The Kingdom of Aelthor stood at the precipice of an uncertain dawn, the weight of impending darkness no longer a distant threat—it had arrived. An army of twisted creatures loomed beyond the horizon, their presence defying reason.
Inside the Royal Military Headquarters, tension thickened the air as strategists, officers, and guild representatives pored over reports detailing enemy positions and internal defenses. King Varyndor stood amidst them, his sharp gaze absorbing every detail with measured precision.
Once-thriving towns and cities now lay in silent terror, fear creeping from bustling market squares to the humblest villages. The Adventurers' Guild and the Mercenary Guild had swiftly spread the call, their urgent messages echoing through the kingdom. Those who could fight had already begun gathering.
High above the capital, in the royal chambers, King Varyndor studied the latest report with grim resolve. The contents were troubling—mana corruption had increased by 18% in a single day, but this not just 18%. No one knew where the Darkcalipers had come from. They hadn't marched upon the kingdom's gates; they had simply appeared, as if summoned from the void. Their numbers weren't overwhelming, but their strength was undeniable. A single Darkcaliper was classified as an A to AA-rank threat, while their commanders were at least AAA or even S-rank. Even one of these creatures could easily overpower ninety of the kingdom's colorless soldiers.
Taking his communication badge, the King issued a decisive command. "Summon the Prismatic Legion to the Stronghold at once. I shall arrive shortly."
As his words carried through the enchanted device, the King moved with purpose.
Meanwhile, the Adventurers' Guild had thrown open its doors, calling upon all who could wield a sword, spell, or staff. Messages were dispatched to distant outposts, summoning both veterans and novices alike. From the highest-ranking officers to the youngest recruits, the people of Aelthor understood—there was no choice but to stand their ground.
Atop the towering front gates, the Captain of the Royal Guard stepped forward. Clad in radiant silver-gold armor, the man bowed deeply. "Your Majesty," he greeted, his voice firm with unwavering resolve. "Everything is prepared as you commanded. We have reinforced every checkpoint, and from here, you can monitor every movement of the enemy."
The King's gaze swept across the battlefield, his eyes narrowing. "So, they are all here."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the guard confirmed, stepping aside to reveal the veiled entrance. He pulled back the heavy cloak, making way for the King to pass.
Inside the Stronghold, a grand table dominated the chamber. Chairs surrounded it, their occupants rising swiftly upon seeing the King enter. The room radiated power—arcane-class soldiers, their presence exuding undeniable strength.
As King Varyndor strode towards his seat, a towering man clad in crimson armor and robes stepped forward, his voice deep and unwavering. "Vain Thornhelm, Captain of the Crimson Vanguard—Red Army—at your command."
A man in a simple blue robe followed, his expression calm yet calculating. "Nyx Hwake, Captain of the Azure Sentinels—Blue Army—at your command."
A woman in a flowing green kimono adorned with delicate leaf patterns, a dark obi cinched at her waist, and an ōgi (folded fan) in her hand, spoke with a smile. "Sayori Takahashi, Captain of the Emerald Wardens—Green Army—at your command."
A figure shrouded in a dark robe, his black hair casting a shadow over his piercing eyes. "Rylan Drake, Captain of the Obsidian Phantoms—at your command."
A woman with an elegant presence, her violet armor subtly reflecting the chamber's light, inclined her head. "Alina Valgray, Captain of the Violet Dawn Legion—The Blooming Vanguard—at your command."
A stern yet composed man stepped forward, placing a hand over his chest. "In the absence of Eryndor Nightvale, I am Dron Raindel, Vice-Captain of the City Military—at your command, Your Majesty."
Then, a small girl stands on her chair, her ancient-looking yet adorable dress shimmering faintly. Her eyes, resembling the star-strewn sky, bore a celestial symbol within their depths. A soft halo floated above her head. In a gentle, almost ethereal voice, she spoke. "Anya Starling, Captain of the Luminous Ray—Purification Army—at your command, Your Majesty."
The King reaching out to his sit, nodding firmly. "Well then, shall we begin?"
As everyone took their seats, all eyes turned to Anya. She remained standing, her expression neutral as the height of her chair slowly adjusted itself upward, lifting her to eye level with the others. Silence filled the chamber.
Then, King Varyndor broke the tension. "Show me."
At his command, a large hologram materialized, displaying the battlefield beyond the barriers. The Captain of the Royal Guard stood beside the King, watching as Varyndor retrieved a small enchanted stone from his hand and placed it on the table. He double-tapped it with mana, causing it to glow with pulsating energy.
Then, the King's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "You stand upon the sacred land of Aelthor. Proceed any further, and we will have no choice but to eradicate you. State your business." His words echoed from the city walls, amplified by magic.
Dron Raindel hesitated, voice barely above a whisper. "Your Majesty, do you really believe this will work?"
Anya tilted her head slightly. "What a coincidence—I was just about to ask the same."
"It's just formality," the King replied.
"Oh… forgive me, Your Majesty," Raindel muttered, barely containing his nerves. In his mind, he cursed his luck. Where the hell is the Captain? There's too much pressure—I'm going to die. I never imagined I'd be seated beside the captains in a meeting like this.
Vain scoffed and smiled. "Your Majesty, we should attack now before they bring the towers down any further!"
Rylan folded his arms. "I think not."
"No one asked for your opinion," Vain shot back.
"You always act first and think later," Rylan countered. "That's why we have these meetings."
