When Lane began to explain his plans, the air inside the room slowly grew heavier. Everyone's eyes turned to him, silently waiting to hear what he would say. The map lying on the table glimmered faintly under the dim light, and the candle flames cast trembling shadows on the wall. Lane took a deep breath and started speaking.
"First of all, what I want to say is this… we've angered them too much now, and they are under huge threat. An angry person struggles to make correct decisions, so they will attack the market. There is no point in staying here and fighting. If we don't want chaos around us, we will face them in their own home. If there's going to be damage, it's better if it happens somewhere we have already written off."
These words tightened the expressions on everyone's faces. Lane picked up a thin pen and slowly moved it over the roads drawn across the curves of the map. Then he continued speaking:
"Look, we are currently in the southeast of the village, meaning we are at the market. Behind us is the mountain. That place… is where we are right now, inside the mountain itself. The cave is our residential center. But since we can't see the surroundings, all of us have to constantly give active directions, so we cannot sit in the cave. That's why it is essential we don't expose this place. The market will appear to be our main base. If anyone flees to the cave, you will kill them instantly out of mercy, do not forget this under any circumstances."
This sentence sent a cold wave through the room. Especially the last part left a tight knot in everyone's chest.
Sara couldn't take it anymore; she leaned forward suddenly and objected in a harsh tone:
"Kill our own people? Do you even realize what you're saying…?"
Her eyes widened with anger and shock. Until then, she had always trusted Lane, but what he just said sounded completely different to her. Lane placed the pen on the table, ran his hand through his hair, and placed it lightly on his head.
"Sara, I understand what you mean, but you didn't let me finish. And yes, we will. How quickly you forget… at least thirty percent of this village betrayed you. You don't pity them, yet you pity the ones here? What guarantees that they won't betray you in battle? What difference do they have from that thirty percent? In the end, they are not helping you in your cause. Remember, we do not make decisions based on emotions here. If we did, half the village's souls would've already been eaten by the pope."
While Lane said this, his voice remained calm but icy. Each word stabbed into Sara's heart like a heavy truth. Sara lowered her head, her eyes trembling. She swallowed and murmured in a faint voice:
"But… but I'm not sure how right this is."
The tremor in her voice tightened the hearts of everyone in the room. Edwick moved closer, placing his hand on the back of Sara's neck to calm her.
"I understand you. But there is truth in what Lane says. Our cause is against them now. And why should we support someone who doesn't support us?"
Lane turned back to the map and highlighted the roads running through the village. The people around the table watched attentively.
"Listen carefully, this part is very important. There are four roads leading from the market to the church. Two of them are roads the church's army can use. One is the shortest, and the other is the most commonly used. So we eliminate those two."
He drew sharp lines across those paths. The black marks remained long on the map. Then he continued:
"But the other two long roads will not be used. These are the ones we will use. We will split into two groups. Sara, you will take the southernmost road. Edwick, you will take the muddy northern road. The southern path leads directly behind the church. So Sara, listen carefully. You will take forty soldiers with you. You will be in command. You will wait for Edwick's signal. When they face resistance, you will strike from the back and blow it open. This will shock the church. That sudden gap will buy Edwick time and help crush them from both sides."
The room fell into a heavy silence. It was as if no one was breathing.
Lane continued:
"Gorn, you will take the women and small children and wait in the cave. If we retreat for any reason. Edwick, you will take one hundred twenty men and attack from the front. As I said… but you will move fast. You will attack at a specific time before they reach the market. Understood?"
Edwick nodded and said a short "Yes."
Lane looked at the others; they all nodded back. Just then Edwick asked:
"Lane, what about you?"
Lane approached the map and placed a mark on the market, his tone turning even more serious:
"I will wait for them in the market. According to the intel I received, they have an army of ninety. One four-star, one three-star… the rest are one-star aura soldiers. They have no mages. All the priestesses are at the church. I will wait for them at the market… with the ten best chosen people, so I can buy you time. If we take the church, defending it will be easy. Its defenses are practically like a fortress."
As Lane explained the remaining details of the plan, Sara and Edwick exchanged glances. Shock was clearly written across their faces. Both thought the same thing:
"How many layers did this kid build into this plan? He thought of every outcome. If this fails, we'll do this… if that fails, then that…"
Lane finished speaking, took a deep breath, and moved on to the main topic:
"Now to the main issue… I've made a decision. From now on, this village will become a main base. In the future, this place will be the strongest point both in trade and military power. A region whose intelligence surpasses all, whose military can compete with imperial armies, and whose wealth will make empires kneel. I will work for this. And I will need your help."
