"What?!" the soldiers' and advisors' voice raised after hearing what the young captain reported.

A soldier clenched his teeth and suddenly grabbed the young man's collar with his both hands as his eyes glare at him, "Don't spout some nonsense, kid! Do you even have any idea what'll happen to those who speak false informations in front of the king?!"

Ngunit hindi nagbago ang ekspresyon ni Nicolov habang siya'y nakatingin sa mga galit na mga mata nito. "I have no reason to give fake intel in the midst of war, Sir," he then looked at Ali, "Your highness, don't you think it's suspicious too?"

Tinitigan ni Ali ang mga mata ng binata bago niya ibinalik ang kaniyang tingin sa labas ng matataas na pader na nakapalibot sa buong kapitolyo ng Westernia. His expression turned grimmer as he clench his hand. His mood has taken a darker color since he heard what the student has to say. He already has a problem in hand and he has to deal with another and bigger one. The situation just kept on getting worse.

He looked at the tent, "Tell Uriah." mabilis naman na tumango rito ang witch na naroon at itinuon na nito ang atensyon sa kaniyang gawain.

Ali put his sword on his waist and the advisors looked at him because of what he did. He's planning to go. "Your highness, please refrain from stepping into the battlefie--"

Ngunit tumigil ito sa pagsasalita when Ali glanced over his shoulder to him. They saw how angry the king is with his dark and cold gaze. His eyes are slightly widened and they could feel an eerie sensation just by staring at his orbs. "Are you telling me to watch my people pointlessly die?"

The advisor kept his mouth shut. Mas minabuti na lamang niyang manahimik kaysa galitin pa lalo ang hari. Wala ng makakapigil rito lalo na at ang pinagmumulan ng galit nito ay mula rin sa pag-aalala nito sa nasasakupan.

"Your highness," Nicolov removed the soldier's hands from his collar before he continued, "It seems that the virus can be transmitted through their DNA. The soldiers must remain their distance."

The side of Ali's lips lifted, "It looks like Escenier's weapons will come in handy. Advisors," the advisors flinched when Ali suddenly called for their attention. Ali looked at them, "Guard the civilians in my stead."

Mabilis namang yumuko ang mga ito, "Yes, your highness. As you wish."

Nicolov watched as Ali bend his knees while his hand is resting on the hilt of his sword. His expression is more serious than ever. Nicolov's eyes widened when the he felt a sudden large force and in an instant, the king blasted away from his spot. A very huge crater appeared on the spot where he was standing and the whole ground shook just by his mere leap.

But the other people who's with him acted normal. As if they already expected the huge damage the king will cause with his departure.

Lumipat ang tingin ng binata sa pader ng buong kaharian noong makarinig siya ng malakas na tunog. His expression came back to its usual strictness. I see.. Jebal Horus inherited his excelium from his father.Westernia's royal family is surely blessed with strong magical attributions.

All soldiers slightly paused when they heard a loud noise coming from the walls of the kingdom. Tila ba may malaking bato ang tumama rito but they all know who's the one that caused that loud sound. It is none other than their ruler. What is his highness doing in the battlefield?

Uriah was crushing a Hellion with two rocks when she heard a certain sound inside her head. Uriah's eyes widen when she heard the details from their messenger. She clenched her teeth then she ran back. Another worse case!

She swayed her arm as she runs at nagulat na lamang ang mga kawal noong biglang tumalsik ang kanilang katawan palayo sa kanilang kinakalaban na mga Hellion. Their bodies landed and they groaned when they crashed. Landing on top of the other while wearing their armors.

Uriah swayed her hand upward and walls of sands began to rise from the ground. Starting from the very end until it followed one straight line. Tumingala naman ang mga sundalo at pinanood ang sunud-sunod na paglitaw ng mga ito. They're bursting up like huge fountains and they remained standing when they reached a certain height.

Uriah's eyes squinted in guilt when some soldiers weren't able to cross the walls. She needs to prioritize the majority of these soldiers. Their deaths will surely hunt her but for now, she has to put it aside. This is a battlefield, she has to shove her emotional state aside.

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata when one soldier jumped from the other side and he was barely touched by the rising sands. His body fell on the sandy ground and he panted heavily.

Akmang lalapitan na ito ng isang kawal ngunit mabilis na itinaas ni Uriah ang kaniyang braso upang pigilan ito sa paglapit. The soldier looked at her with a confused expression but Uriah's serious eyes remained focus on the man that collapsed.

