"It’s freezing here." Michael muttered, his eyes surveying the field.
The terrain was extrely uneven, made up mostly of rough, dark-colored stone, with little to no greenery except for a few short trees. Most of it was obscured beneath a thick layer of clear snow.
Evidently, the air was noticeably thinner. Michael’s chest had to draw deeper breaths to get the sa amount of oxygen. Combined with the powerful blizzard rcilessly raging around them, it didn’t take Michael long to conclude what kind of environnt they were going to be fighting in.
"We’re at a remarkably high mountain..." He exclaid, glancing toward his teammates. "Approximately six kiloters above sea level, if not more."
"Fuck my life!" Richard roared in fury. "I’ve endured more than my share of freezing temperatures on Neptune!"
"When did you turn into such a crybaby?" Ava smirked. "The storms on Neptune were several tis worse. This just ans we’re advantaged on this terrain. Not to ntion it’ll make sneaking around easier! Double boon!"
It was also worth noting that Victoria’s ability to conjure flas across her body gave them a constant source of warmth, should the need arise.
[Master, I must apologize for my oversight.]
Cyberfang bowed submissively.
[I didn’t foresee us fighting on such cold terrain. If I had Claire or Alia, could have restored my heating system to aid us in this clash.]
"I can’t believe I’m telling this to an AI, but don’t bla yourself." Alia exclaid. "It’s as much our fault as yours."
Claire nodded. The thought had never crossed her mind.
Without lingering any longer than necessary, they began their plan. First, they entered the formidable structure that had been assigned as their base of operations.
Surprisingly, its interior was actively being heated. Enduring the cold climate was intentionally made more bearable inside the base, ensuring that any attacking faction would be at a disadvantage.
However, that wasn’t enough to deter them from the original plan. Unleashing every technique they possessed, they shattered its walls, floors, and ceilings, destroying its heating capabilities. They exposed its interior to the outside climate.
If the Indomitable Alliance had simply abandoned their castle, it would have given Flawless Starlight the chance to claim it as their own. There was no reason to provide them with yet another potential base of operations.
It didn’t take long for the once-looming building to be reduced to ruins, rendered nothing more than useless debris.
Once the first step of the strategy was complete, everyone left the area behind and stepped into the raging blizzard.
Understandably, their actions caused turmoil across the live spectators.
[Practicality Above All: What are these morons doing?!]
[Lonely Philosopher: Marvelous... Truly marvelous! They have forsaken all physical constraints and ventured into the unknown!]
[Unemployed: How could they destroy a perfectly fine structure in this economy? They must have gone mad!]
[Hater 101: I admit they made it far, but it’s high ti their legend ends. That must be their way of admitting defeat!]
[Cultured Gentleman: Who is going to keep those lovely won warm now?!]
Although the Indomitable Alliance was infamous for its unique strategies, no one expected them to abandon their base altogether! That only drew more eyes, watching their next moves with anticipation.
anwhile, at the castle of the Flawless Starlight, the twenty Lords had gathered to discuss their next steps.
The most eye-catching figure was their leader Astra. She was a stunning woman with a perfectly symtrical face and radiant skin. Her hair and eyes constantly shifted in color as she spoke, mimicking the boundless beauty of the stars across the vast expanse of the cosmos.
"This terrain plays to our advantage." She said in a soothing tone. "It will either trap the Indomitable Alliance in their castle, waiting for their inevitable demise... Or, better yet, they might take the initiative and attack us directly. If that happens, the cold will sap their strength before they even reach us."
Being the faction’s founder was only part of the reason the other Lords listened to her. While she was of the sa realm as them, she had spent the longest ti at the Transcendent stage. It was only a matter of ti before she achieved a breakthrough and ascended to Absolute Lord.
Sirius, a tall man with black hair, considered the second strongest, spoke aloud.
"But let guess... it’s not that simple?"
Astra smirked.
"Of course not. By now, we’ve all seen what the Indomitable Alliance, and more dangerously, their leader, Michael, is capable of."
She paused briefly.
"Since we don’t know which route they will take, we’ll split our forces evenly. I, along with nine other Lords, will remain here, while the remaining ten will venture out to search for them. Regardless if the Indomitable Alliance chooses offense or defense, they cannot handle ten Lords simultaneously. Be cautious, bide your ti, and we will win."
Unlike those who had co before them, the Flawless Starlight intended to take this battle as seriously as if they were facing the Golden Vanguard themselves.
That was why Transcendent Lord Astra, their strongest mber, had assud the leadership role. Even if sothing went awry, the Indomitable Alliance would have to defeat her to claim victory... A trendously challenging task.
Making haste, the Flawless Starlight sprang into action. Lord Sirius was put in charge of the offensive expedition, commanding nine Lords and over a hundred soldiers.
"I—It’s so goddamn cold! Why couldn’t we fight sowhere more... normal?!" A few of the troops began to complain.
The Experts and those below them weren’t accustod to such freezing temperatures, which slowed their progress.
"Don’t halt! Rember our motto! As long as the shimring stars guide our path, victory will be ours!" Sirius shouted, conjuring a massive shield that enveloped the entire troop.
Instantly, the spirits of the warriors were ignited. The protective veil not only kept them warm but also cleared their vision ahead.
Now it was impossible for anyone to ambush them since they would be visible from a mile away.
"For the honor of our leader Astra!" They chanted in unison, marching forward.
Yet their anticipation turned to confusion when they reached the ruins of a castle.
"What the hell?" Sirius frowned. "This doesn’t seem like an illusion... Why would the Indomitable Alliance destroy their own base?"
It was a reckless move but also unprecedented. And unpredictability was often the deadliest weapon in war.
"Maybe this ans they’ve given up?" One Lord muttered. "Or maybe they’re laying siege to our base as we speak?"
Even if that were the case, Sirius knew there was little to worry about with ten Lords stationed at their castle.
After a brief discussion with the other Lords, they reached a consensus. To be certain, they would thoroughly search the surrounding area. To confirm whether they were mistaken about this being their foe’s base and if their enemy was hiding nearby.
If nothing irregular turned up, they would return to their base and rethink their next steps.
Three hellish hours later, the only thing the soldiers had accomplished was growing increasingly irritated.
"Lord Sirius, please let us retreat! Between the piling snow, the freezing cold, and these eerie trees, it’s just emptiness. There’s no enemy in sight!"
"Keep searching. I have a feeling they’re right under our noses." Sirius ordered, his frown deepening.
"You’ve been saying the sa thing for hours now! Please reconsider!"
In the end, it all proved fruitless. With no other choice, they made their way back to their base. The piling snow was beginning to sap their stamina. Even worse, it covered their tracks, making a future retreat even more difficult.
While the Lords made use of their vast reserves of spiritual energy to soar through the air, the regular troops had to slowly make their way through the snowstorm on foot.
"Bloody hell! How I wish I could fly as well... but alas..." One of the soldiers, trailing at the back, complained tiredly.
Clang!
"Hm?" The man arched an eyebrow, realizing he had stepped onto sothing hard.
Glancing downward, he witnessed two blazing eyes staring straight into his soul, with unfathomable killing intent.
"E—"
Before the soldier could utter a word, Michael rose. With one hand he clapped the man’s mouth shut, slitting his throat with the other.
Blood tainted the clear snow as Michael carefully laid the lifeless body to rest.
Ensuring that his position hadn’t been compromised, he blended seamlessly with the terrain. Identical to a predator lying in wait for its next unsuspecting victim.
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