Chapter 672

Thump-! Thump-!

The countenances of the Ivaldi combatants, staring out at the limitless legion of the Giant King, grew pale with terror. Every single one of them clutched their armaments, shivering.

Right at that moment.

“We want to fight as well!”

A shout rose up from beneath the rampart. Leo stepped toward the inner parapet and cast his eyes downward. Below the defensive wall, he spotted beastkin and dwarf adolescents, seemingly in their late teenage years, holding onto their weapons with resolute expressions.

“We are capable of fighting! We can be of assistance!”

“I explicitly said no!”

“We are combatants as well! Behold! We possess armaments!”

“Those are merely playthings fashioned by small children! Furthermore! Do you honestly believe you can survive on a perilous warzone like this just because you managed to defeat a handful of wild beasts?!”

The beastkin young woman and dwarf boy standing at the front ground their teeth in frustration.

“Leo. What are you observing?”

Just then, Kai walked up with a bewildered expression and redirected his vision toward the base of the inner wall. All of a sudden, the beastkin girl jabbed a finger directly at Leo and Kai.

“In that case, what about those individuals! They are outsiders! On what grounds are they permitted to take part in this conflict?!”

“Lord Dweno granted them his personal authorization to stand upon this field of battle!”

“Ugh! For what reason are we barred?! We are fully prepared to perish at any given instant!”

“My word, what a spirited beastkin youngster.”

Kai, resting his weight against the stone balustrade and speaking with admiration, remarked to Leo. “They appear quite certain of their own capabilities; perhaps we ought to request their assistance?”

“Negative.”

“Why not?”

Kai appeared taken aback by Leo’s absolute rejection.

“The period you reside in and this specific epoch are entirely distinct.”

The Era of Calamity was an age of steep decline. It was a time when even providing a basic upbringing for youths was an arduous task. It stood in stark contrast to Kai, who entered the world during the Era of Heroes. Their developmental surroundings were completely different from those of prospective heroes who had undergone rigorous training specifically for active warfare.

“They might possess a fair amount of real-world combat experience in their own right,” Kai noted.

Leo pivoted away without a shred of warmth. “But that amounts to nothing more. In this day and age, the sole occasion youths of that age set foot on a battlefield is mere moments before a settlement crumbles entirely.”

Hearing this, Kai clicked his tongue softly, glancing down at the boys and girls of similar age who were staring upward at them with looks of deep frustration. Kai, who was preparing to follow after Leo, suddenly locked eyes with the beastkin girl who appeared to lead the group. Looking down at the young beastkin, Kai offered a warm grin and gave a gentle wave of his hand.

“Do not fret overmuch. Despite our youthful appearance, my companions are absolute powerhouses. We shall ensure this settlement remains secure.”

“Ugh!”

Fierce glints flashed from the eyes of the beastkin girl.

“Kai, move quickly.”

“Right, my apologies!”

Summoned by Chelsea, Kai drew himself away from the inner wall’s railing and made his way toward the outer fortifications. Peering out at the vast army of the Giant King coming into view beyond the perimeter, he murmured under his breath.

“Still, their numbers are truly staggering…”

“Hmph. A moment ago you were speaking grandly about altering the course of past events, and now you are uttering such pitiful remarks?”

“I believe I was slightly detached from reality just a moment ago.”

At his confession, Eliza pressed a palm against her forehead and gave a slow shake of her head. “I was incredibly naive to think you possessed even a shred of dignity just now.”

“Pardon? What was that? I am fairly certain I just overheard something remarkable. Would you mind repeating it?”

“Be gone.”

As Kai opened his eyes wide and leaned his ear in closer, an irritated Eliza shoved Kai’s head away from her.

“It appears everyone possesses an abundance of composure,” Leo observed, watching their exchange.

“Indeed. However, the morale around here is quite dismal, saving for our group,” Chelsea commented, casting a glance across the terrified rows along the defensive wall.

It was an unavoidable reality. The legion of the Giant King arrayed before their eyes was, quite literally, an overwhelming force of doom. One particular reason the prospective heroes could maintain their psychological balance was due to the presence of Dweno. The citizens of Ivaldi remained unaware, but every single one of the prospective heroes was cognizant of the fact that Dweno was counted among the legendary figures who brought a conclusion to the Era of Calamity.

