Utessar Kingdom.
The headquarters of the Rose Knight Regint.
This was the domain of the Kingdom's eldest princess, Ava. Arthur, the embodint of "Honor," served as her guardian knight.
"Your Highness, the king's orders have co through. We're commanded to depart for the front lines in three days."
Ava was a blond beauty—though "princess" might be less fitting than "dauntless female knight." She cared little for perfus or fancy dresses, preferring horses and swordsmanship instead.
Long ago, her strong bond with the king, her brother, had prompted him to grant her permission to form this protective cavalry regint. No one had expected it to flourish so greatly, but now the Rose Knight Regint had beco a formidable military force in the imperial capital.
"Arthur, do you think we'll die on the front lines?"
Princess Ava wore a gleaming silver outfit that clung to her figure, a sight that made Arthur's heart pound.
"Your Highness, I have no way to predict that," he said solemnly. "But I promise you this: if anyone is to die first, it'll be . I swear I will keep you safe."
In his mind, Arthur silently repeated the words he dared not speak out loud: "My love for you is deathless." A future where he might marry Princess Ava was more than 70% likely, given his status as her guardian knight.
Ava gazed at him, reading his stalwart yet principled nature. If only he had a bit more audacity, a bit more romantic flair, they might already be husband and wife. Unfortunately, the outbreak of war was pushing everything else aside.
"So," she said, "besides my brother's orders, is there another reason you've co?"
A faint smile graced Ava's face as she regarded her guardian knight. Arthur never hid anything from her; he was straightforward and honest in her presence.
"Your Highness, I want to introduce you to a friend of mine. I'd like him to join the Rose Knight Regint."
Ava didn't imdiately agree. She was intrigued. She knew Arthur's standards for people were sky-high, and he was cautious about their character.
"Sir Arthur, who is this friend you're recomnding?"
Her curious smile showed no signs of being concealed.
"His na is Galahad, Your Highness. So folks, misguidedly, call him the 'Coal Knight.'"
"Ha! 'Coal Knight'? That's a strange nickna," Ava said with a laugh. "Kind of rings a bell, though!"
Arthur's mood dimd at her words.
"Sir Arthur, I an no offense to your friend," Ava assured him. "This 'Coal Knight' has certainly caught my interest."
Arthur gave a curt nod and spoke in a serious tone. "Your Highness, 'Coal Knight' is just another person's misunderstanding. My friend Galahad is humble, but he's also a knight—just like ."
Only then did Ava's smile fade. She adopted a more earnest look. "Honorable knight, I'll be here at the Rose Knight Regint headquarters for the next three days, waiting for Galahad to arrive."
Arthur bowed with a knight's salute and took his leave.
––––––––
Elsewhere in the city, in a blacksmith shop…
With the final clang of the hamr, a burst of fla flared from the blade in Garrett's hands, shining with a dazzling glow.
"Your sword is finally done."
As that fiery glow subsided, Galahad's sword once again looked plain and ordinary. Yet the gemstone in its hilt suggested it was anything but mundane.
"Garrett, thank you."
"Tomorrow, I'm joining the Rose Knight Regint; I'll be heading to the front with 'Honor.' If I fall in battle, then this is our final farewell."
Sheathing his sword, Galahad allowed it to appear wholly unremarkable. Garrett stared, wanting to say sothing, but no words ca.
"Well then, my friend—goodbye. If I co back victorious, I swear I'll treat you to drinks at the tavern!"
Garrett watched him leave the blacksmith's forge, still caught in indecision. By the ti he made up his mind and ran out, Galahad had already disappeared.
"I will fight for those who cannot protect themselves!"
"I will help any who ask
for aid!"
"… …"
--- Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire
While the human kingdom was still in the midst of mobilization, the subordinate races outside its territory had already begun their own wars. Orion's forces, for one, had plunged right into the fighting.
The scene before them defied easy description—both awe-inspiring and brutal. The boarfolk stood guard atop the city walls. They had long ears and wide mouths, walked upright, and boasted not only strong bodies but also razor-sharp weapons.
There were two types of boarfolk in every litter, which numbered at least a dozen newborns.
So were humanoid—able to stand and walk on two legs and possessing greater intellect—while others were beast-like, growing into bigger, burlier adults who fought with ferocious abandon.
The humanoid boarfolk often used their beast-type siblings as mounts. This gave rise to formidable boarfolk cavalry.
And right now, Orion was watching those very cavalry charge at his troops. Massive boar-knights tore through insectoids, sand-scorpions, snow wolves, and small spiders, stamping them into the dirt.
At last, when the little spiders spat webs and wove them into hindering barriers, the montum shifted. The sand-scorpions, burrowing from beneath, erged to strike with venom, and one boarfolk after another collapsed.
Then the centaur armies and ogre armies joined the battle, forcing the boarfolk cavalry into dire straits. Farther back, the boarfolk on the city walls began firing crossbow bolts and arrows in a desperate bid to buy ti for their cavalry.
"Damn it! Devour those blasted boarfolk!"
The one shouting in fury was the newcor, the insectoid lord Lokiviria.
Though he had aligned himself with the alliance, he only bothered to show politeness to the ogres. To Jorik, Gareth, Ironhoof, and Orion, Lokiviria wore an expression of lofty indifference. Now, flailing in anger, he made Orion, Jorik, Gareth, and Ironhoof exchange glances, each secretly amused by his tantrum.
"If we take out these boarfolk knights, their 'Boar City' is ours for the taking!"
Bluehide roared with laughter. He knew all too well how savory boarfolk at could be. With so many boarfolk living in that city, he was itching for a feast.
"This city has three Legendary-level presences inside," Orion observed calmly. "Should we step out and greet them?"
He was the most sensitive to such power among them, and at his words, all eyes turned his way.
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