The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World

Chapter 719- Battle of Blacktide (3)

They kept on coming again and again.

Out of more than eight thousand knights, less than four thousand remained. Even the Temple of Light had suffered grievous losses. Many young talents had died. Others had been forced to mature in this hell.

Inside the main tent, Drystan looked toward Bob. ”Any word from headquarters yet?”

Everyone looked towards Bob, who slowly shook his head. ”I contacted them this morning. They said every front is experiencing similar pressure and told us to hold.”

There was silence, and then...

BAM...

Bargo slammed his fist against the table.

”Hold? Hold?! What do they think we are? Disposable pawns? Do they think that we knights are expendable? Our men are exhausted. Even healing skills consume a lot of stamina. We are running out of supplies and replacements, while the demons supplement their numbers every damn week. In such a situation, how the hell are we supposed to hold?”

No one answered. Because everyone knew he was right.

To make matters worse, Drystan gave an even more despairing piece of news. ”I’ve seen new faces among the Demon Generals. They weren’t there before.”

The tent became quiet. It needs to be said that just facing these Eight Elite Demon Generals was already troublesome, and they had to sacrifice a lot just to bring these four Demon Generals down.

After all, not every Demon General was foolish enough to appear in sight. They used their numerical superiority to blend in and cause havoc. Many knights had fallen under their troublesome power.

Even Reinhardt and Drystan could not do much in a situation like this. The other party was deliberately avoiding them. They could only cull down the number of the demons as soon as possible to lift the pressure on their subordinates.

Marcus frowned. ”You’re sure?”

Drystan nodded. ”I’ve fought enough of them a few days ago to know. The enemy is reinforcing this front. It appears that they have more reserved power.”

The mood grew heavier with that revelation. For the first time, even these veteran knights of the Temple of Light were feeling the pressure.

Of course, they were far from despairing. Why? Because Reinhardt had yet to say anything.

All eyes instinctively shifted towards Reinhardt. The reason why morale did not break in their alliance army, even after suffering so many setbacks and getting one bad news after another, was due to this man.

As one of the Heroes of Solaris, his countless legends and perfect mission accomplishment filled everyone with hope. His presence alone spoke volumes.

A chair moved, and Reinhardt stood up. The commander of the Temple of Light slowly looked at every person present inside the tent.

Although exhaustion was apparent on their faces and dark shadows could be seen under their eyes, their spirits were burning as fiercely as ever.

Looking at them like this, he felt respect for these knights.

”Mankind has been fighting demons for over a thousand years. Do you know why humanity has survived this long?”

Everyone listened intently.

”Because we are stronger than demons? No.” He shook his head. ”Because we are more numerous?” Once again, he shook his head.

”No, humanity has survived this long because we know how to endure.”

He spoke in a calm and steady voice. ”Humanity is dreamers, believers. When mountains stand before us, we climb them. When oceans stand before us, we cross them. When darkness stands before us...” His golden eyes swept across the room. ”We become the light. Humanity’s greatest strength is its persistence and refusal to give up.”

Reinhardt continued. ”And we knights are the embodiment of these values. We knights are not fighting for kingdoms. We are not fighting for nobles. We are not fighting for glory either.”

His hand rested on his sword. ”This battle... We are fighting for the children who will inherit this world. For the families waiting for us to return. For the people who trust us to stand when no one else can.”

Outside, the wind howled unceasingly, and it poured cats and dogs. A far contrast to the bright and boiling spirits of the knights.

As if he himself had made some decision, Reinhardt’s voice became firmer. ”To the demons, their soldiers are replaceable. They can even replace their powerful generals. But humanity cannot replace its future. If we fall here, there will be no one left to protect them. So I ask all of you... will you fight with me until your death?”

No one talked for a few seconds. Then Drystan stood up from his seat and stretched his body.

”Kugh, that clears things up. Damn, I feel much more relaxed now.”

It was not only him; the other knights, too, felt the same way. Knowing that death was certain on the path they walked, they suddenly became fearless.

The rules of steel did not give the knights meaning. No, it was the embodiment of the knight’s will that gave the rules of steel meaning.

They could have all chosen to retreat. Neither the Temple of Light nor Hero Reinhardt restrained anyone. Whether they were knights of his own order or from other knight orders, they had been fighting while protecting the retreat route so that any knight who felt compelled to leave could leave.

However, none of them left. Not even the cowards who had been trying to protect themselves during this war.

No, the northern front had no deserters. Solely because in every battle, Reinhardt gave his all. He fought with 100 percent of his strength. If even the leader is fighting with all his strength, doing his best for his knights, what right did they have to leave?

The contagious feelings were held by everyone and was one of Reinhardt’s inherent natural talent.

One by one, the others stood. The exhaustion in their bodies remained. But something about them had changed. Their resolve. It had become even stronger.

.

This was a place far beneath the Royal Capital of Solaris.

Hidden beneath layers upon layers of forgotten tunnels and abandoned catacombs, there existed a chamber not known even by the royal family of Solaris.

The place was silent for a while, when suddenly a sickly emerald light illuminated the darkness. Space twisted, and a gate slowly bloomed into existence.

A few seconds later, a graceful figure stepped through. Every movement she made was elegant, and her long emerald hair was eye catching. Her figure enchanting, and her face beautiful.

She resembled a queen born from a poisonous garden. Beautiful enough to steal one’s breath, but deadly enough to steal one’s soul.

She was none other than Duvessa, the Ninth Heavenly King.

The instant she appeared, every person inside the chamber immediately dropped to one knee. Heads lowered in reverence.

These figures were draped in luxurious robes, and several of them were familiar faces. If Reinhardt had been present, he would have immediately recognized them as they were none other than influential nobles, merchant leaders, high officials, and members of the Council of Elders.

In short, they were the core of the Kingdom of Solaris. The very people entrusted with governing the kingdom. Now they were kneeling before a demon. Their allegiance needed no further explanation.

From this, one could see how deep the rot of Solaris ran.

Seeing their show of loyalty, Duvessa’s crimson lips curved upward in delight.

”Excellent, my loyal servants and faithful slaves. I see none of you have forgotten who granted you your power and status.”

One of the council members lowered his head even further. ”We exist only to serve Lady Duvessa.”

Duvessa chuckled softly. ”How obedient. I do so enjoy intelligent humans.”

Then, she slowly walked past them. The clicking of her heels echoed throughout the chamber.

”So, tell me. How is our little game progressing?” Thorns grew out of the ground and space, forming an elegant and beautiful throne. Duvessa gracefully sat upon it and placed her gaze on the kneeling humans.

One of the senior members of the council reported. ”The military deployment has proceeded exactly as planned. The western frontier requested reinforcement after repeated demon sightings, was approved. Several knight divisions moved westward to hold down the front. The same stands true for the southern border. In fact, we sent them additional reinforcements even though they did not ask for it.”

Duvessa quietly nodded. In reality, the demon sightings were intentionally exaggerated. To maintain a sense of oppression on the other fronts, but in truth, there was no fierce all out fight.

The demons were simply using their excessive numbers to scare humans. Well, except for the Northern Front, where their true forces were concentrated.

The council member continued. ”Although the actual threat level never justified such deployments, who would question military caution during wartime?”

Soft laughter echoed around the chamber. Duvessa nodded approvingly.

”What about the north?”

”As your majesty commanded, we have rejected all their calls. The Northern Fortress remains critically undermanned. Every request submitted by Commander Reinhardt or his subordinates has been intercepted before reaching His Majesty”.