Kaelen POV
I was resting for now since our unit had been fighting for a long time. Suddenly, the army started to retreat quickly. I was told about it too — the lord had ordered everyone to retreat on his signal.
Maybe the lord was talking?
Then…
I barely had time to breathe before it happened. One moment, the Thirteenth Demon General stood tall, flanked by the endless tide of his army; the next—everything changed. I saw him—Adrian Lewin, our new lord—standing on the ridge, his hand lifted ever so slightly. A tremor passed through the air, subtle at first, almost like the wind shifting. But then, a pressure heavier than stone rippled outward, brushing over my skin, rattling my teeth, and vibrating in my chest. I couldn't tell if it was wind, magic, or something else entirely.
And then—the impossible. The Demon General, colossal and terrifying, was gone. I blinked, staring at the space where he had been. No screaming, no clash of weapons, no visible strike—just emptiness. The massed army behind him vanished too, like the tide being pulled from the shore in an instant. My mind couldn't process it. The horizon stretched empty, the plains smooth and unbroken once more, as though the invasion had been nothing but a dream.
There was a scar left on the land... but it was too smooth, as if something had swept it clean.
I staggered back, gripping my spear so tightly that my knuckles went white. Around me, soldiers murmured in disbelief, their eyes wide, voices caught in their throats. Torren let out a low growl—not of anger, but uncertainty—his amber eyes flicking toward the ridge as though seeking an explanation. Even he, the immovable beastman, seemed at a loss. The sense of danger that had gripped us for days evaporated, leaving an eerie silence in its place.
The aftermath was immediate. The ground itself had been scoured—flattened—as if some colossal hand had brushed across a thousand kilometers of plains. Dust and debris hung in the air, turning the sunlight into a harsh, golden haze. The smell of ozone—or was it smoke?—lingered, biting my nostrils and throat. Birds circled above, hesitant, unsure of what had happened, while the air seemed charged with static, humming faintly in my ears.
Soldiers walked through the aftermath cautiously, their boots crunching over the shattered earth. Some knelt to touch the flattened ground, as if seeking proof that this was real. Whispers spread—half fear, half awe.
"Did… did we just survive?"
"Where… where is the army?"
"The Demon General… gone?"
I shook my head, gripping my spear, feeling the weight of survival like a second skin.
I could still see Adrian standing there—calm, his hand lowered now, as if nothing had happened. The plains behind him were silent, empty, and unnervingly still. I didn't understand the mechanics of what had just occurred—I barely understood that I had lived to see it. But I knew one thing: nothing would ever feel the same again.
The tremor of that moment lingered in my chest, in the soles of my boots, in the back of my mind. The world had shifted, and we had witnessed it. I looked at my fellow soldiers—their eyes wide with the same mixture of terror and awe. I swallowed hard and straightened. Whatever this was, whatever power had erased an army, it had saved our lives—and the plains themselves would never forget.
---
Adrian Lewin POV
I stood there for a moment—not to see the aftermath, but because of the intense side effects of using Apocalypse.
It wasn't an injury. It was a potential difference caused by the release of a huge amount of Nature Mana. I somehow managed to concentrate for a minute, then quickly teleported onto Aero and fainted.
---
Next Day…
Where am I?
What the—why is there so much wind?
Ah, I remember now. I'm riding the wyvern.
I woke up not knowing how long I had been here. Actually, I did know—I had predicted I would faint, so I told the Commander beforehand that after defeating the Demon General, I would ride my wyvern for a day, and not to disturb me.
I mean, if I fell to the ground, that wouldn't look good.
So, somehow, I teleported onto Aero. I slowly descended and went toward the Commander's tent. Though… he flinched when he saw me.
I asked the Commander,
"So, how are things?"
The Commander smiled.
"After you killed the demons yesterday, there was nothing more to do. We just gathered and briefed the army."
Yesterday?
Meaning I was in the air for a day.
There was another reason I didn't just teleport inside a tent. If any enemy spies were still around, seeing me fly through the sky would make sure they didn't dare approach.
But then, I noticed the Commander's troubled expression.
I asked,
"You want to say something?"
He hesitated, then said,
"Even though our men retreated more than 500 meters, after your attack, over a thousand of our men were killed. And another thousand fainted."
I didn't show any expression, but internally, I felt a wave of guilt.
Still… overall, the situation was beneficial. We could ignore small losses for a greater victory.
