Battle War; Magic, Sword and Dragon

A Man

The strongest paladin, Leon Allein Fortisillein. Besides that title, he is a father of three children.

The first is a person known as a candidate paladin like himself. The second is still in school. For the smallest, you could say it is still in its infancy.

Besides being the strongest, he was known as a kind-hearted person and the head of a responsible family. Not only that, he had another reason why he was famous.

His wife, Lia Allein Fortisillein.

When he was young, his love story became an example of the forbidden relationship between ordinary people and nobles. His story is very famous and even made into a popular book.

That is one of the reasons why Leon did not restrain his son from choosing their partner in the future. He can't. If he does it means that his love story is just a fake.

However, freeing to choose a partner does not mean choosing the wrong partner.

A true example of that is his daughter's love story.

One day he gets a call from a princess he hasn't seen in a long time. She thought her daughter was calling her because she wanted to say hello because she missed, but all she heard was that a man was going to propose to her soon.

Of course after hearing that he could not think clearly so as to destroy anything around him.

Thanks to his friend, he can control his emotions again, but he can't calm down before finding out who his future daughter-in-law is.

Thanks to his status, investigating the information of one young man was quite easy. He discovers that Kuro Kagami is also known as The Reaper or Witch Reaper in the Shadow Knight. What is quite surprising is that he is also known as Shiro and Akashi in the business world. The young man was also one of the richest men in the country.

He can't react like what. Whether he should be scared, hated, or amazed. Everything is so complicated because the young man who became his son-in-law can be said to be very abnormal.

But that abnormality was missed considering that Kuro Kagami allegedly had a relationship with the Demon King.

Realizing the meaning of the truth, Leon realizes that if Laila is related to Kuro Kagami, then he will not lead a normal life. Even his daughter will continue to be in danger.

And his conjecture was right when he heard that his daughter was advancing in the battle at Dragonia.

As a father, he thought of heading straight to the battlefield and finishing that war with his own hands. But he can't do it.

In addition to the political relations between the two countries, a very influential person in his life forbade him to do that. Unlike him, his mother, Scarlet and his wife, Lia just kept quiet and told him to calm down.

However, at that time Laila decided to come because of her own decision. And besides, he was with the person who was most worried about Laila's situation, his lover.

After the battle ended, he was happy to hear the news that Laila had only experienced the state of Mana Zero. And more surprisingly, in precarious conditions, his daughter displayed an awesome power for successfully resisting the attack of the demon Lucifer.

His daughter made him proud. Everything was going better than he thought.

She did not expect her ordinary-looking daughter to have such an amazing power.

Maybe being in touch with Kuro isn't as bad as she thought.

But, just as he was feeling happy, the other incidents continued. This time he got an attack from the Silver Viper who wanted Izriva who was currently possessing his lover's sword.

The Silver Viper was a group that had expertise in using poison. It's something Laila can't fight with power. She was very worried that something might happen to her, but thanks to her lover, she was fine.

After all that happened without him being able to do anything, this time Leon could not keep silent anymore.

He deployed the Imperial Knight army that was under his command directly to immediately obtain Izriva. For her country, and for her beloved daughter.

He didn't want to meet his daughter who couldn't smile because she lost one of the people she was precious to.

He became the strongest not for his own sake, but for the sake of the family he cared about. For that sake, he was even willing to become a demon.

"What are you thinking right now, Mr Leon?"

A middle-aged man approached and asked because he saw Leon who was seen thinking about something.

"I just remember my daughter's smile. Oh.. Just continue with the strategy meeting."

"Sorry, Mr. Leon."

"No need. I'm just the one who's disrespectful for daydreaming at an important time."

The man gave a small smile and returned focus to the large transparent screen that floated in front of the room.

Yep. Currently Leon along with the other 50 Imperial Knights were discussing the strategy they created for the operation of getting Izriva back.

A woman in front gave a commanding-like briefing.

"This time the enemy is a former member of the Shadow Knight who used to be known as the Shadow Reaper. Regarding other information you can get from the data we share. Now we focus on the main problem right now."

