The Order’s Flame (4)
The battle concluded swiftly.
While Dalen performed an aerial display, dismantling two blue dragons, Akasha swiftly tore into the neck of a fleeing green dragon.
On the ground, Bjorn’s bombardment quickly incapacitated the monster horde.
By the time Sienna’s spells had cleared the remaining creatures and rescued the survivors, Lucia, having regained her strength, descended into the valley to regroup and command the troops.
“Lieutenant, report the survivors.”
“Thirty-four paladins, two hundred fifty-five crusaders. Out of five hundred in the detachment, two hundred eighty-nine survived.”
”…We’ll deal with the bodies later. For now, let’s retreat within the holy barrier.”
Under Lucia’s command, the three hundred survivors retraced their steps.
The detachment had suffered near-catastrophic losses, and their mission to reclaim the fortress had failed.
Their steps were heavy, yet surprisingly, the mood wasn’t entirely grim.
Sometimes, a glimmer of hope can outshine the misfortune right before your eyes.
The prowess of their group, who had literally sliced through dragons that even high-ranking knights couldn’t approach, was enough to be seen as a beacon of hope.
“Did you see the pillar of fire from the bomb? I could feel the heat from here. That dwarf is said to be the famous one-eyed master craftsman.”
“Sure, the gunpowder was impressive, but seeing dragon blood and flesh rain from the sky… I’ve never witnessed anything like it.”
“Isn’t that the rumored dragon slayer? The one who vanished after beheading the Azure Dragon a few years back.”
“They say they’re all companions of Lady Lucia. Seems she befriended them during her mission in the northern continent.”
The spark of hope made even the fatigue of battle fade away.
During brief breaks in their march, the crusaders couldn’t stop talking about the group’s extraordinary skills.
Even for those accustomed to daily skirmishes with monsters, witnessing such a battle was rare.
“Is that kid the dragon from earlier? The one with blue scales that bit into the green dragon in the sky?”
“They say dragons can transform into any form they desire. Seems it’s not just a legend.”
The paladins weren’t much different.
However, being closer to Lucia, they had heard more about her companions.
Thus, their attention was particularly drawn to Akasha, the Azure Dragon, who hadn’t been emphasized much in Lucia’s stories.
“Come to think of it, blue scales mean an Azure Dragon, right? They found an empty nest and eggshells in the Azure Dragon’s lair.”
“Ah, there are many blue-scaled dragons. And isn’t it said that the dragon slayer travels with a dragon? Would you follow the one who killed your parent? That’s absurd.”
”…”
Hearing such nonsense about betrayal would surely upset any dragon.
As a paladin scolded his companion for speaking nonsense, Dalen, walking a bit ahead, scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
Akasha had accepted Dalen as a parent due to the unique nature of true dragons.
After hatching, they recognize the first true dragon they see as their parent.
Even with their high intelligence, knowing who their biological parents are, they choose the first true dragon they see as their parent.
[This is why cross-species empathy is necessary. A dragon’s logic is distinctly different from a human’s. Isn’t that right?]
”…Sorry, but I’m human.”
[It’s fine. You’re quite open-minded, Dalen. The time we’ll spend together will be enough to bridge the gap between our species.]
Damn. It’s hard to say anything.
Ignoring the ancient dragon’s usual ramblings, Dalen turned his gaze to Akasha, who was walking a bit away.
Even though they lowered their voices, there was no way the young true dragon couldn’t hear the whispers.
‘As expected.’
His ears twitched, and his eyes darted around uncertainly.
Pretending not to care, but clearly listening intently.
Fortunately, the boy’s expression didn’t seem too displeased with the gossip.
Judging by his twitching lips, he seemed rather proud.
”…”
When their eyes met, he flashed a silent, confident smile, as if to say, “I did well, didn’t I?”
What is this, a wagging puppy? Unsure of what to say, Dalen could only offer a neutral gaze until Lucia intervened between them.
“Akasha, when did you grow so much? I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Thank you, Mother. You grow more beautiful by the day.”
“Hmm, where did you learn to say such things?”
With a meaningful smile, Lucia ruffled his hair, and the atmosphere softened inexplicably.
Noticing the paladin’s gaze, Dalen shrugged.
“What did I do?”
“Nothing. Just noticed how much Akasha has grown.”
“He’s still far from being a full-grown dragon. He has much more growing to do. He wants to be a son his father and mothers can be proud of.”
”…Mothers?”
The hand ruffling his hair froze. The atmosphere turned cold, as if it had never been warm.
”…Dalen?”
Her voice had a sharp edge. Dalen avoided the paladin’s gaze and shrugged again.
What? What did I do?
The group left the mountain range overnight and reached their destination, the main base, by the next evening.
The location of the main base was visible from afar.
A massive silver barrier stretched high into the sky, faintly glowing even under the midday sun.
