The grand hall of the Kokoro Heart Federation buzzed with tension as the high councils of Kokoro Heart Federation and Yuki no Mura Capital City convened. The agenda was clear: dispatch groups of warriors to neighboring regions, not only to offer aid but also to spread word of our good deeds. By doing so, we aimed to secure new alliances, expand our influence, and protect vulnerable lands.

  Seated around the ornate table were the influential members of the high council, alongside Kokoro, Grandma Haruko, Kazuki, and myself. As the commander of the elite warriors, my responsibility extended beyond our federation's borders, encompassing the protection of our capital and allied territories. Yet, a pressing concern loomed over the meeting: two strategically vital regions required immediate intervention.

  Okinawa and Sado—both crucial yet perilously close to enemy territory. Although we monitored these islands through our satellite network, a persistent disruption plagued our feeds. It was no mere technical glitch. The empire's magical barrier was known to interfere with communications, but something far more sinister was at play. We needed to act swiftly.

  Okinawa, a chain of islands guarding Katsuragi’s maritime borders, was renowned for its sea-based magic, passed down through generations. The islanders’ strength and resilience were legendary. Sado, on the other hand, served as a place of exile for those who had violated magical laws. Its inhabitants, powerful geomancers, harnessed the island's unique energy for ancient arcane rituals. Securing these regions was vital to maintaining the balance of power.

  The council agreed on a decisive course of action. Two groups were to be deployed. One from the federation would aid Okinawa, while the other, from Yuki no Mura Capital City, would journey to Sado. I chose to lead the federation's warriors to Okinawa. Equipped with secure communication devices, both groups were to remain in constant contact, ready to provide reinforcements if necessary.

  Upon arriving at Okinawa, chaos greeted us. The island was under siege. Hordes of monstrous creatures ravaged the land, their grotesque forms swarming the defenders. Above them, a demon hovered, arms folded as he watched the carnage with cold amusement. His aura radiated malice, his presence a dark cloud overshadowing the battlefield.

  Without hesitation, my team charged into the fray, joining the islanders in their desperate struggle. Swords clashed, spells crackled through the air, and the ground trembled under the force of battle. I soared skyward, locking eyes with the demon. His expression faltered, a flicker of fear breaking through his fa?ade of confidence. He hadn’t anticipated our arrival, nor the sudden shift in the battle's momentum.

  We hovered, suspended midair, the world beneath us a storm of chaos and conflict. Our gazes never wavered, each measuring the other’s strength. Below, my warriors rallied alongside the Okinawans, turning the tide against the monstrous onslaught. Victory was within reach, but the true battle was just beginning.

  I faced the demon head-on. He was no match for me, but the devastation he had wrought on Okinawa Island was undeniable. If not for our timely intervention, the entire island would have sunk beneath the waves. As we clashed in the sky, his dark magical blasts came at me with relentless fury, but I cast them aside effortlessly. Each deflected attack deepened the shock on his twisted face.

  Below us, my team worked swiftly with Okinawa’s warriors, tending to the wounded and searching for survivors amidst the rubble. Some of the unscathed villagers stood frozen, their eyes fixed on my battle above. I couldn't allow the demon to summon more minions. He was already trying, his guttural chants echoing through the air, but I gave him no chance.

  Between his snarls and desperate strikes, the demon spoke of a greater threat looming over Sado Island. He mentioned that the demigods and their monstrous minions were commanded to lay waste to both islands by their master. My heart tightened. A team from Yuki no Mura's capital was on Sado Island, fighting to protect it.

  “A master?” I demanded, blocking his vicious claw strike with ease. “Who do you serve?”

  His lips curled into a sinister smile. “A demon lord,” he hissed. The words hit me harder than any of his attacks. A demon lord commanding demigods? It made no sense. Demigods were meant to serve the gods, not creatures of darkness.

  I pulled back, hovering in the air, my mind racing. What was the connection between this demon lord and the demigods? Memories flooded in—ancient battles where demigods had turned against the heavens, allying with monsters and demons. It was a time I had witnessed long ago, a betrayal that nearly shattered the celestial order. Could history be repeating itself?

