Dozens of wyverns streaked across the sky, cutting a long path through the clouds.

"Hurry up!"

"By now, the captain and Theo must have already stormed the main headquarters of the Ceres Trading Company. We don’t know if the Holy Demon Sect is there, so even though it’s tough, push on a bit harder!"

At the front of the formation, Selford and Arin took the lead, urging their comrades onward.

This was the 5th squad of the White Armored Dragon Knights.

Since they were scattered across the vast northern regions, they rarely gathered in one place. But this time, almost all members were present.

‘To think I get to witness such a sight…!’

With a half-dazed expression, Hulcus gazed at his squadmates in awe.

‘I played a part in making this happen!’

A wide grin spread across his face.

Watching him, Erica shook her head, amused.

‘That guy, he’s starting again.’

But deep down, she felt the same pride, though she kept it to herself.

The White Armored Dragon Knights were even more impressive than she had expected.

‘Everyone’s giving it their all. They’re united, with no complaints, despite the sudden call to assemble.’

After Erica and her brother delivered Theo’s promotion exam order, their next task was both simple and challenging:

• Gather as many of the 5th squad members scattered across the north and join up with Captain Evelyn.

The mission’s goal was to capture Ed Troiban’s trail.

Naturally, this would involve armed conflicts, and in some cases, they might even have to annihilate certain factions.

Ed Troiban’s influence as the Central Intelligence Bureau Director had deeply affected the north.

Simply attacking the headquarters of the Season of Serpents wasn’t going to cut it.

‘But with the 5th squad gathering sooner than planned, we’ve had to move earlier than expected because of Theo’s suggestion.’

Both field commander Clébé and Squad Leader Evelyn had deemed Theo’s proposal reasonable, which led to the decision.

For Hulcus, the task of gathering the team over the past few days had been nothing short of hell.

On the bright side, he’d almost memorized the entire geography of the northern region.

‘If the report about the Ceres Trading Company colluding with the Holy Demon Sect is true, dealing with them won’t be easy. So... we need to hurry.’

Knowing this, Selford and Arin pushed the pace even harder, coaxing the exhausted wyverns to keep moving.

“Sis.”

“What is it?”

Erica glanced at her brother, wondering what nonsensical thing he’d say this time.

"When we make our grand entrance, Theo’s going to be so shocked, right?”

“Probably.”

“Hehehe…! What if he begs us to become his personal blades?”

“…”

“Oh, that’d be so awkward. If I agreed too easily, it’d make me less charming. But if Theo really pleads for help, hehe, I can’t let my heart get soft.”

Hulcus even twisted his body in excitement.

He’d barely been of help in previous missions, so he hadn’t dared to suggest becoming Theo’s first blade.

But this time, he seemed determined to prove his worth.

“And, and…! Then I’ll go on a matchmaking date with a lady under Theo’s mother’s service and find myself a beautiful bride! How’s that for a perfect life plan?”

“….”

‘So, he was more interested in matchmaking than anything else.’

Erica shook her head, sighing in exasperation, too tired to argue.

And so, the squad picked up speed once again.

"This is madness, son-in-law!"

Naban’s sudden betrayal came as a huge shock to the Ceres Trading Company.

Although he wasn’t widely known, Naban was also a skilled swordsman on par with senior swordsmen.

He was even once considered a rival to Torkel, a prodigy in his own right.

Naturally, with him switching over to Ragnar’s side, the balance of power shifted.

Whoosh!

Naban flicked the blood off his sword, casting a cold smile at Quadrak and Lily.

"Expecting a reason from a weirdo? I just live by my whims."

“...!”

“...!”

"Well, my apologies to my wife, but honestly, she’s not really my type. I guess I’ll need to find someone else to prove my loyalty to."

“Ugh…!”

Lily’s clenched fists trembled with rage.

Quadrak shouted, "No choice now. Kill them all! Don’t let a single one escape!”

At that moment, the Blood Priests, who had been gauging the situation, unleashed their Blood Radiance and sent streams of dark steel hurtling toward Theo’s group.

The area was quickly bathed in a bloody glow.

"They think killing us will erase all traces of their crimes? They're practically advertising themselves as rebels."

Clébé sneered, grasping her sword more tightly.

She didn’t let her guard down, though.

A quick scan revealed at least a dozen Blood Priests around them.

‘Did they bring an entire diocese?’

If so, they were seriously outnumbered.

Even with Naban on their side, the odds were grim.

Boom!

A thick cloud of dust enveloped the surroundings.

In the chaos, Quadrak urgently whispered to Lily.

"Lily, hurry to the fourth storage room and burn everything inside. They must not find it."

“But, Father!”

“Don’t waste time! Go, now!”

Lily bit her lip, casting a final glare in Theo and Naban’s direction before turning away.

"Theo Ragnar.”

As she summoned her mana, her right arm throbbed in pain.

"I’ll let Theo Ragnar live… if only to cut off that right arm of his and feed it to the dogs."

“I understand. I’ll remember.”

Woosh!

With a look of relief, Lily sprinted away.

The fourth storage room contained not only documents related to Ed but also valuable items that should never fall into Ragnar’s hands.

Yet someone was watching.

‘There she is.’

Theo’s eyes glinted coldly as he moved.

Wind Thunder God – Gale Step

Swish!

