Chapter 235. Departure of the Fortuna Coalition Army.

Chapter 235. Departure of the Fortuna Coalition Army.

Eila stood on the walls surrounding Fortuna City, looking toward the distance with thoughtful eyes. 'I guess this is all. If we wait, we will lose because Liu Shu is stronger than Fortuna, and considering how fast she has shortened the level gap, she can probably grow faster than Fortuna.'

Eila sighed, creating a small white cloud in front of her. Looking at the fog, she muttered. "It's starting to get cold."

She was wearing a long black and purple dress that went very well with her eyes and hair. The stylish dress was not just a fashionable choice of clothing but a strong Level 25 equipment dress. This equipment was part of a set with her sword, giving her a total of 500 <Aether>, 300 <Physique>, 250 <Anima>, and 300 <Willpower>.

The stat boost was also tuned toward her own powers, and even when she transformed, this specialized equipment would give her some extra benefits that, together, allowed her to suppress Fortuna, a Level 28 World Tree.

Her individual strength was vastly superior to almost anyone participating in this Sub Level-30 war.

Turning around, the army she had gathered entered her sight. There were 40,000 soldiers, each wearing different armor in batches depending on the power they belonged to. Between them, almost 100 <Second Energy Cycle> powerhouses would each lead a 400-soldier battalion.

The army expected Eila to give a speech, so everyone was looking at her. However, Eila looked at all of them without a single word. This made the onlookers feel somewhat restless.

After a few moments, a woman's voice reached her. "Is the most powerful person feeling restless? This is quite a unique sight."

Eila looked sideways and saw three smiling people walking toward her: two women and one man. The man spoke sternly. "You can't show this attitude before a War, Lady Eila."

Eila answered flatly, her eyes cold. "Your lapdog told me that you three are the ones in charge. What is there for me to say? If you want to increase morale, then you give a speech."

She didn't lower her tone when speaking, so the entire army heard what she said, making many look confused. After all, this was a crusade for Lady Fortuna against the World Tree that was trying to invade Fortuna City... Or so most of them were told.

After Eila's words, their faces twitched for a second. One of the women spoke lowly so that the army didn't hear. "I thought you said you'd be cooperative."

"Elowen, I'll battle as instructed, like I always do. That doesn't mean that I am a puppet you can control as you please."

The man squinted and stepped forward, but Elowen stopped him. "Folter, don't act rashly."

The last woman, a Sylvan, sighed. "You are as stubborn as always."

Eila looked at her and answered. "Lyra, you are as haughty as always. No wonder the person who started most of what is happening studied in your <Azurebell Heather Sect>." She then smiled. "Well, all three of you are Sect Masters around this area because of your lack of talent in the first place, so I am not surprised at how hungry you are for power. Being Level 29 after so long, I sometimes wonder if you just stopped leveling altogether."

Elowen snarled. "Don't go too far, Eila! You and Fortuna are still people under the <Azure Rose Confederation>!"

Eila looked at her deeply for a few seconds and asked, her lips arching in mockery. "Am I?" She turned around without waiting for an answer and jumped down the wall, landing in front of the army. Once she landed, she looked around, making everyone nearby flinch. However, she didn't do anything. Eila just walked toward Fortuna City's army and stood in front of all of them, her chin high and her back straight.

Lyra looked at Eila for a few seconds and sighed. Then, she stepped forward, and her presence expanded outward. As a Sylvan, her beauty was beyond words. Graceful and ethereal, her silver hair and luminescent violet eyes shimmered with an otherworldly glow.

Her voice echoed around with a touch of authority. "Today, we march to fight a corrupt World Tree. A World Tree who has appeared in the nearby area and infected many people with an evil ideology." Lyra paused, allowing her words to echo, and then she spoke. "Such a creature can't be allowed to exist near Lady Fortuna, so we will be her ax and take down our enemies and those who allied with them! Glory to the <Azure Rose Confederation>!"

"Glory to the <Azure Rose Confederation>!"

[Congratulations on defeating <Dark Furbear Level 23 (E Rank)>. You've gained 16 Experience Points.]

[Congratulations on defeating <Dark Scale Level 21...]

[Congratulations on defeating <Swamp Rat Level 24...]

...

Eila then retreated, catching up with the beasts that had ignored her and rushed toward the army.

Of course, the rest of the army wasn't useless. When several dozen beasts arrived, Lyra's orders spread calmly: "Groups one to ten clash with the approaching enemies!"

Together with Eila's contributions, they were quickly dealt with. There were only 30 fatalities, something very acceptable in Lyra's eyes.

Eila looked at those who fell and frowned briefly, but she didn't linger on that.

Lyra saw it and nodded. "Move out! We have only eight hours to reach Sirol City and less than five hours for it to be effective."

The army resumed the march, encountering situations like this one four more times. The casualties were kept at a minimum, but they still managed to go beyond 400 while leaving a few hundred more injured. The high numbers were because there were Level 25+ beasts that appeared, disrupting their ranks much easier.

If it weren't for Eila being part of the army, the numbers would've been at least double.

After crossing the most dangerous area, Lyra ordered once more. "We rest for 20 minutes! Once we heal all the injured, we'll move on."

The army stopped, and the healers in the group quickly began working. Lyra approached Eila and saw that her clothes were stained with blood. She frowned and asked. "Are you injured?"

Looking over, the Lightning Aether Sylvan answered briefly. "No injuries."

Lyra nodded and was about to turn around when Eila asked. "Why use only teams one to twenty? Isn't it better to rotate them so that the people fighting will be less tired?"

Lyra paused and looked at Eila. Then, she answered. "Because, if any other groups fight, I doubt you'll be so enthusiastic fighting. After all, groups one to fifteen are Fortuna City people."

Eila looked at Lyra and nodded, not showing any emotion. "I see."

Lyra raised her eyebrow at such a nonchalant answer. "I recommend that, if you are planning something, you don't. After all, I'll inform my superiors about your performance when we are done here."

Eila didn't answer and proceeded to clean her sword with a cloth. Some of the blood from that swamp could be corrosive to weapons, after all.

Lyra looked at her for a few seconds and shook her head. 'In the end, you are just good at obeying orders. Your free will matters little. I made the right call to get the army's authority. I can't imagine how it would be to be led by someone like her.'

As Lyra walked away, Eila raised her eyes from her sword and looked at her back. Behind her purple iris, there was a deep darkness that nobody noticed.