The Thalise, a relic of the past, and a name that stood as a beacon of hope. How they disappeared no one knows. But because of this, humanity is on the brink of annihilation. A brave few stood against the demons, not accepting their demise without a fight.

The sound of a fierce battle echoed through the land. The screams of agony and rage were deafening. Countless of bodies, both of demons and humans, were strewn out on the ground, littering the once peaceful and tranquil lands that the humans occupied.

"Don't let up! Charge through them and break their chain of command! Form up on me and be ready to take on a large number of them!" a man wearing a battered war armor yelled out to his allies, breathing raggedly, his blade stained with blood.

"But sir, we don't have enough to charge through them. We'll be overwhelmed once we do. We can't risk losing more men than we already have! It's just suicide," soldier to his side said, looking at the ensuing battle with horror, but maintaining his composure for the sake of his allies.

"Well, where is the vice-commander?!"

"H-He's dead! even second platoon's been overrun! At this rate, it's only a matter of time now! We need to do something, Commander! I don't want to die. I have family I still need to see!"

"Then do as I ask and we'll get out of this! Now form up and charge on my command!"

"We can't! We don't have enough troops to form a strong enough vanguard!"

"Listen to me. It's either we stay here fighting them till we’re completely annihilated, or we try to do something that'll possibly have the chance of changing the tide of this battle. We're completely separated from the others, and there's no easy way to reach them, so it's useless to regroup. We're going to have to do something ourselves," he explained, keeping in mind the gravity of their current situation.

They were being surrounded by demons, monsters and demi humans that had been corrupted, and a large number of them were still fast approaching. They were vicious, but their leader's resilience helped them keep calm in the midst of this.

The skies were blacked out with smoke, and the air was stagnant. It was as if the land itself had been corrupted.

"Alright, prepare yourselves, lads! We’re pushing through and making a break for it. Whether someone will help us is up to the Creator now. So, I ask you all to give your all and we might just get out of this alive! Now, CHARGE!" his voice bellowed loudly, and was followed by the shouting of his own allies, those of which rallied with him as they made the decisive charge towards the demons that seemed to lead them, a single horned demi-human that wielded a large ax.

They tore through ranks of demons, but the humans were not spared either. They were close to being reduced to nothing, but still they remained on the offensive, close to the demon commander.

But though they got close, they did not have enough to pull through. They were forced to a sudden stop, instead fighting the demons back despite being meters away from it.

"Don't falter! Victory is at hand! Charge!" another voice echoed through the field, this time taking the attention of both the demons and the humans. He wore a full set of plate armor, wielding an ornate sword that seemed to shine despite the blood bathed on it. He had a long, tied back silver hair and a trimmed, short beard. His mature aura gave off a powerful intimidation as he rode through on his armored steed, accompanied by many more of his fellow knights, all filled with an intense vigor as they hacked and slashed through the ranks of demons like nothing.

The sounds of their horses galloping through made small tremors on the ground, giving those soldiers, currently surrounded by the demons, a boost in morale as they saw the banner that fluttered in the air.

"It's Sir Hark! Finally!" they yelled in relief. They then fought back the disgruntled enemy, using their momentum to push through and thin down the enemy.

"Sir Hark? Is it truly him? We can turn this battle around!"

The man named Hark charged, using his steel plated shield, with the image of a fierce lion, to protect himself from the projectiles being thrown at him. And within seconds he came face to face with the enemy commander.

Dismounting, he fought it back and forth, not giving an in as the giant, yellow eyed demi-human fought with everything that it had, often forcing Hark back with its overwhelming strength.

But with an unfaltering will, the old man used his experience in battle to maneuver and work his way into forcing the enemy back, using every extent of his agility to move about, feeling the intense weight of his equipment. And at last, he felled the enemy, lunging forward and forcing it to retreat a step, then avoiding its heavy attack with with a calculated side-step. He then charged with his blade, striking through its heart, then slicing its throat, letting it bleed to death.

"Victory!" one of the knights yelled out, raising the dead demon commander's head into the air, allowing the demons to see it.

They then all fled after having their chain broken, not having anyone command them. But the humans pursued, chasing them unforgivingly, using their pent-up rage as a source of their power. Some chased them out of fear so that tey could not attack them again. But they knew it was unlikey that they would cease any time soon.

"Sir Hark! Thank you for coming to our rescue. I thought that it was the end for us when we were surrounded, but you came through in the end. I owe you my life," the middle-aged commander that led the failed attack bowed respectfully at Hark as he dismounted from his horse.

"I would have done the same for everyone else. Each one of us have important roles to play in protecting this land. Though it was foolish of you to have done that, you paved the way for our success in this battle. You owe me nothing. So, raise your head up high and stand tall. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to tend to my wounded," he left, heading into their camp where many worn out tents stood on the barren wasteland, occupied mostly by wounded soldiers and people in command.

As he walked by, he was met plenty of salutes. He saw those soldiers being carried off to various places, some having injuries ranging from minimal ones to near mortal ones. Almost all of the injured combined could make up a sizable number people in itself.

