After receiving the mission from Leo, Edward Black left the city hall under the cover of night, moving with the precision of a shadow. Outside, hidden among the dense forest foliage, stood a majestic white horse tethered to a sturdy tree. Its name was Midnight, a beast as loyal as it was swift. The moonlight danced upon its sleek coat, giving it an almost ethereal glow.
Edward approached Midnight with practiced ease, his sharp eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of prying eyes. He had planned every detail meticulously—this was not a journey he could afford to fail. Clad in a humble disguise, his once-distinctive demeanor was now cloaked beneath the guise of a wandering traveler.
With a firm hand, Edward untied Midnight and began his journey. For hours, he walked alongside the horse, treading carefully through the dense forest paths and veering far from the main roads. Each step carried him farther from suspicion, ensuring no one could trace his movements back to the city hall or the emperor's mission.
The forest whispered with the rustle of leaves, and the stars above bore silent witness to Edward's resolve. This mission demanded both secrecy and speed, and Edward Black was determined to fulfill it—no matter the cost.
It was already far from the city, so Edward decided it was time to ride. He mounted Midnight with practiced ease, the horse responding instantly to his command. His destination was the Naziri region, a critical point in the war—a land steeped in both history and bloodshed.
The journey ahead was daunting, spanning approximately 7,640 kilometers of dense forest, winding paths, and treacherous terrain. Each gallop brought him closer to the heart of conflict, to the very borders of the Red Moon Empire.
The Naziri region was a symbol of defiance and loss. Twenty-one years ago, the Red Moon Empire had seized it in a single devastating night, a feat that shattered human morale. Yet, they had been unable to advance further, their ambitions thwarted by Leo Gemini's unyielding strategy and unmatched battle tactics. Leo's ironclad rule had turned Naziri into a contested land, a reminder of humanity's resilience and the price of freedom.
Edward rode through the moonlit forest, his mind focused on the mission. This region was more than just a battleground—it was humanity's last stand. Every hoofbeat echoed with the weight of his responsibility and the unwavering resolve to see the mission through.
Three days had passed since Edward's departure, his journey relentless and grueling. The days blurred into nights, and now even the cover of darkness could not slow him. He rode under the pale glow of the moon, Midnight's hooves pounding against the forest floor like a steady drumbeat.
Fatigue tugged at him, but he refused to stop. The mission was too critical, the stakes too high. Each passing shadow and rustle of leaves reminded him of the dangers lurking in the wilderness, but Edward's focus remained unwavering.
The Naziri region drew closer with every mile, and so did the weight of his task. For three nights and days, Edward pushed forward, his resolve unbroken, knowing that failure was not an option.
The forest was deathly silent, save for the low growls and rustling of leaves. Edward stood alone, his black armor gleaming faintly under the pale moonlight. Surrounding him was a horde of King-tier beasts, their eyes glowing with predatory hunger. The air was thick with tension, crackling faintly with the power Edward exuded.
"Flocks of King-tier beasts," Edward muttered, his voice calm but firm. "This will be... interesting."
As the beasts lunged, Edward's figure blurred. Lightning surged around him, illuminating the dark forest in brilliant arcs. He appeared in the midst of the horde, his twin short swords gleaming as they cut through flesh and bone with terrifying precision.
A massive bird-like beast, its wings shimmering with razor-sharp feathers, dove at him from above. Edward turned his gaze upward, his eyes narrowing. "Thunder Crash!" he roared. A bolt of thunder descended from the heavens, obliterating the creature mid-flight, leaving nothing but charred remains.
Another beast, a hulking feline with obsidian fur and glowing red claws, leaped at him from the side. Edward sidestepped with incredible speed, his armor crackling with energy. "Storm Barrage," he whispered. His swords danced, unleashing a flurry of lightning-infused strikes that ripped the beast apart before it could even land.
The horde seemed endless, yet Edward moved with relentless efficiency. His black armor absorbed glancing blows, while his swords carved through the creatures like a storm unleashed. A wolf-like beast with crystalline spikes lunged at him, only for Edward to slam his palm into the ground.
