There is the glory of death, but no shame of life

Stealthily meeting with Leni and stealthily leaving, Daon was then taken to the armory by Knight Yallen who made him choose his weapon. Among the series of knives, guns, swords, and halberds, he selected a streamlined sabre.

There was no other choice unless he asked a blacksmith for a customized one. It was challenging to find a traditional katana sword in Lyeenia. Of course, he also asked Yallen, who said he had seen the border-introduced weapons, but Calia didn't have them.

A sabre it was then. At least he could handle it better than ordinary straight swords. Moreover, this sabre was not common stuff, but a weapon borrowed from ally Hound Knights by Calia.

It's named Hound's Longfang, absolutely a knight-class superb weapon, which was more than suitable for the current situation.

As for the Hound's sword technique – those who use it know best.

Leni's rewards didn't end here. After selecting a weapon, she also added a set of Ronin armor, freeing Daon from his unusual attire. As for whether he was now considered a magic apprentice or a soldier – only the ghosts would know.

Next, Yallen embedded him in a combat squad responsible for defending the shallow beaches at the rear of the manor. Surprisingly, the captain of this five-man squad was someone Daon knew.

"Yo, you've changed your weapon in two days, huh?" A bow user named Karin poked Daon in the chest and laughed, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

She was the companion who had ambushed with Daon at night. Having witnessed Daon's skills, she was very enthusiastic.

"Hello, Captain Karin." Daon nodded and squeezed out a smile.

This was a woman, nearly two meters tall, with chaotic blonde hair, a robust build, and a body full of muscles. It was so hardcore that it didn't befit the profession of a female archer. If she grew some stubble, she could immediately pose as a Barbarian, which reminded Daon of a famous saying.

Please leave some milk for the kids.

"Haha, you're not telling me that you just noticed I'm a woman, right? I wouldn't reject a pretty boy like you." Karin laughed heartily, pulling Daon aside, pointing at the others and said:

"Duke, Lera, they were looking for death that night with us, should have been recuperating in the hospital, but I dragged them back."

That night when Daon had just arrived, he was preoccupied with his own thoughts, but upon close inspection, they were indeed members of the supply raiding team.

Duke was a somewhat shy Sword and Shield user who chuckled as a greeting; Lera was cradling a Crescent Halberd, tall and long-armed. She was wearing half of a Budgie Knight armor stripped of its emblem. She gave a solemn nod then went back to her wood carving.

As for the last person, Karin didn't need to introduce, Daon's eyes lighted up and he quickly strode over, "Arno, you've been assigned here too?"

This was his younger buddy, who seemed a bit nervous staying with these veteran soldiers, and scratched his head:

"Uh, I think I got here thanks to you."

Their location was a few hundred meters from the front line, far away from the threat of being crushed by catapults.

"Don't sell yourself short; you're also a veteran who has seen blood." Daon patted his shoulder, looking at the waves sparked by the lake, "And moreover, this place is not safe."

"Rightly said. It's because we're short of troops that we are assigned to guard the shore. Those dead birds aren't stupid. They can draw a gourd just like us, if they can't do it, it's better for them to go die." As Karin laughed heartily, she slapped Daon's back heavily, making a thumping sound.

"So, brothers, we have to hold on even if it kills us!"

The sun was setting, and the light from the Golden Tree gradually faded, indicating the day was ending. The stones thrown by the catapult never stopped from dawn till dusk. Occasionally, wounded soldiers would be carried away for treatment, crying in front of them. Reinforcements would keep coming to the mansion, using their lives to reinforce the city walls.

When evening fell, there was absolutely no sight of reinforcements, everyone knew that the troops were depleted, and a general attack was imminent tonight.

The few guarding the shore were already accustomed to life and death. Aside from Arno who was still a bit nervous, everyone continued doing what they needed to.

Karin was sound asleep, her snores almost drowned out the sound of falling stones; Lera was engrossed in wood carving, completely immersed in her artistic creation, Duke, the Sword and Shield user, ran to the lake and did something, only to return rejuvenated after a while.

As for Daon, he found an open space and kept releasing his battle techniques.

"Hound's Sword Technique!"

The sabre glided upwards, leaving a streak of blade light in the air, cutting the wooden pole in the middle. Borrowing the strength from his waist and abdomen, Daon retreated several steps. His right foot stepped forward, and his whole body seemed to have disappeared in an instant. By the time he reappeared, he was already in front of the wooden pole, the edge of the blade shimmered again, and the splintered wood falling from the sky had been split in half.

Hu...

Daon wiped the sweat from his forehead, after using it three times in succession, he felt as if he had reached his physical limit. He twisted his wrist and studied the sabre in his hand thoughtfully.

This was the power of Battle Grey. Put simply, it was essentially equipping the weapon with techniques, much like having pre-set programs, allowing the swordsman to get started immediately.

The advantage was that the threshold was exceedingly low and anyone with intact limbs could use it, eliminating the learning process. It was even possible to use it smoothly without thoughtful consideration. The disadvantage was that this 'program' was developed by others, not your own power.

"This Hound's footsteps are really amazing; I have to find a way to learn it." Daon was very interested in the peculiar body technique of the two-step, he closed his eyes, picturing some scenes in his mind.

