The Anti-Empire Alliance began their march at first light.
Perhaps because the demon realm was tainted by dark magic, the demonic energy grew stronger as night fell, making the environment increasingly hostile. But when the sun rose, conditions became relatively easier to navigate. This was due to the nature of the dark magic, which responded to darkness.
Thus, the Anti-Empire Alliance moved in sync with the sun’s cycle.
“This is truly unsettling,” Jared muttered after passing through an imperial city.
“Everyone seems out of their minds,” another added.
Since crossing the border, the Empire had imposed no resistance against the Alliance.
This allowed Yuri to stop in cities and replenish supplies freely.
But what she saw among the Empire’s people was eerie—they appeared dazed, as if under a spell.
Despite the chaos around them, they busied themselves with routine tasks and bore exorbitant taxes without complaint.
When Yuri threatened the local lord with her sword, demanding supplies, the lord simply nodded silently, as if resigned.
They were like puppets stripped of their will.
“It must be the dark magic,” someone guessed.
“But it’s too strange. Like they’re possessed,” another said.
“Possessed is exactly what they are,” Hernando suddenly interjected, stepping forward.
“The dark magic controls the entire Empire. Every imperial citizen stands on a magic circle, being drained as ingredients for spellcraft. We need to end this quickly.”
“That’s just… disgusting.”
Jared’s voice trailed off into a bitter laugh.
“Calling it disgusting almost humanizes it—it doesn’t fit.”
Hernando gave a wry smile.
“Exactly. The Empire is inhuman. Truly demonic.”
Similar scenes repeated as they advanced.
Cities and villages alike welcomed the Alliance without any defense.
Yuri had no intention of dragging ordinary citizens into the fight. After securing what they needed, they left each place promptly.
Yet no one relaxed.
Seeing the Empire’s condition, the Alliance soldiers felt only unease.
The Empire’s landscape was grotesque.
“Bring that farmer over,” Yuri ordered.
“Understood.”
Riding with the troops, Yuri spotted a lone farmer in the distance and sent Jared to fetch him.
Jared returned with the man, who looked up at Yuri expressionlessly.
“You a farmer?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Isn’t it war? Why don’t you run?”
“Farmers like me just do what we must, my lord.”
“Don’t you fear we might harm you?”
“I only do what I must, my lord.”
The knights nearby shook their heads in disbelief.
All the Empire’s people were like this.
“I want to meet the Emperor. Where can I find him?”
“What do I know of such a noble man? Perhaps the imperial palace, my lord?”
No matter what they asked, the answers were the same.
Finally, Yuri changed her question.
“I want to meet Cedric.”
At once, the farmer’s demeanor shifted. The man who had been bowing his head and speaking slowly suddenly lifted his face, curling his lips into a strange smile aimed at Yuri.
“Go to Zbeta, my lord.”
His tone grew sharp and quick.
“Go to Zbeta. You will wait. Go to Zbeta. You will wait. Go to Zbeta. He awaits you. Go to Zbeta. He will greet you. Go to Zbeta. Zbeta, Zbeta, go to Zbeta…”
The farmer hissed like a snake, flicking his tongue.
The knights reached for their swords in alarm, but Yuri shook her head to stop them.
“Zbeta, Zbeta…”
“Understood. We’ll do that.”
As Yuri spoke, the farmer’s wide eyes snapped shut.
He returned to his passive posture and bowed deeply.
“Yes, my lord…”
Everyone watching shivered.
Dark magic had taken control even of this simple farmer’s mind. The repeated urging to go to Zbeta felt like a prearranged message, as if Cedric had anticipated Yuri’s question.
“Return.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
The farmer slowly returned to his field, bending over his work as if nothing had happened.
Watching him resume his labor, Yuri murmured, “The destination is set.”
“My lord,” Einer spoke up beside her, “If they’re all like this, wouldn’t it be better to seize the imperial palace first?”
The palace might be empty, too.
But not only Yuri, but the other knights shook their heads.
As Jared had said earlier, this war was inhuman.
Taking the palace to pressure the enemy or threatening them with the imperial court wouldn’t work.
“You just saw it. That won’t work.”
“True,” Einer nodded reluctantly.
“I was just suggesting.”
He seemed deep in thought before the coming battle.
Yuri said, “I understand the desire to improve our odds, but we’re going straight to Zbeta.”
“Yes, my lord.”
They had been to Zbeta before, only to be turned back by Cedric.
This time, it wouldn’t end that way. No matter who died, they would settle this properly.
“Tirvo.”
“Yes?”
“Raise the banners high.”
“Understood!”
As always, Yuri led the army from the front.
Calcio was stunned by the brutal battle erupting suddenly before the city walls.
Not only were two armies appearing out of nowhere, but they were also fighting each other fiercely.
The scale and intensity were staggering.
Eastern warriors swung their blades, clashing midair with explosive force.
The air trembled, and the ground shook.
“What on earth is going on?” Calcio muttered.
