The first light of dawn found Maria in the settlement's outskirts, her body still trembling slightly from the tribulation she'd endured.
The Earth Realm breakthrough had been everything Walter had described and more—lightning that felt like molten metal coursing through her newly established mana channels, followed by crushing pressure that had tested every bone and muscle in her body.
But she'd made it through, and now power flowed through her in ways she'd never imagined possible.
"Maria!" Lily's voice carried relief and excitement as she approached with the others. "You did it. We could feel the energy from here."
"How do you feel?" Walter asked, studying her face with concern.
"Different," Maria replied, attempting to stand she shot upwards faster than intended and stumbled slightly. "Stronger, but... everything feels like it requires more precise control."
AJ nodded in understanding. "Your capabilities have improved. It'll take time to adjust."
"We don't have much time," Victor pointed out, glancing towards the horizon where the Iron Vanguard would eventually appear.
"Then I'll learn quickly," Maria said, taking a careful step forward. She managed to stabilise her movement, though her concentration was evident.
Sam approached with some hastily put together diagrams and observations. "While you were breaking through, I've been thinking about what we're facing. We need to discuss our defensive strategy."
They gathered around him as he outlined his analysis.
"I estimate the Iron Vanguard has roughly 40-60 people, and from what we've heard they all have some level of professional training," Sam began, referencing his notes. "Against our 200 residents, most of which have minimal, if any, combat training."
"Numbers don't tell the whole story, we have more Earth Realm cultivators" Ethan observed, adjusting a strap on his armour.
"Indeed, though we don't know how many of them have reached the Realm of Man so it's tricky to estimate the relative strengths." Sam's finger traced across his rough map of the settlement.
"They'll likely attempt one of two primary strategies: direct assault or infiltration."
Walter leaned forward, his weathered hands gripping his cane. "Explain both."
"Direct assault means they mass their forces and attack our strongest defensive positions head-on. They'll rely on superior training and numbers to break through our lines." Sam marked several points on his diagram.
"Our palisade walls and watchtowers are designed for this, but they're capable of identifying weak points."
"And infiltration?" Victor asked.
"Smaller groups attempt to slip past our defenses, targeting key infrastructure or leadership. They could attack the rear areas while we're focused on defending the front." Sam's expression grew concerned. "Even just a few people could cause significant damage."
Maria attempted to cross her arms and nearly struck herself in the face. She grimaced, focusing more carefully on controlling her movements.
"Countermeasures?" she asked.
"For direct assault, we use our fortifications exactly as designed. Archers in the towers, defenders behind the palisade, concentrated fire on their approach routes." Sam flipped to another page of notes. "But we also need mobile defenders who can respond to breakthrough attempts."
"That's where my team comes in," Ethan said.
"For infiltration, we need internal patrols and communication systems. If they get inside our perimeter, we have to know immediately and respond before they can achieve their objectives."
Victor nodded approvingly. "Lily's already positioned in the eastern tower with clear sight lines. I'll coordinate mobile responses with my team."
"There's also a third, more likely, possibility," Sam continued. "A combined assault, a direct attack to draw our attention while infiltration teams exploit the distraction. It's what I would do in their shoes."
The group spent some time mulling things over.
"Do we have any offensive options?" Maria asked.
"Limited, but yes. If they commit fully to a direct assault, they'll have minimal reserves. A well-timed counterattack could break their formation and force them to withdraw." Sam's eyes gleamed. "But it would require precise timing and accepting significant risk."
"What kind of risk?" Walter asked.
"We'd have to engage them in open combat. If the counterattack fails, we lose our defensive advantages and probably the battle."
Richard's laughter caught the attention of the group.
"We should check on that," Victor said grimly.
They found the two guards standing outside Richard's cell, their faces showing barely contained fury. Richard's expression was one of malicious satisfaction.
"Look at you all," he called out. "Pretending to be soldiers. Do you have any idea what real fighters look like?"
"Shut your mouth," one of the guards snapped.
"Marcus didn't earn his reputation by accident," Richard continued, ignoring the guard. "He's spent years turning people into proper warriors. You think your farmers and craftsmen can stand against that?"
Thomas stepped forward, his face flushed with anger. "We'll see about that."
"Oh, you will," Richard agreed with a laugh. "When Marcus's people start cutting through your lines like they're not even there. When your precious walls don't mean anything because you don't know how to use them properly."
"What I want is for you all to understand what's coming," Richard continued. "Marcus isn't all bark and no bite, this place will be ashes and rubble."
"Then you'll burn with it," someone shouted from the crowd.
"Will I?" Richard's expression grew smug. "You think you'll be able to keep me here?"
Victor's hand moved to his weapon, but Maria caught his arm.
"He's not worth it," she said quietly, though her own anger was evident.
"You're all dead," Richard called after them as they began to disperse. "You did it to yourselves. All you had to do was hand me over, and everyone would have lived. Instead, you chose pride over survival."
His laughter followed them as they moved away.
---
Across the settlement, families were having conversations that no one wanted to have but everyone knew were necessary.
