The Greece Antagonist

The cacophony of screams rose and fell, as the human knights found themselves rapidly overwhelmed by the onslaught of Giants and goblins, with casualties soaring, nearly half were lost in no time.

Realizing the disparity in strength, Kai quickly shouted:

"Rally around me, break out together!"

The few remaining knights broke free from the goblins' entanglement, swiftly gathering around Kai, preparing to make a desperate dash.

However, the Giant Chief Isbaden also noticed them, grinning wickedly as he smashed down his stone club once more.

At the critical moment, a silver Broken Spear shot out like a meteor, piercing straight through one of Isbaden's eyes.

The creature howled in pain, clutching his blood-gushing eye with one hand, while swinging the stone club wildly with the other.

Upon seeing the form of that Broken Spear, Kai was greatly encouraged:

"Bedivere, well done!"

Yet happiness turned to sorrow, as dozens of goblins seized the chance, swarming up and tearing apart the horses beneath them.

Without their steeds, the knights were instantly surrounded by the advancing Giants and goblins, once again falling into dire straits.

However, a brilliant golden sword light pierced through the night, instantly cleaving several Giants into two.

Simultaneously, Cursed Bullets formed by Ogan Tree Runes came whistling down, turning hundreds of goblins into a carpet of minced meat on the ground.

"Altria? Merlin? You're all here?"

Seeing the reinforcements appear in the forest, Kai finally relaxed,

"Just in time! Let's take down the big one together!"

With that, Kai raised his knight's lance, and with the knights by his side, charged forward, launching an all-out attack on Giant Chief Isbaden and the remaining Giants.

~~

Half an hour later, the heavily wounded Isbaden let out a resentful roar and collapsed to the ground.

Around them lay a field of fallen Giants and goblins.

This skirmish ended with a total victory for the humans.

But they paid a heavy price for it.

More than half of the human knights perished. Some could not even be found, leaving only blood-stained marks, scattered remains of flesh, and pieces of torn cloth as proof of their existence.

Kai, bearing a heavy heart, buried his comrades, carefully collecting the belongings of the fallen to return to their families later.

"Brother, what are you doing here?"

"Of course, I'm here to find you!"

Kai glared at Altria and someone he considered a kidnapper, explaining with mild annoyance,

"You left without a word. The old man was worried, so he sent me out to take a look. Just as the gathering in town ended, I was traveling back with a group of knight friends when, unexpectedly, we ran into Vortigern's hyenas and these monsters."

Gazing at the mounds of graves in the forest, Kai sighed:

"I brought them into this mess."

"You all made the decision together; there's no blaming anyone,"

Luo En patted his shoulder, offering comfort,

"Moreover, since they dared to leave their homes under Vortigern's rule to participate in the Sword of the King trial, they must have been ready to resist that usurper."

"You're right! That bastard and his forces have razed one city after another, leaving us no choice!"

Several surviving knights approached, laughing boldly,

"Faced with these scoundrels, how can we knights step back and make the women, children, and elders bear the burden?"

Altria felt deeply touched by their words.

Compared to herself, the Red Dragon's Son, they had no special bloodlines, no mighty powers, yet they shared the same noble soul and conviction.

What supported them was the Knight's Way itself.

After some contemplation, Altria asked:

"What do you plan to do next?"

"First, inform the families of the fallen, so they know their brothers and fathers died rescuing the innocent, not out of cowardice!"

"I thought the Southern Realm would be safer, but Vortigern's hyenas caught up swiftly, so we must prepare. I plan to return to my fief to gather forces and clear out the infiltrating marauders."

"..."

The knights, one after another, shared their plans.

After listening intently, Altria then expressed her intention:

"I intend to head to the Northern Realm first."

"There, Vortigern's marauders run rampant; it's extremely dangerous!"

Some knights kindly reminded.

Altria nodded, her eyes filled with calm and resolve:

"I understand, but it's precisely because it's dangerous that I must go! If a defense line can be organized in the Northern Realm, the danger can be contained to a minimum, saving more people!"

The knights, hearing this, were filled with solemn admiration.

After exchanging contact details and information, they bid each other farewell, heading to their respective battlefields.

"I'm familiar with the Northern Realm and can guide you,"

Bedivere stepped forward willingly, adding,

"Moreover, I heard a knight has similar intentions and is organizing troops in Oakney to fight against the usurper's marauders; perhaps we could join forces."

"What is his name?"

"Sun Knight—Gao Wen!"

Bedivere replied solemnly.