July 23rd, Noon.

The rebels attempted to use teleportation magic to transport their forces directly inside the fortress.

Ophelia sensed the magical fluctuations and disrupted the surrounding space with divine power, shattering the teleportation portal before it could stabilize.

Enemy casualties were impossible to estimate.

Teleportation magic was extraordinarily dangerous.

The slightest interference from magic or divine power would immediately trigger a spatial distortion, reducing everyone caught within the teleportation process to countless fragments.

Late Night, July 23rd.

Veronica launched a surprise assault.

The fortress gate was battered into a twisted shape, leaving a breach.

After being concentrated upon by the fortress’s defensive weapons, she retreated with minor injuries.

The defenders filled the damaged gateway with massive stones, sealing the gap in the defenses.

Morning, July 24th.

The rebels deployed giant catapults.

Using their superior range, they destroyed one Flame Tower and three defensive ballistae.

Boom!

A massive boulder whistled over Phield’s head before crashing into a hidden bunker inside the fortress.

The impact immediately triggered a devastating collapse.

"So they’ve even brought giant catapults."

Phield gazed toward the four colossal siege engines in the distance.

"It looks like the Imperial Army hasn’t put any pressure on them at all if they managed to haul monsters like those all the way here."

Without exceptional engineering, constructing giant catapults was impossible.

There was no doubt powerful nobles stood behind the rebels.

The giant catapults posed little threat to individual soldiers.

However, every boulder they launched smashed apart another section of the fortress walls or buildings.

If the bombardment continued without interruption, the fortress would eventually be reduced to ruins.

"Does the Empress of the Griffin Empire spend every day attending ballroom dances?"

Standing on her tiptoes, Ophelia looked thoroughly speechless.

"We haven’t seen the slightest sign of reinforcements."

"Meanwhile, the enemy keeps receiving more troops."

"My lord..."

The wolfkin messenger lowered his head nervously.

"I swear our soldiers delivered the message."

"I believe you."

Phield smiled reassuringly.

"Besides, the golden pillar behind us has probably been seen even by the Demi-Human Alliance on the other side of the horizon."

"But that’s alright."

"They’re even more anxious than we are."

"I believe their third full-scale assault will begin very soon."

Ophelia’s expression turned serious.

"And this time..."

"They’ll walk straight into a nightmare."

Phield wiped the blood from his longsword, unable to conceal the killing intent in his eyes.

"Move part of the catapults back inside the fortress."

"We’ll make it appear as though our defensive strength has suffered catastrophic losses."

"Have the entire undead legion equip heavy armor and wait inside the passage behind the fortress gate."

"It would be best if we could eliminate the enemy’s siege specialist."

Ophelia frowned.

"That woman alone is worth ten giant catapults."

"She’s simply too dangerous."

"Leave her to me."

Rosalia grasped the hem of her black dress as anger flashed across her face.

"It’s time for this young lady to fight."

"Those rebels are far too noisy."

"I can hear them shouting outside even when I’m trying to sleep."

"Be careful."

Phield’s tone became solemn.

"The enemy has four Third Tier Divine Chosen and one Second Tier Divine Chosen."

"We must exploit the terrain to its fullest."

"We need to kill at least one of them before we can seize the initiative."

Enemy Third Tier Divine Chosen:

Veronica, Slaughter, Siege Specialist.

Mushai, Corruption, Heavy Cavalry.

Clover, Corruption, Commander.

Sistina, Slaughter, largely uninvolved.

Second Tier Divine Chosen:

Aurora, Holy Light, Defensive Specialist.

Rosalia nodded seriously.

"I understand."

"Thank you."

Phield let out a helpless sigh.

His foundation was still too weak.

Although he possessed several Divine Chosen, none of them had been given enough time to grow.

Once this campaign ended, he would have to raise everyone else’s levels as quickly as possible.

"My lord!"

A soldier hurried over with a report.

"A force has appeared outside the northern gate."

"Oh?"

