Way of the Knights

Chapter 222 - Golden Valkyrie

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While Paul, Mark, Ellen, Anne and Luna were establishing their reputations in the battlefield. Raven went towards the Western Walls with a carefree expression on his face.

All the way from his location, he was able to feel the residual fluctuations of Southern Battlefield. A smile appeared in his face as he recalled their brief reunion earlier.

"They were all holding their Growth Weapons." He murmured, "Nine-Layered Black Tortoise Shield and Soul Piercing Snake Spear for Paul. Twin Lightning Serpent Swords for Mark. Vermillion Bird Sword for Ellen. Annarosa's Bow manifested for Anne and my girl had Golden Light Spear."

"They must showing off right now." Raven chuckled to himself, "I would've liked to show-off with them, but I gotta take care of some worms trying to take advantage of the chaos."

"I have to finish this quick. The earlier we finish this, the sooner I can play with my sisters." Raven felt giddy as he increased his speed, turning him into a flickering shadow as he made his way out of the Western Walls.

It didn't take him long before he was able to step outside of the walls. He received no hindrances as he was deliberately hiding himself as he made his way out. He activated his Crystal Sky Eyes as he observed the possible openings for an ambush. 

Raven then saw the some shady individuals spying from the dense shrubs not too far away from the walls. He then promptly disappeared from his location and reappeared in front of the unsuspecting spy. 

Raven's sudden emergence scared the living daylights out of the spy, the guy tried killing him by slitting his neck using a dagger. Unfortunately, his attack hit nothing but an afterimage. The spy then felt something move behind him and tried to turn around but as soon as he did, his body curved upwards as he received a heavy punch on the stomach from Raven. The spy felt his head being grabbed by what felt like a metal clamp. He then screamed as he felt a deep seated pain coming from the depths of his soul.

The spy struggled like fish out of the water, but the grip was to strong and all of his flailing around was only hurting himself. After a few seconds, the spy could been seen dead in Raven's grip with white foam coming out from the corners of his lips.

Raven unceremoniously threw the corpse on the side as he patted his hands. His head then turned sharply towards the Southern Battlefield as he felt a strong and repulsive aura. He thought for a bit and whispered…

"So, the moving rocks finally arrived huh?" Raven kept staring at the south, debating to himself for a bit. After a moment of hesitation, he scratched his head and said: "Eh, I'm sure they could handle it. I can't go there, the guards here won't be able to handle these worms so I have to do it."

"I'll just finish this quickly and go." After saying that, Raven disappeared from his spot once again.

***

"Crap! What's that?" 

One soldier exclaimed as he pointed out towards the very back of the Beast Horde. His voice was loud enough to alarm the people around him.

Without any exceptions, everyone present on the battlefield felt the ground beneath them quaking fiercely. All of them turned their heads towards the beast horde and some couldn't help but gasp loudly as they saw the incoming monstrosities.

If these things sit down and hug their legs, they could surely pass as a mountain by how big they are. Even the soldier that had the worst eyesight could easily see them from Southern Walls. 

The Golden Knights who were in the fore front of the battlefield had their countenances change as they saw the five hulking monstrosities making their way towards them. 

"Damn!" Old Lee spat harshly, "How did those things manage to get here! Weren't they supposed to be in the very depths of the Red Zone?"

"Why the hell would they join this beast horde!? It doesn't make sense!" Leona roared.

"Little Stone Titans." Morel harshly spat, "This is going to be a hard battle."

The Little Stone Titans. According to legends, they are literally stone mountains that experienced Demonification and became cognizant creatures. 

The reason why the Golden Knights are so surprised about their sudden appearance is because they weren't supposed to be here in the first place.

Little Stone Titans are a rare sightings even in the far reaches of the Red Zones. According to records, these things won't make any movements unless it was absolutely necessary. They prefer to lay on their backs and sleep, unmoving for months or even years at that. This behavior is something that they retained from their past as a stone mountains. 

Little Stone Titans doesn't need to feed. If they do, it would be due to curiosity or necessity. They aren't aggressive, they could even pass as a pacifists since they allow other creatures to reside on their bodies whenever they're not moving. Some of the explorers of the kingdom even used them to easily traverse places. 

Five Little Stone Titans, moving as a unit and wanting to destroy. This is an unprecedented event in history. The locations of the Little Stone Titans are far from each other, this was written by none other than the King himself. It would already be a surprise to see one managing to venture all the way here with how lazy they are to move, not to mention five aggressive ones.

"Heavens! Must you really destroy our home?" Balmung sharply inhaled as he watched the red-eyed Little Stone Titans making their way towards the kingdom.

*Neigh!!!*

When everyone's distracted by the sudden arrival of the towering monstrosities. A loud and provocative neighing sounds woke them up. All of them turned their heads towards the source of that sound and saw Luna with a determined expression flying at the back of her Pegasus, heading straight towards the hulking beasts.

"Luna/Princess/Your Highness!!" People called out for her.

"Aish! This girl!" Ellen snorted as a pair of fire wings appeared on her back, she then hurriedly flew towards Luna.

Anne also summoned her Wind Falcon and flew towards the skies. Mark hurriedly followed after them along with Paul. Of course, the Golden Knights were hot on her trails as well. Even Balmung left his post, leaving Luis to take charge of commanding the battalion.

All of them were worried about her. Of course, why wouldn't they be worried? She's the Princess, they couldn't even begin to imagine how they are going to explain themselves in front of the King should she die here. Nevertheless, it seems that none of them would be able to stop her.

As Luna flew with the Pegasus, the spear on her hand was madly fluctuating with golden light. Her gaze was sharp as it never left any of those hulking giants. As the Pegasus flew faster, the golden spear on her hand shone brighter. Once it reached the peak, Luna abruptly stood up at the back of her horse and arched her petite body, pulling the spear back in the process.

"Haaa!" With a shout, she placed all of her strength on her spear and threw it towards one of the Little Stone Titans. 

A golden projectile shone under the dark clouds, it was like a falling star, gracefully arching towards the giant. The speed of it falling was faster than it was thrown. The stone giant tried blocking the attack but there was a surprising development.

It's pride as a stone mountain was mocked by the golden spear as it easily pierced it's natural defenses. The force behind the throw even shaved off a considerable amount of it's stone flesh. 

Luna snorted and waved down her hand and the spear changed it's trajectory. It then made it's way towards one of the leg joint and fiercely severed it as it exited it's body.

The Little Stone Titan roared in agony. One of it's legs were severed which made it lose it's balance. With a wave of her hand, the golden spear flew back on Luna's hand as she looked down on the remaining stone giants who stopped on their tracks.

"None of you will destroy my home! I swear it upon my name, Lunafreya Lightshield! Even if die, I will die standing to protect our citizens!"

Her blazing spirit flared with a golden light. Her golden hair flowed with the wind as her gallant figure bask in the air, serving as a beacon of hope to anyone who looked at her. 

Her words struck a deep chord towards the hearts of anyone who heard it. Those who heard her name instantly realized who she was. 

Heir of their Almighty King. The Princess that never shown herself before made her named known in the defense against the beast horde. From this point onwards, all that hears her name will be struck with awe, respect, idolism and worship.

She was the lady who unhesitatingly flew straight towards the enemy. She who strikes first and swore to protect the kingdom even at the cost of her life. From here on out, she will called as:

"The Golden Valkyrie: Princess Lunafreya."