Normally, Plant Type Magivores are stationary.

In essence, they remain fixed in one location and do not move from their environment.

Their habitat usually contains the necessary nutrients to survive, and so they do not possess limbs that require them to move away from their position.

However, there are exceptions to this rule.

One of such is the Cadre 5 Noble Plant Type Magivore known as the Ironbloom Empress!

It has the appearance of a silver-like metallic flower with petals of living steel.

In terms of size, it is almost always the height of an average person—perhaps six feet in height if it has reached full maturity.

This single shoot of flower, with its silvery sheen and unimpressive height, however, does not remain on the earth. Instead, it floats in the air thanks to its ever-spinning steel petals. As a result, it is able to move freely in the air without obstruction.

There are some cases of the Ironbloom Empress remaining in one position.

Those choose to stay in caves or remote regions.

In these cases, the Magivore will stretch its roots across mountains and maintain its territory without any kind of restriction.

However, in the case of the nomadic ones, they can be considered far more dangerous.

Why?

Because they are absolutely ruthless creatures!

Unlike their isolated variants, these travelers are sadistic in nature, possessing an instinct that drives them towards torture and conquest.

As the name implies, they are a royalty species, which means they command Magivores of lower Cadres who belong to the same species.

The Ironbloom Soldier belongs to the 2nd Cadre, the Ironbloom Champion belongs to the 3rd Cadre, while the Ironbloom Lord is a Cadre 4 Magivore. The Empress rules all of them and is always at the rear of their swarm.

It is this kind of calamity that has visited Zen Village on this fateful day.

The swarm of floating flowers—numbering at least a thousand—floats in the air, casting dark shadows on the vast field that the village occupies.

The moment the occupants see this horde of monsters, they can only despair.

They are well aware that their struggle will be in vain.

Without Dustin Aditi, it usually takes an elite unit of the strongest men of the village to safely take down a single Cadre 2 Magivore.

Now, there are hundreds of these creatures, with the weakest in sight being in Cadre 2.

No one needs to be told how screwed they are.

Most of the villagers begin to say their prayers upon witnessing the chaotic sight and the dreadful flowers that hover around their village. Only a few—the bravest men—gather in the Chief’s residence to discuss a possible plan.

Naturally, the Silent Knight of Darkness is also present in the room.

Unlike the others, who argue loudly, he maintains his cool. Leaning on the wall in quiet observance, he folds his hands and watches the scenery with a knowing gaze.

Clearly, he knows something.

However, whether or not he ought to speak is not for him to decide.

As for the others—

"To think only nine of us showed up! What are the rest doing? Where is Obong? What about Aduk? Are they really not going to fight?!"

"Don’t blame them. They must have figured that fighting is pointless and instead chose to spend the rest of their time with their family. I would have done the same... if I had one."

"Tch! Excuses!"

"Fargo has a family, yet he came!"

"You and I know full well that Fargo is the fiercest warrior of our village. You can’t compare him to normal men who wish to be with their families in their last moments."

"Chief, give me the command right now! I’ll force all those cowards out of their homes!"

"Is that really necessary?"

"Yes! Even if death appears certain, we must fight! If we don’t fight, we disgrace our ancestors!"

—The noise continues without any hint of it stopping.

Kelvar Cradle watches all of this chaos from his Village Chief seat while sighing deeply.

His gaze is heavy, bearing the same attitude as his heart.

He understands the situation quite well.

’This village will be exterminated whether we fight or not. The enemy is simply much stronger than we are...’ He looks around the brave men who have gathered around him and lets out a small, sad frown.

He had actually gathered them to inform them of the despairing situation, but who would have thought some of them still wanted to fight in this situation?

Even now, Kelvar cannot fathom it.

Although he has amassed quite a degree of influence in this village, and his fortuitous encounters have broadened his horizons on the world, he is someone who has spent most of his life as a villager.

As an ordinary person, he has always struggled in life and often accepted things when they became too difficult or impossible to continue.

It’s not that he doesn’t have courage.

But the weak have their own way of survival... and that is the recognition of the strong.

