The personal guards escorted the human general out of the main tent, but the tense atmosphere inside did not dissipate with him.
The four of them stood silently before the sprawling battle map, where the crimson markings were a shocking sight.
Bai Li looked at the three sisters, each possessing a distinct aura, and spoke in a soft yet firm voice.
“The strategy is set. We must deploy immediately. The sooner we end this war, the less suffering there will be for all living beings.”
Longjiu was the first to step forward, dominantly pulling Bai Li to her side.
Her tone was crisp and forceful, carrying the unquestionable pressure inherent to the Dragon Race.
“I will assemble the Dragon Knight Order immediately. In half an hour, the entire army will circle to the flank of Blackstone Canyon to ambush the hidden troops. The Dragon Race crushing the 30,000 human remnants head-on is more than enough. If anyone dares to come within a single step of you, I will turn them into ashes.”
Baining stepped up to the battle map, her chilly fingertip tapping the position of the East City.
Her arrogant eyes were clouded with frost, and her voice was calm and clear.
“The main force of the Vampires will maintain a heavy offensive posture from the front to lure out the canyon’s hidden troops; the Dark Guards will defend the East City granary and the West City secret room to the death, cutting off any desperate thoughts the humans might have. As for the peace talks — this Lord has never given losers the right to bargain.”
Ziya, like a submissive and clingy little animal, gently tugged at Bai Li’s sleeve.
Her soft, adorable voice was sweet and moving.
“Don’t worry, Father. Ziya will lead the Illusionists to set up a domain-wide Illusion Art to daze all the human scouts. They won’t be able to see or send out any news～ With Ziya around, everything will be safe and sound!”
The three of them had a clear division of labor.
Their domineering, arrogant, and soft-cute personalities complemented each other, making Bai Li feel a sweet warmth in his heart, yet a hint of powerlessness quietly washed over him.
He had once been a top-tier human Great Archmage, proficient in thousands of types of Magic.
He should have been a powerhouse who could stand on his own.
However, ever since he was inflicted with the Dream Demonization Secret Law, this power had become a lock he didn’t dare touch.
He could only endure it, unable to use it even an inch.
“By the way,” Bai Li said, hiding the dimness in his eyes as he looked at the three of them.
“I know Sok. He has a very strong desire for revenge, and he’s insidious and cunning, an expert at using deception. Even if their ambush is broken, he won’t easily accept peace talks. We must be prepared for both possibilities.”
Longjiu chuckled, her entire body radiating Dragon Might as her domineering aura fully manifested.
“You’re just too soft-hearted. With our three races joined together, we can definitely trample the humans. Now, they have no choice but to surrender. If they dare to resist, I’ll personally flip over their central command tent.”
Baining tilted her chin slightly and turned her face away arrogantly, yet she couldn’t help but add, “Longjiu is right. Offering peace talks is already the height of benevolence. Ceding three cities, full reparations, and a Hundred-Year Blood Oath — if a single condition is missing, there’s no deal. The humans have no room to negotiate.”
Ziya shook Bai Li’s arm, comforting him softly.
“Don’t worry, Father～ Even if the humans refuse to admit defeat, Ziya can use an Illusion Art to trap them so that no one gets hurt. More importantly, I won’t let Father see any sad sights.”
Bai Li looked at the three of them, his heart full of reassurance, yet weighed down by an unspeakable heaviness.
He had clearly been the strongest support on the Continent, but now he couldn’t even raise a hand to help.
He could only watch as they charged into battle for him, shielding him beneath their wings.
“Alright… I will wait for news of your victory in the main tent. I’ll organize the frontline intelligence and handle the logistics.”
Longjiu rubbed the top of his head, her domineering nature masking an extreme level of indulgence.
“Stay put and be good. No running around. If you dare leave my sight, you’ll be punished when I return.”
Baining coughed lightly, feigning indifference, though her tone softened unconsciously.
“I’ve already arranged for the most elite personal guards to stay outside the tent. They won’t leave for 24 hours. Anyone who approaches without permission dies.”
Ziya tapped her finger, and a soft purple barrier enveloped Bai Li like a coating of soft candy.
“Ziya will add another layer of protective Illusion Art for Father. Even if something unexpected happens, I can immediately transfer Father to a safe place, oh!”
