The Smiling Death

The battle raged on.

Steel clashed endlessly. Magic exploded across the battlefield. Cries of pain, roars of fury, and the sound of weapons breaking filled the air.

Yet Galahad stood still. He did not move from his position.

His greatsword rested against his shoulder, unmoving, as if the chaos around him meant nothing.

But his eyes were sharp. They were focused. His senses were spread wide. He was focusing on something else.

Far beyond the clash of soldiers and demons. Beyond the screams. Beyond the flashing spells…

He was searching. Not for the weak. Not for the frontline fighters.

But for something else. Something that did not belong among ordinary demons. Someone who was not like an ordinary soldier.

And then he felt it.

He felt a presence. Deep within the Black Forest. Standing there. Without moving, as if waiting for someone.

The presence was cold, heavy, calm, and strong.

Galahad's eyes narrowed. "So you are there… as I thought," he murmured.

Galahad knew there would be someone strong from the demon side. But where? He didn't know. When would he appear?

So from the start, he did not join the battle, instead focusing his senses to find that powerful demon.

The pressure was unmistakable. This was not a commander hiding behind numbers.

This was someone confident enough to stand still while an entire battlefield burned. Someone powerful.

Without another word, Galahad bent his knee. He didn't use any mana to reinforce his muscles. Just pure physical strength. The ground beneath him cracked instantly.

BOOM!

He launched himself forward.

The force of his jump shattered the earth, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Soldiers and demons alike felt it, their bodies jolting as a massive presence shot overhead.

Galahad flew.

He passed over the battlefield in a single leap, clearing the clashing armies beneath him as if they were nothing more than obstacles on the ground.

Wind screamed around him.

Then.

CRASH!

He landed on the other side of the battlefield, deep inside the forest.

Thud!

The impact created a crater. Trees shook violently. The ground split apart in jagged lines.

Dust rose into the air. Galahad straightened slowly. His cold blue gaze locked onto one direction.

Without hesitation, he swung his greatsword.

A massive arc of mana force tore through the air, cutting straight through trees, rocks, and shadows alike.

The forest screamed as the slash carved a clear path forward.

Then a figure stood at the end of it.

Unharmed.

The dust settled. The demon stepped forward into the clearing light.

He was tall, around six and a half feet.

His long gray hair flowed freely down his back. His skin was pale white, almost unnatural. His shoulders were broad, his build solid and powerful.

Black armor covered his body, sleek and refined, clearly forged for someone of status.

A sword rested casually in his hand. Two black horns protruded from his head, sharp and smooth, curving slightly upward.

His eyes, like every demon's, had vertical slits in their irises. Blue irises with vertical pupils. They were cold.

They locked onto Galahad without fear. Then the demon smiled. His eyes were not mocking.

Not arrogant.

But filled with calm interest.

"So you noticed me," he said slowly, his voice deep and composed.

Galahad tightened his grip on his greatsword. The air between them felt heavy.

"You are the one leading this attack," Galahad said calmly.

The demon gave a slight nod.

"Yes." He was the commander leading the demons here.

He placed one hand over his chest and bowed slightly. A respectful gesture.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Commander of humanity," he said with a faint smile.

"My name is Vaelrix Nocthar."

He straightened, his blue eyes glowing faintly in the darkness of the forest.

"A Mystic Sovereign level, just like you." The pressure around him surged. It was no less than Galahad's.

The trees groaned. The ground trembled.

Vaelrix lifted his sword slightly, pointing it toward Galahad. Not threateningly, but as acknowledgment.

"It is an honor," he continued, "to finally meet the famed Mystic Sovereign of humans."

Galahad raised his greatsword slowly, his expression calm but deadly.

"The feeling is not mutual," he replied.

The wind howled between them. Behind them, the battlefield continued to burn.

Two Sovereigns stood facing each other, away from the battle, because they knew that if they fought near it, many would die because of their clash.

Galahad and Vaelrix stared at each other and then vanished from their places.

Clang!

Clang!

The sound echoed through the forest like thunder.

In the next instant, Galahad and Vaelrix reappeared. Greatsword and demon blade crashing together mid-air. Sparks exploded outward, lighting the dark forest in flashes of orange and blue.

Both were pushed back.

Galahad slid across the ground, his boots carving deep lines into the soil before he stopped. Vaelrix landed lightly on a tree branch, the wood creaking under his weight but not breaking.

They moved again.

Too fast for ordinary eyes.

Galahad vanished from his spot and appeared before Vaelrix, swinging his greatsword in a wide arc meant to cleave the demon in half.

Vaelrix met it head-on.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Their weapons collided repeatedly in rapid succession. Each strike sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Nearby trees snapped like twigs, unable to withstand the pressure of their clash.

Galahad's attacks were heavy and direct. Every swing carried overwhelming force, as if mountains were crashing down.

Vaelrix's movements, on the other hand, were smooth and precise. He deflected, parried, and redirected Galahad's strikes with minimal movement, his blade dancing like flowing water.

"Your raw power is something else. You fight like a truly disciplined knight," Vaelrix said calmly as he blocked another strike.

"And you rely too much on technique and agility," Galahad replied, twisting his wrist and forcing Vaelrix back with sheer strength.

Boom!

Galahad slammed his greatsword into the ground.

The earth erupted.

Chunks of stone and soil shot upward like projectiles. Vaelrix leapt backward, but Galahad was already there, appearing above him with terrifying speed.

He brought his sword down.

Vaelrix crossed his blade to block.

CRASH!

The impact sent Vaelrix crashing into the ground. A deep crater formed beneath him, cracks spreading in all directions.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then.

Vaelrix laughed softly.

"Impressive," he said, pushing himself up as demonic mana surged around him. His horns glowed faintly black, and dark energy wrapped around his blade.

He slashed upward.