Outskirts of the capital…
The weather is grim, The clouds are crackling with lightning. Rain can come any moment. Winds are blowing very hard.
The sun is covered in dark.
A massive horde of zombies swarmed in from all sides, enshrouding the outskirts. The village’s human residents had evacuated, and a formidable force of soldiers stood positioned 1 kilometer from the outskirts.
Arthur stood at the forefront, accompanied by Derein by his side. King Grok and King Grad flanked them, with ogre soldiers led by No.300 standing alongside.
“Why hasn’t your master arrived?” Arthur inquired of No.300.
“Master will come, He is busy in some business. He told me to lead the forces accordingly to your orders and under Lady Derein’s command only.” No.300 replied with confidence.
“Don’t worry, Arthur. He will come,” Derein reassured as she glanced at Arthur with a warm smile.
“I hope so too. I truly need him here,” Arthur muttered while his gaze remained fixed on the approaching horde of the zombies.
“Shall we launch an attack, Your Majesty?” a knight commander queried Arthur, his face covered in tension.
“No, something is amiss. What are they up to?” Arthur wondered aloud, observing that the zombies weren’t converging on the capital. Instead, they circled around a lone house positioned in the village’s upper left corner.
They were continuously going towards that one house, ignoring all the human soldiers standing in front of them.
“Could there be someone left in that house?” Arthur speculated with a suspicious look.
“No, Your Majesty. According to villagers, no one was within the house, and our soldiers confirmed it twice,” reported a knight captain as he went down on his knees. 𝐞𝗻𝐨𝘃𝗹.𝐜𝐨𝗺
“Then why are these wretched creatures converging on that house?” Arthur mused.
Arthur said as he used a skill.
<Battle Eagle’s eye>
[Battle Eagle’s Eye] [B-Rank] [Thief Class Exclusive Skill]
[This skill can enhance the user’s eye sight and help him look further ahead of him to observe any coming danger or scout any area. This skill can be very useful to a Thief.]
[Warning: using it too much can result in temporary blindness]
“Perhaps we should strike now. We could eliminate many of them at once without suffering any losses,” Grok proposed.
“No, I wish to observe. What is their intent with an abandoned house?” Arthur commanded.
“Understood, Sir.”
Abruptly, the zombies flooded into the house, while others crawled over it. Within moments, thousands of zombies surrounded the house.
“Shall we attack now, Arthur? We risk missing a golden opportunity. A single spell could obliterate thousands,” Grad advised.
“Very well, ready the mages,” Arthur ordered.
“Yes, All mages, prepare your most potent spells. We’re going to obliterate that house,” Grad directed.
“Yes, Sir!” echoed through the ranks.
The mages readied their spells, conjuring magic circles behind them.
“Soldiers, give this attack everything you’ve got. We must annihilate as many as possible,” Arthur urged.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Excellent. Are you all prepared?” Arthur inquired, his voice resonating with authority.
“Yes, Sir!” the mages chorused.
“Very well. Fire your spells on the count of three. And I want maximum defenses deployed on our side to counter the impact. Clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Three… two…”
Booooooom
A massive explosion erupted, but no mage had yet unleashed their spell.
All eyes were on the house, witnessing the disintegration of every zombie in proximity. Emerging from the dissipating dust was a colossal, oval-shaped structure rising from the ground.
As the dust settled, it revealed a towering edifice constructed from copper wires, crowned by an oval metal ring.
Standing at the tower’s base was a man concealed behind a mask.
“Whooo… Remarkable!” Anon boomed with exuberance.
“What in the world is that?” Grok exclaimed, gazing at the monumental structure.
“I-I don’t know,” Grad stammered, equally perplexed.
“Derein, any insight?” Arthur queried.
“I’m as baffled as you are,” Derein replied, her astonishment mirroring that of her companions.
Stepping down from the tower, Anon addressed the assembly.
“Hello, ladies and gentlemen.”
“May I inquire about the nature of that contraption, sir?” Grok asked Anon.
“Ah, you’ve acquired the art of speech. Well, that’s a step forward,” Anon remarked, locking eyes with Grok.
“Hahaha, I deeply apologize for my prior actions, sir. I was ignorant of your abilities,” Grok offered his remorse.
“Hello, Sir. Is that an instrument of warfare?” Arthur asked as he approached.
“Indeed, a weapon. How do you propose to combat this zombie horde singlehandedly?” Anon inquired.
“However, it appears somewhat—”
“Foolish? Absurd? Or feeble?” Anon interrupted, scrutinizing Arthur.
“No, Sir. I’d describe it as ‘peculiar’,” Arthur chose his words cautiously.
“Perceptive.”
Ghhhhhwwwwwaaaaaaa
Kkkkeeeewwwhhhhhhhh
The zombies growled.
“The zombies draw near. I’ll ready my soldiers for an assault,” Arthur announced.
“No, simply shield your soldiers with defensive spells, unless you wish to turn them into crispy nuggets,” Anon advised, retracing his steps toward the tower.
“But, Sir—”
“Never contest me, not even if you’re a king,” Anon warned, marching toward the tower.
“Y-Yes…” Arthur concurred, realizing the gravity of the situation.
“What’s occurring?” Grok inquired.
“Inform the mages to erect all available defensive barriers for our soldiers,” Arthur commanded.
“Shall we not engage them?” Derein questioned.
“He insists that we not hinder him. Comply for now and prepare for action,” Grad directed.
Serious expressions swept across their faces as they exchanged glances.
“Hasten the incantations, or meet your ends,” Anon’s voice reverberated.
“Soldiers, abort offensive maneuvers. Envelop yourselves in all defensive spells,” Arthur issued a swift command.
The soldiers swiftly halted their offensive maneuvers and commenced the defensive ones.
Within a mere 20 seconds, the battlefield was ablaze with a mosaic of colored armors and protective shields.
“Very well. Link, it’s time to manifest,” Anon announced, rolling up his sleeves.
[Master, are you certain about this? You could easily escape. It would ensure your safety.]
“Link, I do not flee. I am the pursuer, not the pursued. Now, manifest and join me,” Anon commanded, advancing toward the tower.
“But, Sir—”
“Do not defy me, even if you wear a crown,” Anon cautioned, nearing the tower.
“Y-Yes, Sir.”