Published: July 5, 2025
It's the final day of the five-night consecutive postings.
Clang.
Lukiya deflects Zuluma's strike with a loud sound.
"Despite being unable to see and having damaged hearing, to withstand this strike..."
Zuluma expresses his surprise, but Lukiya remains silent.
Due to the roar of the trap, her hearing is still not restored.
Blinded by the flash of light and deafened by the roar, Lukiya continues to fend off Zuluma's sword.
"Impressive."
Zuluma gives an honest compliment.
Even though they are now enemies, they have honed their skills together in their clan's village.
He knows her abilities better than anyone else.
That's why...
"Surrender, Lukiya."
He calls out in a slightly louder voice to suggest her surrender.
"Are you joking, Zuluma?"
Lukiya's hearing seems to be gradually recovering.
"You were always soft, but that hasn't changed, has it?"
She responds with her mouth twisted into a frown.
While her words are mocking, her tone is not.
Feeling glad to see her old rival, who has not lost her strength despite their age, and simultaneously resenting her for becoming a troublesome opponent, is a mix of emotions.
Moreover, the preparation of such traps, and actually defending their intrusion with the forces they raised... it feels impressive on a completely different level than mere individual combat.
However, still...
"Surrender is not an option."
"Look closely, Lukiya. More than half of your subordinates have been taken down, you know?"
"I still can't see due to the flash."
"Are you joking in this situation?"
Zuluma frowns.
But at that moment, a sense of discomfort flashed through his mind.
Lukiya was raised from a young age to become a commander.
Her individual combat skills are of course high, and so is her ability to command.
Having high command ability means not only executing strategies perfectly.
It means being able to keep damage to a minimum.
She would never let her allies die unnecessarily.
So why isn’t she surrendering?
No, why is she not retreating?
Why... is she staying here? Luring Zuluma and the others...
A diversion tactic?
"Damn it, a decoy! Bash-sama!"
In the main conference room of the royal palace.
This is where the defense of this battle is being commanded.
Grand Duke Bash and the commander of the national army have gathered.
Naturally, the Grand Duke's personal guard is securing the area.
However, suddenly the door bursts open, and several shadows rush in.
"Enemies... ugh!"
There’s no time to scream, as the Grand Duke's personal guard falls one after another.
"Protect His Majesty!"
"Ring the alarm for enemy attack!"
Voices fly around.
But the attackers are the Gyuuga Clan.
Those who make a living as assassins.
They won’t let the enemies ring bells or call for reinforcements.
While it’s impossible to be completely silent, the combat unfolds in a remarkably quiet manner compared to the fighting outside the castle walls.
However, the Grand Duke's personal guard is elite.
As time passes, they begin to regain their composure.
With that elite guard coordinating, spirit talismans start to fly.
The one launching them is the target being protected... Grand Duke Bash.
This provides a slight reprieve for the personal guard.
Peeeee!
Finally, the alarm is sounded.
This indicates that something abnormal has occurred around the Grand Duke within the royal palace.
"Hurry! The enemies are gathering!"
The Gyuuga Clan, who had been attacking silently, finally let out a voice.
The voice belongs to an old woman.
The elder herself is directly leading the attack on the Grand Duke.
But this also means that her position as commander is exposed.
Eight talismans fly towards the elder.
Controlled by Grand Duke Bash.
"You little brat! You can control eight talismans?!"
The elder mutters bitterly.
Sorcerers manipulate talismans.
Most can only control one at a time.
Advanced practitioners can manage two talismans simultaneously.
If one can control four talismans... they could be considered among the nation's most skilled sorcerers.
To be able to control eight talismans while being human is not normal.
Of course, there is no one in the Gyuuga Clan who can do that.