The Smiling Death

A while ago…

On the other side of the Black Forest, inside the human base, everything was proceeding as usual.

The camp was calm.

Knights moved along their patrol routes. Support staff carried supplies between tents. The sound of training echoed faintly in the distance.

At the center of the base stood a large reinforced tent. The control and monitoring tent.

Inside, several people worked quietly.

Strange-looking machines filled the tent. Crystals embedded in metal frames hummed softly, their light reflecting off multiple screens.

These devices continuously scanned the surrounding area of the base. Not too far, but far enough to detect anything unfamiliar approaching.

On one of the screens, a circular radar rotated steadily. There was nothing unusual on it. Just calm forest. Just empty signals.

The operator, a middle-aged man wearing a communication headset, leaned back slightly in his chair. "Another quiet day," he muttered.

But not for much longer.

Beep!

A single light blinked on the radar. The man frowned and leaned forward.

"That's strange…"

The signal wasn't marked as human.

Nor was it registered as any known monster that usually roamed near the base. The light blinked again.

Beep. Beep.

"Unidentified lifeform detected," the system announced softly.

The operator straightened immediately.

He reached for a communication crystal and activated it.

"Unit Three," he spoke into the crystal. "This is Control. We have detected an unknown entity near your patrol zone. Confirm and investigate."

"Understood," came the reply. "We'll check it out."

The operator kept his eyes on the screen. The blinking dot didn't move much.

Then.

Another dot appeared. Then another. And another.

His blood ran cold.

"What…?"

The radar suddenly filled with multiple blinking lights, all marked as unknown.

They were spreading. They were all moving in a single direction, approaching the base.

The system began to emit a warning sound.

Beep! beep! beep!

Before he could react, another communication crystal lit up beside him.

He grabbed it quickly.

"Control, this is Unit Seven from the forest," a rushed voice spoke from the other side. "Demons have appeared!"

The operator's eyes widened.

"Demons?" he repeated.

"Yes!" the voice shouted urgently. "Multiple demons! Their numbers are not small. This is not a random encounter!"

At the same time, the radar screen flashed red.

Dozens of signals surged forward at once.

The operator slammed his hand on the table.

"All units!" he shouted into the main communication crystal. "This is an emergency!"

His voice echoed through the control tent.

"The base is under attack. Demons have breached the perimeter!"

Alarms began to ring throughout the camp.

Outside, knights froze in place before quickly drawing their weapons.

Inside the control tent, the operator stared at the radar, watching the blinking lights swarm closer and closer.

This was no longer a warning. The invasion had already begun.

The man ordered another operator, "Go and report this to the Commander."

His junior nodded and stood up. "Yes, sir."

He left the tent immediately.

The middle-aged man rubbed his temples worriedly.

Though they had a Commander who was very strong, that didn't mean they were safe. The demons had already spied on the humans before. They knew the total number of soldiers. Their positions.

While humans didn't know a thing about them. Where their base was. What their total number was.

Nothing.

---

Galahad was standing outside the main tent.

"Commander! Commander! Demons have attacked us!" The man from the monitoring unit ran toward Galahad and spoke urgently.

Galahad's calm eyes sharpened.

He slowly turned his head toward the forest.

The dark trees stood silent, as if nothing had happened. Yet he knew. He had already sensed unknown movements in the forest. If it were a single presence, he might not have noticed but there were many.

The enemy was already coming. The demons had made their move.

Galahad took a deep breath.

Then he raised his voice. It wasn't loud because of anger. It was loud because of authority and strength.

"ALL UNITS! ATTENTION!"

His voice thundered across the camp like a shockwave.

Every knight froze. Every soldier turned. They stopped whatever they were doing.

Conversations stopped. Footsteps halted. Even the distant sounds of training vanished.

Galahad stepped forward, his gaze sharp and unwavering. His eyes were filled with confidence and authority.

"Demons have launched an attack on this base," he declared firmly. "This is not a drill."

He lifted his arm and pointed toward the Black Forest.

"They are approaching from the forest. Their numbers are large. Our scouts might have already encountered them."

A heavy silence followed.

Fear tried to creep into the hearts of the soldiers.

Galahad didn't allow it.

"We are knights of humanity," he continued, his voice steady and powerful. "This base will not fall today."

His eyes swept across the gathered soldiers, observing everyone keenly.

"Draw your weapons. Wear your armor. Take defensive formations around the base immediately!"

His voice rose.

"Protect the camp. Protect your comrades. Protect humanity!"

For a split second then.

"YES, COMMANDER!"

The response came like a roar.

Hundreds of voices shouted in unison.

The camp exploded into motion.

Soldiers rushed toward weapon racks. Steel clashed as swords were drawn. Shields were strapped onto arms. Armor plates were secured hastily but efficiently.

Knights moved with practiced precision, taking assigned positions around the perimeter of the base.

Archers climbed onto elevated platforms and behind barricades, arrows already nocked.

Shield-bearers formed the front lines, overlapping their defenses.

Mages gathered behind them, mana already beginning to stir.

There was no chaos, no panic.

Only discipline. Galahad walked toward the armory tent. Moments later, he emerged fully equipped.

Heavy armor covered his body, engraved with symbols of rank and honor. In his hands rested a massive greatsword, its blade wide and imposing, radiating a faint pressure.

He planted the sword's tip into the ground.

Beside him, Caspian stood ready.

His sword gleamed under the dim light, his expression calm but cold. His eyes were fixed on the forest.

Just then few other Knights came from armory. They walked towards Galahad and Caspian.