I said,
"Try to give benefits to everyone who fought in this war and didn't survive. For example, a job for a family member, education for their child—anything you find suitable."
Later, I roamed around the soldiers' resting area—but everyone flinched when they saw me.
Hmm… why?
I called a soldier and told him to inform the Commander that I was going back to Aero.
He nodded quickly and ran off.
I returned to my territory soon after.
When I entered the castle, everyone looked terrified.
Seeing them so frightened left me confused.
So I asked one of the knights,
"Why is everyone looking at me like that?"
He replied,
"Looking like what, my lord?"
Hmm… not going to confess, are you?
Well, I have my own methods.
I said suddenly,
"Boo."
He fainted.
Why???
I just returned to my bedroom. Soon there was a knock.
I said,
"Enter."
Lyra entered and said,
"Congratulations on ending the war, my lord. Do you have any orders?"
I said,
"No. Let the respective administrators handle any issues. Unless it's very important, don't disturb me. Send food to my room on time. That's all."
Then I quickly went back to sleep once more.
Really, it's too much being on the battlefield.
My respect for soldiers has increased a lot.
So I just slept, ate, and read books for a week. I wanted my body to recover completely.
After a week, I woke up early in the morning.
I could see the scenery of the whole city from my window.
The city was slowly waking up.
This scene feels normal now… am I already used to it?
I left my room and found two knights outside. When they saw me, they flinched.
What's with everyone flinching?
Then they greeted me—trembling. One of them quickly ran off, probably to inform Lyra.
I started walking along the corridor, mainly concerned about everyone's strange behavior.
I passed a few servants—they also flinched.
Huh?
I thought this was just a knight thing. Has it spread to the servants too?
While I was thinking that, Lyra appeared.
She asked,
"Do you want to eat, my lord?"
I thought for a second and said,
"I'll eat. Prepare it."
I reached the dining hall and sat down.
Everyone who came in flinched.
Seriously, why?
I couldn't even enjoy my food because of it.
I left and went to the office.
I called Lyra from inside.
She came and asked,
"Are there any instructions?"
I said,
"Call the economic administrator."
She left and soon returned with a man.
The man was drenched in sweat.
Hmm?
Is it too hot?
Or did he come running?
But his breathing was normal… well, almost.
He came and stood silently.
I said,
"Sit."
He sat down like a dog following a command.
He was too sweaty—it made me uncomfortable.
So I stretched out my hand, holding a handkerchief, and said,
"Wipe off your sweat."
He tried to take it, but accidentally touched my hand and flinched, dropping the handkerchief to the floor.
Yeah. I'm done with this.
I shouted,
"Why does everyone flinch as soon as they see me? You tell me, right this instant!"
He fell to the floor and begged,
"Please forgive me! I'll do anything—just don't kill my family!"
Do what?
What?
Why?
Sorry?
I looked at Lyra—her lips were twitching.
She knew something.
I said softly,
"Lyra…"
She flinched this time—not for the same reason as the others.
Maybe she realized her fun was over.
I asked,
"Tell me everything. What's happening? First it was the knights, and now, after a week, everyone. Why is everyone so scared?"
She looked down and said,
"My lord… everyone heard that you defeated the Thirteenth Demon General and his entire army in one strike."
Ah!
That explains it.
The knights were scared first because they were the ones who got the war reports early. After a week, others returning to the city—or hearing it from the knights—spread the story everywhere.
And now everyone's terrified.
Well, fearing someone strong isn't exactly wrong.
I ordered the man,
"Leave."
He scrambled out immediately.
I sighed.
Lyra suddenly bowed and apologized.
"My lord, please forgive me. I should have informed you earlier, but I was hesitant."
Well, she was having fun. But it's true—telling your superior that everyone's scared of him isn't an easy thing to do.
I asked,
"Is there anything else you're having trouble telling me?"
She flinched and started sweating.
Haaaaaa!
There's still something.
And she's hesitant again.
I really don't want to hear it…
"Lyra. Tell me."
Lyra slowly raised her eyes and said,
"My lord… people have given you a nickname…"
A nickname? Hahahaha!
That's cool—I've always wanted one! Like—
The Angel of Stars.
The Shining Angel.
The Lady Killer.
The Loved One.
I smiled and said,
"Yeah, go on."
Seeing my smile, she froze and averted her gaze.
She muttered,
"The Monster Lord."
My smile froze.
"What?"
She repeated softly,
"The Monster Lord."
Why?????