Shield River City, Fifth Legion encampment.
Thunder rumbled and rolled through the lead-gray clouds, and raindrops the size of beans pelted down densely, creating a roaring, splashing sound as if trying to drown the entire camp.
Within the gloomy curtain of rain, one could only barely make out the sporadic, flickering torchlights drifting in the camp, swaying unsteadily, stubbornly resisting the boundless darkness and damp cold.
Yet, even in this foul weather of torrential rain, the constant clang of metal on metal continued to emanate from the training ground.
From time to time, fierce sparks would flare up abruptly in the gloom, briefly tearing through the rain curtain and illuminating two figures rapidly crisscrossing.
"Clang!"
The figures crossed paths again. The knight's sword in Galvin's hand snapped in two, the broken half spinning away to embed itself deeply in the muddy ground in the distance.
Standing opposite him was still that terrifyingly steady figure — Lide.
But compared to a few days ago, he now held a rapier in his hand, its blade reflecting a cold, sharp glint in the rain.
"So this is the Gray Eagle Knight, once the pride of the Fourth Legion. Indeed, there is something unique about it."
"However, Galvin, you yourself surprise me more than the inherited power of the Gray Eagle Family."
With just a few days of his targeted training, he had been forced to draw his sword to block... Such combat talent and growth speed were truly fearsome.
If Galvin had not left the knight order because of that incident back then, the person standing before him now would likely already be a true Extraordinary.
Galvin silently walked to the weapon rack nearby and drew another standard-issue knight's sword.
He stared intently at Lide opposite him and asked in a low voice, "Then how do I compare to Arthur?"
Lide slowly shook his head, rainwater trickling down his resolute cheek. "Galvin, you care too much about winning and losing."
Galvin instantly understood his implication. A stubborn, unwilling-to-lose feeling surged in his heart. With a low roar, he charged forward sword in hand once more.
Yet this time, all that was seen was a dazzling flash in the rain, a light so brilliant it seemed capable of slicing through the rain curtain.
"Crack!"
Before Galvin could even get close to Lide, he was sent flying back again as if struck by an invisible giant hammer, landing heavily in the icy mud.
The match was clearly over.
Only then did the knights who had been watching nervously around the training ground dare to step forward.
Arthur silently walked over and helped the mud-covered Galvin to his feet.
Meanwhile, a young-looking female knight quickly approached Lide, her tone concerned. "Teacher, it looks like this rain will last a long time. You should go inside and warm yourself by the fire, don't catch a cold."
"Alright." Lide nodded. Though his voice still didn't betray much emotion, his attitude towards this young knight was noticeably gentler than towards others.
Inside the dry wooden cabin of the camp, a bonfire burned fiercely, its orange-red flames driving away the damp, cold chill seeping in from outside.
The four of them sat around the fire warming themselves, while Glenn leisurely turned a roasting spit skewered with a plump, tender pigeon beside them. Dripping fat fell into the fire, emitting a tempting sizzling sound.
Lide had already wiped himself dry and changed into comfortable, dry clothes. He led the young female knight to stand before Arthur and Galvin.
"Anna, come meet two seniors of the legion, Arthur and Galvin."
The young knight named Anna seemed a bit nervous. She hurriedly stepped forward and bowed somewhat hastily. "Anna Bates, Official Knight of the Fifth Legion, greetings to you both, seniors!"
Galvin, who had just picked up a wineskin from the table, raised an eyebrow at her words. He gave her a once-over, then looked at Lide. "Your student?"
"Her personality is nothing like yours at all."
Lide was a cold, hard rock, while this girl was like a skittish fawn.
Arthur simply nodded and responded in his raspy voice, "Hello, Knight Anna."
Lide didn't seem to mind their somewhat lukewarm reactions. Instead, he smiled.
"This child has decent talent, but her nature is still a bit timid. I hope she can learn more from seniors like you in the future."
Anna quickly nodded, speaking softly but firmly, "I will work hard!"
Glenn, roasting the pigeon nearby, thought for a moment, his gaze suddenly turning surprised.
"Anna Bates... and a female knight..." He searched his memory carefully. "Could you be the knight who won first place in the Main Kingdom's Knight Training Camp last year?"
