In certain a place...
Atlas, his body covered in ash and marks of electrocution, was almost exhausted. He looked at something he was holding in his hand; he was holding the corpse of the Grand Sorcerer. He had actually crushed his body without much effort. The sorcerer's head had been like a balloon when he tried to crush it. His body was fragile and weak, either because he was very old, or because Atlas's massive body was so strong that he died as easily as an insect.
Atlas felt tired. He had just fought his first real battle and had almost died. The geography of the area had completely changed, turning from grassy land to ash, like a World War frontline, due to the magma and other spells that had been cast.
And when the Grand Sorcerer died, the clouds dissipated, and the weather became sunny again. Atlas looked at the sky and realized the clouds had also been a spell.
"This person could change the weather too?" Atlas thought, staring at the corpse in his hand.
Atlas pressed his hand against his chest, felt his heartbeat, and felt the slave seal. There were three magical circles surrounding his heart. He could feel them, every now and then. This seal was like a collar restricting his freedom.
"Magic can achieve all wonders, can't it?" he spoke in a miserable and sad tone.
"Giant of Hysin!" a soldier shouted.
"Hmm?" Atlas thought, turning towards the source of the sound and seeing soldiers coming towards him.
"Atlas!"
"Giant Atlas!"
"Sorcerer Crusher!"
"Sorcerer Crusher!"
"Sorcerer Crusher!"
"You damn giant, you did it!" Zander shouted enthusiastically.
"Oh, thanks, but what's happening?" Atlas asked.
"They're celebrating you, you big oaf," Zander replied jokingly.
"I see.... But what's with this name?" Atlas asked.
"Ah, it's a name they started calling you because you crushed the Grand Sorcerer, you know, literally! Haha!" Zander spoke joyfully.
"Ooh?" Atlas replied.
"Yes, they've started calling you by that title. It's a bit funny, but seeing your size, I think it suits you," Julius spoke with a smile on his face.
"Thanks, I guess," Atlas spoke.
"But with your defeat of the Grand Sorcerer, this will be a heavy and critical blow for them," Julius spoke, looking at the Grand Sorcerer's corpse.
"Indeed, Master Julius. Perhaps we can exploit this well, if you know what I mean," Edmund spoke, rubbing his hands.
"No, Edmund, the time isn't right for that now. Since they sent their strongest sorcerer, we must take advantage of this, and hope we've bought enough time to__"
"There's an army approaching from ahead!" a soldier shouted.
"What?!" Julius shouted.
They saw a shadowy army moving towards them on the horizon, and everyone panicked. They prepared their weapons and raised their shields.
"What, there's more?!" Edmund shouted.
"All forces, prepare for attack!" Julius shouted.
"These bastards really want this!" Zander spoke while drawing his sword.
"You massive barbarian, go and finish them off! You dealt with the sorcerer; these aren't a challenge for you, are they? Come on, go and protect us!" Edmund asked Atlas in an arrogant manner.
"Julius, to all forces, prepare the defense line!" Julius shouted.
"Atlas, handle the__"
"Wait a moment," Zander spoke and stopped Julius's horse's movement.
"These aren't enemies... They are the reinforcement forces."
The army advanced, all wearing the same shape and design of Hysin armor, covered in blood because they had just come from a battle and rushed here. There were also knights wearing lighter armor and carrying bows. Behind them were many carts pulled by dinosaur-like creatures with yellow skin.
They were led at the front by a knight on a white horse, fully clad in sleek, slender light armor, designed with a unique and elegant style suitable for horseback riding. He carried a composite spear resembling an umbrella. Near him was a knight wearing the same Hysin armor but more robust and fierce, carrying a long sword. They advanced steadily.
They stopped in front of Julius's army, looking at them in silence. After a while, the commander arrived. Julius was on his horse and stood at the front, with Zander and Edmund present. Atlas was standing on the right.
The arriving army was seeing Atlas for the first time and had surprised reactions because it was their first time seeing a giant. Even the army commander was surprised and looked at Atlas with a startled expression behind his helmet. But the soldier near him wasn't surprised; he glanced at Atlas for a second and returned his gaze to Julius as if it were nothing.
