The Devouring Knight

Beside them, Zarn, Tarnix, Izzek, and Trask staggered under the flood of energy. Their scales shimmered faintly as their bodies adjusted, muscles tightening like coiled steel. When their auras finally steadied, they stood as Kobold Bladewreakers.

But not all had crossed the line. Karnark dropped to his knees, his breath ragged, aura flickering unsteady. Frustration burned in his eyes, his fists clenched tight against the dirt.

Lumberling stepped up, his hand firm on the kobold's shoulder. "Don't let it shake you. We still have one more chance."

He ended the last Knight Apprentice with a clean strike. Essence spilled like smoke, rushing into Karnark.

The kobold roared, his body shaking violently, but this time he pushed through. His aura erupted like a wave before snapping into place. Karnark had evolved too, now standing proudly as a Kobold Bladewreaker.

Now, all seven vice-captains and Trask stood reborn at Quasi-Knight level, their combined presence thick and suffocating.

Lumberling turned to the six remaining sub-captains. Without hesitation, he ended the Knight Pages, guiding their essence into them. Each received two, except Ragza, who took only one.

One by one, the sub-captains took the essence, their bodies trembling under the surge till their auras settled at the very peak of Knight Apprentice, brimming with power yet just shy of breaking through.

The last glow faded, then silence fell.

Lumberling's voice cut through the stillness. "This battle will be the most dangerous we've faced. But today, I want every one of our soldiers to survive. Your job is simple, protect them, lead them. Fight with everything you have."

The captains dropped to one knee, their voices rising as one: "As the Lord commands, we will follow with all our strength!"

"Good." Lumberling nodded. "Now return. Do your duties."

The captains saluted, then dispersed at once, rushing back to their positions.

All of it had taken only minutes. As Lumberling marched back with his men, the ground still shook with the enemy's advance. At the front line, Lireath stood waiting. She turned the moment she saw him approach.

"Where did you go?" Lireath asked, her tone edged with worry. "The soldiers were restless not seeing you here."

Lumberling wiped the blood from his spear and gave her a faint smile. "We powered up a little."

Lireath blinked, confused for a moment, until her eyes moved over the figures walking behind him. At first, the captains and vice-captains looked unchanged, but the air around them told a different story.

Her lips parted, surprise flashing in her eyes.

"…They…" she murmured, her voice caught between disbelief and awe.

Gordon's eyes widened. "All of them got stronger… and those three… they reached the True Knight's level."

Sorrin stared as if looking at ghosts, unable to find his words.

Lireath let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "To think you could do this in the middle of a war…" Her gaze lingered on the captains, then returned to Lumberling. "With them here, we might really stand against the Legate's army."

...

On Lucian's side, Daigo and Silas stood still, their usual calmness now pressed under the shadow of the marching army. Both of them wore the same grim expression. They knew what this meant, this battle would not be won without blood, and many of their soldiers would never see tomorrow.

"How should we proceed, Lucian?" Daigo asked, his usual playfulness completely gone. His grip on the twin blades at his side was tight, knuckles pale.

Lucian's jaw clenched. The weight of thousands pressed on his shoulders. Then, his aura flared like fire. He stepped forward, his voice ringing out across the field.

"Listen to me, soldiers!" Lucian's voice thundered across the field, cutting through the noise of boots and drums.

"Strong enemies are coming. I know what you fear, that they are untouchable. But they are not!" His gaze swept over his battered men, locking on each weary face.

"We have faced the impossible before, and we won. If you trust me once more, I will lead you to victory again!"

His words struck like a spark in dry wood. The soldiers roared, their voices rising, desperate but burning with fire.

From a distance, Lumberling caught the echo of that cry and let out a small, amused chuckle. 'So, he really chose to fight. Doesn't matter now… we decided the same.'

And then, as the three forces drew together, Lucian turned. His eyes fell on them.

"Lord Lumberling. Viscount Lireath…" His voice carried a warmth in the middle of the storm. "…thank you for choosing to stay and fight."

"You helped us, Heir Arden. It's only right that we help you too," Lireath said firmly, as if her earlier doubts about retreating had never existed.

"That's right," Lumberling added, his tone steady. "We're here because we can see your vision, Heir Arden. To protect the people, to protect the empire, we must fight."

'Though honestly, I'm only here so we don't suffer the backlash later,' he thought silently, hiding it behind his composed expression.

Lucian's eyes softened, his grip tightening on his weapon. "You two… I chose the right allies." Genuine gratitude touched his face, and in that moment, he began to see both of them in a new light.

"So," Lumberling broke the pause, his gaze shifting toward the raging aura of the Legate. "How do we handle him?"

"Don't worry about the Legate." Lucian's voice was firm as he lifted his sword, pointing back toward the figures of Daigo and Silas at his side. "The three of us will take him."

Lumberling raised a brow. "You sure? He's a Knight Four."

'Good. You three handle that monster. No way I'm stepping into that mess,' he thought to himself.

Lucian nodded without hesitation. "Yes. That's our fight. Which is why I'm leaving the rest to you. Please handle his army, and from this moment, I entrust my soldiers to your command."

Lumberling's eyes lingered on him for a breath, then he nodded slowly. "Alright. Leave it to me, Heir Arden."

'Perfect. Now I don't have to worry about the Legate breathing down my neck.'

With a faint smile, he lifted his spear. "I wish you luck, Heir Arden… and to you as well, Sir Silas, Daigo."

"And I wish you the same," Lucian answered, conviction ringing in his tone. "Please… save our soldiers."

Their paths split. Lucian, Daigo, and Silas advanced into the storm that was the Legate, while Lumberling turned away, taking command of Lucian's battered men alongside his own army, bracing for the flood of six thousand soldiers that bore down on them.