The carriage moved slowly along the road.
On both sides of the path lay the bodies of villagers.
Men.
Women.
Children.
There were no walls to protect them.
No priests.
No knights.
Only ruins and silence.
Sofia observed the corpses from her mount. Her expression remained impassive.
She knew there was nothing she could do for them anymore.
"Maintain formation," she ordered firmly. "Do not separate."
The soldiers immediately obeyed. The three hundred knights closed ranks around the carriages, keeping their weapons ready as they advanced along the destroyed road.
Then Sofia raised her gaze toward the forest.
Something moved between the trees.
A moment later, the ground trembled.
Once.
Then again.
The horses began to grow restless.
"What the hell...?"
A roar shook the forest.
Trees snapped apart.
A massive creature burst through the vegetation.
It looked like a bear.
But it was several times larger than a normal one.
Its body was covered in black plates, as if the mana had solidified over its skin. Its eyes glowed with an intense blue light, and every step made the ground tremble.
The creature stopped in front of the caravan.
Sofia observed it for several seconds.
For the first time, her expression changed slightly.
"Everyone back."
The soldiers retreated.
"No one approaches."
Mounted on Thunder, Sofia could use his speed to stay out of the monster's claws while Larriet and Umber attacked from different angles.
The woman tightened the reins.
"Let's go."
This wasn't going to be easy.
Thunder shot forward.
His hooves struck the ground as electricity coursed through his muscles. Small sparks flew from his hooves as he dodged a massive claw.
BOOM!
The claw smashed into the spot where Thunder had been a moment earlier.
Sofia didn't even look back.
"Faster."
Thunder obeyed.
He weaved between the trees before circling back toward the monster.
This time, Sofia raised one hand.
"Pack Enhancement."
Mana spread across the battlefield.
Larriet, Umber, and Thunder immediately felt the boost.
Twenty percent.
It didn't seem like much.
But in a battle between creatures of this level, twenty percent could mean the difference between an injury and death.
"Now."
Thunder turned.
A bolt of lightning shot from his body.
CRACK!
The lightning struck the bear directly in the chest.
The creature staggered half a step.
Only half a step.
Sofia raised an eyebrow.
"Well."
The bear lifted its head.
The attack seemed to have angered it more than it had hurt it.
"Fine."
Sofia smiled.
"Then let's do this the hard way."
The monster charged.
Thunder fled once again.
But this time, he didn't retreat too far.
Sofia wanted the creature to follow him.
And it worked.
The bear forgot everything else.
Its eyes remained fixed on Thunder.
Behind them, a shadow slipped between the trees.
Umber.
The wolf appeared beside one of the monster's hind legs.
He bit down.
Darkness spread around his fangs and climbed up the creature's leg.
The bear roared and tried to turn.
Umber disappeared.
The claw struck empty air.
"One."
Sofia kept Thunder moving.
"Now, Larriet."
The golden lion emerged from between the trees.
He didn't run.
He charged.
His body became covered in mana.
The physical enhancement surged through his muscles, increasing his strength.
Larriet slammed into the bear's side.
BOOM!
The two creatures collided.
The bear barely moved.
Larriet didn't retreat either.
For a moment, the two beasts stood face to face.
The bear raised a claw.
Larriet bared his fangs.
The claw came down.
Larriet took the attack head-on.
CLANG!
The claws slammed against the black plates.
Larriet was sent flying several meters.
He landed on all four paws.
He shook his head.
Sofia smiled.
"That's it, boy."
The bear roared and charged again.
But Larriet was already gone.
A shadow passed beside the creature.
Umber.
The wolf bit down again.
Darkness wrapped around the bear's leg.
This time, the creature lost its balance.
Only for an instant.
But Sofia had been waiting for exactly that.
"Thunder."
The steed accelerated.
Electricity coursed through his legs.
The bear turned its head.
Too late.
Thunder passed beside it.
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning struck one of the plates on its side.
The plate cracked.
The bear roared.
"There it is."
Sofia had found its weak point.
"Larriet."
The lion charged again.
The bear tried to stop him.
Larriet took the impact head-on, planted his paws against the ground, and held his position.
Mana continued to course through his muscles.
His claws dug into the earth.
Then he pushed.
CRACK!
The damaged plate shattered.
