Ashen Dragon

The commander of the allied forces, Count Robert, nervously watched the battle in the sky.

The adjutant quietly suggested, "My lord, should we use the Dragon-Slaying Ballista to support the Northwind Eagle Guards? Those wyverns shouldn't be able to withstand our bolts."

"No, maintain vigilance."

Robert's tone was somewhat grave.

Although the Northwind Eagle Guards were his most important asset, his mind was plagued with doubts: Where was that Red Dragon, the leader of the Ashen Nest? It had not appeared since the start of the war!

It only took a little thought to realize that a force capable of cultivating such a legion couldn't possibly be an ordinary young Red Dragon.

Robert could only secretly pray, hoping the gods would bless his Dragon-Slaying Ballista to be effective against that Red Dragon.

"We must wait for that Red Dragon to appear."

Sweat dripped from Robert's forehead. At some point, the air in the Triel Valley had become stiflingly hot, unlike its usual freshness.

"Yes, my lord."

The adjutant reluctantly stepped back.

In the sky and on the ground, tens of thousands of humans and monsters clashed and tangled in a chaotic melee.

A Bugbear crushed the skull of a Spear and Shield Soldier with a Wolf Fang Club, brain matter splattering. But several archers behind the fallen soldier drew their bows and turned the towering Bugbear into a pincushion. A wyvern swooped down from the sky, its sharp poisonous stinger piercing through the archers.

However, the Northwind Eagle Guards dived in from behind, lances piercing the wyvern's vulnerable neck...

"I will crush you!"

Once again, Dolores led the charge, swinging his heavy Bloodfire Battle Axe with great force.

This Great Goblin had already tasted the sweetness of battle; he knew well how terrifying a weapon of war he was now.

But this time, instead of splitting his enemies as expected, his axe was blocked by a heavy shield, requiring great effort to pull it out.

"For order, stand forth!"

Before him stood seven warriors in silver-white heavy armor. They were the "Oath of the Crown" Paladins of the Boske Family, led by the renowned "White Lion Knight" Tarik, who was surrounded by a Guardian Aura—it was he who had single-handedly blocked Dolores's swing.

They had come specifically to support the central army.

"Savage monster, we will grant you purification!"

At Tarik's command, the Paladins surrounded Dolores.

"Guardian Chain!"

The Paladins raised their Silver Swords, and radiant chains linked them, distributing the damage from every attack among them, moving and acting as one.

"Damn tortoise shells."

Dolores swung his axe repeatedly, but each strike clashed against the Paladins' shields.

With the radiant chains flickering, the force of each attack was divided into seven portions, allowing the Paladins to easily block and counterattack with their Silver Swords.

Dolores attempted to break through in another direction, avoiding these troublesome Paladins.

However, Tarik immediately saw through his intentions.

"Forced Duel!"

The Silver Sword glowed, dragging Dolores into a holy duel. He could neither escape nor break the Paladins' defenses, while the Paladins used their numerical advantage to launch attacks from all directions.

For a moment, Dolores was at a disadvantage, covered in wounds.

"Lord Dolores, I'm here to help you!"

The Lizardfolk leader, Acker, charged in on his Land Dragon Beast, sending several Paladins flying.

But the Paladins quickly got up and reformed their impregnable formation, like a seamless silver fortress.

The Lizardfolk Old Shaman, Koda, followed closely, wielding a wooden staff.

[Scorching Metal]

A Paladin's shield turned red-hot, his hands scorched black, sizzling. He couldn't bear it and threw the shield aside, trying to retreat to the rear.

The Old Shaman squinted slightly, an undetectable emerald light flickering on the wooden staff.

[Entangle]

Tight coils of wild grass and vines sprang from the ground, binding the isolated Paladin tightly.

"Die!"

Dolores and Acker seized the opportunity and charged.

The surrounding Paladins tried to block with their shields, but it was too late.

The Paladin was first pierced through the shoulder by a Bone Spear, then his skull was shattered by a powerful swing from the Great Axe. Even though he was still linked by the Guardian Chain, without the shield's protection, his flesh and blood couldn't withstand the heavy strike of the Great Axe.

"Watch out for their spellcasters!"

"Guard formation!"

Tarik shouted loudly.

The remaining Paladins reformed their tight formation, facing off against Dolores and his retainers, with numerous soldiers dispatched to cover them. Even the allied spellcasters hurried to join.

[Mithril Rampart]

[Protective Array]

The reduced Paladins became more cautious, multiple protective spells surrounding them, leaving Dolores temporarily finding no chance to attack.

Panting heavily, Dolores glared at his enemies, his blood-red eyes filled with a desire to kill.

"Koda, can you cast that spell again?"

"My Force of Nature has not reached that level, and they have too many protective spells..."

The Lizardfolk Shaman shook his head helplessly.

"Damn tortoise shells."

Dolores cursed through gritted teeth, then charged again on his Land Dragon Beast.

But the Paladins' silver rampart blocked him again and again, preventing him from advancing an inch.