Then he drew his sword and raised it high.
"Who is with me?!"
His words echoed in the room. Edwick fired up, drew his sword, and shouted:
"I AM WITH YOU!"
Sara and Gorn hesitated for a moment, but the trust in their hearts outweighed everything else. One raised her staff, the other his sword, and they said:
"We are with you!"
Lane smiled.
"This union will be called Saphfire. A place that knows everything, distant from everything… richer than everyone yet poorer than everyone."
The shouting, the determination, the rising motivation… that room was no longer the same room. The union had been born.
As Lane was about to leave, Sara stopped him. She made a small gesture. When Lane approached, Sara extended her hand. A red cloth… carefully folded.
Lane took it in surprise.
"Where did you get this garment?"
Sara smiled slightly.
"My roots go back to the east. My mother taught me how to make it. I wanted to make you a garment in the color and motifs of your kingdom's emblem. After all, the one leading us… cannot be represented by the clothes you're currently wearing."
Lane looked at the garment… it was a hanfu with small dragon motifs. His eyes widened slightly.
"Thank you so much. It's beautiful. One day I'd like to talk to you about the East, what do you say?"
Sara lowered her head and let out a quiet breath.
"Alright… I understand you. Your goal isn't just the West."
Lane smiled. For the first time, he would wear a hanfu. A strange excitement rose in him.
"For some reason… I've always loved this garment…"
Lane went to his room and put it on. It fit him perfectly. He froze for a moment.
"How did these clothes fit me perfectly? Did she take my measurements… did she sneak into my room at night…?"A shiver ran through his body. Then he shook his head."Whatever, forget it… I should go and start the preparations."
By now everyone had begun their preparations. Anyone who could hold a weapon was already in position. The church's army was starting to advance toward the market. Lane gave a loud speech inside the cave to raise everyone's spirits. There were some who were afraid, but Lane did not overlook that. Pain awaited them.
Preparations progressed quickly. Because very soon… the church army would launch its attack.
One day after the preparations…
There had never been such a heavy silence over the village before. Even the birds had gone quiet, even the wind refused to blow. It was as if nature itself was waiting for the approaching storm, holding its breath. No one could be seen on the dusty roads, and even the abandoned houses' windows did not let in a single dim glimmer of light. Despite it being midday, the entire village was under a gray shadow.
Lane stood at the village entrance with ten village soldiers beside him. On their faces, fear, worry, and determination were all mixed together. Their hands trembled, but their eyes never left Lane. At that moment, everyone knew their fate would be shaped by his orders. Behind them stretched the gloomy shadow of the mountain, and the cold air faintly drifting out of the cave sent chills down their spines.
Edwick and Sara had already set off, carrying out the first stage of Lane's plan. According to the intel from the messengers, the church's army was now marching toward them. Metallic echoes in the distance, armor clattering, and heavy footsteps slowly began to be heard. The earth beneath the village trembled, each vibration screaming the inevitability of the coming battle.
Minutes passed. Twenty minutes later, the church army surrounded all sides of the market. Their white armor reflected the sunlight sharply. At their center, a Paladin carrying a massive shield stepped forward, wearing armor engraved with holy symbols. His steps were heavy and full of confidence. When his eyes found Lane, the corners of his lips curved downward.
"So you're the brat who rallied this village?"
His words hit the square like an icy blow. The village soldiers flinched. But Lane gave no reaction and replied with a slight mocking expression:
"Step closer and say it again, it's kind of hard to hear you."
Muttering rose among the church soldiers. The Paladin stepped forward a few more paces. His massive armor rang with metallic echoes at every step.
"Fine, I'm close enough. I'll ask again: Are you the brat who rallied this village?"
Lane tilted his head slightly.
"I just fanned the flame that was already burning, that's all. The ones who rose are you. Oh… and if you're talking about blowing up your precious church, yeah, that was just for fun."
At those words, the muscles in the Paladin's face tightened. The skin around his eyelids quivered with anger. As he slightly lowered his head, the holy aura around him suddenly grew heavier. The pressure in the air dropped inward, even the ground itself felt as if it sank slightly. The sacred aura cast an invisible weight across the battlefield.