“Are they both enemies? Or should we help one side?”
“That’s…”
It was impossible to say who would win. Even if the battle ended, the victor would be battered and broken.
Most would likely die.
Calcio hesitated.
Then, a woman’s voice rang out.
“You fight well.”
It was a voice he’d never heard before, yet it compelled everyone to pay attention.
Like entranced, all turned to look.
A captivating woman in a dress stood there.
“You are…?”
Calcio instinctively knew she was no ordinary human.
Her irises shimmered with an eerie light.
Ignoring the soldiers around her, she walked to the battlements and watched the deadly fight.
“One fights for dark magic, the other against it.”
“Who are you?”
“Good question. Had you not asked, I might have been disappointed enough to tear down these walls and leave…”
“Excuse me?”
“I am the great dragon Cruar. Surely you’ve heard the name.”
Few on the continent didn’t know Cruar—the last of the dragons and one of the Ten Great Powers.
Calcio instinctively stepped back. The soldiers on the walls followed, wary.
Cruar shook her head.
“I have not come to harm you.”
“W-why would someone so great come all the way to Saidor…?”
Calcio’s voice trembled.
Though she appeared a beautiful woman, she was something entirely different.
If she were human, he might have joked, but knowing nothing of her mind, he could only be tense.
Cruar answered.
“Nervous? Good.”
“Huh?”
“If you’d been too casual before the great dragon Cruar, I’d have singed half your body to remind you.”
“Huh?”
“I am here to offer a small favor to Yuri Briole.”
“What…?”
Cruar placed one foot on the battlement.
“Consider it an honor to have seen me.”
Then she leapt down.
Just as Calcio reflexively looked over the wall, a radiant light burst forth.
Countless lights of indescribable color poured out, then something soared upward.
Calcio’s eyes followed to the sky.
A vast pair of wings spread wide.
Cruar revealed her true form.
“Ah…”
Calcio realized that dragons were beings whose mere presence inspired awe.
Her wings seemed to command the very air, her scales reflecting light in every color imaginable.
Then the dragon’s mouth opened.
[Powerful Word of Authority: Kill.]
The words echoed through the air.
Calcio recognized it as a Dragon Word—the legendary spell said to kill those who heard it.
Yet no one nearby showed any immediate reaction.
The signs appeared on the distant battlefield.
Those clad in black began to fall one by one.
As they collapsed like dominoes, confusion rippled through the front lines.
Not all died. Those with strong will trembled, stiffening as if resisting the Dragon Word.
But about half the troops crumpled where they stood.
The power was immense.
The stalled battlefront began moving again.
The black-clad forces were pushed back relentlessly, while the Eastern warriors pressed their advantage.
After finishing her task, Cruar returned to the battlements.
She was once again the woman in the dress.
“Haah…”
Calcio and everyone on the walls felt reverence for her.
With a single act, she had completely changed the course of the war.
“I used too much power. I’m tired.”
As Cruar leaned on the battlement, Calcio shouted,
“Quick, bring a chair! A chair!”
“Yes, yes!”
“Thank you for your hard work, Cruar. Now, please rest.”
“It’s too soon to rest.”
Cruar shook her head.
“I still have work to do.”
“Work, you say…?”
“First, this battle has to end.”
At her words, Calcio turned his gaze.
Though half their forces had fallen, the black-clad Eastern army refused to break easily. They fought back with desperate fury.
“Are those in black on the Empire’s side?”
“Yes. They’re called the Demonic Cult in the East.”
“And the others opposing them?”
“They’re from the Martial Alliance. Not exactly my favorite people, but they’ll be useful in helping Yuri Briole in this fight.”
Calcio’s face brightened now that he knew she was on their side. As he opened his mouth to ask more, Cruar raised a hand.
“Wait. Quiet.”
“Ah, sorry.”
Cruar seemed to need a moment’s rest.
Following Calcio’s orders, soldiers soon brought chairs, towels, and light refreshments. She wiped the sweat from her brow and sipped some water but didn’t eat.
Meanwhile, the battle beyond was reaching its climax.
Suddenly, the crowd parted as two warriors stepped forward to face each other one-on-one.
No one interfered.
“Looks like the leaders are settling this themselves,” Cruar said with a faint smile.
“Both are among the top ten fighters in the Western Regions.”
“Really?”
Everyone scrambled to find telescopes. The average soldier’s eyes weren’t sharp enough to see the duel clearly with the naked eye.
Then, something spherical appeared above the wall, projecting a live image of the two combatants far below.
Eyes widened in surprise as Cruar’s voice echoed.
“If you don’t thank the merciful dragon Cruar for broadcasting even this fight, I might just turn the walls into a sea of fire…”
Understanding her tone, the soldiers of Saidore quickly voiced their gratitude.
Pleased, Cruar rewarded them with an even larger, clearer image.
Thus, the duel between Martial Alliance leader Jang Younghak and Black Death Sect master Magunak unfolded vividly before the eyes of Saidore’s soldiers.