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In the valley between the Dragonbone Desert and Fort Vargan ran a highway, which was the only path connecting both locations. That meant it was also going to become the main theatre for the war. In the eastern ridge, the Lua Cheia United Kingdoms were building encampments in preparation.

“Good job building up here, everyone.”
“We’re here to check things, is everything going well?”

All of the players working there turned around to look at Crim and Freya when they heard them.

Some of them looked like they wanted to speak, but were too nervous… Until one Warbeast, who had chosen to place quite a lot of fur on his character, as that was customizable, approached them. He was Jed, the leader of the Black Wolf Pack.

“Hey Leader, thanks for coming, and the First Lady too.”
“Oh…”
“Ah…”

Jed greeted them casually, while Crim and Freya’s faces reddened instantly.

“Why do you look so surprised? That’s what everyone calls you, right?”
“Re…Really?!”
“Ah…ahahah…that’s kinda embarrassing.”

As he continued to talk, Crim and Freya looked at each other in shock, and Jed laughed loudly.

“Okay okay, that’s enough fun for now, just let me know if it makes you uncomfortable. Anyway, you came to inspect so let me show you around.”
“Ah…yes, we’d appreciate that.”

That casual exchange had quickly eased the nervousness of everyone around there, and soon their tour around the frontline encampment began.

“There have been some attacks, but they’re far and between. Most facilities and constructions are protected by the system in preparation for a Dominion War, so at most they’re just annoying.”

Crim nodded with a frown as she heard Jed’s report during their tour.

“That is most vexing… I beg thy pardon for laying so heavy a burden upon thee.”
“Nah, don’t worry about it. If anything I’m glad you trust me this much. This is all our homeland now.”

The wolf Warbeast replied with a grin, which made Crim and Freya do the same. Being able to cheer up those around him was another reason why some called him Big Bro Jed.

“I’m only afraid that there might be a secret entrance somewhere we’ve missed…”

His voice became more serious as he spoke to Crim again.

As far as they knew, this valley was the only entrance to the Dragonbone Desert, and they were preparing everything based on that knowledge. If there was another secret entrance, then they would have to rush to adapt.

“Don’t worry about that, Lycoris and Setsuna are looking into that matter, nothing can escape their eyes.”

Ryunosuke was also with them, but he had specifically requested to keep his presence secret.

“Ah, the robot and ninja girls… Yes, they seem like good scouts.”

Jed nodded a few times, and then began to chuckle.

“Hm? What’s so funny all of a sudden?”
“Sorry, it’s nothing. I was just thinking how strange it is that we ended up as allies working together like this.”

Something about that was entertaining for Jed, but Crim just tilted her head in confusion.

“If I’m being honest, there was a time when I held a grudge against you.”
“…What?!”

Crim stared blankly at him, not having expected those words. She also began to become alarmed, wondering if she had given too much authority to someone she could not trust…

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already? It should be obvious enough. You annihilated my entire party all on your own during the first ranked tournament.”
“Ah…right, I did that.”

Thinking back to that time, Crim had really left the worst first impression possible. They had simply run into each other by chance, then Crim exterminated their party, singlehandedly sending them all the way to the lowest place.

“At the time, I was convinced that we would’ve been one of the highest ranking guilds if it wasn’t for you. But oh well, then I heard that you were just rushing in a straight line to fight Nord Glacier’s leader one on one, and I couldn’t stop laughing at how idiotic that was.”
“Hrngh…is that really how that looked…?”

Crim squirmed a little, feeling like she was being made fun of, and Freya tried to appease her. Jed watched them with a warm smile for a short while before continuing.

“Nowadays I get the feeling that the frustration from that time is what propelled me forward to where I am today. So I’m actually grateful that you beat us to a pulp back then.”
“Hmm, I suppose that shall suffice… In any case, thou hast noticed it as well, hast thou not?”
“Yes, of course. Usually there’s less of them, but they had the bad luck of coming here while you’re visiting.”

Crim manifested a shadow scythe as she said that, and Jed unsheathed his large tachi, taking defensive positions around Freya who just looked around confused.

“Now… show me how much stronger thou hast grown.”
“Heh, as you wish, Leader.”

After that exchange, they jumped out in different directions…and right after, the agonizing cries of enemy agents echoed through the valley.