"You're from the Snow Jackal Family of the Northern Territory, right? I remember your family is said to have Dwarf bloodline, most of your clansmen are quite... well, burly and robust. How did you..."
He scrutinized Anna carefully. This female knight had fair, delicate skin, completely lacking the rough, wind-and-sun-weathered texture common among northern knights.
Moreover, her figure was quite slender and tall. Aside from her fiery, dazzling red short hair, she bore no resemblance to someone from that family famed for strength and endurance.
Anna grew a bit embarrassed under his gaze, timidly lowering her head.
Lide reached out and gently patted her head, explaining on her behalf. "Her mother comes from a noble family in Smaragdon in Emerald City. Their family is a traditional Anier people family, mostly scholars devoted to studying magic, with a gentler temperament."
Galvin took a swig of the spicy mead, looking at Lide. "Sometimes I really don't know what you're thinking. The day you captured us, you could have just finished us off with one sword strike. Yet you insisted on keeping us until now, even providing good food and drink."
He pointed at Anna. "And now you even tell us about your student... Aren't you afraid we'll cause trouble for her later?"
Lide shook his head, his tone calm and certain. "You're not that kind of person."
"That's hard to say." Galvin snorted, his tone slightly displeased.
Arthur nodded beside him, chiming in, "Galvin indeed wouldn't do such a thing."
Galvin: "..."
He snorted coldly, ignoring everyone, and went back to drinking from his wineskin.
Lide picked up another pot of wine warming by the fire and poured some into the wooden cup in front of Arthur, asking curiously, "Speaking of which, can the Undead drink wine?"
The Soulfire beneath Arthur's helmet flickered slightly, as if seriously contemplating the question.
Then he extended his iron-clad hand, picked up the wooden cup, and poured the liquid into his mouth.
"Pssst—"
A faint hissing sound of evaporation occurred. The wine he had just poured in instantly turned into white steam, drifting out from the gaps in his helmet and disappearing.
"It seems... not possible." Lide's tone carried a hint of regret, though it was unclear whether he was lamenting the wasted wine or something else.
Not long after, a knight came to report on military affairs. Lide nodded and led Anna away from the wooden cabin.
Glenn watched their departing backs, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Strange. Logically speaking, we've been convicted of the serious crime of 'treason.' Not only does this guy not tie us up and keep us under strict guard, he even treats us to good food and drink every time..."
He suddenly grew alert. "Could there be some conspiracy? Or does he want to extract some useful information from us?"
He immediately puffed out his chest, a look of pride on his face. "Hmph! I, Glenn, am Her Highness Princess Louisa's most loyal minister! Even if beaten to death, I would never reveal a single bit of information!"
Galvin glanced at this self-impressed fellow and spoke flatly, "The summer Magical Tides are not far off. Contact the Kingdom. We need the latest confirmed intelligence."
To prevent the gel from being confiscated again, they had entrusted all the gel used for communication to Glenn, who had little presence in the camp.
Now, only he could safely contact the Slime Kingdom.
"You're really no fun." Glenn pouted, but still carefully retrieved the gel from his inner pocket.
He clasped his hands together as if in prayer, focusing his mind to attempt contact.
Galvin shifted his gaze from Glenn to Arthur, who had once again started staring blankly at the bonfire.
He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Something on your mind?"
"Why have you been spacing out so much lately? Missing your sister again?"
Arthur's right hand subconsciously covered the area over his heart where the Sunblossom and Count Bran's blessed feather lay, radiating a warmth even his undead remains could feel.
He slowly shook his head, rasping, "It's nothing. I just feel like taking a walk in the forest lately, to see the Flower Garden."
There were some things he didn't say out loud.
Generally speaking... the Undead do not dream.
But lately, he kept dreaming of returning to that forest, standing guard by that Flower Garden with Alice, waiting for that purple little flower that was always the last to bloom.
And Count Bran and His Majesty stood on the City Wall of the Outpost not far away, conversing about things he couldn't quite hear.
Arthur had a premonition in his heart. It seemed that once he could clearly hear what His Majesty and Count Bran were saying, that flower would truly be able to bloom.
As for what would happen after the flower bloomed, he did not know.
