The atmosphere of the training ground was boiling beyond the heat of the hot southern air.

In consideration of the southern environment, the soldiers of the heavy cavalry were equipped with leather armor, which was made lighter and more practical by adding in thin metal plates. Isla, Killian, and Karuta walked towards the coordinated soldiers.

“Here they come…”

The eyes of the knights and soldiers of the United Southern Army headed towards the three. They had been watching the troops at the training ground for some time now.

“Krr…”

With the exception of two orcs, who had been delegated to guard the ladies of the Pendragon Duchy, the rest of the Ancona Orcs were preparing for departure as well. The pressure surrounding the orcs was immense. Steel maces, which weighed 50 pounds, were strapped in an intersect to their backs, and their helmets were decorated with two steel horns to both sides. It was truly a breathtaking sight.

But above all else, there was something that aroused the spectators.

A hundred griffons standing with their wings folded and their beaks held high. Their chests and bellies were covered with iron armor. It was awe-inspiring to see such fearsome creatures lined up in an orderly manner. Each griffon was as large as two or three bulls combined.

“What about the supplies?”

“It has been confirmed. There are no problems.”

A griffon rider answered Isla’s question with a salute. In preparation for a drawn-out scenario, thirty of the griffons were carrying food capable of feeding the soldiers for five days. In addition, ten creatures would continue to travel to and from the garrison once a day to continue the chain of supplies.

“To resupply with the griffons… I could never have imagined such a thing.”

“I agree completely.”

Everyone nodded at the words of a knight.

It was extremely rare to have griffons as a combat force. Wild griffons were not only difficult to capture, but they were also so vicious that it was nearly impossible for humans to have them breed. Therefore, with the exception of the imperial castle, the number of forces possessing tamed griffons could be counted on one hand, and all of them considered the griffons to be their most elite forces. They would not utilize the griffons in a battlefield unless it was an emergency.

But the Pendragon Duchy was different.

They boldly deployed griffons on supply and reconnaissance missions.

Of course, it was possible because they possessed an enormous number of griffons, but the groundbreaking ideas stemmed from the mind of Elkin Isla, the captain of the griffon unit.

“…..”

Standing in front of the griffons and the orc warriors, respectively, Isla and Karuta signaled Killian. With a light nod, Killian glared around at the finest troops of the Pendragon Duchy – a group of infantrymen, heavy cavalrymen, orcs, and griffons.

“Are we all set!?”

“Hua!!!”

His loud cry was answered by a brave shout from the Pendragon’s warriors.

Killian pulled out his long sword and lifted it up.

“Good! Now, let’s go get the sons of bitches who dared to stand against our lord, Duke Pendragon!”

“Hua!!!”

With the guide of the riders, ten griffons flew up into the sky of the garrison as the huge roar resonated.

Kiyeeeehk!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Soon, the gates of the base opened, and the forces set out with the heavy cavalry at the forefront.

“Well.”

The commanders and Viscount Moraine observed the Pendragon Duchy’s troops from a spire next to the gate.

“Do you think it will be possible with only them?”

At the questioning words of a knight, Viscount Moraine replied while stroking his chin. His beard had grown long, as he had not been able to shave for several days.

“I am not entirely sure about the demonic army, but it will be impossible for them to deal with the monsters of the Great Forest on their own.”

“Hm…!”

Mixed expressions appeared on the faces of the knights and commander.

“However.”

Viscount Moraine continued in a low voice.

“If the descendent of Mara Valencia can really integrate the Valvas Cavaliers, the chance of victory will rise to fifty percent.”

“…..!”

Everyone’s eyes were shaking.

In terms of individual capabilities, the Valvas Cavaliers were considered one of the best in the entire empire, not just the south. But to think they would be able to bring victory in a war against ferocious armies of monsters. The monsters were much stronger than humans, so would it really be possible…?

Viscount Moraine looked back towards those in disbelief.

“In the past, the Knight King made the entire south nervous with less than 1,000 cavaliers. And that included the Arangis Duchy. Do you understand? Even the Arangis Duchy that dares to act insolent towards the Emperor himself was wary against the cavaliers.

Viscount Moraine spoke in a monotonous voice, and the commanders came to a realization. Having experienced so many battles, Viscount Moraine was extremely proud of the imperial army and the 7th regiment. For him to speak of another force so highly was extremely rare.

***

“Y, your Excellency! What should we do now!?”

“The Arangis Duchy’s fleet is set to arrive in five days, must come up with a plan!”

The office of governor’s residence in El Pasa was a complete mess.

All of the city’s nobles and leaders were lost in contemplation and busy raising their voices to Count Cedric with pale expressions.

“Be quiet! Quiet!”

Count Cedric shouted, and the entire office became as quiet as a mouse.

“I have sent an urgent message to His Majesty. Since the situation is critical, he will send an imperial fleet right away. Although the Arangis Duchy’s fleet is powerful, we will be able to endure. There’s also the backup from Gapusa and Agadir…”

“Even if the imperial fleet departs from the mainland right now, it will take a month for them to arrive. Are you saying that we will be able to withstand the Arangis fleet’s offensive for more than 20 days?”

A noble interjected with a desperate voice on the verge of tears.

