"My, my… what an amazing view."
Z, Vice Commander of Revilia's army, stood at the highest balcony of the castle, gazing out over the vast lands below. Mountains stretched endlessly into the horizon, rivers cutting through forests like silver veins, Vast snowy biomes, Deserts. This was Revilia—his homeland.
"Commander!"
A soldier hurried toward him.
"We've received reports from the eastern factions. It seems the Arlands have been causing trouble."
Z let out a tired sigh."My, my… why can't I ever catch a break?"
He turned."Fill me in on the details."
Not long after, Z stood in the castle's conference chamber, presenting his findings before King Arthur and the elders.
"There have been reports from the Aqua, Saber, and Frost factions, all located in the east," Z said, gesturing toward a detailed map."They claim the Arlands have been intercepting resource caravans and pillaging their villages. Since they are just factions, they lack the power to retaliate and are requesting our intervention."
"What could their motive be?" asked Arthur, King of Revilia.
"I'm not certain," Z replied. "Arland isn't facing any economic crisis. The only reason I can think of is ambition—an attempt to weaken other kingdoms."
"HAHAHA!"Gorin, Commander of Revilia's army, laughed loudly."Those insects are getting bold. They're the weakest of the five kingdoms. What makes them think they can challenge us? Even with whatever scraps they've stolen, it wouldn't be enough."
"The wisest course of action," said Eon, Head Alchemist of Revilia, "is to find out if it is the Arlands are truly behind these attacks."
"I agree," Arthur said.
Z nodded."Judging by their movements, their next target should be the ore transports traveling from the Sand Mines to the Aqua faction. The route is long, which gives us the perfect opportunity to intercept them—here, at the Fields of Moore."
Arthur turned his gaze toward one man."Leo. I want you to handle this."
"It would be my honor, Your Highness," Leo replied.
"You are dismissed."
Everyone left—except Leo.
"My king," Leo asked, "may I know why you chose me?"
Arthur smirked."What? Afraid of dying in battle?"
Then his expression darkened.
"The real reason is something Z told me before the meeting."
"They have a demon on their side."
Leo's fists clenched.
That word stirred memories he could never erase.
"This mission may help us uncover the truth about what happened back then," Arthur continued coldly."About those who attacked us… and killed Rose."
Leo led two hundred soldiers to the Fields of Moore.
They're ready, he realized.
The Arlands stood waiting—already armed. Many wore masks, some covering their entire faces, others only the lower half.
Their numbers were overwhelming.
Two thousand.
"I come on behalf of King Arthur of Revilia," Leo called out."Return everything you have stolen and surrender yourselves for judgment."
A low laugh answered him.
"I'm honored Revilia considers us such a threat," said a towering figure clad in bulky armor. A dark oni mask covered the upper half of his face."But you underestimate us—bringing so few men."
"So you have no intention of complying," Leo said.
"I do not take orders from dead people," the masked man smirked.
"Very well."
Leo moved.
In an instant, it looked as though he had taken only a single step.
His blade flashed.
The masked man's head slid cleanly from his shoulders, rolling across the ground as the oni mask cracked apart—revealing a face Leo recognized.
So our suspicions were right.
Leo flicked the blood from his blade.
The Arlands soldiers staggered back in terror.
Then Leo dove in.
He appeared behind one soldier, driving his sword straight through the man's chest. He blocked a spear from another and slashed his throat in the same motion.
He moved like a blur.
Leo wore segmented armor crafted from the scales of a reptilian creature—dark as the night itself. A best of the viber rank Viper Rank.
There was only one word to describe him.
"M-MONSTER!" an Arlands soldier screamed.
The battlefield descended into chaos.
Among Leo's men, three figures stood out.
A giant—over seven feet tall—swung a massive double-headed axe nearly as long as he. His heavy segmented armor which seemed to be made of a strange orange stone. With a single swing, he cleaved through dozens of enemies.
Then there was a woman with a slender frame, clad in white segmented armor fashioned from a winged creature. Also of the Viper Rank. Her luminous blade glinted in the sunlight as her silver hair flowed behind her. She moved with cold, elegant precision.
And finally—
A masked man wielding dual swords. Dressed in light white garments, his movements were so fast he seemed invisible.
"Come on, Leo!" he laughed. "Don't finish them all—leave some for us!"
Leo noticed his men had fully engaged.
He turned his gaze elsewhere.
"You handle the soldiers," he said calmly."I'll go after the demon."