"A noble without land, rank D, and Sir Heinenberg, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you both be at the conference?" A woman with fair skin, green eyes like fresh leaves, and short black hair appears, dressed in knight's armor resembling those designed for men. However, her attire differs by having a black background and a yellow cross, unlike the typical white background and red cross.
Heinenberg squints slightly and asks, "Which special forces unit do you belong to?"
She laughs smugly, "You truly don't know? Understandable, given your unorthodox nature and youth. Of course, the esteemed Führer wouldn't bother informing you."
"The esteemed Führer has requested full attendance at today's conference, at least for Parliament members. If you refuse, I will have to use force," she says.
Heinenberg's arrogant and sharp demeanor fades immediately. He sprints straight to the building where the conference is being held, compliant and subdued.
[I guess she must be from the Black Crusade, a highly secretive branch of the Crusaders,] Aldo thinks to himself.
"And you, kid!" The woman glares at Aldo.
"In the coming days, I will be monitoring you directly under Parliament's orders. You don't need to provide me with food or water, but I am authorized to observe you 24/7. That includes accessing any place where you reside or stay, and you are not allowed to leave my presence," she explains.
"But a noble without land, rank D, shouldn't have this kind of attention," Aldo protests.
"You are different, and you know why," she replies.
"Never mind. My name is Maina. I hope you feel comfortable in the next few days," Maina adds.
[Yes, no one could possibly feel comfortable being monitored,] Aldo complains internally.
The entire day, Aldo stays in the library, sketching detailed diagrams for machinery to produce enzymes instead of meeting with Helene for her assistance. After all, Aldo worries that revealing more connections with others might lead to complications or risks.
That evening, Aldo rents a different hotel room to sleep. He notices Maina standing in the corner of the room, leaning against the wall, dozing off while keeping one eye open, fixed on him.
Aldo thinks to himself, if she only observes or intervenes when I do something significant—like entering the forest and encountering a cult, leading to a situation where we need to defend ourselves—Maina will have to engage in combat. At that point, she might unleash a skill from the Black Crusade or at least display their physical strength.
The next morning, Aldo goes to Choi Joon-soo's bakery. As soon as he enters, Joon-soo greets him enthusiastically, "What's the mission today?"
"To the southern forest edge. Come with me," Aldo replies.
Joon-soo nods, handing the bakery over to other workers and preparing his combat gear. His black full-armor, designed with thick wolf fur covering the surface, provides not only a powerful appearance but also enhancements to physical strength and regenerative abilities. The armor protects the wearer from magical and mental attacks, making Joon-soo nearly immune to psychological assaults. It reacts quickly to injuries—when damaged, blue blood flows from the wounds, accelerating recovery and allowing him to sustain himself even under severe conditions. This armor isn't just a defense mechanism but also a combat tool, boosting strength, durability, and adaptability in dangerous situations.
Once equipped, Aldo, Joon-soo, and Maina head to the southern forest.
As they pass through dense foliage, Aldo ventures deeper into the woods, hoping something will emerge. True to his expectations, they come across a cult—a massive congregation of masked individuals resembling insects. It seems the entire cult is present, numbering in the thousands. They form concentric circles around a pool of blood, apparently performing some kind of ritual.
Aldo stands silently for a long moment, his eyes fixed on the scene before him. While the cult isn't an immediate threat, their sheer numbers force him to reconsider any impulsive action. He has no intention of engaging in a conflict that could spiral out of control, especially one that could jeopardize his plans. Only a fool would confront thousands with a group of three.
"Let's go," Aldo says abruptly, his gaze unwavering from the cult. He has made his decision.
"What's the matter, kid?" Maina asks, surprise evident on her face. She's accustomed to reckless youngsters charging headfirst into impossible odds, yet Aldo's calculated restraint catches her off guard. She steps closer, her eyes scrutinizing him suspiciously.
"Let's go," Aldo repeats, his tone cold and resolute. "We have no reason to confront them. Let them do whatever they're doing. They're too many. We need more people."
Maina and Joon-soo exchange bewildered glances. Joon-soo, less patient, narrows his eyes, his black armor emitting a faint sound as he shifts position. "If it were up to me, I wouldn't walk away this easily. You're such a coward!"
