Inside the depths of the cave, the soldiers were taking shelter as they simultaneously made sure to monitor the entrance to what they believed was the enemy Lord's lair.

Whoosh!

On the third day the inevitable happened. The temperature dropped to freezing degrees once more, and the raging blizzards had returned.

ROAR!

In response, Cyberfang and the two mecha tigers, who had remained, activated their heating generators, keeping the soldiers warm.

"It won't be long before the campaign reaches the swarm's heart and begins the assault." Amelia sighed, lying on the back of the mecha beast.

Even if they hadn't reached the very heart itself yet, they knew they were close, evidenced by the numerous little aliens flying aimlessly around the area. Since their leader queen could afford to spread so many of them out, it was clear she had many at her disposal. In other words, she was the true ruler.

As for the marching brigade, the unit didn't bother to worry about them. Considering that the Lords themselves were leading them, no blizzard would put a halt to their journey.

"Time couldn't pass slower!" Ava complained with a bored expression. The petite woman was eagerly anticipating battle.

"You have claustrophobia or something?" Richard arched an eyebrow.

Ava sighed. "No, but it gets really boring after a while. Staying in such crammed spaces means that there is a lack of things to do."

Richard stared at her blankly.

"HAHAHA!"

The next second he rolled over to the side, erupting into joyful laughter.

"What is so funny?" Ava asked with a frown, unsure if the Master was making fun of her.

After several seconds, Richard managed to calm down. With eyes that were still teary from his amused laughter, he explained.

"It's just surprising that, out of everyone here, you're the one complaining about having nothing to do in tight spaces, since I took you for an expert in the field."

The man smirked, shifting his eyes to Michael for a few brief seconds.

"Maybe the cave has too much space? I am certain that if you find yourself trapped in a box with the Boss like last time, the last thing you will do is complain."

"..."

Ava gritted her teeth angrily, silently peeking at Michael. It would be a lie to say that she didn't enjoy the experience and wouldn't mind reliving it, but it irritated her that someone was making fun of that.

"Don't think that you are safe from my wrath just because you are a realm above me!" She bellowed, taking hold of her giant hammer.

"So bored that you are courting death? Then let's see what you are made of!" Richard was ready to meet the challenge up front.

Fortunately, Victoria intervened just in time, stopping the argument.

As for why it started in the first place, Richard didn't mention the true reason. The threatening glare Ava gave him told him not to.

Days passed, yet there was no movement from the cave. Even the faint footsteps were now gone, buried under the pile of snow, leading the soldiers to wonder if they were making fools of themselves keeping watch over nothing.

Since Ava's boredom spread, the soldiers decided to pass time with games. More specifically, poker.

Claire, Victoria, and Michael were usually the ones that would dominate the games thanks to their mastery of facial expressions. Meanwhile, Richard, Enzo, and Ava often revealed their frustration or happiness depending on their cards, which led to them losing every single game.

"Your rival beat you again. I can only imagine how much it stings…" Amelia mischievously threw salt in the wound.

"Just you watch! I will eventually beat Michael in something even if it's the last thing I do before I die!" Enzo declared, hitting his two fists to show his determination. Though since he hadn't equipped his gauntlets, it made him look quite comical.

"You are such a goofball." Amelia started giggling uncontrollably.

"S—Stop laughing!" Enzo insisted with a flushed face.

"Childish games." Noah shook his head in disapproval.

"It's definitely better than spiraling into hysteria over what the future holds." Alice reasoned.

"Perhaps…" Noah did not argue further.

At last, the full week had passed. As expected, without any delay, the sound of millions of soldiers marching reached Michael and his crew.

"Finally the time has come!" Ava's eyes began to sparkle with excitement. Understandably, not many mirrored her resolve.

After all, they had gone against their Lords' orders, since they hadn't killed each other.

The Lords were likely still oblivious to their subordinates' disobedience, but it was better not to risk things unnecessarily.

"We are going to move behind the brigade and observe the way things progress. When necessary we will step up, aiding any soldiers that find themselves struggling against the swarm." Victoria summarized the plan.

"I doubt that the Lords will pay us much attention once they enter the fray, but before that, keep extra caution to remain undetected." Noah added.

After Michael had explained to them what the real goal of the Lords was, the unit decided to remain mostly at the rear with the goal of saving as many humans as they could. As for what the final outcome of the battle was going to be, sadly it didn't concern them, as they were simply too weak to have any say.

It was deceptive, but except for Michael and, to a certain extent, Richard, no one knew the true objective of the operation.

Namely, exterminating every threat in Neptune in one fell swoop.

The secrecy was necessary. After all, anyone who believed such a goal was achievable had to be a little insane.

Not to mention, even if Victoria, Claire, and Ava didn't believe in his chances of victory, they would still charge in without hesitation to support Michael.

And that would, without a shadow of a doubt, cost them their lives.

It wasn't surprising that Michael made sure such a future never came to pass.

"We will move when the brigade creates more distance between us." Evelyn exclaimed.

Just as everybody was getting ready to move out, Claire's voice halted them in place.

"There is movement!" She said, with eyes glued to the screen connected to a camera.

"After all this time the enemy Lord has come outside!"

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