Even before the sun rose up, castle Gniew was already full of life. Servants and guards were rushing through the hallways greeting guests and making sure everything was in place. Word of king Leopold already spread and Champions from all over the kingdom were coming. Igor and Victor were waiting in the chamber, expecting others to arrive anytime soon. The said chamber was spacious with one round table and many chairs around it. Lit candles were all over the walls, making it as brim as day.

- Sheesh, to think all of this commotion is just because of one demon- Victor tried to somehow break the silence. Champion Rose remained silent, seemingly in toughs. He could understand why he acted like that. After all that fiend probably destroyed his hometown.

- Say, how many Champions might arrive?

- At least two- Igor replied in a cold manner.

- Do you think it will be enough?

- Depending on what that bastard can do- a small smile appeared on thorn knight's face- But I made him lose an eye, so I say that we have good chances

- Yeah- Victor's own face lose some of its colors- Unless he casts that beast of a spell

- What spell?

- It was something like a big sphere of darkness descending from above, sadly I don't know how it is called

- It was a black comet, a truly powerful spell. It is said that it can bring down even the greatest towns known to mankind, except the Vatican of course- both of them then stayed in silence until clattering of metal filled the hallway before the grand chamber. After that doors swung open and a behemoth clad in armor of black lead came in, dragging his massive hammer. On his right shoulder sat a woman dressed in dark green light armor and clock in similar color, with her bow over her shoulder.

Thorn knight knew both of them. This mountain of lead and muscles was no other than Blacksmith known also as Johan the living mountain. A man of great strength, being said to be able to crush boulders with his bare hands. While that might have been exaggerated, he surely swung his weapon with laughable ease. He also belonged to one of the few people that didn't know fear. Once he strangled a demon and another time he pulverized a huntsman colossus just by two strikes of his weapon.

Now as for the woman, known as Typhoon or Natalia of falcon eye as they called her in her hometown, rumors were that she never missed a single shot. Which might have been true due to her using magic related to wind attribute. In addition to her perfect aim was the deadliness of her shoots. Each of them always struck a vital part, let it be head or chest, right in the heart.

With such allies, this demon surely was outmatched. There was just no way for him to win or even come out in one piece. As for the next town or village he shall destroy, it will also be his last.

- Finally- Igor exclaimed.

- So are we the only ones who have arrived?- archer asked. Behemoth knelt and let her jump off his shoulder.

- As for now yes, Typhoon

Champion Typhoon took a seat right next to Champion Rose and the metal warrior, which Victor guessed to be Champion Blacksmith, stood beside the wall. They have chatted for a while, servants bringing various meals and beverages. It all stopped when king Leopold entered the chamber. All four knelt before their lord.

- I am truly glad that you could arrive here in such a short amount of time. As for you know, there is a terrible beast terrorizing our land and thus with the first legion of Uriel you shall bring down that fiend. Of course all of your needs will be provided. We will meet at the training field in two hours.- after saying that, the king left the chamber.

- Then, how do you fare our chances?- Typhoon asked Igor.

- We might have slight troubles. That is if he doesn't break in half after one hit from that thing- he pointed at Blacksmith's weapon, which was more like a block of iron on a metal pole than a normal hammer.

- We have yet to meet anything that was strong enough to survive more than three hits from that- Natalia commented, taking a sip from her chalice.

- So by any chance do you know when others may come?

- Phoenix definitely won't be coming anytime soon. From what I heard, the old man was busy with some ancient scrolls or something like that. Umbra might arrive tonight or tomorrow. And I don't know about the rest

Igor scratched his chin. Both of the mentioned Champions were rather skilled combatants. Umbra with his umbramancy would be a valuable ally. But he was one of the few Champions that were pretty much mercenaries. Well, all of them could be called such, but some are no different from normal ones and would side with those who pay better. That being said Umbra wouldn't turn down an occasion for some easy gold, especially since king Leopold said that he will reward them grandly.

