The Holy Knights under Reyhiem's command, accompanied by Falmuth's knights and regular troops, finally arrived before Nova Uruk.
And for a brief moment, they were awestruck.
The city rose before them like a jewel set upon the earth. Its walls were tall and solid.
Its beauty and grandeur far exceeded any expectations they had formed during their march.
But that was not all.
Along the top of the walls, positioned at perfectly calculated intervals, stood the imposing magical cannons—the Melammu Dingir—their golden structures reflecting the sunlight.
They were not decorative.
Then came the detail that truly caused unease to spread through Falmuth's ranks.
The gates of Nova Uruk were open.
Wide open.
As if inviting them inside.
As if saying: Come in, if you dare.
They appeared utterly unconcerned about the approaching army.
There was no visible commotion.
No soldiers running along the walls.
No sign of panic whatsoever.
It was an offensive kind of calm.
Edmaris felt a chill run down his spine, though he maintained his regal posture.
"Archbishop Reyhiem, what do you think?"
Reyhiem kept his gaze fixed on the walls for several seconds.
"I do not recommend entering rashly, Your Majesty," he finally replied, his voice more serious than usual. "We can order our mage corps to launch a barrage of spells from a distance."
It was the most prudent option.
Test the city's defenses and force a reaction.
"Very well, do it!" Edmaris agreed immediately, eager to maintain the initiative.
With the order given, Falmuth's magical troops advanced several steps and began chanting their spells in unison.
Then the barrage was unleashed.
The bombardment struck the walls with enough force to devastate an ordinary fortress.
Successive explosions echoed, and a cloud of smoke rose high into the air.
The earth trembled faintly from the impact.
When the dust began to settle…
Everyone was quickly taken aback.
No—the correct word was not surprise.
It was shock.
The walls were completely intact.
No cracks, no deep marks, not even visible signs of wear.
As if the magic had simply been absorbed.
What… what is wrong with this city?!
A murmur spread through Falmuth's ranks.
A heavy shadow settled over the hearts of nearly everyone in the expeditionary force.
It was not merely frustration—it was the first fracture in their confidence.
This nation might be… different from what they had imagined.
They had expected resistance, perhaps even a counterattack.
But not… indifference.
Seeing that the psychological balance was beginning to slip, Archbishop Reyhiem raised his voice.
"Begin the construction of the anti-magic barrier!"
"Yes!"
Immediately, specialized mages moved into position.
This was no ordinary spell.
It was an advanced technique that completely prevented the casting of any magic that altered the laws of the world within the designated area—including abilities based on magical principles.
It was Falmuth's safeguard and their greatest strategic trump card against Nova Uruk.
But at that exact moment, one of the cannons atop the wall moved.
Slowly.
Almost casually.
The golden structure began to emit a growing glow, as if charging.
That simple motion was enough to silence hundreds of men.
Then—
It fired.
A golden projectile tore through the air like a falling sun.
"ATTACK! PROTECT THE KING!"
The royal guards reacted instantly, raising reinforced shields and forming a protective circle around Edmaris and the high-ranking officers.
They clenched their teeth, bracing for impact.
But it never came.
The projectile passed over the central ranks, streaking across the sky like a golden comet.
Then it struck a small clearing not far from them.
The explosion was absurd.
The sound thundered across the field, and the shockwave swept through the army.
When the dust settled, a massive crater had been carved into the ground.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
They understood immediately.
The shot had not missed.
It had been calculated not to hit them on purpose.
It was only a warning.
A single shot.
And that was the result.
How many of those cannons were aimed at them?
How many could fire at once?
What kind of devastation would they cause if all of them were unleashed upon them?
And the anti-magic barrier… was still incomplete.
Despair began to seep through the cracks of military discipline.
Some soldiers swallowed hard.
Others averted their eyes from the walls.
The city did not look threatened.
It looked as though it was patiently waiting for them to surrender themselves to death.
"Razen. Folgen." Edmaris's voice cut through the silence, more strained than he would have liked. "I order you to simultaneously lead the knights and elite mages in an assault on this nation. Destroy the walls and capture and kill their ruler!"
If they hesitated now, morale would collapse.
They had to act.
They had to regain control of the situation.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Razen replied, delivering a flawless salute.
Folgen, in turn, knelt before Edmaris, swearing his knightly oath.
The etiquette differed, but the solemnity was the same.
For the king to whom they had sworn loyalty, they were willing to die.
---
Conference Hall.
The atmosphere was immersed in controlled tension.
At the center of the room, a large-scale magical projection floated like a mirror of liquid crystal, displaying in real time everything unfolding before Nova Uruk's gates.
Arthur sat casually, one leg crossed over the other, resting his face on his hand like someone watching a play far too mediocre to deserve applause.
Angélica stood beside him with her arms crossed, an analytical expression on her face.
Benimaru remained attentive.
