Almost fourteen days passed since Asmodeus and the Demon knights left Grimholt, and Alan finally completed his arduous preparations. He handed the management over to a trusted aide while he rode atop his trusted warhorse.

    His gaze trailed over the mass of knights and soldiers who would follow him into battle.

    ''Five thousand and seventy-nine men answered the call.''

    Their eyes watched him with expectation, adoration, and worship.

    They were ready to die for him if he ordered them to, not just because he was their hero, but because of everything Alan had done in the past five years to support the people. Alan spent most of his additional funds on helping the people of Grigor.

    He funded schools for orphans and workshops for those who couldn''t afford to eat, and most of his fortune went to enrich Grigor. The duke''s popularity skyrocketed. He also ensured that the soldiers received proper training and equipment. Their morale was high, and they were ready to follow him into battle.

    Alan cleared his throat before he started speaking, the image of his best friend entering the dead lands first, without a sense of fear.

    "My dear brothers and sisters! We are here today because we have to answer the call of our friends. For years, we stood side by side with them against all odds. Enduring against the demon threat, our brothers... sisters... fathers... mothers... stood in these very lands fighting, and pushing back the enemy!"

    The crowd cheered as Alan spoke. He raised his hand, and silence returned.

    "I know you are all afraid. You fear the demons. But let me tell you this: There is no need to be afraid! We finally have a chance, the chance to defeat the enemy, and create a lasting peace! To take back our freedom to hope and dream of a brighter tomorrow for our children, for our fallen, and ourselves!"

    The cheers erupted again, louder than before. Alan continued speaking once they quieted down.

    "We will not march alone! Our allies will join us in this endeavour, their souls, and hopes will protect us, and we shall show the world, what it means to fight together! We will show them what happens when you mess with humanity! With Grigor!"

    The cheers grew even louder, and Alan could see the fire burning in the eyes of his soldiers.

    Mercenaries who would remain looked on with a sense of envy, their hands gripping their weapons tightly.

    "Today we march toward the Demon Continent. Today, we march for victory! For glory! And for humanity!" Alan shouted, raising his sword high above his head.

    Brrrrr!

    Horns sounded, followed by a rhythmic beat of drums, as Alan''s horse galloped towards the horizon the moment he dropped his sword. A sense of hope and excitement brimming in their hearts.

    Fifteen days later, close to the central demon plains.

    "Raise your shields!"

    "Block those damn arrows!"

    "Priests, where are the healers?"

    Alan''s dirty face grimaced as his sword sliced through a monstrous figure with eight twisted arms like a giant caterpillar. The figure popped and oozed foul-smelling pus. Constant battles marred Alan''s figure with dirt, blood, and sweat. His hair clung to his forehead, and his eyes were red from exhaustion.

    They had been fighting non-stop since they entered the Demon Continent.

    "Are we cursed to struggle forever?" Alan muttered under his breath.

    He glanced around at the battlefield, littered with corpses of demons and humans alike. The stench of death suspended heavily in the air, mingling with the metallic scent of blood.

    At first, their morale remained high, and they rushed onto the plains with no sign of enemies. However, the moment their group left Grimholt''s surroundings, monsters began to appear.

    They came from the ground, the soil, the mountains, and forests.

    "Keep up your guard! We must not waver." Alan''s hoarse shout echoed through the battlefield, a testament to how much bullshit these knights endured. With over four hundred already gone, his regret at not travelling with Asmodeus increased each day.

    "Sire!"

    "Yes, Your Grace! We saw them from afar; there were different types of monsters in the distance!"

    Alan frowned, wondering if this was but another trial in their cursed journey.

    "What do they look like?"

    "Humanoids, covered in black armour."

    "Hmm?"

    Alan''s eyes widened as colour returned to his face. He threw his plate armour to the ground and started rushing to his horse.

    "Your Grace!"

    "Wait, at least wear your armour, Your grace!"

    Alan ignored them all as he climbed onto his horse and rode in the direction the scouts arrived from.

    "Your Grace!"

    The rest of the knights followed suit, mounting their horses and chasing after Alan. His horse galloped over the hill, an exhausted huff coming from his nostrils. "My dear steed, just endure this once for me. I promise the best carrots when we return!" Alan whispered to his horse, patting its neck.

    After cresting the hill, he stopped and looked down at the open field below. There, marching towards them, were indeed humanoid figures clad in black armour.

    A familiar face sat at the forefront, riding atop an elegant and beautiful arachne.

    "R-Ryuji? It''s you?"

    Alan''s eyes trembled, and tears welled at the corners of his eyes. This exhausting journey almost drove him to give up hope. He thought that his friend might have already fallen after the reports stopped.

    "RYUJI!!!"

    His voice boomed through the field, reaching the ears of the Demon Knights, who immediately halted their march. The figure in the front turned around and smiled brightly.

    What amazed Alan was the uniformed and synchronised movements of the demon knights, who slammed their shields and spears into the dirt with a loud, resounding boom before forming a triangle behind Asmodeus.

    The display caused the knights who followed to sigh and gasp in wonder.

    "Ryuji you damned show off!" Alan dashed down the hill on foot, his right hand clenched tightly, happy but frustrated tears streaming down his cheeks.

    Asmodeus jumped down from Lumina''s back and spread his arms wide open.

    "Alan!"

    *Boom*

    The two friends collided with a heavy thud, Alan''s fist slamming into Asmodeus'' chest, and Asmodeus'' fist hitting Alan square in the jaw.

    "You bastard! I was worried sick about you! Why did you leave no messages or contact us?"

    "Why were you so damned slow, I waited for you and thought you died, damn hero."

    They both laughed heartily, embracing each other in a tight hug.

    "I''m glad you''re alive, Ryuji."

    "Me too, Alan."