A vortex of wind surged around his feet, propelling him straight toward Lily in a cloud of dust.

"Damn it…! Theo! Stop Theo Ragnar, now!”

Realizing Theo had waited for just this moment, Quadrak’s face turned pale.

If Theo discovered the location of the fourth storage room, they’d be finished!

"Not so fast-!"

“How dare you!”

Slash!

Two Blood Priests blocked Theo’s path, their eyes blazing with crazed fervor.

They were already in a state of near-ecstasy.

[Skill: Lesser Drake Fear is honed to sharpen the killing intent on the blade.]

[You can now infuse your sword with mana.]

[The blade heats up with intense energy.]

Sizzle

Theo’s drake blade glowed red-hot, steam hissing as it became his signature move.

The blade exploded with brilliant light.

Boom!

Dragon’s Five Talons – Demon Cleaver

The tremendous slash forced the two Blood Priests back, even leaving scars on the dark steel, which was said to be as hard as diamond. For a moment, shock flashed across their faces.

"Evelyn! Naban!"

At Theo’s call, two figures leapt in, each taking a side, closing in on the staggered Blood Priests.

Both Evelyn and Naban were senior swordsmen in Ragnar’s ranks.

Dealing with wounded Blood Priests was no challenge for them.

Boom, boom!

Amid the chaos, Naban glanced at Evelyn.

He could sense it instinctively.

‘So, he wants me as the second blade. She must be the first.’

Even though Evelyn was technically above Theo in the chain of command, her skill in assisting him was exceptional.

Following the path the two had cleared, Theo closed the gap to Lily.

[Adds 10 extra stat points to Agility.]

[Agility: 89 → 99]

[Movement speed greatly increases.]

Using the additional stat points he’d gained during the battle, Theo reached out toward her.

Lily’s face turned pale as she looked back, realizing he was about to catch her.

‘Almost…!’

But just as his fingertips were about to grasp the back of her neck, an intruder appeared between them.

Crash!

The attack, imbued with the heat of Theo’s blade, was deflected with a single powerful punch.

The impact sent Theo flying back with such force that he struggled to regain his balance.

‘Damn it! If my Agility stat was just 1 point higher!’

With that, he would have broken past 100 and unlocked a new ability that would have allowed him to avoid the interference.

"So, this is the little dragon cub from Ragnar I’ve heard so much about?"

The one who deflected Theo’s blow was a figure whose hair and eyes were stained with blood.

Gasping, Lily managed to catch her breath, a relieved sigh escaping her lips.

‘A diocesan bishop…!’

In the Holy Demon Sect’s hierarchy, a diocesan bishop wielded power rivaling that of several senior swordsmen combined.

They held a position said to hear the direct voice of their god.

Not someone to be underestimated.

"Leaving seeds of chaos that might one day defy the will of the gods is unacceptable."

And yet, the fear they inspired stemmed from something else entirely.

"Listen well, disciples who hear the voice of god—!"

At the bishop’s call, more than twenty Blood Priests and followers appeared on the rooftops surrounding Theo, each emanating a fierce presence despite being slightly weaker.

Shimmer

The Blood Priests' gathered radiance turned the entire sky crimson.

"Deliver the message!"

"Deliver the message!"

Echoes of the chant resounded from every corner.

The entire headquarters of the trading company was bathed in this eerie, blood-red glow.

This display was known as the Blood Demon March.

Wherever a diocesan bishop went, they were followed by dozens or even hundreds of fanatics, often leaving disaster and slaughter in their wake.

These followers were known as the Blood Demons.

‘Those lunatics...! I told them not to emerge until given the signal!’

Quadrak was trembling in horror. With the arrival of the diocesan bishop and the Blood Demons, the Northern Merchant Alliance members stationed around the headquarters would surely realize the Holy Demon Sect’s involvement.

Originally, these fanatics had been summoned to brainwash the alliance members using a spell known as Devoted Madness when they were all gathered together.

Once the brainwashing was complete, they’d planned to integrate the Blood Demons into the ranks of each trading company on their return journey, infecting them as well.

If successful, the Northern Merchant Alliance would have fallen entirely under the control of the Ceres Trading Company…

But the impatient fanatics had revealed themselves without warning.

Persuading them now would be impossible—they were madmen, after all!

"Slaughter the unbelievers, slay the dragon’s brood, and bring joy to the god with blood!"

"Divine Rage!"

"Divine Rage!"

The Blood Priests and Blood Demons roared in response, about to surge into the fray when—

Whoosh!

A sudden, thrilling sensation shot down Theo’s spine.

The familiar feeling told him that something was about to happen.

Skreee!

Even Umbra, his shadow companion, seemed to sense it, surging outward.

“It’s over.”

Theo grinned, looking up.

Above them, dozens of shadows began to descend over the Ceres headquarters.

In his left hand, Theo raised a banner high, as if marking this spot.

Welcoming the arrival of reinforcements.

Seeing the banner, those in the sky murmured:

“So, that’s the new recruit?”

“Looks like it. I haven’t met him yet.”

“He’s rumored to be a genius with impressive skills. Let’s see for ourselves.”

After a few brief words, a voice gave the order:

"Everyone, descend."

The 5th Squad of the White Armored Dragon Knights had arrived.