Chapter 21: Battle Preparation

The morning arrived and the sun rose above the horizon of the kingdom of Satirica. Located in front of the entrance of the kingdom was a massive army consisting of hundreds of adventurers and knights of the kingdom. They were about to depart to intercept the dragon on its way to the capital.

Loki wandered his eyes through the scenery of the army he was about to lead, watching their movement. He was on top of a boulder, overseeing them.

"Sir, as you ordered, the preparation is almost done. We can leave in a few minutes." Said one of the knights standing at the bottom of the boulder Loki was on. "The captains of the knights of Satirica are waiting for your order."

'Yeah, I was supposed to lead just 200 adventurers—but luckily for me, Ariel managed to convince her king-father to send hundreds of knights with us, which I am very thankful for. They are supposed to stay in the capital and fend for the kingdom if ever we end up failing to stop the flying lizard.' Loki thought. He nodded and paused for a second. He jumped from the boulder and faced the knight. "Good."

The knight bowed his head and walked out from him.

Loki shifted his eyes toward the three girls standing a few meters away from him, they had been watching him as he commanded the entire army since dawn. He walked toward Rika, Ariel, and Lian.

"You can actually fill the job of being a commander," Ariel said. She was crossing her arms while looking at Loki with a subtle smirk on her pink lips.

"I had been a leader of guilds before. Let's just say that I have some idea of how to lead an army on the battlefield." Loki said and stood beside Rika. "But these people are easier to lead to because they are not trolls and actually listen to everything I say without any issue."

"Trolls?" Rika asked. "Monsters?"

Loki smirked. "No. I am referring to those no-lives who are the only source of happiness in their bland lives is to ruin other people's day. It was part of my everyday life to deal with them."

"To turn into that person, their lives must be very sad and miserable. I feel sorry for them." Rika said. 

"Me too," Loki replied and stared at Lian who was just looking down. "Are you alright, Lian?"

Lian gasped and looked up. She stared at Loki's eyes for a few seconds and looked down again. "Yes... Loki."

"Don't mind her, she's just nervous. It happens a lot, especially when we are about to face dangerous enemies." Ariel explained.

"It's fine to feel nervous—we are about to fight a literal embodiment of catastrophe, but the most important thing is you are still striving despite it." He put his hand on Rika's shoulders, who was standing beside him, and slowly pulled her toward him while his eyes were still on Lian. "Don't worry, I'll be there... I will protect you all. No one will be hurt in this battle."

Then, the sound of the horn sounded throughout the army, it was an indication that the army's preparation was completed. Adventurers and knights lined up in the middle of the dirt road, in the middle of them were carriages, carrying javelin shooters, which was known as a good type of cannon against flying enemies.

All the warriors stood strong as they waited for their commander to start their journey, wearing their gear with different kinds of weapons. Although every single one of them knew what kind of fate they were about to face, resolve still dominated in their eyes.

"No one will die in this battle," Loki said and wandered his eyes to Rika, Ariel, and Lian. Then, he darted his eyes toward the army in front of him and walked through them. "Now, it's time for me to boost their morale. Warriors can't fight at their best when they are not confident in the capabilities of their commander."

As Loki passed through the formation, the knights and adventurers gave him the way by walking back with synchronization. Loki raised his head and marched with no emotion on his face. The wind blew, slowly swaying his bangs. Then, what was revealed was his blue glowing eyes. Then, a sky-blue aura that resembled a tornado formed around Loki. Then it exploded without harming anyone around him, but it took everyone's attention.

All the knights and adventurers had their jaws fell in awe, staring at Loki with their enlarged eyes.

"Yo," Loki said and stood in front of the army, whose attention was all on him. "Most of you probably know me by now, but let me introduce myself properly," Loki said and a smirk slowly emerged on his face. "My name is Loki Morningwood, I am a traveler and currently the newest Class S adventurer of Earthish. I fought many battles before—and most of them were while leading an entire army in a raid boss. From where I came from, I am known by many names—the decimator, the raid master, the master of all dungeons... The dragon slayer."

Hearing the last words, all faces immediately changed their expressions and stared at Loki with their shivering eyes.

"Many stories depict dragons as invincible beings that only the chosen few could defeat—only a knight in shining armor could fight against. The literal beings of destruction and legends. Fire-breathing winged lizards that can trample a kingdom." Loki shrugged. "But here is the thing... I am stronger than that dragon and I know that we can win this battle without any casualty—yes, I mean zero death from our side."

"All of you want to go back to your homes alive, right?" The raging wind calmed down and Loki's eyes turned back to black. "All I need you to do is do as I command and do what you all are best of... To fight without restraint." Loki snapped his fingers. "I may be new, but I know how to win this... Do you believe in me?"

Then, there was the warcry of the entire army, screaming Loki's name repeatedly while waving their weapons.

Loki slowly nodded. "Very well." He turned his back to the lively army. "Now, let's beat that catastrophic dragon and show it that it has chosen the wrong kingdom to attack!"