Monsters are Inside the City

Rodnir dropped his apprehensive expression before looking at the ambassador. "This is exactly why I want to come with you. You keep on leaving the new applicants to die on their own. How dare you call yourselves facets of King Fenris if you cannot deal with monsters easily."

He then turned to the knights in black, especially the one who had his helmet removed. "Scold me some other day. Help out in suppressing the monsters, Sir Heinz. If you won't, I will do it myself."

"You definitely won't hear the end of it from me when we get back home. What a willful brat." Sir Heinz then glanced behind him. "Two of you, stay here to protect His Grace. The rest, on me. Let's dispose of those who wish to hurt the members of the unicorn race."

"Make sure you return, then, Sir Heinz." Rodnir gave a mocking smile and even waved his hand a little. He figured that if Sir Heinz could be caught punching the king's ward, his teeth would all be gone. No matter, he cared too little about Sir Heinz's sentiments. He just returned to the waiting chamber, watching the communications tower as if it were a symbol of something.

…

Outside the castle, the people were screaming and running toward the castle grounds. Monsters had invaded the country from the western gates, which were closest to the residential area. The handful of knights they had fought to buy time for the escaping citizens, Gannett fighting in the front lines.

Covey was rounding the people, making sure they were heading the right way. However, he often glanced in the direction of the waiting chamber. "Kanaru, please stay put. We have guests to protect at these times. You should—"

He was not yet done praying when Kanaru shot out of the balcony. His wings spread out and folded as he went maximum speed toward the enemies. Instead of just using his hands, Kanaru had a poleaxe with him. He was striking at the ones closest to the people, pushing them out of the way.

"Kanaru! What are you doing out here? Go back to our guests!" Covey yelled as he tried to chase Kanaru with his eyes. "We can handle this!"

"Rodnir is even more powerful than me! I'm sure they can protect themselves! Our people are more in danger!" Kanaru had to yell because he was high up in midair. He then dove again to push the mutated animals away from the knights.

Gannett showed his heavy yet blade wings as well, soon spinning to cut at the monsters Kanaru threw away. When he stopped, he flapped his wings to throw the monsters even further. Most monsters died from the onslaught, but some still rose from the ground despite the injuries. Gannett unsheathed his sword and aimed at the monsters.

He glanced at his brother hovering around in his fancy dress. "Return to their side, Kanaru. I don't want them to say bullshit like you're too ferocious. Most concubines must be servile and gentle. Stop fighting and leave this to us."

Kanaru looked at his brother for a few more seconds before circling to return to the castle. He glanced at Covey, who only nodded at him as an assurance. Seeing that most people were already inside the castle grounds, the soldiers began closing the doors. It would be hard to provide added arms to the ones outside—it was not like they had more forces than this, either.

"Make way!" Sir Heinz yelled, and the knights in black ran like a crashing tide toward the gates. The soldiers hurriedly opened the two panels, and the knights began shifting into their partial forms. Clinking noises came from their armor as parts began expanding to accommodate their new frames. Even the biggest one that turned into a bear didn't break his armor.

"Wow, we're going to see the Black Smoke Corps in action…!" One of the soldiers grew excited. He could see the city outside because he closed the gates from the top of the walls, along with another soldier. That other soldier also looked out in awe.

The monsters that came toward the open gates were quickly killed and decimated by the knights in black. They were called the Black Smoke Corps, the elite army of Middlemist. Even if they were most likely tasked to protect the ambassadors, the great lords decided to help protect the people of Burdett. The soldiers just couldn't see the sour expression of the black knights underneath their masks.

They didn't want to be here, either, but the king's ward ordered them to fight. It was not like they had other things to do. Moreover, the ward threatened them that he would go out there himself if they wouldn't offer their arms. If only that man was not the ward, they could have hit him as well.

At the side, Kanaru looked down at the Black Smoke Corps decimating the monsters flooding toward the gates. It was freeing up the other knights and his brothers. A smile would draw on his lips, but he saw a gigantic one coming from the scorching forbidden lands. Its skin was already black from the heat, but its stony exterior made it tougher than normal.

"Oh, no… the tower…" Kanaru's eyes gazed at the dilapidated tower at the side. It also seemed that the giant monster was also looking at it. With its huge frame that resembled a gorilla, knocking the tower down would be easy. Moreover, if the tower fell on Burdett, the castle might not even take the impact.

Swoosh! Kanaru had to stop the giant from destroying his tower and the castle. However, as he sped across the monsters flooding the country, one of them shot out its vines to catch the bird prince. A few more offered their long hands and tentacles to take him down completely.

Covey saw what happened, but he was busy culling the monsters coming from one direction. He would go to save his brother, but he was also caught by some monsters with whip-like appendages. "Kanaru! Hang in there! I'm coming!"

"What an idiot…!" Gannett caught Covey's calls for help, and he looked to find how Kanaru was trying to get away from the mob of monsters. His gaze was also directed to the giant monster marching from the forbidden lands. "Merciful lord…"

The huge shadow began casting on the entire castle. The Black Smoke Corps and everyone inside turned to find a huge thing trudging toward them. As it stepped, the ground began to tremble stronger, making it noticeable to everyone. As they all met the single eye of the huge gorilla, the people began screaming and running around for places to hide. Even the soldiers couldn't help but shake and fall on their bottoms.

King Burdett and his queen rushed to their balcony and saw how a huge monster showed up. Just one strike from it could destroy a portion of the kingdom walls and the houses nearby. His voice trembled as he held the queen's shoulder. "D-Dear, make the ambassadors leave. Make our children leave. That thing… we can't kill that thing…!"