Phoenix on the other hand couldn't care less about a demon or lack of thereof. Once he found some artifact or anything that had to do with "world long gone" as he called it, nothing else mattered to him. Igor could understand why he didn't bother to join them onto battlefields, due to his age, but to protect a kingdom was a must. It was an honor to do so and any self-respecting Champion would gladly give life to make sure no fiend threatened it. Yet that old man was all about his scrolls. At least others were better than him.

- Say- Victor started, a tad bit shy- Would I have chances to become a Champion?

- Truly, it all comes to who you are going to fare against. If you want, you can try it yourself in three years. But I wouldn't bet on you, you better stay with your legion

- So you are a captain?- Natalia asked- You don't really look like one. I mean no scars, lost limbs. You know, stuff like that

- I do only command a small legion. Not only that, it was the hybrid one. So not many occasions to join in combat. Mostly patrols and such

- Must be a hard job right? I can't imagine the stress it is causing

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- It's a miracle that my hairs aren't gray yet- that earned a few chuckles from the Champions and Blacksmith's shoulders were slightly moving as if he too was laughing- But honestly being a captain isn't as bad as people say. Maybe it is because of the peace we have now or due to angels that were given to me, it is a rather simple job. I would even dare to call it boring

- Well, now that boredom seems to end, doesn't it?- Rose said, making himself comfortable on the chair.

- Yes, and I think I liked my boredom better. At least then there wasn't a demon running wild

- Since it supposedly came from Hell, shouldn't we also find and kill whoever summoned it, you agree with me big guy?- Typhoon looked at Johan, who only nodded- Talkative as ever I see

- There was this samurai in black armor, possibly made of black lead- Victor said, playing with an empty chalice.

- But of course Kohryu would come with something as stupid as summoning a demon. Could he be their Champion of some sort?

- They would do anything to bring us down, so I wouldn't count out summoning a demon- Rose said.

- You know- Victor started- Since they use demons, why don't we use actual angels?

- Have you ever tried working with one?- Igor asked and the captain replied with a shake of his head- Most of them would rather quote the Bible than help in a fight, and when they do help you can get easily caught up in the crossfire. And I won't even start up on the First Sphere. Seriously some of them are more horrifying than actual demons

- Yeah, I mean, haven't you heard how one angel killed an army of nearly two hundred thousand soldiers?- archer asked, raising her brow.

- Not really, and I was better without hearing about it

- They surely are scary, but also damn good with killing demons

All four have chatted for a longer while, until a servant came to them with information from king Leopold. In short they were to meet on the training field in less than ten minutes. Thus they made their way and stood on the field that was scattered with many dummies, barrels and soldiers coming from Gniew's own garrison. Soon enough Leopold joined them.

All thirty soldiers gathered around their leader and waited for commands. Now that Champions had a better look at them, they could tell that those soldiers weren't ordinary ones. In fact their armors were closer to the likes of centurions, but with slight changes. For example the frill was dark blue instead of red.

- Now then- king started- Each of the Champions shall join to each of the centurions. Sadly for now only three could join us, but we are expecting more in the closest week. There will also be a special guest that can join us anytime soon- The mention of a special guest caught everyone's attention. It definitely wasn't Umbra since he counted as a Champion. This caused a murmur between the centurions. Some of them were even betting on who it might be. Biggest bet right now was on some captain from the Vatican.

Leopold looked at the sky and noticed something like a yellow light coming at Gniew. It quickly approached the castle and when it was close to landing, light turned into a figure that looked like a person wearing robes. When light faded away right next to the king stood a tall person that towered over all but Johan, dressed in white and gold robes and armor top.

- I truly am grateful that you could arrive in such a short amount of time- Leopold bowed before the guest.

- Stand up king, for you are to praise our Lord and not bow before his messengers- Iscariot raised his hand and Leopold followed- Then, where those who have claimed to see the demon?- angel asked in cold tone, eyeing all of the men gathered on the field with his red eyes that seemed to glow just a little. Ruler of Otto pointed at the two men. One in copper armor, another in simple plate one.

