God's Avatar

Ian Joined the Fight

In the town of Poeta, countless soldiers and mercenaries were coming from the southern entrance of the city spreading papers that contained a warning and a missing person. 

Just by the soldiers marching, the townsfolk were worried about one thing: If the troops came from the capital, then there must be something dangerous going on.

It’s been days since the rumors of monster invasion are circulating throughout the kingdom and without even validating the legitimacy of the source, the king didn’t hesitate to order the military to prepare for defensive measures.

Outside the city, the soldiers began digging ditches, setting up wooden stakes, and preparing for artillery installments. Cauldrons filled with hot water were installed on top of the bastion for a contingency when the monsters broke the outermost defensives.

Watchmen using their binocular to monitor the horizon 24/7. From the looks of their preparation, one could easily tell that these soldiers had experience with monster invasion and had done this before.

Located on one of the tents that was set up for military strategic purposes is the General of the Army, Alexander.

Generals and one of the high-ranking adventurers in the kingdom gathered around on a huge table where a big map is spread out on it.

Wooden soldiers are standing on the ground representing the troop's location and a wooden monster to represent the monster's movement. 

Since there is no current information, the Generals ordered his trusted eagle to scout the possible locations of the mountain.

And when the eagle came back, it reported to Alexander.

Alexander wore a frown expression after hearing the eagle’s report through producing various sounds that he only knows. 

To confirm the validity of the report, Alexander pulled a ring that has a magic stone embedded in it. It was a magic item known as “The Eye”.

With a plop, Alexander put the eye on the middle of the table, and seconds later it produces holographic video footage.

A mix of reactions of exclamation and bewilderment filled the tent. 

“So the monster invasion is true huh?” Alexander said, rubbing his chin as he thinks of something.

“There are over 100,000 monsters—no...greater than that!” One of the Generals blurted out inadvertently with a frightened voice.

“Calm down Carl, you’re a General.” Alexander calmed his fellow general.

“Then, what should we do? If there are hundreds of thousands of monsters marching towards the Missania and Poeta then requesting more troops and top-ranked heroes in the Kingdom is necessary, we can’t handle such a huge number.” One of the Generals recommends.

“But they won’t arrive within six hours. The monsters are moving at a fast pace and they will arrive in three hours. Even if I send my eagle there as fast as possible, it’ll arrive in three and a half hours, and adding the preparation of the troops will take another two or three hours.” Alexander said firmly.

“So when the troops arrive from the capital, it will be like a drop of water on a hot stone.” One of the generals added and caused the people around him to wear a grim expression on their faces.

Their responses were reasonable, asking for troops and heroes from the capital is insignificant since they’ll never get in time. And even if they respond to the request, the frontlines will only hold the monster in place which is in fact hard to execute due to an enormous amount of monsters.

They can be easily dealt with if high-ranking heroes from the kingdom possess the skills needed to fend off the invasion and come up victorious.

But due to time constraints, they weren’t able to. So, Alexander contemplated again for another action. And he thought of an idea—.

“I’ll send the eagle to the capital to request backup and hopes for the best—thinking of other ways is time-consuming and we don’t have that luxury.” 

It wasn’t an idea but a reaction to desperation.

“My power is not enough to fend off those monsters—not to mention to fight a long battle is not my style, I’m sorry but I think I can’t be of big help to this expedition.” 

A handsome man broke the uneasiness of the Generals, he wears a full-plate armor that goes from his neck to feet exposing his beautiful charm. That man is one of the top seven of the heroes in the kingdom and an adamantine-ranked adventurer. His name is Earl Gustave, a sword-saint class.

“But your battle prowess is important in this battle, please lend us your power—”

“I decline” He rejected in a firm voice, “I won’t waste my life on such a mundane task that will stain my swords with those filthy carcasses…”

“Earl~sama” 

“But, if you give me a reward and a spare sword, I might be able to help you…”

Alexander thought for a moment and then responded…

“Very well, your help in this expedition is huge enough and I will let his majesty know your contribution. For the spare, I shall lend you my second treasured sword. Please protect the kingdom—”

“Okay, the contract is sealed.” He grabbed the second treasured sword who Alexander dear most. 

“Then let’s prepare for battle, the monster will concentrate their forces and march towards the Poeta Village, this is the only way for the monster to get into Missania and the Capital. To do so, we must meet the monsters here in the middle of the plain and use all our might to hold them there and wait for the artillery skills of the mages and the artillery we installed on top of the bastion…” Alexander fluidly explained the course of battle while interacting with the map using the wooden representation of monsters and troops. 

…

Three hours later...they can see now the marching forces over the horizon leaving a trail of dust that rises from the ground. Alexander who was looking at the binocular saw this.

“The enemy is near, prepare for B-formation! Mages prepare your skills and my troops will prepare your targets.” 

He got down on the bastion, straddled the back of the waiting horse, and unsheathed the sword affixed to his hip.

“Gather, my comrades! Tonight, we shall mark our gallant figures into the filthy monsters!

The sun was setting and colored the battlefield in its orange glow, the troops prepared their swords, spears, and bardiche in response to the call of their general.

Alexander being one of the top generals and loved by most soldiers, today he will bring them glory again by defeating a massive army of monsters.

