394.
The expedition’s journey continued.
They arrived at the area where Leo had mentioned the King of Gluttony Jormungand was presumed to be located.
Accordingly, the expedition members put on much more tense expressions.
“Let’s rest here for today.”
Rissinas suggested while there was still time before sunset.
They couldn’t recklessly enter the dangerous area where they might encounter Jormungand at nighttime.
Thus, the expedition set up a campsite and prepared for meals.
“The atmosphere is heavy.”
Rodia ignited a campfire with magic and looked around.
They might soon be going into battle with Jormungand who was known as the strongest Legion Commander.
It was natural for them to feel tension.
‘There hasn’t been a single Legion Commander eliminated in this era.’
They had embarked on this expedition to defeat Jormungand at the cost of their lives, so it was inevitable to feel uneasy.
Rodia approached Leo, who was looking at a map in a corner.
“Kyle.”
“What is it.”
Without moving his gaze from the map, Leo answered indifferently, prompting Rodia to ask.
“Shouldn’t we inform the expedition team of the strategy to defeat Jormungand?”
At Rodia’s words, Leo calmly said,
“There’s no such thing as a strategy.”
“Huh?”
“Jormungand is the kind of Legion Commander no strategy can work on.”
Leo finally looked at Rodia.
Rodia’s expression turned dumbfounded.
“How could such a thing exist?”
“There it is. Right here. You’ll know once you fight the King of Gluttony yourself.”
Rodia recalled Jormungand.
A commander whose power was overwhelmingly strong.
Even Rodia, the leader of the Hero of the Cataclysm, shuddered.
“Excluding the Piece of Erebus, he was the strongest opponent we’ve ever faced.”
Truly, he was the strongest demon.
“Unfortunately, he’s not the kind of enemy you can devise plans or strategies for.”
Leo sighed lightly.
“Though our current expedition party’s strength is much stronger compared to our past lives, and compared to how we lastly didn’t have time to prepare when we suddenly encountered Jormungand, we’re now better-equipped for an all-out attack. But—”
Leo added firmly.
“The fact remains, if even the slightest error occurs, the entire expedition could be wiped out. Our victory 5000 years ago was near miraculous.”
They only gained the overwhelming power needed to defeat Jormungand when they were in their prime, both physically and mentally—the era known as the King of Wisdom and the Hero of the Beginning.
“So how on earth did you defeat Jormungand back then?”
“By surpassing our limits.”
Leo smirked slightly.
“While I distracted the beast, Lissinas pierced its heart.”
“Of course it was Sir Lissinas!”
Rodia clasped her hands together and her eyes sparkled.
“It’s the same this time. I’ll draw it away while everyone else attacks.”
“But won’t Jormungand simply focus its attacks on you?”
“I’ll make it so he does.”
“Are you saying the strongest Legion Commander relies solely on overwhelming power?”
Leo continued.
“That’s why he could never become the central figure of Tartarus.”
“Uh… I’ve never really thought about it.”
The Legion Commanders that Rodia knew were demons that possessed powerful force matched with cunning.
That’s why Legion Commanders were feared.
But the King of Gluttony, the strongest Legion Commander—was he just a brute with immense power?
“If this guy’s brain worked even half as well as Demon King’s, the world would’ve ended long ago. Insult Erebus and he’ll fixate on me alone.”
“Okay… so if you can ensure that Jormungand is completely focused on you, what will your plan be against his concentrated attacks?”
“I’m capable of that. That’s why I’ve made a vow with Albus.”
Leo showed the contract on the back of his hand.
“His reckless nature is terrifying and catastrophic but also fatal.”
Leo’s crimson eyes lit up.
“I’ll create the opportunities this time.”
Leo declared that he would voluntarily take the most dangerous role.
“You all just need to pierce the cracks in his defenses and stab him through the heart.”
Right at that moment—!
GRRRRUUUMMM!!
The ground began to shake as though an earthquake were occurring.
