The following morning began differently.
Even before the sun had fully risen, Vailor was already awake.
From the mansion's balcony, I could hear the constant sound of metal being hammered in the city's forges. Carriages crossed the streets without pause, carrying supplies, weapons, and armor.
Guards patrolled in larger groups.
Mages reinforced the barriers near the walls.
The entire city had officially entered a military state.
I stood there for a few seconds, silently watching it all as the cold morning wind swept through the gardens.
The demonic army was advancing.
Now it was real.
I heard the balcony door open behind me.
Scarlett appeared first.
She still looked tired, but as always, she tried to hide it.
"Did you sleep?"
"A little."
She walked over to the balcony railing and looked over the city beside me.
"It looks like a different city."
"Because now everyone knows the war has truly begun."
Scarlett remained silent for a few seconds.
Then she crossed her arms.
"They're afraid."
"Yes."
"And you?"
I looked toward the horizon.
"I am too."
She let out a small sigh.
"At least you admit it."
Before I could answer, the other girls began to arrive as well.
Liriel was carrying hot tea.
Lyannis had several documents and maps.
Vespera appeared to be finishing the adjustments on her bow.
Rai'kanna was still putting on part of her armor.
Elara simply walked onto the balcony and quietly looked up at the sky.
The atmosphere between us had changed since the previous night.
There was still peace whenever we were together.
But now it came accompanied by a constant feeling of tension.
Lyannis placed the papers on the table.
"We've received new information."
I picked up one of the maps.
"The troops are still advancing?"
She nodded.
"Yes. The scouts estimate they'll reach the first northern regions within a few days."
Rai'kanna slowly clenched her fists.
"They really intend to invade everything at once."
Liriel looked at me.
"What are we doing today?"
I took a deep breath.
"Training. Preparation. Coordination."
Scarlett let out a small smile.
"I knew it."
"We don't have time to waste anymore."
We finished breakfast quickly and left the mansion shortly afterward.
The streets were far busier than they had been the previous day.
Blacksmiths were working even outside their workshops.
Some adventurers were already wearing full armor inside the city.
Merchants organized emergency supplies.
People had begun leaving Vailor temporarily.
Entire families departed in wagons heading south.
Elara silently watched them.
"The evacuations have started."
Lyannis nodded.
"The king wants fewer civilians near the battle line."
It was the right decision.
Even so... seeing it made the atmosphere even heavier.
When we arrived at the guild, it was packed.
Far more than usual.
Adventurers occupied nearly every table while employees hurried about organizing documents and requests.
As soon as we entered, countless eyes immediately turned toward us.
Not only respect.
Now there was expectation.
Because everyone already knew the war was near.
The guild master quickly came over.
"Takumi."
"How are things here?"
He sighed.
"Chaotic."
I looked around once more.
"I can imagine."
"The king issued an official summons for all Rank B adventurers and above."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"And the lower ranks?"
"They'll assist with the city's internal defense."
Lyannis picked up several reports from the counter.
"The monsters have increased too."
"Yes."
The guild master looked worried.
"Dungeons have begun experiencing instability since last night."
That confirmed my suspicions.
The demonic mana continued affecting everything around us.
Vespera rested her bow on her shoulder.
"So, training or a mission?"
"A mission."
Everyone looked at me.
I continued.
"There's no point staying inside the city training now."
Rai'kanna smiled faintly.
"I agree."
We accepted an extermination mission near the western mountains.
Large creatures had begun attacking caravans in that region.
Nothing especially dangerous for our group.
But still useful combat experience.
We headed there immediately.
Along the way, I noticed military activity all across the roads.
Human soldiers were building small improvised fortifications.
Mages positioned defensive crystals.
Even independent adventurers were helping transport supplies.
The entire kingdom was preparing.
When we finally reached the western mountains, the surroundings felt strangely quiet.
Clouds partially covered the sky while the wind swept across the massive rocks.
Lyannis examined the map.
"The creatures were seen near the caves."
We headed in that direction.
As we advanced, I once again sensed demonic mana mixed into the air.
Weak.
But present.
Scarlett noticed it too.
"It's spreading fast."
I nodded.
Soon afterward, roars echoed throughout the mountains.
Huge creatures emerged from between the rocks.
They looked like a mixture of giant lizards with bodies partially crystallized by corrupted mana.
Their red eyes glowed intensely.
Rai'kanna charged forward without hesitation.
The impact of her strike shattered part of the surrounding rocks along with the creature.
Scarlett unleashed flames immediately afterward, hitting two more.
Vespera fired arrows rapidly, aiming for their eyes and joints.