When he approached Julius, he inspected him from bottom to top.
"Are you in charge of this unit?" the commander asked in a somewhat feminine voice.
"Yes, I am the infantry commander, Captain Julius Din Dislenro. Identify yourself, knight."
"I am..."
The army commander removed his helmet, revealing his face, and quickly shocked Julius and the others.
Because the commander turned out to be a girl, a woman in her twenties, with short black hair, blue eyes, and light scars on her face.
"I am the commander of the Second Army Unit Battalion, Charlotte Dirs Urbolan."
"Sorry for not recognizing a beautiful lady like you," Julius spoke and gave a slight bow to her.
"Enough with the greetings. We are at war now. Every second is important for ending the war more extensively and effectively."
"Indeed," Julius replied.
"Our mission is to support you in building a frontline, but...."
Charlotte looked around and saw molten magma, mud, scorched earth, and large fissures in the ground.
"Just what exactly happened here?" Charlotte asked.
"Let me tell you what happened."
"Those scum found out about us destroying their fortress and occupying their land, and then they decided to send their strongest card! They sent the Grand Sorcerer personally against us!" Edmund exaggerated.
Julius looked at him and began to feel somewhat embarrassed, while soldiers on Zander's side started mocking him from behind.
"Grand Sorcerer? Wait... Do you mean those who have reached the pinnacle of magical knowledge and are considered masters in their field?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes, and despite this, their resolve is insignificant, and we__"
"The giant killed him," interrupted the knight with the long sword, crossing his arms and pointing at Atlas.
"Hey, who are you to interrupt a noble like me?" Edmund asked, looking down on him.
"He is my trusted knight. His name is Randolph. You could say he is a knight with skill and wisdom in leadership. He shares command with me."
"Hmph, you should train your knight better," Edmund mocked.
"From the features of the battle, it seems the fight started about 20 minutes before we arrived. Am I correct?" Randolph asked.
"What?.... How did you...?" Julius asked in shock.
"By the magma. It's still burning on the ground, meaning not much time has passed since the fight began."
"Correct," Julius replied in an uncertain tone.
"And also, he is still holding his corpse in his hand," he pointed at Atlas.
"What?" Charlotte asked.
"Tell the giant to put him down so we can identify him."
"Alright, Zander," Julius spoke and looked at Zander.
"Hey, Atlas, can you put the body down?"
Atlas moved slowly and carefully. Charlotte's army was still looking at him in awe, and Charlotte was looking on in shock and surprise. His size was larger than she had expected; he was taller than any tower she had ever seen in her life.
Atlas's footsteps caused slight tremors in the ground. When he got close to them, he lowered his body and gently threw the sorcerer's corpse.
As soon as he threw it, they saw the condition of the sorcerer, and it was gruesome. No one reacted at all, except Edmund felt disgusted seeing it. Randolph immediately went to examine the corpse closely and took out a golden necklace with some symbol on it. He examined it closely, looking for any symbols, and after observing it, he shook his head.
"Yes, this is the Grand Sorcerer," Randolph spoke, showing the necklace to the others.
"You identified him through the necklace?" Julius asked.
"Yes, he is Myard's Grand Sorcerer, famously known as Malmadus the Mad."
"Malmadus? What a strange name?" Charlotte asked.
"Sorcerers have strange names, each stranger than the last," Randolph replied.
"So, in your opinion, what is Myard's next move after Malmas's death?" Julius asked.
"You're pronouncing it wrong," Randolph replied.
"It's Malmadus... Malmadus?... Madmalus?" Julius asked.
"It's Malmadus," Charlotte replied.
"Excuse me for interrupting, but what is our next move?" Zander asked politely.
The three looked at him for a few seconds before Randolph coughed, bringing them back to reality and reminding them why they were here.
"General Ron has given clear orders: build a fortress on this hill. We will use this place as a deployment point to spread our forces around Myard, to control their lands and have a nearby supply point. Isn't that right, Julius?" Charlotte spoke.