The three of them went back and forth, protecting Bai Li so thoroughly that not even a breeze could get through.
Even though they were about to head to the battlefield, they didn’t forget to compete to protect him.
The scene was both heartwarming and somewhat amusing.
Helpless and moved, Bai Li nodded repeatedly.
“I understand. I won’t run around. You all must be careful, too. Whatever you do, don’t get hurt.”
The three of them responded in unison and turned to leave the main tent.
Soon, the sound of rhythmic footsteps, ear-shattering dragon roars, and the low chanting of Illusionists echoed outside.
The armies of the three races moved in an orderly fashion, their momentum like a rising rainbow.
Bai Li stood alone inside the tent.
He could clearly feel that power slumbering within his body — once released, it would be an abyss that devoured his sanity and twisted his personality.
Before long, the first report arrived.
It was Ziya’s messenger.
“The Illusion Art has covered the entire region. The human scouts have noticed nothing.”
Bai Li felt a sense of relief and quickly noted the news.
Immediately after, Longjiu’s messenger rushed in.
“The Dragon Knight Order is fully assembled and has quietly circled toward Blackstone Canyon. They remained hidden the entire time and were not discovered.”
Then, the Vampire messenger also returned.
“Lord Baining has arrived at the gates of the East City with the main force. They have taken a full siege posture to lure out the hidden troops. Everything is proceeding according to plan.”
With three victory reports arriving in succession, the plan was progressing smoothly.
Most of the weight on Bai Li’s heart was lifted.
But right then, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and a Vampire guard rushed in, his face deathly pale.
“Lord Bai Li! This is bad! An elite human squad bypassed the front lines and is charging straight for the rear of the camp! Their target is the main tent!”
Bai Li stood up abruptly, his heart tightening.
He instinctively wanted to manifest magic to protect himself, but as soon as his Magic Power began to circulate, eerie whispers surged in his mind.
Dark power crawled frantically along his consciousness, as if some monster were about to tear its way out of his soul.
He gritted his teeth, forcibly suppressing the restless Magic Power.
‘How can this be? Didn’t the Illusion Art block their perception?’
“The enemy has a Holy Mage who can briefly dispel the Illusion Art! They know this is the command center and are intentionally launching a sneak attack!”
Bai Li struggled to remain calm, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably from the backlash.
He had once been a human Great Archmage and knew Holy Magic inside and out, but he couldn’t use Magic to counter it.
He could only give orders in the most clumsy way.
“Immediately send word to hold the rear passage at all costs! Buy time! I will contact Ziya to divert Illusionists for reinforcement!”
But when he grabbed the Communication Crystal on the table, there was no reaction.
“Damn it, the Holy Mage is interfering with the communication signal!”
The crisis was drawing closer step by step, yet he was powerless.
It wasn’t that he didn’t know how; it was that he couldn’t.
At the critical moment, a dragon roar exploded outside the tent.
Longjiu’s figure instantly appeared at the entrance, surrounded by Dragon Flame, her eyes sharp as knives.
Bai Li was both surprised and relieved, his voice sounding a bit weak.
“How are you back?”
“I was worried about you.”
Longjiu stepped forward quickly to shield him behind her, a hint of lingering fear hidden in her domineering tone.
“There is a lieutenant commander overseeing the front line; no chaos will erupt there. As for a few little mice, I can crush them with a wave of my hand.”
Before she finished speaking, Baining also returned with her personal guards.
Her moon-white battle dress was stained with a bit of dust, but her arrogant gaze remained cold and beautiful.
“I sensed unusual movement in the rear and immediately returned to reinforce.
With Longjiu and me here, no one can harm you in the slightest.”
Ziya followed closely behind, lunging to Bai Li’s side like a startled butterfly.
Pale purple mist from her Illusion Art instantly filled the entire camp.
Her soft voice was full of anxiety.
“Father! Ziya sensed you were in danger and immediately broke through the holy interference! The Illusion Art has been retracted to the camp — they won’t be able to escape!”
Within moments, the three sisters who had departed for the front lines had all returned, guarding Bai Li firmly in the center.
Bai Li looked at them, his eyes growing slightly hot, his heart both warm and bitter.
He could clearly have fought alongside them, yet he could only be carefully protected by them like a fragile piece of porcelain.
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