Kelvar knows deep down that he and his people cannot win.

So, why bother?

While he is still wrestling with this question, someone’s voice suddenly cuts through the wave of noise and silences everyone at the same time.

"May I say something?"

Everyone looks in the direction of the voice and finds the Silent Knight of Darkness raising his hand. His composure nearly unnerves everyone in the room, but the serene atmosphere around him gives a reassuring feeling that calms the people down.

Without realizing it, most of these men nod in acknowledgment.

Despite being an outsider, this Knight—Dustin Aditi—has already gained the trust and respect of Zen Village. It’s a similar situation to that of Kelvar Cradle.

"Go ahead," Kelvar speaks up, giving his permission as Village Chief.

Nodding in apt gratitude, Dustin leaves his little corner and approaches the gathered men in the room. His gait is bold, with every stride sending chills into the air.

None of these people—perhaps with the exception of Kelvar—has ever met a man so powerful.

Still, he maintains a humble demeanor.

"Those Magivores are too powerful. Right now, they’re hovering around the village because they are assessing us and trying to aggravate us. Once we send out our soldiers and they get conquered, they won’t hesitate to slaughter everyone present."

"True..." Kelvar sighs.

Although he is an ignorant village boy, he has spent a lot of his fortuitous encounters learning about Potions and Magivores.

It is for this very reason that he was even able to become so mighty in Zen Village.

"However, I believe there is a way to ensure some of the villagers survive." He reveals, his expression tough as stone.

"R-really?!"

"What could it be?!"

"Please tell us!"

Although most of these men are people of valor who would gladly sacrifice their lives for the village, they recognize the futility of their actions this time. Even if they fight and die, it won’t guarantee the salvation of anyone present.

Therefore, Dustin’s proposition, which could actually save the lives of some people, has great appeal to these brave men present.

"It’s simple. I will attack the enemy and do all I can to draw their attention to me."

"W-what?!"

"If I appear alone, it’s likely they will underestimate our resistance and will also respond by sending minimal forces. I should be able to handle the first few waves of assailants, which will gather the attention of the entire hive on me. Since I’ll be considered the strongest and therefore the biggest threat present, the swarm won’t pay much attention to the rest of you. You can use that opportunity to escape."

"B-but... You will be sacrificing your life... for us..."

Although Kelvar says this, he isn’t particularly against this man giving up his life for the safety of Zen Village. In fact, such a sacrificial deed is admirable, and it is exactly what the village needs at this moment.

The reason behind his shock lies in the fact that Dustin isn’t even a member of the village.

He doesn’t know the villagers one bit.

So why?

Why would he create a battle strategy that involves him leading the forefront and throwing his life away just so he can save total strangers?

Such a thing...

Even many brave Knights of Legend cannot boast of such a feat.

It is one thing to fight a battle you know you can win, or one in which you at least have some chance at victory. But this Silent Knight of Darkness is essentially riding to his doom.

There is no way even he can defeat a herd of Cadre 2, Cadre 3, and Cadre 4 Magivores who are led by a Cadre 5 Empress. Not only is he outnumbered and outmatched, but his opponents also excel in aerial combat, which is not the forte of most, if not all, humans.

To call his chances of victory nonexistent would be putting things nicely.

Yet—

"I will go... because I am such a Knight as that."

Dustin smiles at everyone present.

He feels neither pressure in his heart nor regret towards any of his actions.

In fact, the feeling he has in this moment is pleasant.

Because, yet again, he has chosen the most difficult path of a Knight of Justice despite how difficult it appears to be.

’It is what Evernight would do...’ He tells himself in silent devotion.

"L-let us come with you!"

"Y-yes!"

"We can fight too!"

"We may not be as skilled as you, but... we can also help!"

"Please let us defend our village too!"

The brave men around suddenly began to shout, raising their voices and hands in both respect for the man before them and a rising desire to protect that which is precious to them.

However, Dustin shakes his head.

He smiles warmly.

"If you all came with me, who would clear the path for your people once they begin their escape?" As his voice permeates the room, everyone is stunned.

But he continues anyway.