Naturally, they were not placing their reliance solely upon Dweno’s shoulders. They actively banished the dread that attempted to seep into their souls and summoned their inner fortitude. This was because they kept their eyes fixed on the unmoving back of a single individual.

‘Lord Dweno is certainly Lord Dweno, but Leo is likewise playing an incredibly vital role.’

A champion who had repeatedly transformed countless hopeless situations into triumphs. The level of conviction that the person known as Leo Plov inspired was monumental. To them, he was quite literally their guiding commander.

“Well then, shall we convert trepidation into valor?”

“Black Rabbit, let us fight hard!”

Following Leo’s remark, Ar squeezed his fist tightly and spoke with enthusiasm. At that, Leo turned a flat, unimpressed gaze toward Ar.

“What exactly are you babbling about?”

“Huh?”

“This is a task designated for you, not myself.”

“Me?” Ar gestured toward his own chest with a bewildered expression.

To this, Leo responded, “During the Era of Calamity, whose specific responsibility was it to instill valor into comrades paralyzed by terror on the warzone?”

“Lord Arion!”

“In that case, who do you claim to be?”

“Ar Tune! The individual who carries forth the legacy of the courageous!”

“Therefore, it falls upon you to transform that terror into valor.” Leo lightly tapped Ar’s brow with his fingertips. “How much longer do you intend to shift the entire weight onto my shoulders? Assume this responsibility.”

“Ugh! What an incredibly exhausting, elderly manner of speaking!” Ar grumbled while massaging his brow, though he quickly offered a nod of agreement. “Nonetheless, that is absolutely correct! Precisely as the Black Rabbit stated! Hmph! I, who have ascended to the rank of a champion! The moment has arrived for Ar, the bearer of the courageous legacy, to make his move!”

Boasting a proud expression, Ar scrambled up to the absolute highest point of the defensive perimeter. The attention of every onlooker shifted toward Ar, bewildered by the sight of the feline beastkin suddenly ascending to the most exposed peak.

“Hey! You over there! We granted you permission to join this engagement, but we will not abide you acting entirely on your own whims!”

“Furthermore! Standing in such an unprotected spot is exceedingly hazardous!”

In the immediate vicinity, several beastkin scrambled forward to pull Ar back down to safety. It was undeniably perilous to be completely uncovered before the opposing forces. They could easily be targeted by spellcraft or projectile armaments in the blink of an eye.

“Hooouuup!”

Ar drew a massive breath into his lungs. Observing his actions, Leo kept his gaze trained out onto the active warzone.

‘He is undoubtedly watching as well.’

The Lich King would most certainly be monitoring the events of this warzone.

‘Reveal it to them. Exactly who you are.’

Woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-!

A powerful, resonant cry burst forth from Ar’s throat. A radiant golden aura began to ripple intensely around Ar’s physical form. The combatants of Ivaldi recoiled slightly upon hearing the sheer force of the cry.

“Could this be…?”

“What in the world is occurring…”

The paralyzing dread began to dissolve away. In its stead, what flooded their spirits was an immense surge of valor. Dweno’s grip upon his great combat axe grew noticeably tighter. The sight of Ar’s howling figure backdropped against the sky became burned into his memory.

“Oh?!”

“An animalistic awakening!”

It was the middle of the day, completely devoid of a full moon. Cries of sheer astonishment burst forth from all quarters as they witnessed Ar undergo his transformation. Yet, the supernatural phenomenon had not yet concluded. One after another, the beastkin combatants began to experience their own transformations. They stared at the alterations occurring within their own physiques with expressions of sheer disbelief.

“Wh-what is the meaning of this?!”

“Incredible!”

Vigor poured through their frames. Ar, having completed his transformation, beamed widely and slammed his fists together.

“Let us abandon our dread, everyone! If we give in to terror, we shall forfeit a conflict we are entirely capable of winning! Those hideous creatures! Let us shatter every last one of them!”

“Waaahhhhhh!”

The Ivaldi combatants, their spirits re-ignited, unleashed a deafening battle cry.

“It defies belief…!”

“This is exceptionally reassuring!”

