The door to the adventurers' hall swung open abruptly, and Judah, a young adventurer, burst inside, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "He has returned! Azztar Echo has come back!"
It was already evening, and most adventurers were in the midst of preparing to retire to their respective inns for the night. It took them a moment to register the gravity of Judah's proclamation.
"He's back? Is he looking for another beating?" Kadden laughed mockingly as he rose from his table, surrounded by a group of fellow adventurers who were making final preparations for an upcoming quest.
He was the first to realize what Judah's words meant, since for him, this wasn't a warning, but a command from Wain!
"He's attacking the Riverhelm Village!" Judah, still panting heavily, "And he leads thousands of monsters this time." Jadah shared the dire news, his expression grim.
The adventurers in the hall also understood what was going on and rose from their seats, determined to chase the dark magician back into the mountains. They weren't scared to confront the powerful enemy since Kadden was on their side.
They all turned at Kadden, awaiting his response. Kadden was the Protector of Cloudgate Town after all and they would do however he decided.
"Looks like Lord Azztar didn't quite grasp our message the last time," Kadden remarked as he strode purposefully towards the exit, his confidence unwavering in the face of the impending confrontation. "Let's go and teach him another lesson, one he won't forget, to ensure he never dares to leave those mountains again." He declared and the other adventurers joined him.
"Let's go beat him up again!"
"Yeah, with Kadden leading the way, there's nothing to fear!"
"Summon everyone, we can't allow him to harm Riverhelm Village!"
…
The adventurers went into an uproar, quickly gathering their colleagues. Their quickly increasing numbers drew the attention of onlookers on the streets, leaving them eager to learn the cause of the commotion.
"What's happening?" inquired a young knight, afraid he missed a mobilization order for the army.
"You haven't heard?" a middle-aged adventurer stopped to explain to him. "Azztar Echo is attacking again today, and we're following Kadden to teach him a lesson," he exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"What?!" The knight was left dumbfounded by the news, having received no official instructions but now eager to follow Kadden as well. Like everyone else, he'd heard tales of Kadden's heroics from the previous encounter and wished to witness his strength firsthand.
If the news about the army of thousands monsters were true, they would need everyone in order to stop him. So even the soldiers quickly relayed the news amongst them, prepared to depart and stop the impending threat.
…
As Kadden and the growing assembly of Cloudgate Town's forces approached the town gates, they found their path blocked by an unexpected figure. It was Lord Swail, accompanied by two loyal knights, he stood his ground, determined to prevent their departure.
"Sir Langley, I'm well aware of your many achievements, and, like everyone else, I'm grateful for your service," Lord Swail began, "but I simply cannot allow you to leave our town today."
After receiving the unsettling news from the Order of Light, Lord Swail decided to play it safe, and refrain from having his soldiers venturing behind the town's wall, until the inquisitors from the Order of Light returned.
Although the chances were slim, there was a chance that Azztar Echo was extremely dangerous, so much that even the Order of Light feared him, and he didn't want to risk that possibility.
Meanwhile, Kadden stopped, his expression palling. Lord Swail was completely right, and they should leave the town's walls, however, he had received orders from Wain to ensure that Cloudgate Town's army left, and he couldn't afford to disappoint his master.
"Lord Swail," He stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "Are you truly willing to sacrifice innocent villagers to protect your own life?" Kadden spoke out loud, ensuring everyone could hear him clearly.
A silence enveloped the scene, for Lord Swail was at a loss for words. While he did intend to use the villagers as a delaying tactic for reinforcements, he couldn't admit to such a self-serving plan in front of the entire town. He was not normally a selfish man and such actions didn't match his beliefs.
"You disappointed me." Kadden declared, looking down at Lord Swail in disgust. "I became an adventurer because I wanted to avoid serving individuals like you, who only look out for themselves"
"I won't force anyone to follow me, but I'd rather give my life to protect the common people than watch them die from safety." Kadden's declaration hung in the air, his voice tinged with deep-seated pain. It was evident that these words described a past which tormented him till this day.
Without saying another word, Kadden walked past Lord Swail and left the town behind.
As Kadden continued on his path, everyone who had gathered gazed at him in deep admiration. They held great respect for his unwavering determination, since Kadden did not glance back to see if anyone was following him. He was fully prepared to confront the impending threat, even if he had to do so alone.
Even Lord Swail couldn't help but watch in admiration Kadden's departing figure as he walked toward the formidable monster army. He was like a true hero. Powerful and righteous, disregarding his own life for the wellbeing of common people.