Alina nodded. "The idea crossed my mind as well. If we attack first, do they retaliate immediately? Do they even have the capability to breach our barrier?"
Sayori smiled behind her folded fan. "It warms my heart to see all of us together… though there are many uncertainties. Just today, half our army, led by seven nobles, was dispatched to control the corruption and we lost communication with them. Then, hour later, these Darkcalipers appeared before us. And let's not forget that SSS-rank entity."
The energy surrounding the front towers flickered weakly. A clear sign.
"They don't have the power to break the barrier,". "At least… not yet."
The King activated his communication badge. "Have they located it yet?"
The room fell silent, all eyes on him.
A voice crackled through. "Not yet, Your Majesty."
"Then tell them to hurry. We don't have much time."
The King turned to Sayori. "And you are certain they can't break through?"
Sayori closed her fan with a snap. "It doesn't matter. The tower is still weakening. We have no choice but to strike first."
Varyndor sighed, eyes fixed on the flickering barrier above. "I see… we're running out of options."
A new call came through, this time from the Church. "Your Majesty, the super high-tier magic is ready and awaiting your command."
"Perfect timing"
King smile, He raised his voice in solemn invocation. "In the name of the Creator, the Guardian Deity, I offer this prayer. Grant protection to your children and rid us of this dark corruption."
"Heaven's Judgment—begin."
The heavens rumbled in a deafening roar as the sky crackled with violent energy. Massive bolts of lightning split through the dark clouds, striking the enemy forces with divine fury. The battlefield erupted in chaos as nearly 600 Darkcalipers were obliterated in a single, devastating strike. Smoke and flashes filled the air, and the troops watched in awe.
"Your Majesty, this is our chance! We should attack now while they're scattered!" Vain urged.
The King's sharp eyes caught a dark shadow creeping across the battlefield.
From the mist, more Darkcalipers emerged, crawling over the bodies of their fallen comrades with unsettling ease. Their ranks replenished almost instantly, as though rising from the very darkness itself.
"As I feared."
Raindel's voice trembled. "What is this...? They just... appeared from nowhere."
The captains' eyes wavered in shock.
Hwake, his expression grim yet understanding, spoke first. "This enemy force is no ordinary threat. Dark magic, corruption, or something far more sinister is at play, fueling their endless supply of energy."
Anya scoffed. "So much for the 'super high-tier magic.' Pathetic."
Rylan crossed his arms. "If it wasn't for the barrier, they could—"
"They can break it," Raindel interrupted.
Sayori narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me? What did you say?"
Raindel hesitated. "A-Ah... forgive me. But I think they do have the power to break the barrier."
The King's gaze hardened. "What are you saying?"
Raindel took a deep breath. "This barrier is called Impenetrable, but that's not entirely true. I studied its properties in depth. I'm not as strong as the captains, but I was chosen as Vice-Captain because of my knowledge and decision-making. What I learned is that this barrier can withstand an assault from over 100–150 High Dragons, and each High Dragon is classified as an S-rank threat."
Everyone turned their full attention to Raindel, listening carefully.
"If we assume that one High Dragon equals 10 to 15 Darkcalipers, then they would only need 1,500 to 2,000 Darkcalipers to break through. And don't forget, their numbers are 12,000. Earlier, the super high-tier magic confirmed that they feel neither pain nor hesitation—they don't care if they die. If they truly wanted to, they could break through the barrier easily."
Sayori frowned. "You're right. How could I overlook such an obvious detail? But if they can break the barrier, then why is Tiara targeting the western tower?"
Raindel nodded. "I thought about that too, and only one thing makes sense. I believe she's even more powerful than an SSS-rank threat. As you know, according to the records, our ancestors had to use the Artifact of the Guardian Deity to stop her. That artifact is considered a god-level relic, and no one alive today can wield such a weapon. If we put all these pieces together, it's clear—Tiara wants to announce her return to the world by wiping out an entire kingdom. And she's deliberately letting a few survivors escape to spread the tale by giving us times."
"And if you ask me why she's at the western tower… I'd say it's because of demon lord. And let's not forget Those beings are powerful enough to playing with us like mere pawns"
Rylan clenched his fists. "So you're saying she's toying with us?"
Alina crossed her arms. "He might have a point."
King Varyndor placed a hand on the table. "Are you saying we should abandon hope of victory? Leave our land and flee?"
Raindel straightened. "Ah...! Once, a wise man said: A kingdom does not belong to the land, but to its people and its king."
The room fell silent.
"At the rate the barrier is weakening, we have—at most—50 minutes. Our best course of action is to retreat to the second line of defense, prepare the Five Skull Barrier, and split our forces. Half of the Colorless Soldiers should focus on evacuation, while the others remain to hold the line."
Suddenly, something felt wrong.
The ground trembled. An eerie vibration rippled through the stone walls, sending an uneasy feeling down everyone's spines. The earth rumbled violently.
Before anyone could react, a thunderous roar echoed through the kingdom. The command room shook under the force, monitors flickering wildly. The battlefield screens shuddered, then—on one of the displays—the second tower came into view. A colossal creature had burst from within its depths.
Then, the screen went dark.
Vain Thornhelm shot to his feet, pulling aside the heavy cloak that had blocked the view of the second tower. From the wall tower, they gazed out toward the battlefield.
Every pair of eyes widened in horror.
"What kind of abomination is this?!"
A voice crackled through the communication badge, filled with static and fear. "Your Majesty! That's a... an 2ND SSS-Class monster... How is this even possible?! Where did that thing come from?!"
***