The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Battle Begins!

"Wait!"

Winter called out to Serea.

"Is there something else?"

"Please take this. In a crucial moment, recite the scriptures written here to release a one-time high-level magic—'Divine Judgment'."

He handed over the torn pages of the Bible; Winter had, by some unknown means, pieced them back together.

"Captain!"

Seeing Winter attempt to give away the pages, the female Knight looked intent on stopping him.

"This Miss Elf has helped us. This is the only thing we can do for her."

With that one line, the female Knight fell silent. Winter passed the torn pages to Serea.

"Sorry, since we must bring back information, consider this a farewell gift."

"But isn't this a precious item? Is it really appropriate to give it to me like this?"

"If we keep the pages, they'll just gather dust once more. Giving them to you, miss Elf, someone who opposes corruption—they'll do you much good."

"In that case, I'll accept it."

She accepted the pages, and then Winter took a few steps back and performed a knight's salute.

"Take care."

"Mm. Until we meet again."

After speaking, Serea led her party into the mist, while Winter and his group raced outside, trying to get the message back to the church as quickly as possible.

......

Several minutes after departure, Serea examined the torn pages in her hand.

"Master, it was previously thanks to the power of those Bible pages that the mist's density dropped. If we cast 'Divine Judgment' again at the core, the Lost One Barrier will gradually fade."

"Oh, what a precious item. No wonder that woman was trying to hunt them down."

With that, Serea stored the torn pages carefully.

Back on the road, they passed several more outposts. These were much the same as the last; ogres and goblins had all been slaughtered, and such an eerie scene immediately drew Serea's attention. She already had a theory in mind.

"Ahhh!"

A group of Undead spotted them, prompting Serea to comment.

"Looks like the enemy can only control a limited number of Undead—the majority are still roaming free."

Realizing this, Serea didn't immediately engage and instead led her group toward the pillar of black light.

The distance wasn't close enough yet. They needed to get a bit closer...

More and more Undead gathered behind them. It seemed that Serea was purposefully letting them accumulate; thus, none got left behind.

Suddenly, a message came from Leklis—they would be arriving soon.

"Good!"

Serea handed the Bible pages to Celia. Immediately, a chanting voice rang out.

"With my body I enter this world, I walk this world, may the sword in my hand cut down all filth, and here, in the name of the Goddess of Light, I judge you for your evil. Descend! Apocalypse!"

Divine Judgment!

Holy light descended from the sky, plunging like a blade into the black mist.

Bzzzt!

The landing holy blade burst outward, instantly wiping out more than half the Undead horde behind them; the remainder barely posed a threat.

A few swift strikes cleared the rest. When they finished, leklis and the others arrived, drawing along another wave of Undead. Both groups joined up and wiped out the horde in a clearing.

Looking again at the increasingly intense black pillar in the distance...

"Stick to the original plan! Move quickly!" she ordered.

Lola planted four Blood Tree Guardian seeds in the ground, then summoned the power of nature—four thick, giant trees grew up from below.

"What are those people doing..."

Through the Underworld Bug spying on their every move, Beverly sounded puzzled.

"The enemy isn't attacking?"

"No. Judging by their actions, they're building fortifications?"

"We must not let them advance smoothly."

From beneath the black robe, maregof's voice rang out again.

"Let my little darlings join the stage then."

......

Using the corpses of the Undead, Serea immediately established four Plague Graveyard: Undead.

At the same time, leklis hauled over simple platforms. Two were set up at the center and instantly upgraded into Skeleton Soldier Stations.

There went 600 Death Crystals...

It hurt, but for safety's sake, it had to be done.

"Are there enough corpses?"

She turned to Leklis.

"Plenty."

"And the Nagas?"

"They're already at the Kuri River."

"Excellent, let's begin."

Leklis left. Looking at the mist in the jungle, it was much thinner now, and the curse's power was almost negligible.

"Resurrect Skeletons!"