"Thunder Dome!" he shouted. An electrified barrier erupted around him, vaporizing the wolf and stunning several other beasts in its radius. The scent of ozone filled the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood.
As the fight raged on, Edward's movements became a blur of speed and precision. He spun, leapt, and struck with the ferocity of a storm, his twin swords channeling his power with deadly grace. Each beast that approached was met with an unrelenting storm of thunder and lightning.
Hours passed, and finally, the last beast—a massive serpent with scales of gold—rose above him, hissing with defiance. Edward planted his feet firmly, his armor glowing faintly as it absorbed the ambient energy.
"You're the last one," he said, raising his swords. Lightning coiled around him, crackling loudly. "Time to end this."
The serpent lunged, its massive jaws aiming to swallow him whole. Edward leaped into the air, his swords raised high. "Heaven's Wrath!" he roared.
A colossal bolt of lightning descended, striking Edward's blades and amplifying his power. He slashed downward, cleaving through the serpent with a thunderous crack that echoed for miles. The beast let out one final screech before collapsing, lifeless.
Edward landed gracefully amidst the carnage, his armor smoking from the sheer power he had unleashed. His breathing was heavy, his body screaming in exhaustion, but he remained standing.
He looked at the devastation around him, wiping blood from his face. "King-tier beasts," he muttered with a smirk. "Not so tough."
In the distance, the faint glow of silver armor caught his eye. A group of Holy Knights emerged from the shadows, their faces a mixture of awe and caution. Edward straightened, gripping his blades tightly.
"Well," he said, his voice steady despite his fatigue, "looks like the night isn't over yet."
"The night is not over yet, and for you, it won't see the dawn," a voice broke the silence.
Edward turned sharply, his grip tightening on his swords. "Who are you, and why are you here?"
The man stepped forward, his armor glinting under the moonlight. A smirk played on his lips. "Me? Just a messenger of fate. Edward Black—how fitting a name for the exiled descendant of the Black Five Clans. Once allies of demons, now a so-called knight and Baron of Sea Stone City. Tell me, how fares your city? Ah, yes, you left your dear Governor Arthur in charge. How noble."
Edward's eyes narrowed. "Get to the point."
The man chuckled. "They call me Thomas, the new Holy Knight Captain. Tonight, I'm here for one reason—to be your slayer."
Edward smiled faintly, his swords sparking to life. "Then let's see if the Holy Knights chose well."
In the heart of Baja Ausha city, the air was thick with tension and the distant echoes of battle. The teleportation device hummed and dimmed as Leo stepped out, his black cape billowing behind him. His golden eyes scanned the war-torn city with the precision of a hawk, taking in the distant explosions and the cries of soldiers rallying.
The ground beneath his feet seemed to tremble, as if the city itself was holding its breath for the emperor's command.
Leo stepped forward, his voice sharp and commanding, his eyes burning with unyielding resolve:
"Knights of Ausha, hear me! Today, we do not fight for survival; we fight to remind the world why we are feared. Let the heavens witness our strength, let the earth tremble beneath our charge, and let history speak of the day we turned chaos into glory! We fight for the smiles we want to protect, we fight for the faces we want to see, and we fight to carve a future worthy of our sacrifice!"
The knights erupted in a thunderous roar, "Yes! Long live the Ausha Empire! Long live Emperor Leo Gemini!"
With their emperor at the forefront, they charged toward the battlefield, ready to etch their legend into the annals of time.
Leo's gaze locked onto Dons for the first time, taking in the imposing figure of the Demon King. His dark presence seemed to weigh down the very air, a living embodiment of chaos and tyranny. Leo's grip tightened on his reins as he murmured to himself, "So, this is the mighty Emperor Dons."
The tension in the field thickened, silence stretching as if the world itself held its breath. Then, from the enemy lines, a deafening roar of war horns shattered the stillness. The sound of massive drums and piercing horns echoed across the battlefield, announcing the beginning of the clash.
With a thunderous battle cry, the armies surged forward, and the war had begun.