Alice erged from her seclusion. She stood up and glanced at the training ground where Souta was. She muttered, "He still hasn't left."
A hint of concern crossed her face.
Shaking her head, she turned and made her way to the city lord's office.
She was still at the Fifth Shackle Realm, but her strength had grown trendously. Her training had paid off-she was now confident that she could defeat multiple Fifth Shackle experts on her own.
She had co a long way. She and Souta had been together since before they even reached A- rank, and now, their strength had soared to the level of SSS-rank and Hero-rank.
The most significant achievent was that she had learned an Archetype.
It was the Archetype hidden within [Rhongomiant]-[Golden Spear: Legend of Victory].
A simple yet formidable technique, it consisted of only three stages. She was still at the first stage, but even that was a remarkable accomplishnt. She was more than satisfied with her progress.
Beyond the Archetype, she had also mastered several high-level demon arts, techniques imparted to her since childhood. If she unleashed her full power, she would surpass the standard limits of the Fifth Shackle Realm, making her strength difficult to asure.
"My focus has been on mastering skills, but now I need to push my limits in the Fifth Shackle Realm. Hopefully, I can sense the Sixth Shackle soon and prepare for the breakthrough," Alice muttered.
She arrived at the office and began sorting through the paper files on the table, reviewing reports from Ekatoe City.
"Hmm... Vashno hasn't returned yet. Who's next after him? Oh, it's Franklin... I should tell him to get ready."
Her gaze shifted to the notes Souta had left before entering seclusion. She wondered when Vashno would return. Knowing Souta, he wouldn't have assigned anything beyond Vashno's capabilities.
Alice turned her head and decided to summon Amanda to the office.
Before long, Amanda arrived.
"Your mission is here." Alice placed a piece of paper on the table.
Amanda picked it up and scanned the contents. "Should I handle this alone, or can I bring soone?" she asked.
"You can take soone you trust, but don't involve Eztein or the others. Souta has different plans for them," Alice replied.
After a brief pause, Amanda nodded and left the office, leaving Alice alone.
She considered the situation for a mont and decided it was fine to send Amanda out, even though Vashno hadn't returned yet.
A few hours later, Alice finished handling all the paperwork. She then read the latest reports from the Champion's Den about the current situation across the continent.
By the ti she left the office, night had already fallen. Stepping outside, she saw people still working hard. Her gaze settled on the massive structure in the distance - the Guardian Fortress, which Torkez and his team were building.
"Guardian Fortress..." she muttered, mories of their ti in the sub-world resurfacing.
They had co a long way. There was a ti when their group was powerless against an S- rank expert, but now, the Astros were strong enough to stand against Hero-rank opponents. She shook her head and turned away, making her way to the canteen. After finding a vacant seat, she sat down, and the staff quickly prepared her dinner.
"Oh, this looks good," Alice remarked, eyeing the delicious al in front of her.
Wasting no ti, she dug in.
The next morning, Alice arrived at the office early.
Sitting across from her was Eztein.
"Let the expedition mbers exchange their rits in the treasury," Alice instructed.
"Got it," Eztein nodded.
A week ago, Ekatoe City had sent a force to the Obsidian Desert to eliminate any organizations similar to the Deadman. They successfully destroyed several groups and brought the spoils back to the city.
This operation also served as a way for the newly trained soldiers to gain real battle experience. Souta didn't want to hand them resources without effort, so they were sent into the Obsidian Desert to prove themselves.
The dangers in the desert had lessened since Souta had already wiped out the five leading organizations there. However, despite the absence of the strongest groups, the harsh environnt and lingering threats still made it a perilous journey for the recruits.
Alice listened as Eztein finished his report. After a brief discussion, he left the office, returning to his own training. anwhile, Franklin would take over the task of training the soldiers.
Suddenly, a massive surge of energy swept through the city.
Ohm!
Eztein, who was walking down the hallway, abruptly stopped and turned his head. Franklin
and everyone in Ekatoe City felt the powerful wave ripple through the air.
Inside the office, Alice's eyes widened as she locked onto the source of the energy.
"This...?! This energy signature!"
In the next instant, she vanished from the office.
Reappearing above the building, she scanned the area, sensing the lingering fluctuations. Without hesitation, she descended and stepped through the door.
