Welcome to the Star Kingdom (Part One)

Blazing flames lit up the pitch-black sky, while blood shone crimson.

The battle had begun abruptly. In stark contrast, its end came silently.

Before anyone realized it, the sounds of fighting and roaring had thinned out until they were barely audible. The combatants' movements gradually shifted from fierce swings to precise stabs—and finally, finishing blows.

The Orcs at the very front fled farther and farther away, breaking past the dunes and the firelight before vanishing into the night.

The Star Dust Guard, who had been charging back and forth, gradually came to a halt. Amid the corpses and blood covering the ground, they reined in their horses and turned around to inspect and confirm their spoils.

On the other side, the Kloma Family cavalry had long since dealt with the Orcs covering the retreat. They advanced in formation and joined up with the Star Dust Guard.

But none of this had anything to do with Tales—or with the human captives being escorted down.

They had not been ignored.

After the battle ended, the cavalrymen bearing Single Wing Crows on their robes and shields charged up the little dune. Under their blunt shouting and prodding, they drove the captives down the slope.

Tales believed that if they showed even the slightest resistance or dissatisfaction, these fierce cavalrymen would not mind letting their weapons drink a little more blood.

Thus, everyone from the merchant caravan, including the mercenaries, became captives for the second time. Under the close watch of a squad of Kloma Family cavalry, they obediently walked down the dune toward the chaotic battlefield.

"Move faster, sand thieves!"

A knight holding a spear impatiently urged them on.

"We're not sand thieves, my esteemed lord." Tomding tugged at his collar and protested sternly.

Perhaps because he was no longer facing the hideous