Lily stood a few steps behind Sasa, unsure what to say or how to react.
The silence lingered for a moment.
Then—
a loud voice suddenly shattered the night.
“Too te!!!”
The shout echoed across the now-empty yard.
Sasa immediately turned sharply.
Lily also reflexively looked toward the source of the voice and moved closer to Sasa in the middle of the road. For a brief moment, it felt like the voice belonged to someone dangerous—but Lily refused to believe the thought forming in her head.
Then Lily froze, staring in disbelief, still trying to reject what she was thinking.
Mr. Rehzu…?!
At the far end of the dark dirt road, several silhouettes appeared, walking closer.
Their steps were rexed.
As if they were not strangers to this pce at all.
As they approached, the light from nearby houses slowly illuminated their faces.
There were five of them.
In front stood a man with a cheerful expression—far too rexed for a situation like this.
He smiled widely and raised a hand casually.
If you want to invite people to war, you should do it a little earlier.
And especially for you, Lily… I’m very thankful, you know… all this time… haha!!
Hearing that, Lily’s face twisted into a shadowy expression of anger and disbelief.
Behind him stood four others.
A woman with sharp eyes and a serious attitude.
A shy girl holding a magic staff.
Another girl who looked annoyed from the start… except whenever she gnced at the food pouch she carried.
And one more girl whose face remained hidden as she whispered quietly to the others.
They stopped a few steps away from the yard.
Trying to suppress the pressure she felt, Lily frowned while looking at the four people behind Rehzu.
Sasa… do you know them?
Sasa looked equally confused.
No…
But it’s clear they didn’t come here for a friendly visit.
Both Lily and Sasa stood cautiously, watching the five of them.
Meanwhile, someone sitting on the porch suddenly froze upon seeing them.
Mr. Gilbert.
His eyes widened slightly, and he quickly gestured for Rendara to stay on the porch.
He recognized those faces.
You…?
The man in front ughed softly.
Long time no see, Gilbert.
He casually pointed at himself.
REHZU!!!
Then he pointed to the people behind him one by one.
Frisa.
The serious woman behind him gave a small nod.
Fefe.
The shy girl raised her hand slightly.
Garta.
The girl who seemed to command the others.
Juna.
The annoyed girl crossed her arms and muttered,
If this wasn’t about food… I wouldn’t even bother coming.
Mr. Gilbert exhaled slowly.
He knew them.
Criminals who constantly wandered around the territory of Aissuren—the very obstacle preventing Aissuren from reciming the nd controlled by Rehzu.
Meanwhile—
Lily and Sasa exchanged gnces.
Then suddenly the four of them rushed toward Lily and Sasa, following Garta’s command.
Frisa!!
Attack Sasa’s blind spot!!
Fefe!!
Fire magic toward Lily!!
Juna!!
Execute them—without killing them!!
Frisa gripped her sword tightly.
Maximum magic bde draw!!! Ssh!!!
Energy strike!!!
Fefe raised her staff.
Take this!!
Rapid fireballs!!
Ice rain!!!
Lily and Sasa, caught off guard, could only dodge.
The attacks were strange.
Unfamiliar.
Their powers felt odd, and there was no clear understanding of who these people really were.
Lily frowned toward Sasa.
It feels like they’re from the same region as Aissuren… but the way they speak is too refined for newcomers here.
Sasa looked confused.
Humans from around Aissuren… how are they using magic?
Sasa, still emotionally unstable from earlier events, could only raise a defensive barrier against Frisa’s attacks.
Damn it!!!
Meanwhile Lily focused sharply and countered Fefe’s attack using a nearby wooden pnk.
Take this!!
Counter!!
Swoooosh
The reflected magic shot back toward Fefe.
The wood in Lily’s hand burned instantly—it couldn’t handle the recoil of the counterattack.
Fefe fell backward in shock.
Hahhh!!!!
Hel—
Before she could finish the word, Juna instantly sshed the magic bst with a sharp dagger, splitting it in half before it faded away.
Lily and Sasa quickly regrouped, cautiously facing the three attackers.
They still had no idea who these people truly were—
especially magic users living near Aissuren.
But one thing was clear.
Tonight would not end with mere disappointment.
It would be far worse.
Meanwhile Rehzu watched proudly as Garta, Fefe, Frisa, and Juna fought.
Then he turned toward Mr. Gilbert with a grin.
Well, Gilbert?!!
Just four people—no, even three fighters—and they’re already cornering Lily and Sasa, the ones you’ve always protected and treated so specially!!
Look!! Soon they’ll die right in front of you!!
Mr. Gilbert’s face darkened into a shadowed expression.
He slowly stepped closer to Rehzu, as if wanting to say something.
Meanwhile the battle grew chaotic.
Roads cracked.
Nearby houses were damaged.
Some vilgers’ homes were hit by stray attacks.
On the porch—
Rendara watched everything while invisible.
As if waiting for something he had already predicted.
And just as he expected—
vilgers suddenly rushed out from hiding.
A young woman shouted so loudly it made the attackers’ ears ring.
ATTACK!!!
Archers—target the girl giving commands!!
Swords—aim for the girl chanting spells!!
Capture the sword user with your armor!!
Clear the bushes so the assassin can’t hide!!
Move!!!
Old people.
Women.
Young men.
Even children.
