"HOW DARE-!"

A knight came charging at Hallis with a sword, but Hallis' spear was already pulled up to strike. His spear easily deflected the sword and struck the man, Knight Daion, into the air.

"Sir Daion!"

"Protect Sir Daion!"

The soldiers quickly ran to protect Daion, who fell on the ground, but Hallis had already backed away.

"Whoa, don't be so edgy. I'm not the one who wants to start a war here. Or... do you want one?"

"Ugh… YOU….!"

Daion was infuriated. He got up as he glared at Hallis.

"Hey, I'm Hallis. You really don't know who I am? Or should I remind you?"

Hallis glared at the Katzback soldiers with a vicious expression.

"HHallis? The mad dog?"

"MAD DOG HALLIS! He's the son of the Commander of the Empire's Army!"

The soldiers then realized who they were up against. The man was the son of the Commander of the Empire's Army and one of the finest warriors from the empire.

"How about you back off now? I'm sure you won't get punished for running away from me. I'll take these people into my custody."

Hallis shouted and the Katzback soldiers frowned, but they couldn't object.

"They are our people! You cannot just-"

Daion spoke out, but Hallis quickly stopped him from speaking.

"The moment these people took a step into our empire… the moment they wanted our protection… they are our people. We, the Khalodian Empire, protect those who wish to become our people. Your king abandoned your people a long time ago! Soldiers of Katzback, if you object, then raise your arms and fight. Prove that you are right by your might."

Daion frowned, but he couldn't do anything. The empire was the strongest in this world. There was no way to oppose them.

"…We'll fall back," Daion said in resignation as he gritted his teeth and jumped on his horse to retreat.

"WHOOAA! KHALODIAN!"

"WE LIVE!"

"WE'RE ALIVE!!"

The refugees erupted into cheers as the soldiers of Katzback began to fall back.

'It is not long until we will unite the entire land,' Hallis thought. It had been two years since he was stationed in this area. He now knew how things ran in the world and its ways.

'First, I'll have to get these refugees to safety.'

"Protect the refugees!"

With his order, his men began escorting the refugees to a safer region.

End of Chapter