BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The battlefield shook.
Thousands of Titan warriors surged forward in perfect formation.
Their synchronized footsteps thundered across the endless plain.
THUD!!
THUD!!
THUD!!
Each step carried enough force to shake the stone beneath Ben's feet.
Yet...
Ben didn't retreat.
Instead...
He smiled.
"Now this..."
"...is a proper welcome."
Golden mana exploded around his body.
WHOOM!!
Inside his mind...
His System spoke.
General...
Enemy Formation Analysis Complete.
Frontline Infantry: 3,000.
Second Line Reinforcements: Unknown.
Primary Objective Remains Unchanged.
Protect All Civilians.
Ben tightened his grip on his greatsword.
"I know."
"I wasn't planning on letting a single one through."
---
The first Titan reached him.
Its spear shot forward with incredible speed.
Ben stepped sideways.
The spear missed by inches.
His greatsword flashed.
CLANG!!
The Titan's weapon shattered instantly.
Before the warrior could react—
BOOOOOOM!!
Ben's blade crashed into its chest.
The stone soldier exploded into fragments.
One down.
Nine hundred ninety-nine...
And countless more to go.
---
They didn't hesitate.
The second rank charged immediately.
Then the third.
Spears descended like rain.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Ben's sword became a blur.
Every swing shattered weapons.
Every strike destroyed another Titan.
Stone fragments covered the battlefield.
Yet...
For every warrior that fell...
Another stepped into its place.
Inside his mind...
His System spoke again.
General...
Warning.
Current enemy numbers exceed sustainable elimination rate.
Recommendation: Establish a defensive position.
Ben laughed.
"You finally said something I agree with."
---
He glanced behind him.
The civilians hadn't moved.
Fear filled their eyes.
Children clung to their parents.
The elderly struggled to stand.
If even one Titan broke through...
It would be over.
Ben planted his foot.
Then...
He drove his greatsword into the ground.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
Golden mana erupted in every direction.
A massive shockwave blasted the front ranks backward.
The charging legion finally stopped.
Dust filled the air.
Ben pulled his sword free.
"This line..."
He pointed the blade toward the Titans.
"...is where you stop."
---
High above...
Aegis watched silently.
The ancient Titan crossed his arms.
«"Good..."»
«"He understands."»
---
The legion advanced once more.
This time...
They changed formation.
Instead of charging together...
They split apart.
Ben frowned.
"What are they doing?"
His System immediately answered.
General...
Enemy Tactical Formation Detected.
Objective: Flanking Maneuver.
Ben's eyes widened.
The Titan soldiers weren't trying to defeat him.
They were trying to go around him.
Straight toward the civilians.
"They're learning..."
Without another thought—
Ben sprinted.
BOOM!!
He intercepted the left flank first.
His greatsword swept across the battlefield.
CRAAAAASH!!
Six Titans shattered instantly.
He pivoted.
The right flank had already closed the distance.
Ben kicked off the ground.
WHOOM!!
He crashed into the formation like a meteor.
Stone bodies flew through the air.
But more kept coming.
His breathing became heavier.
Sweat rolled down his forehead.
His armor bore fresh scratches.
Yet...
His smile never disappeared.
---
Aegis finally spoke.
«"Why do you continue to smile..."»
«"...when defeat is inevitable?"»
Ben blocked another spear.
Then answered without looking up.
"Because..."
CLANG!!
He shattered another shield.
"...I've seen worse."
BOOM!!
Another Titan fell.
"I've fought monsters."
"I've fought armies."
"I've fought battles I never thought I'd survive."
He threw a punch.
A Titan's helmet caved inward.
"But every time..."
He raised his greatsword.
"My Commander stood beside me."
Golden mana exploded around the blade.
"And if Sam believes..."
"...that I can protect our kingdom..."
He charged directly into the center of the Titan legion.
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
"...then that's exactly what I'm going to do!"
A massive explosion sent dozens of Titans flying.
For the first time...
Aegis' golden eyes widened.
The First Vanguard wasn't looking at Ben's strength anymore.
He was looking at something far rarer.
Unshakable conviction.
And deep within the ancient Titan's heart...
A spark of respect was born.