“It’s a holy barrier centered around the main base and sanctuaries. I learned recently that the locations of the main base and sanctuaries were designed to form a large-scale magic array for times like this.”
Lucia explained.
Dalen was aware of this too. The main base of the Paladin Order was the final line of defense against the rift.
But sturdy walls and siege weapons alone weren’t enough to hold back the demon horde. So, the pioneers who founded the Paladin Order a thousand years ago prepared a last-resort defense.
‘A holy barrier only the Grandmaster can access.’
The sanctuaries scattered across the vast plains surrounded by the mountain range weren’t just supply depots or armories.
The locations of the sanctuaries were actually focal points of a massive magic array.
The holy barrier, based on the main base and sanctuaries, was a powerful defense that even a great demon or evil god couldn’t easily breach.
It was similar to how Falcion functioned as a massive barrier array for the city.
The timing of their establishment was also similar, so there might be a connection between their founders.
‘Edgar would know. Though he’s probably too busy with the barrier now.’
Dalen brushed aside his thoughts as he stopped before the silver barrier.
For now, the origin of the holy barrier wasn’t as important as its function.
The holy barrier, activated and maintained solely by the Grandmaster, fundamentally blocked demons and monsters.
Whether it could withstand the full assault of the evil god was uncertain, but it was enough to buy them time for now.
The group passed through the holy barrier and headed straight for the main base.
The barrier trembled slightly as Dalen and Akasha passed through, but nothing significant happened.
It was likely because Edgar, the Grandmaster, was personally controlling the barrier. He was undoubtedly focusing his mind without rest all day.
Of course, it wasn’t just Edgar who couldn’t rest properly.
The Paladin Order had been under constant attack from the dragon legion for months.
The fortresses inside the rift had long since fallen, and the Paladin Order was fighting daily to reclaim even an inch of the defensive line.
“Ballista, over here!”
“We need more boiling oil on the east wall!”
“We just returned from the rift. We have injured! We need healing prayers!”
“Karel! Karel!”
It was chaos.
Crusader squads ran frantically. Mules and carts carried arrows and spears. Those who seemed fresh from battle were covered in blood and dust, and the procession ended with a paladin clutching a comrade’s cold body, wailing.
“I can’t believe my eyes. Is this truly the Paladin Order with a thousand-year history?”
“I heard the news, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad…”
“We must return to the Golden Palace as soon as possible. If the Paladin Order is in this state, other regions of the continent must be worse.”
The group was visibly shocked. It was only natural.
Knowing the might of the Paladin Order, which had guarded the rift for a millennium, made it harder to accept their current state.
Even Dalen, who had witnessed the Order’s downfall countless times through a monitor, couldn’t help but harden his expression at the scene before him.
The air, thick with the stench of blood and oppressive heat, was a reality that mere polygons and code couldn’t convey.
Leading the group, Lucia sighed with a heavy heart.
”…All detachment members, take a rest. Further instructions and reassignment due to casualties will be communicated later.”
The surviving detachment members dispersed according to their ranks and affiliations.
The weary travelers, led by a paladin, went off to rest. Meanwhile, Dalen and Lucia headed deeper into the main hall. They had a task to complete before they could relax.
Creeeeak…
As they approached the massive domed building at the heart of the compound, the heavy doors slowly swung open, as if anticipating their arrival.
Inside was a vast hall, devoid of windows or even the slightest crack.
In the center, kneeling in silent meditation, was Edgar Reinhardt, the leader of the Holy Knights. He lifted his head as they entered.
”…You’ve arrived.”
His unfocused eyes seemed to gaze at the entrance. As Dalen and Lucia stepped inside, the doors closed behind them.
Despite the sealed entrance, the hall was not shrouded in darkness. Lines and symbols intricately carved from ceiling to floor emitted a gentle glow.
“A central ritual circle of sacred law,” Dalen thought.
The hall, without a single torch, was illuminated by the soft light of the inscriptions. Occasionally, a silvery wave would ripple out from where Edgar sat, slowly filling the space.
Lucia stepped forward and spoke.
“Commander, we’ve returned from the mission you assigned us. Unfortunately, we couldn’t reclaim the fortress…”
“I know, Dame Lucia. You did well. Not only did you slay the dragon, but you also bravely faced its breath to protect your comrades. I am deeply impressed.”
“How did you…?”
“The divine showed me last night.”
Edgar smiled faintly. Dalen nodded in understanding.
“Truly, you are a guide.”
Reflecting on their first meeting, Dalen recalled how Edgar had awaited them, foreseeing their arrival. Despite having no control over his visions, Edgar’s prophetic gift was as precise and useful as that of the most revered seers.
The commander turned his unfocused gaze toward them and continued.
“The divine has also revealed things about you, Dalen.”
“About me?”
“The divine is always watching over you. Recently, they have even appeared to you directly.”
His faint smile grew slightly.
“You’ve come to descend into the labyrinth through the rift. Is the Stone of Wishes truly your goal?”