System: Consumed 100 Death Crystals, resurrected 200 Skeletons.

The corpses in the graveyard shed flesh and blood. Soon, skeletons were born. They picked up swords and shields from the cart and lined up at the front.

Just as they formed ranks, fierce roars echoed from the thin mist.

"Raar!"

Hearing this, Serea leapt onto Bone Yan and soared into the sky for a better view. Hordes of monsters charged toward their position.

Mutated Ogres! Fifty of them!

Alongside them came a massive wave of Undead. Clearly, the enemy meant to halt their fortifications.

Unfortunately...

"Lola, ready?"

"No problem!"

With a shout, the Blood Tree Guardians sprang to life. Thick vines wove into walls, forming a rough barrier around the Plague Graveyards.

"Firebombs!"

"Firebombs ready!"

Maro called, and blood slaves placed huge, tree-oil-filled firebombs behind the Blood Tree Guardians.

"Hold off those monsters and the Undead. Don't let them approach."

"Yes!"

The flames were lit—Blood Tree Guardians hurled the bombs.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Several Fireballs streaked out, creating a wall of fire along the shores of Lake Nos.

"Raar!"

Undeterred, the mutated ogres rushed through the flames—only to be met by a barrage of massive stones.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Blood Tree Guardians' ranged throws were powerful; before even reaching melee, the mutated Ogres suffered heavy casualties. Nearly all of the survivors were wounded.

"All troops, forward!"

With a charge, they blocked the assault at the cost of 56 Skeletons.

"Good. Advance within the Blood Tree Guardians' attack range."

Ready again, everyone pressed onward under the Blood Tree Guardians' cover, advancing a kilometer toward Maregof's camp. Then...

Four Plague Graveyards, four Blood Tree Guardians, two Skeleton Soldier Stations, 200 Skeletons!

The second fortification was complete. They were now very close to Maregof's camp.

Seeing Serea coming even closer, maregof began to panic.

"Damn! Tear down their fortifications!"

With Maregof's order, large groups of Undead and monsters attacked again, but...

"Hold them off! Build the third fortification off to the southeast!"

Skeletons shouldered Undead corpses, advancing under cover of the Blood Tree Guardians. When enough bodies were piled up, another Blood Tree Guardian and Plague Graveyard were raised.

Undead attacked from all directions, but against Serea's Skeletons and Blood Tree Guardians, it was nothing.

After another wave, maregof realized any further attacks were pointless.

Besides, he was on defense—why stubbornly keep attacking?

With this, the mutated ogres remained inside, and only wave after wave of Undead assaults continued—hardly a challenge.

Looking out at an open field, maregof's camp was right there, less than 800 meters away.

At this point, the mist had completely dissipated. From the air, Serea saw the source of the black light.

In Maregof's camp, five altars had been completed. Powered by Curse Gemstones, the altars fed endless energy into the black pillar, forming a colossal vortex in the sky.

That had to be the summoning circle for the ritual. Yet there was one thing Serea found odd...

"Where did Adolf and that Alysta go? They haven't made a move this whole time. Aren't they afraid I'll just attack?"

"Master, rituals like this require intermediate or higher class professionals to maintain, and once begun, they cannot be interrupted. Plus, the Alysta from before was only an avatar. So I guess those two lurking demons are locked in the ritual and can't intervene."

"Heh, is that so? That's lucky for me."

Serea studied the altars and Curse Gemstones, remembering all the slaughtered ogres and goblins.

Clearly, maregof had Sacrificed them!

"Oh, maregof... So clever your whole life, yet deceived now."

"Power is awfully tempting," commented Dogsius, to which Serea nodded in agreement.

"Yes, indeed."

Landing, leklis quickly ran over.

"Report to Queen Serea. Jaguar the chief and Oleg the chief have encountered large groups of Undead."

"So the battle has begun! No wonder I had such an easy approach here."