Everyone contributed in their own way.
Then another voice shouted—it was a young boy leading a group.
Give it everything you’ve got!!!
Remember!!! We’re doing this for AISSUREN!!!
Anything can happen!!!
So fight!!!
Hearing that, Mr. Gilbert stopped walking.
Then right in front of Rehzu, he crushed a piece of paper.
I think this makes things clear, Rehzu!!
Then he quickly ran back into his house.
Rehzu panicked for a moment, trying to follow.
But it wasn’t that simple.
Tch… looks like today isn’t the day.
Meanwhile Lily suddenly froze.
Not because of the vilgers fighting.
But because she recognized one voice.
Her “older brother.”
Not her real brother—but someone she always treated like one.
Brother!!!
He responded immediately, drawing his sword.
Fight!!
Don’t forget—everyone here is a citizen of Aissuren!!
So we must win!!!
The vilgers roared.
WOOOOO!!!
Charge!!!
Attack!!!
Lily’s emotions exploded.
Alright!!!
Looks like it’s my turn now, Fefe!!
Thousand rapid-fire fireballs—range free!!!
HAAAAHHHH!!!
Seeing the chaos, the criminals quickly changed formation under Garta’s command.
Fefe, Frisa, Juna!!
Switch to Pn B!!
Protect Lord Rehzu with your lives!!
Meanwhile—
Rehzu didn’t look panicked at all.
Sasa stared at the situation in disbelief.
All of you!!!!
Is this a dream???
Then she spped her own face hard.
The impact shook the ground slightly.
Blood trickled from her nose.
Guess not.
Alright.
I won’t hesitate anymore!!!
With sharp focus, Sasa stomped the ground and rushed straight toward Garta with a grin.
If you want to defeat your enemies, you take down the most troublesome one first, right?
Garta looked shocked.
She quickly pulled a small strange device from her robe.
Without chanting—
an instant lightning spell struck toward Sasa.
Sasa quickly stepped back.
Oh… I see…
No matter how good you are with magic, I’ll keep attacking you at close range!!!
They charged at each other.
Punch and spell nearly collided—but both missed.
Meanwhile Fefe, Frisa, and Juna struggled to defend Rehzu from Lily and the vilgers.
Lily commanded loudly.
Fire ssh attack!!
Now!! Aim your swords at the commanding girl!!
Vilgers shouted.
Ssh!!!
Lily continued.
Binding roots!!!
Now!! Capture the sword user!!
Again she shouted.
Fsh light spell!!
Archers—aim for the dark bushes!!
Despite all the attacks—
Rehzu never seemed injured.
And strangely—
teleportation magic moved him instantly without chanting.
Just like Garta’s magic.
Then Rehzu burst out ughing.
HAHAHA!!!
Gilbert!!!
Is this really all you can do???
Then he shouted.
Garta!!
Fefe!!
Frisa!!
Juna!!
Fly!!!
Lily and Sasa tried to follow into the air.
But Rehzu grinned.
Hey… look at your territory!!
They looked down—
and froze.
Aissuren was devastated.
Houses destroyed.
Roads shattered.
Everything covered in strange white slime from the criminals’ magic.
What happened…?
The damage shouldn’t be this bad!!
Rehzu ughed again.
HAHAHA!!!
Their emotions spiraled out of control.
Lily and Sasa lost bance and began falling from the sky.
The vilgers instantly reacted.
An old man shouted commands.
Bring straw!! Wool!! Animal hides!!
Quickly!!!
Vilgers rushed.
Some piled straw.
Some threw wool.
Others gathered thick materials.
Then the old man shouted again.
Stack yourselves beneath them!!!
People literally piled their bodies to cushion the fall.
Then soft materials were pced on top.
Everyone had one goal—
save Lily and Sasa.
Meanwhile Rendara still didn’t directly intervene.
He only slowed their fall slightly.
Finally—
they nded safely.
No injuries.
The vilgers cheered.
Thank goodness!!!
Rehzu ughed loudly.
HAHAHA!!!
You careless fools!!
Look around you!!
Did you forget who you’re fighting?!
The vilgers looked around.
Everything was destroyed.
White slime covered what remained.
One vilger screamed.
The Big Four…?!
If that’s true… then nothing we own can be saved!!
Then Lily’s “brother” shouted at Rehzu.
Sorry—but we’ll take your territory as compensation!!
The vilgers roared again.
That’s right!!!
We just need to make you surrender!!!
HAAAAAA!!!
Lily and Sasa stood up again.
Seeing the vilgers’ determination reignited their spirit.
They thanked everyone quietly before stepping down from the pile.
Rehzu calmly said,
Then try catching us.
Retreat!!
Fefe, Frisa, Juna, Garta!!
Fefe, Frisa, and Garta immediately moved.
But Juna remained still.
Muttering repeatedly with a shadowed face.
If the mission isn’t finished… no reward…
If the mission isn’t finished… no reward…
Meanwhile Sasa rushed toward Rehzu faster than before.
Everyone was shocked—
even Rendara.
Not because of Sasa’s speed.
But because of Juna’s reaction.
She suddenly moved and shouted,
If the mission isn’t finished… no reward!!!
In the next instant—
a body dropped.
A hole through it.
Rendara watched the scene unfold.
A small, sly smile appeared on his face.
Interesting…