Phield immediately had a suspicion.

"Rosalia, come with me."

He then turned toward another soldier.

"Bring Sir Annie Rui as well."

"Let’s go have a look."

The northern gate faced the Gray Mist.

Its defensive strength was terrifying.

The only regret was that the magic towers mounted upon those walls had been sealed by forbidden magic and could not be relocated.

Peeking cautiously over the battlements, Phield raised his divine artifact telescope.

The first thing he saw was Richard’s utterly lifeless expression.

"Haha..."

"It looks like Richard hasn’t been having a great time either."

"He wanted to attack my city, yet he couldn’t even find the entrance before I tricked him into coming back with a single letter."

Phield burst into laughter.

If Nightfall Domain had been so easy to conquer, the Empire would have reclaimed it long ago.

"Halt!"

The soldiers guarding the northern gate shouted arrogantly from atop the towering walls.

"Who are you?"

Richard slowly swept his gaze across the fortress.

Every Bull Territory banner had disappeared.

The soldiers on the walls now wore the uniforms of the Imperial Frontier Army.

A bitter smile spread across his face.

For the first time, he regretted raising his hand against his own people.

"If I’d known the Empire was this powerful..."

"I never would’ve believed the lies of the Shadow World Sect."

"Don’t attack!"

"We’re the army of Bull Territory."

"Please have your commander come speak with us."

One of the knights rode forward while waving a white banner.

Disguising his voice, Phield answered,

"I am the commander of the Imperial Army."

"You’d better explain why members of the Shadow World Sect and the undead appeared within your territory."

"Uh..."

Cold sweat poured down Richard’s forehead as he stepped forward with both hands raised.

"They... they were infiltrators."

"When I led my army away to exterminate the undead, they seized control of my territory."

"I’m innocent, sir."

"I see."

Phield nodded thoughtfully.

"I believe in the honor and loyalty of House Bull."

"I’m certain you’re innocent."

"What are you doing?!"

Annie Rui nearly exploded with rage.

She wanted nothing more than to strangle Phield on the spot.

"Ahem..."

Phield cleared his throat dramatically.

"The problem is..."

"I have fifty thousand soldiers here."

"They’re all uncultured commoners."

"They’re bound to spread rumors."

With an exaggeratedly innocent expression, he shouted,

"I’ll need some money to keep their mouths shut."

"Let’s say..."

"Five million gold coins."

"That’s outrageous!"

Richard had barely begun relaxing when he heard the absurd demand.

"Sir..."

"I don’t have a single coin with me."

"I need to return to my castle first."

"No."

Phield remained perfectly calm.

"You can tell me where you’ve hidden your money first."

"Otherwise, there’s nothing to discuss."

Silence settled beneath the fortress walls.

Just as Phield thought Richard was refusing...

Richard finally gritted his teeth.

"In the treasury beneath Bull Keep."

"Move the display cabinet in the corner."

"There’s a hidden compartment underneath."

"It contains gold bars worth five hundred thousand gold coins."

"That should be enough to prove my sincerity."

"I’ll find a way to gather the rest later."

"Excellent."

Phield’s smile widened.

"I believe Her Majesty the Empress has already witnessed your loyalty."

Rosalia immediately gave him a cheerful thumbs-up.

The two exchanged a perfectly synchronized high-five.

"Now then..."

"Take off your armor and surrender your weapons before entering the fortress."

"I won’t mistreat my benefactor."

"...Fine."

Richard let out a bitter sigh.

Looking down at his own shadow, he quietly said,

"Miss Polly."

"Don’t worry."

"I won’t betray any of you."

"As long as I still hold my noble title, I’ll rebuild my power soon enough."

The shadow gave no response.

After the soldiers of Bull Territory removed their armor and weapons, Phield ordered the first gate opened, allowing them to enter the barbican.

Suddenly, Phield leaned over the wall and burst into laughter.

"Surprise!"

"It’s me!"

"Welcome to Richard’s House of Bad Luck!"