Far away—
deep within the forest outside the city—
a hidden goblin cave remained quiet.
Inside one of the deeper chambers, Vaelith stood with Lucifer in her arms.
The communication artifact rested against her ear.
Her expression remained calm as she listened to the voice on the other end.
"...Alright."
She glanced down at the sleeping child in her arms.
"...If possible, we should secure the port first."
She paused.
"...Or establish a spatial circle."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"...If the situation is as you described, then I won't be able to enter the city directly."
Vaelith carefully adjusted Lucifer in her arms.
"...My priority is keeping the Young Miss and Young Master safe."
Her voice remained calm and firm.
"...That is my Lord's order."
She remained silent for a moment.
Then—
"...Understood."
The connection remained quiet.
Vaelith slowly lowered the communication artifact.
At that moment—
footsteps approached from behind.
Lyriana entered the chamber.
Elenya rested comfortably in her arms, still asleep.
Vaelith looked toward her.
She then reached out and carefully took Elenya into her arms.
Lyriana released the child.
Vaelith adjusted both children comfortably before giving a small nod.
"...Good."
---
Back in the city—
on a rooftop overlooking the distant battlefield—
Pythia slowly lowered the communication artifact from her ear.
Kaelira and Ryke stood beside her.
Pythia spoke calmly.
"...Alright."
"...The connection will be established."
She lowered her arm.
For a moment—
silence followed.
Ryke stared at her.
"...I get the gist of the plan and all..."
He rubbed the back of his head.
"...But how the hell are the three of us supposed to take control of a spatial port?"
Kaelira immediately answered.
"...How else?"
She folded her arms.
"...We do it the way it should be done."
Ryke glanced at her.
"...Which is?"
Kaelira's expression remained completely serious.
"...Storm in."
"...Kill anyone who gets in the way."
"...Take control of the place."
Ryke stared at her.
"...Yeah."
A brief pause.
"...No."
Kaelira frowned.
"...Why not?"
Ryke immediately shook his head.
"...Because we're not doing that."
"...Absolutely not."
Kaelira clicked her tongue.
"...Coward."
"...I'm being reasonable."
Pythia finally spoke.
"...It won't be easy."
Both of them looked toward her.
Pythia continued.
"...But if we choose the right moment..."
"...we should be able to enter without drawing too much attention."
Ryke nodded slowly.
"...So we're sneaking in."
"...Yes."
Pythia's eyes shifted toward the distant battlefield.
"...The city is already in chaos."
"...The military and the guilds are focused on the Rift Breakers."
She looked back at them.
"...That confusion may give us the opportunity we need."
Pythia tightened her grip around the communication artifact.
"...Let's move."
She turned away from the battlefield.
"...We don't have time to waste."
Kaelira immediately followed.
"...Alright."
The two stepped off the rooftop.
Pythia descended first, using her magic to slow her fall before landing gently on the street below.
Kaelira followed.
**THUD!**
She landed effortlessly.
As she straightened—
Draven's cloak shifted slightly.
Suddenly—
the slime slipped out.
Kaelira's arm snapped toward it.
She caught the little creature before it could hit the ground.
She stared at it.
"...And where do you think you're going?"
The slime wiggled helplessly in her hand.
Kaelira narrowed her eyes.
"...You're under my care."
She brought it closer to her face.
"...So it's best for you to stay put."
She tucked it safely back beneath the cloak.
"...Alright?"
The slime remained still.
Kaelira nodded.
"...Good."
A moment later—
Ryke landed behind them.
**THUD!**
He remained crouched for a moment before slowly standing.
"...Coming down is way easier than getting up."
Kaelira glanced back at him.
"...Are you done?"
Ryke sighed.
"...Yeah."
The three immediately began moving.
None of them wasted another second.
---
High above the battlefield—
five military airships flew across the sky.
One of them gradually descended.
Its side hatch opened.
Several armored figures jumped out.
**BOOM!**
One landed on a rooftop.
Then another.
Then another.
One after another—
knights in full armor landed across the surrounding rooftops.
The airship immediately began climbing again, returning to a safer altitude.
Among the knights stood a different figure.
His armor was far more elaborate than that of the others.
A distinct insignia rested across his chest.
A military cap sat firmly atop his head.
The mana surrounding him was considerably denser than that of the ordinary knights.
A **Fifth-Star Mana Master**.
And the commander leading the force.
He slowly surveyed the battlefield.
His expression was grim.
"...Listen carefully."
The knights immediately straightened.
The commander's gaze shifted toward the distant Rift Breakers.
"...Our orders are simple."
His voice was firm.
"...Protect this city."
He paused.
"...And the only way we're going to accomplish that..."
His hand tightened around his weapon.
"...is by exterminating those demons."
The knights remained silent.
The commander continued.
"...According to the reports we've received..."
"...their bodies release a form of Abyssal mana capable of corrupting anyone whose own mana comes into contact with it."
His expression hardened.
"...Therefore, do not remain near them longer than necessary."
He looked toward the advancing creatures.
"...Keep your distance whenever possible."
A deep roar echoed across the battlefield.
**ROOOOOOAAARRR—!!**
The commander didn't flinch.
"...The airships will fire again."
He glanced toward the vessels above.
"...That attack may not be enough to kill them."
His eyes returned to the Rift Breakers.
"...When the bombardment ends..."
"...we will deliver the final strike."
He raised his weapon.
The knights immediately tightened their grips.
"...The moment we're mobilized..."
"...we move."
His gaze swept across every knight.
"...Do you understand?"
The response came as one.
"**YES, SIR!**"