  The demon watched me, his eyes gleaming with malice. “You’re confused,” he mocked. “In these lands, demigods have long served demon lords, though mostly in secret. It is the way of the Four Lands.”

  I clenched my fists. “So, the ancient betrayal runs deeper than I thought,” I muttered, piecing the puzzle together.

  “Even if you defeat me,” the demon continued, his body crackling with dark energy, “others will take my place. Demons far more brutal than I am. You cannot save them all.” His aura expanded, the air vibrating with his power as he prepared to obliterate the island in one final act of defiance.

  I moved before he could even finish. My fist connected with his face, the impact echoing like thunder. His head exploded on contact, his lifeless body plummeting to the ground below. Silence hung for a moment before the people of Okinawa erupted into cheers, their voices rising in gratitude and relief.

  I descended slowly, my gaze shifting east toward Sado Island. How was the other team faring against this greater threat?

  As my feet touched the ground, I was approached by Yuka Issei, the leader of Okinawa’s warriors. Despite her small stature and youthful appearance, her eyes held a fierce determination. She wore armor that was slightly too big for her, a clear sign of her novice status as an Armiger—the lowest rank in the knightly order.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Yuka’s rise to leadership was unconventional. Originally tasked with protecting the mountain ranges and wilderness around Okinawa, she had shown remarkable courage during the demon’s assault, risking her life to defend the people. It was her selfless act that earned her the title of island queen, a role she accepted with humility and determination.

  She bowed deeply before me, her long black hair brushing the ground. “Thank you for saving us,” she said, her voice steady despite her evident exhaustion. “Without you, Okinawa would have been lost.”

  I looked around at the remnants of battle—the shattered buildings, the scorched earth, and the wounded being tended by my team and her warriors. “It was our duty,” I replied. “We couldn’t let this island fall.”

  “You fought bravely,” I added, looking at the warriors who rallied behind her. “Your leadership kept them strong.”

  Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she shook her head. “I still have much to learn. I’m only an Armiger, and this battle showed me how far I have to go.” Her goblin heritage granted her an innate agility suited for the rugged terrains she guarded, but even she knew the journey ahead would be arduous.

  I placed a hand on her shoulder. “You defended your people when they needed you most. That is the true mark of a leader.”

  She looked up at me, her eyes wide with resolve. “I promise to continue learning and growing. I won’t let this island fall again.”

  I nodded, impressed by her spirit. The threat wasn’t over, and if what the demon said was true, even greater challenges awaited us. But with leaders like Yuka standing firm, there was still hope.

  Yuka’s gaze hardened as she looked towards the horizon. “The demon spoke of Sado Island. If what he said was true, they face an even greater threat than we did.”

  I nodded, my thoughts drifting to the other team from Yuki no Mura. They were formidable warriors, but the mention of a demon lord commanding both demons and demigods troubled me deeply. Such an alliance was unnatural. In all my battles, never had I heard of demigods bowing to a demon lord. It defied the order of creation itself.

  As if reading my thoughts, Yuka continued, “The four lands are ancient, their histories intertwined with gods, demigods, and creatures of the underworld. Legends say that long ago, a pact was made—a pact that bound demigods to a power greater than the gods themselves. It seems that power has returned.”

  “A pact?” I asked, curiosity piqued. “What sort of pact could bind demigods to demons?”

  Yuka's expression darkened. “A forbidden one. It was said that in ages past, a demon lord offered the demigods immortality and dominion over the mortal world in exchange for their loyalty. In their arrogance, they accepted, and thus, their fate was sealed. They became servants to the darkness they sought to control.”

  The weight of her words settled over me. This wasn’t just a battle for Okinawa or Sado. It was a fight against an ancient evil that sought to rewrite the very fabric of power and order.

  “We must get to Sado,” I stated firmly. “If the demon was telling the truth, the others will need our help.”

  Yuka nodded. “I will rally my warriors and send the strongest with you. Okinawa owes you a debt, and we will see it repaid.”

  “Thank you, Queen Yuka,” I replied, grateful for her resolve. “Your warriors’ strength will be needed.”