Ilang saglit lamang ay biglang tumaas ang dibdib nito at nagsimula na itong mangisay. Habang nangingisay ito ay sinubukan nitong itungkod ang dalawang kamay sa lupa at iangat ang sarili. When he stood up, he reached out his hand habang ang isa ay kinakamot ang gilid ng kaniyang leeg. "T-Tulong!"

The soldier put Uriah's arm down then he approached the strange comrade. "Oi! Ayos ka lang ba--" he was about to reach the man's hand but someone suddenly grabbed the back of his armor and pulled him back.

His eyes widen when he saw the king's back as his body fall on the ground because of how strong the king pulled him, "Your highness?"

Ngunit lahat ng mga saksi ay nagulat noong bigla na lamang tinaboy palayo ng hari ang nangingisay na lalaki gamit ang pagtulak nito sa dibdib ng kawal gamit ang kaniyang paa.

Bahagyang tumalsik ang katawan ng lalaki at gumulong rin ito sa buhangin. Tumumba ang kawal sa lupa na nakaharap sa buhangin. Hindi makapaniwalang lumingon sa hari ang naturang kawal. Fear was evident on his bloody face as he look at the royalty, "Y-Your highness..?"

Ali's eyes softened in sympathy and his face became solemn, "I apologize if I couldn't warn you ahead of time." he said and slightly bowed his head as an apology.

Lahat ay nagulat at nagtaka sa biglang ginawa ng hari. Akmang tatayo na ang kawal ngunit bigla itong muling bumagsak sa buhangin. Tila ba biglang nagshutdown ang katawan nito. His face hit the sand and the scene became silent.

Ali straightened his posture and spoke to Uriah as his gaze remains on the soldier, "Uriah, barrier."

Uriah nodded, "It will take some time, your highness." she said and focused on the enchantments. She's already at her limit and soon enough, she'll lose consciousness but this isn't the time for her to collapse. Westernia's king is putting all his trust on her. As their village's representative, she can't disappoint him.

Habang abala si Uriah, nanatiling nakatitig si Ali sa sundalong hindi pa rin gumagalaw. If only he thought this through. If only he anticipated the enemy's plan. If only he was knowledgeable enough. He would have prevented this from happening. It's like a nightmare.

Tumalim ang kaniyang mga mata noong biglang tumaas ang siko ng walang malay na kawal. Inilapat nito ang kamay sa buhangin at mahigpit na hinawakan ang mga ito na tumatakas naman sa pagitan ng kaniyang mga daliri.

Their eyes widen when the soldier's hand started to deform. Bigla itong lumaki at tumulis rin ang kaniyang mga daliri. Tila ba may umaalon sa loob nito habang ito'y nag-iiba ng itsura. Bumps are also appearing and it's turning black with the touch of green and violet. Some yellow liquid is also oozing out of the bubble-like bumps on his skin.

The man suddenly pushed the ground to bounce his body up like a pendulum, his body swiftly rose and he stood on his both feet. There's a wide eerie grin on his face and his eyes has no pupil nor iris, just pure white. Nagsimula na ring mangitim ang gilid ng mukha nito, large bumps that's similar to bubbles appeared on his neck and face. Umabot rin ito hanggang sa kaniyang ulo dahilan upang malagas ang ilang mga buhok nito.

Ang kabilang braso nito ay biglang tumulis, like a mantis' leg. His back became larger and also full of disgusting bumps. He opened his mouth, forcing it to open widely. They all covered their mouths when the soldier's cheeks began to tear apart. Nahihiwa ang mga gilid ng mga labi nito hanggang sa tuluyan ng lumaki ang kaniyang bibig. The man then grinned with his bleeding mouth and his long tongue dangling on the side of it.

He suddenly let out a screeching sound that made the others winced because of how high his pitch is. Bigla itong tumakbo patungo sa kanila at nagulat naman sila sa bilis nito. Ali raised his hand. A strong wind blew the man away at tumama naman ito sa pader na gawa sa buhangin. Some sands splattered because of his hard crash.

Ngunit ngumisi lamang ito na tila ba walang naramdamang sakit sa kaniyang likuran. His presence of mind is not showing in his behavior. He's no longer there.

Ali's eyes widen when Hellions and evolved soldiers also started to come through the sand walls. Mabilis siyang lumingon sa babae na nakapikit ang mga mata, "Uriah!"

