Despair

( Duke Nico's POV )

Duke Nico stood on the scorched earth, the heat of the dragon's breath still radiating through the air, as the remnants of his once-proud manor lay in smoldering ruins behind him.

Beside him stood Vice Commander Phillips, the strongest knight in the Southern Duchy and the last beacon of hope for Thumba City.

As the smoke cleared, Duke Nico's eyes locked onto the figure hovering above them, the demon king Anos who unmistakably had his sword pointed towards Phillips in challenge.

Vice commander Phillips, being a man of unyielding resolve, met the Demon King's gaze with a fierce determination.

"You burn my lord's mansion down, you terrorize my city…. I'm afraid even if you are a dragon rider, you must pay for this transgression today!" Philips shouted, his words incomprehensible to the demon, but the intent behind them was clear. He was not going to back down. He was not going to yield to this terror.