"Easier said than done."

"I bet those damned [Harvesters] are hiding in there, disguised as members of the Blazing Sun Church. A head-on fight would be foolish."

"So what, we don’t fight them and just keep kneeling?"

From the clamorous arguments rippling through the crowd, Zorn, who was in a corner, pieced together the general situation.

Over thirty Transcendents had gathered in the main hall of the Gray Mist Council.

At the head of a long, simple stone table, Marquis Albert, his expression solemn and dignified, slowly raised his head.

Instantly, the hall, steeped in the depths of the endless gray mist, fell silent.

After his cold gaze swept across the room, Marquis Albert began to speak slowly.

"Everyone, just a short while ago, the Holy Fierce Sun Church, led by Bishop Andre Burke, surrounded Split Mist Town with a large force of Vice Bishops, High Priests, Priests, and their Knight Order."

"They’ve seized and taken control of the entrance to Split Mist Town under the pretext of an oracle from the Holy Fierce Sun."

"Furthermore, all of the Extraordinary Guards on the first layer have been captured and imprisoned by the Church."

"As of now, we have lost control of the surface and the first layer of the Gray Mist World."

"Although they’re using an oracle from the Holy Fierce Sun as an excuse."

Here, Marquis Albert paused. His voice then washed over the hall, heavy with gravity.

"But the Holy Fierce Sun Church has, in effect, declared war on Ogrande City."

"We should harbor no doubts or wishful thinking. Those [Harvesters] from Saintisman are definitely hidden within the Knight Order outside."

"Right now, the Holy Fierce Sun Church has given us one hour to go out and submit to an investigation."

"After one hour, they will officially deploy their Knight Order to sweep the entire Ancient Ruins."

The general situation was now laid bare before them.

In the faint mist, everyone wore a different expression.

The atmosphere in the modestly sized stone conference hall was somber and oppressive.

The Holy Fierce Sun Church was already powerful, and now they were bolstered by the [Harvesters] from Saintisman.

The Transcendents of Ogrande City alone would be no match for them.

"Marquis Albert, what’s the situation outside Ogrande City right now?"

Just then, a noble in a black formal suit rose from the crowd and asked.

His question voiced the uncertainty on many people’s minds.

The current situation outside Ogrande City was indeed critical.

If the forces outside Ogrande City were struggling to resist, then even if those trapped here had the strongest will to fight, they wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.

Marquis Albert replied in a low voice.

"One part of the Holy Fierce Sun Church’s forces is laying siege to this place, while another part is mobilizing toward Ogrande City Hall."

"Although the battle hasn’t started yet, Duke Simon Bach has already begun war preparations outside."

"Even if the Holy Fierce Sun doesn’t take the initiative to attack, we will declare war on them once we have gathered sufficient strength."

"So... a battle outside is only a matter of time!"

War was coming!

At this, the hearts of everyone in the conference hall sank.

Any lingering hope or wishful thinking they had was now completely extinguished.

War! It was coming.

It had erupted so suddenly.

The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves.

From his corner, Zorn’s gaze swept over the few Middle Rank Level Transcendents seated at the head table.

He mulled over the words Marquis Albert had just spoken.

’Gathering sufficient strength! Declaring war themselves!’

This wasn’t a statement Ogrande City could make on its own, not with the confidence to take on the Holy Fierce Sun and the [Harvesters].

’The higher-ups of Ogrande City must have already contacted the Sun Church, just as I thought.’

After a round of hushed discussions in the hall,

Marquis Albert spoke again in a low voice.

"Everyone, the Holy Fierce Sun Church will soon begin its offensive, sweeping through the layers of the Ancient Ruins one by one."

"Proceed according to the war plan we established. Begin the operation!"

"Also..."

Here, Marquis Albert’s gaze fell on Zorn in the corner of the crowd.

"Zorn, come here!"

Following Marquis Albert’s command, the crowd began to disperse and take action.

As they left, many people cast glances, brief or lingering, at Zorn.

Although Zorn was only a Level 4,

it was common knowledge that Zorn the [Fighting Master] was incredibly strong and possessed an astonishing depth of Extraordinary Knowledge.

After all, he was the one whose strategy had directly guided the seemingly unstoppable [Torlask Steam Train] underground, solving a massive problem for Ogrande City.

It was only natural that Marquis Albert would single him out.

Inside a recently constructed stone room,

along with Marquis Albert,

Madam Mable and the Undead Assassin Tutor, Rosian, were also present.

As soon as Zorn entered, all of their gazes fell upon him.

Marquis Albert, in particular, looked at Zorn with great solemnity and said,

"I’ve heard you have the ability to travel effortlessly between the various world layers?"

"Yes!"

Zorn nodded decisively.

"How do you do it?"

the Marquis asked curiously.

"Magic Ring Tree Origin Resonance."

"Using that Magical Castle of yours as a springboard?"

Marquis Albert was, after all, worldly and knowledgeable; he saw the key to it at a glance.

"Yes!"

A very satisfied smile appeared on Marquis Albert’s face.

"Excellent!"

Then, he slowly said,

"On Geluo Long Street, you were the one who killed that Level Six [Forbidden·Masked Spider King], weren’t you?"

Listening from the side, looks of astonishment crossed the faces of both Rosian and Madam Mable.

A Level 4 [Fighting Master] had killed a Level Six [Forbidden·Masked Spider King].

They knew that among the Harvesters, the [Forbidden·Masked Spider King] was far from a weak existence.

As the number of Transcendents in Ogrande City gradually increased,

a battle happening within the city limits would obviously not escape their notice.

"I didn’t kill it alone. I had help."

Zorn answered truthfully.

"But regardless, you have the strength to fight a Level Six Transcendent."

Marquis Albert said slowly, his eyes carefully scanning Zorn.

"Your strength is considerable, and you can travel freely between the layers. I plan to have you act together with Rosian."

"Your Fighting Sequence is extremely proficient at frontal assaults. After you draw the target’s attention, Rosian can execute a perfect surprise attack."

"The enemy is coming in force this time. We need to engage and harass them repeatedly to effectively stop them from advancing deeper."

"And this traversal ability you possess is perfectly suited to achieve that effect."

"Although this operation will be quite dangerous, if you can effectively halt the enemy’s rapid advance, it will be a great service."

"You should know, we have considerable resources stockpiled here. It wouldn’t be impossible to quickly promote you to Level 5!"

Marquis Albert’s words made Zorn’s heart skip a beat.

Zorn knew that Ogrande City’s official Transcendents had been continuously undertaking missions for the [Golden Magic Ring Source Fruit].

They definitely had a large stockpile of such resources.

"Also... with the enemy storming in, the situation within the Ancient Ruins is extremely critical."

Marquis Albert scrutinized Zorn with unusually deep eyes, his voice low.

"Whatever methods you have up your sleeve, now is the time to use them."