After getting enough rest, Ethan arrived outside the northern gate with Yuna at his side.
Morning light washed over the area, casting long shadows across the open ground in front of the alliance camp.
The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and steel.
Nathan was already there, sitting tall on his horse. Behind him stood twenty-two thousand soldiers, their armor aligned in disciplined rows, banners fluttering quietly in the early breeze.
This was the second invasion force of the Eastern Alliance’s first combined army, fully assembled and waiting.
"Attention!" Nathan shouted, his voice ringing clearly across the formation.
At the sound of his command, the soldiers straightened instinctively.
Ethan and Yuna rode forward, passing through the open ranks until they stopped directly in front of Nathan. .
Nathan urged his horse forward a few steps, closing the distance.
"All forces are ready. Unit commanders are in position. Squad Two is prepared to move out," Nathan reported firmly.
Ethan nodded, his gaze sweeping briefly across the sea of soldiers behind Nathan. "Good. We’re heading to the tropical region for the second invasion. Stay alert and don’t act recklessly. Follow orders at all tis."
Nathan nodded without hesitation. The troops behind him responded with a low, unified murmur of acknowledgnt.
For Squad One, Ethan had already issued clear instructions. They were to rest for the entire day, recover their strength, and remain on standby.
What lay ahead for Squad Two would require ti, patience, and endurance rather than reckless aggression.
With more ti available than the previous night, Ethan hoped that he and the twenty-two thousand soldiers under Squad Two could cripple the enemy by destroying nineteen cities belonging to the Redemption Sword Alliance and its affiliates.
It was an ambitious goal, but not an impossible one.
The army began marching northward from the alliance camp, passing through the canyon in disciplined formation.
Ethan rode at the front, with Nathan and Yuna flanking him on either side. The steady rhythm of marching boots and hooves echoed against the canyon walls.
Many of the soldiers showed clear excitent. This would be their first real battle since joining the campaign.
Their expressions were tense but eager, eyes shining with anticipation. Nathan felt it too, that mixture of pride and unease settling in his chest.
"I’m a little nervous," Nathan admitted quietly as they rode.
Yuna glanced at him and offered a calm smile. "Relax, Nathan. Their city forces are still occupied with the war in the island region.
There’s only a small chance they’ve already returned to defend their cities."
"Really?" Nathan asked, surprised. "Then what exactly are we attacking there?"
"Their cities," Yuna replied evenly. "This is a sabotage operation. You’ll understand once we begin."
Nathan fell silent. Only Squad One knew the full details of what had happened during the first invasion.
Squad Two was stepping into unfamiliar territory, guided only by Ethan’s confidence and reputation.
This was their first ti carrying out the second invasion. Nervousness spread through the ranks, but so did excitent.
The idea of striking deep into enemy territory stirred sothing fierce within them.
They eventually entered the tropical region. Dense trees rose around them, their broad leaves filtering the sunlight into shifting patterns of green and gold.
Ethan followed the sa forest path he had taken the night before.
The region was eerily quiet. No enemy patrols. No scouts. No signs of recent movent. The peacefulness felt unnatural, like the calm before a storm.
Ethan slowed his horse to a stop. The formation behind him gradually halted. His gaze fixed on a city ahead, its walls bearing deep scars from battle.
Cracks ran along the stone, and burn marks darkened the surface.
There were no soldiers on the walls. No movent. No banners raised in defense. The city stood silent and empty.
That confird it. The city’s forces had not yet returned from the war.
When will they co back?
"What is it, Sir Ethan?" Nathan asked, following his line of sight.
"It’s nothing," Ethan replied calmly. "We’re moving on."
Ethan urged his horse forward again, steering eastward and away from the battered city.
There were still many cities belonging to the Blood Ink River Alliance that had not yet been conquered. Twenty-one in total.
Even so, Ethan had narrowed his objective. Nineteen cities. He deliberately excluded Redemption Sword City and Scavenger City from his targets.
Their Absolute Defense Magic was likely far stronger than the rest.
Ethan knew he could destroy them eventually, but doing so would drain too much strength and ti. That kind of battle had to wait.
For now, his focus was on weakening the enemy’s infrastructure and morale.
They soon arrived in another city. One Ethan had not yet attacked. The first target of the second invasion.
Nathan exhaled slowly, narrowing his eyes as he studied the city walls and gates. "So... we’re attacking this city?"
Ethan nodded. "Yes. Sabotage is critical. It slows recruitnt, reconstruction, and resource flow. While they’re busy rebuilding, they won’t be able to focus on invading our desert region."
Nathan considered this, then frowned slightly. "It doesn’t look dangerous."
Ethan turned his head, studying Nathan closely. "Are you sure you want to try?"
Nathan glanced back at the soldiers behind him. Many of them were watching intently, waiting to see what their commander would do.
Expectation weighed heavily on him.
"All right," Nathan said after a mont. "I’ll try."
Ethan nodded and dismounted, deactivating his mount. He stepped forward. Nathan followed at his side, sword appearing in his hand as he raised his guard.
They advanced until they reached a certain distance from the city.
Suddenly, a massive red rune ford in the sky above the city. Its size alone sent a wave of shock through the army.
Even Ethan and Yuna stiffened at the sight.
"A red rune," Ethan said grimly. "Fire-elent Absolute Defense Magic."
Nathan turned sharply. "What does that an?"
"It ans," Ethan replied calmly, "that rune will attack you with fire-elent magic."
The sky trembled. Not a beam of fire, but three blazing teors tore through the clouds, descending rapidly toward Nathan.
Nathan’s blood ran cold. His legs trembled uncontrollably. His face drained of color as his mind went blank.
The sheer pressure of impending death crushed his thoughts.
Ethan stepped forward instantly, extending his hand as the Tempest Reaver Sword materialized in his grip.
The mont his fingers closed around the hilt, his appearance changed. Power surged outward, and an ash-white aura enveloped his body.
[Tempest Mode Activated]
"Well?" Ethan asked sharply. "Can you destroy all three teors?"
"I... I don’t know," Nathan stamred.
Without another word, a soldier beside Nathan grabbed his shoulder and dragged him backward at full speed.
Within seconds, Nathan was back in front of his troops, heart pounding violently in his chest.
Ethan stood alone ahead of them, eyes fixed on the descending teors.
The teors struck.
Explosions roared across the battlefield. The ground shook violently.
Smoke and fire erupted upward as scorching wind blasted across the soldiers’ faces. So staggered back, shielding their eyes.
Despite the devastation, the explosions did not injure the army. Still, the display of power left them shaken.
"This is stronger than the Absolute Defense Magic from yesterday," Yuna said quietly.
Ethan nodded. "This city belongs to an S-rank guild."
The violent winds gradually faded. The thick smoke dispersed, revealing a massive crater glowing with residual heat. The earth itself had been carved open by fire.
Yuna turned toward Ethan, concern evident in her eyes. "You need to be careful."
Ethan tightened his grip on his sword and stepped forward. "I know."
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