Just as the words left Zara's mouth, silence reigned inside the room.

No one spoke. They just watched her, waiting for her to continue.

"I've been to the new continent that appeared out of nowhere," Zara said. "I spent a few days there. And I can say this for certain: we're outnumbered—and by a very large margin."

She crossed her arms. "They have enough numbers and resources to keep trying to conquer us over and over, even if they fail repeatedly. They *know* we won't be able to hold out forever."

"Their technology is very advanced as well," she went on. "And the most terrifying part? They have one of the strongest creatures known to mankind."

Her voice dropped. "A legion of dragons. Not a handful. A *legion*."

She glanced at Alex. "With Avaloria's current military strength, fighting them head-on is like throwing eggs at a rock. These dragons aren't wild beasts. They're trained for warfare."

"So you're saying we're screwed. Big time," Alex said.

Zara nodded.

Draven cleared his throat. "Do you have any idea how many dragons they actually have?"

"At least a thousand," Zara answered. "Easily."

Draven and Alden both swallowed hard.

Alex thought for a moment. "Any idea when they're planning to attack?"

"From my calculations," Zara said, "they'll need at least five days to fully prepare their assault. So we don't have much time."

"Tch." Alden clicked his tongue. "What the hell can we do in just five days? No army can be fully prepared in that short a time."

After that, all three of them turned to Alex.

He sat quietly, brows furrowed, deep in thought.

"Alex," Draven asked, "do you have a plan for that?"

Alex didn't respond immediately.

After a few long seconds, he said, "I only know one thing: if we keep defending, they'll just keep attacking. We'll have to do something about *that* first."

"That's what I'm asking," Alden insisted. "Do you have a plan?"

"I'm not a magician," Alex shot back. "Even I need time to think."

Alden closed his mouth.

Zara, Draven, and Alden all knew Alex was pushing himself the hardest right now. The least they could do was support him.

"Alright," Alex said finally. "From what we've gathered, our top problem is firepower—we don't have enough. We need to fix that first. I have something in mind. It's risky… but I'll have to try it."

He turned to Zara. "If they're maintaining such a huge force, where are they getting their supplies? Food, weapons, equipment, everything."

"Unfortunately, that's the one thing I couldn't find," Zara said. "I looked everywhere I could, but found nothing."

"Even their main base?" Alex asked.

"It's a gigantic palace," Zara replied. "It's the most heavily protected place they have. Their ruler would sense me the moment I stepped too close. And with my current strength, I wouldn't be able to escape him."

Alex nodded slowly. "Then that's probably where they're bringing in their supplies. Which is why it's so heavily guarded."

Zara nodded. "That's what I think too."

Alex suddenly stood up. "Alright. I have something in mind. Let's see if it works."

The other three stood as well.

"What are we going to do?" Alden asked.

"You and Draven," Alex ordered, "go into the royal treasury. Get as many monster cores as you can. And see if you can find any Awakening Nectar."

Alden nodded. "Got it."

He and Draven left immediately.

Zara watched them go, then looked back at Alex. "I know what you're thinking," she said, "but breaking those curses with Awakening Nectar won't work twice."

Alex's eyes widened slightly. "So you knew about the curses too, huh…"

Zara nodded. "The first time you broke them was pure luck and timing. But now that you've awakened your bloodline and physique, Awakening Nectar is too weak to act as a catalyst for the remaining curses. You'll need something else."

"And where am I supposed to find that?" Alex asked.

"You won't," Zara said, "at least not in this world."

Only one place came to Alex's mind. "The Tower of Ascension, huh."

Zara nodded once. "Exactly."

"Alright then," Alex said quietly. "So be it."

They left the facility together and made their way back to the palace.

---

After that, Alex went straight to Elaria's room.

He knocked once.

No answer.

He knocked twice.

Still no answer.

"Open the door," Alex said calmly, "before I break it."

This time, the door opened a little.

Elaria stood there.