  As Yuka prepared to mobilize her forces, one of my team members approached, his expression laced with concern. "Are you really planning to head to Sado immediately after this battle? You've had barely any time to recover."

  “There’s no time,” I answered. “If the demon lord’s forces are as powerful as he claimed, then Sado is in grave danger. And if demigods are involved, this is far bigger than we thought.”

  He clenched his fists, his loyalty unwavering. “Then I’m coming with you. No way I’m letting you face this alone.”

  A faint smile crossed my lips. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  With preparations underway and Yuka’s warriors ready to join us, we made haste. The sea winds howled as we boarded the ships bound for Sado, the waves churning beneath us as if sensing the turmoil that awaited.

  My thoughts drifted to the team from Yuki no Mura. I could only hope they were holding their ground. But with a demon lord and his enslaved demigods as their enemies, I feared they were facing horrors beyond imagining.

  The journey to Sado would be swift, but whether we’d arrive in time was a different question altogether. Regardless, we would fight. For Okinawa, for Sado, and for the balance of the four lands.

  Arriving at Sado Island, the team from Yuki no Mura was locked in fierce combat alongside the Sado warriors, battling demigods and monsters that threatened to overwhelm the island. Without hesitation, my team, accompanied by warriors from Okinawa Island, joined the fray. Together, we fought relentlessly, our combined strength turning the tide of battle. After hours of fierce fighting, we successfully reclaimed Sado Island.

  Amidst the ruins and remnants of battle, I was approached by Kie Satoshi, the esteemed leader of the Sado warriors and the revered Lady of the Isles. Standing tall amidst the chaos, Kie possessed an air of unshakable strength and grace. Her emerald eyes shone with gratitude and determination, her long, flowing hair—a striking blend of black and silver—cascading over her shoulders. Dirt and blood marked her armor, but she carried herself with regal composure.

  Kie Satoshi was an F-Rank Knight-Huntress, renowned for her role in protecting isolated communities from mountain-level threats. Though her rank was modest compared to higher-tier hunters, her unmatched strength, experience, and dedication made her an indispensable guardian of her land. An orc by heritage, her physical prowess and resilience were unmatched, honed over centuries of safeguarding her people.

  Despite her lower rank, Kie’s reputation as a fierce protector and her commitment to defending her territory had earned her deep respect. Her selfless acts and unwavering loyalty to her people had led to her title as Lady of the Isles.

  After brief introductions, we quickly moved to discuss the terms of our alliance. There was no time for formalities, not when surrounded by destruction and chaos. As our warriors worked tirelessly to tend to the injured and search for survivors, Kie and I discussed the future of Sado Island and the aid we could provide.

  Lady Kie Satoshi listened intently, her emerald eyes unwavering as she absorbed every word. Her stance was firm, arms crossed over her chest, but her gaze held no malice—only caution and resolve. It was clear she was a leader who prioritized her people's safety above all else.

  “I understand your intentions,” Kie spoke, her voice steady, “and I respect the strength and unity your federation and Yuki no Mura Capital City have shown. But Sado Island has long lived in isolation, our ways untouched by the outside world. Magic tech, while beneficial, would invite eyes we do not wish upon us.”

  I nodded, understanding her perspective. The fear of attracting the Empire’s attention was legitimate. Introducing advanced technology in a land bound by ancient customs and strict laws could easily be seen as rebellion.

  “You’re wise to protect your people,” I acknowledged. “I only wish to help, not bring unnecessary danger to your land.”

  Kie’s stern expression softened slightly. “Your assistance today saved my island. For that, you have my gratitude, and my people owe you a debt of honor. We will accept your protection but on our terms. No magic tech will be used here, but our warriors will fight alongside yours should the need arise.”

  “That’s fair,” I agreed. “Your alliance alone is a powerful asset. And should you ever change your mind, the doors of Kokoro Heart Federation will always be open to you.”

  Kie’s lips curved into a faint smile, a rare show of warmth. “You are different from the others who have come before, trying to force their ways upon us. You show respect. For that, you have my trust.”