Iris was extremely cautious, clearly aware that Sebastian's battle video had also been meticulously studied. As soon as they entered the race field, they immediately dispersed and spread out widely. Their primary goal was to avoid missile damage and maintain a safe distance from the Astra Militarum, striving to evade the long-range electromagnetic cannon attacks.
The military was on high alert, hesitant to take any reckless action. Although they deployed drones carefully, the battlefield had changed from before; drones in the air were now largely untargetable and less threatening.
On Iris's side, the drones were noticed, prompting a quick realization of their strategic advantage: tiny aircraft that could serve as effective observers.
"That small drone should help me observe my formation more clearly," Iris thought silently in the starry space.
The drone soared high into the sky, avoiding enemy fire, aiming to stay out of reach. But why were so many spectators eager to see the Astra Militarum's performance? One key reason was the confidence many still placed in Iris's unit, particularly her long-range attack capabilities.
Previously, Sebastian faced opponents with few long-range fighters. The strongest among them was Ann, who ranked in the top sixteen. There were numerous high elves, but in terms of raw power, they couldn't compare to the long-range species.
However, Iris was different; her long-range units were formidable. Not only that, but her lineup included melee species as well. She had constructed three supernatural species, a rarity among all contestants.
"Iris has assembled three races: Frost Beast, Frost Ice Spirit, and Ice Moon Spirit," Sebastian observed as he scrutinized Iris's lineup.
Recalling the information he had seen earlier, he knew all three species were at the Peak Super Level. In the entire Endless Star Territory, such creatures were exceedingly rare. With three peak-tier species, it was no wonder many regarded Iris as a top contender for the championship.
The Frost Beast was a melee powerhouse, boasting remarkable attack and defense. Its body, covered in thick fur, resembled a Wild Giant Bear, with dense fat beneath. Its defenses matched those of the Wild Giant Bear, yet it possessed superior speed and agility.
Its short-term explosive power surpassed that of a Bear Warrior, but in one-on-one combat, it wouldn't outmatch a Bear Warrior's resilience. Still, the Frost Beast's larger body size and formidable defenses gave it an edge that the Bear Warrior couldn't match.
Among the three, the Ice Moon Spirit was the most unique. Only the Ice Moon Sacred Land could produce such a supernatural creature; there was no other like it. It had limited direct combat power but was classified as a super peak-level being because of its domain abilities. It could create an extremely cold field, a vast icy and snowy domain where temperatures could plummet to dozens of degrees below zero. Under such conditions, most supernatural beings' combat effectiveness would be severely diminished.
Since Ice Moon Spirit, Frost Ice Spirit, and Frost Beast were all creatures adapted to cold environments, the extreme cold had little to no effect on them; in fact, it could enhance their strength.
During Iris and Jeffrey's previous battle, Jeffrey's defeat stemmed largely from the absence of domain-type species like Iris's. Without such creatures, he was at a significant disadvantage.
Sebastian watched intently as the Ice Moon Spirit activated its ability, the Extreme Cold Field. The moment it did, the temperature in the arena plummeted suddenly. A chilling wind swept across the battlefield, ice forming on the ground, and snowflakes began to fall gently from the sky. The soldiers of the Astra Militarum exhaled visible white mist as their breath froze in the air.
Iris didn't hold back. She unleashed nearly all her Ice Moon Spirits simultaneously. In moments, the entire field transformed into an icy, frigid landscape. Snowflakes continued to fall, and the temperature relentlessly dropped to zero degrees, continuing to fall without pause.
The Astra Militarum officers, having studied Iris's previous matches, had already prepared for this. They donned special thermal clothing and boarded the Scarab Walkers. Drones and fighters soared high above, trying to avoid the worst of the cold.
Even the Pikachu shivered and curled inside the walkers. Only the Giant Kong remained unaffected, thanks to its thick fur, fat reserves, and battle armor, which protected it from the freezing temperatures.
The Ice Moon Spirit's domain was unparalleled; such creatures were rarely seen outside auctions and held strategic significance. Every appearance was fiercely contested.
