I inadvertently smiled at Mikhail as he expressed his gratitude.
"We have to help each other out. Especially when facing monsters together in battle."
"I challenged your command. That means, at some point, I might rebel against you again... From your perspective, I could be a hindrance to stable frontline command."
Mikhail rolled his crimson eyes and stared straight at me.
"But you saved my life and the lives of my knights. Whether that was out of mercy or a firm confidence in your command, I'm not sure... Either way, it's a complete defeat for me."
Unlike the monsters forced into obedience through magic, the young knight before me knew how to bow his head. He recognized both his own mistakes and the merits of others.
That was somewhat admirable.
"Surprisingly good at self-reflection, aren't you?"
"I reflect after I act. I need to reduce my mistakes in the future. The problem is I don't think things through before I act..."
Mikhail let out a deep sigh.
"Admittedly, I charged into this battle like a reckless bull, but I'm not so disgraceful as to deny the outcome."
Acknowledging that is significant.
He recognizes his faults and looks to the future.
Perhaps this alone proves Mikhail has the qualities of a hero.
Seemingly relieved after his confession, Mikhail continued speaking.
"The monsters here are not only stronger than those in our kingdom, but the tactics to fight them here are also far more advanced."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"Actually, I've read reports about the monsters in the south. They weren't as threatening as this. This must have escalated in recent years."
I didn't respond. Mikhail nodded silently.
"And Prince Ash, you've been maintaining the front lines against these monsters."
"We're both just doing our part."
"No need to be modest. You and your army have done remarkable work."
Scratching his head, Mikhail placed his hand over his chest.
"As per our bet, while the World Guardian Front exists, the Sky Knights will faithfully follow your commands."
"I'll be counting on you."
"But, I'd like to add one condition."
I raised an eyebrow. Mikhail nodded firmly.
"Send us to the toughest and highest battles."
"Interesting."
"Though we showed a poor display today, with the right commands, the Sky Knights can soar higher than any heroes."
Indeed, Mikhail and the Sky Knights were already a first-rate force in terms of stats.
What's important is experience. And the right tactics.
If they continue to defeat such strong monsters under proper guidance, the Sky Knights might outperform other parties under my command.
Smiling, I extended my hand.
"Looking forward to working with you, Mikhail."
"Likewise, Prince Ash."
We shook hands.
"Alright, enough with the reflection! Let's go to the victory feast!"
I patted Mikhail on the shoulder and led him down the ramparts.
"It's another specialty of Crossroad! If we've won, let's eat, drink, and enjoy!"
***
Lucas and Evangeline returned safely.
Despite the exhaustion from aerial combat on the backs of monsters, Lucas calmly organized the battlefield and reported the outcomes.
And Evangeline? She rushed off to prepare for the feast, singing something like 'Playing is the best~'.
"In this battle... there were some injuries, and a few cannons were damaged."
Lucas, having skimmed through the report, flashed me a smile.
"No other damages. It was an excellent battle, my lord."
"It's the result of everyone doing their part."
Our existing forces at the frontline, and the newly joined Sky Knights, had both played their roles perfectly as decoys.
When everyone fulfills their responsibilities so well, even the challenging hordes of monsters can be dealt with minimal damage.
"All corpse incinerations and loot collections are complete. That concludes today's work."
"Let's close up shop and head in~ Everyone's worked hard, let's treat ourselves to some good food."
As Lucas and I wrapped up organizing the battlefield and headed towards the city's central square, a feast was already underway.
There had been an awkward and subtle tension between the existing Crossroad forces and the new recruits, but after fighting together today and with the circulation of alcohol and meat, they had quickly become friendly with each other.
After all, they all shared the common trait of being soldiers.
No matter where in the world or against whom they fought, soldiers seemed to share a similar kind of hardship.
As they shared their struggles with each other, the soldiers quickly started mingling and exchanging stories.
And then...
"The alcohol at this celebration is too bland~"
Mikhail was already drunk!
"It's so bland, it's like water, water. Give me more~"
Slurring his words, Mikhail kept tilting his glass. Alarmed, I quickly snatched the glass from his hand.
"Hey, aren't you underage?! Why are you guzzling alcohol? Go drink some juice!"
"Whaa? In my country, you're an adult from age twelve. I even have five fiancées, you know?"
Wait, doesn't your sister have five husbands too? What's with these marriage customs in the Vermillion Kingdom!
A thoroughly intoxicated Mikhail started to mumble and make a scene.
One of the Sky Knights, sweating bullets, bowed his head apologetically towards me.
"I'm so sorry for this disgraceful behavior. The Crown Prince is not good with alcohol..."
"Then you guys should have stopped him from drinking!"
"We only allowed him one drink because he insisted he was fine..."
Then, Mikhail placed his hands above his head and began to dance around. The soldiers watching burst into laughter, holding their stomachs.
He's completely lost it!
'Is this also a result of the negative trait 'Reckless'?'
Suddenly, I began to worry whether I could properly handle this kid in the future. Hmm.
"Hahaha! This much alcohol is nothing! In the Vermillion Kingdom, we have the blood of griffins in our veins!"
Mikhail pounded his chest proudly.
Just then, Evangeline, who had come to sit next to me exchanging juice with Lucas, looked puzzled and asked Mikhail.
