Tiamat, the Ascended Dragon God

Lothar spurred his horse forward, leaving the Winged Hussar guards clustered around him. Alone, he rode to the front lines, drawing startled cries from the Crusaders.

Philip Augustus frowned. "What is he doing? Challenging a heathen to a knightly duel? At a time like this?"

Europe did indeed have a tradition of duels before the lines, but they usually occurred during conflicts between lesser nobles' territories.

Limited by primitive siegecraft, defenders could hold fast in their castles, while attackers found it difficult to win even with superior numbers—or rather, difficult to win without paying a steep price.

Meanwhile, the defenders had to endure the miserable conditions inside their castles and consider their lands being plundered and their people slaughtered. Even if the enemy withdrew, they would still have to figure out how to clean up the mess.

Moreover, the two sides were often related in one way or another. To keep battle from turning into a protracted war of attrition that left both sides battered, the tradition of dueling before the lines had emerged.

Besides, most soldiers of this era were not professionals and lacked organization. Their morale had to be constantly inspired for the battle to continue.

The Witch behind him nodded. "It certainly looks that way."

Philip's tone grew more urgent. "That is a dragon, a dragon so huge that its spread wings can blot out the sun! What is he going out there for? To use that sword in his hand to trim the monster's scales? Why not send out that Radiant Knight already?"

"Do not worry, Your Majesty. Duke Lothar said that he had a way to deal with the dragon. I do not think he would joke about something so important."

The Witch adviser beside him spoke with a soft chuckle. She was chewing coffee