Some soldiers whom were safe despite the battle, sat near their tents, eating and calming their nerves. Some spoke with their fellow soldiers, while other lamented the loss of their friends.

He kept walking in silence until he came to his own area where a part of his own men rested in. Tents were set up with his banner fluttering in the air, showing that this was where he could be found.

"Ah, Sir Hark, you've returned. Some have been tended to while a few others are still being treated. What are your next orders?" a spry young man reported to him with a salute, having removed his armor as to not be encumbered by it.

"Rest. You are ordered to rest until any other order from the generals come. But I recommend that you stay close to our area just in case. That is all. I will be meeting with some of the other commanders, so tell my aide de camp that. And please tell him to stand by. I don't want him dying because he couldn't stay put in one place and bled to death, understand?"

"Yes Sir!" he gave another formal bow and left.

Hark made his way through the tents and moving soldiers, seeing the banner of the royal kingdom in the distance, reminding him that he is going the right way.

He arrived facing a large tent that was guarded tightly by soldiers with high-class arms, yet they showed no hostility to him when he arrived. Instead they saluted him, knowing full well who the man is.

Upon entering he came to the sight of wise, distinguished men, all wearing their battle armors still, gathered in front of a table where a map sat, and on it were markers and strategic points of importance.

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"Ah, Sir Hark, excellent! Now that you're here just in time we can start this meeting," a tall, youthful, and energetic looking man who seems to be in his early-forties said, smiling at Hark as he called the entire audience of the tent to order, standing in the very middle of it, wearing a beautiful ornate armor with a shiny gold design, whose metal has been tested.

"Alright, now that everyone's present, I'd like to start things off by congratulating every single one of you in this battle. But though we won, we suffered a great defeat after losing many brave men. We will carry their bravery and strength with us continuing from this, and I hope that you all will not forget them," he looked at them, each one carrying strong, stern looks. He thought to himself how he could read their expressions if they all looked the same, but he chose not to press further.

"Now, continuing this, I want to end the campaign for now," the tent was filled with murmurs after his announcement, drawing estranged looks from his peers and followers.

"Now, now. Calm down, everyone. I know that this is sudden, and that a majority of you would even want to press the attack further so that we can regain our former territories, but hear this. We cannot force our men. They too have limits that we cannot exploit. They have families which they fight for. Continuing the campaign will only men that we will lose, though the exchange is that we would regain a small bit of our territory. But as a result, we will be weak after that. To the demons, their numbers are expendable. They can launch an assault at any time of the day while we will need ample time and preparations for a campaign or an attack. I would like to retreat for now. We have won over them in this battle, so we can keep this land as a foothold for our further conquest in retaking lands. But let us retreat and deal with what's happening in our own territory before anything else. Let us replenish our strength and prepare. As long as we stand, we have a chance, and as long as we keep clinging to that notion that we can accomplish anything together, then there's nothing that can hold us back, not even demons... Now, tell me what everyone thinks. Though I am your king, what matters is what everyone else thinks. A king cannot exist without his trusted allies and friends," he looked at them with a bright, confident smile, scratching his dark, scruffy beard.

Those that murmured amongst themselves became silent, thinking hard at what the man said to them. Some already looked to be convinced by his speech, some even enlightened by it as they never considered the effects of the opinion that they supported.

"I wholeheartedly support this claim. Not because you're our king, but because it's common sense. It doesn't take a lot to realize that everything we do matters in this struggle. The demons aren't the only enemy we have. Other kingdoms seek to destroy us. In the end, it won't matter," Theodore spoke up, drawing attention towards him.

"I am with you, no matter what happens, King Gareth! I agree with you too, Sir Hark. If we are to stand a chance against this powerful enemy, we must be united. If we want to outlast this foe, we must take it one sure step at a time. Rushing will mean fatal for us," one man, who seems to be fairly young, said.

Soon the rest followed, influenced by their train of thought, and convinced that what they say truly makes sense. The discussion ended up unanimously in favor of Gareth, and the rest of the lords and commanders were quickly dismissed with orders of preparing for departure once they are well rested.

After the meeting, Hark was told to remain by Gareth, whom of which sighed in relief after handling more matters relating to kingdom politics and the like.

"It can be troublesome most of the time. I wonder why people like making trouble for each other. Nothing can ever be settled peacefully, don't you think?" he asked, sitting down, having removed his armor.

"Not entirely true, but you are correct. There are rare times where words are the most powerful weapons there are. But there are times when the sword speaks louder than the pen, or should I say mightier. You just have to know how to manage and use both ideals for a certain problem," he drank from the silver cup that was filled with wine.

"You always know what to say, don't you, Hark? I guess with age comes wisdom, as they say. Sums it up pretty well don't you think?" he laughed, drinking as well, finishing its contents in one go, then refilling it once more.

"Practice moderation, Gareth. I know that we won this, but you can never tell when a problem arises."

"Well, you got to have a bit of priorities, right? This is one of them. Can't calm down not unless I take a bit of time off."

"Hmm, speaking of priorities, I'm guessing that your argument about canceling the campaign was only half true, is it not?"

