Leonard stood at the very front of the Golden Dragon knights, the expeditionary force’s vanguard. He turned to look behind him.0

He murmured, “What a magnificent sight.” 0

Those who had surpassed a certain threshold of power naturally exuded an overwhelming presence, a force that emanated unconsciously. And here, thousands—no, tens of thousands—of such individuals had been gathered in one place. The sheer pressure of their combined aura rippled through the air, making it seem as if the heavens and earth themselves trembled. 0

Had they let out a battle cry, the force could have conjured a tempest. If they so much as stomped their feet, the ground would split apart, sending shockwaves for kilometers. 1

To those unfamiliar with Arcadia, the sight of Master-ranked warriors lined up as if they were mere foot soldiers was almost beyond comprehension. Three years of rigorous training and adjustment had sharpened these forces to a level far beyond their former selves, but for those who had come from beyond the empire’s borders, there had been little opportunity to grasp the true depths of Arcadia’s strength. 0

“I’ve always heard Arcadia was a great empire, but I never imagined the difference was this vast…!” 0

Some were simply stunned. Others, upon realizing the harsh reality before them, felt their very spirits break. 0

These were individuals who had once reigned like kings in their own domains—proud, unchallenged....0