Near the residential area, Catherine was with a family, she knelt beside the two young children.
"Remember what we practised," she told them gently. "If you hear the warning signal, you go straight to the cellar and you stay there until someone you know comes to get you."
"What if no one comes?" the young girl asked.
Catherine's composure wavered for a moment before she steadied herself. "Someone will always come for you. But if you have to wait a long time, there's food and water stored there. You'll be safe."
As Catherine walked away their father gathered them into a fierce hug, his own eyes bright with unshed tears. "Your mother and I love you more than anything in this world. Remember that, no matter what happens."
In the medical building, Doc Hayes was having a similarly tough conversation with her patients while she prepared medical supplies.
Across the plaza, Eric was moving children and elderly residents to the most secure parts of the settlement.
"Thompson family?" he called out.
"Here," came the response from near the back of the group.
"You're assigned to storage building 3." Eric said. "Remember, stay quiet, stay together, and follow Mrs. Chen's instructions."
The older woman who would be supervising nodded grimly. She'd volunteered for the responsibility despite her own fears, understanding that someone needed to care for the most vulnerable if the worst happened.
Near the livestock pens, Janet was leading a group of children in what she'd described as a "safety game," though the older children understood the reality, Isaac and Noah were among them.
"If we hear 2 long whistles, what do we do?" Janet asked.
"Go to the safe house and stay quiet," the children recited together.
"And if we hear 3 short ones?"
"Emergency hiding. Get under cover wherever we are and don't move until someone we know finds us."
Janet's heart broke a little more with each practiced response. These children should have been learning about plants and stories, not emergency signals and hiding procedures.
Similar scenes played out across Valentra as families said words they hoped wouldn't be final farewells, made plans they prayed wouldn't be needed, and tried to find courage in the face of overwhelming uncertainty.
The settlement that had celebrated its harvest just days earlier now felt like a community preparing for its own funeral, though determination burned bright in every face.
---
Near the forge, Robert was working on Ethan's armour, making some final adjustments with AJ's help. AJ had also created more arrows to make sure their archers would have enough for an extended engagement.
"It feels better," Ethan reported, taking practice swings with his enlarged war axe. The weapon moved smoothly despite the armour, the armour's articulation allowed for surprisingly fluid movement.
"Good. Now you're not just a fighter anymore—you're a mobile fortress. You won't need the shield thanks to the armour, just don't get isolated and surrounded." Robert checked each joint and connection one final time.
From her position in the eastern watchtower, Lily maintained constant surveillance of the approaches to Valentra. Her keen eyes scanned the grassland for any signs of movement, though she knew they were still several hours away from their noon deadline.
"Movement on the horizon," she called down to Victor, who was coordinating with the other watchtower positions. "Large group, approaching from the northeast."
Victor shaded his eyes, following her indication. "How many?"
"Hard to tell at this distance, but it's substantial. They're not trying to hide."
The news spread quickly throughout the settlement. Maria practiced basic combat movements, her speed and strength requiring constant conscious control.
"They're showing us their main force," Sam observed, studying the distant group approaching. "Seems like an intimidation tactic, they're letting us count their numbers and imagine what we're about to face."
"Does that really work?" Victor asked.
"On some people, probably. But it also tells us they're confident enough to reveal their strength. That suggests they don't expect serious resistance."
"Their mistake," Ethan rumbled from within his armour.
The Iron Vanguard force became increasingly visible across the grassland. They advanced in a disciplined formation, their equipment glinting in the sunlight as they closed the distance to Valentra's walls.
"35, maybe 40 people," Lily reported. "All armed, moving in coordinated groups."
"There's a good chance that's not all of them," Sam spoke.
The possibility of hidden attackers added another layer of tension, but there was no time to search for enemies that might not exist. The main Iron Vanguard force was approaching rapidly, and soon Marcus would demand their final answer.
"Positions, everyone," Maria commanded, her voice carrying a sense of authority. "This is what we've prepared for."
The Iron Vanguard halted roughly 200 metres from Valentra's gates as they maintained formation. Marcus stepped forward from their ranks, his bearing confident as he approached.
"Your time is up," he called out, his voice clearly audible within the settlement. "I've come for Richard."
Maria moved to the wall's edge, her enhanced senses taking in details of the Iron Vanguard formation that she might have missed before her breakthrough.
Their discipline was evident in every movement, their weapons were well-maintained, and they all had wisps of mana radiating off of their bodies.
"Our answer remains the same," she replied, her voice steady despite the magnitude of what was about to unfold. "Richard stays here."
Marcus was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice carried the cold tone of someone whose patience had reached its limit.
"Then you've chosen to die for a saboteur who endangered your own people. I hope you find that outcome worthwhile."
In the watchtowers that anchored Valentra's defenses, arrows were nocked and bowstrings drawn. Lily's keen eyes and bow tracked Marcus as he began walking back towards his forces.
The moment for words had passed, leaving only the inevitable violence that both sides had been preparing for.
Marcus reached his forces and raised his hand in a prearranged signal, his soldiers shifting into attack formations.