Aldo doesn't respond immediately. He understands that not everyone grasps his reasoning. He wants to gather more information and avoid unnecessary risks. Acting without preparation isn't an option; he needs another perspective before making a move.
After walking through the forest for a while, they reach a nearby village. The scene is desolate—crumbling stone walls, shattered roofs, and an eerie stillness in the air. Signs of destruction are evident. Trees have been felled, personal belongings lie scattered, and bloodstains mark the ground and broken doorways. Items like clothing and household tools are strewn about, suggesting a recent raid or violent attack.
Aldo steps forward confidently, observing every small detail around him. He senses that this desolation is not caused by nature or a storm. No, this is the result of purposeful destruction, the remnants of a brutal force that has plundered and ravaged the village. The cold feeling lurking in the air weighs even more heavily on Aldo's heart.
He stops, reaches out, and touches a shard of a broken cup on the ground. "They've been here," he whispers.
Maina and Joon-soo also sense the change in the atmosphere. Maina looks around, her gaze cautious. "This isn't the work of the cult we encountered earlier, is it?" she asks, her voice lowering. The doubt in her question is clear, but she seems reluctant to delve into it further.
Aldo takes a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the broken shard on the ground. "Yes. This is the mark of an organized raid," Aldo answers, not turning to look at her. "Someone from outside this cult is operating here. And I need to confirm this."
Joon-soo raises an eyebrow, the armor on him creaking slightly as he moves closer. "What do you mean?" he asks, his expression serious yet slightly puzzled.
Aldo glances at him, not responding immediately. He continues walking, following the trail left by the destruction. The houses still show some signs of past life: walls torn apart by paintings, objects left behind almost intact, yet the air here is completely silent. The coldness seems to seep into the bones.
Aldo walks down the empty streets of the village, listening to the stories the villagers share. Their stories about masked figures resembling cicadas that have spread fear throughout the area. The poor villagers, with tired and worried eyes, are eager to share what they know.
An old, frail woman, her eyes full of worry, looks at Aldo and says, "Those people, they wear cicada-like masks. They come at night. They ransack homes, take all the valuables, and... they even took my child." Her voice chokes, tears running down her cheeks.
Aldo listens, anger rising within him, but he keeps his expression cold. "They plundered?" he asks, trying to stay calm.
A middle-aged man, his face tough but saddened, replies, "They only took the valuable things. They haven't hurt anyone, at least not yet. But when they leave, everything is left in ruins. They took my child. I couldn't do anything."
Aldo nods, tilting his head to listen to more information from the other villagers. The more he listens, the clearer it becomes that this is not just a common raid. Something bigger is at play, a force behind these actions. But he still can't figure out who is behind it.
Joon-soo stands among the crowd, his eyes fiery, his voice resonating, drawing the villagers into his call.
"People of this village, I know you've lived in fear for too long. You've witnessed evil come and go, taking everything you once cherished. You've lost your wealth, you've lost your loved ones. But today, I tell you this: ENOUGH! We cannot keep bowing before these brutal forces, we cannot keep silently watching as they destroy everything we've built over the years!"
He pauses for a moment, moving closer, his cold eyes sweeping over each villager, his voice growing stronger.
"Those who wear cicada-like masks, they are the Cult of Insect – a cruel sect, those who fanatically believe in the power of darkness. Where do they come from? No one knows. They are ghosts bringing death, ruthless killers who only know how to plunder, only know how to destroy, and turn innocent people into tools for their monstrous needs!"
Joon-soo takes a deep breath, looking into the faces of the villagers, then continues.
"They don't just take your wealth, they take your lives. They don't stop at the material things you've worked hard to earn. They've taken the child of this mother!" He points to an older woman, her eyes red from crying, the one who spoke of her child being taken. "They've robbed you of your children, they've invaded the most precious things in your lives. And what can we, the ones left behind, do? Just remain silent and endure? Just helplessly watch them torment the next generation?"
He raises his hand, his eyes glowing with fury, and everyone falls silent, listening.
