During the past months, Cromwell had held its ground against the demons and mbers of the Flaming Rose. Although they had suffered so casualties, compared to the other towns in the Duchy, they were in a much better state.
The reason they had endured this long was because of the ant colony present and powerful Awakened like Nathan, Aina, and the Valkyrie princess Akira.
Even though Awakened from Cromwell fell from ti to ti, they had been faring quite well, and it seed as if there was no pressure on them—until...
A new enemy arrived.
In front of the town gate—
"What’s that?" Serene frowned as she saw giant creatures at the backline of the demonic army.
It didn’t take long for the others to notice as well. Their gazes snapped in that direction, and when they saw the towering figures, a sharp shiver passed through their spines.
"Are those demons as well?"
"But they look exactly like humans... only taller and bigger."
Nathan’s eyes flashed as he sensed the presence of the new threat.
"These guys are even more powerful than the demonic twins I got rid of," he mumbled under his breath.
At first, he had thought they were part of the demonic army—maybe a hidden elite force—but then he noticed sothing.
Smash! Smash!
"Get out of my way, vermin!" the lead giant sneered as he casually kicked a demon, blowing off its head instantly.
This confused Nathan and those watching.
It was then they noticed the sa scene repeating all over. The giants didn’t hold even a single regard for the demons, crushing them underfoot as if they were ants.
"This... who are they? That height—they’re definitely not from the human domain," one of the Awakened muttered.
"And from their actions, it’s clear they’re a different group entirely."
"Damn. Just when things were beginning to get easier, these bastards decide to show up."
anwhile, seeing how their brethren were being crushed, the demons began to scurry away from the path of the approaching giants, realizing they were a much bigger threat than the humans.
After noticing that the giants didn’t attack them afterward—only advancing further—the demons quickly decided to observe from a distance.
"Everyone stay still!" Nathan’s commanding voice bood across the battlefield. Standing beside him was Aina.
The red-haired beauty narrowed her eyes, intense anger swirling within them.
"You know them?" Nathan asked after seeing the look in her eyes.
"Yes. They’re from the Skyrend Kingdom. They share a border with Valhalla," she said, narrowing her gaze. "What I want to know is—why are they here?"
His brows furrowed. He had heard of the kingdom before, but even for soone as old as him, this was the first ti he had seen one of them.
"Skyrend Kingdom... those war-loving barbarians?"
Aina nodded. "They don’t leave their lands unless it’s to conquer or challenge soone stronger. If they’re here... it ans sothing—or soone—caught their interest."
"Should we prepare for battle, then?" he asked.
"No," she replied flatly. "Not yet. Watch them first. They’re aggressive, but they don’t move without reason."
The human soldiers held their breath, the air thick with tension as the giants advanced.
There were roughly six giants in total, each of them domineering and radiating a powerful aura. The human army didn’t dare underestimate them—especially after seeing what they were capable of.
They didn’t need to see them fight to know that each one was capable of wiping out two entire battalions.
Still, seeing how arrogant and smug they acted grated on the nerves of the Awakened.
The lead giant stomped forward. His face was chiseled and sharp, and among all the giants present, it could be said that he was the most attractive.
His na was none other than Gideon Skyrend.
[Chapter 359: The Giant Prince Makes he’s move]
"You humans," Gideon called out, his voice booming. "Did you co across a girl with silver hair and violet eyes... she’s about this tall?"
"So that’s why they’re here." A sharp gleam flashed across Alice’s face. The description the giant had given matched that of Akira.
At that mont, Gideon’s gaze fell on Aina, and a look of surprise crossed his face before turning into a mischievous smile.
"Well now... I didn’t expect to run into another one of you in this place," he said, his deep voice carrying a flirtatious lilt as his eyes shalessly raked over her body.
By far, she was the most beautiful Valkyrie he had ever seen. So beautiful, in fact, that the only one who could match her beauty was the Queen herself.
Suddenly, a bold idea flashed in his mind, and he smirked.
"All right," Gideon declared, raising his voice and pointing directly at Aina. "This is what’s going to happen—she cos with us, and the rest of you live."
Silence.
A thick, oppressive silence fell across the battlefield.
The gazes of the Awakened slowly turned bloodshot with anger. Was this giant really demanding their mistress right before their eyes?
The sheer arrogance made their blood boil.
Nathan’s jaw clenched.
He was still. Too still.
His face remained calm, but the temperature around him had dropped several degrees. The air shimred slightly, as if protesting the anger barely contained beneath his skin.
"What did you say?" he asked, taking a single step forward.
"Hmph. Are you deaf, old man? Didn’t you hear what I said?" Gideon scowled. "I said I want the woman, and in return, I promise to spare your worthless life."
"What’s your answer, old man?" he added, cocking his head arrogantly.
Nathan took another step forward.
Just one, and the tension thickened.
So I didn’t hear wrong. Well, well then...
It was subtle, but if one looked into his eyes now, they’d notice a circle of orange fla burning within.
When those strange beings ca, I couldn’t do anything. I could only watch Arthur fight all of them. He entrusted with his family. I won’t let him down.
"I suspected it would co to this... well, let’s do it the hard way."
The giant prince summoned a greatsword that was twice the size of Nathan.
anwhile, a twin fla of chaotic energy burned intensely, extending from Nathan’s arms and ending in deadly hooks.
"Father, let deal with him," Aina said.
"No... no. This is my duty as the head of the Cromwell family," Nathan replied, his gaze turning fierce. "And I won’t delegate my responsibility."
"I like you already, old man!" Gideon chuckled, a crazy gleam in his eyes. "My sword says you’ll taste delicious."
The air tensed as both sides took several steps back, leaving only Nathan and the towering giant in the middle.
The scene was like that of an ant and a human.
But just when the Awakened—and even the giants—thought a one-sided beatdown was about to occur, a voice suddenly spoke from the rear.
"—I’ll go."
Everyone froze. Heads turned.
Akira.
She stepped forward from the rear, her radiant armor clinging to her body, silver hair gently swaying in the wind, her face calm and unreadable. Her eyes, however, shimred with determination.
"Let them be," she said calmly as the Awakened parted to let her through. "They did nothing to offend you."
Gideon’s smirk widened. "My princess, I’m glad you’ve finally co to your senses and realized I’m the best choice for you."
"Princess?"
"She’s a princess?"
Several whispers spread among the ranks of the Awakened.
Aina furrowed her brows. She had suspected Akira to be special or sohow connected to royalty because of her aura—but never did she think the girl she had saved in the Luminary Forest a few months ago was an esteed princess of the Valkyrie race.
"But don’t mistake coming for accepting you," Akira said. "I’m just avoiding unnecessary bloodshed—for now."
Aina’s gaze snapped toward her, and she instinctively held her arm. "Akira—"
Akira turned to Aina and made a low bow. "Thank you for all you’ve done for these past months, but I can’t afford to watch your kindness turn sour."
After nodding at Celine, Camila, Hans, and a few others, she stepped forward.
"So he was the disgusting giant you told about?"
Akira suddenly froze mid-step.
"That voice..." Her eyes widened.
At that mont, a huge shadow blocked the sun, and everything beca dark.
Heads turned skyward, and what they saw made gasps ripple across the battlefield.
"Those... are those wyverns?"
"No... definitely not!"
Gideon’s eyes widened, and he mumbled under his breath, "Those are dragons."
It was only the third ti he had seen those majestic, powerful creatures.
"But what are they doing here?"
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