The sound of the military bells continued to echo throughout all of Vailor.
Even after several minutes, they did not stop.
The streets below the mansion were already beginning to fill with activity. Soldiers hurried across the city while military carriages made their way toward the castle.
The atmosphere had changed completely.
The war no longer felt like something far away.
Now it stood before us.
I returned inside the mansion with the girls as the first rays of sunlight began to appear on the horizon.
Liriel quickly began organizing medical supplies and support items.
Lyannis sorted maps and strategic scrolls.
Rai'kanna checked the weapons.
Scarlett finished putting on her light armor while Vespera adjusted the bow on her back.
Elara remained by the window, watching the movement throughout the city.
No one needed to say anything.
Everyone already understood what was happening.
I slowly picked up my golden sword and fastened it to my waist.
The blade vibrated faintly the moment I touched it.
As if it were reacting to the demonic movements.
Then her voice echoed once again.
"The battlefield is taking shape."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"I know."
Scarlett looked at me.
"Did the sword say something?"
"The armies are close."
Rai'kanna let out a quiet sigh.
"So the scouts really confirmed it."
Lyannis finished rolling up one of the maps.
"That means the emergency meeting has probably already begun."
Before anyone could answer, we heard loud knocks on the mansion's front door.
Vespera quickly walked to the entrance.
When she opened the door, a military messenger stood there, completely out of breath.
He immediately recognized who we were and gave a quick bow.
"Takumi."
"The King has summoned everyone to the castle immediately."
I nodded.
"The advance has been confirmed?"
"Yes."
The man took a deep breath, trying to catch his breath.
"The demonic troops began advancing during the night."
The hall fell silent.
Even though we had expected it... hearing it spoken aloud made everything feel more real.
"Has the First General been seen?"
The messenger hesitated for a moment.
"The scouts sensed a massive concentration of demonic mana at the center of the enemy army."
I glanced discreetly at Scarlett.
She understood immediately.
So he was there.
The messenger continued.
"The armies of the other nations have also begun arriving in Vailor."
"Understood."
He bowed once more before quickly leaving.
As soon as the door closed, Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"So it's truly begun."
Liriel quietly held her own arm.
Even though she was trying to stay calm... it was obvious she was nervous.
I stepped toward the center of the room.
"Let's go."
Everyone nodded.
We left the mansion shortly afterward.
The city looked completely different than usual.
All of Vailor was in motion.
Blacksmiths worked nonstop along the streets.
Mages reinforced the barriers surrounding the city.
Groups of adventurers walked toward the castle fully armed.
Soldiers organized defensive positions.
Civilians carried supplies to safer areas.
Even the air itself felt heavier.
As we made our way through the streets, many people began recognizing us.
Some adventurers looked at us with expectation.
Others seemed relieved simply to see us there.
Hearing the quiet murmurs around me made me uncomfortable.
"The hero is here."
"They're really going to fight."
"Maybe there's still hope."
The pressure kept growing.
Scarlett noticed my silence.
"Ignore it."
"I'm trying."
She walked calmly beside me.
"They're just scared."
I knew that.
But it still felt strange to realize that so many expectations were being placed on me.
We continued forward until we finally reached the area near the castle.
And that was when we saw it.
The Army of Nations.
The enormous field surrounding Vailor had been completely transformed.
Military tents covered nearly the entire area.
Different banners fluttered in the wind.
Humans.
Elves.
Dwarves.
Demi-dragons.
Cyclopes.
The armies of many races had gathered in the same place.
The sight was overwhelming.
Hundreds of soldiers moved about organizing weapons while mages transported crates filled with magical crystals.
Massive beasts of burden carried heavy equipment.
Knights patrolled constantly.
Rai'kanna silently observed the camp for a few moments.
"My father really brought a lot of soldiers."
I looked in the direction she was staring.
The demi-dragon forces were stationed near the eastern side of the camp.
Their black and red armor was easy to recognize.
Vespera looked in another direction.
"The elves came fully prepared too."
The elven archers were organizing enormous defensive lines farther away.
Even from a distance, their incredible discipline was obvious.
Lyannis carefully observed everything.
"They divided the army according to specialization."
Scarlett nodded.
"That makes sense."
The dwarves were positioning enormous metallic weapons near the city walls.
They looked like gigantic versions of magical ballistae.
Elara looked at them with curiosity.
"I've never seen weapons like those."
