Edwards, a 7-Star Knight, had barely managed to block it.
And Duke Edwards could see it.
The vivid Aura Blade shimmering on the longsword held by the red-armored knight.
“7-Star? Who the hell are you?”
“……”
The opponent said nothing.
But Duke Edwards was dead serious now.
This battle was supposed to be a light probe to gain some merit.
A duel with a difficult opponent like a 7-Star Knight was not in the plans.
Moreover, the enemy before him seemed incredibly formidable.
The only saving grace was…
We have the advantage in numbers.
Duke Edwards shouted loudly while facing the enemy.
“Count Tyrone! Come and assist me!”
In the special circumstances of war, rather than a duel, there was no reason to be called cowardly for a two-on-one attack.
He planned to attack with Count Tyrone and quickly defeat this mysterious enemy…
“Argh… Haaaah!”
Boom! Crash! Bang!
But his plan was shattered.
Before he knew it, Count Tyrone was surrounded by mysterious enemies and was in grave danger.
Mysterious enemies clad in red armor, just like the one before him.
Furthermore, all three of them were emitting Aura Blades.
“W-What is this?”
Duke Edwards was bewildered, but his shock was only beginning.
One in front of him.
Three surrounding Count Tyrone.
And…
“A-Aaaah!”
“Noooo!”
Since when?
Red-armored knights had appeared everywhere, trampling his allies.
At a glance, there were more than ten of them.
Every single one of them was a 7-Star Knight emitting an Aura Blade.
“This is impossible…”
Just how many were there?
At a glance, there were ten—no, the number was steadily increasing.
It wasn't the Overlord, the Sword Queen, or the Giant.
Even if their faces were hidden by full-face helmets, there was no way he wouldn't recognize their presence or techniques.
“Then where on earth did this kind of force come from…?”
“I suppose you’re curious?”
Duke Edwards hurriedly thrust his spear toward the source of the voice.
His rich combat experience led him to attack the person he judged to be an enemy. However…
Clang!
“Tch…”
The problem was that his opponent wasn't someone that would work on.
The person who was shrouded in a defensive magic strong enough to block an attack from someone who had reached the 7-Star realm was a Dark Mage holding a red crystal skull staff.
“I am Greed. This is the first time we’ve met in person.”
“Like I give a… damn?!”
Duke Edwards thrust his spear once more.
He attacked the enemy with a spear imbued with an even more concentrated Aura Blade than before. However…
Boom!
This time, a massive red-armored knight appeared and blocked him.
Seeing the heavy knight with a war hammer in one hand and a shield in the other, Duke Edwards gritted his teeth.
“Every single one of them has an Aura Blade…”
No matter how much he thought about it, it was impossible.
The number of 7-Star Knights that could be born in a single era was limited.
Out of countless knights, only a handful of geniuses could overcome the wall and reach the 7-Star realm.
Usually, there were at most thirty or so in a single era.
So where did all these monsters suddenly spring from?
Greed spoke to Duke Edwards.
“Mateus Edwards. Originally from the Caesar Kingdom, and once evaluated as the most promising genius on the continent, weren't you?”
“What of it?”
Was he trying to recruit him now?
He had no intention of joining hands with Dark Mages, but he was willing to pretend for a moment to escape this crisis.
However, the enemy’s intention completely defied Duke Edwards’ expectations.
“You’ll make a useful collectible as well.”
“What… Wait, don’t tell me?”
“I only found this out recently, but working on a living person produces a much more finished product than a dead corpse.”
“……”
In an instant, an impossible thought flashed through Edwards’ mind.
It was impossible for so many 7-Star Knights to be born in one era. But…
What if it wasn't just one era?
Considering the nature of Dark Mages, what they could do was clearly…
“You crazy bastards! You dared to rob graves?!”
Greed laughed at the shouting Duke Edwards.
“It’s better to be used usefully than to rot and return to the earth. Don’t you agree?”
Edwards realized the identity of these mysterious knights.
They were 7-Star Knights who had once made a name for themselves on the continent.
The wicked Dark Mages had dug up the corpses of great knights who had reached the end of their lives and been buried, and turned them into undead.
With the same level of mastery they had in life.
And now, they intended to do the same horrific thing to him.
Exploding with rage, Edwards leveled his spear at the enemy and shouted.
“You lunatics, do you really intend to make the entire continent your enemy?”
“Isn't that obvious? It’s not like you would tolerate our existence even if we stayed quiet and behaved ourselves.”
“Do you think you’ll be safe after daring to make enemies of the Empire, the Holy Kingdom, and even the Tower of Truth?”
“That’s not for you to worry about. More importantly, it’s about time…”
Greed spoke with a cruel smile on his lips as he raised his hand.
“I’d like you to die now.”
Then, the red-armored knights who had surrounded him from all sides raised their weapons and stepped forward.
Knowing what each of them was, despair flashed through Duke Edwards’ mind. However…
“Do you think I’ll go down quietly?!”
He, too, was a man once called the greatest genius on the continent. Duke Edwards resisted with all his might, pouring everything into his spear.
However, he didn't possess the skill to change the outcome.
In the end, the seventy thousand soldiers of the Harbor Duchy and Magellan Kingdom vanguard, who had volunteered for the task, were annihilated.
And Duke Edwards and Count Tyrone were also killed.
It was a horrific defeat.