Every knight on the field looked up.
Sir Arthur and Sir Rodrick's eyes followed — and in a single moment, went wide.
"That's a dragon," Sir Rodrick said, his gaze still fixed upward.
From behind, a few knights murmured —
*"So massive."*
*"It's terrifying."*
Then one spoke — "Looks like reinforcement has arrived, Sir Rodrick."
"Yes."
---
Behind that colossal dragon — five smaller dragon-like creatures came streaking forward. Shorter wings. Only two claws each.
They dropped like lightning, tore through the approaching Orcs with their claws and jaws, and shot back into the air.
*Sweeeeshhhhh.*
---
"So these are them," a knight said quietly. "The Royal Knights. The Dragon Knights."
---
The massive dragon descended.
Someone was seated on its back. They dismounted. Black knight armor — a golden dragon crest etched across the chest.
The five smaller creatures landed as well — and from each one, a knight stepped down.
The lead dragon knight walked forward.
Sir Arthur and Sir Rodrick moved together — left palm placed over the right side of their chests, heads dipped slightly.
*"Greetings, Sir Knight."*
*"Greetings."* He extended a hand. *"I am Sir Kaelin Ashborne — Vice Commander of the Second Order of Dragon Knights — The Storm Vanguard."*
Sir Arthur shook his hand. *"I am Sir Arthur — Knight Commander of the Falcon Knights, Velrend."*
Sir Rodrick followed. *"I am Sir Rodrick — Knight Commander of the Second Legion of Winterwatcher Knights — The Wolf Knights."*
All three — *"It's an honor."*
---
Sir Arthur studied Sir Kaelin for a moment. Around the same age — or perhaps slightly younger. Light brown hair, different from Sir Arthur's darker shade and Sir Rodrick's pitch black.
The introductions had barely finished when the massive dragon raised its head.
Something had caught its attention.
*"Kwiaaaaaghhhhhh——!"*
Everyone covered their ears.
"It seems the corrupted Orcs aren't finished yet," Sir Kaelin said, his tone shifting entirely.
---
From the burned remains, energy began to seep out — the corrupted energy that had been inside the Orcs.
Every knight had their crystals ready. They began collecting immediately. Several of the dragons absorbed some as well.
Sir Rodrick, Sir Kaelin, and Sir Arthur drew the energy directly into themselves.
---
Then Sir Arthur's breathing quickened.
His heart began to pound. But his body wasn't tired. It felt lighter. A different kind of energy pressing in from all sides.
Sir Rodrick and Sir Kaelin had already noticed.
Both of them smiled.
---
Then the next wave came.
Not only Orcs this time. Other monsters were among them — nearly unrecognizable. The corrupted energy had warped their forms entirely, as if pieces of different creatures had been torn apart and stitched back together into something new.
Sir Kaelin drew his sword. He smiled.
"Still want to handle it yourself — or should I let the dragon deal with it?"
All three smiled at once.
---
Corpses were scattered in every direction. The stench of burned corrupted flesh drifted through the cold air. Some of the knights who had arrived for the first time were beginning to pass out. A few were being sick. Others had simply sat down on the ground.
In the middle of all of it — only those three were laughing quietly.
---
All five Dragon Knights moved up behind them. The smaller creatures rose as well — though the large dragon remained seated, perfectly at ease.
Everyone drew their swords. Every blade burned with a dark blue aura.
But Sir Rodrick and Sir Kaelin — were waiting. As if holding back for something specific.
---
Sir Arthur's breathing grew faster.
Then — an old memory surfaced.
Sir Jorald's face. The training ground.
*"Arthur — just as I showed you. If you ever feel this... remember. Only then — use this technique."*
---
Sir Arthur directed his aura.
To the lower half of his legs. His thighs. His hands. His shoulders. And to his sword — light. But sharp.
---
Sir Kaelin looked out at the approaching wave and shouted —
*"Chaaaaaarge——!"*
---
All eight broke forward.
Sir Arthur was the fastest. In a single leap — driving the full force of his sword — he landed in the middle of the corrupted wave.
*Cross.*
Several blue streaks flashed at once.
*Slashhh. Wooshh. Slashhh. Dhachh. Dhachhh.*
More than half the corrupted — in a single pass.
---
Sir Rodrick and Sir Kaelin watched.
---
Then — Sir Arthur's entire body filled with energy. He drove it all outward — through his sword, through his body.
His blue aura began to shift.
Slowly turning white.
The hot air that had spread from the dragon's fire — went cold.
A white aura filled Sir Arthur's eyes. The design of his sword changed entirely — it moved like a whip. Fluid. But wherever it landed, it cut.
---
Sir Kaelin's eyes lit up with something different. As if this was exactly what he had been waiting for.
He signaled the other five Dragon Knights to hold back. Stepped back himself — slowly.
Sir Rodrick did the same.
---
Then — from two directions, voices rang out.
From one side —
*"Frost Sword——!"*
From the other —
*"Combustive Sword——!"*
---
From one side — *Slashhh. Whoosshhhhh. Crackkkk.*
From the other — *Slashhhhhh. Booommmm.*
---
**[Chapter 17 — End]**
*Two techniques. Two knights. One battlefield. Add the story to your library and don't miss what comes next. See you in Chapter 18.*
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