"So, the people of the Vermillion Kingdom and griffins are like brothers?"
"That's right! Practically brothers!"
"But how can you ride griffins then?"
"Huh?"
"You said you're like brothers, right? Do you strap on a saddle and ride them, sitting on their backs? How can you do that to your brother?"
"Uh...?"
Mikhail, looking dumbfounded, glanced back at his griffin tied nearby, then opened his mouth slightly.
"...You know, now that you mention it?"
The griffin, as if understanding the conversation, opened its eyes wide and gaped its beak, looking shocked.
Suddenly, Mikhail burst into tears and hugged the griffin.
"I'm sorry, brother, so sorry! From now on, you ride me..."
After hanging onto the griffin and sobbing for a while, he soon fell asleep right there...
The Sky Knights gathered their Crown Prince and returned to their quarters. Watching them go, Evangeline clicked her tongue.
"I never thought of him that way, but the Crown Prince of Vermillion, his character is completely ruined..."
"You're the one who ruined it..."
You're the one who made him realize the uncomfortable truth about the relationship between the people of Vermillion Kingdom and the griffins. You're the culprit.
Anyway, the now ruined Mikhail had gone off to his quarters, but I continued to chat and exchange drinks with the remaining Sky Knights.
Before I knew it, my subordinates, the heroes under my command, as usual, had gathered around me, making a noisy chatter. I looked around at them.
Junior was taking care of the young magicians under my command like younger siblings, feeding them food, while Damien was sitting with the priests, relieved that there weren't many casualties today.
Kuilan, Yun, Torkel, and Nobody... the vanguard heroes who participated in today's melee were each boasting about who performed better.
Verdandi with the Holy Grail Seekers and Burnout with Bodybag and the other elves, as expected, were sharing nutty snacks and honey wine with each other.
...
Finally.
When Lilly, holding baby Sid in her arms, appeared, the square plunged into a frenzy.
Bearded, burly mercenaries were trembling with excitement at how cute Sid was, and the female mercenaries were shouting, asking for Sid to receive a kiss from their "aunt". You guys are a bit scary...
"The last party was great, but..."
Dusk Bringar, slightly detached from this frenzy, quietly sipped her drink beside me and chuckled.
"I definitely prefer drinking noisily with the soldiers like this. Much better to my taste."
"..."
I smiled back and extended my drink towards her. We quietly clinked our glasses together in a toast.
That's when it happened.
"Hmm. Is it a victory feast?"
New faces appeared.
Cutting through the crowd, a group of magicians in robes arrived at the central square on white horses.
The lead elder magician pushed back his robe and stroked his long beard.
"We rushed here night and day, hearing of an imminent monster invasion. It seems the situation has already been resolved?"
It was Dearmudin, the Grand Sorcerer of the Ivory Tower, who had caused a stir at the meeting of kings in the past.
But that wasn't all. Following him, knights and warriors in various armors entered the square.
"What's this, we arrive just in time for dinner, and it's a feast!"
"We didn't really do anything, but they'll include us, right?"
I couldn't recognize who was who, but the soldiers around me buzzed with introductions.
"It's the 'Ivory Tower'...!"
"From the nomadic tribe 'Mirage', their elite assault unit!"
"That red beret... the strongest in the jungle, the 'Red Beret', right?"
"The Dwarf army has arrived too!"
"Is that the Elf Queen and her royal guards...?!"
"Are different races really joining in full force now!"
"Truly, renowned warriors from all over the world are gathering here?"
The newly arrived forces, each a significant figure from their regions, found their spots around the square, engaging in a bit of rivalry with our existing forces.
The leaders of each military group approached me with stern faces as I was drinking.
Observing them, I sighed softly.
Just as I managed to handle one headache, more troublesome characters come pouring in.
'Fine, let them all come in.'
I'll straighten them out one by one and turn them all into my subordinates!
"Come on, let the monsters come as much as they like!"
After distributing new glasses of drink to the newcomers.
I announced the start of the second part of the feast, raising my glass high in the air, and shouted.
"Together, we can smash those damn monsters just like we did today!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Heroes, soldiers, everyone brightly smiled and raised their glasses. The newcomers also started mingling and melting into the feast.
We laughed, chatted, drank, and shared stories until the break of dawn.
As if the world would never end. Just like that.
***
...At that time, we didn't know.
That this battle would be the last one without any casualties.
The last moment when everyone from the World Guardian Front could laugh and be happy together.
At that time, we were completely unaware.
***
[STAGE 26 - CLEAR!]
[STAGE MVP - Ash (EX)]
[Level-Up Characters]
- Ash (EX) and 50 others
[Deceased Characters]
- None
[Injured Characters]
- Mikhail (SSR) and 25 others
[Acquired Items]
- Elite Beetle Magic Core (SR): 20
- Beetle Legion Magic Stone: 372
- Beetle Superior Carapace: 150
[Captured Monster]
- Beetle Lord Hercules (SSR)
[Stage Clear Rewards Have Been Distributed. Please Check Your Inventory.]
- SR Grade Reward Box: 3
- R Grade Reward Box: 10
>> Get Ready For The Next STAGE
>> [Next STAGE: Too Young To Die]