Far across the border, the Norvoss encampment was more active than ever.
Blacksmiths worked tirelessly, repairing damaged equipment.
Engineers conducted thorough inspections of siege weaponry.
Supply wagons moved continuously through the camp, maintaining an uninterrupted flow of logistics.
From a wooden observation platform, Princess Selene observed the steady arrival of reinforcements in silence.
One after another...
Thirteen newly manufactured mana-restraining cannons were carefully positioned into place.
Artillery crews immediately began their inspections.
Some examined the mana cores embedded deep within the weapons.
Others reviewed the intricate runic circuits etched along the barrels.
Every line.
Every inscription.
Every crystal.
Nothing was left unchecked.
Nearby, additional reinforcements from the conquered kingdoms continued to arrive.
Among them were twenty-six wyvern riders.
The flying beasts circled overhead before descending in disciplined formation.
Powerful wings displaced clouds of dust as they landed in sequence.
The riders dismounted with precision, guiding their mounts toward reinforced tethering posts.
One rider gently patted the neck of his wyvern.
"Easy, Dyrot."
The creature emitted a low growl before obediently folding its wings.
Selene observed the scene with measured curiosity.
"I was under the impression they were not yet ready."
She turned her gaze toward one of the riders.
"Weren't these wyverns captured only two months ago?"
The rider saluted promptly.
"That is correct, Princess."
A note of restrained pride entered his voice.
"They have been fully trained and subdued."
"Two months has proven sufficient for their conditioning."
Before Selene could respond, Aerys spoke.
His tone remained calm, yet firm.
"Do not allow that to make you complacent."
Every rider immediately straightened.
Aerys' gaze swept across the formation.
"You are not facing lesser dragons."
"You are facing a true Storm Dragon."
His expression hardened.
"Do not become overconfident."
The riders responded in unison.
"Yes, sir!"
One stepped forward.
"We have all reviewed the battle reports prior to arrival."
"We understand Sir Ebruhan's capabilities."
Aerys gave a slight nod.
"Hm."
"Good."
At that moment, another convoy entered the camp.
Unlike the artillery wagons, these carriages bore the insignia of Norvoss' royal artificers.
One halted directly before Aerys.
The driver dismounted and saluted.
"Sir Aerys."
"This shipment is designated for you."
He unlocked a reinforced crate.
The lid was carefully raised.
Inside rested a suit of dark steel armor, its surface inscribed with faintly glowing enchantment runes.
Even at rest, the armor radiated dense magical energy.
The driver spoke with evident pride.
"This is our latest enchanted plate."
"Its reinforcement enchantments significantly enhance structural durability."
"It has also been treated to withstand extreme physical impact..."
He paused briefly.
"...including dragon breath."
Aerys studied the armor in silence before asking,
"How many sets are available?"
"Four, my lord."
"Only four were completed prior to deployment."
Aerys turned toward the elite warriors nearby. Vaterns that always fight alongside with him.
A faint, knowing smile crossed his face.
"That will suffice."
Aerys then closed the crate and turned toward Selene.
"Princess."
She shifted her attention from the newly arrived artillery to her general.
"What are your orders?"
Selene remained silent for a moment, her eyes sweeping across the camp.
Fresh cannons.
Fresh soldiers.
Wyvern riders.
Elite equipment.
Everything was slowly falling into place.
Finally, she spoke.
"Prepare everyone."
Her voice was calm, yet carried an unmistakable weight.
"We will begin our next assault..."
She paused, watching engineers wheel another mana-restraining cannon into position.
"...very soon."
The words spread through the officers like a spark.
No one looked surprised.
This was never a war that would be decided in a single battle.
Aerys gave a firm nod.
"Understood."
He turned toward the assembled officers.
"Inform every division."
"Artillery crews are to complete final calibration."
"Wyvern riders will begin coordinated flight drills immediately."
"Elite units are to familiarize themselves with the new enchanted armor."
The officers saluted in unison.
"Yes, sir!"
Within moments, the command tent emptied as orders rippled throughout the massive encampment.
The camp, already bustling with activity, became even more alive.
Cannons were rolled into firing positions.
Wyverns took to the sky in training formations.
Soldiers tightened armor straps and sharpened their weapons.
Across the vast camp, thousands prepared for the battle to come.
Standing atop the observation platform, Selene looked toward the distant Lumeris border.
Her golden eyes remained unwavering.
"The first battle taught us much..."
She murmured quietly.
"Now..."
"...let's see what you've prepared for the second."
Far beyond the horizon...
The storm was gathering once again.
------
At Lumeris
-------
The afternoon sky remained quiet as a lone figure descended from the clouds.
Ebruhan landed just outside the command camp.
For a brief moment, the air around him shimmered.
The invisibility spell faded away, revealing the blue dragon in his true form.
Without wasting a second, he shifted into his human form and strode directly toward the command tent.
The officers looked up as he entered.
King Cedric immediately noticed the seriousness in his expression.
"What did you find?"
Ebruhan walked to the war table.
"My King..."
