Ringing The Bell

Roy slashed his blade left and right. The air vibrated as his sword cut through the wind.

Slice—

Hans's eyebrows scrunched together. This man attacked him without warning. Although it didn't really matter to him, Roy was emitting an enormous amount of killing intent.

'I need to be careful.'

Slash—!

Bam—!

Roy dragged the battle into the open field and only attacked with pure swordsmanship alone. As of now, he didn't use any fancy moves or fatal skills that he thinks might really kill Hans.

For now, he wanted to gauge this newbie's power first.

Swish—

A green light flashed before Hans' pupils and before he knew it, a sudden gust of wind hit his face. In a blink of his eye, Roy appeared under his nose.

"You're too slow, Hans."

Roy sliced Hans' chest.

Slash—!

Spurt—!

Blood splashed to the ground as Hans leaped backward. He lowered his head and stared at the blood gushing out of his skin.

His eyes darkened.

'He bypassed the [Danger Zone].'

The reason why Hans was only dodging is that he wanted to see how far this skill could sense a threat. Although it didn't disappoint him, in the end, it's still just an A-rank skill.

'I guess, I have to show off too.'

Hans raised his eyes and glanced at the small figure in the distance. This man is small but his strength is unfathomable.

Well, it seemed like the saying, 'small but terrible' applies to this situation.

"Regeneration?" Roy's eyes narrowed as he observed the wound slowly healing in Hans' chest. Then, he chuckled, "Hahaha, regeneration is for kids who don't want to get hurt!"

"I'm not a madman like you."

Throughout the small hour, Hans observed Roy's expression. He vaguely senses that this man is a fighting madman. He'd attack once he knows he's fighting a stronger enemy even if it means several times stronger than him.

He might not be the best war buddy but he sure is the best training partner.

At that moment, Hans' eyes sharpened.

Shu—

Rustle—

The grass swayed on the ground and the leaves on the trees rustled as a cold wind swept through the area like a storm. Mana suppressed the oxygen making it harder to breathe.

Other royal knights already activated the barrier that would prevent the battle from going out of place. Even then, they didn't stop them.

They also wanted to see how Hans would fair to one of their own.

To become a royal knight, Hans must have the power that they would all recognize.

Thus, all eyes locked between the two. Even those powerhouses hiding in the corners of the Empire, couldn't help but turn their heads towards the training camp direction after sensing the dense mana pressure.

"Oh, finally fighting back now huh?" Roy grinned. His hand trembled in excitement.

"I just warmed up earlier." Hans answered as he activated his [Emperor Aurae].

[Your stats have increased by 300%.]

[Your physical and magical resistance have increased by 50%.]

A golden aura manifested in Hans' body. Roy stared at Hans's aura and smirked.

'He's stronger than I thought.'

Well, in his head, the stronger Hans is, the better.

"Come then, show me what you got!"

"Be careful." Hans coldly said.

The gigantic magical pressure descending down the whole space instantly disappeared.

The next moment, Hans appeared behind Roy and hurriedly aimed for his head.

Stab—!

The swords pierced forward. However, Roy only tilted his head, effortlessly evading Hans' attack. Although surprised, Hans didn't panic.

He already anticipated that such an obvious strike would not work. Thus, he immediately paused, and twisted his swords sideways, attempting to slice Roy from the neck.

Clang—

"A mediocre attack." Roy blocked Hans' swords with his own. Then, as he turned around, he launched a power kick at this newbie's abdomen.

Crackle—

Lightning crackled on his foot and in an instant, it connected to Hans' stomach.

Ram—!

Baaaam—!

Hans flew away but by using his foot as a brake, he managed to stop his momentum. Fortunately, Hans activated his defensive skills on time, or else, the damage might have made him kneel in pain.

Even then, the pain is still there. His stomach churned as if all of his organs were having a chaotic party inside.

"Is this your best? It's disappointing, to be honest." Roy spoke disdainfully.

"Yep, that's my best." Hans answered. He already showed spectacular speed and swordsmanship.

He felt that there was no need to show more.

"You're lying." Roy said and continued, "I can see it. It's pointless to hide it, Hans."

"But if we truly fought, we're gonna destroy everything. You should know that." Hans reasoned.

"Do I care about that?" Roy asked. He raised his sword, pointed at Hans, and continued, "I already cleared it from the start. 'We're going to kill each other'. So, if you don't want to die, then you should fight me, or else, I'm really going to kill you."

[This midget is annoying!]

Hans couldn't help but smile hearing Plundy's complaint. At first, he thought Roy was just testing him but it seemed like he had been mistaken.

'Kill?'

If it truly reached that point, will the others stop them?

To be honest, he had no idea. However, one thing is for sure.

"Fine. Be careful then. This time, I won't hold back."

At that moment.

A red hue began to spread on Hans' body.

..........

Emperor Alexander frowned as he listened to the scout's report. According to them, several unfamiliar mana signatures stormed the Dakin Land. They were equipped with weapons and surely their intentions weren't good from the start.