Ennija wore a stunned expression, while Dweno ran a hand through his whiskers and let out a booming, boisterous laugh, “Wahaha!”

Right at that split second.

Kiiiaaaakkkkkkkkkkk!

A massive swarm of Fafnirs materialized in the upper atmosphere. Beholding the sight, Leo spoke up.

“Eliza.”

“What do you require?”

“How much longer do you plan on keeping it concealed?”

“Hmph.”

Eliza gave a sharp sniff, shut her eyelids, and brought her palms together in a binding gesture.

Sizzle- crackle-!

A brilliant, pristine white electricity began to crackle and coil around Eliza’s form. Chelsea’s eyes widened significantly upon witnessing the display.

“It cannot be?”

Flash! Flash flash flash!

Accompanied by a blinding white radiance, a pristine white Pegasus materialized right before Eliza.

“This is impossible.”

“She managed to summon a Pegasus at such a youthful age?”

“Those youngsters! What manner of entities are they?!”

The combatants stationed along the rampart gasped with renewed shock.

Click-clack- Click-clack-

“Duran Moira, Chelsea Rwolin.” Eliza stepped up to the side of the Pegasus, casting her gaze over her competitors one by one, a confident smirk playing on her lips. “You shall never find yourselves capable of matching my stride now.”

“Preposterous.”

“Hmph! I shall close that gap in the blink of an eye, so relish your moment while it lasts!”

Duran maintained a completely indifferent countenance, while Chelsea offered a dismissive snort.

“Um, Eliza. What about me?” Illiana inquired with a thoroughly displeased look, prompting Eliza to respond.

“Is there truly any merit in evaluating someone who possesses as little diligence as yourself?”

“Leader! Eliza is displaying blatant disregard for me!”

“Therefore, let us commit ourselves fully to rigorous training, understood?” When Illiana offered her grievances to Leo with a tear-rimmed expression, Leo merely offered a gentle smirk.

“Wow! Eliza! Magnificent! You at last achieved success!” Kai shouted with enthusiasm.

Eliza smirked back at Kai and made a move to seat herself upon the Pegasus.

“Wow! Still, Eliza! You look genuinely stunning!”

“Pardon?”

In that exact instant, she nearly lost her footing and tumbled due to Kai’s sudden remark. “What on earth are you suddenly blabbing about!”

Kai gestured directly toward the Pegasus and clarified to Eliza, who was shouting back at him with cheeks that had turned a faint shade of crimson. “What am I referring to? Your Pegasus, it is truly a beautiful creature.”

“…”

Eliza’s shoulders began to vibrate with tension. “You… just wait until this conflict reaches its resolution.”

“No, for what reason?”

“Hmph!”

Eliza delivered a sharp snort toward Kai, who wore a thoroughly wronged expression, and softly caressed the neck of the Pegasus. “Let us take flight, Ru.”

[Understood, Eliza.]

Flash- sizzle sizzle sizzle-!

A tempest erupted, and Eliza’s Pegasus, Ru, leaped high into the celestial expanse.

Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Kiiiaaakkkkk!

Kiiiaakkk!

Pristine white electricity carved brilliant arcs through the sky. Fafnirs shrieked in agony and plummeted to the earth wherever those electrical arcs sliced through.

“It is an absolute rout.”

“Due to the fact that the electrical energy wielded by Pegasi serves as the ultimate counter to Fafnirs,” Leo explained in response to Ar’s awe-filled commentary, before proceeding to call forth Arti.

“Once more?!”

“By what means did those youths manage to forge an alliance with a Pegasus at their current age?!”

Outcries of utter disbelief reverberated across the area.

‘To label me a child, my actual age aligns closely with your own.’

Leo, grimacing silently within his own mind, swung himself onto Arti’s back and declared, “Eliza and myself shall take charge of the airspace. The rest of you maintain security over the defensive wall.”

“Ought we to abide by the directives of Professor Artian?”

“Professor Artian will find himself unable to assist.” Leo cast a brief glance toward the rear section of the defensive works.

Gooouuuuoooo-!

A colossal quantity of ethereal energy and incantation power was swirling intensely about Artian’s physical form. An elemental magician entity had taken full possession of his physical vessel.

