The Duke’s Eldest Son Escaped to the Military

TL: Pai_

-The atmosphere has changed.

Heurimre muttered quietly as he sensed a powerful presence from afar.

-Changed… They’re still nothing but primitive humans.

At Heurimre’s words, the White Dragon responded irritably.

The leader of the Blue Dragons also nodded in agreement.

-This has dragged on too long. It’s time to wipe out those primitive creatures.

The unexpected strength displayed by the humans had been shocking, especially to the dragons.

They thought they could simply bombard from the air using their breath and magic, but the humans’ aerial forces were far stronger than anticipated.

The fortress cannons were mighty enough that even dragon leaders couldn't ignore them.

The numerous mana cannons mounted on the airships.

And the level of the Drake Knights was significant as well. Their basic combat techniques, not to mention their unique abilities, were incredibly tricky to deal with.

But that was only up until the last battle.

From today’s battle onward, the ancient beings were confident they would secure a clear upper hand.

-It’s time to finish this. The bear brat and that primitive Yeti should stay back and provide support. Don’t come forward just to get yourselves beaten.

The Green Dragon chuckled as he said this.

At his words, the Ancient Snow Bear and the Yeti’s expressions twisted, and they unleashed a fierce aura.

-Enough. That's far enough. Have you already forgotten how you whimpered after being beaten by humans in the early stages?

-What?

At Heurimre’s remark, the leader of the White Dragons released his intimidating presence.

But even among ancient species, there was a hierarchy.

There was no way a mere dragon leader could challenge Heurimre, who once stood among the ranks of the highest gods.

Even the Dragon Lords had to yield to Heurimre, and his recovery of power was far faster than theirs.

Boom!

As the intense pressure focused on the White Dragon leader, his massive body was driven straight into the ground.

-Do not overstep your bounds. Even my tolerance for your insolence as ancient beings has its limits.

As Heurimre revealed a fraction of his elevated status, he turned his gaze to the dragons.

Proud beings like them could only be indulged so far.

When the King of Giants expressed his genuine anger, the dragon leaders faltered, closing their mouths.

Seeing the suddenly subdued dragons, Heurimre clicked his tongue and spoke.

-As you’ve said, it’s time to bring this to an end.

Heurimre shifted his gaze to where the human army was gathered.

Initially, they had been at a disadvantage, unable to adapt to their weakened state. But not anymore.

With the full recovery of his ancient power, it was time to minimize energy consumption and prepare for the battle against the gods.

Thus, it was necessary to eradicate the humans here and rally the awakening ancient species to prepare for the war.

At Heurimre’s command, all the ancient beings began preparing for war, and the monsters organized themselves into a massive army.

As the enormous force was assembled, Heurimre thought of the human who had once stood in his path - Iron.

-What a shame.

Heurimre wore an expression of regret.

If only he had a bit more time, he would have nurtured that human into a proper warrior to face in a true duel.

But he was a king.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

For the sake of the Frost Giants, he had to suppress his personal desires.

Since the mythical era, Heurimre had not experienced such blood-stirring battles for a long time, making the current moment bittersweet. However, the time had come to put an end to it.

Harboring his regrets, he advanced toward the human army, only to find the young human standing in his path.

-It seems the time has truly come to end this.

Heurimre spoke with a sorrowful expression, while Iron silently raised his sword.

Seeing him, Heurimre also wordlessly drew his axe.

Thus began the renewed battle between the King of Giants and Iron.

With their clash as the catalyst, the great war between humanity’s army and the ancient beings erupted.

The dragons, determined to end things this time, launched a far more aggressive assault than before, and the other ancient beings moved in step, aiming to rapidly break through the human formations.

-Are you blocking my path again?

The Frost Warrior sneered as he looked at Yolke.

Yolke’s face twisted in response.

He knew well that it would no longer be possible for him to face the Frost Warrior alone.

Yet, he still stood in the way.

It was to hold the line until Iron’s Divine Beasts appeared, and to buy time for the others near Master Level to break through and push forward.

-This is tiresome. Let’s end it.

