Emperor's Reckoning

Heaven's Dawn situation was different from its opposing opponent. With the sheer size that could probably hold three Nostria inside, the people were not worried about the upcoming battle. The military power they had was downright massive. Containing over a million highly trained soldiers, their strength was unquestionable.

This kingdom rarely had a great scale war before, their expedition usually just a little skirmish to take up neighboring lands. It will be a huge opportunity for them to gain experience from this war.

Currently, the soldiers were assembled in the center of the kingdom to listen to a briefing from the king himself.

"Heh, what's the use of waiting, let's just gobbled them up and take up their lands!" said one soldier.

"Yeah, a little kingdom like that might as well be called a village!" said another one.

Their conversation ended up making others laugh as no tense was visible in any of the soldiers. With the huge disparity in their number, it was not a fault that they would think this would end up be another skirmish.

"Silence!"

A shout from their commander made the people lined up properly before the king made his entrance.

King Drake Arabasta, the currently most powerful man in Heaven's Dawn had shown up personally to lead the war against Kingdom Nostria.

"On this great day of the afternoon, we are on a mission to bring down a menace that had dared to kill your future ruler!"

The soldiers listen to his speech carefully as they looked up to their majesty. It was no secret that the reason behind this war was an act of personal revenge that got escalated to the point of two kingdoms facing each other. However, they didn't know that Nostria was the first one to declare war against them, only the king held that secret.

"They have dared to slap our face with the death of the prince, such tiny kingdom dared to trample upon our dawn!"

His hand made a fist as he showed it to his army, "Do we accept such an insult?!"

"No!"

His soldiers answered, as there was not a single doubt in their heart when they responded.

"Do you want to make our ancestors cry?!"

"No!"

"Do you want them to waste our lands that our predecessor had painstakingly built?!"

"No!"

Waving his hand with full determination he shouted, "Then let's go! I will lead all of us to victory! Nostria will be erased from the m-."

"Enemy!" before the king could finish his word, a soldier responsible for scouting the enemy through the tower ran frantically.

(What?!) the king was caught by surprise albeit he didn't show it to his army.

The over a million army grew restless at the news of what their comrade brought. A surprise attack would definitely bring down their morale even if the king was there.

"Don't be afraid! Those little mice didn't know how much power we have! Show them! Go to the four entrance gates!" commanded the king.

"Ha!"

The soldiers immediately followed up his command and evenly divided into four groups before rushing toward the gates.

(Tch! I didn't expect them to be the first one to make the attack!) thought the king before he questioned the soldier that brought the bad news.

"How many enemies are there?"

The soldier frantically saluted his ruler before answering, "There are fourteen people in total, scattered among the four gates,"

"Only fourteen?! They are mocking us!"

His rage made the soldiers almost pissed himself. However, steeled his heart he proceeded to tell the king another news, "T-there was, t-the queen was present, your majesty!"

"What? The ruler herself came to the battlefield? Haha! Such foolishness will bring her own kingdom to ruin! Such as youth with no experience!"

-------------------

North Gate.

The soldiers arrived in an orderly fashion before they noticed that the enemies were sitting leisurely right outside of the gate.

Pointing out his sword toward them, the commander said, "You wrench people of Nostria, today will be the last day of your life! We will make sure you regret killing our prince!"

Slapping his thigh, the middle-aged man with scars on both of his eyes said with a smile, "Hah! Well said! However, you guys are not strong enough to handle me, let alone all three of us."

Taking a few steps forward Tristan stood against the more than two hundred thousand soldiers alone. Even facing such a massive number, there was not even a hint of fear planted on his face. With his arm crossed, he let the wind blew him by as a smile showed his confidence.

"Shut up with your arrogance Nostrian trash! Men!" the commander shouted.

"You sure you can handle this uncle?" asked Miko who carried the sleeping little black wolf in her arms.

"Hahaha, this is nothing!" answered Tristan.

"Alright then, me and uncle Pedro will watch on the sideline!" shouted Miko before she and Pedro jumped away from the scene.

The soldiers immediately circling the lone middle-aged man. He stood aloof with his sword on his waist still in its scabbard.

The commander smirked as a face of disdain was on his face, "Hah, you will take on all of us?! How naive! Your death will be of your own foolishness!"

"Men watch your surrounding, the other two might launched a sneak attack, the rest of you, full charge!"

Even when Tristan was faced with spears that encircled him, his smile never faded.

"Ha!"

The soldiers thrust their spear toward the middle-aged man in the center of the formation.

"C'mon, that's too obvious," said Tristan before swiftly pulled out his sword and spun.

*clank

All the spears that were pointing at him were destroyed at the same time. The soldiers immediately distressed as they looked at this frivolous middle-aged man with fear.

Putting his sword on his right shoulder he lightly said, "Well, what now?"

The commander gritted his teeth, "Men, let's finish him, he can only do so much with two arms and two legs!