The bear roared and released an explosion of mana.
BOOM!
Larriet was thrown backward.
Umber was caught by the shockwave and disappeared into the trees.
Thunder had to brake sharply.
Sofia tightened her grip on the reins.
"Larriet!"
The lion rolled across the ground.
Then stood.
He shook the dust from his fur.
He was still standing.
"Perfect."
Sofia breathed a sigh of relief.
Then she saw the bear.
The creature had stopped looking at Larriet.
Its blue eyes were fixed on Thunder.
Sofia smiled.
"You like me, huh?"
The bear charged.
Thunder charged too.
The two rushed directly toward each other.
The soldiers watching from a distance began shouting.
"My lady!"
Sofia didn't answer.
She waited.
Ten meters.
Five.
Three.
"Now."
Thunder turned sharply.
The bear tried to follow.
Its massive body couldn't change direction in time.
It overshot.
And behind it appeared Larriet.
BOOM!
The lion struck the same damaged area.
The crack spread across the creature's chest.
The monster lost its balance.
A shadow appeared behind its neck.
Umber.
The wolf sank his fangs into the creature.
Darkness spread around the monster.
The bear roared and tried to turn.
Umber didn't let go.
"That's it."
Sofia tightened the reins.
"Don't let go."
Umber dug his paws into the ground.
Larriet attacked again.
Thunder began circling the monster.
For the first time, the bear seemed unable to decide where to look.
One.
Two.
Three enemies.
Each attacking from a different direction.
Sofia watched.
She didn't need to attack.
She only needed to wait for the right moment.
The crack in the monster's chest had opened.
Its heart was protected behind the plates.
But now she could see it.
"Thunder."
The steed stopped.
The bear raised its head.
Sofia leaned slightly forward.
"Finish it."
Thunder shot forward.
Electricity coursed through his entire body.
The bear managed to free itself from Umber.
It raised a claw.
Larriet appeared from the side and struck it.
CLANG!
The claw's trajectory changed.
Thunder passed underneath.
A burst of lightning exploded directly against the crack.
CRACK!
The plates covering the chest split apart.
The bear was exposed.
Sofia didn't need to say anything.
Larriet understood.
The lion charged.
BOOM!
His attack broke through the damaged defense.
The creature staggered backward.
Umber appeared behind it.
Shadows wrapped around its legs.
The bear fell to its knees.
Sofia raised one hand.
"Enough."
All three beasts stopped.
The bear tried to stand.
It couldn't.
Its massive body trembled.
Sofia watched it for a second.
"Good try."
Thunder passed beside her.
Sofia drew her sword.
She didn't need magic.
Only precision.
She approached the monster and drove the blade into the opening Larriet had created.
SHINK!
The creature became still.
The blue light in its eyes faded.
Its enormous body collapsed.
BOOM!
The ground trembled.
Silence.
Sofia sheathed her sword.
She looked at her three beasts.
Thunder was breathing heavily.
Larriet had several scratches, but he was still standing.
Umber slowly emerged from the shadows.
"Good work."
Thunder raised his head.
Larriet let out a proud roar.
Umber simply sat down.
Sofia let out a small laugh.
"Yes, yes. I know who was the best."
Larriet raised his head even higher.
Thunder pawed at the ground.
Umber didn't even react.
"I'm not going to argue about it."
Several meters away, the soldiers finally began approaching.
But none of them came too close.
Even dead, the monster radiated an absurd amount of mana.
Its blood slowly spread across the ground.
This wasn't normal.
A beast this powerful shouldn't have abandoned its territory.
Much less approached a village.
"Set up camp here."
The soldiers began pitching the tents, carefully keeping their distance from the corpse.
Even dead, the creature continued to release an absurd amount of mana.
Laurence approached.
His expression was tense.
"Are you all right?"
Sofia glanced at him.
"To what do I owe the honor of having the Duke here?"
Laurence frowned.
"I didn't think you needed help."
"No."
Sofia wiped the blood from her sword.
"But it would have been nice if the Duke had been leading his troops instead of watching from a distance."
Laurence's expression hardened.
"I was organizing the formation."
"Then keep doing it."
For several seconds, neither said anything.
The wind passed between them.
Laurence eventually looked away.
Then he stared at the corpse.
"That monster... Was it normal for one to be here?"
