The command hall remained silent.
No one underestimated the threat anymore.
Twenty thousand Beastmen.
A Beast King leading them personally.
An Assassin Corps capable of shadowing Commander Sam's delegation without being detected until it was too late.
This enemy...
Was unlike any they had faced before.
---
Elena looked around the room.
"Everyone."
"We begin war preparations immediately."
Every Dragon Knight struck a fist against their chest.
"Yes, Commander!"
Orders were issued one after another.
"Recall every patrol."
"Double the eastern wall guard."
"Open the military warehouses."
"Move civilians into the inner districts."
"Prepare every drake for combat."
The officers rushed from the command hall.
Within moments, the entire kingdom sprang into motion.
Warning bells echoed throughout Base 305.
BOOOOOONG!
BOOOOOONG!
BOOOOOONG!
Citizens looked toward the eastern horizon.
Soldiers hurried through the streets.
Blacksmiths reignited their forges.
Healers prepared medicines.
Supply wagons rolled toward the walls.
---
Sam watched quietly.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Commander Elena maintains excellent military discipline.
Estimated mobilization time...
Thirty-four minutes.
Sam nodded.
"Efficient."
Elena looked at him.
"I've had to be."
"The eastern frontier has never been peaceful."
Ben stepped forward.
"Commander."
Sam turned.
Ben rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.
"If you'll allow it..."
"I'd like to inspect their infantry."
Elena smiled.
"I was hoping you'd ask."
She turned toward one of her captains.
"Captain Roland."
A heavily armored Dragon Knight stepped forward.
"Commander."
"Take Captain Ben to our training grounds."
Roland saluted.
"It will be an honor."
Ben grinned.
"I've always wanted to spar with Dragon Knights."
---
"Commander."
Zora spoke next.
"If possible..."
"I'd like to meet your Mage Corps."
Elena nodded immediately.
"Captain Lysette."
A woman wearing silver-blue robes stepped forward.
Her staff crackled with mana.
"I command the Mage Corps."
She smiled warmly.
"I've heard much about the Captain of Base 101's Mages."
Zora returned the smile.
"I'd enjoy comparing notes."
The two women left together.
Already discussing magical formations.
---
Kael rested his Frost Spear across his shoulders.
"What about me?"
Elena looked him up and down.
"You use a spear."
Kael nodded proudly.
"Frost Spear."
A massive Dragon Knight carrying a crimson lance stepped forward.
"I command the Lancers."
He smiled.
"I've been looking for someone to test myself against."
Kael laughed.
"I like this place already."
---
Runa crossed her arms.
"And me?"
Elena pointed toward the western tower.
"Our chief archer has been waiting to meet you since hearing your name."
Runa blinked.
"They know me?"
Elena smiled.
"The commander who trained the archers that helped defeat a Regional Boss?"
"Yes."
"We know you."
For the first time that day...
Runa looked genuinely embarrassed.
"...Oh."
Kael couldn't help himself.
"So the famous Captain Runa blushes."
Runa glared at him.
"Keep talking."
Kael wisely stopped.
---
Only three remained.
Sam.
Leon.
Elena.
The Goblin Warlord King stood silently behind Sam.
The Goblin Mage floated nearby.
Elena looked toward Leon.
"I've heard you're the finest scout among the Commanders."
Leon answered simply.
"I do my job."
A faint smile appeared on Elena's face.
"My Scout Captain would enjoy arguing with you."
"I don't argue."
"No?"
"I gather information."
Elena laughed softly.
"I believe that."
---
She then turned toward Sam.
"Walk with me."
The two Commanders left the palace together.
They climbed the eastern wall overlooking the plains beyond the kingdom.
For several minutes...
Neither spoke.
Finally, Elena broke the silence.
"I've heard many stories about you."
Sam kept his eyes on the horizon.
"I've heard very few about you."
"I prefer it that way."
He nodded.
"So do I."
Another moment of silence passed.
Then Elena asked,
"Why did you come?"
Sam answered honestly.
"To meet another Commander."
"To build alliances."
"Humanity has enough enemies."
"We don't need to become one another's."
Elena looked at him.
There wasn't the slightest hint of deception in his eyes.
She smiled.
"Then I'm glad you came."
---
Before either Commander could continue...
Leon appeared without a sound.
"Commander."
Sam turned.
"What is it?"
Leon looked toward the eastern horizon.
"They're here."
Elena's expression instantly hardened.
Both Commanders stepped to the edge of the wall.
Far away...
Beyond the rolling hills...
A cloud of dust stretched across the horizon.
It grew larger with every passing second.
BOOM...
BOOM...
BOOM...
The earth trembled beneath thousands of synchronized footsteps.
Then...
Dark banners emerged through the dust.
Each carried the symbol of a roaring black beast.
Behind them marched endless ranks of Beastmen.
Wolf warriors.
Tiger warriors.
Boar shock troops.
Massive bear soldiers carrying tower-sized shields.
Lines of beast archers.
War drums thundered across the plains.
DOOM!
DOOM!
DOOM!
The ground itself seemed to shake.
Then...
The army stopped.
Miles away from the walls.
At the center of the formation...
A lone rider urged his massive black warbeast forward.
He wore black iron armor etched with ancient runes.
An enormous greataxe rested across his back.
Golden eyes surveyed Base 305 from afar.
Then...
Those eyes lifted.
They locked directly onto Sam.
Even across the impossible distance...
It felt as though the Beast King was staring straight at him.
Bjorn smiled.
Sam didn't look away.
Neither Commander blinked.
The battlefield had not yet begun.
But the duel between two Kings...
Already had.