"My goal is to draw most of their attention to me. However, not all of them will be gone from the village. In a situation where some of them are still lingering, especially at the exit, there ought to be strong and capable men who can protect the rest of the villagers from the enemies."

Hearing this, the eyes of the men brighten up.

They suddenly understand.

It’s not that Dustin wishes to sacrifice himself alone, but in his plan, these men will also likely perish trying to protect the rest of the villagers in their escape.

Faced with such a situation, do these people despair?

No!

Not at all!

In fact, they smile with relief and readily nod at the plan.

Smiles fill their faces as they grow more and more determined to protect their people and give those who cannot fight a future in the village.

Such is their responsibility.

"Okay, men... Let’s do this!"

"FIGHT!"

"FIGHT!"

"KILL!"

"KILL!"

War chants echo throughout the room as the men begin to file out so they can rally the rest of the villagers and inform them of this plan.

Once Dustin charges out and draws the attention of the swarm of enemies, everyone will have to begin their covert movement through the village. To prevent themselves from being spotted by the overhead Magivores, they will have to hide themselves under the shade of their homes and the other structures within the village.

Recognizing all of this, as well as the preparations necessary to choose the most effective routes that the villagers will have to take, these men leave early.

Soon, only Dustin and Kelvar remain in the room.

"I should start now..." The Silent Knight of Darkness mutters while tightly gripping the sheathed blade strapped to his waist.

A wry smile is on his face, but he makes no excessive gestures whatsoever.

Despite his desire to travel around the world some more and help even more people, his life will end at this moment. Even Dustin can’t help but laugh at the twisted machinations of fate and how his journey will reach an abrupt end in this unknown village.

Still, he holds no regret.

Because this is what he wants to do!

"Here... Have this." Kelvar brings out a vial, and within it is a sloshing liquid.

It is a Potion.

"Grade 3 Potion..." He gasps slightly. "How do you have such a—"

"I found it on my journey. That and an Alchemy Grimoire, which taught me recipes and methods to make Potions. It is how I know how to brew Grade 1 and 2 Potions, though Grade 3 is still beyond the scope of my skills for now..."

"I see..."

Dustin smiles as he stares once more at the Potion being offered to him.

’To think he would have such a fortuitous encounter. My own journey has been fraught with difficulty. Life can be quite unfair...’

Still, Dustin does not complain about the situation.

Instead, he laughs.

"Thank you for your generosity. I’ll take it, then!" He grabs the vial and places it in his pouch, keeping it alongside his few other Potions—all of which are Grade 2.

As a Wandering Knight who is practically in the Mid-Rank, Grade 1 Potions are not very useful to him, but Grade 3 Potions are too expensive. Thus, having Grade 2 Potions is actually the more optimal and most realistic choice for someone like him.

"Looks like this Grade 3 Potion will be my trump card..." He stares at the young man with appreciation deeply embedded in his gaze. "What does it do?"

"I don’t know..."

"Huh?"

"The instructions only said to use it in your greatest moment of need, and salvation will come. I have been saving it for such a time, and since we are counting on you to ward off most of the powerful enemies, I figured you should have it."

"I see. That makes sense..."

Although Dustin says this, a slight sigh leaves his lips.

If this were a battle with a Cadre 3, or even a Cadre 4 Magivore, then perhaps the instructions of the Potion would ring true.

However, this is an entire army led by a Cadre 5 Magivore.

Even with this Grade 3 Potion, he stands no chance of survival—salvation will not be coming.

But he has made peace with this fact.

’If this Potion will allow me to buy a little more time for everyone, then it is plenty useful.’

Inhaling deeply, he places a hand on Kelvar and nods.

"You should join the others."

"Alright..." Kelvar nods, walking away slowly before turning back. "Thank you for your sacrifice, Silent Knight of Darkness."

Only after saying this does he depart from the room.

Dustin remains silent as he witnesses this.

He stands still for a moment.

Then—

"Haa..." Breaking into a smile while nodding with the disposition of a noble warrior, he parts his lips and whispers to the world.

"Such is the path of Evernight."