Sofia didn't answer.
Night fell completely.
The camp was illuminated by mana lamps.
The smell of roasted meat mixed with the smoke from the campfires.
Lusian sat in front of the fire with a plate of meat in his hands.
He took a bite.
His eyes lit up.
"It's delicious."
Adele burst out laughing.
"My lord, eat more slowly."
"I'm hungry."
"That's what you said last time."
Lusian stopped chewing.
"That time was different."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. That was Forest King's meat."
Adele raised an eyebrow.
"And this?"
Lusian looked at the plate.
Then at Adele.
"...I don't know."
Adele smiled.
"Exactly."
Lusian sighed and put the plate aside.
"All right. I won't eat anymore."
"Wise decision."
"But only because I don't want you to force me to sleep in the carriage again."
Adele laughed.
"That was your own fault."
Lusian opened his mouth to argue.
Then he heard a small laugh.
He turned.
Isabella was sitting near the fire, trying to hide a smile.
Lusian pointed at her.
"You're laughing."
Isabella lowered her hand.
"I would never do such a thing, my lord."
"You're doing it right now."
"I was only smiling."
"Same thing."
Adele laughed again.
Lusian looked at her indignantly.
"Don't encourage her."
Isabella lowered her gaze, but this time she couldn't hide her smile.
Lusian smiled.
"Besides, you're a terrible maid."
Isabella raised her head.
For the first time, there was something playful in her eyes.
"And you're a terrible master."
Adele burst out laughing.
Lusian placed a hand over his chest.
"Did you just insult your master?"
"You started it."
"That doesn't matter."
Isabella gave a small bow.
"I'm terribly sorry, my terrible master."
Adele nearly choked from laughing.
Lusian looked at her.
"Whose side are you on?"
Adele shrugged.
"Whichever side is more fun."
"Unbelievable. I can't trust either of you."
Isabella laughed again.
This time, she didn't try to hide it.
Lusian watched her for a moment.
Her shoulders were no longer tense.
She wasn't constantly watching the caravan anymore.
For the first time since they had left the capital, she seemed to have forgotten everything she had lost.
Lusian smiled.
That was enough.
He couldn't give her back her home.
Or her family name.
Or the life she had left behind.
But at least he could give her one night when she didn't have to think about it.
"Adele."
"Yes?"
"Save some meat for tomorrow."
Adele looked at him suspiciously.
"Didn't you just say you weren't going to eat anymore?"
"Today."
"My lord..."
Isabella laughed again.
Lusian smiled.
For a few moments, the camp felt like a normal place.
Just friends gathered around a campfire.
Then Lusian looked up.
His smile disappeared.
The lights were still there.
But now they were much brighter.
Blue.
Purple.
Gold.
They stretched across the sky like veins of light between the clouds.
Lusian stopped breathing for a moment.
He knew this.
He had seen it before.
In the game.
But much later.
Much, much later.
The rising mana.
The beasts abandoning their territories.
The mutations.
And now this.
Everything was happening far too early.
Lusian slowly lowered his gaze.
"No..."
Isabella looked at him.
"My lord?"
Lusian didn't answer.
The calm from a few moments ago was gone.
His mind had already begun working.
The census was only the beginning.
He needed to know how many people actually lived in every town and village.
Not just to keep records.
He needed to know how many people he would eventually have to move.
Because he couldn't wait for the monsters to arrive.
He had to evacuate the rural population before that happened.
The large cities were the only option.
Their walls could withstand attacks.
They had soldiers, warehouses, and better defenses.
Small villages didn't.
The problem was what to do with all those people once they arrived.
Food.
They needed food.
A lot of it.
He would have to start filling the warehouses before ordering any evacuations.
If he waited until the last moment, the cities wouldn't have enough resources to accommodate thousands of people.
And then...
The walls.
They had to be reinforced.
The gates had to be inspected.
Weak points repaired.
Guards increased.
Defenses prepared for something far worse than a few wandering monsters.
Lusian clenched his fingers.
First, the census.
Then, supplies.
And finally, the defenses.
The census would be the excuse.
The food would be the preparation.
And the walls...
The real line of survival.
He didn't know how much time he had.
But he knew one thing.
Once the monsters began moving in large numbers, it would already be too late to start preparing.