“What, what is that?”
“Something’s coming!”
The expedition was thrown into panic.
In the distance, beyond their campsite, something enormous rose.
A colossal snake.
ROOOAAAAAARRRR!!!
Terrifying roars echoed from the snake’s mouth, as it soared towards the heavens, piercing the sky.
“It’s Jormungand!”
“What… what is that?”
“Isn’t it clear? He’s here!”
“Everyone, prepare for battle! Prepare for battle!”
When Jormungand appeared, the expedition fell into a panic.
They urgently formed a battle formation and prepared themselves.
Knights and warriors gripped their weapons.
Wizards began casting spells, and summoners summoned their familiars.
Until this moment, most of the expedition members were still skeptical about Leo’s words regarding the battle against Jormungand.
Because of this, everyone was now filled with terror.
However, despite their fear, they didn’t lose courage.
Each warrior had survived through the Era of Catastrophe and had been defending Guardstron for a long time.
They might not have been recorded in history, but these individuals were the heroes who paved the way for the Era of Heroes.
Even if they were filled with fear, they didn’t neglect their duties.
Among them, Leo and Rodia, who were sure of Jormungand’s presence, were the most astonished.
“How could he be here when we’ve moved far away from the original battlefield?”
When Rodia urgently spoke, Leo clicked his tongue.
“The actual history recorded in the Hero Record does not always unfold exactly how it did in our past lives. We need to be prepared for unforeseen situations!”
“But… this deviation is too great!”
“It doesn’t matter. You should prepare yourself for battle!”
Following Leo’s words, Rodia joined the other expedition members in forming the formation.
At that moment, Lissinas arrived.
“Kyle! Just as you said!”
“Hmm.”
Leo flexed his fists.
As the members of the expedition party formed their formation, Alrox addressed them.
“Alrox, Alene, and I, Kyle, will take the front lines!”
“No.”
Leo shook his head.
“I will handle this beast alone. Alrox, Alene, you two look for an opening.”
“What did you say?”
Alrox’s expression turned pale.
“Kyle! Even for you, this is an absurd plan! You cannot withstand Jormungand alone!”
“Alrox is right! Kyle! What are you thinking?”
Lissinas grabbed onto Leo’s collar with a pale face.
“There’s no one in this expedition force who matches my mobility. I’ve made a pact with the King of Pegasi.”
Leo looked at Jormungand.
“The brute cannot be brought down by ordinary attacks. All of you, excluding me, will need to bring your full strength to deal a fatal blow.”
“Still, it’s almost impossible for you to withstand Jormungand alone.”
“Unfortunately, overcoming the impossible is precisely what we need to do from now on.”
“What?”
Leo looked at the entire expedition force.
“To save the world, we need to make the impossible possible.”
Everyone was stunned into silence.
“And defeating this wretched snake here is just the beginning of saving the world.”
Leo spoke earnestly.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m the hero who survives. No matter who else dies here, I will endure until the end.”
“That’s an unlucky thing to say.”
Perik laughed dryly.
“Can you really hold your ground?”
“Yes.”
“Then, we’ll leave you to take the front lines.”
“If you waver even a little, we’ll support you immediately.”
“Thank you, Kyle.”
Alrox and Alene patted Leo’s shoulder.
“Now everyone, take your positions!”
Rodia finalized the formation.
The heroes moved quickly.
In the midst of all of this, Leo spoke to Lissinas, who was still holding onto his clothes.
“Don’t worry too much.”
Leo gently peeled Lissinas’s hands off his clothes.
“This battle is the start of a great journey.”
Lissinas solemnly nodded at Leo’s words.
*
GRRRRUUUMMM!!
-You bugs that crawl out of Guardstron!
Jormungand scoffed as he slunk upon the ground from far away, sensing someone nearby.
-I can smell dragons. Their meat must be delicacies!
The monstrous serpent’s tongue flicked out, excited by the scent.