The images changed into images of masked people and the swords they used.

"The problem in the current operation is them, the homunculus. The technology to make the homunculus was very secret, but they succeeded in creating it. And we still don't know how powerful they are. Well.. But the point is we're gonna come and destroy them, so I guess a careful suggestion is enough. Do you understand dirty cockroaches!!!"

""""""""""" Ha!!!!"""""""""

All answered compactly. There was no doubt from them despite getting quite a painful humiliation.

But seeing that, Leon just smiled wryly.

"As usual, he's still like that. Am I actually leading a masochist army?"

No. gabe. The army that Leon led was the strongest army in the Houou empire, which was why they did not need a wide explanation of the enemy and what they were doing.

And most importantly, they would not hesitate to sacrifice themselves for it.

The best and most troops he could be proud of, that was the Imperial Knight.

"The mission will be held 17 hours from now. All prepare yourself well. Remember in the heart. You guys are rubbish. Garbage is meaningless if it cannot be recycled. And among all the garbage, the real garbage is the garbage that is useless for anything. Go and make yourself useful, you trash!!!!"

And that was the combat preparation of the force known as the strongest army.

".......I have to change our slogan when."

Before becoming a demon, he had to think of something more important.

How to cure his masochistic army?

💠💠💠

Meanwhile, in contrast to the father who had to prepare for battle, the princess also faced her own battle.

With a wooden sword in his hand, he clashed the sword with Yui in Kuro's courtyard. The reason why there, of course because the page is wider and quieter. But the real reason is because in the house it is installed a special shield that is stronger than any shield. They can destroy anything without fearing that their neighbors will be affected.

And an additional reason is because Laila's parents can come whenever they want. That's all that matters.

"Come, sister Laila. Empower your power. Use all the sword techniques you used to fight all this time. Yup.. Like those... Attack me with everything you have."

"...hhh!!!"

Hearing compliments won't make Laila happy. Even though he was exerting all of his possessions, yet he was still unable to touch Yui.

The problem isn't that Laila can't use magic. He is, but normally his body is as healthy as ever. Nor was it because the wooden sword he was wearing did not match the sword he was used to. It is precisely the sword is well made so that it has the same weight, size and shape as Scarflare.

Laila attacked with a stab and continued with a transverse slash. Not to forget he also used a trick move. No doubt Laila's sword technique was no less than a Knight's sword technique.

But with a simple move, Yui made Laila's sword flung from her hand. Then after that he unsheathed the wooden sword into Laila's neck.

"This is your fifth death. Are you still going?"

In contrast to Yui who was still breathing normally, Laila was panting heavily and sweat was pouring down her body. No doubt the difference in stamina of the two was too great.

"...how about we take a short break?"

Laila nodded and immediately lay on the green grass as if a corpse.

Seeing that, Yui could only smile as she understood Laila's state. At the same time, Guila came with two other servants.

"Miss Yui, Miss Laila. We brought you lunch."

"Thank you, Guila. I am already thirsty. Oh.. Please help Laila."

Guila and the others approached to help Laila stand up, but Laila refused by shaking her head.

"....I want to rest even longer... My body hurts all."

"But if you rest in the scorching sun, then you will be sick, Miss Laila. We don't want to see Shi-tuan Kuro panic and worry."

They just don't want to be yelled at by Kuro. Simple reasons. But it's scary enough.

"It's okay.. I can gather mana energy from the sun. This heat won't make me sick."

Hearing that, Yui and Guila glanced at each other.

They realize what Laila can do is quite strange and beyond human reason. In theory it can absorb mana energy from nature, but only a small amount.

"...even if it doesn't make you sick, but at least you drink. Remember, even though you can collect mana from the sun, you can only collect it in small quantities."

No matter how long Laila sunbathed, it would not make Laila recover quickly. Realizing his mistake, he got up and received a bottled drink from Guila.

He opened it and immediately gulped until it ran out. Laila now looks fresher.

