In just a few moments, the order was transmitted across the fleet. The Chaos Beasts that had been attacking Euphemia City began to shift course…

The defenders were shocked after seeing their formation realign with the larger force heading toward Clovis City.

Kent watched the movement, satisfied with their fast response…

Although he didn't mind destroying a city, his real fury wasn't directed at the civilians or those young Arcanists. Instead, it was directed to those members of the Council to which Vale seemingly belonged.

Furthermore, if the Thunder Emperor was down there, more Chaos Beasts would just die meaninglessly.

The Chaos Beasts they commanded numbered around ten thousand. Each one had been summoned or created through advanced Chaos Arts, rituals that required immense energy and a rare catalyst known as the Sol Core.

The Sol Core could only be obtained in the Shattered Expanse, their place of exile that even the Chaos Immortals preferred to just leave behind…

They didn't want to return to that place anymore.

Which meant every Chaos Beast lost in battle was irreplaceable.

They could afford casualties since they were in a war, but minimizing losses, especially when the final target was the Shadow Immortal and his closest aides, was simply smart.

Kent turned back to Haruo, who had just woken up.

Nyssa also signaled to Kent that she had already placed a seal on the angel.

Kent was satisfied with this as he looked at the angel.

"You'll be summoned when the time comes," he said. "When we face Vale, you'll fight under my command."

At this time, Haruo didn't know what had happened, but he looked at Euphemia City, which was spared by the Chaos Immortal, before he nodded. "I'll be ready."

Kent studied him for a moment longer, then stepped back.

"You're interesting…" Kent muttered. Although he wanted to ask Haruo for a few feathers from his wings, he had to wait until later, once they dealt with the Shadow Immortal.

"Then we're done here… Stay in this city for a while. Once we rule this land, I wouldn't mind if you keep managing this city." Kent said.

Just like that, Haruo then launched into the sky once more as he descended to the city…

***

Whoosh

Haruo descended slowly from the sky with his dimmed wings…

There were now no signs of chaos energy or traces that had chained him a while ago…

At this time, the seal placed on him was dormant for now. It wasn't really meant to stop him from using his Divinity or Spells at the moment, but it was meant to control him later on.

As he looked around Euphemia City, he realized that it was barely damaged.

The battle had ended abruptly, and the defenders were still bracing for another wave that they didn't know would not come.

Smoke drifted from shattered barricades. The scent of beast blood was also everywhere…

Magic Automatons stood in formation as they were also waiting for further instructions...

As for the City Guards, they slumped against walls, catching their breath.

Mercenaries tended to the wounded, while the Thunder Emperor stood in their midst, his lightning aura slowly fading.

Thud…

Haruo landed near the central plaza, where his thirty apprentices had gathered. Their robes were torn, their bodies were bruised, but they were fine.

They had won the skirmish and seemed relieved upon seeing him return.

Haruo looked at them and nodded.

"You did well," he said.

The apprentices straightened, surprised by the praise.

"You eliminated more than forty Chaos Beasts on your own," Haruo continued. "That's not something to take lightly."

He turned to the city beyond.

"Together with the Automatons, the Guards, the Mercenaries… and the Thunder Emperor… you brought down over eighty."

The apprentices looked at one another, some nodding, others still catching their breath.

"Thank you! We worked hard!"

"We're out of energy though…"

"Master, why did they leave?"

"Ahem… Master, I think we can kill more if they continue attacking.

Haruo wryly smiled after hearing this. "You're all approaching your limit."

He walked slowly among them, observing their injuries, their drained Arcane Energy, and the fatigue in their faces.

"We were prepared... We had defensive formations ready, barriers, and coordinated support. That's why we succeeded."

He paused for a moment to look at everyone before he continued.

"If the battle had continued… if they had pressed harder… the casualties would have shifted."

The apprentices fell silent. They also felt that.

They knew that if the Chaos Beast continued to push, they would soon get overwhelmed.

Haruo looked toward the horizon, where the Chaos Beasts had retreated.

One of the apprentices, a young woman named Elen, stepped forward.

"Master… why did they retreat?" She asked once again.

Haruo didn't answer immediately.

Another apprentice, Ryn, echoed the question. "Was it because of you? Did you defeat them?"

Haruo shook his head.

"No," he said. "I didn't win."

The apprentices looked stunned. Since he didn't win, the Chaos Beasts shouldn't have retreated. This made them even more confused.

"Then… why?" Elen asked again.

Haruo looked at them and smiled.

"Sir Vale has a plan… Let's trust him…

That was all he offered.

The apprentices didn't press further. They knew Haruo well enough to understand that if he wasn't explaining, it was because he couldn't, or because the time wasn't right.

For now, Euphemia was safe, but the war was far from over.

***

In the meantime, the skies above the advancing Chaos fleet moved steadily…

As they were about to reach Clovis City, the main city of the Shadow Domain, ten figures descended from the clouds…

Each one bore the unmistakable traits of dragonkind… Their eyes give away their identities immediately…

Without a doubt, they were Humanoid dragons.

Kent stood at the bow of the lead airship…

"Well, well… There are ten of them. That's not a scouting party."

At this point, Kent was already thinking about dragon hearts, dragon marrow, dragon scales, each one a priceless component for Chaos rituals.

Their wings alone could be used to forge flight-enhancing artifacts. Their blood could be refined into high-tier catalysts. Their bones could be ground into powder for long-range casting amplifiers!

Kent's grin widened.

"No negotiations," he said. "I want them alive. Mostly."

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