Compared to the forces they had on the Erald Castle side, the numbers now looked like this:
14th Tier:
Gold Dragons: 85
Sacred Kirins: 38
Ancient Behemoths: 7
Total: 130 units
13th Tier:
Green Dragons: 150
Gem Dragons: 60
Behemoths: 20
Kirins: 70
Ancient War Trees: 5
Total: 305 units
And then there were just over a thousand Royal Units at the 11th and 12th Tiers.
The difference in regular troop strength was staggering—three to four tis more on the enemy side. It was enough to make anyone feel suffocated. But when Ethan thought about their advantage in Hero Units, he managed to breathe a little easier. It wasn’t completely hopeless.
"Master, the Dungeon army’s numbers are overwhelming! We can only hold the line... If we try to go on the offensive, even if we win, the losses would be devastating!" Elynn appeared at Ethan’s side, her expression grim.
"I get it. Do what you think is best. Like I said, command of the battle is yours. Elynn, I trust you." Ethan nodded, his face just as serious, his voice low and steady.
He might be the lord of Erald Castle, but he knew full well—when it ca to war, you had to leave it to the experts. And right now, in all of Erald Castle, there were only two people qualified, experienced, and capable enough to lead a battle of this scale.
One was Cicero.
The other was Elynn.
And between the two, Elynn was the better fit. She knew Erald Castle inside and out—its layout, the surrounding terrain, and even the Dungeon army’s tactics. As for Cicero, Ethan had sothing else in mind for him. Sothing even more important.
"Cicero!" Ethan called out.
"Master!" Cicero flew over imdiately.
"Here, this is for you. I forgot earlier..." Ethan pulled out the Green Dragon Shield and handed it to him.
He’d been so focused on whether Cicero could evolve that he’d completely forgotten about the shield. As another piece of the Green Dragon’s Might set, giving it to Cicero now completed the four-piece combo.
That was going to give Cicero a serious power boost.
"This is..." Cicero froze for a second, then his eyes lit up with excitent. Without hesitation, he grabbed the Green Dragon Shield and equipped it on the spot.
Vwoom!
A radiant light burst forth, fusing with him and illuminating the entire wall of Erald Castle.
Ding!
"Level 4 Strategic Artifact, Green Dragon’s Might – Four-piece set successfully activated!"
Green Dragon’s Might.
Set Pieces: 4/5 (Incomplete)
Tier: 13
Race Artifact – Green Dragon Lineage
Effects for regular Hero Units:
150 Attack
100 Defense
100 Spell Power
100 Knowledge
40% Light Magic Resistance (up to 50%)
Effects for Green Dragon Hero Units:
200 Attack
120 Defense
150 Spell Power
150 Knowledge
40% Light Magic Resistance (up to 50%)
40% Air Magic Damage (up to 50%)
40% Thunder Magic Damage (up to 50%)
Passive Skill Boosts:
Green Dragon Commander 1 level (Max level: 3)
Green Dragon Affinity 1 level (Max level: 3)
Additional Bonuses:
35% reduction in recruitnt cost for Tier 13 Green Dragons
35% reduction in recruitnt ti
Significantly increased chance to recruit Tier 13 Green Dragons
All units under this Lord’s command: 7% HP, 10% Magic Resistance
All Green Dragon units: 12% HP, 12% Damage, 30% Magic Resistance
All bonuses are stackable.
"Damn..." Ethan blinked, then let out a low whistle.
Holy hell.
No wonder it’s the racial artifact of the Green Dragon lineage—this thing’s absolutely busted.
And Cicero was already a powerhouse to begin with.
Now, with this insane artifact boosting him? Ethan had a feeling Cicero might actually be catching up to Seraphina. At the very least, he should be on par with Isaryne, the Firebird Hero, right?
With that thought, he turned and asked, "Cicero, how close are you to Seraphina now, strength-wise?"
"Hard to say..." Cicero paused, then looked at Ethan seriously. "Even with Green Dragon’s Might, Seraphina’s probably still stronger. But the gap’s not that big anymore."
Just as I thought.
Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly, catching the implication.
Even with the artifact, Cicero was still a bit behind Seraphina—but only just. Which ant his current power level was probably already on par with a Crimson Ultimate Hero who’s undergone a second awakening.
Sure, a lot of that was thanks to the sheer power of Green Dragon’s Might...
But more than that, it was because Cicero himself had already reached the racial limit of the Green Dragon lineage. He was a freak of nature—a monster in the best possible way.
Ethan couldn’t help but smile, pride flickering in his eyes.
Then he turned to Cicero and said, "Cicero, I’m counting on you to carry this fight. You’re not far from your second awakening—if you can pull that off, it’ll take a huge load off our shoulders."
"I understand." Cicero nodded firmly, his voice steady. "Don’t worry, Master. I’ll give it everything I’ve got. No more holding back."
Ethan gave a satisfied nod, then turned to Elynn, who stood respectfully at his side.
"Elynn, go give the orders."
"Yes, sir."
Elynn’s eyes glead as she stepped forward, her voice ringing out across the Erald Castle’s battlents.
"Treant heroes Eldorin and Bromir! Ancient War Tree Oakenmaw! tal Golem units Karnak, Halston, and Arbachel—step forward and await orders!"
"Present!"
"Awaiting your command, Commander Elynn!"
"Ready to serve!"
...
One by one, the nad Hero Units stepped out from the ranks, standing tall and attentive, awaiting Elynn’s next command.
"tal Golems up front, Treants in the rear—form up together. From here on out, you’re the first line of defense for Erald Castle!" Elynn’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "And rember—do everything you can to let Eldorin rack up kills. The faster he hits his second awakening, the better!"
She turned, eyes locking onto the towering figure nearby.
"Lord Balthazar!"
"You’ll lead the Behemoth clan. Take position on the left flank, alongside the tal Golems and Treants. The left wall sector is yours to hold!"
"Seran!"
"You and the Gem Dragons are on the right flank. Support the tal Golems and Treants there. The right wall sector is under your command!"
Her gaze swept across the battlefield, then landed on a regal figure cloaked in shimring mist.
"Prince Kyros!"
"I need you to lead the Kirin and Sacred Kirin in Weatherweaving. Transform the terrain outside the walls—turn it all into ocean. Once that’s done, your job is to control and restrict enemy movent in the water. Don’t let them get close!"
"Princess Elyra, Lord Zyraxis!"
"You’ll be our long-range strike force. Avoid direct combat as much as possible—preserve your strength. Once Prince Kyros finishes reshaping the battlefield, unleash everything you’ve got on the enemy forces in the sea! Focus your fire on Dungeon units Tier 1 through Tier 12—ignore the Tier 13s for now!"
"Auremax!"
"You’re in charge of the Gold Dragon army. Defend the walls and intercept any airborne Dungeon units or incoming magic attacks!"
"Princess Seraphina, sa goes for you!"
"Lead the Green Dragon army and hold the wall. Stop any Dungeon air units from breaking through!"
"But you and Lord Cicero—if you see an opening, take it. Go after the Dungeon Lords. If we can take them out, the pressure on us will drop significantly!"
"As for everyone else—move freely. Adapt to the situation."
"But rember—don’t get dragged into prolonged fights. If you get bogged down, it’ll turn against us fast. As long as we can hold the walls and keep counterattacking, we still have a real shot at winning this..."
...
Orders flew out one after another, rapid-fire and precise.
And just like that, the entire army snapped into motion—rushing to their positions, preparing for the battle that would decide everything.
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