They then move under the tree to avoid the sun directly.

While resting, Laila realizes that Yui and herself are very different. Although both of them do not use magic, but if you ask who is better, then Yui is the one.

"...are you not tired of using ki?"

"Are you interested in ki?"

"Lying if you're not interested. After all, Kuro is a ki user, I'm so curious as to what power he has that he's so strong that he doesn't rely on magic."

Kuro is an abnormal existence in a world full of magic. You could say he was unique. And that's what makes him special.

As Kuro's lover, a great curiosity grows regarding Kuro's powers. Unfortunately, at the moment he only got a little explanation.

On this occasion, Laila wanted to know more.

"so..  Well.. I don't think there's any harm in explaining about ki. I also wish you could use that power someday."

Yui was silent for a moment and took a deep breath. And then he began to explain everything he knew.

"If you want to talk about ki, we first talk about magic. And when it comes to magic, then we can't let go of the source of magic itself, which is where." Yui paused for a moment, then continued. "Witches are people who are able to control mana and turn it into a phenomenon we call magic. Magic is divided into several elements (attributes) that we are currently familiar with the basic concept of magic. Water, fire, earth, wind, lightning, iron, sound, ice, wood, darkness and holy. It is with that concept that we know the weakness and superiority of each element such as the weak water element against the fire element."

Laila nodded in confirming.

"Now, we're starting to talk about ki. If mana has a type (attribute), then ki does not have such a concept. Ki is pure energy itself or can also be referred to as a neutral element. Do you understand now why Kuro isn't afraid of dealing with any witches?"

Laila thought to understand Yui's explanation.

"...maybe that's the reason why you also choose to use ki over magic?"

If the theory is correct, then the reason why Yui rarely chooses to fight using magic will be answered.

"so. My water element magic will lose if it comes face to face with your fire element. If I want to win from you, then I will have to use magic with greater amounts of mana. In a real fight, if the enemy has a mana capacity greater than myself and the elements do not match, then I will be finished. Well... Although it also depends on how to make a strategy, it will be a tough fight."

"..."

"But since ki has no element, then I need not fear the weakness of the water element magic. You could say using magic and ki simultaneously like a pecurang."

Now it all makes sense. Because it has no type, then ki is suitable to be used against various elements.

"But while it sounds great, the limited use of ki is the biggest drawback. And if I don't use it carefully, then I will experience worse circumstances than when I run out of mana. ...That's why Laila, if you want to learn it, then you have to prepare for the worst. Well.. Actually ki is more suitable for use by ordinary people because they do not use mana. To witches like us, we are like water and fire that you use at the same time. Sister Laila, can you imagine what it's like? Believe me, it's worse than you imagined."

That was Yui's last explanation. But after it was finished, the atmosphere became heavy and tense. How not? Yui's explanation might be a way to become stronger, but before that it must pass through hell first.

And Yui is the one who made it through that hell.

"...that's why we should practice to hone your weak sword techniques first. I know why you're interested, but being able to use the same power as Kuro's brother isn't the only way to get stronger. Besides, do you think I'm your only teacher?"

".......eh?"

When confused by what Yui meant, Guila and the servant who was with her stood up and smiled faintly.

"Don't tell me that..."

"We'll be your next opponent, Miss Laila."

"Don't be too surprised. After all the servants in this house had strength equal to or stronger than the Holy Knight. And since each of them has their own expertise, I am very confident that they can increase your strength. And don't worry, when will I add a special teacher for you."

Instead of being happy, Laila realized that she would soon face a hell called training.

But it's not that he doesn't understand Yui's reason. Guila and the others had the strength of a Holy Knight. That means they are not only specialists in magic, but also martial arts and swordsmanship. For Laila who was currently unable to use magic, they were the right teacher.

"Now how about we continue the training?" yui said with a smile.

"...didn't we just take a few minutes off?"

"If you think like that, you'll soon die on the battlefield."

Although acknowledging what Yui said was true, she felt that Yui was enjoying being tormented.