Shuna and Shion stood close to Arthur.
And Mjurran… as well.
"Honestly, this is disappointing." Arthur sighed, the sound carrying a near-bored weight throughout the room.
His eyes followed the image of the projectile carving a crater in the distance.
"I truly expected them to entertain me at least a little, like the clowns they are."
The remark fell like a stone into water.
But why not just end this at once?
This is very strange!
The first to voice the thought was Mjurran.
The young sorceress, who had received from Arthur a new heart—both literally and symbolically—spoke while watching the projection, her brows slightly furrowed.
Shion moved before anyone realized it.
She placed her hands on Mjurran's shoulders.
Firmly enough to make it clear it was not merely a friendly gesture.
She tilted her head slightly, displaying a smile that was just a bit too sweet.
"Mjurran, right?"
A bead of sweat formed on the girl's face.
"Y-Yes."
"You really don't understand?" Shion continued, tilting her head with false curiosity. "I heard Clayman himself assigned you the task of destroying this city. If you can't even grasp something like this, then he entrusted the wrong person."
The smile remained.
But not the eyes.
Shion's inner thoughts:
You're just a spy! How could you possibly understand the greatness of my master's thoughts? Are you pretending to be clueless just to get his attention? Not a chance! I won't let you seduce him!
Shuna took a small step forward, delicately covering her mouth as she smiled.
Her smile was far more elegant.
Far more dangerous.
"Mjurran, you must understand that every move Master Arthur makes carries absolute meaning," she said softly, her voice smooth as silk. "If you cannot comprehend that, you will never be able to keep up with him."
Shuna's inner thoughts:
Shizu is already a major problem… but you just arrived and already want to join the competition? How bold.
Though Shuna and Shion rarely agreed on anything, there was an unspoken rule between them:
Internal rivalry is suspended when an external threat appears.
And Mjurran… was clearly classified as an external threat.
Mjurran lowered her head for a moment.
Shadows covered her eyes.
But it was not submission.
It was restraint.
Mjurran's inner thoughts:
How dare you try to sow discord between him and me? Do you think I can't see your intentions? I won't fall for your tricks!
She raised her gaze again.
There was determination in it.
"I understand his intentions," she declared firmly. "He plans to shatter all of Falmuth's pride with overwhelming strength. As expected of Master!"
Silence.
Shion blinked.
Shuna maintained her smile… for one second longer than necessary.
Their eyes gleamed dangerously.
"Girls…" Angélica murmured, the corner of her lips twitching as she watched the scene. "Don't you think you're overthinking this? Do you really believe he planned that far ahead?"
She slowly turned her face toward Arthur.
He was… yawning in boredom.
Who in their right mind would believe my father was thinking that far ahead?
Angélica narrowed her eyes.
She was ninety-eight percent sure he just wanted to watch their despair slowly increase for his own amusement.
Perhaps ninety-nine.
Shion looked at Mjurran again.
Her lips trembled slightly.
Shion's inner thoughts:
She's really good at pretending… deciphering the master's thoughts so clearly and still acting as if she didn't understand… I need to be careful around her!
Shuna tilted her head slightly.
The smile was still there.
But her inner vigilance was at its peak.
Shuna's inner thoughts:
This Mjurran… she's skilled. Very skilled… I'll have to face her with everything I have.
The air seemed to vibrate.
A nearly visible tension flickered between the three of them.
Like static electricity before a storm.
Benimaru discreetly stepped aside.
Souei was already several meters away.
Geld pretended to analyze the projection.
Hakurou closed his eyes as if meditating.
Everyone was trembling.
Not out of fear of Falmuth's army.
But because of the invisible clash reverberating through the hall.
Arthur observed the blatant rivalry.
His lips twitched.
Shion, Shuna, and Mjurran… none of them will be easy to handle.
Angélica rubbed her face with her hand.
"I can't believe the enemy army out there is steadily losing morale… and in here we're witnessing a war that's even more dangerous…"
She looked back at the projection. "At least out there, there are explosions."
"Ahhh~~" Arthur finally stood up, stretching his arms lazily. "Benimaru, Geld, Shion, Shuna, Hakurou, Gabiru and his Dragonewt subordinates, as well as Souei…"
He cast a brief glance at everyone.
"You may deal with Falmuth's army however you see fit."
After a short pause, he spoke again.
"But leave the King of Falmuth, Archbishop Reyhiem, and the court mage Razen alive. Bring them to me."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
"Understood," they responded in unison.
Gabiru leapt forward dramatically.
"At last, my time to shine has come!"
He struck an exaggerated pose, hair fluttering in imaginary wind.
Angélica looked at him.
Then at the screen.
Then at Arthur.
"I'll sit this one out. There doesn't seem to be anyone strong enough there to offer me any entertainment," she said.
"All right," Arthur agreed.
(End of Chapter)