What worried the Astra Militarum most wasn't just the Ice Moon Spirit itself but the Frost Ice Spirit standing guard in front of it. Though their names were similar, their sizes and appearances differed drastically. The Ice Moon Spirit was tiny, less than a meter tall, and quite adorable. In contrast, the Frost Ice Spirit was over ten meters high, with a fierce, intimidating presence. Its translucent blue body resembled a colossal block of human-shaped ice, emanating a daunting aura.
The only long-range attacker on Iris's side was the Frost Ice Spirit. Its signature attack, "Ice Crystal Bombardment," required a one-minute brewing time before unleashing a devastating assault. The attack had an impressive range, ignoring terrain and defenses, capable of targeting enemy positions from afar.
However, this power had drawbacks. The damage was divided, and injured creatures suffered catastrophic harm, while uninjured targets only received minimal damage. For supernatural beings, it was less threatening than for ordinary soldiers of the Astra Militarum, but still dangerous.
In combat, the Ice Spirit played a supporting role, while the main force comprised the Frost Giants, massive melee fighters with exceptional durability and strength.
Few contestants could match the Frost Beast's might, a testament to the high price paid by the Ice Moon Sacred Land to breed such creatures.
Although the battlefield was engulfed in the Ice Moon Spirit's cold domain, the forces remained patient, watching the Astra Militarum's movements as if waiting for something.
"Iris isn't planning to wait for Sebastian's Musketeers and pilots to freeze before striking, is she?" a contestant asked cautiously.
"That seems likely," Huo Kong replied, his face tense. "Iris is too cautious for such an aggressive approach."
"Winning against Sebastian is the goal, so a conservative tactic makes sense," Yeattine added, frowning. "But Sebastian's Musketeers and pilots are not to be underestimated. This strategy is safe, but it's also quite conventional. It minimizes casualties, at least for now."
Iris remained motionless, standing silently in place. Despite the distance from the Astra Militarum's position, her formation was well-defended.
The Frost Giants took the front line, their massive forms protected by the thick cold of the domain. Meanwhile, the Ice Spirit and Ice Moon Spirit lurked behind, waiting for the right moment.
The Astra Militarum scientists and generals remained aboard their walkers, communicating via radio. After some deliberation, most agreed that there was no trickier tactic but to confront the icy domain head-on. Prolonged exposure would only weaken their forces.
"Domain supernatural creatures are immune to targeting because it's their natural domain," an elderly scientist analyzed. "Unless we can summon another domain creature capable of generating a stronger domain to suppress this one."
That was the key: finding another domain creature to counter the cold. But for Sebastian or the Astra Militarum, such an approach was unlikely within a short timeframe.
"Let's try a test attack. If it works, even if it costs more missiles, we can't afford to hold back," Lando decided.
The order was given. Above, fighters launched missile after missile, each targeting the Ice Moon Spirits from over kilometers away. The plan was to wipe them out, destroy the cold domain, and break the icy hold on the battlefield.
Iris, however, was prepared. Around the Ice Moon Spirits, Frost Giants moved to intercept. As missiles streaked through the sky, the Frost Beast immediately shielded the Ice Moon Spirit with a thick layer of ice generated from thin air. Miraculously, the Frost Beast looked unfazed, even appearing comfortable beneath the icy cover.
A missile struck one of the Frost Beasts with a deafening explosion. The thick ice layer cracked and shattered, but it was five meters thick, enough to absorb the impact.
The Frost Beast merely shook its massive body and continued as if unaffected, showing no signs of injury.
Spectators from the Ice Moon Sacred Land cheered, their excitement palpable.
The Astra Militarum commanders frowned. The thick ice was formidable; no missile could penetrate it, and with the Frost Beasts protecting the Ice Moon Spirits, breaking through would require more than just brute force.
"Sebastian's strongest new fighter has finally met his match," a participant from the Elven Star Area remarked with a smile.
"That's the Ice Moon Sacred Land's most talented genius ever. Sebastian is more talented, but he's still young; he can't beat her yet," another agreed.
"This match isn't in doubt," Ann chimed in. "Iris will win and face either Augustus or Sergey in the finals."
Despite the missile attacks, the thick ice remained unyielding. The Astra Militarum pressed on, launching more missiles in relentless succession. The battlefield echoed with explosions, yet the icy barrier held firm.
"Prepare to use that weapon," Cyrus ordered, recognizing that holding back was no longer an option. The battle was reaching a critical point.