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The vast dragon wings unfurled, slowly flapping, blocking the sunlight over the knights. The massive airborne figure's edges gleamed with a golden outline.

It matched the legends—golden slitted eyes, a powerful frame, menacing horns, and impenetrable scales.

Under the oppressive aura of dragon might, the Lionheart Knights collectively held their breath. This was "The Hellish calamity," Cassius—the embodiment of arrogance and savagery, the red dragon who annihilated thirty thousand allied soldiers, and their current target.

At this moment, doubt gripped every heart.

This creature was utterly invincible—how had they ever imagined killing such a terrifying monster?

The beast in the sky opened its maw, revealing jagged fangs, while heat waves distorted the air around its jaws.

"I heard... you want to slay a dragon?"

Its golden eyes sparkled with embers.

Fried stared upward, his expression frozen.

"Tarik, you died to such a creature, didn't you..."

"Even a knight as exceptional as you perished in its flames. How could I ever defeat it?"

He subconsciously rubbed the pocket watch in his hand, shaking his head as he muttered to himself.

"Captain! What should we do?"

His subordinate's call snapped him out of his stupor, reminding him they stood on a battlefield, their lives hanging by a thread!

Years of training kicked in instinctively. The "Black Lion Knight" raised his Oathblade high and commanded: "Form the protective link!"

The Lionheart Knights simultaneously raised their silver swords, which glowed brilliantly. As their sacred oath magic activated, luminous chains linked them together, forging an unbreakable connection. The twenty knights raised their heavy shields, creating an impenetrable luminous fortress.

They formed a united force, seamlessly blending offense and defense.

Any damage received by one member was distributed across all twenty.

This made the Lionheart Knights a moving fortress on the battlefield, capable of devastating charges and unyielding defense. Their moniker, "The Lion’s Bastion," struck fear into any commander who saw dozens of Lionheart Knights advancing on their lines.

Cassius hovered leisurely in the sky, flapping his wings as he observed the knights below.

"So this is the 'turtle shell' Dolo mentioned?"

"Interesting."

With his forces encircling the area, Cassius felt no urgency to let the knights escape. Instead, his curiosity was piqued—he wanted to study the Bosk family's unique subclass, the Lionheart Knights.

With a flick of his claw toward the ground, he cast a spell.

*[Raking Claws]*

A shimmering, claw-shaped magical force materialized in front of the red dragon. With a casual swipe, the energy slashed toward the Lionheart Knights.

Fried, seeing the massive claw marks descending from the sky, tensed up and shouted:

"Brace yourselves! Defensive stance!"

A synchronized clang echoed as the knights raised their lion-emblazoned silver shields, forming a seamless barrier overhead.

*"Screeeech—"*

The sound of metal scraping filled the air as the shield wall bore three deep, penetrating scratches.

The force transmitted through the shields nearly shattered their formation with a single blow.

"Hold the line!"

Fried roared.

The glowing chains shimmered, distributing the immense force among all the knights. Their faces twisted in pain, sweat pouring from their brows.

To resist Cassius’s blow, they dug into the ground, leaving shallow pits underfoot.

Cassius observed the intact shield formation below, impressed.

"Tsk, such a sturdy turtle shell. No wonder Dolo had trouble with them."

Though it was merely a casual draconic spell, given Cassius’s overwhelming magic power and physical strength, even a nonchalant attack could devastate high-level warriors.

"Let’s see if you can withstand fire."

Cassius narrowed his golden eyes, slightly parting his jaws.

Intense light glowed deep in his throat.

*"Boom!"*

Torrents of searing flames poured from the red dragon’s mouth, surging toward the Lionheart Knights.

"Dragon breath!"

The lieutenant shouted in alarm.

"So hot, so scorching."

These thoughts consumed every knight’s mind.

Feeling the intense heat, they recalled the tale of the "Hellish calamity" incinerating allied forces with dragon fire.

Yet they didn’t realize this breath was deliberately restrained by Cassius.

As the flames approached, fear gripped the knights. Sweat streamed from their faces, and their sword grips trembled. Still, their training kept them rooted, awaiting orders.

"Don’t scatter! Breaking formation will only hasten your deaths!"

"If you want to live, stand firm!"

Fried commanded fiercely.

The knights maintained their shield wall, a thin glowing barrier forming over the shields, repelling the flames’ relentless onslaught.

*"Lion’s Guardian!"*

Fried bellowed, activating their trump card.

—The Lionheart Knights summoned a radiant spirit, manifesting their collective resolve into an enormous, roaring lion-shaped apparition.

The massive lion rose from their formation, roaring defiantly. Its presence temporarily held back the flames and even hinted at counterattacking.

"That’s it!"

"We’re the invincible Lionheart Knights!"

Fried shouted, rallying his comrades, aspiring to emulate Tarik, the "White Lion Knight," and become a radiant and undefeated leader.

"Oh?"

"An intriguing spell—it’s a turtle that bites."

Cassius watched the lion spirit with interest.

In his eyes, the Bosk Lionheart Knights were far superior to the Northwind Eagle Guards of Lackman. Their cohesive sacred magic was leagues ahead of the Eagle Guards’ mere flight capabilities.

"Such thick defenses—it’d be a shame not to test their limits."

"Well then, let’s have some fun."

A menacing smile crept across Cassius’s face.

Violent fire elemental energy coursed through his blood vessels, surging into his lungs before erupting outward.

The flames intensified, their temperature skyrocketing. The once-defiant lion spirit let out anguished roars, gradually dissolving under the overwhelming heat.

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