The ground trembled.
Not from monsters.
Not from magic.
---
An army.
---
Ten thousand soldiers marched across the plains in perfect formation.
White banners moved beneath the dark sky.
Armor reflected the cold sunlight.
---
At the very front—
Leon Valcrest rode silently.
The Hero of Humanity.
---
His silver armor carried countless scars from past wars.
His expression remained calm.
Unreadable.
---
Behind him—
The Holy Vanguard followed.
Humanity's strongest military force.
---
Knights.
Mages.
Paladins.
Elite hunters.
---
All marching toward one destination.
---
The Outcast Settlement.
---
Inside the Settlement
The atmosphere was tense.
Everyone felt it.
The approaching pressure.
The coming war.
---
Demons sharpened weapons.
Archers prepared arrows.
Barricades were reinforced.
---
For the first time—
The settlement looked like a fortress.
---
Grik shouted across the walls.
"MOVE!"
"If you're gonna panic, panic while working!"
---
Lucian sat on top of the gate casually.
Watching the chaos below with a grin.
---
"…This is exciting."
---
Lilith carried massive wooden beams over one shoulder.
"…You say that about everything."
---
Lucian pointed toward the horizon.
"There's a whole army coming to kill us."
---
He grinned wider.
"How is that not exciting?"
---
Karn stood nearby silently.
His sharp eyes scanned the wasteland.
---
"…They're disciplined."
---
Ruun appeared beside him.
"…You can already sense them?"
---
Karn nodded.
"…Strong ones too."
---
Ruun's expression darkened slightly.
"…This won't be easy."
---
Inside the Main Hall
Rai stood before a large map.
Calm.
Focused.
---
Ruun stood beside him.
Karn across from him.
Lucian leaned against the wall pretending not to listen.
---
"…Ten thousand soldiers," Ruun said quietly.
"…And a Hero-class commander."
---
Rai nodded once.
"…Direct confrontation is inefficient."
---
Lucian groaned loudly.
"Boooooring."
---
Rai ignored him.
---
"…We divide their forces."
---
Ruun immediately understood.
"…Guerrilla tactics."
---
Karn nodded slightly.
"…Hit supply lines."
"…Separate commanders."
"…Break formation."
---
Lucian raised a hand.
"…Or."
---
Everyone looked at him.
---
"We punch the Hero really hard."
---
Silence.
---
Ruun sighed.
"…Why are you like this?"
---
Lucian grinned proudly.
"Talent."
---
Rai looked at the map calmly.
---
"…Leon Valcrest."
---
The name alone carried weight.
---
Even Karn's expression changed slightly.
"…He killed three Demon Generals during the last war."
---
Ruun added quietly,
"…And survived a fight against a Dragon Lord."
---
Lucian's grin widened.
"Okay."
"Now I definitely want to fight him."
---
Rai's eyes remained calm.
---
"…He's not our enemy."
---
The room went silent.
---
Ruun looked at him carefully.
"…You still believe that?"
---
"…Yes."
---
Lucian frowned.
"He's literally marching here with ten thousand people."
---
Rai answered calmly.
"…Because humanity fears what they don't understand."
---
Karn crossed his arms.
"…Fear creates wars."
---
Rai nodded.
"…Which means this war can still end."
---
Lucian scoffed.
"…Or they attack us anyway."
---
Rai looked toward the horizon.
---
"…Then we survive."
---
Far Away — Holy Vanguard Camp
Night fell across the plains.
Campfires burned across the massive military camp.
---
Leon stood alone near a cliff.
Watching the distant wastelands.
---
A female knight approached him.
Tall.
Blonde hair tied behind her head.
Sharp green eyes.
---
"…Commander."
---
Leon didn't turn.
"…Report."
---
"…Scouts confirmed movement inside the settlement."
---
"…Military?"
---
"…Defensive preparations."
---
Leon remained silent for a moment.
---
Then—
"…No raids?"
---
The knight hesitated.
"…None."
---
"…No attacks on nearby villages?"
---
"…None confirmed."
---
For the first time—
Leon's eyes shifted slightly.
---
"…Strange."
---
The knight lowered her voice.
"…Commander…"
"…What if the reports are true?"
---
Leon finally looked at her.
---
"…Meaning?"
---
"…Humans and demons living together."
---
Silence.
---
The knight continued carefully.
"…If that settlement truly exists peacefully…"
"…then this war may not be necessary."
---
Leon's gaze hardened instantly.
---
"…The Demon King Vessel exists there."
---
A faint pressure spread from him.
---
"…One mistake…"
"…and thousands die."
---
The knight lowered her head.
"…Understood."
---
But even Leon himself—
Was beginning to question things.
---
Back at the Settlement
The wind howled softly across the walls.
---
Rai stood alone once again.
Watching the distant lights of the approaching army.
---
Behind him—
Soft footsteps.
---
Seriha.
---
She stopped beside him silently.
---
"…You're thinking too much again."
---
Rai didn't look away.
"…War requires thought."
---
Seriha stared ahead quietly.
---
"…Will you kill the Hero?"
---
A long silence followed.
---
Then Rai answered calmly.
---
"…Only if I have to."
---
Seriha looked at him for a moment.
---
"…That's why they follow you."
---
Rai finally looked at her.
---
"…And you?"
---
Seriha's blank expression softened slightly.
Almost invisible.
---
"…I already decided a long time ago."
---
The wind moved gently through her pink hair.
---
And beneath the dark sky—
The calm before the storm continued.
---
Because by tomorrow—
The Hero of Humanity…
And the Demon King Vessel…
Would finally meet.