“…..”

Count Cedric was not able to provide an immediate answer. He bit his lips quietly.

His appearance caused despair to descend on everyone’s faces.

“Keheuk!”

“What should we do now!?”

“How shall I know!? Your Excellency, please tell us the plan!”

Cries of anguish came from all over the place. However, Count Cedric was unable to respond. His expression was miserable.

“If I had known that things would have turned out like this, we should have deported Duke Pendragon when he arrived…”

Despair-stricken murmurings of a noble caught the attention of Count Cedric, and his eyes blazed immediately.

“Watch what you say!”

The office became quiet once more at Count Cedric’s shout. Count Cedric spoke while fiercely glaring at the man who had just spoken.

“If His Excellency Duke Pendragon had not come, our city would already be in the hands of the Arangis Duchy! They would have seized all of your glorified properties and wealth as well!”

“Hm…”

The nobles and the leaders lowered their heads in shame and did not retort. Indeed, Count Cedric’s words were true.

El Pasa was a city of the emperor ruled by the governor-general. If the Arangis Duchy dared to draw its sword against a city of the emperor, it would not be lenient against them either. If they wanted to save their own lives and the lives of their families, they would have no choice but to surrender all of their assets.

“T, then what should we do now?”

“Keuk…”

Dozens of desperate eyes turned to Count Cedric. They needed something to grab onto, even if it was nothing more than a rotten rope. Count Cedric stood up and spoke, swallowing back a deep sigh that threatened to burst.

“I will invoke my authority as the governor-general.”

“…..!”

Everyone flinched at his words.

“As of this moment, the parliament will be dissolved, and we will enter into a state of emergency. All troops will be under my command, and civilian activities will be restricted. There will be a lockdown of all outdoor activities after sunset. All merchants ships that are anchored at the port will be temporarily operated as military vessels, and the El Pasa militia will be gathered immediately…”

“Y, your Excellency!”

The deputy rushed into the office, interrupting Count Cedric’s declaration.

“Hmm? What’s going on?”

Count Cedric asked in an urgent voice. The deputy understood the gravity of the gathering and would not act in such ways unless there was something important.

“Ships! A, a fleet! Galleys and battle ships… T, there are over 20 of them in total!”

“What?”

“Has the Arangis fleet already…”

Count Cedric became flabbergasted and the others trembled in their shoes. However, the deputy quickly shook his head.

“No! It is not the Arangis fleet!”

“What? Then who is it?”

Count Cedric asked with anxiety and anticipation, and the deputy replied in a hurry.

“P, pirates! No, they are a detached fleet under the Pendragon Duchy! A small number of troops from the Pendragon Duchy are present as well! They are being commanded by John, John Myers!”

“…..!”

Everyone was stupefied.

Everyone gathered here knew of John Myers.

He was a great pirate who dominated the inner sea.

Had he not been put into labor after being defeated by the Pendragon Duchy and the 7th regiment? No, it didn’t matter.

“The heavens… No, Duke Pendragon is saving us again…”

Count Cedric’s lips quivered lightly.

A light of hope had appeared. Perhaps El Pasa could survive until the imperial fleet arrived.

***

“Ehehehe!”

Even though they were a different race and spoke a different language, the children’s laughter remained the same. Raven felt strange as he looked at the young elves running around the trees like little monkeys.

It was hard to believe that just outside the high-rising cliffs, cannibalistic creatures wandered day and night.

“It is really peaceful here.”

“It is because of the Earth God’s sacred tree.”

Raven turned his head at the answer. Kara Ol Sumira, the leader of the Red Moon Valley Elves, was staring back at him. In the human language, her name meant ‘the daughter of the Red Moon’.

“I have seen a similar tree in the land of my friend, my family’s friend – in the Ancona Orc tribe. Of course, it wasn’t as grand as this, but it was a tree that had existed for thousands of years. They also called it the holy tree of the Earth God. Is there a reason behind it?”

Kara seemed a little surprised by the fact, and soon smiled before responding to Raven’s question.

“They are a blessed tribe. Well, it’s no wonder that a sacred tree would be in a place where the Queen of all Dragons resides.”

“Hmm.”

Raven agreed, but he felt a little strange. Elves detested orcs. Along with the goblins, the orcs were the primary destroyers of forests. As such, the elves loathed orcs.

Judging from the attitude of the centaurs in the Ancon Forest towards the Ancona Orcs and Karuta, it was easy to see how much the elves and the centaurs hated orcs. However, Kara’s tone and voice contained no hostility when she mentioned the orcs.

Most importantly, it was a little strange for the elves to have a sacred tree of the Earth God when they served Lumina and Illyena.

“I guess you are a little confused as to why we serve a sacred tree of the Earth God, Mister Pendragon.”

Kara smiled and spoke after noticing Raven’s thoughts.

“Yes, that is right. Moreover, the elves I know do not have such appearances.”

Raven glanced back at the Red Moon Elf warriors quietly following behind him and Kara. The bizarre tattoos on their faces and upper bodies made them appear more like barbarians than elves.

“Phew…”

A long sigh escaped Kara’s lips.

Raven waited for her next words, recognizing that there was something going on.