Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

Garrett watched the ruined battlefield, the walls and hills of his beloved land destroyed and crumbling. Lyndwrym Fort was the pride and grace of his late wife's ancestors.

The very land he swore to protect in her stead, and he failed.

Broken swords, fallen knights, and vanquished monsters sprawled across the battlefield, feeling a solemn loss as the enemy continued to pour reinforcements from the broken mountain.

"Glade... are you able to fight?"

"Even if I have lost an arm. I can fight until the last moment with the other for you. My brother!"

"Fool, what about your wife and daughter?"

Lyndwrym's beautiful landscape no longer resembled the beautiful green grass and jagged mountains protecting her.

The enemy brought more than just monsters.

"Why did those cultists come with such twisted and unholy creatures?" Garrett said with a baneful cry, his sword damaged, chipped but not yet broken as it held his body in place atop the last remaining building.

The Lyndwyrm citadel, the last bastion of the phoenix, glade against the outside threat.

This very citadel would be the place of Garrett Fenix's last stand.

"My fallen brothers and sisters do not grieve. I shall not let you sleep in this shallow grave filled with despair by the light of my flames and iron in my sword." Garrett lifted his sword, the exhaustion clear from his dark eyes, which were bloodshot and slightly swollen.

"This is my oath to you who followed me from childhood, adulthood and lordship. Each one of your names will remain etched into my chest for eternity."

Glade leaned against a stone pillar, his chest undulating as he watched this sight.

The flames of Garret Fenix were like kindling that ignited the desperate spirit to resist and fight back in the Lyndwrym citadel.

"Old fool."

Felix Odon's son couldn't help but mutter, once again taking hold of his father's sword and stepping forward to fight for his people.

'Forgive me, my brothers, now even your cherished sons fight for me instead of Asura. I will ensure they survive and continue our legacy in the future.'

Friendships born from rivalry or petty fights now became a bond of brotherhood.

"Brave young ones, we leave this stage to you. However, you shall not fall here, for in the future you must support and fulfil your roles. You are to succeed us old men. Let me show you the power of the men you followed, the courageous and honourable men you called father."

Glade gave an encouraging nod to his godsons and nephews.

The knights swore to treat each of their children like a genuine family member. These seven young knights knew nothing of their future lord and received a strict upbringing from their fathers.

Swordsmanship, magic, knightly duties, combat tactics and various other aspects.

"Haha, old man, are you sure you can still do it without that arm?"

A blue-haired male with a slightly arrogant voice, his eyes gazed with respect and concern, and his lips trembled from his first instance of battle.

"Just watch me, you cheeky boy!"

*****

Two days before, the wall collapsed.

Garrett sat on the small chair in the centre of the citadel, going through the various messages of support and documents that Ophelia had sent to him from the meadow since this battle started weeks ago.

"It seems my son has sent several letters this time, Estan."

Garrett rolled the parchment and looked at his general.

Glade, who looked worse for wear. Their shiny armour was now ruined and damaged, with broken rings and chips from claws and blades.

"Oh? Let me see. He addressed this one to me!"

'Asura, are you well? I worried so much when you vanished...'

The first letter Garret opened caused his face to become shocked. Slowly reading it, he couldn't help but smile and hit the stone table with a loud thud.

"Hahaha! That's my boy!"

Glade watched his lord's joyful expression, the letter placed neatly to his side before Garrett took another, which caused his face to become even more strange, a look of bemusement than utter shock. "My son... you tread a dangerous path. Alas, you are my son. Hahaha!"

This cycle of opening and reacting to the letters continued several times until only one letter remained. Glade finally opened his letter, unable to keep watching the strange trembling body of his lord he didn't want to ask.

Glade's facial expression changed while reading the letter, but once reading it, he needed to give it a proper look.

—Greetings, Uncle Glade.

I am writing to you at this time of peril for two reasons: I must request from you and break your trust.

First, as of this letter reaching you, I have already completed the official documents required to enter marriage with your daughter, Lucia.

Although we plan to have the service together in the Phoenix Glade, we are being deployed to the south in the future to stop the invading Romanian threat.

Second, I hope you will not let my father engage in something stupid while fighting the East; the silver light of justice shall shine upon Lyndwrym, so please hold on until that light reaches you.

