The eting ended with one clear conclusion: every city that was part of the Eastern Alliance was required to double its soldier recruitnt.
Ethan issued this order so that the combined forces of the desert region would gain a significant nurical advantage.
With a massive army, full team rosters, and the added strength of Luna and Sera, Ethan could already feel victory standing right in front of him.
Still, he did not want to rush things. Before launching a major invasion, Ethan firmly ordered every team leader to send reconnaissance teams into the tropical region.
The goal was simple: to map the territory, identify the locations of enemy cities, and determine their troop deploynts.
Everyone entrusted this plan to Ethan. After all, he knew better than anyone what needed to be done.
One by one, the city team leaders of the alliance said their goodbyes and left Lion City, returning to their respective cities.
Ethan stepped out of the town center with Yuna walking beside him. Kevin also walked alongside Ethan.
"I’ll inform you imdiately if anything happens," Kevin said. Ethan cleared his throat and nodded in response.
Kevin said his farewells to Ethan and Yuna, then headed toward the eastern gate. The eting between the city team leaders was over.
Yuna knew very little about what had been discussed, especially during the ti she went to the tavern to buy drinks.
"What are your plans?" Yuna asked.
Ethan smiled, turned, and gently patted Yuna’s shoulder. "Just preparations before the combined forces of the Eastern Alliance launch a full scale attack on the tropical region."
Yuna fell silent. She could see how many soldiers LionArk was recruiting, but she could not imagine the total number if they were combined with soldiers from other cities.
It might reach hundreds of thousands. Yuna had no idea.
Ethan walked off in another direction, inspecting the city and the recruitnt process while waiting for information from LionArk’s reconnaissance teams.
He encountered Hanss, who appeared to be discussing the resources needed to build more barracks with Patricia.
More barracks ant more city soldiers could be recruited.
When Ethan arrived, Hanss and Patricia turned and smiled. Both greeted Ethan, but not Yuna.
"How’s the progress, Hanss?" Ethan asked.
"The barracks have been upgraded. Now, a Level 2 barracks can recruit five hundred soldiers in one batch."
Ethan nodded, noticing that only three out of the five barracks had been upgraded so far. When a barracks was being upgraded, the recruitnt process would automatically stop.
That was a risk every city had to accept.
"Focus on recruiting city soldiers. Upgrade the barracks gradually," Ethan instructed.
Hanss and Patricia nodded in understanding, listening closely to Ethan’s orders. Soon after, Ethan left the area and headed toward the military unit complex.
Each combat unit had its own field for gathering and training. Ethan’s steps stopped at the area of Unit Four.
There, he saw the Unit Commander training together with five thousand city soldiers.
They practiced attack movents, defensive maneuvers, and military formations. Everything was drilled into them to sharpen their abilities.
Ethan was impressed. He continued walking and saw commanders of other units carrying out the sa routine: training.
Yuna was astonished. She had not expected LionArk to possess such a powerful military foundation.
It was not sothing a single city could defeat. Only a combined force of multiple cities could stand against it.
She could imagine what would happen to Sacred Hall City if Ethan decided to attack them.
"You’ll help us, right?" Yuna asked.
Ethan stopped walking and turned to look at her. "Of course. That is, if you are truly honest with ."
Yuna clenched her fists. She did not know how to convince Ethan. His trauma seed too deep, making it difficult for him to trust anyone, especially Sacred Hall.
"I don’t know how to convince you. But I will make sure that every action I take is honest."
Ethan remained silent, responding only with a nod. Not long after, he continued inspecting each combat unit.
Only Unit Seven was absent. Ethan had assigned them to Sacred Hall City as part of their agreent.
The inspection ended at night. Yuna chose to rest in her room, while Ethan and Hanss stayed in the front courtyard of the Town Center.
They sat by a campfire, enjoying the wine Ethan had provided. Soon, Laura arrived, followed by Patricia.
The four of them seed to enjoy their conversation, sipping on Ethan’s expensive wine.
Yuna watched them from a distance. She wanted to join them, but her status as Ethan’s captive ant she did not have the sa freedom they did.
Every action Yuna took required Ethan’s approval. Even a small violation could result in her being killed by Ethan.
Through the team chat forum panel, Yuna replied to ssages from her worried guild mbers. She explained that she was fine.
Ethan’s orders were clear. He forbade Sacred Hall mbers from leaving the city. They had to remain inside until the event ended, whether they liked it or not.
Yuna could only encourage them and say that Ethan would surely keep his promise. Ethan of LionArk was the only hope for Yuna and Sacred Hall.
Unexpectedly, Yuna fell asleep with the team chat panel still active.
As the night grew deeper, Hanss and the others said their goodbyes and left, affected by the intoxicating wine.
Ethan walked toward the town center. His steps halted when he turned his head to the side and noticed that Yuna’s room door was open.
Curiosity stirred within him. Ethan opened the door and saw Yuna lying asleep on the bed, the team chat panel still active and glowing in front of her face.
I should have invited her earlier.
Ethan placed the half full bottle of wine on the wooden bedside table and reached for the blanket. His movent suddenly stopped.
Yuna reflexively woke up and grabbed Ethan’s hand. Ethan flinched in surprise.
"What are you doing?!"
"You’re cold. I was pulling the blanket over you," Ethan said.
The sharpness in Yuna’s eyes faded. Her face turned pale, shock evident as she repeatedly apologized for her rudeness.
Ethan let out a breath, understanding what she was going through.
Anxiety and fear.
"I’m sorry, Sir Ethan."
"Are you tense because you’re afraid I’ll kill you? Or because you’re worried about your guild?"
"Both, Sir Ethan."
Ethan fell silent, then turned and picked up the bottle of wine from the bedside table. "Drink it. At least the wine will help calm you down."
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