The Smiling Death

They were other leaders who came toward Galahad after wearing armors.

Frederick Hale, a man in his thirties with broad shoulders and a muscular build held a spear in his hand.

Lyra Moonveil wore light armor with a bow attached to her back, her brown hair tied in a bun.

Eldrin Vael, an elderly man, stood in a magical robe. They were prepared as well.

Galahad glanced at them. "Are you all ready?"

"Yes, Commander!" they replied in unison.

Galahad nodded. "Go. Take each side of the base and handle our soldiers well."

At his simple command, they moved instantly.

Galahad looked forward again.

"They chose a bad day to attack," Caspian said quietly.

Galahad nodded. "They did."

"Do you think someone strong like you might also be present with them?" Caspian asked curiously. Galahad was the strongest, at sixth rank. A Mystic Sovereign. Caspian followed behind him at fifth rank. A Transcendent.

They were the powerhouses of the current army.

"There is a big possibility," Galahad said seriously. "I don't think they are foolish enough to attack the base while strong ones like us exist. So be careful. They must have someone strong."

"Hah. That will be troublesome," Caspian muttered. The fight wouldn't be easy. That much he already knew.

"Only three or four more days. The ship might reach here by then. We would have more soldiers," Caspian said dejectedly.

"Well, it's not like we hadn't thought about this outcome. Now all we can do is fight."

From the edge of the dark forest, something moved.

Movements.

Dark shapes began to emerge one by one. Not in small numbers. There were many.

First one. Then dozens. Then hundreds.

Humanoid figures stepped out from between the twisted trees. Horns rose from their heads. Eyes with vertical slits glowed faintly in the darkness.

Demons.

Most of them looked similar to humans, the only differences being their horns, tails, and vertical slit eyes.

There were also a few who looked different. Their skin colors unlike humans, taller in height, with more muscular builds.

They spread out, forming their own loose formation.

Their numbers… they were no fewer than the humans.

Some demons grinned. Others cracked their necks. A few dragged their weapons across the ground, sparks flying.

The air grew heavy. The forest fell completely silent.

Galahad raised his greatsword high.

His voice echoed across the battlefield. "Hold your ground!"

The soldiers tightened their grips. Shields locked together. Bows were drawn.

Mana flared.

The demons stopped advancing. Both sides stared at each other.

One breath. Two breaths.

Then Galahad swung his greatsword forward.

"ATTACK!" he roared. His voice spread throughout the forest.

The battlefield erupted.

Archers released a storm of arrows.

Mages unleashed spells.

Knights charged forward with roars of defiance.

And the demons answered with the same intensity as they rushed to meet them. Weapons raised. Mana exploded from there bodies.

The fight had just begun.

Clang.

Clang.

Clang.

Steel met steel. They sound spread through the forest.

The battlefield was not large. Just a plane surrounding of the base being cleaned. Without any trees. While beyond that area, only black trees.

The moment the two forces collided, the battlefield exploded into chaos.

Weapons clashed against weapons continuously, sending showers of sparks into the air.

The sharp screech of metal rang out again and again, mixing with roars, shouts, and the deafening sound of magic being unleashed.

Fireballs flew over the frontline, exploding among the demons. Ice spears shot forward, impaling bodies and freezing limbs. Wind blades sliced through the air, cutting deep.

The demons answered in kind.

Dark mana surged from their hands. Crimson slashes tore through shields. Heavy blows smashed against armor, sending soldiers stumbling backward.

The ground trembled from the movements of this many soldiers. The smell of blood spread instantly.

The first kill came quickly.

A demon at the front line was struck by multiple arrows at once. One pierced its throat, another its chest. It staggered, dropped its weapon, and collapsed face-first into the dirt.

Dead. The first dead person was from demons side.

A cheer almost rose from the human side. But it was cut short.

A moment later, a human knight screamed as a demon's blade punched through the gap in his armor. Blood spilled as he fell to his knees, then collapsed beside the demon's corpse.

The battlefield fell silent for half a heartbeat. Then the fighting became even fiercer.

Caspian didn't remained standing. He dashed in to the fight. He stepped forward like a shadow released from its leash.

His sword flashed. A demon rushed toward him, sword raised.

Caspian sidestepped calmly and thrust.

His strike was clean and precise.

The blade went straight through the demon's heart. The demon froze, eyes wide, then dropped lifelessly to the ground.

Another demon attacked from the side.

Caspian turned, parried once, and slashed across its neck in a smooth arc. Red blood sprayed as the head rolled across the dirt.

Two kills. No wasted movement. Without any hesitation.

He advanced steadily, cutting through demons with terrifying efficiency. Each strike was lethal. Each step calculated.

Around him, soldiers fought desperately, holding the line with shields and spears. Some fell. Others dragged wounded comrades back while continuing to fight.

Magic lit up the battlefield in flashes of blue, red, and white.

Meanwhile.

Galahad remained where he was. Standing at the center of the base.

His greatsword rested against his shoulder, unmoving.

His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, observing everything. He watched the demon formations.

Their movements. Their commanders, if they had any. He watched for sudden flanks. Hidden threats. Stronger presences. He was observing for any strong demon. As strong as him.

Nothing escaped his gaze.

A demon broke through the frontline and rushed toward the command area.

Before anyone else could react.

Galahad moved. He stepped forward once. His greatsword swung. The demon was cleaved in half.

Galahad returned to his position as if nothing had happened. The battle raged on. Blood soaked the ground.

The clash between humans and demons showed no sign of slowing.

And this— This was only the beginning.