Galvin couldn't understand, shook his head, and went back to drinking by himself.
Not long after, Glenn opened his eyes, a look of pleasant surprise on his face.
"Good news. The Magical Creature Legion has completely occupied the Dark Realm and is now gathering towards the direction of Storm Fortress, just waiting for the summer Magical Tides in a few days."
He rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Once the Magical Tides arrive and the defense of Storm Fortress comes under pressure, this guy Lide will definitely be recalled to the fortress. That's when we can seize the chance to escape Shield River City."
Galvin paused in his drinking.
"Occupied... the Dark Realm?"
Having dealt with those Vampires for so many years, he naturally knew how troublesome and cunning they were, and he was even more aware of the grandeur and sturdiness of that Graystone Bulwark.
In such a short time, His Majesty had not only breached the Graystone Bulwark but had completely occupied the entire Dark Realm... To be honest, this completely exceeded his previous expectations.
No wonder Glenn excitedly called it "good news."
He put down the wineskin and said in a low voice, "We need a detailed plan."
"A meticulous plan that ensures we escape this legion encampment without a hitch."
Glenn immediately patted his chest, confidence on his face. "Leave it to me!"
He lowered his voice, a hint of smugness in his tone. "No one's been paying attention to me these past few days. I've already thoroughly figured out the patrol patterns of the encampment, the sentry shift change times, and those easily overlooked blind spots. I guarantee that once Lide leaves, we can slip out without anyone noticing, absolutely no one will discover us."
Arthur nodded, his Soulfire burning steadily. "Thank you for your trouble, Glenn."
Glenn extended his hand, a cooperative smile on his face. "Gentlemen, a pleasant cooperation. I hope you can protect me when the time comes and ensure we safely reach the rendezvous point."
"Pleasant cooperation." Arthur placed his iron-clad hand on Glenn's, then looked at Galvin.
Galvin glanced at Glenn's outstretched hand and snorted. "A meaningless gesture."
Despite his words, he ultimately, somewhat reluctantly, extended his own hand and briefly touched theirs.
...
And it wasn't just Arthur and the other two who received news of the Magical Creature Legion's movements.
Deep within the noisy and shadowy underground tavern of Shield River City, the chaotic believers of the Blade of Vengeance received the intelligence, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
At the top of the snowy mountain mage tower outside the city, which overlooked the entire Border, Princess Louisa stood by the window, gazing at the faintly visible outline of Storm Fortress in the rain curtain, the intelligence clutched tightly in her hand, her gaze profound.
On the surface, the entire Storm Territory seemed calm, but underneath, turbulent undercurrents had long been swirling.
All parties, whether for loyalty, ambition, vengeance, or survival, had unanimously begun their final preparations and secret mobilizations.
Everyone's gaze had converged on that strategic pass guarding the Kingdom's throat to the west — Storm Fortress.
A storm centered around this fortress was quietly brewing beneath the continuous curtain of rain.
Three days later, Storm Fortress.
Even at noon, the surroundings were terribly gloomy. Only the orange-yellow light of torches could slightly dispel this oppressive darkness.
The entire fortress stood like a dark, towering monolith, silent and suffocating.
On the City Wall, knightly figures stood as steadfast as statues almost every few meters, eyes fixed ahead.
Seeing a figure walk past, they respectfully bowed their heads one after another. "Greetings, Lady Alice."
Alice gave a slight nod, stopping her steps to stand before the battlements. She extended her palm, feeling no raindrops fall.
The wind had stopped. The rain had stopped too.
It seemed like a good thing, but in reality, it signaled the arrival of the Magical Tides.
Looking up, the usual lead-gray sky had transformed into a bizarre tapestry of deep, magical purple and sickly, dark green.
Violent Mana was gathering everywhere one could see, attracting countless pairs of eyes glowing with green light. The air was thick with the lingering scent of sulfur and a foul, fishy stench.
"So it has finally come..."
Alice took a deep breath, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the area behind the fortress.
That was the direction of Shield River City, and also where Arthur was imprisoned.
She still habitually took out the silver pendant around her neck, praying to that guardian presence.
"Cardos above, please keep my brother safe and sound."