Gareth choked on his drink, coughing and clearing his throat, then giving out another sigh, facing Hark with a sober, and stern face.

"It seems that you found me out, ha ha ha. Well, I'll tell you this. It's was at least ninety percent true. I wanted everyone to go back to their families and at least ease their worries. Everyone knows just how terrifying and taxing it is fighting in the front lines, only seeing demons everywhere they go. We even suffered greater casualties than we first expected. This is good enough of a milestone for us. We rush, we stumble. And there's a chance that we'll never stand back up when that happens... And the rest is about my family, especially my little girl... and my wife of course."

"I see. I have guessed that they are the case. I cannot blame you. But others hearing this would wonder why there is a sudden pause before the queen, but I will not ask. The princess, on the other hand, isn't that much of a little girl anymore. She's at that age where she can mingle with those of her age... and possibly find someone that she likes."

"W-What! Ridiculous! I won't ever give her away to anyone! No impure boy will ever taint her, not while I'm around," he said valiantly, standing up, fully sober, not succumbing to the strong wine.

"Your overprotectiveness as a father still remains. At this rate, she'll never be able to truly mature. I don't have a daughter, so I don't know how you should feel, but I can say for certain that she needs to be able to walk that path. This has gone on for long enough, don't you think?"

"Aren't you the same with Louise? You're her father figure after all. I remember when you first told me about her."

"Not at all. In fact, it feels like she can govern Lavis by herself. She's too strict and commanding towards me so I rarely get to do something in my leisure. It feels as if I've lost control even of myself when she's around," he laughed wryly, taking another sip of wine. "I'm a bit amazed that she would turn into that. She was quiet when I found her neglected in the streets, malnourished and dirtied. I don't regret taking her in, but maybe she got the strict influence from me."

"Isn't that the same with what I do? You care for her a lot, maybe even more to a certain degree, right?"

"Please don't lump me in with you, my king. I am sorry to say that I'm not that obsessive over my adopted daughter-"

"Ah! Let's just talk about something else! I can't decide about that yet. For now, let's choose another agenda... That's it! I just got a report that the demons assaulted the town of Caspia, and now they move towards Lavis. I've been agonizing over the fact that I couldn't send in anyone to quell the demons there since almost everyone is present here, and that sending a single unit is dangerous. So I've made up my mind," he once again turned serious, sitting down and composing himself.

"And that is?"

"I need you to take only those that can fight and travel and go back to Lavis with haste. I know I've declared the campaign over, but I need you over there faster. Your mission is to drive away the demons from there, not defeat entirely, and rescue Caspia. I know that this is a tall order, but you're my best bet right now. Though I can send some other lord or knight, but they're too far, plus that'll mean leaving their own territories. So, that's why it's you. Can you do that?"

"Of Couse I can. Are there no further orders after I finish that task?"

"None. I'll send for you and the others lords when there are pressing matters that come up. So go with haste!"

And he sent him on his way.

Hark gathered all his men that still had the energy to fight and equipped them with good arms, saddling them up on horses.

But before he could saddle up on his horse a, short, dark haired man with a toned body came walking out from the tent, wearing only his leggings as his top was covered in bandages, stained by blood, his from the looks of it.

"Sir Hark! I heard the orders. You can't leave with only forty men. I can still fight, so take me with you," he said, gritting his teeth, barely hanging on to the shoulder of the one supporting him.

"Are you foolish, boy?! Know when you are at your limits!" he scolded the young man, and his eyes widened in surprise as a result. "Listen to me, boy. Recover your wounds, then head back to Lavis. Twenty men including me would be more than enough to take on a few demons. The rest are those that are healthy enough to volunteer. You are not one of them," he turned to leave, mounting his steed and taking the reins.

The young man looked disappointed, looking at the ground, downcast.

"I will be expecting you in Lavis, so recover without delay, understand?" he glanced a little from the side, finally leaving with his companions, kicking up dust as they galloped away.

The young man seemed to recover, now possessing an enthusiastic and hyperactive demeanor. He curled his left hand into a fist, swearing unto it saying, "I won't fail you, Sir Hark! I'll be back before you know it! - Ah," he almost dropped to the ground, but not because of his companion.

"You have to rest, Hugo. Your wound might open up. Come on, let's get you back in bed," his companion said, assisting him back into the tent.

Soon they exited the territory of the battlefield and entered back into the protected lands of the humans in the kingdom which he served. The skies were clear, and nature was everywhere. Trees and grass as far as the eye can see. Mountains that glistened in the far horizon, clouds floating listlessly in the sky, birds flying in the air, and many other things, those of which could not be seen from where he was just recently. Those he was with also admired this sight, as if it was their first time seeing it.

"Hmph, looking at this you'd think that the demons are beyond that barren wasteland, but I can't believe that they live with us," he said, looking behind him and saw the clear boundary between what could be seen as human and demon territory.

"If only you were here, Frederick. If I know someone who can resolve this problem, even by a bit, It's you. Your wife as well. She was not called an oracle for nothing," he sighed and continued on, stoically staying silent for the entire duration of their travels.