CHAPTER - 17

❈ KINGDOM OF CELESTIA ❈

Night had fallen over the frontlines of the Kingdom of Celestia. Amidst the darkness, tension hung heavy in the air. Soldiers stood guard, their eyes sharp and alert, ready for any monstrous attack that could strike at any moment.

The dim glow of torches flickered along the defensive line, casting eerie shadows across the battlefield. Armed warriors, shields in hand and swords at the ready, stood unwavering at their posts, their gazes fixed on the looming darkness beyond.

Inside the tents, others rested after an exhausting day. They sat around small campfires, seeking comfort in the warmth of the flames while sharing stories and laughter. Their voices, though lighthearted, could not completely drown out the unease that lurked in their hearts.

Despite their attempts at finding solace, the lingering sense of dread remained. They all knew that danger lurked just beyond their sight, and they had to be prepared when the inevitable attack came.

Beyond the defensive lines, the full moon shone brightly in the night sky, casting its pale glow over the battlefield. The night wind whispered through the trees, its gentle hum blending into the quiet but tense atmosphere.

Some soldiers tilted their heads towards the sky, eyes scanning the stars, searching for any signs or omens. They were painfully aware that the monsters could strike from anywhere, and they had to remain vigilant until dawn.

Meanwhile, deep within the heart of the kingdom, King Aldric sat upon his throne, his expression grave. He was surrounded by his advisors, who delivered urgent reports from the frontlines. Their eyes held worry, but also unwavering determination to protect their kingdom.

“We must remain alert, even if the night seems calm,” King Aldric declared firmly. “We must not underestimate the enemy’s strength. We need to be ready to act at a moment’s notice.”

Back on the battlefield, not far from the encampments, General Red was cutting down stray monsters that lurked nearby.

“So far, only small monsters have appeared,” Red muttered, wiping his blade. “I don’t like this calm... it feels as though something bigger is coming.”

“Yes, General, this is quite unsettling,” one of his subordinates responded.

DRAP DRAP DRAP

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the camp.

It was a soldier, sprinting towards General Red, his face pale with urgency.

“SIR RED! Our scouts have found someone gravely injured! He’s currently being treated by our healers!” the soldier reported breathlessly.

General Red nodded, his expression hardening. The presence of a wounded scout in the middle of the battlefield only added to the growing unease.

“Take me to him,” he ordered, his tone firm.

The soldier immediately led the general to the medical tent, where the wounded scout was being treated. The tent was a flurry of activity, healers working tirelessly to tend to the injured.

Lying among them was the scout, his body covered in bandages. His face was pale, his breathing labored, but his eyes still held the glint of a warrior’s resolve.

General Red stepped closer, careful not to agitate the injured man further. “What happened?” he asked, his voice steady but pressing.

The scout barely managed to lift his head, his weary gaze locking onto the general. “I... I saw something, General,” he rasped.

Red’s eyes sharpened. “What did you see?” he demanded.

The scout swallowed hard, mustering the strength to speak.

“A massive army... hiding in the forest... they’re moving towards us...” he wheezed.

General Red inhaled sharply, his mind quickly processing the information. “How many did you see?” he asked, his voice unwavering.

The scout coughed, his voice barely above a whisper. “Too many to count... it’s as if the entire forest is concealing them...”

A heavy silence fell over the tent. The soldiers around them exchanged anxious glances, the weight of the revelation settling over them like a thick fog.

Whispers spread among the ranks, fear creeping into their voices as they realized the scale of the battle ahead.

“TEN-HUT!” General Red’s voice boomed, cutting through the rising panic.

The soldiers snapped to attention, silencing their murmurs.

Red’s gaze swept over them, his expression fierce. He knew that fear could crumble morale, and in a battle of this scale, morale was just as important as strength.

“We have faced countless battles before,” he declared, his voice ringing with unwavering authority. “We have trained for this. We have fought alongside each other, endured hardships together. This is no different. We are strong, and together, we will stand against this threat!”

The soldiers listened, the fire of determination returning to their eyes.

“Prepare yourselves,” Red continued, his voice resolute. “We do not retreat. We do not cower. We fight to protect the Kingdom of Celestia!”

With renewed vigor, the troops set to work. They inspected their weapons, reinforced their armor, and readied their battle formations.

General Red moved through the ranks, offering words of encouragement, ensuring that every man was ready to stand their ground.

The night passed without a major attack. But the silence only made the anticipation more suffocating.

• EDWARD CELESTIA’S POV •

Elsewhere, Edward came to a halt, his gaze fixed on the distant chaos—the sight of monsters rampaging through towns and villages beyond the river.

A faint pulse rippled through the air. The echoes of war played out in his mind.

The morning air was still, but tainted with the stench of blood. Edward’s eyes lingered on the bodies littering the ground—a grim reminder of the sacrifices made. Yet, his face remained unreadable.

But deep within his cold stare, a fire burned. A hunger. A relentless ambition.

“This is a sacrifice worth making,” he murmured, his voice barely carried by the wind. “Be proud. You have become the stepping stones to my ascent.”

There was no sorrow in his voice. No grief. To him, this was merely a necessary step towards his ultimate goal.

His gaze stretched towards the approaching horde of monsters, yet he did not react. His mind was set on the bigger picture—the grand prize waiting at the end of this blood-soaked path.

And as his heart pounded with an unshakable resolve, he could feel it. The moment was drawing near. The moment when everything would finally fall into place.

But even as excitement coursed through his veins, a whisper of tension remained. A battle of this scale carried no guarantees. The outcome was still unwritten.

Yet, Edward did not waver. He had come too far to turn back now.

For him, victory was the only path forward.

With determined steps, he pressed on towards the capital, his heart brimming with unyielding resolve.

No matter what obstacles lay ahead, he would not falter. He had sworn to see this through until the very end.

Because in this world, there was no place for weakness.

Only power. Only unwavering will.

“This is your doing,” he whispered to no one in particular, his voice laced with cold certainty. “Now, face the consequences.”