"NO! We, the strong ones standing here today, will not let them destroy our lives freely! We are not the weak ones they can easily crush! We are people who have endured countless trials, countless suffering, and we stand strong, still able to fight!"
Joon-soo clenches his fist, his body radiating power that no one can ignore.
"Listen to me, people of this village, fighters for survival! Stand up, STAND UP! Don't let those cultists, those cicada-masked fiends, continue to disrupt us! Take up your weapons, take those old swords, those sticks, those knives, those pieces of metal, those scraps of leather, anything that can protect you! We will forge armor from these things, we will rise as warriors, protectors of our homeland!"
His voice grows louder, the excitement spreading through the crowd.
"And if we must fight, if we must shed blood, then we will fight for those we have lost! We will fight for the children they've taken, for the loved ones who are gone! We will fight for this village, for those who cannot stand up! And we will not stop until every last one of them pays the price! Remember, every step we take forward is a step of justice, a blow of punishment they cannot escape!"
Joon-soo sweeps his gaze over the villagers, his eyes filled with determination and courage.
"Don't be afraid anymore! Don't wait for gods, or leaders from above, to come and save you! SAVE YOURSELVES! We are the people of this land, we have the right to rise up and drive the invaders out! Let the world tremble before the strength of ordinary people like us! Let them know that nothing can defeat a united community, a community that never gives up!"
He pauses, and a gentle breeze blows through, lifting strands of hair from his face.
"We will not wait for help from anyone else. We will not wait for mercy from those cruel ones. We will rise and fight on our own. And today, when we step onto the battlefield, we will not only fight the ones wearing cicada masks, but we will fight the fear, fight against what has imprisoned us for so many years!"
The crowd, initially silent, begins to cheer. Applause and whistles echo around. The villagers no longer seem terrified; instead, they exude a determined resolve to fight.
"We will make them know that no one can invade this land, no one can take the lives of these people without paying the price! We will be the storm that sweeps away those wearing cicada masks, we will be the warriors who never stop fighting for justice!"
Joon-soo raises his hand, and everyone stands up, their eyes glowing with newfound faith, courage rising within them.
"And today, we will become warriors! Do not hesitate, do not be afraid! With me, we will fight, and we will win!"
As his words end, cheers explode, a powerful wave surging throughout the village. People, from the elderly to the young, begin preparing weapons, their fighting spirit unstoppable.
Joon-soo's call rings out like thunder, shattering the heavy atmosphere that had lingered for so long. The villagers, once fearful and anxious, now feel a new strength within them. They are no longer helpless victims. They are warriors. And all they need is a reason to rise.
Immediately, the villagers start running to find weapons, firewood, wood, and anything they can use to make armor. Some seek horses, while others begin chopping trees to create sturdy wooden planks.
The scene unfolds quickly. Maina, who had remained silent until now, takes out her notebook and begins to jot everything down, observing quietly. She notices the powerful influence Joon-soo has on the villagers. Everything is happening so fast, but it's clear that Joon-soo has succeeded in stirring their anger.
Aldo stands beside, watching the chaotic scene with surprise. He has never seen someone create such a strong wave in this community. The villagers, whom he had met before, who seemed so hopeless, are now filled with a fighting spirit. Joon-soo is not only a warrior but also a natural leader. He has the ability to inspire, to awaken the hidden strength in each person. That is something Aldo cannot deny.
"He can lead them." Aldo mutters to himself, feeling a clear sense of respect in his heart. Although he doesn't quite like Joon-soo's hasty calls for battle, it's undeniably true that he has done something that cannot be ignored: he has ignited the villagers' passion, turning them into fearless, suicidal warriors.
And so, after more than an hour of preparation, the villagers' army is formed. They are not a professional army, but they have a common purpose: to defeat the Cult of Insect and avenge what they have lost. They march forward with strong fighting spirit, following Joon-soo, Aldo, and Maina toward the forest where their enemies await.
Throughout the journey, Joon-soo remains incredibly confident, while Aldo and Maina silently observe. Aldo can't help but feel surprised by Joon-soo's leadership, and part of him feels uneasy. But he also knows they are getting closer.
And it is an unavoidable moment. Strategy is clearly necessary.