When the bugle call to advance sounded over the city of Muxi, all the citizens stopped what they were doing and turned their gaze toward the city gate.
The knight, his entire body concealed in black armor, had his dragon bones and joints twisting and dancing within the steel; the iron hooves of the exotic warhorse pounded the earth, producing a heavy and deep sound.
A Valkyrie, wearing a feathered crown and carrying a bow and javelin, rides a snow-white griffin, soaring above the city, and uses a banner engraved with a giant dragon to point the way forward for the army on the ground.
Orcs as strong as mountains, werewolves with sharp teeth and claws, tauren carrying giant axes, elves whose fingertips wield fire and frost...
With 13,000 men in the Knights of Twilight and 3,000 in the Holy Army, the first large-scale military operation since the founding of the Dragon Kingdom officially began.
Standing on the palace terrace, Todd, his hands resting on the railing, watched the army march eastward, further and further away, and asked softly, "Regarding this operation in Tero City, do you understand your responsibilities?"
Randall clenched his right fist, placed it on his chest, and bowed to the king in a military salute: "Your Majesty, I understand."
Todd nodded, turned around, and took out a palm-sized round pendant from his sleeve, on which was carved a giant dragon with outstretched wings.
Slowly raising the dragon-shaped badge, Todd said, "Unlike the decorative pendants worn by most members of the Crusaders, this is the Dragon God Badge. It is imbued with a portion of my power. If you concentrate and hold it tightly, you can guide your soul into Heaven. Once your soul enters Heaven, no power in this world can threaten you."
“The Dragon God Badge is extremely rare, and it is basically only issued to the shamans and Valkyries of the Crusader.” Todd hung the badge around Randall’s neck and said slowly, “I am now giving it to you, hoping that you will use its power correctly.”
Randall stroked the emblem on his neck, his face full of reverence: "Your Majesty, thank you for your favor."
Todd nodded slightly and said, "You deserve it."
Randall looked at the badge on his chest, opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.
Looking at the expression on his face, Todd said, "Just say what you have to say, there's no need to hesitate."
“Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness… I have long been puzzled as to why you seem to have always been so… caring towards me…” Randall said with a puzzled look, “I don’t think I have any extraordinary abilities or powers. I’m just an ordinary human being. Why do you…?”
“The confessional in the church, the defense of Twilight City, the final battle of Lone Rock City…” Todd looked at the man in front of him and said with a smile, “Randall, perhaps you don’t realize it, but the truth is… we are somewhat similar.”
"resemblance?"
"We all put the well-being of others before our own interests. We are willing to give our lives to protect everything we love."
Todd gently patted Randall on the shoulder: "Power, authority, wisdom, and ambition are merely tools for living beings to change the world, but a pure and sincere heart is the source that makes this world a better place."
"If this world were to have a hundred more gods, it would be nothing more than icing on the cake; but if it could have one more saint who is wholeheartedly devoted to goodness, it would be a stroke of good fortune, like finding a boat in a desperate situation."
Randall lowered his head, silently pondering Todd's words.
After a moment, he raised his head and said with a devout and firm expression, "I understand what you mean, and I will not let you down."
Todd smiled with satisfaction.
As Randall stepped out of the King's audience chamber, he looked at his companions in the corridor and let out a long sigh of relief.
Barbara, dressed in a red gown, walked up to Randall and asked curiously, "What did His Majesty say to you? Did he mention our marriage?"
Upon hearing Barbara's question, the werewolf Aldnan looked at the orc Carol beside him with a mocking gaze.
The word "marriage" from Barbara's mouth caused Carol's rock-solid face to tremble slightly.
However, the orc quickly returned to normal, pretending as if he hadn't heard anything.
Randall instinctively placed his hand on his chest and said calmly, "His Majesty has high expectations for our operation this time."
Aldenan shrugged: "Now, can you tell us exactly what this operation entails?"
Randall replied, "We will travel to the Father's Diocese in the East to rescue some scholars."
Alden muttered under his breath, "Rescue the scholar? I'm afraid things aren't that simple..."
Carroll straightened up and said in a deep voice, "Since His Majesty the Holy King has given the order, we only need to follow it. Discussion and speculation are just superfluous actions."
Barbara agreed, "That's right. The Crusaders have two volunteers who have volunteered for this operation. They're downstairs. Randall, you should go and meet them first."
Randall nodded and walked down the stairs at the end of the corridor to the first floor.
In the lobby on the first floor, a minotaur and a lizardman stood together looking up at the second floor.
Aldenan flipped down the stairs and landed on the hall floor. He ran to the minotaur, patted him on the chest, and laughed loudly, "Bulville, thanks for your help! I knew those drinks with you weren't for nothing!"
The dark-skinned Bulville blocked the werewolf's furry paw and said to Randall, who was walking slowly towards him, "Let me introduce you. This is Kellogg, a scout of the lizardman race, and also my best friend."
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