Befitting his title of King of Gluttony, his voracious appetite was rising.
Suddenly, Jormungand caught sight of someone flying towards him.
-Tsk, moths without any fear flying alone…
The beast’s body froze as he sneered at the lone human daring to approach him.
An ominous scent of bl**d wafted through the air, carried by the wind.
It wasn’t an actual smell.
It was the strong scent from the soul of the approaching human.
‘What… is this foul stench?’
It was a scent that filled him with a deep aversion, a scent that he didn’t want to get close to.
But before that…
GRRRRUUUMMM!!
The ground beneath him trembled.
To be accurate, it was Jormungand’s own body that was shaking.
The strongest of the Legion Commanders.
‘What is this… fear?’
Instinctively, he was overcome with an indescribable fear of this mere human.
A foul smell disguised by Erebus.
‘My bl**d smell?’
Even before this overwhelming fear, came an even greater hatred.
‘This cannot be!’
Jormungand’s keen sense of smell, capable of detecting the very essence of a soul, was speaking.
That human had killed him and even the great god whom he worshipped.
The very existence of this human mocked all that he stood for.
Suddenly, Jormungand became frenzied, losing his sense of reason.
-KEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIII!
Jormungand rolled his eyes back and let out a roar filled with anguish, directed towards the heavens.
“It’s been a while, Jormungand.”
Leo stood face-to-face with the monstrous serpentine being.
-I know not a being so unclean as thee, Godslayer!
“Is that so? But I do know you.”
A thick killing intent radiated from Leo.
“By the way, Godslayer? I’ve never killed any gods…”
-Be silent! You dare not touch the gods! Today, right here, I shall erase your existence!
The deranged Jormungand hurled incomprehensible curses fueled by hatred.
As Leo observed this deranged creature, he narrowed his eyes.
‘This b*stard knows something. I have no idea why, but it seems he’s aware of something I’ll do in the future.’
Leo narrowed his eyes.
‘But that doesn’t change anything.’
The fact remained that Jormungand had to be defeated right here, right now.
Uuummmmm!!
Leo gathered his mana.
Simultaneously, a pure white lightning whirled around him.
Crack! Flash!!
Summoning Albus, Leo mounted her and commanded,
“Albus, take off.”
As he said this, Leo gripped the reins formed of mana tightly.
BOOOOOOM!!
In that moment, Jormungand’s breath of destruction crashed toward Leo.
But Leo was nowhere to be found.
Jormungand’s six eyes gazed upon something high in the sky.
-Finally, it shall begin.
Albus, looking down on Jormungand, muttered.
“That’s right. We need to end this monstrous worm.”
Leo gently patted Albus’ mane.
“Sorry if I handle you roughly in our first battle, but I hope you can forgive me, Miss.”
-Caution Kyle, don’t let my strength overwhelm you.
Albus’ words brought a grin to Leo’s face.
-But isn’t your goal to stop that revolting presence alone? Is it even possible?
“It’s possible… but since the beast is so fixated on me, it seems I have to bring out my final card earlier than expected.”
-Ultimate card? Is there another ultimate card besides me?
At the mention of this, Albus sounded a bit sly, causing Leo to burst into laughter.
“Yes. I was planning to summon it later to avoid unnecessary suspicion.”
-Suspicion?
Albus’ expression turned curious just as Leo stretched out both his arms.
Uuummm!!
In that instant, mana erupted from Leo’s palms.
A golden and black contract sigil emerged.
At the overwhelming power revealed before her, Albus’ eyes widened in disbelief.
-This power…!
Incredulous, Albus questioned,
-Kyle, just who are you? How…?
“My identity… It’s what people call me.”
Leo laughed and forcefully activated the unsealed vow.
“The Hero of the Beginning.”
A summoning circle appeared.
Leo called the names of his Vow Keepers.
“Elshi, Silrod.”
In response to the summon, the Vow Keepers revealed themselves.
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
