The next morning, the Royal Palace was still in disarray. The previous night's surprise dragon attack had damaged parts of the palace's outer perimeter, and dozens of guards were injured.
"His Majesty is waiting."
Guided by a courtier, Cael entered the audience chamber. In the center of the vast, gold-decorated hall stood the throne, and in front of it, the key figures of the Barencia Kingdom lined up.
King Albert III. He was the current King of the Barencia Kingdom. Cael had met him many times in his previous life, but the King now did not know Cael. He was a dignified man in his mid-fifties, but the fatigue from last night's events was evident.
"Are you the knight who defeated the dragon?" the King said, looking down at Cael.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I am Cael Drake."
"Hmm..." The King stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Battalion Commander Victor's report states that you faced the dragon alone. Is that true?"
As Cael nodded, the nobles in the audience chamber murmured. Some wore expressions of disbelief, while others looked at Cael with curiosity.
"Will you prove it?" the King said. "It's hard to believe just by words."
Just then, Victor stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I will personally verify Cael's skills."
Cael could read the malice in Victor's eyes. Because of last night's events, Victor was looking for an opportunity to eliminate Cael.
"Very well," the King nodded. "Demonstrate your skills in the training ground beside the audience chamber."
Soon, the King and nobles all moved to the training ground. Cael and Victor faced each other in the center of the spacious arena.
Victor was one of the kingdom's finest swordsmen. His skill had been acknowledged even in Cael's previous life. Of course, that was excluding the fact that he was a traitor.
"The rules are simple," Victor said, drawing his sword. "Until one falls."
"Wait!" Leon quickly interjected. "Isn't that too dangerous?"
"Don't worry, Leon," Victor sneered. "I always know how to hold back."
But Cael knew. Victor intended to kill him given this opportunity. To cause an "accident" in front of the King.
"Begin!"
With the King's declaration, Victor charged. His swordsmanship was the same as Cael had seen in his previous life, but now it was clearly imbued with murderous intent.
Cael drew Dragonbane and defended. Sword met sword, sending sparks flying.
"Interesting," Victor muttered. "But this isn't enough..."
Black aura emanated from Victor's sword. It was dark magic swordsmanship. A technique Cael had never seen in his previous life.
[Warning: Demonic power detected!][Opponent has made a contract with a demon!]
The system's warning appeared. Victor wasn't just a traitor; he was someone who had allied with demons.
The black aura flew towards Cael. It was an attack that couldn't be blocked by conventional means. But Cael had Dragonbane.
[Dragonbane Special Ability Activated: Magic Nullification!]
A blue light erupted from the sword, canceling out the black aura. Victor's expression transformed into one of shock.
"Impossible..." Victor mumbled. "What is that sword..."
Cael launched a counterattack. The swordsmanship honed over twenty years was perfectly executed. Victor, caught off guard, was only able to defend.
"Ugh!"
Finally, Victor's sword was knocked away, and the tip of Cael's sword touched his throat.
"The match is over."
The training ground fell silent. Cael had overwhelmingly defeated Victor, one of the kingdom's best knights.
The King clapped. "Excellent! Your skill is indeed worthy of defeating a dragon."
But Victor's eyes were filled with rage and killing intent. Receiving that gaze, Cael was certain. Victor would soon take decisive action.
"Cael Drake," the King said. "I bestow upon you a special mission. To protect the kingdom from the dragons that will appear in the future."
[Quest Generated: Guardian of the Kingdom][Objective: Protect the Barencia Kingdom from dragon invasion][Reward: ???]
"It would be an honor, Your Majesty."
After the audience, Cael walked down the corridor with Leon, Aria, and Garon.
"That was amazing," Aria exclaimed. "To defeat Battalion Commander Victor so easily..."
"But it was strange," Garon shook his head. "Didn't something dark come from the Commander's sword?"
As Cael was about to answer, a massive shadow passed overhead. Everyone rushed to the window and looked out.
It was a black dragon. The very dragon that had killed Cael in his previous life, Arkbahar. But this time, it was three months earlier than expected.
"All Knights, emergency!"
Bells rang throughout the palace. The full-scale dragon invasion had begun.
Cael's hand went to his sword hilt. He was facing the opponent he hadn't been able to take revenge on in his previous life, once again.
"This time is different," Cael muttered.
Then Victor appeared. Several figures in black robes followed him. All were the transformed dragons Cael had seen last night.
"The time has come," Victor said with a sinister smile. "Cael Drake, it doesn't matter what your true identity is now. Everything ends here today."
The robed figures shed their disguises. Human-sized dragons revealed their true forms. There were five of them.
"Leon, get everyone out of here!" Cael shouted.
"But Cael, you alone cannot..."
"Don't worry! I'm used to situations like this!"
Cael drew Dragonbane. On one side, Victor and his subordinates; on the other, Arkbahar in the sky. It was a much more difficult situation than in his previous life.
But this time, he wouldn't give up. He had returned to save everything.