Inside the building, in a laboratory, a young woman with green hair slowly opened her eyes. She stretched out her hand, feeling the surge of energy coursing through her veins.
"You've broken through, Isabella," a soft voice echoed.
Isabella turned her head and saw Alice leaning against the wall. She smiled and gave a small nod.
Alice studied her closely, shock evident in her eyes. Isabella had reached SSS-rank. She had shattered the Fourth Shackle with overwhelming montum.
It was too fast.
Alice could still rember when they first t Isabella-back then, she had been just an
ordinary person.
But now, she had caught up to them.
"Congratulations on reaching SSS-rank," Alice said, clapping as she walked toward Isabella.
"It's nothing. I'm still far from repaying everything Souta has done for ," Isabella replied humbly, shaking her head.
"Don't be like that. If Souta were here, I'm sure he'd be proud of your progress," Alice said with a small smile.
Soon, the news spread throughout the city-Lady Isabella, the Chief of the Potioneer Research Departnt, had broken through the Fourth Shackle Realm.
Another expert had ascended to SSS-rank.
The city erupted in celebration.
The strength of the Astros continued to grow.
Aside from Isabella's breakthrough, nothing major had occurred. Despite the large-scale battles raging across the continent, the small city of Ekatoe remained peaceful.
With Souta in seclusion, Alice took on the responsibility of communicating with Lumilia and Lynn on the other side. Through their discussions, she gained insight into the situation in the
Giza Continent.
The war against the demon army had slowed. Their forces were no longer advancing; instead, they had halted, as if preparing for sothing. For now, they simply held the territories they
had conquered.
The situation in Giza was far better compared to the God's Continent, where the Ruler of Gluttony was rampaging alongside his followers. It wasn't just the Gluttony Army-various criminal organizations that had been lurking in the shadows were also making their moves. From Lumilia and Lynn, Alice learned that while the demon army had halted its advance, it was now engaged in a fierce battle against the onslaught of monsters erging from the Sea Serpent Territory. A massive conflict was currently unfolding in the Listen Wastes.
"I heard from Teacher Bargan that the Alliance Army of the Six Nations-Bright, Rein, Fran, Farmas, Alea Republic, and the Lion's Kingdom-are planning to launch an offensive against the demons. Their movents have also prompted the Hebrei Kingdom and other nations to consider attacking as well," Lumilia explained.
"They're taking advantage of the demons being preoccupied with the monsters from the Sea Serpent Territory," Alice mused, contemplating the situation. After a brief pause, she asked, "Do you have any information on that territory?"
"It's too far, and our legion isn't large enough yet, so all my information cos from Teacher Bargan," Lumilia explained. "According to him, a powerful monster dwells in the depths of the territory-the Thunder Saint Sea Serpent. It's the true overlord of the Sea Serpent
Territory."
"I see..." Alice murmured thoughtfully.
The two continued chatting for a while before finally bidding each other farewell.
"Tell Souta that once he's out of seclusion, he can contact . I've already completed
everything he asked to do," Lumilia said.
"I will," Alice replied.
After the call ended, she placed the transmission talisman on the table, her mind turning over
everything she had just learned from Lumilia.
Sowhere in an unknown location...
A man clad in a dark robe lined with fur stood before a few dozen people.
He was Esquin Georagnisus, the Ruler of Gluttony.
Esquin cast a glance at the man closest to him and asked, "Is everything in place?" "Yes, My Lord," the subordinate replied respectfully. "All the organizations deed criminal
by the Holy Lands are on the move. It's only natural that they will move since we're drawing
the Holy Lands' attention."
"Good." Esquin nodded, his gaze sweeping over his gathered followers. Then, his voice
thundered,
"Everyone! Are you willing to die for ?!"
"YES, MY LORD!!" Their unified roar shook the air.
"There is no guarantee of survival!! In fact, many of you will die in this process!! But follow
! Trust in yourselves! This war is nearing its end!!" Esquin declared with unwavering
intensity.
His words ignited the crowd, their fervent roars rumbling through the ground. Their faith was unshakable-nothing could break their devotion.
Esquin raised his hand, and in an instant, a massive magic circle materialized beneath their
feet.
Ohm!
Blinding white light erupted, engulfing everyone in its brilliance.
It was ti to escalate the war.
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