Losa led the charge to the front, causing the Crusaders to exclaim in surprise.

Philip Augustus frowned, "What's that guy doing? Is he going to have a knightly duel with the heretics? At a time like this!"

Europe indeed has a tradition of dueling at the front, but it usually happens during territorial conflicts among lower nobility.

Limited by outdated siege technology, the defenders hold firm in the castle. Even if the attackers have a manpower advantage, victory is difficult or only possible at great cost.

On the other hand, the defenders must endure the harsh conditions within the castle and consider the implications of looted lands and massacred people—even if the enemies retreat, how would one deal with the mess left behind?

Moreover, since both sides are often somewhat related, to avoid prolonged struggles, costly attrition battles between them, this tradition of dueling at the front became prevalent.

Add to this, most soldiers participating are not professional, poorly organized, and need to be continuously encouraged to keep fighting.

The witch behind nodded, "Looks like it."

Philip got a bit anxious, "That's a Demon Dragon, with wings that could overshadow the sun. What's he doing? Does he plan to use that sword to manicure the monster's scales? Quickly, send in the Knight of Radiance!"

"Don't rush, Your Majesty. Duke Losa mentioned he has a way to deal with the Demon Dragon, and I don't think he would joke about such a serious matter."

The witch consultant beside her chuckled, chewing on freshly popular coffee beans. Despite their poor wood-like taste, their mild help in restoring spiritual power made all drawbacks irrelevant.

"Besides, I told you, Duke Losa is very powerful. If he dares to approach the dragon with an Armed Sword, it would be to skin bones, not manicure. Let's just watch."

Philip snorted lightly, "Of course I know that. He's not a lunatic; the Crusaders' failure would affect him the most."

"You're unlike your wise and steady past self now."

"It's just a major issue..."

"I think you're just plain scared."

The witch hiding in the shadows behind, with a slight curve to her red lips.

Sitting backstage, the cunning fox adept at scheming human hearts also has such a fragile side. Indeed a remarkable monarch, but still quite far behind that person—it's no wonder many formidable figures follow under his banner.

The Demon Dragon in the sky shrouds the clouds, casting a shadow that swallows Losa completely.

Losa raises an arm, a small and exquisite handheld crossbow appears in his hand, quickly expanding into a giant crossbow as he infuses it with power.

Its surface is covered in mottled rust, the remnants of dragon blood filled with resentment from the Giants buried under its crossbow arrow of yore.

Around Losa's ears and in his view, countless Ghosts of Giants drag their illusory bodies, roaring at him—but these beasts can only pass through his body in vain, unable to harm him in the slightest.

After all, this thing has become his exclusive tool; should it start devouring the owner, then what?

Although even if it did, it wouldn't be effective.

...

"Does the Duke plan to shoot that guy down with a crossbow?"

"Even if it gets hit, at most it'll damage a scale, what's the point?"

"A miracle will surely happen, after all, that's Losa the victor. Since he arrived in the Holy Land, we've never been defeated."

A range of expressions crossed the Crusaders' faces, but in their hearts, all hoped Losa could truly deal with the Demon Dragon, and that the miracle in their eyes would indeed happen—this is the highly anticipated moment!

Like an endless flood, power gushes from Losa's body into the Dragon Slayer Crossbow in his hand, visibly forming a golden arrow in its quiver.

Without the crossbow arrow, the Dragon Slayer Crossbow's power indeed diminishes significantly, but with Losa investing power regardless of the cost, it's as if its strength is being replenished.

On the dragon's back, Elis's joyful laughter ceases abruptly, this Abyss Lord unleashed by the Demon Hunters, naturally feeling Tiamat's fear toward that rusty giant crossbow.

This was a Magic Artifact that had slain countless Giants, cursed by the Dragon Race, a murderous tool!

Any Dragon Race should prioritize destroying it at any cost upon seeing this lethal object!

But unfortunately, whether due to unsteady mindset or the low quality of dragons that form its "soul", it held little anger, mostly filled with fear.

This emotion infected Elis too.

It knows better than Shemir the kind of "person" his opponent is.

Honestly, it does not want to have further dealings with this guy named Losa, but since being suppressed by the Power of Rules that day and signing the contract, it felt that terrifying "summon" from time to time.

Once, while enjoying a bloody meal, waking up to find its soul nearly sucked away—had it not broken free in time, it would have been at the mercy of others. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Damn, I just want to quietly restore my power in this world and return to the Abyss, but you insist on enslaving me!"

The more Elis thought, the angrier it got, recklessly urging the Demon Dragon to bow its head, unleashing a torrent of five-colored Dragon Flame.

As Losa draws the bowstring, aiming at the Demon Dragon overhead, a decree of Golden Radiance descends from above, enveloping him fully, rendering his steed and armor into golden hue, as if God bestowed Divine Power for the earthly executor to use it as proof, to slay the wicked Demon Dragon.

The field fell silent.

Many held their breath, fixating on the scene.

Numerous Crusader Soldiers dared not look directly at the miracle, kneeling on the ground, fervently praying.

…

Opposite, a slight solemnity emerged on Shemir's face, "Another Divine Artifact..."

Divine Artifact is a general term, not rare for Shemir. Many gods were easily slain by one hand, let alone their tools.

However, what Losa brought out clearly wasn't ordinary, it's a Divine Artifact no less than the Holy Spear wielded by the Knight of Radiance labeled as "Angel Dust."

Even in his view, among all the Divine Artifacts ever seen, only the Cuneiform Clay Tablet has overshadowed it.

Yet, the value of the Cuneiform Clay Tablet cannot be encapsulated merely by the term Divine Artifact; it represents the extraordinary legacy of an ancient civilization, stronger than a Divine Artifact for any orthodox Wizard.

Of course, the unorthodox wouldn't count; they would likely toss such a thing as rubbish.

Since Alexander's death, Egypt's constant power shifts already severed the legacy. Truly if the Eastern Empire was like that of the Thousand-year Empire, there surely must be a Wizard like Anna inheriting previous generations' wisdom.

"Indeed, this guy wasn't easy to deal with."

Shemir murmured softly.

"Unfortunately, you don't understand how powerful a true Legendary is."

Pieces of Cuneiform Clay Tablet rise into the air, orbiting Shemir like stars around the sun.

He extends a finger, pointing to the firmament, uttering two words.

"Ascension!"

Within the clouds, a stairway to the heavens seemed faintly visible.