"What happened? Tell me," Liebe demanded.
The soldier, pale and trembling, replied, "Sir, there are hundreds of humanoid monsters attacking our divisional bases. A forest fire has broken out near Vah Meadow. We've lost contact with Iren, Dorem, Almor, Silvolt, and Holrem. Branches Virge, Alrod, Helm, and Beto are still holding out, but… we're detecting a large force heading directly toward Sefirot. We're outnumbered!"
Liebe's expression hardened. "Gelda, Olbet—damage report."
"Understood, my lord," Gelda said.
"Spatial X—Steel Magic: Destined Desired Geography!"
A glowing metallic grid expanded before them, projecting a 3D holographic map of their entire 25,376-square-kilometer territory. Flames and red clusters marked the crisis points across their borders.
Lilith stepped forward. "Everyone, assemble!"
Liebe turned toward her sharply. "Not now, Mother. Please—head home. The Faust Estate is more important. If they get hold of our relics, our entire nation is finished. I beg you."
Lilith paused, then nodded. "...Understood. Stay alive, Liebe."
"Spatial Magic: Astral Gate!" Gelda cast, opening a shimmering portal as Lilith departed.
Liebe faced the others. "Everyone—man your posts!"
They gathered around the metallic map, the light reflecting in their eyes as Liebe issued orders one by one.
"Licht, head to Vah Meadow. Follow plan D9 and extinguish the forest fires.""Understood!" Licht said.
"Lara, go to Virge and assist the branch.""Yes, sir!"
"David, you're in charge of Alrod.""Got it."
"Stal, take Iren and Dorem.""Understood."
"Eldrie, you're responsible for Almor and Silvolt.""I'll make sure they hold."
"**Alysa, Elizabeth—**both of you head to Helm and Beto.""Yes, sir!"
"And I…" Liebe drew his blade, the black aura flaring to life. "Gelda and I will defend Sefirot—with our lives."
They all raised their blades over the glowing map, the steel crossing in unity.
"For Black Rose!" Liebe roared.
"FOR BLACK ROSE!" everyone echoed.
A second later, Gelda activated the spell—Spatial Magic: Mass Teleport!
In an instant, they vanished, materializing 5,000 feet above their designated battle zones.
Licht slowed his fall with gravity control.Elizabeth merged into her shadow to descend softly.Eldrie landed gracefully—and the moment his feet touched the ground, everything within a 50-meter radius froze solid, the temperature plummeting far below zero.Lara used her stinger wings to glide down.Stal crashed down like a meteor, shattering the ground and wiping out dozens of enemies in the impact.David landed firmly, blade in hand, eyes sharp.
Back in Sefirot, Liebe sat in his office beside Gelda, the command screens flickering with red alerts.
Gelda broke the silence. "What now, my lord?"
Liebe replied calmly, "We play the waiting game… and ready the anti-military suppression automatons toward the northern front."
Gelda looked at him quietly. "It has been my honor to fight beside you."
Liebe smirked faintly. "Getting sentimental now, are we?"
Gelda chuckled softly. "Seeing as this might be our last battle… yes, a little."
Liebe's eyes hardened. "Don't expect to die with your sins, Gelda. You'll live—and atone for what you did. As for me… I'll live on until the day I can tell Mother the truth about your fault. Then I'll beg for forgiveness until she grants it—and reclaim the life I once had."
He raised his hand. "Dark Magic—Dark Garden: Invitation!"
The ground around Sefirot turned jet black, spreading outward in a 200-meter radius, swallowing the light as an eerie silence fell across the battlefield.