She was dressed casually now—a soft, light-green tunic that hugged her figure, paired with fitted dark leggings. Her long blond hair was loose, flowing over her shoulders like spun gold, and her amber eyes looked warm yet wary. Even in simple clothes, she looked striking.

"How did you know it was me?" Alex asked.

Elaria scoffed lightly. "Oh please. I can recognize your mana signature easily."

"Then why weren't you opening the door?"

"Because I was changing," she said, clearly annoyed. "Why, did you *want* to see me change in front of you?"

"Shut up," Alex said. "I have work for you."

Elaria's mouth twitched. "More work?"

"In my country, there are no freeloaders," Alex replied. "Especially not spoiled rich girls."

Elaria clicked her tongue. "Fine, fine. What is it?"

"Call your old man," Alex said. "Tell him to send me a thousand elven archers. Competent ones. I need them."

Elaria frowned. "What do you need them for?"

"You don't need to know," Alex said bluntly. "Just pass along the message. And tell him to do it as soon as he can—within five days."

"He's my father," Elaria said, glaring. "And the King of the Elves. At least *try* to show him some respect."

"I'll show him respect," Alex said, "after he sends those soldiers."

Elaria sighed. "Alright, alright. I'll tell him now."

She paused, then added, "Don't forget your end of the deal. You *will* help me find my mother, right?"

"Don't worry," Alex answered. "My best hacker is already working on it. I'm sure we'll find something soon."

Elaria nodded slowly. "Good. Then I'll hold you to that."

"Alright. I'll take my leave now," Alex said.

He stepped out of Elaria's room and closed the door behind him, then began walking down the corridor toward his own chambers. His shoulders felt heavier with every step.

When he turned the last corner and reached his room, he stopped.

Alicia was standing right outside his door, waiting.

Alex sighed. "Please don't tell me there's more bad news. I've already filled my daily quota."

Alicia smiled softly.

Without a word, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "You've done a really good job today," she said quietly.

Alex hugged her back, eyes closing for a brief moment. "Thanks. I needed that."

They separated after a few seconds.

"There's one more thing you need to know," Alicia said.

Alex groaned. "What is it… Please don't tell me there's more work."

"No," Alicia replied. "But it's still important."

Alex rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright. What is it?"

"Miss Alyssa and Lily came to the palace while you were at the meeting with the other monarchs," Alicia said. "She wanted to see you, but left when she found out you weren't here."

Alex's expression tightened. "If possible… I don't want to meet them right now."

"You can't hide forever, you know," Alicia said gently.

"I know, I know," Alex replied. "I'm not hiding. I just… need a bit more time."

Alicia sighed, but nodded. "Alright."

She leaned in and placed a small kiss on his cheek. "You should rest well. You've earned it."

Alex nodded. "Yeah."

She walked away down the corridor, and Alex finally opened his door and stepped inside.

---

The moment he entered his room, Alex headed straight for the bed and flopped onto it face-first.

"I wish I could rest," he muttered into the pillow, "but I don't have time."

The door opened again.

Draven and Alden walked in, each carrying a heavy bag.

They dropped them in front of Alex with a dull thud. "Here," they said together. "It's all the cores we could find."

Alex sat up and peeked into the bags—monster cores of various grades shimmered faintly inside.

"Good work," he said. "Now leave and get back to work."

"You're not going to tell us what you're going to do with all that?" Alden asked.

"Leave," Alex said flatly, "before I kick both your asses."

Both Alden and Draven clicked their tongues.

"Stingy tyrant," Alden muttered.

"Overworked slave driver," Draven added under his breath.

They left the room, closing the door behind them.

Now alone, Alex sat still for a moment.

Then he whispered a single word.

"Astral Domain."

The world around him shifted instantly.

The walls of his room dissolved into swirling starlight. The floor beneath him turned into a vast, dark expanse dotted with countless glowing motes—like standing in the middle of a galaxy. Time itself seemed to slow as his consciousness stepped into a space that belonged solely to him.

------

A/N:

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