Half a day before the dragons shadow was cast over Arcadia, Joshua and Ash were making their way over to where Crevasse was waiting.

Thats not fair!

Joshua frowned. Ash, you promised.

This isnt the same! You said youd grant me freedom as long as I gave you something about the Tempest Stormwind! And why do you keep calling me Ash? Thats not my name; my name is Ashteras Fairy Elunburse Norn

Thats too long, Joshua grumbled.

Huh! Ash stared at him. Anyway! Even if you hit me or burn me alive, I cant! Im sorry!

Are you scared?

The elfs eyes widened. Wh-What do you mean, scared? Whos scared

Youre afraid of heights.

How di Ash clapped his hands over his mouth.

Joshua grinned sourly. He remembered how funny itd been when he first discovered that Ash was afraid of heights. High elves did not build their homes in the eaves of the world tree like the forest elves did, which had come as a real surprise to Joshua.

In the meantime, the boy had planted his feet stubbornly and refused to move.

If youre late, how do you plan to handle your former masters anger? I cant help you there; he scares me a little too.

Cant you tell me what you were talking about? Ash eventually asked.

Joshua laughed. We were discussing Asmodeuss contractor, he casually answered.

Asmodeussss? The elfs eyes grew to the size of lanterns. Asmodeus. AsmodeusIs that the same Asmodeus that Im thinking of?

Maybe.

Oh, no Whats happening? Ash was too exhausted to be surprised anymore. Demons had disappeared from Middle-earth for over a thousand yearsthe strongest of them would be much older than Ash. But the 32nd most powerful of them all, Asmodeus, had suddenly appeared.

Joshua suddenly wrapped his arms around him.

What?!

If you keep acting like this, Im going to drag you there.

Im really really sorry!

Dont move, Joshua chastised the struggling elf. Ashs fear was replaced by bewilderment as a beam of warm energy slipped into his body, calming his mind.

Look, just close your eyes. Ill be here, and Ill help you work it out.

Help me what now?

Help you get over your fear, Joshua firmly replied. Dont tell me you never want to go to Yggdrasil.

What the What are you? How did you?

I dont know much about you, Joshua laughed, but I do know one thing: running away is not the answer. He pulled off his robe and tucked it around Ash, feeling the boys tiny shivers through his fingertips.

If he thought it would fix anything, Joshua would have done the same. He never did, although he may have thought about it. He broke through, leaping past everything that stood in his path, never backing down.

And hed do it again, even in his enemies den, the Imperial Palace.

Joshua slowly opened his eyes.

Lets go.

Demas and Porter, Knights of the 2nd Battalion and the first people to notice that something was going on, were slacking off during training.

Demas leaned into the corner and yawned. Hey, whether were C-Class or B-Class, do you think our boring life is going to change at all? Training, training, training. Im so tired I could die.

But isnt it good to die while youre in your prime?

What?

Nothing, its just what people say these days. Youre a virgin with no hair on your head and a lot of hair on your chest; they say thats a sign of low vitality.

Demas grunted. He had a cross on his forehead. Are you done?

No, I just mean Theres no smoke coming out of the chimney, you know?

Theres no fire lit, duh. What are you on about?

Ah, jeez. If youre too tired to think straight, just go home and rest.

Demass shoulders trembled. He wanted to tell his colleague to go fuck himself, but he couldnt help but admit that Porter had a point.

Ahem. Porter glanced to the side and frowned. What are these worthless people here for?

The 12th Battalion? Demas followed Porters gaze and spat on the ground. Lowly things are only knights in appearance.

The finely tuned senses of the 12th Battalion Knights couldnt help but pick up on their insults.

Hey, Porter muttered, Watch what youre saying. Their commander, Baron Sanders, is a proud Master of our Empire, he sarcastically proclaimed.

Oh my gosh~ Im so scared I almost peed myself.

One of the 12th Battalion knights made toward Porter and Demas.

These bastards Captain Ranger?

We can hold it in; why cant you?

But

Rangers jaw clenched. Joshua was looked down upon by more than just the nobles. Before Joshua became a baron, he was an Imperial Knight.

He was a living legend, the commander of the auxiliary battalion, the youngest Master, and a talent unmatched across the entire continent. It was no wonder the 11th and 12th Battalions walked with their chins held high, and it was equally obvious why the other battalions would be envious.

Thats right, bow your heads. Yeah, looks good.

Hey, hey, your captain that youre all so proud of is basically a criminal right now. It would be weird if he wasnt killed.

These jerks

Wait, youre the one who told me to calm down!

In a sudden reversal, the knight was now holding back Ranger.

Just give me one second and Ill put my boot into that bald fools groin!

No! Youre going to sully the Captains name right when hes about to return?

The other knights of the 12th watched them and shook their heads sadly.

Demas threw his head back and laughed, just in time to see something dark flash by with a woosh.

Hmm? He tilted his head again. Whats that?

What are you doing? Porter, confused, followed Demass vision.

Both knights faces flushed red with surprise at the same time.

I I I

Two great wings blew gusts of wind down at the palace. Porter and Demas had seen this creature beforein a book of myths.

Dragon

Run! Damn it!

They called us through the crystal ball! Commander Rod is summoning everyone to the front of the Imperial Palace!

Even without the knights who had been dispatched, there were still well over a thousand Imperial Knights garrisoned in the Imperial Palace, enough to swallow any lesser nation whole. Yet none of that stopped Ranger from running so fast that his feet sweat.

Dragon! A dragon!

In the middle of Arcadia? How?!

The dragon in question was big enough to cast the entire Palace into shadow.

Take the high ground! Commander Rods mana-infused voice boomed. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions protect the Imperial Palace!

Understood!

4th, 5th, and 6th Battalions, into the Palace! Protect the other nobles, but prioritize His Majestys safety first!

It will be done!

Everyone else, to your stations! Those of you who just got here

Sorry were late. I am Captain Ranger; the 12th Battalion is here to help.

Ranger! Caves, Viper, and the rest of the 11th and 12th were waiting for them.

Hmm After a moment of thinking, Commander Rod nodded. The captain of the 11th and 12th Battalions is still missing, so they will remain in reserve. Move quickly, everyone!

I see

Hey, trash sub battalion! Cant you hear the Commander telling you to stay out of the way? Move!

Fuck. Rangers face flushed bright red. He couldnt believe they were shit-talking in a situation like this.

Incoming!

They barely heard the warning because a black object was falling from the sky. Even from several hundred meters away, they had no trouble seeing it.

The wizards have already placed their magic shields around the Palace! Remain calm and act with deliberation.

Understood!

In spite of their answer, the knights couldnt hide their nervousness. They were fighting a dragon.

Hold on, thats Rangers jaw dropped.

They stared; the 11th and 12th looked like theyd seen a ghost.

C-Captain?

Oh my Is that Captain Sanders?

The man fell freely out of the sky; even from a distance, he sparkled.

Captain! Ranger yelled. It hadnt even been a year, and yet there were so many things he wanted to say. Why was he here? Was anyone hurt? He didnt care about the naysayers right now; he just listened to his instincts.

HEY, DIPSHITS! he shouted. OUR CAPTAIN IS HOME!

The 11th and 12th Battalions laughed until they cried.