"Norvoss has received reinforcements."
A murmur spread through the tent.
"They've also brought wyverns."
One of the Lumeris officers frowned.
"...Wyverns?"
Another looked genuinely puzzled.
"Against Sir Ebruhan?"
Several commanders exchanged confused glances.
Compared to a true dragon, wyverns were considerably weaker and far less powerful.
Ebruhan calmly shook his head.
"I have no particular concern about the wyverns themselves."
The room quieted.
"What concerns me..."
He pointed toward the enemy encampment on the map.
"...is their discipline."
His golden eyes swept across the gathered officers.
"These are not wild wyverns."
"They're fully trained."
He paused.
"That makes them entirely different from the wyverns I've fought in the past."
The officers' expressions gradually became more serious.
Ebruhan continued.
"A trained wyvern corps can scout, harass supply lines, relay battlefield information, and coordinate attacks from the air."
"They are not a threat because of their individual strength."
"They become dangerous because they act as one."
Before anyone could continue the discussion, a voice called from outside the command tent.
"Sir Ebruhan! Your shipment has arrived!"
The officers exchanged curious glances before following Ebruhan outside.
A Lumeris supply carriage had just come to a stop in the center of the camp.
Several soldiers pulled back the heavy canvas covering the cargo.
Inside were eight enormous tower shields.
Each was nearly as tall as a grown man.
Forged from layers of thick steel, they were broad enough to provide complete cover for an armored soldier.
The driver climbed down from the carriage and saluted.
"Sir Ebruhan."
"Here are the shield plates you requested."
Ebruhan nodded.
"Thank you."
Without another word, he raised a hand.
Blue mana shimmered around the shields.
One by one, all eight lifted into the air.
The massive slabs of steel floated effortlessly, orbiting around him in a slow, controlled circle.
Several nearby soldiers couldn't help staring.
Even after witnessing Ebruhan's abilities countless times, seeing eight gigantic shields suspended by telekinesis remained an impressive sight.
The dragon watched them rotate for a few moments, making small adjustments to their spacing.
Satisfied, he gave a slight nod.
The shields vanished one after another into the space within his magical inventory.
An officer finally voiced the question on everyone's mind.
"Sir Ebruhan..."
"Why do you need eight tower shields?"
He frowned slightly.
"And... they're not even enchanted."
Ebruhan folded his arms.
"I learned something during our last battle."
His expression grew serious.
"My magical barriers cannot withstand the mana-restraining cannon."
He looked toward the distant Norvoss border.
"So..."
"If my mana shield cannot stop those beams..."
"...I'll use something that doesn't rely on mana."
The officers slowly began to understand.
Those shields weren't meant to replace his magic.
They were meant to exploit the weakness of the enemy's weapon.
The cannon beams could suppress magical defenses...
But ordinary steel had no mana to suppress.
A faint smile appeared on Ebruhan's face.
"Sometimes..."
"The simplest solution is the most effective."
Several officers exchanged impressed looks.
One of them couldn't help smiling.
"So you're planning to block an anti-dragon cannon..."
"...with a giant piece of metal?"
Ebruhan answered without the slightest hesitation.
"If it works..."
"I don't see the problem."
For a brief moment, the camp fell silent.
Then a few soldiers laughed.
It was such a straightforward idea that no one had thought of it before.
Yet coming from Ebruhan...
It sounded perfectly reasonable.
A short distance away from the command tent, the atmosphere was noticeably quieter.
Inside one of the military tents, Count Vinson methodically fastened the final straps of his armor.
The polished steel plates clicked softly into place as he checked each buckle with practiced hands.
His sword rested against the table beside him.
Leo stood silently nearby.
His gaze lingered on his father's armor.
Then on the sword at his waist.
Vinson noticed.
His eyes briefly drifted to the weapon hanging from Leo's belt before returning to his son's face.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Do not wander anywhere."
His tone was calm, but left no room for argument.
"Stay with your sister."
Leo nodded.
"Yes, Father."
Vinson continued.
"There will be guards assigned to this area."
"They'll keep the camp secure."
He glanced toward the enormous tent where Mia still rested.
"But when Mia wakes up..."
"...she'll need to see a familiar face."
His expression softened.
"And I think..."
"...that face should be yours."
Leo instinctively looked toward Mia's tent.
"...I will."
There wasn't a trace of hesitation in his voice.
He met his father's eyes.
"I promise."
A small smile appeared on Vinson's face.
He reached out and rested a hand on Leo's shoulder.
"Good."
Leo hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"...Father."
"Hm?"
"...Please..."
His voice was quieter now.
"...be careful."
For just a second, Vinson's stern expression gave way to something gentler.
He gave Leo's shoulder one reassuring squeeze.
"I intend to."
Then he picked up his sword, fastened it to his belt, and turned toward the tent entrance.
Duty awaited him.
As did the battlefield.
Leo remained standing where he was, watching his father disappear into the growing bustle of the camp.
Quietly...
He whispered to himself.
"...Both of you..."
"...come back safely."