Raylo stood and walked to the window, gazing at the Black Stone Mountain Range, which grew more menacing under the twilight.

"The Black King is a greedy dragon, but greedy doesn’t mean stupid. The reason he keeps probing is that he isn’t sure how tough we are. He wants to take the juiciest prize at minimal cost."

He turned, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"So, I’m going to force his hand. I’ll provoke him until he can no longer stomach the losses and, in his fury, starts this inevitable war before he’s had a chance to figure out my trump cards."

Raylo knew in his heart that war with the Black Dragon was inevitable.

As for this war, Raylo decided it was better to fight it sooner rather than later. Once this problem was resolved, he could better devote his attention to other matters.

"Order all units to rotate and rest but maintain combat readiness. The true test is about to begin."

"Yes!"

Ed responded in a deep voice, then turned and left.

The peace lasted for two more days.

On the morning of the third day, an oppressive, deathly silence enveloped the entire Northern Border.

The mountains, which usually echoed with the occasional roars of Demons, were now deathly still.

A Knight on watch at the foremost sentry tower felt a hint of unease.

His gaze swept across the black mountain silhouette.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply.

From the shadows of the mountains, something "flowed" out.

It wasn’t dozens, nor was it hundreds of Demons.

It was a black tide.

A tide formed from countless menacing figures.

The vanguard was a wave of Jackal-Wolf Folk brandishing crude Stone Axes and Bone Staffs, followed by countless Kobolds.

Farther back, massive Ogres strode with heavy steps, flanked by dozens of slowly approaching Earth Dragons.

The sky, too, was blotted out.

Thousands of Fire Demon Crows converged into an ominous black cloud. Within this dark flock, a legion of dozens of even larger Gargoyles advanced. They were like mobile Fortresses, slowly pressing forward.

This was no longer a test, but a fully mustered army.

WHOOOO!

A piercing horn blast shattered the morning’s tranquility, echoing from one sentry tower to the next until the alarm had spread throughout the entire Black Stone Territory.

Raylo stood on the ramparts, gazing toward the northern mountains.

Ed, already clad in a full suit of Armor, strode up behind him.

"My Lord, the Black King is here!"

Raylo raised a hand.

"Assemble the Knights. The war has begun."

「Half an hour later.」

"Knights of Black Stone Territory!"

In the plaza, the assembled Knights raised their heads as one, their gazes fixed upon the imposing figure on the high platform.

The Mammoth Knights sat firm atop their Giant Beasts, like mobile hills.

The Earth Dragons let out uneasy growls, jets of hot breath blasting from their maws.

The aerial formations of Griffin Knights and Pegasus Knights were arrayed in the sky above the plaza.

"That Black Dragon in the Black Stone Mountain Range covets our lands! He covets the homes you have protected with your blood and sweat! Today, he has sent his minions, thinking he can overwhelm us with numbers!" Raylo roared.

"Now, I want you to show him..."

He drew his Long Sword and pointed it forward.

"Enemies who dare to set foot in Black Stone Territory will meet only one fate!"

"KILL! KILL! KILL!"

A roar like a tidal wave answered him.

"All forces, engage the enemy!"

Raylo’s voice drowned out the howl of the wind and the roar from the Black Stone Mountain Range.

’The Black King had shown his hand.’

’Now, it was his turn to play his.’