The Dakin Land is a territory owned by the Harisan Empire. It was the resting place of merchants before they crossed the Lannan Bridge which connects the borders of the Kalin Country— a territory of the Monster Empire.

Additionally, the Dakin Land was also the first line of defense once the Monster Empire crossed the bridge. However, due to the barrier rectified by the Great Magician Lou, the Monster Empire would not dare to cross the bridge.

After all, once they do that, a warning would trigger which would immediately alert the Harisan Empire's higher echelons.

"How did they manage to get inside? Where are the knights?" Emperor Alexander asked hurriedly.

There should be Elite Knights stationed there. Even if they leave for a day, there should be enough time for reinforcements to arrive before the monster empire could penetrate the barrier.

"Your majesty, according to Sir Brad, the monster empire seemed to have been secretly colluding with one of the council members. Th—"

"Why didn't I know this!?" Alexander coldly muttered as he lowered his gaze to the scout below him.

"Your majesty, Sir Brad wasn't certain of his guess. It was only this time that he found out that his hunch was right. Please, don't blame him."

The scout bowed his head and waited for the Emperor's decree. Now that the monster seemed to have been showing their fangs, the war that would determine the fate of the world is slowly coming to a start.

Emperor Alexander took a deep sigh. He glanced in the direction of the Dakin Land with a longing gaze etched on his face.

Before he rose to the throne, he was once a crown prince. To further prove his abilities, he went to the front lines— the Dakin Land—and fought day and night for many years.

It was a place where his legend first started. To him, this place is like his second home considering how many years he lived his life there.

Now, his second home was being threatened and he couldn't help but remember the fall of his comrades at the place. The knights he stationed there were the best of the Elite Knights only one step away from becoming Royal Knights.

If they fall, he doesn't know how long he will wait for another generation of talents to be nurtured.

Of course, this wouldn't have happened if only his son— the crown prince—, didn't leave the empire.

After sorting his thoughts, Emperor Alexander spoke.

"Is that all?" He asked.

The scout raised his head and nodded.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Very well, continue investigating the ins and outs of other borders with your team. Make sure to report to me immediately once you find suspicious information." Emperor Alexander spoke in a majestic tone, enough to overwhelm anyone inside the Palace.

The scout stood up from his kneeling position and placed his fists on his chest. It was a sign of respect before they left.

"As you order, your majesty."

Swish—

With one swift motion, the scout disappeared from the red carpet and the room finally descended into a long silence once again.

Emperor Alexander leaned forward and placed a hand on his chin.

The monster empire already started to invade. Certainly, the others will soon follow. Once that happens, their first line of defense will fall and the 4 empires could overwhelm them by surrounding them on four sides.

Once that happens, it's over.

The war is slowly approaching but the empire wasn't even ready yet. His people could still walk leisurely in the streets without restraint or any restrictions.

The children could still cheerfully run around as they shaped snowballs on their palms and throw them at each other as they used to.

Streets were almost crowded and the empire was always bustling with great vendors who always had their loud voices ringing around the buyers' ears every day.

Emperor Alexander lived his life to help people and give them rights they couldn't have. He protected the commoners from the nobles and banned slavery throughout the Empire's territory.

He gave the commoners the right to enter the academy for free while also giving them shelters so they won't live in the streets.

He had dreamed of a world where people loved each other and various races didn't discriminate and kill each other.

However, in the end, no matter how much effort and power he has, others could always trample the peace he made because of their greed.

'Perhaps, father is right.'

He's 122 years old this year, but his mind was still thinking of these naive thoughts. His father would always lecture him about how peace will never be born in a world where power rules.

But he persisted, only to fail in the end.

He had made great allies but in the end, as their primes diminish, they gradually lose their deterrence effect.

'I guess, this is how far I could go.'

As the Emperor, his task is to protect his people and let them live in an environment full of joy, love, and knowledge.

He did it.

However, all things must eventually come to an end. Emperor Alexander shed the crystal tears falling on his cheeks and a bitter smile formed on his seemingly exhausted face.

"War?"

If they want war, he'll let them have it. The Harisan Empire was never a coward, to begin with.

What's more, surrendering was never an option, considering the grievances that accumulated over time.

At that moment, with a firm decision, Emperor Alexander motioned the palace knight to ring the Bell Of End.

It was a signal to warn the people that the war had already started. This also serves as the call for the gathering of all knights available throughout the empire.

As he sighed in helplessness, Emperor Alexander glanced at the picture of his family together. He kept it in his pocket for ages.

This was only proof that this once happy family lived and this might be the last time, he'll see those bright smiles.

"Maria, I'll let you escape here. Find the kids and live somewhere safe." he whispered.

As for what the future holds, he just hopes that someday, someone will carry their will and bring hope again to this damned world.

......…

[Constantine Sword Style: First Cut]

Swish—

Hans leaped into the air and unleashed a devastating storm.

[Wind Enhanced: Piercing Gale!]

Woooosh—

Booooom—!

A seemingly enormous storm arrow manifested in the air and pierced the ground where Roy currently stood.