As and Edrik stood atop the watchtower, where the Rank-A item, the Community Bell, had been set up. It would serve not only to coordinate the battle but also to boost the troops'' morale.


    As raised a telescope, scanning the horizon. In the distance, he could see the enemy ind slowly approaching, closing in for the battle. ording to the countdown, the sh was set to begin in about 40 minutes.


    "Their ind''s position is higher than ours," As murmured.


    "That''s an advantage for attackers," Edrik replied. "It makes it harder for defenders to get a direct view of the iing ind. But it''s just a disadvantage, not aplete obstacle."


    As nodded thoughtfully, noticing that the enemy ind was slightlyrger than his own.


    After a pause, Edrik asked, "Have you ever… killed anyone before, As?"


    As lowered the telescope at the unexpected question. "No, not yet." He shook his head slowly. "Monsters, yes. But never a human."


    "Well," Edrik said gently, "I think it''s a heavy thing for anyone the first time."


    As nodded slowly. "I''m sure I''m not the only one facing this for the first time. Some of our troops are even younger than I am."


    "Well," Edrik replied, "youth doesn''t always meanck of experience."


    As gave a slight smile. "I understand what you mean. But everyone has ced their trust in me, so I can''t afford a single moment of hesitation."


    Edrik''s expression softened into a faint smile. "I almost hope these attackerse with a bit of arrogance or taunts. Might make it easier for our people to feel some fire and maybe make the act of taking lives… feel a little less heavy."


    "If it''s not us doing the killing, it''s us being killed," As added.


    "Absolutely."


    As the enemy ind loomed closer,ing into clearer view from below, As summoned his floating throne and took a seat, while Morganna stood behind him, facing outward.


    He could see his troops below, positioned at their posts along the perimeter of the ind. Each team was stationed on a different side, prepared to repel attacks from any direction.


    The workers had already been moved to safety inside the fortress, the most secure ce on the ind. Because, If the attackers made it into the fortress, it would mean they''d essentially lost the ind.


    And then there was Mira. Despite her title as the "Bunny Gardener," no one truly believed anymore that she was simply an innocent caretaker of nts. With her Bloomde Hoe in hand, she was ready and waiting in the lushest section of the gardens, surrounded by dense flowers and greenery.


    Mira had insisted she''d stationed herself there only "to protect the nts from being trampled." But As knew better, those who underestimated her would quickly realize she was far from just a simple gardener.


    As could feel the tension radiating from everyone around him. His own gaze had sharpened, his posture more rigid as he braced himself for the battle. Though there were still ten minutes before the sh officially began, the two inds had already drifted close enough that he could see across to the other side.


    Near the edge of the opposing ind, a figure emerged, standing with an imposing presence. It was a tall, heavily armored person, their armoryered with bear fur that covered their shoulders and even the top of their helmet. This had to be the Lord of that ind. What was his name again? Right—Soren.


    With ten minutes still remaining until the official battle began, direct confrontation was prohibited—but that didn''t stop the enemy from attempting a little mental warfare and provocation.


    "Look at his little ind!" Soren shouted across the gap, his voice carrying over. "It''s seriously adorable—so cute, hahaha!"


    Just as Edrik had predicted, their opponents arrived brimming with confidence and arrogance,unching into taunts. Whether their arrogance was genuine or a deliberate tactic, As didn''t care; he found himself leaning toward the idea that this particr enemy was simply arrogantly stupid.


    "With my overwhelming troops, four times what you''ve got, I''ll crush this ind in no time!" Soren boasted.


    As regarded him with a rxed gaze, curious to see how far Soren would take the insults.


    "Please," As muttered, just loud enough, "I know you can do better than that."


    "As of Gacha Haven?" Soren continued. "What are you doing here, kid? Still treating this like a game? With your little gacha fantasies? So, what is it? Does your system let you summon heroes from other worlds? Hahaha."


    As smiled; he had to give Soren some credit, he was smart enough to guess the concept pretty quickly.


    "Tell me, kid… are you trembling in fear yet? Just look at your troops. You''ve got a little girl," he sneered, gesturing toward Zara.


    Zara narrowed her eyes at him, clearly unfazed by the jab.


    "And over there? A nervous middle-aged man and what? A magician?" Soren added, pointing toward Milo, who was nervously shuffling his deck of cards.


    Startled, Milo fumbled and dropped his cards, then crouched to gather them up in a hurry, only to have them slip through his fingers again.@@novelbin@@


    "I''ll tell you, kid… you''ve got the dumbest troopposition I''ve ever seen in my whole career as a Lord."


    Whole career? Had this guy been stuck in the Seeker rank for years?


    "Now, kid, I''ve got a generous offer for you," Soren went on.


    As kept his expression rxed, simply watching as Soren continued.


    "Look, I''m not a heartless man. I don''t kill kids, or women for that matter. But you''ve got a bit too many girls on your side, don''t you?" He grinned. "So here''s the deal: I''ll let you off this time if those lovelydiese with me."


    As raised an eyebrow, sensing an opening. Standing up from his throne, he asked casually, "So you''re saying that if I hand over a few of my girls, you''ll let me go?"


    Sorenughed, pleased with himself. "Exactly, kid. Give me that blonde girl, the bunny girl…," he added, his gaze shifting past As to where Morganna stood. "And that dark-haired woman behind you. Those three will do nicely."


    As''s smile grew sharper. "But sir, what if they refuse to go with you and choose to fight by my side instead? And what if it''s you who surrenders, allowing me to counterattack and wipe you outpletely?"


    Soren burst outughing, clearly amused by the taunt. "Kid, you''re absolutely hrious. I''ve given you the best offer I can make, and I''m dead serious. My troops far outnumber yours, and I''m not the type to appreciate rejection."


    As the countdown ticked closer, Soren''s expression hardened.


    "Listen up, kid. I''m going to crush you in an instant. I''ll spare those girls, especially that dark-haired bitch behind you. I''ll drag her to my bed, make her mine, and force you to watch—just so your foolish troops understand exactly what your so-called pride is worth."


    As opened his mouth to respond, but froze as a sudden, chilling wave of dread washed over him.


    What the hell is this?!


    His body shook, every hair standing on end, as though an immense, deadly pressure had seized him, flooding his senses with a chilling intensity.


    Slowly, he nced back over his shoulder, only to see dark energy seeping from Morganna''s form, swirling around her.


    ***


    (Author''s Note:)


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