Gathering at one point and exploding suddenly, he could rapidly close the distance to the enemy. Following that, a cross-slash or a thrust could be carried out. He could pull out the Calia Swift Sword for blade light, or even hit someone's face with the magic wand, smashing them like a rotten watermelon.

That feeling wasn't easy to learn; it required some unique skills.

Daon kept marching in place, stopping only when his sweat soaked through his shirt. Learning sword skills can't be rushed; much of it depends on the enlightenment in a moment. But since it's a technique created by people, it could definitely be learned.

He slid the Hound's Longfang into the scabbard on his back, wiping his face as he walked back. A fire had already been lit by the beach, and the members of the squad were gathering around to eat.

"Daon, I brought back food for you."

Arno handed him a plate, Daon thanked him, took it over, and his eyes turned slightly solemn.

There was goat meat and a clear drink, he twitched his nose, confirming it was wine.

"Eh, aren't you going to eat?"

"You dummy, look at how smart Daon is. There's meat and there's wine, this clearly means a battle is about to start." Karin propped her head with her hands and snorted.

Arno's eyes widened as if he had realized something. His face darkened instantly, and fear could be seen hiding within.

The catapults had been bombarding all day, it was obvious that the Budgie Knights were planning an attack. Then, they could feel the ground shaking slightly. Looking up, they saw a massive hill giant, about ten meters tall and wearing a Calia knight's helmet, pass by them.

Another siege was about to begin, only this time the Budgie Knight corps were going to get serious.

"Eat up, they might not actually make it here." Daon's face was as calm as ever; he had taken hits not just from catapults, but also from navy bombardments. What was the point of thinking about it so much? He resolved himself to take them down, one by one.

No one spoke a word; only the solemn sound of chewing and the crackle of burning wood could be heard. After a while, like a thunderclap out of the blue, a roaring battle cry entered their ears.

Arno couldn't help but look towards the south, but he was unable to see anything due to the stone tower blocking his view. All he could see was the light of the Glow Stone magic illuminating the horizon. Then, the sound of weapons clinking together like raindrops carried over from afar.

The unknown was scarier. Occasionally, amongst the noises of battle, there was a rumbling sound of walls collapsing. It could either be the giants or the catapults. Anyway, the magicians on the stone tower were raising their staffs, shooting like crazy, then being hit by a lurking crossbow. The entire person was thrown a hundred meters away like a kite, landing with a plop, turning into a puddle of meat stew.

"This...this..." The young man's finger gripped the spoon, turning pale. He swallowed hard, "Are we just...going to watch?"

"What else can we do? A soldier's job is to stand guard." Karin slapped his shoulder and laughed, "Relax, the scene in the capital during the siege was bigger than this. The ten-meter thick magic city wall was blasted to pieces by Latain's gravity magic."

Daon, who was silently eating, pricked his ears and asked, "Captain, are you from Lodel?"

"You didn't know? Tch, if it wasn't for the fact that I didn't read much, I would have given you a good talk about the ferocity of the combat." Karin blinked, her mind filled with horrific scenes.

Half-gods clashing, soldiers being flung away like paper, meteors falling, crushing buildings to pieces.

Daon was quite curious. Seeing Karin scratching her head in frustration, he promptly interrupted, "Why did the Half-Gods Alliance fail in the siege of Lodel?"

"Isn't it obvious? They were disunited. Not to mention, there were heroes on the King's side too."

"Who?"

"'Blessed King' Montgot!"

Looking at the admiring Karin, Daon closed his mouth. This Montgot was also one of the Half-Gods. However, he had an unfortunate fate; because of his abnormal and ominous characteristics, he was exiled to the sewer from a young age.

But he rose from the filth of the sewer. He didn't choose to attack the Golden Dynasty that had mistreated him but instead strived to protect it, repelling other Half-Gods. He is now the ruler of the capital city.

His magnanimity, repaying malice with kindness, could certainly be considered heroic.

"Why did you come to Liyenia then?"

"I didn't dare to stay in Lodel any longer. Unfortunately, everywhere I go, trouble follows." Karin gave a bitter smile.

"Have you resigned yourself to your fate?" Daon asked, smiling gently.

"Resigned? As long as I'm breathing, I will shoot down this damn fate..." As she was saying this, Karin abruptly stopped and looked at the nearby lake. Under the moonlight, she could see small boats approaching through the waves.

"Brothers, the action's finally here!"

Without needing her to say anything further, Daon and others had already put down their plates, watching the surface of the lake with seriousness.

"Arno, go and report to Lord Ailan. Hey, don't be in such a hurry to leave." Karin pulled back the young man who was about to rush off, leaving him bewildered. She picked up the wine glass by her foot.

"Come, let's finish this. To the Golden Tree."

She wasn't a devout follower of the Golden Tree, but seeing her solemnity, everyone there, including Daon, raised their glasses.

"In glory we die, disgrace we shan't abide, till the next we meet at the graveside."

The strong liquor went down his throat. Daon, a lover of alcohol, didn't expect his first drink on the borderland to be on a battlefield, listening to battle cries; he rather comfortably squinted his eyes.

Crash.

The wine glass shattered, he lifted his curved sword, his limbs warming up, the warlike spirit intense.

Charge to battle!