The Frost Warrior, as if he had lost all interest, launched an attack toward Yolke.

Yolke forged an Aura Blade with all his strength to counter the overwhelming charge, but he continued to be pushed back.

'Is this my limit?'

Yolke’s body was already in shambles from the previous battles.

A few days of rest had not been nearly enough to recover him.

Even so, he had chosen to fight.

-You’ve managed to come out in that condition?

The Frost Warrior clicked his tongue, instantly recognizing Yolke’s battered state after just one clash.

Behind the Frost Warrior, a massive Ice Dragon formed and surged forward in attack.

But on the ground, a giant made of earth rose up to block the Frost Giant’s path.

It was Rovanov and Kim Jung-tae stepping in to assist Yolke.

-Have you abandoned the pride of a warrior?

“Rather than pride, my task is to hold you here, even for just a moment longer.”

At Yolke’s words, the Frost Warrior glanced around.

Nearby, Master Carlos and Muradin were also blocking the warriors with help from otherworlders.

-Do they share the same resolve as you?

“…Yes.”

At Yolke’s reply, the Frost Warrior nodded slightly.

-So that is your pride?

The Frost Warrior created a blue spear as he spoke.

-Then try to block it. Show me your pride. If you do, I too shall honor you with the respect of a warrior when I kill you.

The ranks of the Frost Warriors had thinned significantly through countless battles.

Now that their numbers had decreased, and they had regained their original strength, it had become far more difficult to deal with them.

And now…

“Ugh!”

As Yolke failed to withstand a single strike and was pushed back, Gaon Temphet appeared, wielding a sword imbued with freezing energy, and joined the fray.

As the Frost Warrior ranks dwindled, multiple 6th-stage martial artists were now able to gang up on a single Frost Warrior.

But even so…

“Gah!”

“Argh!”

“Cough!”

Gaon Temphet, Kim Jung-tae, and Rovanov were struck by the blue spear and sent flying in all directions.

The power of the Frost Warrior, now restored, was terrifying.

And yet, this strength was still far weaker than what they once wielded at their peak.

One could now understand why the Frost Giants had been called calamities capable of battling the gods.

-You stand up again?

“…Because I must.”

At Yolke’s determined words, the Frost Warrior silently nodded.

Even the Frost Warrior, who knew the value of honor, could see the resolve in Yolke’s eyes. Recognizing this, he began to fight with his full power, no longer holding back.

‘I must endure. So that they… can grow further… Until the Divine Beasts of the hero awaken!’

Yolke had long abandoned any hope of surviving this war.

Thus, he gave his all, to fight with as much honor as possible, to be as much help as possible, even in the smallest way.

To ensure that when this war ended in victory, his name would be remembered.

That was Yolke’s final wish.

As he clung to this wish and steeled his resolve to protect humanity’s future, the Aura on his sword became sharper and clearer.

[For not losing courage even in the face of an insurmountable foe, you have been granted a reward. The skill Final Valor has been created.]

- Final Valor temporarily increases your strength threefold. However! It comes with a penalty of severe injury after the battle. Use it only in moments of utmost danger.

[Your indomitable willpower has been temporarily enhanced further.]

A notification rang softly in Yolke’s ears.

With his indomitable will further strengthened, Yolke’s aura became clearer, and his physical abilities were heightened.

But that alone wasn’t enough.

‘I’ve already steeled myself for this!’

With this resolve, Yolke activated Final Valor.

The sudden surge of power in Yolke’s body left the Frost Warrior momentarily stunned.

But as befitted someone who had once stood at the pinnacle of existence, the Frost Warrior quickly assessed Yolke’s state.

-Your… last strength?

As the Frost Warrior muttered those words, Yolke’s Aura Blade began to burn brightly.

The same was true for Carlos and Muradin, who were fighting nearby.

Muradin, who had been staggering and covered in wounds, suddenly forged a massive Aura Blade and summoned thousands of steel swords imbued with aura around him.

Carlos, who had been sent flying by the Frost Giant’s fist and coughing up blood, seemed to awaken, unleashing a powerful wave of energy as he let out a deafening roar.

