William Ravenwood POV

William's sword gleamed with an ethereal blue light as he locked gazes with the formidable hobgoblin before him. The chaos of the battlefield swirled around them—a maelstrom of clashing steel and the bellowing roar of fireballs tearing through the air. Yet, in this tumultuous arena, William's focus remained unyielding, fixed solely on his adversary.

With a burst of determination, William lunged toward the hobgoblin, his sword held aloft in a poised strike. The hobgoblin, equally resolute, tightened his grip on his spear and thrust forward, aiming directly at William's solar plexus in a deadly dance of attack and counterattack.

But as the spear's tip neared its target, William demonstrated his battle-honed prowess. Shifting his weight with practiced ease, he twisted his body just so, allowing the spear to merely graze his plated armor. In one fluid motion, William spun, his blade arcing through the air in a lethal horizontal backslash that ended the hobgoblin's defiance in a swift decapitation.

Level up!

The notification materialized before William, a fleeting herald of his victory. He allowed himself a brief, satisfied smile, wiping away the smear of purple blood that marked his face. "Just one more level to go," he murmured, a hint of anticipation in his tone.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself, my lord."

At the sound of the familiar voice, William turned to see an older man approaching. Henry, with his strong, sturdy build, exuded a seasoned warrior's presence. "You're not faring too badly yourself, Henry," William remarked, nodding towards the cluster of goblin corpses that lay eviscerated around the general—a testament to his own ferocity in battle.

Surveying the battlefield, William noted that their segment of the block was now cleared of the goblin horde. The soldiers, weary yet triumphant, were taking their much-needed respite, gathering their strength after the arduous fight. The air, thick with the remnants of battle, spoke of a hard-won victory, yet also whispered of challenges yet to come.

William posed a question to General Henry as he cast a discerning eye over their surroundings, "Shall we take a moment to rest before advancing?"

General Henry, nodding sagely in agreement, responded, "I believe it would be prudent, my lord."

Settling themselves on the ground, William turned to Henry, his expression brightening with genuine interest. "I've noticed you've been at my son's side these past few days. I'm eager to hear of your adventures together."

Henry's face lit up with a proud smile. "Your son, Tristan, has been a beacon of leadership in these trying times," he began, his voice tinged with admiration. "He and Oswald stand out in this new generation. Their integrity and unwavering commitment to the people's welfare are truly commendable."

"Ah, Oswald," William chuckled fondly. "He's the very image of his mother. Lady Seraphine was an extraordinary woman."

"And thankfully, he inherited little from his father, which is quite a relief," Henry added, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

William raised his eyebrows in mock surprise, then burst into laughter. "You're spot on, Henry. Apart from his hair, Oswald bears little resemblance to Johannes. Sometimes, it makes you question if he's really his son."

Henry's eyebrow arched in response, a look of disbelief crossing his face. "Surely you jest, my lord. It's inconceivable that Lady Seraphine would have..."

William's laughter grew louder at Henry's reaction. "I'm just joking, Henry. You mustn't take everything I say to heart."

"My lord," General Henry responded, shaking his head but not able to suppress a small chuckle, "you must be mindful of your words given your station."

Regaining his composure, William sighed, "Let's forget about Johannes. His very memory can sour the sweetest of moments. Now, tell me more about your recent exploits. I want to hear more of your tales."

"Certainly, my lord," General Henry acquiesced, smoothly shifting the conversation's course. "These recent days have been nothing short of remarkable. Despite my advancing years, I find myself rejuvenated, feeling stronger and more vigorous than ever. Even the persistent ache in my back has eased."

William responded with a warm pat on Henry's shoulder. "I'm heartened to hear that. Now that you mention it, my own shoulder has healed remarkably well. It's been ages since I've been able to wield a sword with such fluidity and grace."

Henry mused thoughtfully, "This newfound vigor, it's as if it's a boon from the gods themselves."

William, his gaze drifting upwards to the twin moons adorning the night sky, reflected aloud, "So it seems they give and take in equal measure. They unleash unspeakable horrors upon us, their devout followers, yet in turn, bestow upon us powers beyond our wildest imaginings."

Amidst William's contemplative musings, Henry steered the conversation back to his experiences with Tristan. "His grace, Tristan, has also undergone a remarkable transformation. He hasn't shirked his responsibilities, standing shoulder to shoulder with Oswald on the front lines, cutting down foes with unyielding resolve. Truthfully, watching him in battle takes me back to our younger days. It's as though I'm once again fighting alongside you, facing down those barbarian hordes."

"Then he must be surpassing even us," William chuckled with a hint of pride. "Our skirmishes with those barbarians seem almost child's play compared to the challenges he now faces."

Henry exhaled thoughtfully, his gaze lifting to the starlit sky, a smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, my lord. And his achievements don't end on the battlefield. He's also successfully brokered a deal with Sophia to secure our food supplies and maintain our logistical support."

William turned to face Henry, his interest piqued. "Ah, I've heard about that. Negotiating her a seat on the council in exchange, was it? The boy's showing remarkable initiative. I regret not being there to witness it firsthand."

Henry, with a raised eyebrow, probed, "You're not perturbed that he made such a significant decision without consulting you?"

William scoffed, dismissing the notion with a shake of his head. "Not in the slightest. That merchant lady stepped up when we needed her most, unlike those self-serving nobles who only joined the cause when it suited them. Had Tristan not offered her the seat, I would have done so myself."