"Yes, that's correct. And I expect you brought the supplies."
"Indeed, we have all the necessary supplies to build the fortress. And by using the giant, perhaps we can complete it faster," Charlotte spoke, pointing to the giant.
"He is a war giant. I don't think he can help us with construction. He's only for war and destruction," Julius replied.
"You won't know until we try. We have the whole day to find out," Charlotte spoke.
"As you wish," Julius shrugged as he and his army returned to the hill.
.
.
.
.......
In the capital of the Kingdom of Myard, the Royal Castle
Inside a large stone castle filled with golden decorations and elegant carpets, there were a large number of knights standing stiffly. Inside a certain room in the castle,
The floor was white and decorated. A man was sitting on a golden, ornate chair. The person sitting on the throne was an old man in his sixties, wearing a golden crown and elegant coats, with many jewels and rings. This was the King of Myard.
The King was staring at people kneeling on the ground. They were nobles and barons with great influence. They were kneeling and wearing expensive clothes like an exhibition of their wealth. They were high-ranking nobles, and there were also military generals kneeling, wearing armor. The King looked at them before raising his hand, and they stood up again.
"So, what is the current situation?" asked the King of Myard.
"The border fortress fell in less than 24 hours when Hysin breached the border," a General spoke.
"And there is also news of a village being looted by Hysin's army. They have already reached deep into our territory," another General replied.
"Yes, Your Majesty, it's a disgrace. We must teach those dogs the power of our kingdom," a fat noble shouted.
"It's been dealt with. Malmadus went personally," another General spoke.
"But the damage has already been done," another noble spoke.
"Your Majesty, currently the people are in a state of chaos and fear due to the possibility of invasion. We, the people of Myard, have never been invaded before. The people are currently in a frenzy," another General spoke.
"Some of them are already thinking of starting a revolution," another noble spoke, remembering something disturbing.
"Before anything, I have one question."
"Does any of you know how Hysin, a country under threat from three kingdoms, managed to destroy our army as if we were mere peasants?"
"This Hysin, which doesn't have a Grand Sorcerer like the one we possess? Does anyone know how?"
As soon as the King asked the question, everyone fell silent, except for one person. There was a wealthy noble, wearing glasses and a blue and gold coat. He raised his hand while everyone else lowered their heads.
"Speak, Baron Malcolm."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Malcolm replied, bowing politely.
"It's because of the giant."
"The giant?" the King asked, while everyone around him had question marks.
"Is it a huge warrior?"
"No, it's a creature of the giant race, taller than any tower, and its hands can crush mountains. They are powerful creatures and are considered the rarest and strongest race in Arteox," Malcolm replied, speaking the name of the world.
"I see. It was a miscalculation on my part that they would only defend. I didn't expect them to have a trump card," the King spoke while nodding and stroking his beard.
"But tell me your opinion. Will Malmadus be defeated by that giant?" the King asked.
"I have no clear idea of his full strength, but what I am sure of is Malmadus's magic. He can cast magma and lightning bolts. Despite the diversity of races, magic is the true dominant force."
"Magic is the blade that can face the fiercest monsters. A giant is no match for a Grand Sorcerer, Malcolm," Malcolm spoke with complete confidence.
"You are right. He is the Grand Sorcerer, after all," the King spoke.
"But, can't he use spatial teleportation magic?" a noble asked.
"Why haven't we heard any news from him?" a General asked while scratching his chin.
"He probably took his time casting experiments on the giant. You know his nickname," another noble spoke.
"Oh, we forgot that," someone spoke.
"Forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty, but allow me to ask you something."
"Go ahead," the King spoke, moving his hand.
"You realize why the giant was sent specifically to us, rather than the other two kingdoms."
"Yes, I know why," the King spoke in a tired tone.
"It's because of him. Perhaps he wants him dead badly, which is why he sent him."
"Once the war is over, we must deal with him quickly," Malcolm spoke.
"Yes, that's the first thing I will do after we finish with Hysin," the King spoke and looked upwards.
They all looked upwards, because the reason they declared war with the two kingdoms was due to his exploitation for their benefit.