Elara used the wind to throw the monsters off balance on the higher ground.
Liriel maintained defensive barriers while Lyannis coordinated the attacks.
And I carefully observed everything as I joined the battle.
Our group was far more synchronized now.
Much more.
One of the creatures tried to attack Liriel from behind.
Before I could even move, Vespera drove an arrow straight through the monster's neck.
Another tried to leap at Scarlett.
Rai'kanna intercepted it immediately.
Our movements were beginning to flow naturally.
Without needing many commands.
Without hesitation.
That was important.
Because against the First General... a single mistake could prove fatal.
The battle ended after several minutes.
The remaining creatures fled deeper into the caves.
But we didn't pursue them.
The main objective had already been completed.
While we rested among the rocks, Liriel handed water to everyone.
Scarlett sat down on the ground with a quiet sigh.
"We're better."
"Yes."
She looked at me.
"You noticed too?"
I nodded.
"Now we react to each other much faster."
Lyannis calmly crossed her arms.
"But we still have weaknesses."
Elara agreed.
"Our defense against large-scale attacks still depends too much on Liriel."
Liriel looked a little embarrassed.
"I'm doing what I can."
Rai'kanna chuckled softly.
"You're saving everyone all the time."
Vespera looked at me.
"And you're still holding back part of your power."
I remained silent for a few seconds.
She was right.
Even after all the training... I still couldn't maintain both the armor and the blessing at full power for long without exhausting my body.
I still needed to improve.
Much more.
We returned to Vailor near sunset.
The sky was growing dark while small lights began appearing throughout the city.
But the activity remained intense.
Soldiers constantly arrived.
Food wagons passed through the gates.
Blacksmiths continued working without pause.
It felt as though no one slept in that city anymore.
When we reached the guild and turned in the mission, the guild master immediately called me over.
"Takumi."
"Yes?"
He handed me a sealed scroll.
"An official summons from the castle."
I quickly opened it.
It was a military meeting scheduled for dawn the following morning.
The allied troops would begin arriving in Vailor.
So the moment was close.
Very close.
We left the guild shortly afterward.
On the way back to the mansion, everyone became much quieter.
Each seemed lost in her own thoughts.
When we finally arrived, the girls began organizing equipment and supplies.
Weapons.
Potions.
Scrolls.
Magic crystals.
Everything had to be ready.
I went alone into the garden for a few minutes while looking up at the night sky.
Clouds covered part of the moon.
The wind felt even colder.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
Rai'kanna slowly approached.
"You do this a lot."
"What?"
"Standing alone and thinking."
I let out a quiet sigh.
"It's become a habit."
She stood beside me, looking up at the sky.
"In the land of the demi-dragons... warriors usually train until the very last moment before a great battle."
I looked at her.
"Does it work?"
"Sometimes."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"But usually they do it because they need to occupy their minds."
That made sense.
Because thinking too much now was truly dangerous.
Rai'kanna then crossed her arms.
"You know you won't be fighting alone, right?"
I nodded slowly.
"I know."
Even so... the pressure remained.
Because I knew the First General's primary target would most likely be me.
And if I failed...
I closed my eyes for a few seconds.
No.
I couldn't think like that.
Then I heard the sword's voice echo in my mind once more.
"Your mana is unstable."
"I'm tired."
"Not only that."
I slowly gripped the sword's hilt.
"What do you mean?"
"You're carrying too much fear."
I remained silent.
Because that was true.
Far more than I wanted to admit.
I slowly opened my eyes.
Then I went back inside the mansion.
The girls were still organizing equipment in the main hall.
When they saw me come in, Scarlett immediately spoke.
"We're almost finished."
I nodded.
I looked at each of them for a few seconds.
Even though they were tired... none of them hesitated.
None of them thought about running away.
And at that moment I understood something important.
The reason I needed to keep growing stronger wasn't only to defeat the First General.
It was to protect all of this.
The mansion.
Vailor.
The people.
Them.
Liriel noticed my gaze.
"What is it?"
I gently shook my head.
"Nothing."
Scarlett narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You're getting sentimental again?"
I let out a quiet laugh.
"Maybe."
Rai'kanna smiled.
"He really is changing."
Vespera crossed her arms.
"Good. Better than the cold Takumi from before."
Lyannis simply watched in silence.
But she also seemed calmer seeing the group like that.
The night continued peacefully after that.
Even with the war so close...
Even with the constant fear...
There was still something comforting about all of us being together there.
But deep down... we all knew.
The peace was coming to an end.
And very soon...
The real battle would begin.