At William's words, Henry's face softened into a relieved smile. "My lord, you truly have the people's interests at heart." After a pause, Henry's expression turned more reflective. "Speaking of Tristan's achievements, you could have witnessed his glory first hand during the raid against the guardians at the outer walls."

William's expression turned somber. "Ah, Henry, you know well why I couldn't join that fight. The giant cat, a beast capable of controlling lightning, was rampaging dangerously close to the inner-wall. I had to confront that threat first. If left unchecked, it could have slaughtered all the citizens taking refuge there."

Henry nodded, with an understanding look. "Indeed, my lord. Your decision to protect the inner city was correct. Without your intervention, we might have returned victorious, only to find tragedy at home."

William's gaze hardened, reflecting the weight of his responsibility. "It's a leader's duty to anticipate and neutralize the greatest threats, even if it means missing out on the glory of battle. Our people's safety comes first."

With a robust laugh, William rose to his feet, invigorated, and stretched his muscles. "That's enough rest for now. Let's continue our mission. You can fill me in on the rest as we rid this land of more monsters."

Energized by the plan, Henry stood up and turned to address their assembled knights. "Attention!" he called out, his voice authoritative and commanding.

The knights, snapping to alertness, swiftly formed up into an orderly formation. Henry, with a commanding presence, issued his rallying cry, "The monsters rest not, so nor shall we! This very moment, our loved ones might be in peril, awaiting our rescue. We will not fail them. Tonight, we clear the western side of these foul creatures, ensuring they never defile this land again!"

"Sir, yes sir!" The unified response of the knights echoed, their eyes alight with unwavering determination.

William, observing the spirited response, turned to Henry with a smile. "You have a gift for inspiring the troops. I could never match your eloquence in speeches."

With renewed purpose, the group advanced through the block, decisively engaging any monster they encountered. The frontline warriors, empowered by the blessings of the priests, led the charge. Magi provided crucial long-range support, while agile assassins lurked in the shadows, ready to pounce and shift the balance of any skirmish in their favor.

Throughout their advance, Henry kept William informed about recent developments. He recounted Nalia's terrifying organization of the great exodus and the heroic deeds of old man Robert, the first human to receive a blessed class. He also spoke of the guardians and the formidable monster king who had once bested him, painting a vivid picture of the ongoing struggle and the resilience of their comrades-in-arms.

As Henry detailed the encounter with the red-furred monster capable of speech, William's interest piqued, his eyebrow arching in intrigue. "A talking monster, you say? Fascinating..."

"It was indeed an unusual experience, my lord," Henry continued, matching his pace with William's as they led the army. "In all these days of battle, I thought I'd witnessed everything. But a monster that not only converses but negotiates? It was certainly a first for me."

William, deep in thought and stroking his chin, couldn't help but smile slightly. "A creature both powerful and civilized, commanding an army of formidable beings... I would very much like to meet and speak with him one day."

This revelation left Henry momentarily speechless, his concern evident. "My lord... I fear that may not be the wisest course of action."

William shrugged nonchalantly, "Perhaps not, but that's a matter for another time. Our immediate concern is Nalia, the so-called queen of the underground. Have there been any sightings of her?"

Regret shadowing his features, Henry admitted, "I'm sorry, my lord, but after her departure, we've lost track of her. We've spotted some of her underlings and attempted to tail them, but they've proven too elusive."

William's usual calm demeanor shifted noticeably at the mention of Nalia. Spitting on the ground in disdain, he mused, "What could that witch be plotting? What's her endgame?" His tone, laced with frustration and curiosity, reflected his deep concern over the enigmatic figure of Nalia and her unfathomable intentions.

Henry solemnly responded, "Only the gods may have insight into her intentions. Nalia's abilities are indeed enigmatic and formidable. Her capacity to ensnare thousands with her illusions and bestow extraordinary powers defies all logic."

William, visibly troubled, bit his thumb in frustration. "I'm acutely aware of her dangerous potential. It's precisely why I'm out here, fighting relentlessly. How can I remain idle when such a force exists, capable of bending me to her will at a mere whim? If she desired the throne, it would have been effortlessly hers, with my head likely rolling beside these fallen goblins."

As William expressed his concerns, Henry remained silent, acknowledging the grim reality of his lord's words.

Lost in thought, William pondered aloud, "What could her ultimate goal be? If she hasn't yet struck against me, there must be another motive. Is she seeking legitimacy? Perhaps she intends to rule from the shadows."

Amidst this contemplation, a hobgoblin suddenly emerged from a nearby alley, charging towards William.

"My lord, watch out!" Henry reacted swiftly, drawing his sword to protect his lord. Yet, William's response was even quicker. With an agile maneuver, he sidestepped the spear thrust and, in a flash, drove his sword directly through the hobgoblin's heart, showcasing his exceptional combat prowess and readiness for any threat.

Level up!

As the familiar notification flickered into view, William's lips curled into a knowing smile. The realization dawned upon him, a clear and simple truth amidst the complexity of his worries. Why fret so much? The path ahead is straightforward – continue fighting, continue growing stronger. That's the key to overcoming these uncertainties.

With this newfound clarity, William felt a sense of peace. His heart, which had been racing with adrenaline and apprehension, steadied. His nerves, previously on edge, relaxed. He exhaled the breath he had been holding, ready to embrace this simple resolution.

But this moment of serenity was short-lived. Another notification abruptly appeared, jarring William from his newfound tranquility. The content of this new alert was so unexpected, so startling, that it shifted his state from calm to one of utter shock.