— April 29, 816 —
"Sir Alaric, we've arrived," Gilbert said while unloading their luggage.
"Hmm… oh?"
Alaric rubbed his eyes as he stepped out of the carriage.
"Sorry, I fell asleep."
He looked up.
"Woah… this palace is even more magnificent than I imagined."
Inside, a servant immediately guided him to his room.
"So this is the king's chamber… Everything in one place?"
"Well… I like it."
But as he explored, something made him stop.
"…Wait a second."
His eyes locked onto a large black egg resting on an ornate stand.
"Is that… a Dragon Egg?!"
As far as he remembered, this item only appeared after Wave 20.
But now…
It was sitting in his room.
ITEM DATA
Name: Black Fire Dragon Egg
Rarity: Legendary
Description: An ancient dragon egg containing a creature that once nearly destroyed an entire continent.
"Tch… looks like I'm playing in baby mode."
He lifted the egg carefully, smiling.
"Well, I'll worry about you later."
"I need rest. Tomorrow is my inauguration."
Later That Night
Darkness.
Endless darkness.
"Where… am I?"
A chill ran through his body.
"So cold… and this pressure…"
Then—
Two red eyes glowed in the void.
A shadow slowly emerged.
"W-Who's there?! Show yourself!"
The figure spoke.
"Alaric… you think you're playing an easy mode now."
"But understand this…"
"You have entered a level beyond Nightmare Mode."
The shadow faded.
"HUH—!"
Alaric jolted awake, panting.
"…A dream?"
"But… why did it feel so real?"
The Next Morning
Knock. Knock.
"Sir Alaric, the inauguration is in one hour," Gilbert called from outside.
"I'll be ready in a moment!"
After showering and changing into royal clothes, Alaric took a deep breath.
"Sir, you memorized the speech, right?" a servant asked nervously.
"Of course," Alaric replied, exhaling slowly.
The grand hall was filled with nobles, knights, and high-ranking officials. Golden banners bearing the crest of Vornethar Kingdom fluttered from the tall marble pillars. Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, painting the floor in colors of royal red and gold.
Alaric stepped forward.
Hundreds of eyes were fixed on him.
For a brief moment, his heart pounded like a war drum.
Then
He inhaled slowly.
And spoke.
"People of Vornethar,"
"My name is Alaric Graham."
"From this day forward, I stand before you not as a boy born of royalty…"
"But as your king."
Murmurs spread across the hall.
"I know what kind of land this is."
"A kingdom scarred by endless war."
"A kingdom where children grow up hearing the howls of monsters instead of lullabies."
"A kingdom where bravery is not a choice… but a necessity."
He clenched his fist.
"But hear me clearly."
"I will not rule you from a throne built on fear."
"I will not hide behind soldiers while you bleed."
"And I will not watch this kingdom fall into darkness in silence."
The murmurs stopped.
The entire hall became deathly still.
"I swear this before you all."
"As long as I breathe…"
"This kingdom will not fall."
"These walls will not break."
"And its people will not kneel before monsters or fate."
He raised his gaze.
Eyes blazing with resolve.
"Vornethar will rise."
"Not as a battlefield…"
"But as a fortress against despair."
Silence.
Then...
CLAP.
One knight.
Then another.
Then another.
Until the hall erupted in thunderous applause.
Gilbert dropped to one knee.
"Long live King Alaric!"
"LONG LIVE KING ALARIC!!!"
The voices echoed like a storm.
Alaric swallowed hard.
(I won't fail.)
(Not again.)
After the Ceremony
"Haaah…"
Alaric collapsed onto the royal sofa.
"Giving speeches is more exhausting than fighting bosses…"
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Welcome to Castle Defense!
Before beginning, you receive:
• 1 Normal Character
• 1 Rare Character
• 1 Super Rare Character
• 1 Random Rarity Character
[Start Summon]
"God, please… give me good ones…"
He pressed the button.
SUMMON RESULTS
Leon (★N)
Yeon (★★R)
Luca Grimveil (★★★SR)
Gilbert Dudley (★★★★SSR)
"…Thank you, God."
Then—
"…Wait."
"Luca Grimveil?"
"I've never heard of him before…"
"Is something wrong, sir?" Gilbert asked.
"Nothing," Alaric replied calmly.
After analyzing his troops, he stood up.
"We're recruiting more."
The Streets
The city bustled with life.
Merchants shouted.
Children laughed.
The smell of fresh bread filled the air.
Gilbert walked beside Alaric, alert.
"Sir… is the bar really the place to recruit soldiers?"
"Gilbert," Alaric replied,
"Sometimes the best warriors are found in the worst places."
Gilbert sighed.
"…I'll protect you no matter what."
The Bar
The moment they entered—
Silence.
Every pair of eyes turned to them.
Alaric chuckled.
"Cozy place."
Gilbert leaned in, whispering—
"Sir, we should—"
"Wait."
Alaric stared.
A boy.
Sitting alone.
Holding a lollipop.
"…Zayn Alister."
One of the strongest SR characters.
Alaric walked up to him.
"Hey. I'm Alaric, King of Vornethar."
"…I want you to join me."
The boy simply stood up.
"Okay."
"…That was easy"
Word spread fast.
Within minutes, mercenaries flooded the second floor
Alaric smiled
"Well, Gilbert… looks like we're off to a good start."
Gilbert muttered—
"…Let's hope it doesn't end in blood."
TO BE CONTINUED…