"Uwaaah! What the hell is this!?"
Endi leaned out the window, spilling his tea as he stared at the royal capital transformed into a jungle.
"Hey! What on earth!?"
"What's happening…?"
Jessica and Lamia covered their mouths in shock.
"No mistake—it's Azbal's doing."
Cain remained calm amidst the chaos.
"Whoa, what is this!? Amazing!!"
Kumashis's eyes sparkled as he leapt into the thicket.
"Ah! No fair, Kumashis! I'm coming too~!"
Alpha trotted after him, vanishing into the forest with cheerful glee.
"Alpha! It's dangerous!"
Lamia leaned out the window, shouting.
"Those two… they're the last fools of this kingdom."
Saizo muttered in exasperation.
Rose tried to lead his men back to the palace, but he lost his way in the forest and couldn't find his bearings.
"Damn it! Which way do we go!?"
Frustrated, Rose drew worried looks from Esta and Moene.
From the training grounds, a shrill voice rang out.
"Can you hear me, you Nakhatam bastards!?"
It was Guild's voice, amplified through Indra's loudspeaker.
"That voice… It's the Guild!"
"Yes, no doubt about it."
Lamia and Jessica reacted at once.
"See the trees covering the royal capital? If we feel like it, we can slaughter royals, soldiers, and even the civilians in hiding with ease! Your lives are already in our hands!"
Guild's voice echoed ominously.
"Our lives… right. I've heard Azbal can manipulate trees. He's threatening us that with this endless forest he can kill us anytime."
Saizo clenched his teeth in frustration.
"You don't wanna die, do you? Then hand over Lamia! Do that, and we'll pull back quietly. We'll even return the capital to normal! You've got twelve hours! If you refuse… everyone dies!!"
Guild sneered thinly and cut off the loudspeaker.
"That's enough, right? Azbal."
Guild turned to see Azbal and Jackson standing there.
"Azbal, why give them half a day's grace?" Jackson asked.
"The longer the time, the deeper their mental strain. Whether they hand her over or not, Baleralc will be burned to ash all the same."
Azbal's cold words froze Guild's spine.
"Tch, fine. With the citizens as hostages, even the Three Marshals won't be able to act. So? What are you going to do now?"
"I'm going out. There's a man I have to kill."
Azbal's eyes gleamed.
"Wha!? Are you insane!? You must never leave! What if you run into a Marshal!? If you're killed, what happens to our dream of world conquest!?"
Guild shouted in a rage.
"Oi… who's killing who, exactly?"
Azbal's bloodshot eyes glared at Guild, who fell on his backside.
Even Jackson gasped.
"Ku-ku-ku… don't worry. Stealth is my specialty."
Azbal left Indra's cockpit. Jackson followed fearfully.
"Azbal… the one you want to kill, could it be…?"
"That blond bastard who humiliated me—I'll never forgive him. He must die."
Azbal's eyes burned with murder.
Around Indra, massive trees loomed, patrolled by Old Doal troops.
Inside evacuation shelters, armed soldiers had infiltrated, children's sobs echoing in fear.
At Rose's castle, Guild's ultimatum drew rage.
"Hand over Lamia? Screw that!"
Endi exploded with fury.
"But… if I do what they say, everyone will be saved, right…?"
Lamia whispered, kindness shining through her voice.
"No, Lamia! Don't give in to those bastards!"
Endi cried out.
"Hand her over and they'll retreat, huh. Can't believe for a second that guy Guild would keep such a promise."
Cain's cold analysis cut through the room.
"Cain's right. They'll pretend to retreat but plot something worse."
Jessica added, tapping her chin.
Saizo and Kumashis both wore grim, silent expressions.
"I… I don't want Lamia gone! Who's gonna teach me my work if she's gone? Let's all fight to protect her together!"
Alpha pleaded through tears.
"Alpha…"
Lamia's heart warmed.
"Well said, Alpha! You're a man, alright!"
Rose entered with Esta and Moene, impressed.
"Young master! You're safe!"
Jessica sighed in relief.
"Yeah. Lost my way, scratched all over… what a pain."
Rose replied wearily.
"Lamia's gift is essential to this kingdom. We cannot hand her over. More than that—she is a beloved citizen of Nakhatam. If we can't protect even one, how can we protect anyone? That's why, no matter what, we'll guard her with our lives!"
Rose's voice blazed with resolve.
"Well, that goes without saying."
Esta remarked coolly.
"Lamia's my friend! I'll protect her no matter what!"
"Hold on, Moene! Lamia's my friend!"
Moene and Jessica bickered.
"I'll die for Lamia if I have to!!"
"Kumashis… so you like her, huh?"
Saizo gave him a dubious look as Kumashis accidentally spoke his heart.
"I'll protect you, no matter what."
Endi gently took Lamia's hand.
"Endi… everyone… thank you…"
Lamia wept with gratitude.
The room filled with a warmth like a soft breeze.
Meanwhile, Darmaine had climbed atop a giant tree, trembling.
"Damn that Guild bastard… he must still hold a grudge about me punching him… if he finds me, I'm dead… but where do I run…?"
He shook violently, but suddenly an idea struck, and he grinned wickedly.
"That's it… if I kidnap Lamia again and hand her over, he'll have to forgive me!! Once Guild has Lamia, he'll blast Baleralc with that ray… then the royals and Marshals will all die! The Doal Kingdom reborn! And I'll reclaim my post as a high official!!"
Darmaine's eyes glittered with the insane light unique to cowards.