"Darmaine, did the Old Doal Army really possess such intimidating aircraft?" Rose asked sharply.
"Y-yes… That is 'Indra,' a weapon of slaughter created by the surviving scientists of the Old Doal Army! I've heard it can unleash a devastating beam of destruction…" Darmaine answered, his face pale and trembling.
"A beam? If they fire something like that, we're done for…!"
Endi's voice betrayed his panic.
"No. Even if they could fire it, they wouldn't—so long as Lamia is here."
Cain spoke with calm certainty.
"They're still after Lamia's power…?" Endi clenched his teeth.
"So, you all knew about Lamia's power."
Rose glanced around at his companions. The sudden night raid by the Old Doal Army had unsettled the warriors.
Darmaine let out a deathly scream and fled farther than anyone else.
Nova stared distantly at Indra, which had landed in the training grounds.
"H-hey… isn't this bad?"
"They just showed up out of nowhere… What do we do…?"
As murmurs spread among the warriors, Rose's voice boomed like thunder.
"Do not falter!!"
The murmurs ceased instantly.
"I'll take the vanguard. We strike back!"
Rose issued his short command, burning with fighting spirit.
The once-cowed warriors' eyes gleamed with ferocity.
"Rose, we're coming with you!"
"Young master! As expected of your charisma!"
Esta and Moene rushed to his side.
"My back's in your hands! Endi, Cain—you two guard Lamia!"
Rose's command rang out. Endi replied with a firm "Yes!" and hurried toward the castle, Cain following silently.
"Prince or not, I'll move as I please!"
Back in human form, Nova declared lightly before charging toward the training grounds like a gale.
"Boss! We're coming too!"
The Nova Family combatants, morale ablaze, pursued him. At the front ran Rabesta, sword in hand.
"Wait, you fools! …Tch, hopeless idiots. Fine! Let's go too!"
Rose roared, and the warriors of Nakatam bellowed, "Uooohhh!" charging toward Indra.
At Rose's castle, Lamia cried out with joy upon seeing Endi and Cain.
"Endi! Cain! Thank goodness you're safe…!"
"We can't just rejoice. The Old Doal Army is upon us," Saizo warned calmly.
"That's right. They're surely targeting Lamia again."
Jessica added sharply.
"Why are they so damn obsessed with Lamia…?" Endi frowned.
"If you have someone who can heal wounds perfectly, your army becomes unstoppable."
Cain replied coldly.
"I'll protect Lady Lamia myself…!"
Alpha swung a wooden stick around, only to trip over nothing and fall flat.
"Lamia… who's that?"
"That's Alpha, our new servant boy. My junior!"
Lamia introduced with a smile.
"Ah, nice to meet you! Endi, Cain—I've heard all about you two from Lamia! I'll do my best to be useful!"
Alpha stood, full of spirit—then tripped again immediately.
Endi watched the unreliable boy with a wry smile.
Cain gave him a brief glance, then turned his eyes outward, his expression grave, as though resolving himself that there truly was no turning back now.
At the training grounds, soldiers of the Old Doal Army disembarked from Indra. Clad in gray combat uniforms, they raised their machine guns and marched in strict formation.
Rose and his group hid in the shadows of a building, holding their breath.
"Listen. When I give the signal, we strike all at once."
Rose whispered, and Esta and Moene nodded.
The soldiers clenched their weapons, hands slick with sweat.
Just as the Old Doal troops were about to leave the grounds, Nova hurled himself alone into their midst.
The soldiers froze in shock as Nova tore through them like a beast.
"Uooooohhh!!"
The mafia fighters followed Nova, their furious shouts shaking the night.
At the front, Rabesta's sword gleamed as he slashed forward.
The battle between the Old Doal Army and the Nova Family had begun.
"Tch, this throws everything off. Fine! Follow Nova!"
Rose bellowed, ready to lead his men—when suddenly, countless small missiles launched from Indra.
They rained down like a storm. The battlefield plunged into chaos as explosions roared, dust and flames billowing skyward.
"Fall back! Pull back for now!"
Sensing the danger, Rose ordered the retreat.
The Old Doal Army too withdrew toward Indra.
When Rose turned, he saw several mafia fighters who had failed to escape being bound and dragged aboard Indra.
Nova and Rabesta were nowhere to be seen.
"Missiles, huh? Nice little trick…"
"Ponaparto?! You came too?!"
Rose whirled in surprise.
"Prince Rose~ I'm here as well! Don't worry, King Regalo has Valentino with him!"
Moschino appeared, grinning cheerfully.
"That worthless old man can rot for all I care! More importantly—what are you two planning?"
"What else? We're here to smash that arrogant flying machine called Indra!" Ponaparto bellowed with laughter.
"Old Doal bastards! I'll slaughter every last one of you!!"
Ponaparto raised his war cry—
And at that very moment, the ground of the training grounds split apart. Asphalt shattered as countless giant trees erupted upward, encircling Indra.
Their branches stretched out like razor tentacles, lashing out violently.
Rose swung his spear, slicing branches apart.
Esta and Moene shielded him, intercepting the strikes.
Ponaparto pulverized branches with his fists, Moschino dodging them with nimble grace.
The onslaught paused—but only for a heartbeat.
Then, from the streets of the capital itself, countless more giant trees burst forth.
The burning city transformed in an instant into a sprawling jungle.
All present stared, stunned into silence.
"…This is bad."
Ponaparto muttered, voice uncharacteristically subdued.
"No way… could it be…?"
Cold sweat dripped from Rose's brow.
Esta and Moene were struck speechless.
"There's no mistake. This is Azbal's power."
Moschino whispered sharply.