Demons continued running to them and the soldiers prepared themselves to strike. Uriah abruptly opened her eyes after she whispered the last word. She swung her hand upwards. A barrier rose but their eyes widen when an evolved human suddenly jumped and inflicted a crack on the arising barrier.

The barrier began to have huge fissures because of the assaulting demons that are coming one after another. Uriah's heart thumped loudly because of the rising anxiety. Masyado kong minadali! The barrier is too weak.

Mabilis siyang lumingon kay Ali, "It won't hold long, your highness!"

Ali clenched his teeth then he raised his voice for the soldiers to hear, "You saw what happened! Don't let their DNA infect you or it's over! Use the weapons that Northernium gave you!"

One soldier looked at him with hesitation visible on his face, "B-But your highness, they're--"

"They're no longer human!" lahat ay natigilan sa isinigaw ng hari. They're all aware of that but they just can't accept it. Those people were their comrades just a while ago. How can they kill a person who is a family, who has stood beside them, laughed with them, and even protected the nation together with them?! They still have some conscience for a family member!

"I'll take all the responsibility," they all looked at their king when he talked with a soft and almost breaking voice. Their eyes widen when they saw how solemn and guilty the king's expressions is. "As your king, put all the blame on me," he clenched the fabric of his uniform that's covering his chest where his royal crest is as he look forward with determined eyes, "That is also my duty."

He pulled his sword out of its sheath as he stare at all the demons, "I'll carry their wills and regrets on my back!" he grinned but his eyes showed sadness, guilt, and sympathy as he stare at his people who has been infected. Screeching at them and slamming their deformed body on the barrier for it to entirely break, "It's okay to put all the blame on me! If I can't even do that, then you must question me as your king!"

Their hearts thumped when the king suddenly raised his sword, "Westernia!" they all shivered with the king's loud yell that's carrying his genuine compassion. The king smiled, "Would you follow this pathetic king 'til the end of this battle?"

The soldier's widened eyes turned determined. They all firmed their resolve and their grip on their weapons tightened, "Until death, our king! Our loyalty should not be questioned!"

The advisors' and the other civilians' eyes widen when they heard the loud yell of all soldiers. The words they yelled was heard not only in the whole kingdom, but it also resonated in their hearts that made their watery eyes glisten against the sunlight.

"Our flag would never fall!"

Uriah's widened eyes stared at the back of the king as she listen to all the gunshots that is being accompanied by the soldier's yells and sobs. She put her hand on her chest and she pursed her lips when she felt the loud thump and goosebumps it gave her. She smiled. Ali Horus.. is indeed a true king.

The barrier broke and demons ran to them like a stampede, ready to step on anything without restraints. Guns, weapons, and even magical abilities were used in battle. But is that truly enough?

Shaera chuckled as she stare at the two remaining portals. "Did you actually think that closing it would help you ease your problems?" a sly grin appeared on her face as she slowly raise her slender fingers, "Sparing an ounce of magical energy is nothing."

Ali's and Uriah's eyes widen when all of a sudden, three portals appeared after the wall of sands fell. Bigla itong lumitaw sa isang iglap. Fear showed in Uriah's eyes when demons began to go through the three large entrances like a natural flowing water. The soldiers' eyes also showed fear and helplessness. Uriah gritted her teeth in anxiety. Another problem! We can no longer handle such things!

"Your highness!" she called the king and she was surprised to see how composed Ali is. Ngunit noong tumingin siya sa nakakuyom na kamay nito ay nakita niya ang dugong lumulusot sa mga maliliit na pagitan. The king is pressured as well but he showed tranquility to ease his citizens' worries.

Ali clenched his teeth as the side of his lips lift, "Of course, she wouldn't let us have it easy. This is war after all."

Uriah's foot stepped back and she used her arms to guard her face when a strong pressure suddenly bursted from Ali's spot. Her ruined hair swayed randomly because of the powerful wind. She opened her eyes but they squinted because of all the sands.

Ngunit sapat na ang maliit na pagkakabukas ng kaniyang mga mata upang makita ang hari. She was surprised to see how dark the king's expression is while he's being surrounded by intense circulating wind. It was no longer the usual gentle king.

Escenier gritted his teeth as he stare at three open portals. "That damn woman..!"

It looks like the goddess won't let them play easily. They have to do all they could to survive the battle and they all are aware of that. This world won't fall under that woman's sole.

Mother Lilia squinted her eyes, "Let's go, Escenier."

Hydria shoved some demons away using her large paw then she took her stance beside Phrim, "The situation is not getting any better, Phrim."

