The sight was overwhelming-a hundred thousand soldiers standing in perfect formation.
The thunderous noise that had filled the air earlier wasn’t a natural disaster but the synchronized march of this massive army.
Their perfectly timed footsteps sounded like rolling thunder, shaking the ground beneath them.
Despite their numbers, there wasn’t even a hint of disorder. A sea of green uniforms, every soldier moving in unison, their disciplined ranks radiating power and authority.
It was a display of strength that left no room for doubt-this was an army ready for anything.
Even the most battle-hardened veterans would have felt a twinge of awe at the sheer scale of it.
It was nothing short of terrifying for the ordinary people, those who had never seen such a spectacle.
How could anyone remain unmoved in the face of such overwhelming force?
Nathan stood at the front, watching the army approach, his mind racing with questions.
Just then, a middle-aged man flanked by two guards appeared.
Nathan sighed in relief, his tension easing as he turned to calm the crowd.
“No need to panic,” Nathan said, his voice carrying over the murmurs. “This is Enoch Bernard, a commander from the Inassea region. He’s here at my father’s request to help me.”
With that, the nervous energy in the crowd began to dissipate. People exchanged glances, reassured by Nathan’s words.
Whispers of admiration spread among them-many were awestruck by Nathan’s powerful connections.
As Enoch approached, the crowd of nearly twenty thousand parted, allowing him to pass.
The cheers were deafening, a wave of excitement rippling through the masses.
With Nathan by his side, Enoch’s steps were firm and deliberate as he advanced toward Greedy Wolf.
Enoch snapped to attention when he reached him, his posture sharp and disciplined, before saluting.
“Vice Commander, the one hundred thousand infantry soldiers from Inassea are fully assembled and awaiting your orders!”
Greedy Wolf was no ordinary officer. He was a figure of myth within the military ranks, always seen at the side of top-level commanders, wielding significant influence.
Though Enoch had heard of him many times, he had never had the privilege of speaking to him directly.
To stand before him now was a moment Enoch had never imagined, and he couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement and awe.
Greedy Wolf gave Enoch a brief yet piercing look before turning to Kayden. “This is the Defender of the South from Seclela,” he said with a nod. “I believe no further introduction is needed.”
The weight of those words hit Nathan like a sledgehammer. He had thought he understood the situation, but now he realized how little he knew.
The gravity of Greedy Wolf’s and Kayden’s identities was far beyond what he had anticipated. At that moment, Nathan felt his previous assumptions crumble, revealing just how shallow his understanding had been.
Enoch froze at Greedy Wolf’s words. His eyes widened, and his entire body tensed as he slowly turned to look at the unassuming young man standing nearby.
The man’s clothes were simple, but his presence was overwhelming.
Enoch’s legs gave way, and he dropped to his knees with a loud thud, bowing his head very low. His voice trembled with reverence and fear as he spoke.
“I am Enoch Bernard, the Commander of the Inassea, reporting to the Defender of the South!”
His words shook, and his body quivered uncontrollably. His teeth even chattered, betraying the sheer terror coursing through him.
This man was a legend.
His feats were spoken of in hushed tones throughout the military.
He was the man who single-handedly took down the Commanders of Ten Nations in battle.
With nothing more than an old, worn sword, he had struck fear into the hearts of thousands, forcing entire armies to retreat without ever crossing the border.
His story was renowned. In this region, everyone knew of him. His name inspired respect and admiration among even the bravest warriors.
And there were rumors-whispers among the ranks-that Fletcher, another military giant, was none other than one of his subordinates.
Who would have ever guessed that such a legendary figure turned out to be a man so young, so seemingly ordinary?
The crowd of twenty thousand had fallen into stunned silence. They held their breath, unable to tear their eyes away from the unbelievable scene unfolding before them.
Enoch Bernard, the Commander of Inassea, a man who commanded one hundred thousand soldiers, stood before the bodyguards and offered them a sharp military salute-an act signifying his utmost respect for their superior rank.
But when he turned to face the disheveled, weary-looking young man, he did something no one could have predicted.
He dropped to his knees.
Who was this young man?
What kind of person could compel a man of Enoch’s status to kneel?
The question rippled through the crowd as confusion and awe filled the air. They had always known Enoch as a man of power and authority, yet here he was, bowing in submission.
It defied everything they knew.
The silence deepened, and it was very quiet.
“Enough. Stand up,” Kayden said quietly, his voice steady, devoid of arrogance or urgency. It was an order, simple and controlled, yet it carried an undeniable weight.
“Yes, sir!” Enoch exhaled sharply, his back soaked with sweat, the tension in his body palpable as he rose to his feet.
Kayden advanced a step, his gaze cool, his tone unchanged. “Enoch, you seem to have a close connection with certain underworld organizations, don’t you?”
Enoch had barely straightened before the question hit him like a blow. He immediately fell back to his knees, his face pale with fear. “Defender, I swear, I would never dare to collude with anyone outside our ranks! I-”
“Enough!” Kayden’s voice cut through the air with finality, silencing Enoch before he could finish. Enoch dared not utter another word, his mouth snapping shut as he knelt there, trembling.
Kayden then turned his attention to Nathan, his expression calm, yet the authority in his voice was suffocating. There was no need for anger or force; his quiet dominance was far more terrifying. “Nathan,” he said, “this is the man I’ve brought to assist us. Now, tell me, what’s our next move?”
Nathan’s heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst from his chest. The twenty thousand men standing behind him, who had once seemed like an unshakable force, now felt insignificant and powerless in the face of Kayden’s quiet command.
Desperation clawed at him, and his eyes darted toward Enoch, seeking any form of salvation. “Mr. Bernard, help me! Please… Help me, Mr. Bernard!” Nathan’s voice cracked, raw with panic, as he pleaded.
But Enoch, already struggling with his own predicament, could offer no help.
He cast a quick, almost pitying glance at Nathan, a silent message passing between them before Nathan’s legs gave out beneath him. He collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face.
He was crying.
Nathan, the man hailed as the most powerful young master in all of Inassea, was brought to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
The moment’s weight had crushed whatever pride or composure he had once possessed.