Chapter 558: From Ashes to Hope ( 558 )

Commander Dugartz nodded solemnly, the weight of his duty pressing heavily on his shoulders. He straightened, clenched his fist to his chest in a firm gesture of respect, and bowed deeply.

“I understand,” he said with unwavering resolve. “I will persuade my people to stand down and raise your flag… I won’t let their suffering continue.”

He turned slightly, then added in a respectful tone, “Please, if you’ll excuse me.”

Javier nodded once beneath the oni mask, a silent acknowledgment.

“Very well… go now,” he said calmly.

But just as Dugartz was about to walk away, Javier’s voice cut through the tense air—sharp, serious, and unwavering.

“But let me warn you, Commander.”

Dugartz froze in his step.

“There will be no second chances. No negotiations if even one of your soldiers dares to raise a weapon or attack me or my knights.”

Javier subtly gestured toward the battlefield—toward the blood-stained, shattered remains of 120,000 halfling troops.

“You’ve already seen what happens,” he continued coldly. “Let their ashes be the proof of what occurs when my patience runs out.”

Dugartz swallowed hard, the resolve in his eyes flickering with a mix of fear and respect. Without another word, he gave a final, respectful bow.

And then he turned, walking back toward the stronghold, carrying the heavy burden of his choice.

Once Dugartz stepped back through the small gate into the stronghold, the air grew thick with tension. His steps were heavy, and his face was difficult to read.

“Leader!!” a dwarf soldier hurried toward him.

Everyone around—hungry, hurt, tired—waited anxiously for what he would say.

Dugartz paused in the middle of the courtyard, silent for a moment.

Then, in a voice that carried through the stronghold, he announced:

“Raise the flag of surrender.”

Gasps spread among the soldiers. Some looked at each other in shock. Others clenched their fists tightly.

“But—Leader!!” a young dwarf stepped forward. “We still have pride! We can still fight—!”

Dugartz turned his tired eyes toward him, speaking low but with firmness.

“Do… or die.”

Silence fell.

There was no room for arguing. No place for pride.

The wind brushed past the torn banners of the stronghold.

Slowly, one soldier climbed onto the tower.

And in place of their battle-worn standard, a white cloth was raised.

A sign of surrender. A plea for mercy.

And a chance to survive.

Javier watched with narrowed eyes as the white flag fluttered above the walls.

Then, came the loud, grating sound of the massive gate slowly creaking open, inch by inch.

He gently placed a hand on Buddy’s feathered neck.

“Buddy,” he said quietly.

“Cuquawked!?” the Pekko chirped, its head bobbing alertly.

“Let’s go.”

“Cuquawked!!” Buddy stepped proudly forward, claws clicking on the stone road.

Javier swiftly climbed onto his back. His oni mask reflected the morning sun, giving him a commanding, silent presence.

He raised one hand without speaking.

In perfect unison, the twenty thousand puppet knights in shining mithril armor began to move. Their footsteps echoed like distant thunder as they followed Javier through the open gates.

Inside the stronghold, the dwarves froze, tense and watchful, their eyes fixed on the approaching army.

No words were spoken. No blades were drawn.

Just the march of a silent legion… and the man leading them.

When Javier reached the inner gate, he raised his hand again—this time with a subtle twist of his wrist.

A faint shimmer of magic rippled through the air.

Suddenly, thousands of puppet knights behind him dissolved into tiny motes of light, flowing back into his magic storage like water sucked into a vortex. The process was seamless and silent—like the entire army had never been there.

Gasps spread among the dwarves watching behind their barricades and towers.

Now only 500 puppet knights remained—still clad in gleaming mithril armor, their formation disciplined and unnerving. These were the ones Javier allowed to follow him inside.

He gave Buddy a light pat.

“Let’s move, slowly.”

“Cuquawked~” the Pekko responded with a steady strut, carrying Javier forward through the gate.

The dwarves stayed back, nervous but silent, unsure whether to feel awe or fear. But one thing was certain—this boy wasn’t here to kill them.

“Commander Dugartz!” Javier’s voice rang out clearly across the courtyard as he lifted his arm.

Dugartz turned around at the sound of his name.

Suddenly, a ripple of mana filled the air, and with a blinding flash, several large crates appeared right in front of the dwarves.

Sacks of flour, jars of rare spices, bundles of dried herbs, barrels of clean water. Fresh meat packed in enchanted cooling boxes. Healing potions neatly stacked in racks. Even emergency tents and blankets.

The dwarves stared in shock, some even rubbing their eyes as if they couldn’t believe what they saw.

The smell of fresh ingredients made their stomachs growl in response.

“Now go,” Javier commanded. “Treat your wounded. Feed your people. Reclaim your strength.”

And with a steady gaze, he added, “And from this moment on… you all must address me as Lord Javier.”

Without hesitation, Javier raised his hand again. A pulse of magic shimmered beside him.

Heavy footsteps echoed as one of his Adamantite Puppet Knights emerged from his magic storage. Tall, imposing, shining with an aura of authority, it stepped forward with mechanical precision.

Javier held out a neatly rolled black banner with a golden emblem.

“Command,” Javier said calmly, handing the banner to the puppet.

“Replace the flag. With mine.”

The knight bowed its helm.

“Command received.”

Then, it turned and marched with thunderous steps toward the central flag tower, while the dwarves watched silently.

“Now, Commander Dugartz!” Javier’s voice rang out calmly and firmly, arms behind his back, eyes sharp behind his oni mask.

“Yes, Lord Javier?” Dugartz answered quickly, saluting with a clenched fist pressed to his chest.

“Call all your troops down from the wall. Every single one. My puppet knights will take over the perimeter.” Javier gestured toward the 500 puppet knights already moving with precise discipline. “They will guard this stronghold from now on.”

Dugartz bowed deeply. “Understood, Lord Javier.”

Javier then added, “And tell your people—today, they eat. No more half rations. Use the supplies I brought. Cook well, and feed everyone.”

Dugartz’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, then softened with relief. He nodded again, energized with renewed hope.

“At once, Lord Javier!” he said, turning quickly to relay the orders. The hope in his voice flickered brighter now.

( End Of Chapter )

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