Morning fog covered Redstone Valley.
Visibility was low.
Perfect.
Arin watched from behind a rock formation.
His forces were hidden.
Shields buried under leaves.
Archers in elevated cracks.
Mages positioned behind mana stones.
Jaren's squad guarded the rear.
Rynor led the vanguard.
Lyra and Selene stood at the center.
Kelsin relayed signals.
"The enemy has entered."
Through the mist, armored figures appeared.
Ravenholt soldiers marched confidently.
No caution.
No scouts ahead.
Victor rode calmly.
"They're scared," he said.
"Advance."
The army moved deeper.
Step by step.
Then—
Boom.
The ground exploded.
Mana mines detonated.
Five soldiers were thrown into the air.
Screams echoed.
"Ambush!"
"Shields up!"
Arin raised his hand.
"Phase One."
Archers fired.
Hundreds of arrows fell like rain.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Soldiers collapsed.
Mage barriers activated.
Spell Apprentices and Elemental Adepts hurried to respond.
"Fire Wall!"
"Stone Guard!"
Lyra whispered.
"Now."
She raised her staff.
"Wind Suppression!"
Pressure slammed down.
Enemy spells destabilized.
Selene followed.
"Ice Bind!"
Blue chains froze feet and weapons.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Coordinated Casting Bonus +15%]
Rynor charged.
Sword flashing.
He cut through disoriented enemies.
Adept-level power displayed.
Jaren smashed shield walls.
Each strike broke formations.
Victor shouted.
"Elite squad! Forward!"
Ten heavily armored warriors advanced.
Their aura was different.
Elite Swordsmen.
Arin narrowed his eyes.
"Phase Two."
Hidden ballistae fired.
Steel bolts pierced armor.
Three Elites fell instantly.
The rest hesitated.
That hesitation was fatal.
Rynor and Jaren attacked.
Blood stained the rocks.
Meanwhile, enemy mages regrouped.
A tall man stepped forward.
Mana surged violently.
"Arcane Barrage!"
An Arcane Expert.
Lyra's face paled.
"That's dangerous!"
Arin stepped forward.
Mana gathered in his hands.
He remembered the system's guidance.
"Mana Compression."
A small sphere formed.
He threw it.
Boom.
The spells collided.
Explosion shook the valley.
Arin was thrown back.
Coughing blood.
But—
The enemy mage fell unconscious.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Battle Contribution Recognized]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Combat Experience +20%]
Victor stared in disbelief.
"They… planned everything…"
Fear spread.
Morale collapsed.
Some soldiers fled.
Others surrendered.
Within two hours—
The valley was silent.
Bodies lay scattered.
Broken banners burned.
Victory.
Rynor wiped his blade.
"We won…"
Jaren laughed hoarsely.
"We actually won!"
Lyra knelt beside Arin.
"You're hurt."
"I'm fine," he said weakly.
The system activated.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Major Battle Won]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Territory Security +30%]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Authority Growth]
[PLAYER PROFILE – ARIN ELDORIA
Strength: 8
Mana: 7
Speed: 8
Endurance: 7
Intelligence: 13
Charisma: 13
Sword Path: Apprentice
Mage Path: Spell Apprentice
Leadership Path: Recognized Lord
Growth Potential: SSS
System Authority: Level 2
Territory Authority: Level 2
Bloodline Progress: 7%
]
Victor was captured.
Kneeling.
Broken.
Arin looked at him calmly.
"Tell your uncle."
"Blackridge is not prey."
"It's a grave."
Far away, Duke Ravenholt felt a chill.
His first army…
Had fallen.