The crowd nervously exchanged glances. They didn't want to let Kadden fight alone and protect all of them again. However, facing the town lord, their determination couldn't help but waver.
Witnessing the scene, Lord Swail couldn't help but hang his head in embarrassment. When had he become so self-centered? It was a realization that struck him hard, and in that moment, he stepped aside, no longer obstructing their path.
"Go," he uttered, taking everyone by surprise. "Protect this town!" His words resonated with newfound conviction, signaling a significant shift in his perspective. If they had to die, they would do so fighting and not holed up like rats!
…
Wain's forces reached Riverhelm Village ahead of Kadden's arrival this time, and they wasted no time in mercilessly plundering the village.
The routine was grimly familiar, capturing the humans, offering them the grim choice to join their ranks or face brutal consequences. Those who refused were subjected to a single fate. Death!
However, the true purpose of this attack was to bait the Cloudgate Town army and annihilate them. Wain had the power to conquer Cloudgate Town directly, but he preferred minimizing casualties and testing Kadden's capabilities in the process.
He began doubting Kadden's loyalty as the sun setted, but then he saw the approaching army from Cloudgate Town.
"The enemies are closing in! Prepare for battle!" Rryk commanded, rallying their forces.
…
"Kadden Langley? You came late this time!" Wain laughed, his voice sounding terrifying under the effect of the [Lord of the Night] and the thousands of soldiers and adventurers following Kadden, couldn't help but waver.
The imposing presence of Wain, coupled with the powerful army of monsters and the blaze of the burning village casting an eerie glow in the night, made him appear all the more formidable.
"Azztar Echo, how dare you leave your mountains again!" Kadden's voice was laced with anger as he pointed his saber at Wain. "Today, I, Kadden Langley, will show you that you aren't able to walk around at your will!" He roared with unyielding determination, charging forward with the entire army at his back.
"Haha, you fool!" Wain laughed, showing no trace of concern, his tone emotionless. "Did you think I came unprepared after the last time?" He revealed a sinister sneer beneath his hood as he took out a violet crystal from his robe.
"That can't be-!" Kadden abruptly halted his advance. He had no idea what the crystal could be, but he simply acted along with what Wain was saying. "Everyone step back!" He immediately shouted, his expression grim, when suddenly thousands of other monsters emerged from the edges of the plains, surrounding them.
It was a trap!
The grim reality dawned upon the soldiers and adventurers from Cloudgate Town. With their formidable force of over two thousand, they had believed they had little to fear, but Wain's forces far exceeded their expectations, turning the encounter into a nightmarish scenario.
"Today, I shall kill you, Kadden Langley!" Wain announced as he crushed the violet mana crystal. Using his exceptional control over mana allowed him to shape the vast reserves into a colossal wave of flames, which surged menacingly toward Kadden.
Kadden, hoping Wain's actions were merely an act, raised his saber and prepared to defend himself, his expression terrified. However, he didn't even have to act this time as his feelings were genuine.
The wave of flames crashed into the ranks of soldiers and adventurers, claiming hundreds of lives. The night was filled with the piercing cries of pain, and the scene was nothing short of horrifying, however, the encirclement by the monstrous army left them with no escape route.
When Wain's fiery onslaught finally dissipated, it revealed a vast empty plane, devoid of even a trace of bones. In the midst of this blazing expanse, Kadden half-knelt, coughing blood. He was evidently defeated by the strike as well.
The devastating truth struck them like a heavy blow. Despite their disbelief, it was a fact they couldn't escape.
Despair befallen upon the army of soldiers and adventurers. Kadden was the only reason they dared to face Azztar Echo, and with him defeated, they stood no chance against the encroaching monster horde and the terrifying magician leading them.
"Kill them all!" Wain's merciless command resounded through the night as the monsters began their assault on the disoriented soldiers and adventurers.
Blaine was the first to regain his composure and rallied his comrades."Protect Kadden! We must retreat to Cloudgate Town!" His words stirred a glimmer of hope in the despair of the moment.
If they could safely escort Kadden back, perhaps they could still stand a chance in defending their town against the dark magician's evil forces.
They rushed through the sea of Chaos Flame, disregarding their lives and supported Kadden to stand up, carrying him back to Cloudgate Town under the attack of monsters.
Their retreat was slow as they clumped around Kadden, protecting him with their lives, which made an easy target for Wain.
He eventually had to control his power, otherwise he would annihilate the entire group before they reached Cloudgate Tow, however, he intended to let a few dozen survivors live, with the intention of using them as a terrifying example for the remaining defenders.