He realized, Yui is an S. Just like her brother, Kuro.

And Laila's training continued. Unlike Yui who practices using the sword, Guila is a spear user. But because of the practice, Guila currently uses a stick that has no sharp parts.

Laila used a different technique to fight Guila. After all, the sword had a shorter range than the spear. This causes Laila to be more often in a defensive position rather than attacking. And despite attacking, Laila had not even managed to touch Guila's maid outfit.

This happened not because Laila was exhausted or Guila could use magic, but from one look, Laila immediately knew that Guila was like a veteran warrior who had experienced many battles.

(He's strong... )

But that doesn't mean it's giving up. This made Laila even more excited.

But in any case only with spirit will not win the battle. This was the harsh reality Laila had to know.

Night had arrived and Laila was currently in a hot tub. His entire body was in pain from being forced to fight too much.

No doubt this is hell.

"Yuuu... I want to meet Kuro..."

"You haven't parted with Brother Kuro for a day. But you don't seem to have met for a year."

Unlike Laila, Yui floats not far from Laila.

"Well.. Not that I don't understand, but now focus on the results of your training today."

"Yui, can you please not discuss the rehearsal? I honestly want to forget it for a moment."

"Don't try to avoid." Yui approaches and soaks beside Laila. "You know, if I counted all your mistakes during practice, I'd instantly want to hit you in full force. How can an S rank magician like yourself make so many mistakes? Coupled with strange and useless movements. I think it's more appropriate if I call you not having the original movement."

Laila could only smile wryly. However, it has become common knowledge that all his techniques are the result of his own learning.

But upon hearing Yui's words, for some reason Laila felt pierced.

"Tomorrow we will make amends for your mistakes. And after that, we'll try to do it with magic. By the way, I think you'll recover in three days, so you don't have much time to practice your sword techniques."

"...I know practicing my basic techniques when I can't use magic makes my sword techniques stronger in a short time, but ..this is a little excessive..."

"This is still not how much if the exercise I run for the sake of being able to use ki. Oh.. I remember soaking in water for 2 weeks without eating or drinking. That's really hell aha ha."

Laila was instantly deathly pale. He did not want to imagine what Yui was going through to become stronger.

"But you succeeded and became stronger. That means your hard work pays off, doesn't it? I think it's something to be proud of."

Yui's face didn't look too happy as Laila had expected.

"I'm really proud and I'm really happy to be stronger. That way I hope to fight on Kuro's side. Unfortunately, every time I made it one step, he always went 10 times further. I want to be stronger, but I don't know how to walk the same path as him."

"...."

Laila understood what Yui was feeling. Laila felt the same way.

No matter if he was S rank or not, when he became stronger, Kuro became stronger than anyone. No matter how fast he chased after her, Kuro's distance kept getting further and further away.

"But we want to continue with Kuro. That's what's important, right?"

"Yup..."

For the umpteenth time, they united their hearts.

The next morning, Laila woke up after hearing a loud alarm. But it was not an alarm clock in his room.

The alarm was heard all over the capital and made a peaceful morning full of noise. And that means he's not the only one who's awake.

"Evacation alarm?"

Evacuation alarms are heard if they occur in a part of the region to give a sign of a problem, but this time the alarm is heard throughout the capital. This means that the city has a big problem right now.

But Laila immediately doubted that. She remembered that Riana said not to bother. In other words...

"...have they started moving?"

The operation to obtain Izriva has begun.

Knowing that fact, Laila immediately got out of bed and changed her clothes. But that's when Yui suddenly shows up and closes the closet door.

"I know what you're thinking, but you should realize that this is not the right thing to do."

"Yui, I just want to look from afar. Can you?"

"With your fake smile, another hundred years you can fool me. Right now you have more important things to do. Why can't you trust anyone else? If the government can get Lic, it means you don't have to be tired of fighting."

"I just want to see..."

"No."

And that's why Laila's practice is becoming more and more akin to real hell training.