Virtue came close to them, making little to no sound as he moved full of grace. Now he stood between them, his arms crossed.

- I would like you to describe this demon to me

- Right- Igor started- He was pretty big, snake like body, purple- Iscariot ordered him to stop with a single move of a hand. Although Rose wasn't sure he heard something like a chuckle coming from the divine messenger. Granted that it was closer to something like an ice cracking or something like that, but still.

- Enough, I know this fiend all too well. It's a miracle that both of you came out alive- Spear of the Church made his way towards the chambers, far away from the training field.

- You won't be joining us then?- Natalia asked. In response to that Iscariot raised his hand and made a quick snap with fingers. Shortly after many dummies lost their heads due to yellow strings that cut them off in one swift slash- I'm done- he said, not even turning to look at them. Most of the gathered were in awe, keeping their eyes at the angel. Victor even questioned why they were here if such beings walked on this earth. He hoped that they wouldn't be reduced to meat shields for Iscariot. But then again, it's not like he needed any.

After he left the field, centurions and Champions started their training, awaiting for others to come. Natalia lived to her name as each of her arrows struck remaining dummies in head, not even one has missed. Johan easily ripped the ground just by one swing of his hammer, crushing anything that stood before him. Due to that Victor nearly got hit, but Igor's whip just in time wrapped around his arm and Champion was able to pull him away from flying debris.

- Watch out there big guy- Typhoon called and got a somewhat bashful grunt from the fellow Champion.

- Say, what do you think about a little sparring? If we are supposed to work together then we should get to know each other better. And I don't know a better way than a sparring- Igor said, preparing his whip. Blacksmith placed his weapon over his shoulder, agreeing to the proposition. Natalia took Victor away from the two, keeping safe distance and saying something about letting boys have their fun.

- Just make sure to not kill each other, alright?

Typhoon plead seemed to fall deaf on both Champions and each of them started sparring with ferocity that existed in the coliseum. Johan's hammer was tearing ground apart, not giving Igor a chance to even come close. Thorn knight summoned a few walls of thorns to slow the behemoth down, but the pure strength of Blacksmith was more than enough to easily smash through the walls and his bulky armor made it so that thorns wouldn't even tickle him.

Champion Rose started swinging his whip aiming at Blacksmith's ankles, trying to trip him but it was to no avail. Whip pretty much was useless against someone who could've been called a walking fortress. That and his still aching shoulder didn't make that any easier. Lead behemoth raised his weapon high up in the air. Brown energy danced around it. Johan smashed his weapon at ground, creating a great shock wave that trembled the entire field and created a crater in place where the weapon was struck.

Rose was blown away by its force, but eased the fall by creating a wall of thorns. He then smacked his whip at the ground and around the Blacksmith rose many roots like whips covered in spikes. Each of them tangled around him, effectively keeping him from moving. That gave Igor a while to consider what his next moves shall be. Soon after Johan broke free and viciously swung his hammer causing an earth to erupt near the thorn knight.

Champion Rose was ready to counter that, but a small tornado that appeared between him and Champion Blacksmith stopped him.

- That's enough!- Typhoon called- We don't need you killing each other

- Oh come on, we were far from that. Right?- Igor said and Johan nodded.

Natalia shook her head and sighed. She hoped that those two will be that energetic during the battle with said demon. That is if that angel won't take the job away from them. Honestly it seemed like he had met him already. Well, if they will get paid, that angel can do it himself and they might support him, probably away from him.

- If you won't end up dead it will be a miracle. So then, are we going to check what that angel is doing? He might have some useful information for all we know

- Like now?- Igor asked- You don't want to train with us?

- Maybe later. You coming or what?

- A little break might be nice though. Oh and for now it's a draw- Rose pointed at Blacksmith. Then they and Victor followed Typhoon on her way to Iscariot.