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‘How did it end up like this…?’ Zane stared at the butterfly girl clinging to him like an octopus, her limbs wrapped tightly around his body, and felt a pounding headache coming on.

“Do you really not remember anything at all?”

Her clear, untainted eyes held not the slightest trace of deceit as she tilted her head in confusion. “Was there something I was supposed to remember?”

“…Anyway, get down first!” He grabbed both of her shoulders, fingers tightening as he pulled hard, yet she didn’t budge in the slightest.

“No!”

Zane drew in a deep breath. “Three! Two! One!!”

‘Get down already!!’ He immediately controlled Starry to seize both of her arms, and in a flash of white light, Zane transformed into a white wolf and immediately bolted.

The little butterfly froze the moment she saw the golden-haired girl suddenly turn into a large white wolf, her shock cutting off all resistance.

***

To understand this, one had to go back ten minutes earlier.

The Phantomwing Empress had lost her memory. She couldn’t even recognize her own subordinates. This time, the effects of *Invoke: Revival* were completely different from before, and even Zane couldn’t determine where things had gone wrong.

But one thing was certain, the particles that Linnoska had shattered played a crucial role in the butterfly’s recovery. And more importantly… The moment she saw him—the Wishkeeper—she reacted like a butterfly spotting nectar, her eyes lighting up as she threw herself straight into his arms.

The two spirits immediately tried to stop her. Gorath and Linnoska’s fierce gazes frightened her, yet the girl still mustered her courage and shouted, “Don’t come any closer!”

The two of them froze on the spot, suddenly at a loss. After that, the water spirit dragged the earth spirit outside. From afar, Linnoska’s voice could vaguely be heard, “Gorath, explain everything to me clearly!”

***

Ever since the world announcement appeared, countless players had flooded into Wynwater City.

The streets were packed with people, bustling with activity. Even the regular supply shops were beginning to run short. Though, of course, NPC stores would never truly run out for players.

Standing atop the city gate, Aegis watched the lively scene below and nodded in satisfaction. He hadn’t expected Wynwater City to become this vibrant after the arrival of adventurers. Even during the previous defensive battle, their performance had been more than commendable.

It proved that his efforts had not been in vain.

However… the fall of Flowerdance City still weighed heavily on his mind. And on top of that, the imperial capital had remained eerily quiet for far too long, despite such a significant incident having taken place.

“Lord Aegis!” A soldier’s call snapped him out of his thoughts.

“What is it? Have there been any leads on Flowerdance City?”

“My apologies, my lord—we still haven’t uncovered the reason why Flowerdance City launched a private assault on the Dark Fortress,” the soldier reported, his tone filled with shame.

“Then what is it?”
“A powerful individual from the imperial capital has come to see you.”
Aegis frowned slightly. “Take me there.”

…

“General Aegis, a pleasure to meet you.” The man spoke politely, his brownish-yellow hair swept back. A pitch-black longsword hung at his waist, and he wore a blue-black military uniform that accentuated his composed yet formidable bearing.

“You are… Miroi?” Aegis studied the spirited young man before him. He could clearly sense the extraordinary aura emanating from him, the surging sword intent spilling outward without the slightest attempt at concealment.

Fortunately, the soldiers and attendants had already withdrawn. Otherwise, they would have undoubtedly been affected.

“Hahaha, General Aegis, you have a sharp memory! I didn’t expect you to still remember a once insignificant boy like me.” Miroi laughed heartily.

Aegis did not respond. He suddenly rose to his feet, walked a few steps, then turned back and said, “Your growth is astonishing. When did you reach such a level?”

“That isn’t important.” Miroi shook his head. “I didn’t come to Wynwater City merely to reminisce.”

Seeing that Aegis remained silent, he continued, “I’ll get straight to the point. General Aegis, to prevent a tragedy like Flowerdance City from happening again, the Council has already made its decision.”

“With the frontline under such pressure, your strength and prestige are indispensable. However, opposing the Dark Faction is no trivial matter. It requires truly capable individuals to shoulder the responsibility. I will temporarily take over your position, but rest assured, everything will remain as usual. It’s just that, at critical moments, there will be one more person to discuss strategy with.” Miroi spoke with firm conviction.

He then produced a token. “This is that lord’s insignia. It is enough to prove that my words are not false.” As he finished speaking, the atmosphere abruptly grew heavy. Neither of them spoke.

“Heh…” After an indeterminate amount of time, Aegis let out a cold laugh. “When the magibeasts were attacking the city yesterday, where were the people from the imperial capital? And now that the siege is over, they send someone to take my place!?”

“General Aegis! Mind your words!” Miroi snapped in a low voice.

“To hell with that! Miroi, you’d better leave while I can still keep my composure. Go back and confirm this with the Council again—thoroughly. Otherwise… I can’t guarantee what I might do.” Aegis drew a deep breath, forcing down his anger.

“Do you even realize what you’re doing?” Miroi stood as well, his presence surging outward in an instant, the sword at his side trembling within its sheath.

“Of course I do!” Aegis’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint. His fist clenched tight, and with a heavy stomp, the ground trembled as an invisible force burst outward from him, crashing straight toward Miroi.

The two auras collided head-on. In less than three seconds, sweat had already begun pouring down Miroi’s face. In contrast, Aegis remained completely at ease. At last, Miroi let out a muffled groan and staggered back into his seat.

Aegis withdrew his pressure and said coldly, “I’ll personally make a trip to the imperial capital another day. There’s no need for you to come again.”

Miroi glanced at him, then left in a somewhat disheveled state.

…

“My lord, what happened!?” A soldier rushed in, his voice filled with panic.

“It’s nothing. Go about your duties.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Brother, what’s wrong?” After the soldier left, Elna pushed the door open, stepped inside, and shut it tightly behind her.

“…” Aegis let out a long sigh, his voice weary. “Something major has likely happened in the imperial capital.”

If what Miroi said was true, then it wouldn’t just be Wynwater City. Dusk City, Thousand Crag City, and Sanctis Ember City would all face the same change.

He knew the other city lords well, their strength was no more than Unique rank. Yet from that brief clash just now, Miroi’s strength was clearly at least at the Legendary rank. Although he couldn’t wield it freely, which puzzled Aegis, the power itself was undeniably real.

It was far too strange. Aside from the monsters of the Galewind Mercenary Group, hardly anyone could reach Legendary rank at such a young age.

“Hm? What kind of major event?” Elna asked anxiously.

“It’s nothing… I will deal with it.”

***

Three hours had already passed since the dungeon opened.

During that time, countless players had begun their attempts. The people of Cloud Edge couldn’t possibly hold back the enthusiasm of players from other cities. Blocking the entrance and monopolizing the dungeon was simply impossible.

Which also meant that their plan to exclusively control the Frostcrystal Mine had fallen apart.

Some players, brimming with confidence, chose to challenge the Hard difficulty, only to be instantly wiped out, their expressions frozen in disbelief as they were sent back out. Even the Medium difficulty proved no different. Only the Easy mode spared players from that disgusting AoE attack.