“Our enemies are the monsters that lay waste to our grounds and dare to invade one of our villages. Come, my heroic warriors, today we shall bathe in their blood!” 

“Ohhhhhhhhhh!”

At Alexander's roar, the cheers of the arrayed troops rose into the air. And they charged at the enemy in a wedge formation.

On the monsters' side, there are goblins, hobgoblins, ogres, trolls, and knolls. 

They reacted at the galloping army of Bethia and rushed forward to meet them.

…

On the Estate, battle gods were watching the scene through a magic item called “Remote Mirror Viewing”. It was high enough to cover the battle of the two fronts and from the looks of it, they look like ants that will converge together. 

The two princesses were among them watching the fight that will happen between Bethia's army and Monsters. 

They held there both hands together and began mouthing a prayer…

From the other side, the Demon Empire is watching as well through the eye of the demon bird. 

“Now, who shall see who defeated my two outstanding generals…” The demon lord said while sipping his tea, delighted and anticipated to see some actions that will happen in seconds later.

Back at the Estate again, Ethan who was casually eating some popcorn talked to the praying princess.

“Are you worried?” He said in a soft voice.

“Yes, after all, they are brave troops led by one of our famed generals—But the monsters have one hundred thousand or more troops, I don’t think they can defeat them so I was hoping that sir Ian can help them—”

“Don’t worry…” Jon interjected “Ian is one of the most powerful members in Surrender@20. Being top nine at worlds ranking as a Gunslinger class, he can easily defeat those monsters…” 

Christine and Fiona felt at ease after hearing such reassuring words of Jon who saved them—If he says so then there is no need to worry. In fact, they were quite serious about how powerful this guild is.

“So you’re the princess huh?”

“This is my first time seeing a princess—beautiful”

“OI, mind your words…”

Everyone in the guild of Surrender@20 is gathered in a theater room where they will watch Ian display his prowess. 

Back at the battlefield...One person standing on the bastion, carefully watching the fight clicked his tongue…

“Such mundane task, I can’t believe that I will help this fools using my abilities—”

“Is that so? Then you should just go home and hide under your bed…”

Someone heard him muttering...Earl immediately turned his head to the voice that was mocking him…It was a man tall as him, wearing a black coat with unusual weapons sheathed from his back.

“You have guts talking to me like that...do you want to die?” 

“I should be the one asking you that...you’re weak who just use any excuse to not fight along with his brave team...you’re an embarrassment and not worthy of respect—”

“You damn—”

Earl pulled out the treasured swords and instantly slice the man—

“Eh?” 

The sword that was supposed to cut his head in an instant was merely caught by his enemy’s hand.

“...Im-Impossible! How did you see that?” 

It was a question that dumfounds him the most...as one of the sword saint class who masters swords to defeat the enemy in an instant was blocked by someone he didn't know. One of the top heroes? He doesn’t know—top adventurers? He doesn’t know.

“You’re just as slow as a snail…” The man mocked him and clenched his fist. Breaking the sword that he just caught. It shatters as the fragments of steel fall to the ground helplessly.

“You damn!!!” This time he pulled out his original sword, the sword that he will only use to someone “fitting”. If he uses this then you’re worthy of respect to Earl.

“My goal is not you…but the monster that is marching towards here—”

In an instant, Earl swing his sword powerfully to behead this man full of hubris—

“Wh-what?” He let out a confused cry as the sword that he treasured the most was shattered instantly the moment it touched the haughty man in the neck.

“Your attack is so weak that it can’t break through my physical defenses. To me, you’re just a mob that can be killed with basic attack…”

His face trembled in fear as the man declared that it was useless to fight him…

“Who are you?!” Earl asked as he fell down on his knee after witnessing a hopeless fight.

“You’re not worthy to know my name…” He said and suddenly the bastion floor turned into gravel the moment the man jumped out of it. It was so strong that the shock even traveled on his body.

He followed the man with his eyes and in the middle of the battlefield. Alexander saw something in the center.

There was a man that landed on it creating a crater. He raised his fist to stop the troops from charging.

“Who is that guy?” 

The moment he asked himself—the man pulled the unusual weapon from his back.

…

Ian pointed his main weapon, transforming it into cannon, towards the incoming monsters. The cannon’s mouth grew bigger and bigger emitting a huge quantity of magic. 

Alexander was dumbfounded as he sensed an unusual presence emitted by the man…

“Incinerate! Ray of the Collapsed Sun!”

He used one of his skills [ Ray of the Collapsed Sun ]

A dazzling glow of plasma filled their visions that can be seen hundreds of kilometers away producing an enormous amount of heated plasma that rivals the dawn of creation across one direction vaporizing anything on its path, leaving no trace. 

It lasted for ten seconds and when the blinding glow of light disappeared the charging monsters were nowhere to be seen. The only thing that they can see is vaporized trees, plains, and mountains.

Nearly everyone is shocked at the mysterious man’s power. To be able to defeat a huge number of monsters is something extraordinary.

That man walked towards Alexander.

“Are you the one leading this army?” Jon asked as he looked around the surroundings.

“Yes…” 

“Then, we shall discuss my rewards.”