The drums beat rhythmically, driving peoples heartbeats in sync. Blood warmed, and breaths became quicker by the minute. It was the kind of harmony that made soldiers morale soar.

High above, a dazzling golden owl soared. It may be a species that would resort to cannibalizing their own mothers, but it symbolized the Pontiers, and the Pontiers would not let that be forgotten.

Icaruss hands clenched. From where they stood, they could see thousands upon thousands of enemy troops surrounding them.

They could hear the tension in each breath. The soldiers knew that the person standing next to them could be dead in moments.

Such was the bitter truth of war.

Someone tapped Icarus on the shoulder.

You dont need to force yourself to do this. If its too much, then you can go rest for a while. Tactician or not, youre only fifteen years old.

Ill be sixteen soon. Besides, Ive learned how pointless knowledge is without experience. I have no intention of hiding, either. Anyway Theres that boy everyones calling a monster.

Monsters are exempted.

You have an answer for everything.

Hmph. The Master Battle is over and we still havent seen hide nor hair of our master. What are we going to do about him?

Cains contemptuous mannerisms made Icaruss face darken.

He rubbed his temples. Oh, Im sorry, I didnt mean to

Where is he?

He?

The Black Knight. I dont believe Ive seen him since we arrived here

Weve got a problem, then. Cains expression sharpened.

A problem?

He vanished.

He what now? Icaruss head popped up.

I followed him into the woods because I was worried he wasnt feeling well, but Cain sighed. He knew that the Black Knight was, in fact, a fabled Death Knight, but nobody else knew that. It made it difficult for him to explain the situation.

His magi suddenly swelled and then he disappeared into smokebut I cant tell them that.

Cain shook his head. Even if hes on our side, hes unpredictable. You dont know who he is yet, do you?

Of course not. Ive never seen him before, but I believe that he was sent by our master.

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If youre satisfied with that conclusion, youll die without learning the truth.

Icarus paused. Right.

Gah, dont give me that look. I feel like Ive wrongfully accused you. Anyway, lets trust our masterI know he wont leave his people to die.

Icarus stared at Cain sullenly until he poked Icarus in the side with his elbow.

So Icaruss eyes flashed, although Cain barely managed to pick it out in the liquid eddies of Icaruss blue pupils1. Why are you talking to me informally2?

Cain scratched his head awkwardly. He certainly couldnt tell her, Youre like my younger sibling.3

The enemy is marching!

Their heads snapped around. Just as theyd heard, the enemy was advancing on Peril Castle.

Prepare for battle!

The drums began to rattle out a rapid cadence as the soldiers hustled.

Ill tell you later

Wait

Cain gave Icarus a confused look.

Th-There! Icarus jabbed her finger outside the walls.

The enemy was approachingbut a third group was approaching the enemy. It was a small group, a hundred at Icaruss best guess. Their momentum was strong, their horsemanship skilled, and their black armor was more intimidating than its dull finish would suggest.

The indistinct black dots gradually resolved into distinguishable figures as they approached.

Cain squinted at them, making the best of his superhuman vision. Are they the Marquiss backup? He would be able to tell their identity based on whoever led them. The clothing didnt look right, but if that was the Mercenary King

His eyes widened. Cain would recognize that deep blue hair, no matter how far away they were.

Oh my god Cains jaw dropped. Master! His cheeks flushed.

What did you say? Icaruss eyes traced Cains gaze and quickly flooded with tears.

Baron Joshua Sanders, their one and only master, led the black-clad knights.

Ugh

Gwakkkkk!

The sounds of boiling rages and the cries of horses washed over the battlefield.

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It started simply. A hundred men, at most, against a massive force of five thousand. The Crombells army didnt even stopwhat could a force that small do against them?

In retrospect, their logic was obviously flawed.

The enemy! The enemy is attacking us from behind!

Gehog scowled. The enemy?

We should take a look.

I thought you said they only have a hundred people.

It appears they also have a hundred knights behind us, Wright, an A-Class Knight, noted.

Hired knights? Gehog frowned. Nobody said anything about this.

They may not be working for the Pontiers.

Then what the hell are they doing here? Helping the Pontiers when theyre on the brink of defeat? Is this a joke?

Whoever they might be Wright murmured.

I hope I see some headless bodies soon.

I hear and obey.

Dont worry about it too much. Gehog smirked. Just send two units. He then fed mana into his voice. Army! Advance!

I hear and obey. Wright bowed his head and turned his horse around.

Two units of knightsabout 300 menfollowed him, three times as many as the group that had struck from behind.

A Crombell knight approached Wright and bowed.

Is that them?

Affirmative, Commander!

Ive never seen that coat of arms in the Empire before. That pattern Wright examined the hammers and arches embossed on the black armor and scowled. Their heraldry was not the only problemeach and every one of them was highly skilled. Their blades cut the opposing knights like a scythe through grain.

Uncertainty crept onto Wrights face as he kept looking. There was a man at the front of the pack, youthful and attractive. He definitely recognized that face.

Duke Agnus?

Theyd cut ties years ago, but everyone in the Avalon Empire would recognize the similarities between their faces4.

Hmm I see now. Thats Joshua von AgnusJoshua Sanders, the greatest talent of all time. Wright rubbed his chin. The corner of his mouth couldnt help but curl upward as he admired Joshua. He thought the rumors had been exaggerated, but apparently, he was wrong. Joshuas skills alone were a feat worthy of the history books.

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Hah. Wright abruptly stopped and turned toward Joshua. The three hundred knights following him gave him an odd look, but that was just how he liked to do things.

Joshua and Wright locked eyes.

I am a knight in the service of Marquis Crombell. My name is Viscount Wright seon Nagari. Ive heard the rumors, Joshua Sanders, but I never expected to meet you like this. Wrights smile continued to grow. To throw in with the losing teamyou must be a fool.

The Crombell knights jeered.

Are you worried about your men? Or do you feel guilty for abandoning them?

Joshua responded by wresting his crimson spear from the fabric of space and leveling its blazing tip at Wright.

You talk too much.

Boy, dont you know how scary heaven is? Wright drew his sword. Ill chop off your head, my men will chop off your limbs, and then Ill feed you to the dogs.

The young Baron stared darkly at him.

No excusesyou pointed your weapon at me first. Wrights blade shimmered with Aura. Mana danced on its edge like fire, subtly denser than that of a fresh A-Class Knight.

Leo de Grans noticed the danger and began to advance cautiously.

They were interrupted by a soft pop.

Ugghhh Wright lowered his head and stared at the spear running through his heart. WhenWhen did you?

The light faded from his eyes quickly. All that was left behind was his bewildered expression.

It was an astonishingly pointless conclusion for an A-Class Knight.

The Wilhelm Knights stared in awed silence while the Crombell knights were crushed by the incomprehensible reality.

Proud Wilhelm Knights, hear me! Joshua brandished his spear.

Speak! Leo de Grans trembled, but in a different way from Wright. He dropped to his knee, quickly followed by the other black-clad knights.

Eliminate these nuisances, quickly.

Your will is our command!

The Wilhelm Knights brayed like rabid dogs straining at the leash. What was there to fear when they were led by a man like this? Numbers meant nothing to them anymore.

Slay anyone who dares stand before our king!

WOOOOOH!

A feast of blood began as their mad howl pierced the heavens.

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