"Enemies ahead!"

"Prepare the shields!"

"Take cover! That mage is firing again! I repeat, take cover!"

BOOOOOM!

A massive explosion shook the earth, wiping out everything in its path. A wave of heat followed as balls of fire rained down from the sky like a burning storm.

One of the captains turned back, his voice filled with panic. "What the fuck are you looking at? Do something!" he shouted at the mage squad.

"We're on it! Hold the line!" one of the mages yelled back, hands trembling as he began his chant.

"Hold on my ass!" the captain roared, his eyes widening as a blazing meteor tore through the clouds, falling straight toward them.

"Retreat! Take cover now!" he screamed.

The soldiers scrambled, diving behind shields and broken walls as the meteor neared. Just before it could hit the ground, a series of sharp wind blades sliced through the air.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Each fireball was intercepted mid-air, bursting into violent explosions that lit up the sky. The shockwaves tore through the battlefield, filling the air with heat, dust, and screams.

"The mages are counterattacking!" a soldier shouted. "It's time! Advance! Goooo!"

"Soldiers of Ruthiana! March ahead!"

From the top of a rocky slope, the soldiers of Ruthiana descended, their armor clattering and their battle cries echoing. Steel clashed against steel as they met the Frontier army head-on.

Sparks flew, arrows whistled, and the ground became soaked in blood. The sounds of death and metal merged into one.

In the midst of the chaos, a middle-aged man fought with all his strength. His armor was dented, and his face was covered with sweat and dirt.

"Everyone! Remember….survive! We need to survive!" Randall shouted, swinging his sword with trembling arms.

He gritted his teeth as he parried a spear and kicked his attacker back. His blade moved again, slashing through another enemy. Each movement was heavy, desperate.

When he had first joined, Randall believed he would lead his own unit. But after arriving here, he realized his squad had been dismantled. He was now part of an unfamiliar group, surrounded by strangers, fighting for a cause he barely believed in.

The war that once sounded glorious now felt meaningless. He fought not for pride or victory but for survival.

And for what? Just the greed of the people above.

As he pushed forward, a sudden roar broke through the battlefield.

Swoosh!

A massive blade strike tore through the air, splitting the ground open. The shockwave sent soldiers flying like broken dolls.

"Arghh!"

"Gaahh!"

"What is that?" someone screamed in terror.

Before they could regroup, a panicked shout rose. "It's a late-stage Advanced Knight! Call for reinforcements—" The man's voice cut off as a blade cleaved him in half.

"Run!"

"Run for your lives!"

The troops of Ruthiana broke into chaos. Panic spread like wildfire among the troops as all of them at best were of Beginner with few of Intermediate stage.

A late stage Advanced Knight was a nightmare on the battlefield. One could destroy entire squads alone, and with support, they became walking disasters.

Randall froze, his mind blank. Around him, others hesitated, watching as a huge wave of sword aura swept across the field.

"Aura..." he whispered, the last word leaving his mouth before everything went white.

BOOOOOOOOM!

The sword arc devoured everything in its path. Bodies, shields, and weapons were shredded to dust. The once muddy battlefield turned into a crater of silence.

The Advanced Knight lowered his sword, his expression was calm and cold. He looked over the dead, the air around him thick with smoke and blood.

"It's done," he said quietly, then turned his gaze toward the fleeing mages of Ruthiana.

"Lord Stephan! That was incredible!" one of his soldiers shouted.

"Lord Stephan has slain them all!" another cheered.

Stephan raised his hand, silencing the voices. His eyes remained fixed forward, emotionless. "Enough flattery. Advance," he ordered.

The Frontier soldiers began to march again, stepping over corpses as they pushed forward through the ruins.

As the sound of footsteps faded, silence fell over the field. Smoke drifted lazily into the blood-stained air.

Then, from beneath a heap of broken armor and ash, a hand burst out of the pile.

"Fuck..." a hoarse voice groaned. "Damn... I survived..."

The hand trembled as Randall dragged himself out, his body covered in burns and cuts. Around him lay nothing but death. The battlefield that had once been filled with life was now nothing but a grave.

His breathing was shallow, his eyes wide with disbelief. The silence was deafening.

...…

It had been a year since the war began.

While the borders were drenched in chaos and blood, the territories far from battle remained unsettlingly peaceful, as if the world had chosen to forget the screams echoing in the distance.

After the incident with the Church, the King simply turned a blind eye, pretending nothing had happened.

Ethan had no say in the Church's affairs anymore. Since the day the Church was destroyed, not a single representative had come forth. The ties were completely severed, and with that, any chance of gaining the Church's blessings vanished. All Ethan could do now was remain vigilant, for danger lurked in every shadow.

The City of Blanks, once a village, had undergone a terrifying transformation.

The streets were no longer filled with silence.

Restaurants and fast food stalls buzzed with activity, and for once, Ethan had stopped being stingy with resources.

Massive stone walls surrounded the city, their surfaces lined with steel barricades. Towering above them were gigantic ballistas gleaming under the dim light, each one sharp enough to pierce a monster.

No one would have believed that this was the same small settlement from a few years ago.

The air in Blanks felt heavy. Soldiers patrolled day and night, their boots echoing on the cobblestone streets. Every newcomer was stopped, checked, and recorded. The once-familiar warmth of the city was gone, replaced by an eerie sense of discipline and fear.

The rise of Blanks' power was undeniable. The City Knights, once a small, disorganized force, had become an elite unit clad in dark silver armor.

Their eyes carried the weight of countless drills and sleepless nights. Each carried a blade that gleamed coldly under the torchlight, and behind them marched the newly formed Mage Corps of men and women capable of bending the elements to their will.

Such measures were enough to alarm neighboring territories. Without the Duke's presence to balance things, Ethan's growing influence looked like a declaration of power.

Rumors spread like wildfire, whispering that Blanks was preparing for something far greater than defense.

However,the Duchess in charge has kept a neutral stance.Rather she even supported Ethan development.

Amidst all the tension, a spark of life appeared. There was good news in the household. Both Sophia and Diana were pregnant.

Then, one cold night, a familiar mechanical voice echoed in Ethan's mind.

[Detected birth of children.]

[The child has been born with E-rank Mage potential.]

[Reward: Gift 1]

[The child has been born with E-rank Warrior potential.]

[Reward: Gift 1]

"Woah…Another harvest..I hope I get something useful."

Ethan froze, staring into the quiet night outside his window.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.