Lucia has faith in your strength and never doubted that her father would succeed. Her husband and future sisters will not let her down, so we will reach you as soon as possible.

Please, Uncle, have faith in our strength and the light of Silvara.

"..."

The old man read the writing several times, causing tears to drip down his cheeks. A man who endured the loss of his family and daughter trembled with intense feelings building up inside his chest.

"We cannot lose, my lord."

Glade stood up; a sense of vigour and ambition replaced his defeated outlook. Garrett also gave an affirmative nod and gently closed his eyes.

"The letters from my son have given me the last breath I need and the final encouragement. Glade, prepare the young knights. I will assign them their first and final task. After so long, they can finally meet their lord. Now he has so many things to protect. It is about time he matures and rules this glade as its true heir."

Garrett let out a mighty roar at the sky.

The last ounce of power in his body, derived from his old bones, evaporated while he activated his sword's light.

"Not only do I want to see the face of my beautiful grandchild, but I also have something else I must do. This letter must find Asura well. He doesn't know about his future brothers and the men who will support him. I must let him know he is not alone. Each of them has spent their entire lives being trained to serve and protect him."

—To my dear son, Asura.

I pray this letter finds you well. Although you may not understand your father's decision and choices, please understand that everything he does and will do is for you, your mother and your two sisters.

That's right, your mother is carrying a girl. The light element midwife accidentally let it slip, but it is a happy thought indeed.

Below, you will find the names and descriptions of several men.

These men are the first-born sons of my brother-in-arms. From the moment they were born, each of them focused on serving the next Lord of Fenix. When you seemed unable to fight, I hid this from you and waited until now to tell you about these heroic youths.

They will become your arms and legs to protect the things you adore when you need them most.

Danos Odon, the son of Felix Odon. He is tall, has red hair, and has a fiery temper, like his father. He has a strong affinity for fire magic and is most concerned with his future lord.

Vergil Calman, the nervous blue-haired male and son of my dear friend Estin Calman, shorter than Danos, wielding a spear and shield. His magic focuses on water and ice, with a strong affinity for healing magic.

Belial Montclair, son of Mander, is a stocky male with no hair. He resembles a bear in physique, wields a giant axe, and emanates an earthly feeling.

A warrior of earth and force, he is the simple and most loyal son who protects the over six.

Alexander Ravenshaw, son of Alexius Ravenshaw, a former noble who lost their fame and glory saved from debt and slavery by Garrett, enjoys wearing emerald robes with a long staff illuminated with the wind element. Although weak in physical combat, his magic aptitude surpasses most of his peers.

Manfried Gotshold, son of Fred Gotshold, A man wearing a complete set of plate armour, his only weapon, the silver greatsword, his belief to honour his father's glorious life and protect the phoenix glade and his young wife and daughter.

The oldest member of the group and talented in tactics and martial combat. Glade Estan's direct disciple.

Louis Devereaux, son of Charles Devereaux. He is an intelligent and skilled Devereaux family from another kingdom who joined Silvara as refugees over a thousand years ago, building their lineage and forming a solid bond with the Fenix family over that time.

The Devereau family uses their espionage and assassination skills to help the Fenix family. Louis's face is quite handsome, yet he can blend in with the crowd, and his light leather armour is his primary weapon.

Ryan Stirling, son of Adam Stirling, is the most average of the group. Yet his archery, combined with an intelligent knowledge of most battlefields and tactics, makes him a great vice leader of Manfried.

Asura, take care of your mother and sisters for me. I will fight in the East until my last breath.

Not a soul shall take a step into the Glade as long as we both live!

***

Garrett seemed to become more relaxed the moment his pen stopped writing. He looked at Glade with a smile. "My son has married so many brides, yet the amount doesn't shock me, but who he has married."

Glade could only show a bitter smirk. "He married my little Lucia too. I will beat his little ass when he next comes here."

Garrett laughed, his gaze towards the courtyard's exit turned fierce.

"Well then, I guess we should hold out until those young fellows arrive. Tell those brats they've just got a mission to look forward to and that the task they dreamt of all these years has finally come. The lord of this family can now officially change, thanks to Her Majesty accepting my request."

"Let us go, my brother. Into battle once again."