“He is currently casting an exceptionally grand spell.”

“In that case, Lord Dweno’s directives…”

“You are fully capable of managing it.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Naturally, it falls upon you.”

“But you and Lord Dweno are present on this battlefield, are you not?”

At his protest, Leo let out a light laugh. “I shall offer you the exact same words I presented to Ar.”

“Which would be?”

“How much longer do you intend to shift the entire weight onto my shoulders? Assume this responsibility.”

“Haa!” Kai released a profound sigh. Following that, he delivered a sharp slap to both of his cheeks and pivoted around. “I must offer my regrets, but…” Kai flashed a sheepish grin. “Would you be willing to place your survival in my hands?”

“We shall place it there,” Duran answered without a single moment of pause.

Kai appeared visibly taken aback by the immediacy of the response. “Huh? Quite lacking in hesitation, aren’t we?”

“Senior brother Leo delegated the leadership to your care. Consequently, it is our duty to comply,” Chelsea remarked with a shrug of her shoulders, while Driana delivered a firm slap to Kai’s back.

“We shall place our survival in your hands without a single reservation.”

“Ugh.” Kai rocked backward on his feet from the sheer force of Driana’s touch.

“Mind you, if you botch these directives, I shall personally end you before anyone else does, understand?” Kai offered an awkward smirk in response to Chelsea’s threat.

“No, that seems a tad excessive.”

“Given that we are placing our very survival in your care, does it not stand to reason that we should maintain your own survival as security?” As Chelsea offered a sweet, innocent smile, Kai could only release a dry, mirthless chuckle.

It was precisely at that juncture.

Kwagagagagagangg-!

A deafening, earth-shaking boom reverberated through the air.

Whoooooosh-!

“An enchanted projectile!”

“Everyone, brace yourselves!”

Hysterical shouts broke out across the entire perimeter as an immense orb of dark magic came hurtling forward from the ranks of the Giant King’s legion.

“Lord Dweno! Lady Ennija! It is far too hazardous to leave your forms exposed to the exterior!” At the dwarf’s frantic warning, Ennija questioned, “Do we not require to seek safety behind the stone works?”

“Keep your gaze trained firmly upon that spectacle, Ennija.”

“Pardon?”

Flash! Sizzle-!

A streak of pristine white electricity rent the air, and Leo materialized directly in the path of the dark magical sphere launched by the Giant King’s legion.

Slice-!

A lengthy, ash-colored streak carved a wide arc extending from left to right. And following that…

Kwagagagagagagagagang-!

The dark magical sphere detonated violently in mid-air, causing the very ground to shudder. The defensive wall vibrated under the impact. Every single onlooker stared intently at the back of Leo, who remained mounted atop his Pegasus.

Kiiiaaaaaakkkkkkkk-!

Boooooo-!

With their assault weapon’s strike rendered completely ineffective, the legion of the Giant King initiated a full-scale charge, accompanied by the menacing blare of a war horn. Beholding the advance, Dweno vaulted down from the rampart without a single moment of hesitation.

“Dweno!” As Ennija called out in sheer panic, Dweno countered, “Cast away your anxiety! Our airspace is firmly secured now!”

Thump-!

Depositing those parting words, Dweno made contact with the solid earth below.

Goooouuuuooo-!

A radiant golden aura of fire began to shimmer intensely about Dweno’s physical frame. Under normal circumstances, he would never entertain the notion of mounting a solitary assault. This was because there would be no path of retreat. Yet, the present situation was entirely different.

Kiiieeeeeeek!

Thump thump thump thump-!

A contingent of Gigantes bounded forward, focusing their path of destruction entirely upon Dweno.

Clang clang clang clang-!

Dweno bared his teeth in a savage grin, dragging the cutting edge of his axe along the rocky terrain. “Very well then.”

Clench-!

Dweno gripped a combat axe securely in each of his palms, his gaze flashing dangerously.

Thud-!

A heavy, impactful strike resonated through the open air. The leading Gigantes standing directly before Dweno were cleanly severed in two at their midsections. The colossal blades of his axes had sliced the Gigantes entirely in half.

“Given that my rear guard is unyielding, shall I, too, run completely rampant to my heart’s absolute content?”