“Father, what’s happening outside?”

The war horn sounded. Karu said during the drill that it is a level 1 battle preparation. And the enemy will attack soon…

In a residential house, a boy of about 12 or 13 years old stood by the window. He placed his hands on the window sill and looked into the distance anxiously as if he was trying to find an answer.

The bearded father pressed on the boy’s shoulder from behind and said in a low voice,

“Nali, remember, no matter what happens, you must remain calm!

“Only by controlling your inner emotions can you be your master.

“Be it sadness or worry, don’t let your emotions interfere with your judgment.”

The boy looked up at his father in confusion.

“But father, I, I can’t do it…

“I don’t want the enemy to invade Twilight City.”

As the boy said that, he pointed at the troop below.

“I want to be like those soldiers, fighting for the lord, taking up arms to protect the territory…”

His father looked at the child-like face. And a different kind of emotion churned in his heart.

Protect the territory. Fight for the overlord…

Before he came to Twilight City, he had often heard the soldiers of other lords say this.

But at that time, he only felt disdain and ridicule.

“Does your territory deserve our defense?

“Are those greedy and foolish lords worth fighting for?”

But now, after he heard these words from his son’s mouth, he felt a strong sense of agreement.

From the first day they arrived in Twilight City, Lord Richard had never mistreated them. He had always protected them with his power.

He lived a life free of oppression and slavery. He even learned to write his name.

For the first time in decades, he felt alive.

In his heart, he had already regarded this territory as his home.

He would not allow anyone to invade Twilight City!

Even if he had to give up his life, he would not back down!

He took a deep breath, turned the board around, and bent down slightly.

He looked straight into his son’s eyes.

He said seriously.

“Nali, Twilight City is our home. We will not allow anyone to invade it!

“But you don’t have enough power to fight the enemy yet.

“You have to work hard to grow if you want to protect this city.

“Whether it’s to learn the battle skills of warriors or to learn knowledge. Only when you are strong enough can you contribute to Twilight City.

“You could receive a medal that symbolizes a hero from the hands of the Lord maybe one day.

“I think everyone will cheer for you when the time comes.”

Nali’s eyes beamed like the stars in the night sky when he saw the encouraging gaze.

However, he was still a little unconfident and spoke with some hesitation.

“Can I? Really?”

“Of course, you can. As long as you’re determined to do it, you’ll definitely can.

The boy clenched his fists tightly. Passion welled up in his eyes as he nodded.

“Father, I will. I will become your pride and receive the medal from the Lord!”

When the father heard this, he patted the son’s head in relief.

He looked out the window from his son’s ear, and the desert outside the territory came into his eyes.

His son was so determined to protect Twilight City.

Was he not the same?

If he were a warrior, he would not hesitate to stand on the defensive line of the territory.

For this city, for the Lord.

This territory with no oppression, no slavery, and no evil deeds from other regions had long become his.

It was irreplaceable.

******

“Mother, the Lord will chase those bad guys away, right?”

“Of course, the Lord is the most powerful hero in the world. Be good. Have a good sleep. When you wake up, you’ll hear the Lord has chased away the bad guys…”

“Yes, yes, Mom. I will sleep already…”

******

“Master Guard, please remember my name. I will offer my life to defend the honor of the Lord! Believe me. I’m prepared to die!”

“I’ll remember you, young man. But the Lord has ordered that no one is allowed to go out. The war is about to begin, so you should stay at home.”

******

In the residential area of Twilight City, almost everyone discussed the reason for the horn.

Most of the residents were determined and already mentally prepared to go to the battlefield. Many even volunteered.

There was no chaos in the territory because of the war.

This moment vividly reflected the benefits of having high morale.

The level 12 alchemist Brown finally rested after Richard ordered the troop to set up the giant alchemy cannons.

The gray-colored dwarf wiped the sweat off its forehead and prepared to return to its room to change clothes.

Although it was only level 12, alchemists weren’t as strong as warriors. In addition, its body was naturally weak, so its physical fitness wasn’t high.

Not long after Brown returned to its room, the gray-colored dwarf apprentices in the same residential house all rushed in a nervous mood.

After they saluted, they looked at the quiet desert outside the window and asked.

“Lord Brown, what kind of trouble have those humans encountered? If the situation doesn’t seem right, please take us away. Gods above, those humans cannot drag us down…”

“That’s right, Lord Brown, let’s take advantage of the chaos and secretly escape…

“If we report the news of the surface to Fortress City, they will reward us!

The gray-colored dwarf apprentices continued to urge the alchemist…

The group seemed to want to use words to vent their inner fear and uneasiness. Their voices did not stop.

However, while Brown sat on the chair, it frowned and did not say a word.

It just quietly listened to the apprentices’ complaints.

After a long time, a few gray-colored dwarves found something was wrong with Brown and quickly pulled their companions to shut them up.

The room gradually quieted down. Finally, the gray-colored apprentices looked at the expressionless Brown. Their hearts suddenly thumped.

It didn’t dare to say another word.

Brown waited for everyone to tone down before it rolled its eyes and looked around.

It said indifferently.

“Go on, why aren’t you saying anything? I’m listening.”

The cold voice sent a chill down everyone’s spine.

‘Bang!’

The good-conditioned hand smacked the armrest of the chair.

The sound was like thunder. And all the gray-colored dwarf apprentices’ hearts almost jumped out.

With a plop, the few gray-colored dwarves in front of it knelt on the ground.

Brown turned a blind eye to this.

There was an indescribable coldness in its tone.

“I’ll only say this once. I’m now a member of Twilight City, Lord’s subordinate.

“All of you are also a part of Twilight City. No one is an exception!

“The underground world is a thing of the past. I don’t want you to mention it again!

After it finished speaking, its gaze swept around like a knife.

“If anyone dares to disobey my Lord’s order, I will open your mouth and pour the corpse-dissolving liquid into it.”

It walked out as soon as it finished speaking. However, it stopped when it reached the door.

It turned around and looked at the few gray-colored dwarf apprentices who still knelt on the ground and trembled. Its expression was a little subtle.

“In the future, stand up and don’t kneel!”

It left the room without a pause after that.

‘Bang!’

It slammed the door shut.

All the gray-colored dwarf apprentices trembled and looked at each other.

It took a long time before they returned to their senses.

Question marks shrouded their minds.

Why has Lord Brown, ultimately dissatisfied with this human territory yesterday, no, even this morning, and privately hinted to them to find a chance to escape…

Changed its attitude in such a short time?

What has happened?

Just as they were about to discuss the reason.

‘Woohoo! Woohoo! Woohoo!’

The sound of a war horn suddenly rang out. It caused their hearts to jump.

A few gray-colored apprentices immediately went to the window and looked into the distance.

The next second, the image reflected in their pupils and made their scalps tingle.

Countless mixed troops surged forward like a wave.

It made them feel breathless just by looking at it.

It was as if the god of death stared at them. Especially the soldiers’ bloodshot eyes.

The enemy was here.