Chapter 6: The Fan Essay of the Holy Dragon Marshal
At dawn, the first rays of the breaking sunlight cut through the horizon, and a new day dawned in Valhalla.
Captain Leysen stood on the high city wall, gazing at the vast expanse of territory shrouded in the early morning mist, once again marveling at the legend created by his great lord. Starting from nothing, and after a decade of hard work, he had achieved the illustrious reputation of a lord.
Suddenly, a distant shrill sound broke Leysen’s reverie. The mist cleared abruptly, and a colossal bird of prey flew to the city walls like a bolt of lightning. With a flurry of its wings, it landed on the tallest tower. The bird glowed with green light, its form rapidly shrinking as the feathers covering its body transformed into a long robe adorned with feathers. The green light faded, revealing a middle-aged man with his face painted with vibrant colors. With a grave expression, he struck the large bell hanging in the tower. As the deep and solemn tolls echoed through the castle, Leysen knew that a cruel war had begun anew…
Half an hour later, with a creaking sound, the castle drawbridge of Valhalla began to lower slowly, accompanied by thunderous roars. Leading the charge were the champion knights riding Anlek’s steeds, fully armored knights representing the greatest legend of Valhalla. In the past, they had followed that glorious individual in battles across many regions, spreading their honor throughout the entirety of Erluin. Now, they would once again become a shield and a sword to forge new legends.
Close behind the knights came the massive iron golems, with their radiant figures under the sunlight and their thick arms, showcasing the endless pursuit of strength by their creators. On the flanks were the long pike heavy infantry and the rapid forest archers, their faces solemn and their battle formations immaculately aligned, without a word spoken.
At that moment, the shadows that flew across the skies blocked out the sunlight. Looking up, one could see the Druids riding colossal Chimaera beasts taking off. They circled the city like loyal aerial guardians. The beasts roared constantly, eliciting occasional reprimands from their riders. Then, a huge rumbling sound was heard, causing everyone to stop moving and gaze toward the same location, as if they were all waiting for something.
Finally, with a powerful vortex of air rising from the ground, a colossal airborne battleship slowly ascended from the city. With blazing white flames, its silver-white hull, and an aerodynamic design that spoke of humanity’s aspirations for the skies, it soared toward the vast horizon. At that moment, everyone held their breath in awe of this marvel of human civilization.
On the wide bridge stood a diverse group of individuals: witches of Bud, male wizards from the Black Forest, knights of the Silver Elves, and the enigmatic Druids. They hailed from different places, held different beliefs, but shared the same conviction, gathering around a knight. At that moment, their expressions were grave as they fixated their gaze on the figure standing at the forefront.
That figure was a knight clad in heavy armor, whose cape flapped intensely against the strong wind, yet could not sway him one bit. Sunlight encircled him in a golden glow that obscured his features. But simply gazing at his back, one could sense a profound tranquility and harmony. It was a silent resilience and gravity, giving off the impression that standing by his side would grant one boundless courage. Only a person of such demeanor could inspire such unwavering loyalty, leading them to tread the path filled with thorns and blood.
This knight king slowly retrieved a book adorned with golden runes from his breast, lightly tracing the spine with his fingers before pausing at a certain point. He then declared: “Fate Card, Eternal Alliance, [Platinum Angel], Summon!” As soon as his words were uttered, the fierce wind and the roars of the beasts fell silent, as if they had been abruptly silenced. At that moment, everything came to a standstill, so still it seemed that one could only feel the breath of nature.
The next instant, golden flames spread across the bridge, accumulating a divine presence. A column of pure white light pierced through the thick clouds, descending onto the airborne battleship. With the holy chants echoing, the ship seemed to merge with the light, floating among the heavens.
In that sky filled with holy light, pristine wings slowly unfolded behind this lord. As luminous feathers scattered, a sacred figure emerged. A voice resonated in the lord’s heart: “The Platinum Angel has descended, life value locked.” At that moment, gazing into the distance, his sight seemed to pierce through the mountains and rivers, as if he could see the dark lands where frost covered the earth, and the endless expanse of a white skeletal sea. The flow of death and sorrow filled the land, creatures wailing in despair.
He drew his longsword in the glow, facing the sunrise, roaring: “Comrades, forward with me!”
The longsword shone brilliantly, bearing an inscription: “Our beliefs are forged upon the stars.”