💠💠💠

Half an hour earlier, early morning blind. Leon and the Imperial Knight who were under his orders scattered all over to surround the building that was allegedly the location of the enemy hiding.

The building was at first glance similar to an ordinary large shop, but what they were aiming for was not above ground, but at the bottom.

"Uncle Leon, everyone's in their position."

Leon turned his head towards the girl who was not far beside him.

"I still didn't think you'd actually be coming, Charlmilia. What would I tell your father if he found out about this?"

In response to that, Charlmilia simply smiled.

"Uncle Leon just needs to say I came to watch how the strongest people in the world fight."

"Don't joke. Anyone will be the strongest in the world when trying to do what he believes is right. I do have a power capable of splitting mountains in two easily, but that doesn't mean I want to use this power to fight."

"You're too low, Uncle Leon. Strength is not only used for fighting, but also for protecting."

"Unfortunately protecting is also the same as fighting. No matter the time passes, the battle will continue. I don't think there's any point in talking about this. By the way you're in class with my daughter, if I can I'd like to hear your opinion of her boyfriend."

"Don't worry, Uncle Leon. I'll tell you everything I know. But before that, we must focus on the battle that will soon await us."

"You're right... "

Moments later, alarms were heard all over the city. The reason why it reached the entire city, it was because they still could not estimate the impact of the battle this time around.

"It started.. Charlmilia, I will guarantee your safety, so don't stay away from me. I don't want to involve young people in this anyway."

"I understand, Uncle Leon."

No matter what rank Charmilia has, it doesn't change her if she's still inexperienced. No need to force him to fight.

They ran towards the building that was allegedly a hiding location using acceleration magic. But before they arrived, they stopped.

Leon quickly punched a path under his feet and made a hole with a diameter of two meters. It was not a blow done using magic, just with a regular punch.

Not only in their place, in various corners of the city were heard the sound of loud collisions produced by almost the same attack.

Leon and Charlmilia went straight into the tunnel made through the underground layers. They arrived at the underground passage which was a tunnel to channel the water. The soft and unpleasant air makes them uncomfortable and immediately want to close their nose, but it's time to think about it.

They quickly ran and pierced through the walls that confronted them as if an incomparable tank.

"Uncle..."

"I knew. They're coming."

Not far in front of them a shadowy figure appeared from the crack of the wall. No doubt they are enemies. But Leon and Charlmilia did not stop their steps and continued forward.

Leon hits and kicks the enemy with incredible force. The enemy figure is not even shaped anymore. Are they human or just a lump of flesh.

The strength Leon used showed that he was the strongest. Charlmila could only see and at the same time feel amazed.

Arriving from the darkness darted the arrow towards Leon's blind spot, but before touching Leon, the arrow became dust.

"heart. The enemy is stronger than expected. There are a lot of traps here. Given who was on their side, I'm sure the trap contained poison. Don't get hit even if it's just a scratch."

While running, Charlmilia nodded.

Although in his heart he was hard to believe because after all looking from the perspective of others, their enemies were very weak. It was like a cockroach in Leon's hand.

(Is this the power of Uncle Leon?)

The enemy is back. This time Charlmilia attempted to attack with a sword of wind. Attacks hit the enemy, but have no meaningful effect, even just scratches.

But Charlmilia did not panic. He was just testing whether or not his conjecture was true.

Then he created plasma. Shaped it into a spear and then shot it like a bullet. This time his attack pierced through their defenses and killed them. They died because Charlmilia was targeting the core of their purple crystal.

Seeing that, Leon smiled.

"Your attack is greater than rumored. The present generation is indeed different when compared to the past."

"Thank you, Uncle. But I think the best generation is your generation. The best witches today are partly from your generation."

Leon shook his head.

"Maybe because I'm too flashy. I can say I'm a little abnormal. And maybe you don't realize, you're even considered abnormal if you live in my generation."

"...you're too much..."

They continued forward and once again the enemy came. Leon quickly kicked the floor in front of him and in an instant the floor shattered to the bottom.

