Leon awoke, still weary from the intense night before—hours spent training with magic and sparring with Princess Sylphine and Princess Sylvaine.
Morning sunlight spilled into his room through the window, casting a golden glow across the floor. His eyes drifted to the side, where a black spear and matching armor lay ready. Etched into the chestplate was the violet emblem of the Belphegor family.
"My first mission... finally begins," he whispered to himself, tying back his hair and preparing for what lay ahead.
As he stepped out through the front gate, seventy demon soldiers awaited him, lined up with military precision in the courtyard.
They bore swords and shields, standing firm. Twenty of them—lightning mages—were stationed in the center, their cloaks fluttering in the breeze.
"Good morning, Commander Leon," greeted a short-horned soldier with a salute.
"Reports say a pack of wolves was spotted in the forest—fifteen kilometers from here."
Another soldier, eyes hidden behind a strip of cloth, added, "There's something strange, Commander. The wolves are moving with unnatural coordination... it's as if they're being led by something beyond a mere beast."
Leon listened carefully, his gaze sharp. Without hesitation, he began organizing the troops.
"Thirty shieldbearers to the front. Twenty mages and fifteen archers form the middle line. The remaining five will stay in the rear as reserves."
He took a deep breath, then raised his voice, "Prepare for teleportation!"
"Three... two... one!"
Whoosh.
In an instant, they were transported into the cursed forest—only to find half of it reduced to ash. Smoke curled into the sky. The scent of burnt trees and death filled the air.
In the distance, fifty monstrous wolves were charging toward them, each the size of a full-grown horse. Their black fur bristled with razor-sharp spikes, their glowing red eyes smoldered like embers, and their claws crackled with sparks of electricity.
"Attack!" Leon commanded.
The battle began.
Lightning mages struck first, unleashing deadly arcs of electricity that incinerated fifteen wolves instantly. Archers followed, loosing arrows that pierced eyes with deadly precision.
But then something horrifying happened—the wolves rose again.
"They... they're not dying!" a soldier screamed.
Thick fog suddenly rolled across the battlefield, swallowing everything in white. And from the mist emerged a colossal figure—four meters tall, with crackling lightning horns.
The Pack Leader.
It opened its fanged jaws and spoke in a thunderous voice.
"Demon scum... you'll be our feast!"
Before anyone could react, the beast unleashed a violent surge of lightning, obliterating the mages and rear troops in a single blast.
Only fifteen of Leon's soldiers remained, surrounded and shaken.
Leon clenched his fists, then exhaled slowly. "I have no other choice…"
He raised his glowing hand, the symbol embedded in his palm blazing with light.
"Come forth, Valker!"
The very air behind him fractured like shattered glass. From the cracks, a massive blade erupted from the earth—impaling everything around it indiscriminately, ally or enemy.
The ground shook under the weight of the figure that followed. Clad in pitch-black armor, with deathly pale-blue, pupil-less eyes, the being exuded a chilling presence.
"You called, my Lord?" Valker's voice rumbled like distant thunder.
Leon pointed at the towering Wolf Leader. "Annihilate him."
Valker smiled—a terrible, deadly smile. "With pleasure."
Before he even moved, the Wolf Leader froze, paralyzed by fear.
"N-No... It can't be… That weakling demon commands a servant with such... terrifying bloodlust?"
Without a sound, Valker vanished—then reappeared in front of the beast in the blink of an eye.
With a single, effortless slash, his sword cleaved through the creature's neck.
"For my Master, Leon," Valker whispered, just before the world went dark for the dying beast.
=== BAB 4 END ===