Learning the enemy was drawn away by the bearfolk and beastmen, Serea wasted no time.

"Are the corpses stockpiled?"

"Enough."

"Excellent."

Eight hundred Skeletons lined up at the front, the Skeleton Soldier Station enhancements activated.

Peering into the enemy camp, hordes of Undead roamed: 6,782 zombies, 922 Skeletons, 650 Zombie Beasts, 27 Skeleton Warriors, 8 Abominations, 3 Abominations.

And...

"Raar!"

Atop the six-meter wooden palisade, rows of mutated ogres roared in their direction.

In the center of the monsters stood two conspicuous figures.

A man and a woman; the man was in a black robe, his features obscured, the woman in black clothes and a veiled head.

That was Maregof, and...

"Beverly!"

Camilla shouted, drawing Beverly's attention.

"Camilla..."

With Soul Wings, Beverly flew to the center of the battlefield. Her strength seemed partially restored, but lacking a token, this was probably her limit.

Looking at the conflicted girl, Beverly reached out.

"Come! This time, I can take you away with me!"

"I..."

Camilla lowered her head, her thoughts racing. Serea waited—curious to see what answer this self-deceiving girl would give.

"Why are you hesitating? Come now!"

Beverly's tone was almost commanding.

"Be... Morzada!"

At this, Beverly's pupils dilated.

"I permit you to call me by name."

"You were a fake from the start, weren't you?"

"......"

Beverly said nothing. Her tacit admission made Camilla smile blankly.

"Thank you. Even if it was deception, I still witnessed 'Beverly' wake up with my own eyes."

"If you wish, I'll keep being Beverly."

"No need."

"Camilla..."

"Surrender!"

"......"

Beverly's fingers dug deep into her palm.

"To dare refuse me... That's truly the woman I chose. Very well. But from today, you'll stay by my side forever."

She flared her wings, standing tall atop the palisade.

"Now, you hateful woman, what are you waiting for? I am right here—everything, all of it is right here. Come!"

Beverly and Serea locked eyes. Reading her taunting gaze, Serea parted her lips, stating calmly:

"Attack!"

Her voice rang in everyone's ears.

"For the Queen!" xN

The rallying cry shook the sky. Led by four Gargoyles, the Skeletons charged the camp.

"Stop them!"

Catapults and watchtowers hurled down stones and arrows in a torrent.

Resurrect!

Bone Wall!

Walls of bone and vines rose, providing cover for the advancing Skeletons. The wooden walls and main gate could never stop the charge of the giant beasts.

Soul Shock!

At the same time, Beverly targeted Serea. Serea had already entered 'Blood Frenzy'.

Mental power funneled into Serea's body was instantly devoured by Dogsius.

"Your technique doesn't seem to be doing much," she quipped.

With a swift move—Blood Manipulation—an unwary Beverly was snared by a tendril of blood silk.

Boom!

She crashed heavily to the ground. As another blood tendril lashed out, Beverly swiftly retreated.

Serea intended to pursue, but then, unexpectedly, a voice rang out.

"Wait!"

It was Camilla.

"Hm?"

"Please... Your Majesty, let me handle her."

"......"

Seeing Camilla's pleading gaze, Serea considered for a moment.

"Alright."

With that, Serea shifted shape and departed in Deep Sea Mermaid form. Camilla, surprised by Serea's ready agreement, didn't react for a moment.

But what she didn't know—if she dared show any betrayal, Death would strike at once.

And moreover...

"This is the perfect chance to test her loyalty."

Murmuring to herself, Serea sang in clear tones—a song learned from Tethys. As for the effect...

The Skeletons surged forward faster, racing toward the wooden palisade. Once the main gate was breached, the rest of the battle would be straightforward.

Facing Beverly, Camilla thought to herself:

"If I don't move to seize her, the Queen will definitely kill Beverly with her own hand. So, I'm sorry..."

Blood Frenzy!

(To be continued....)

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