"Dwarven weapons."
Rai'kanna replied.
"They rarely use them outside their own territory."
The atmosphere around us was heavy.
Even with so many soldiers... no one seemed relaxed.
Everyone understood the seriousness of the coming battle.
As we advanced through the camp, several commanders began recognizing our presence.
Many soldiers immediately stepped aside.
That only increased the uncomfortable feeling of responsibility.
We finally passed through the castle gates.
The inside was just as busy.
Guards rushed through the corridors.
Messengers carried information from room to room.
Communication spells glowed constantly.
We headed straight toward the great strategy hall.
The moment we entered, I immediately sensed the tension in the room.
The enormous central table was surrounded by military leaders, mages, and representatives of the nations.
The King of Vailor stood at the center, observing a large magical map projected above the table.
Drakarion was there as well.
Along with elven, dwarven, and cyclops representatives.
When the King saw me enter, he immediately nodded.
"Takumi."
I approached the table together with the girls.
"Has the enemy's advance been fully confirmed?"
The King nodded.
"The enemy troops began their march during the night."
The magical projection shifted, displaying several red markers advancing across the north.
"Our scouts have confirmed multiple armies."
Lyannis narrowed her eyes slightly as she studied the map.
"They split their forces."
"Yes."
One of the generals replied.
"Part of their army is advancing toward the other allied nations."
So they really intended to attack several places at the same time.
Drakarion crossed his arms.
"The objective is to force us to divide our military."
The Elven King nodded slowly.
"And wear down our defenses before the main confrontation."
The room fell silent for a few moments.
Then the King of Vailor turned his gaze directly toward me.
"Takumi."
I immediately felt the weight of everyone's attention.
"You will officially take command of the adventurers."
The entire hall fell silent.
Even though I had expected it... hearing it directly from the King was different.
He continued.
"Our main army will serve as the second defensive line."
The map shifted once again.
"The first line will be formed by the elite adventurers."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"So you want rapid mobility."
"Exactly."
One of the strategists replied.
"Adventurers can react more effectively to changes on the battlefield."
That made sense.
Especially against demons.
The King then slowly walked closer to the table.
"The First General will most likely be present as well."
The atmosphere immediately grew heavier.
Even the most experienced commanders became serious.
"Our primary objective will be to stop the advance of the demonic army."
Then he looked directly at me again.
"And when the First General appears..."
A brief silence filled the hall.
"You will lead the engagement team."
I took a slow, deep breath.
So it had finally come to this.
All the preparation.
All the training.
All the battles that came before.
Everything had been leading to this moment.
I nodded slowly.
"Understood."
The King seemed relieved to hear that.
Probably because much of their hope truly rested on me and my group.
The meeting continued for quite some time afterward.
Defensive lines.
Strategic positions.
Evacuation routes.
Military deployment.
Everything began to be organized quickly.
Lyannis even helped several strategists during the meeting.
She pointed out potential flaws and adjustments with impressive precision.
Meanwhile, Scarlett analyzed possible offensive positions.
Rai'kanna observed military formations.
Elara assisted the mages with defensive wind currents.
Liriel discussed medical support and purification.
And Vespera evaluated positions for the archers.
For the first time... it truly felt like we were operating as a complete unit.
Hours later, when we finally left the hall, the sun had already fully risen.
Outside, the activity had become even more intense.
More troops continued to arrive.
The enormous military camp kept expanding.
I stopped near the castle's grand staircase, observing everything.
Thousands of soldiers.
Thousands of lives.
All preparing for a war that might change the entire world.
Then I sensed Scarlett standing beside me.
She looked over the camp as well.
"Are you scared?"
I thought for a few seconds before answering.
"Yes."
She let out a quiet laugh.
"At least you're still honest."
I looked once more toward the distant northern horizon.
Even from here... I could still feel it.
The demonic mana continued to grow stronger.
Like a storm slowly approaching.
Then I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword.
The golden energy shone brightly for a few seconds.
In the reflection of the blade...
I saw my own expression.
Tired.
Tense.
But resolute.
I took a slow, deep breath.
Then I began activating the armor.
The golden pieces emerged across my body, accompanied by an intense surge of magical energy.
The wind around us seemed to grow heavier.
The girls looked at me in silence.
And at that moment... I finally accepted one thing completely.
The war had begun.
And I would be one of those standing on the front lines against the very end of the world.