I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

Amidst the raging battle, Leon and his companions found a respite, but they knew the real challenge had only just begun. The glare gradually faded, revealing a massive, golden airship. A row of mysterious, ancient symbols hung atop it, emanating an undeniable majesty and power. Unlike the ordinary support aircraft they had just seen, this newly appeared aerial fortress clearly belonged to another force, perhaps friend or foe.

Just as everyone was lost in astonishment, a voice, like some kind of healing magic, spread across the battlefield: "Brave warriors, do not be nervous." The speaker's tone was gentle yet powerful. Then, a figure slowly descended from the shimmering golden airship—a handsome young man clad in shimmering armor. "My name is Aidan Brightheart, Grand Master of the Knights Templar. I have come to lend you a helping hand."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked. The villagers in particular began to whisper among themselves:

-"Oh my god, it's the legendary Knights Templar! I thought those stories were just fiction."

- “I never thought that we would be able to see such a legendary figure in our lifetime…”

Though Leon maintained a calm exterior, his heart was filled with mixed emotions: delighted by the potential turnaround brought on by the sudden arrival of powerful reinforcements, yet also feeling a strange sense of wariness toward this seemingly perfect ally. "Respected Captain, I'm grateful for your and your men's participation. However, with all due respect, any change on either side during this crucial period could directly impact the final outcome. Could you please share more information about yourself?"

Upon hearing this question, Aidan smiled a friendly yet slightly mysterious smile. "I understand your concerns. After all, in this dangerous world, it's always good to be cautious. In fact, our mission is to protect every inch of this continent from the invasion of evil. Recently, when we learned that you were facing a powerful enemy, we decided to rush to your aid." He paused, as if giving the other party enough time to think. "If you allow me, please allow me to lead my team to join the defense. I believe that with our participation, we will be able to defeat the enemy more quickly and restore peace."

Faced with this sincerity and the hope it brought, Leon had no reason to refuse this help, although he still had some concerns in his heart. "Then please join us. I hope you can prove your worth," he said, turning to his men. "Mireya, Lucy, help our new friends arrange their defenses. Everyone, be prepared to face the new challenges that may arise."

"Understood!" The two female commanders responded in unison.

During this intense preparation process, the villagers' emotions became increasingly complicated:

-"Wow, it feels like we have really met a super helper this time!" A little boy's eyes flashed with a spark of longing.

-"Yeah, but in the end it's still uncertain who will win or lose..." The old man next to him said meaningfully, looking into the distance, as if he had foreseen more changes that might happen in the future.

As the two sides' cooperation grew closer, it indeed produced unexpected results in the following rounds of confrontation, and the originally difficult situation was significantly improved. However, just as everyone began to feel optimistic, the sky above the battlefield changed again...

A thick fog suddenly spread, obscuring the sun and causing the temperature to plummet. As the fog gradually dissipated, countless shadowy creatures emerged from the darkness, their numbers vast and their ferocity exceptional.

Even the experienced soldiers looked grim at the unprecedented sight before them. One of the newbies exclaimed, "What kind of monsters are these? They seem endless..."

Aidan stood on the front lines, gazing at the approaching figures in the distance. "It seems the real test has just begun, just as that old man said." He then gave an inspiring speech to all the warriors around him, "Friends, no matter how difficult the road ahead, please remember that you are fighting to protect this pure land behind you. Let us work together, transform fear into courage, and overcome all difficulties before us!"

Just as the battle was about to reach its climax, a villager who had been observing for a long time suddenly asked his companions:

-"Hey, what do you think? If we can all get through this crisis unscathed, will we ever encounter something like this again?"

"Who knows?" the latter answered very frankly, "Perhaps the world will never be truly at peace... But as long as there are heroes like them, we will always have hope, right?"

As Aidan's words echoed across the battlefield, an unprecedented courage surged through the hearts of the men. Leon gripped his sword tightly, a determined glint in his eyes. He turned to his men and said, "Brothers and sisters, do you hear me? This isn't just a statement of confidence from the Templars; it's a trust and expectation placed in each of us! Let us prove we can protect this land! For our homes and our loved ones, we must fight to the bitter end!"

The crowd erupted in enthusiastic response, everyone shouted in unison, and the voices combined into a shocking force.

Just as the battle was about to break out, a young warrior approached Leon and whispered, "Captain, do you think the Heart of Light can be trusted? After all, we know very little about these sudden helpers."

Leon frowned slightly, clearly pondering the same question, but chose to trust his ally. "We must seize any opportunity for victory. The most important thing now is to concentrate all available forces to resist the impending attack."

At that moment, the first wave of shadow creatures surged forward like a tide. Though both sides were well prepared, they were still stunned by the sheer number of their enemies. The battlefield suddenly erupted in the flash of swords and the blazing of flames. Leon, sword in hand, charged left and right, each strike with uncanny precision, as if one with the weapon in his hand. Aidan, living up to his reputation, shone a divine light from his hand, illuminating the surrounding darkness, giving his allies hope and directly weakening the enemy.

"Watch your back!" someone shouted, and chaos ensued—several shadowy figures took advantage of the moment and launched a surprise attack on the crowd. Mireya immediately ordered her archers to turn and engage, while Lucy quickly organized her melee forces to form a defensive line to block any gaps.

Meanwhile, Maria, the priestess caring for the wounded in the rear, prayed to the Goddess of Light for a safe return. "May the gods guide our warriors to find their way home," she muttered, her eyes never leaving the perilous front lines.