The unexpected awakening of the Southern Masters provided a brief respite for the six otherworlders, as well as for Gaon Temphet, Caeden Wall, and Sky Renz, 6th-stage martial artists who had been struggling to hold back the Frost Warriors.

With the three Southern Masters rallying their strength, the otherworlder warriors and the assisting 6th-stage fighters found themselves able to push harder as well.

The Masters’ ability to endure the Frost Warriors’ strikes created openings that were easier to exploit, which in turn opened up more ways to support one another.

Though it was a narrow balance, they had managed to maintain parity against the overwhelmingly powerful Frost Warriors.

Even more encouraging was the fact that, as they fought against these fearsome foes, the stagnation that had left their realms rigid like stone began to thaw and burn anew.

“Cough!”

-…Have you reached your limit?

The Frost Warrior pointed his spear at Yolke, who was coughing up blood.

Though Yolke’s temporarily enhanced strength had allowed him to confront the Frost Warrior, it couldn’t compensate for his lacking realm.

Without the accompanying enlightenment, his body had been pushed beyond its limits, and the aftereffects were accumulating.

“It’s not… over yet.”

At Yolke’s words, the Frost Warrior nodded faintly.

It was a sign that he acknowledged Yolke’s resolve to buy time for the younger humans.

Bloodied and battered, Yolke stubbornly continued to block the path.

Alongside him, the otherworlders and 6th-stage fighters pushed past their limits to assist him.

But despite their efforts, holding back the Frost Warrior ultimately proved impossible.

-This is the end.

The Frost Warrior spoke as he gripped his blue spear tightly.

He prepared to strike Yolke down in a single blow.

But just as he readied himself, Yolke’s lips curled into a smile.

The Frost Warrior tilted his head in confusion, unable to understand why Yolke was smiling. He turned to look behind him.

"Finally..."

Yolke muttered as he cast his gaze toward the location of the Giant King.

There, in stark contrast to the colossal Giant King, stood a single human, small in comparison, emanating a green glow.

And with that green light as the catalyst, two powerful beams of light began to radiate from the sky, enveloping the Frost Giant in a massive shadow of darkness.

-…So that’s what you were waiting for?

At the Frost Warrior’s question, Yolke gave a faint smile and nodded.

-Now it’s us who are pressed for time, isn’t it? Hah… I’m afraid I won’t be able to preserve your honor.

At the Frost Warrior’s words, Yolke gripped his sword as if to say he didn’t mind.

The fact that the Frost Warrior was wary of Iron’s Divine Beasts was proof enough that Yolke had fulfilled his role.

The same was true for the Frost Warriors facing Muradin and Carlos.

-The King is in danger.

All the Frost Warriors came to the same conclusion: the power radiating from Iron’s Divine Beasts was immense.

And for Heurimre, who was facing that power, it was the first time since awakening from his long slumber that he found himself in a life-threatening crisis.

“Hah…”

Iron, shrouded in green light, exhaled deeply and raised his sword once more.

At some point, all the wounds inflicted on his body by Heurimre had healed completely.

While Iron recovered, Two Moons, his Divine Beasts, stood in his place, battling relentlessly.

The power of the giant owl that had appeared alongside Baepsae was even stronger than its prime during the battle against the Witch, and it was enough to push Heurimre to the brink.

Even with just Iron joining the fray, Heurimre's life was already in danger.

But Iron's Divine Beasts were not limited to Baepsae and Two Moons.

Thump!

His heart began to pound, signaling the emergence of yet another Divine Beast.

And at that moment, from afar, the leader of the Green Dragons could be seen rapidly flying toward them.

Even an arrogant dragon understood that if Heurimre fell here, it would spell their defeat. This urgency propelled the Green Dragon to rush forward with all haste.

Watching this unfold, Iron smiled faintly.

"I'll leave it to you."

The moment Iron said those words, yet another Divine Beast burst forth into the air.

"Piiiii!"

A giant bird cloaked in flames that wrapped around it like wings.

The Phoenix appeared, blocking the path of the Green Dragon.