Bell stood in the grand hall of the palace, the echoes of marching soldiers reverberating through the stone walls as the final preparations for war were completed. King Waldstein had summoned him at dawn, and now the two stood side by side, their faces etched with the weight of the coming campaign. Both were to lead their armies against the monster threat that plagued the land. This was no skirmish—it was a war for survival, and the kingdom's fate hung in the balance.
King Waldstein, his face haggard and worn from the weight of his responsibilities, turned to Bell with a solemn expression. "General Bell Cranel," the king addressed him formally, acknowledging Bell's newly appointed title, "we are ready to march. I will lead one legion to the east, and you will take the west. We will crush these monsters and drive them back into the abyss where they belong."
Bell nodded, his heart steady as he accepted the responsibility. "I understand, Your Majesty. We'll split our forces. If either of us finds anything overwhelming, we'll send word and regroup."
Waldstein grimaced, knowing that regrouping would only happen in the worst-case scenario. "May the gods watch over us," the king muttered, though Bell, aware of the world's current state, felt the ironic emptiness in those words.
The soldiers lined up outside the palace, two legions ready to be divided into their respective missions. Bell's gaze swept over his forces—thousands of men strong, all armed and armored, ready to face the unknown horrors of the wilderness. Bell's heart swelled with pride as he looked at his division. They were disciplined, strong, and eager to fight, knowing they followed someone who had already earned a reputation among them as a warrior of almost mythical prowess.
He turned to the King. "We'll meet again when this is over," Bell promised, clasping Waldstein's forearm.
King Waldstein nodded, his resolve firm, though behind his stoic mask, Bell could see the weight of the crown pressing harder than ever before. The King had a son, Albert, who was still too young to bear such responsibilities, and this campaign was as much about securing the kingdom for him as it was about eradicating the monster menace.
With a final salute, the two generals split their forces and rode off in opposite directions—Bell's legion toward the west and the King's toward the east.
The western lands, where Bell's army ventured, were sprawling plains dotted with forests and the occasional village. It was a region that had seen little peace over the years, plagued by wandering monsters that emerged from hidden dens and caves. Bell led his forces with precision and discipline, making camp when necessary and scouring the land for any signs of danger.
For the first few days, the legion encountered small bands of monsters—creatures that could have easily killed a Level 2 or 3 adventurer back in the Orario of Bell's time. These monsters, though deadly, were no match for Bell's well-trained army. His men fought valiantly, taking down the creatures with few casualties. Bell himself only stepped in when necessary, watching from the backlines as his men cleaved through the monsters with grit and determination.
As Bell stood overseeing the battlefield, he marveled at the sheer power of mortal effort. These men had no divine blessings, no superhuman abilities, and yet they fought like lions, driven by the will to protect their families and their homeland. He admired their spirit, and in some small way, he envied them for their unshakable resolve in the face of such danger.
The monster waves were relentless, but Bell's division pushed forward, cutting through the beasts like a hot knife through butter. Each victory brought them closer to their goal of cleansing the western lands of the monsters that had taken root there.
But even as Bell's forces moved on with relative ease, he couldn't shake a feeling of unease that gnawed at the back of his mind. He knew something was coming—something much darker and more dangerous than what they'd faced so far.
Meanwhile, to the east, King Waldstein's legion was faring far worse. The eastern lands were treacherous, filled with dense forests and rugged mountains where the monsters roamed in packs. The terrain itself was a challenge, and the monsters here were far more aggressive than those in the west. They struck with vicious cunning, and Waldstein's forces were struggling to keep up.
The King himself fought at the front, wielding his sword with deadly precision, but even he was not invincible. During one particularly brutal encounter, a massive beast—a hulking ogre-like creature—had landed a devastating blow on Waldstein, nearly shattering his leg. Though the creature was eventually slain, the damage was done. The King limped heavily now, his movements slow, and his forces were scattered and struggling to regroup.
The legion's weapons were battered, and many of the soldiers had already fallen. Morale was low, and whispers of retreat had begun to spread through the ranks. But King Waldstein refused to give in. He pressed forward, pushing his men harder, determined to fulfill his duty even if it meant his own life.
Still, the situation was dire, and unless something changed, the eastern legion would soon be overwhelmed.
Back in the west, Bell's legion reached a region that would one day become the Amazonian homeland. The land here was harsher, the air thick with humidity, and the monsters that roamed these jungles were unlike anything Bell had faced in the plains.
Giant beasts, towering serpents, and scaled horrors emerged from the dense foliage. They were stronger, faster, and more aggressive than the monsters Bell's army had encountered earlier. Bell, sensing the rising difficulty, decided to step in more frequently. His presence on the battlefield was a game-changer—wherever he went, the monsters fell in droves, their savage roars silenced by the swift strikes of his blade or the overwhelming power of his magic.
The men watched in awe as their General fought alongside them, a living legend in the making. His movements were fluid, his strikes precise, and his magic devastating. With each fight, Bell's reputation among the troops grew. They knew they followed someone far beyond their understanding—someone who could easily claim the title of "hero."
But as they pushed deeper into the jungle, Bell could feel it—a darkness lurking ahead. He could almost taste it in the air, a sense of impending doom that sent shivers down his spine.
After another hard-fought victory, Bell gathered his officers around the campfire. "We're close," Bell said, his voice low. "Something big is coming. I can feel it."
The officers, though seasoned, shared uneasy glances. They trusted Bell, but his words carried an ominous weight.
"Do you think it's a monster, sir?" one of the lieutenants asked.
Bell shook his head. "It's more than that. I don't know what exactly, but we need to be ready. Tell the men to rest tonight and stay alert. Tomorrow, we march deeper into the heart of this jungle."
The officers nodded, dispersing to carry out his orders. Bell remained by the fire, staring into the flickering flames. The heat reminded him of the thrill of battle, but also of the countless lives at stake.
Suddenly, a scout ran into the camp, panting heavily. "General Bell! Urgent news from the east!"
Bell turned, his heart sinking as he saw the look of panic in the scout's eyes.
"The King's legion… they're under siege. He's been wounded. They're barely holding on."
Bell's jaw tightened. He knew this was coming, but hearing it out loud sent a jolt of urgency through him. His division was too far to reach the King quickly, but he couldn't abandon his own mission either. They were caught between two dangers.
"Send word back to the palace," Bell ordered. "Request reinforcements immediately."
The scout nodded and sprinted off to deliver the message.
Bell stood, his mind racing. His division was still strong, but the King's forces were crumbling. They couldn't afford to lose Waldstein—not now, when the fate of the kingdom was hanging in the balance.
The darkness in the jungle was drawing closer, and Bell knew he couldn't turn back now. But the unease in his chest only grew stronger.
Tomorrow would bring blood, death, and perhaps something far worse than any monster they had encountered so far.
And Bell would be there, standing at the heart of it all.