Lane sensed this instantly and released his own mana. The air around him also began to thicken. His dark aura merged with the vibration of lightning, and a blue-black shimmer covered his body. It was as if two tigers were facing off at the same border, asserting their weight, while even the clouds above seemed to watch them carefully.
The Paladin shouted forward:
"Kill them all!"
His voice shook the entire square. The holy soldiers began charging toward Lane with battle cries. The clang of their armor, the pounding of their steps kicking up dust, and their shouts filled the surroundings.
Lane stepped forward.
Lowered his head.
And then suddenly… a terrifying burst of lightning exploded around him.
When his dark aura fused with lightning, an unsettling power emerged. Lane loaded the full capacity of his lightning into the Dragonblood sword. Blue-white electric currents curled along the blade, making it seem alive, trembling with power.
Lane lifted his head. For just one second, he looked at the army rushing toward him.
He exhaled.
And slammed his sword straight into the ground.
BAMMMM.
A monstrous explosion of lightning illuminated the entire market. A blinding light, followed by a thunderous boom that deafened ears… The holy soldiers at the front were instantly turned to ash. Most of those behind were hurled to the ground; some were wounded, some fell back screaming.
The moment the Paladin sensed the incoming wave of massive energy, he raised his shield to protect himself and the soldiers behind him. Even so, twenty soldiers had already been reduced to ash.
The village soldiers beside Lane turned pale from the terror of the lightning. They stumbled back in fear. The sound of the lightning spread throughout the village, echoing off the mountain walls.
Hearing the sound from afar, Edwick muttered to himself:
"I guess it started again…"
Then he shouted:
"Everyone attack! That was the signal! Crush the churchhh!"
His group launched their assault from the other side.
In the market square, Lane shouted:
"Everyone try to hold this placeee!"
The village soldiers gathered themselves and tried to form a defensive line, but one of them panicked and attempted to flee.
Lane saw this and struck the man with lightning, turning him to ash.
"I'll turn any deserter into ash!" he said with deadly seriousness.
The other villagers froze where they stood. They neither ran nor spoke. Their fear and obedience aligned into a single sharp line.
Lane reactivated his lightning, increasing his speed. The ground beneath his feet began to crack, and the air around them filled with electricity.
The Paladin spoke mockingly:
"Even your own men fear you. What are you resisting for?"
Lane answered in a low voice:
"Why am I resisting? When your head blows off, you can ask your goddess why. Don't worry… her end is not far either."
These words weren't just an insult to the Paladin. They were a challenge to the goddess herself. And at that moment, every god truly did hear that challenge.
The Paladin's eyes widened.
"You little braaaat!"
He leapt four meters high, descending on Lane like a massive shadow.
Lane dodged backward at lightning speed and countered the attack. When their swords clashed, the sound echoed for a long moment. The impact was so powerful that a shockwave burst outward. Dust clouds flew everywhere, and villagers had to shield their faces with their arms.
Then the soldiers joined the attack. The villagers did not abandon their positions. They pulled out small pouches from their pockets. Lane's earlier order…
All at once, they threw the pouches toward the holy soldiers.
The holy soldiers, seeing it as an attack, reflexively slashed the pouches mid-air.
But what happened?
When the pouches tore, the powder inside dispersed into the air. The soldiers didn't understand at first. But the moment they inhaled…
It was over.
Their skin, inside and out, began to melt simultaneously. The acidic powder slowly corroded them, causing their flesh to drip from beneath their armor. Their screams of agony echoed through the market.
Lane and the Paladin were still clashing swords.
Lane was struggling greatly against this four-star Paladin. His arms trembled, his breath tightened.
He thought to himself:
"What kind of strength is this man made of… I can't keep this up. I'll have to stop him at the church."
The Paladin's attacks continued relentlessly. Barely holding off the blade, Lane suddenly shouted:
"Retreat!"
Villagers and soldiers ran toward the forest.
Lane pulled out the acid powder pouch in his pocket and threw it at the Paladin. Seeing it, the Paladin jumped back and shielded his face with his arm.
When he opened his eyes, Lane and his men had vanished.
He roared in fury:
"You filth! I'll wipe you all out! Twenty of my soldiers died because of you!"
At that moment, a holy soldier came running from behind:
"Sir! The church… they're attacking the church! We're barely holding!"
The Paladin lowered his head. His teeth clenched. The rage was practically spilling from his lips.
"Everyone move toward the church."
And thus, the second great clash was beginning.