SSS-Class Overlord: My Harem Rules the Realms (18+)-Chapter 57: West Gate?

A sharp knock rattled Ethan’s door again.

He glanced over his shoulder from where he’d been standing, still rolling his stiff shoulders after

the 3D simulation. "Yeah?"

The door creaked open, revealing a young knight in polished steel armor. His helmet was tucked

under one arm, and nervous sweat glistened at his temples.

"Sir Ethan Graves?" the knight said, voice a touch shaky.

"That’s me," Ethan replied, crossing his arms. "What’s up?"

The knight cleared his throat. "The Swordmaster, Lady Selene, requests your presence in the

command chamber immediately."

Ethan blinked, then gave a dry chuckle. "Hah... not even a full hour of peace. Alright. Lead the

way, champ."

The knight bowed low, turned on his heel, and escorted Ethan through the marble corridors of the

Knight Quarters. Outside, the clash of steel echoed through practice yards, mixing with shouted

commands and the rhythmic stomp of drilling formations. Ethan felt eyes following him again—

knights whispering, squires pointing.

But he ignored them all.

Soon, they arrived before a large pair of ornate doors carved with the symbol of twin swords

crossed beneath a blazing sun. The knight stepped aside and inclined his head.

"She’s waiting inside, Sir."

Ethan gave him a light pat on the arm. "Thanks. Get yourself some water. You look like you’re

about to faint."

The knight gave a flustered nod and hurried off.

Ethan took a breath, then pushed the doors open.

Inside, the air was cool, the room dimly lit by lanterns hanging from iron chains. A broad table

dominated the chamber, its surface covered in maps, markers, and scattered reports. Four figures

stood around it—including Selene herself.

Selene looked up the instant he entered, her eyes sharp as blades, arms folded across her

armored chest. Her raven braid glistened like black silk beneath the lantern light.

"Well. Look who didn’t run off the moment I called," she said, voice half amused, half dry steel.

Ethan approached and bowed low. "Swordmaster. You summoned me?"

"Sit," Selene commanded, gesturing at an empty chair near the table.

Ethan took the seat, feeling every eye in the room flick toward him.

Standing to Selene’s right was a tall man with sleek brown hair and a broad grin. His silver armor

was polished to a mirror shine—and he clearly knew it. He gave Ethan a look brimming with lazy

arrogance, arms crossed loosely over his chest.

"Ethan Graves, huh? So this is the so-called prodigy," he drawled.

Next to him stood a second man—shorter, stockier, with a close-cropped black beard. His eyes

were cool and steady, posture stiff as a blade. He said nothing, merely gave Ethan a curt nod.

Lastly, there was a woman leaning far too close into the personal space of the bearded knight.

She was petite, with strawberry-blonde hair tied in high twin tails, her bright green eyes shining. A

playful grin danced across her lips, and she was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"Ethan! The Ethan Graves? Eeeee~ I’ve wanted to meet you since that Vandelion rumor!" she

squealed, leaning forward as if to sniff him.

Ethan blinked. "Uh. Hi...?"

Selene let out a long, patient sigh. "Let’s keep this professional, shall we?"

She pointed to each of them in turn. "Ethan, meet the top of our elite command."

She pointed to the arrogant man first. "Sir Lucian Valor. Likes the sound of his own voice too

much."

Lucian flashed a smug grin, rolling his shoulders. "Hey. Confidence is a knight’s best weapon."

"Or his most fragile shield," Selene retorted.

She then gestured to the quiet man. "Sir Darius Holt. Disciplined, precise, and fortunately not

prone to Lucian’s endless babbling."

Darius inclined his head once. "An honor, Sir Ethan."

Selene moved on to the girl. "And this one is Sir Alina Fairwind. Energetic, reckless, and generally

attached to anyone she finds interesting."

Alina beamed, her hands clasped behind her back. "Nice to meetcha, Ethan! I’m joining your fan

club now."

Ethan gave Selene a helpless look. "I... I don’t think I signed up for a fan club."

Selene ignored the comment and turned businesslike. "Darius. The report."

Darius immediately stepped forward, unfurling a large map across the table. His voice was

measured, calm as a still lake.

"Earlier today, scouts reported an enormous concentration of beasts advancing on Calsoz’s

western gate," he said, pointing to a red-marked region on the map. "Not ordinary beasts either.

They’re... different. Stronger. More aggressive. Displaying coordinated behavior."

Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he leaned over the map.

Oh? This shit again, huh. Maybe I can find out who’s behind this.

Darius continued. "Casualty reports indicate that our outer patrols are already suffering significant

losses. If this isn’t contained, the beasts will breach the western wall within hours. We believe

immediate action is required."

Selene looked grim. "We’ve seen how a single corrupted monster can devastate a dungeon. An

entire horde... we cannot allow that near the civilian sectors."

Lucian puffed up his chest. "Hah! Let me lead the charge. I’ll cleave a path through those

monsters myself." freёweɓnovel_com

Alina giggled. "Lucian, you’d be too busy admiring your reflection in your sword."

Lucian glared at her. "Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Alina."

Selene raised a hand for silence, then turned to Darius. "Suggestions?"

Darius didn’t hesitate. "Form specialized strike teams. Small units, highly mobile, able to eliminate

clusters of beasts and disrupt their formations. I’d recommend Ethan as a team leader. His recent

feats prove his adaptability and power."

Selene’s eyes shifted to Ethan, weighing him carefully. "Do you accept, Ethan Graves?"

Ethan gave a faint grin. "Of course. I was getting bored anyway."

Selene nodded sharply. "Good. Darius?"

Darius began naming assignments. "For Ethan’s unit—I recommend Sir Alina. Her speed and

magic support are invaluable. Also... Sir Corvin Drake."

He gestured to a knight standing quietly by the door—a young man with tousled dark hair and a

serious expression, twin daggers strapped across his back.

Corvin stepped forward, bowing. "Ready to serve."

Selene tapped the table. "Very well. Ethan, Alina, and Corvin—you three will deploy to the western

gate immediately. Your mission: contain the advancing beasts and gather as much intelligence as

possible. Find out what’s driving them."

Ethan stood and bowed low. "Understood, Swordmaster."

Selene gave him a look that was half stern, half expectant. "I have high hopes for the man who

dared strike Vandelion. Don’t disappoint me."

A wry grin curled Ethan’s lips. "No pressure, right?"

Selene snorted softly. "Dismissed."

Ethan turned to leave, Alina practically skipping behind him, while Corvin followed with silent

footsteps. As the doors closed, the last thing Ethan heard was Lucian muttering, "Tch. Lucky

bastard, getting all the glory."

Outside the war room, Ethan took a deep breath. The distant echoes of alarm bells were already

ringing from the western quarter of the city.

"Guess it’s showtime," he murmured, fingers twitching toward Warlord’s Fang. "Let’s see who’s

behind all this chaos."

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