Leon and Charmilia unhesitatingly jumped down. They were greeted by a light that shot out like a bullet. It was a light that was an anti-magic attack. But before it touched them, the light disappeared like it was swallowed up by something.

Once again Charlmilia was confused by a phenomenon she did not understand. Although at first glance it looks like automatic defense magic, but because the enemy's power is anti-magic, Leon's defense should not work. But most important of all, Charlmilia felt no sense of where Leon was emanating.

They easily landed and saw the enemy besieging from various directions. Their numbers reached tens with various anti-magic weapons.

With a look in the eyes the two gave a mark and scattered towards their opponents.

Charlmilia re-created the plasma spear and targeted the enemy's core. Some he managed to kill, but some escaped by slashing his plasma spear.

The enemy arrived nearby and prepared to attack. Charlmilia's position was unfavorable, but by controlling the wind around her, she dodged and dealt a blow.

His attack had no effect because his enemy was not human. The enemy attacked from another direction and once again Charlmilia managed to dodge. He moved over the rubble with small leaps and gentle movements like dancing. Then after being in the right position, he created a plasma spear and fired it.

Five enemies down. The enemy is still many and ready to attack. But unlike before, this time they did not attack recklessly. They seem to realize that Charlmilia is stronger than she seems.

Three of them changed the shape of their weapons into arrows and locked the target towards Charlmilia.

Magic arrows released. That's when the other light comes from a different direction. Unlike arrows, the light was more like a magic bullet.

Charlmilia noticed the attack from the other direction. He did not panic or try to avoid it. In a short time he took the crystal from his clothes and activated it.

Then in an instant all the enemy attacks were cut off. And at the same time, the two swords in Charlmilia's hand shone brightly in the darkness.

"I don't have time to play with you guys. I'll end it."

The aura emanated from Charlmilia. He used body strengthening magic coupled with movement speeding magic, he moved quickly like teleporting in front of an enemy.

Without a doubt he pierced the enemy core. He then moved on to the other enemy and carried out the same attack. It didn't take long for him to finally defeat all the enemies.

He sighed then looked towards Leon who had taken care of all his enemies easily.

".....errr..."

"Don't worry. This is not a race. No matter how much we defeat the enemy, as long as we don't get what we need, this mission won't matter."

Charlmilia nodded, but for some reason she felt like an obstacle in the mission this time.

He then approached Leon.

"From here we ascertain our next direction. If we're too destructive, it'll be terrible. But don't worry about getting buried. That's what I'm here for."

If orderly, you will destroy everything. What an unfunny joke.

Charlmilia could only nod while complaining inwardly.

Leon activates the communication device and contacts the headquarters.

"What about the other status?"

[Everything's fine. Although many are dealing with enemies, they are not heavy opponents.]

You could say the situation is still going well. Even better than expected. Maybe because they are the best squad, so this result is arguably reasonable.

"Tell everyone not to let your guard down. We still do not know what cards the enemy has. Besides, tell us our current position."

[Alright, I understand. You are currently in a hiding place that was used in ancient times. Please move straight down. You will find another basement.]

"Same on the map... It's worse than I thought."

Charlmilia nodded in agreement.

The basements in the capital arguably number in the thousands. All of that could be former storage areas, hiding places, shelters, or even old cities.

The map of the upper city was even easier to understand when compared to the underground part of Phoenix city. They were in a vast labyrinth.

And now, the enemy is mastering it.

"Uncle, what should we do now?"

"We'll just go ahead and beat them up. But to be honest, I hate mazes like this the most."

"Hm.. Does Uncle have a special reason why he doesn't like it?"

"Not really, but the last time I went on an adventure in the labyrinth was on my honeymoon with my wife. We parted a few days and.. You know, we couldn't do 'that' and in the end I decided to never get into the labyrinth again."

".............."

No matter whether the paladin was the strongest or not, Leon was still a man.

And for some reason, it made her remember someone.

(What is Kuro doing now?)