Then, just as they were exploring the other routes inside the mountain, suddenly the whole mountain began to shake.
"Liebe, this place is shaking! We'll get crushed!" Licht shouted.
Liebe's expression remained calm but sharp. "Everyone, evacuate! Licht, David, focus on getting everyone out!"
"Understood!" Licht and David replied in unison, guiding the units through the tunnels as rocks and debris tumbled around them. They barely escaped before sections of the caves collapsed.
"I'm sorry, Liebe… we failed," Licht said, guilt heavy in his voice.
"No worries," Liebe said. "Is Lara's unit in position?"
"Yes, Lord," Gelda replied.
"Elizabeth, join me for the attack," Liebe commanded.
"Ready," Elizabeth answered, her hands already crackling with magical energy.
As the other mages supported them, Liebe channeled his power. "Shadow X Dark Magic!"
Arteos, watching the scene, murmured, "Such power… it's simply delicious."
For an instant, it looked as if Liebe's very skin had changed; dark horns sprouted from his head as his aura surged.
"Devil's Decide!" Liebe shouted, drawing his dual swords.
"Darkest Clense, condense!"
The upper part of the mountain was sliced clean off as Liebe's attack tore through the rock.
"Lara, are you ready?" Liebe asked.
"Ready, Captain," Lara replied. Giant wires and magical constructs struck the targeted section of the mountain.
"You wouldn't dare," Licht muttered.
"I always knew," Liebe said, "that it would be impossible to take the leader of the largest terrorist group in our nation from the heart of an infestation. The best way… was to remove the infestations entirely."
The ground shook violently as magical and mechanical forces collided.
"How did you do that?" Lara asked.
"Holy Relic Strings to Athena and the Mask of Ifrit, Mythical Model Hercules," Liebe replied. From the sky, as the ground trembled, the entire severed portion of the mountain was held aloft by Lara and those supporting her.
Liebe's gaze hardened. "Azelf, as of right now, you are under Black Rose custody."
Lara reported, "Sir, there are a total of five Terradons in the mountain. One of them is 1.5 times the regular size."
"It must be the alpha," Liebe said. "Licht, you and your team focus on drawing those five Terradons out. Judging by their scales, Black Wing must have used rare minerals to lure them here and special containment chambers to prevent escape. Their central point… a reinforced room, designed to absorb earthquakes up to a 7.7 magnitude."
"Understood, sir," Licht replied.
Liebe continued, "Send in the automatons."
The mechanical beasts were deployed into the severed mountain tunnels. Mercilessly, they cut down every enemy in sight.
"Light Magic! Light Strike!" Licht shouted as the Terradons noticed them and roared, charging forward.
"Take Stal's western division and draw them to the borders of Heldore. The desert terrain should be suitable for them. Avoid urban areas and alert every knighthood base along their paths," Liebe ordered.
"Understood," Gelda said.
As the automatons secured the mountain, Eldrie reported, "Sir, in the central area, there are no signs of life."
"Deploy Plan B," Liebe said.
"Understood," Eldrie replied.
Liebe surveyed the aftermath. The mountain was secured, the enemy defeated. "Looks like we have won."