Phrim panted, "It seems so, Lady Hydria. Should we send Centrio some reinforcements as well?"

Muling iwinasiwas ni Hydria ang kaniyang matatalim na kuko sa mga Hellions at malakas niyang ipinalo ang kaniyang paa sa lupa. Dahil doon ay yumanig ng malakas at napiraso ang ilang mga umatake sa kanila. Phrim's eyes squinted in sympathy as he stare at some of his citizens that has been infected.

Hydria answered, "I'll send some of my troops," she then looked at Ocia who's gritting her sharp teeth as she attack the demons that are going to her direction, "Ocia! Bring some of our soldiers and give Centrio reinforcements!"

"Understood." mabilis na sagot nito at nagsimula ng tumakbo patungo sa portal. Some followed behind her, crossing the portal on her lead.

Hydria pushed her paw on the land and a part of the land rose, killing some demons and crushing them with it. "This will take longer than I expected."

Phrim grabbed an arrow from his back then he shoot. The arrow multiplied and it hit a large number of demons on the head. The demons turned into ashes. Phrim continued shooting as he response, "Southernia has gave us a message saying that we should hold out until they're ready."

The gap between Hydria's eyes furrowed, "Ready for what?!"

"Hoy! Ayos na ba?!" one southernian asked as he fire a bullet directly on a Hellion's head. He grinned as he nod his head while staring at the gun that Northernium gave them. Not bad.

Tumayo mula sa pagkakayuko ang lalaking tinatanong niya. Itinaas nito ang suot na goggles habang may hawak itong isang screwdriver. May itim na mga dumi rin ang mga damit at mukha nito. "Hindi pa! Konti na lang! Matatapos rin namin 'to!"

"Dalian niyo! Hindi kayo ang nahihirapan!" sigaw ng lalaki at muling tuluy-tuloy na nagpaputok habang humahakbang ito paabante at ito'y humihiyaw pa.

The man just shrugged his shoulders and put his goggles back on before crouching down again. The yells of excitement can be heard throughout the battlefield. The usual wild character of southernians.

But what's worse is..

"Oi chief! Magtira ka naman!" sigaw ng isang babae noong siya'y lumingon sa kanilang pinuno. "Ang duga mo eh!"

Frēo just excitedly laugh as he holds two rifles in his hands. Patuloy ang pagputok ng mga ito sa mga Hellions. He's changing his angle every time and they all sighed with how carefree he is despite being in the midst of war.

But despite his reckless shooting, they'll just smirk and shake their heads at him. It might seem reckless because of his stupid excited expression but he's actually using only one bullet for one foe. Every bullet is going through the middle of the enemies' forehead. Kakahawak lamang nito ng ganoong sandata ngunit gamay na gamay na niya ito. His skills are truly terrifying.

The witch who's serving as their messenger grimaced with the sight of the battlefield from afar as she sits down. The battlefield is just below the cliff where she and the tent is. All of the fighters are reckless and they're just doing all they want. She did hear that the southernians have barbaric characters but she didn't expect them to be this bad.

"They might be reckless but they're efficient," napatingin ang babae sa isang tagapayo na lumapit sa kaniya. The old man has a smile on his lips, "They just have a very free will and it only worsen when Frēo became the chief."

The witch awkwardly smiled, "I-I see.."

The advisor genuinely smiled as he stare down at all the citizens who are fighting, "Frēo is young but he's a great leader. Ang tamang edad sa pagsali sa kompetisyon para sa pwesto ay nasa trenta pero simula pagkabata ay maabilidad na si Frēo kaya pinayagan siya ng konseho sa pagsali despite his age. He became the chief after he won the competition," the old man's eyes softened, "He might seem reckless and idiotic but Frēo is actually the wisest man of his generation. Sadyang masyado lang siyang malaya kumilos kaya hindi nahahalata," the old man smiled at her, "Frēo is the trophy this country is proud of--"

The witch's eyes widen at bigla itong napatayo noong biglang may balang dumaan sa suot na sumbrero ng matanda, "Ayos lang po ba kayo?!"

"Ah! Sorry, tanda! Bakit kasi d'yan ka nakatayo? Para kang engot."

The advisor's angry face suddenly turned to Frēo's direction, "You damn brat! Naghuhukay ka ba ng sarili mong libingan?! Do you want a piece of--"

"Uy! Akin yang malaking baril! Dun ka na lang sa maliit!"

"MAKINIG KANG BATA KA! FRĒO!"