As the saying goes: Haste makes waste.
Thus, it was understandable that Lobotomy Corporation might experience minor setbacks amidst the chaos of an external invasion.
In fact, when news of The City's invasion spread, many citizens briefly fell into a state of confusion.
However, this commotion quickly subsided.
It wasn't that the citizens were particularly confident in The City's fighting power—after all, unless they worked for a Wing, few truly understood The City's hidden strength.
But they knew one thing clearly: The Head had already spoken.
Since the Head himself had released a short statement declaring the situation would soon be resolved and instructed The City to continue business as usual, most residents simply shrugged and returned to their daily routines.
After all, even if the sky fell, someone taller would bear the brunt. Besides, a war with the three-nation coalition wasn't exactly their personal problem. The City was, at its core, still a city of migrants.
Thus, the war failed to create any lasting panic inside The City itself, allowing the conflict between the coalition and The City to unfold quietly on the outskirts.
The coalition's first obstacle was the "hurried and clumsy" Lobotomy Corporation.
This containment breach wasn't merely one or two Abnormalities escaping from their chambers—it was nearly all of them.
Even worse, these escaped Abnormalities had fled into the uncontrolled outskirts, gathering inexplicably in one particular location, almost as if someone had intentionally lured them there.
As for why they chose that specific place... there wasn't anything notably special about it, except it happened to be the main route the coalition had chosen for their invasion.
Consequently, except for [Nothing There], practically every Abnormality held by Lobotomy Corporation had assembled along the path.
As for containing them again?
Well, wasn't that exactly what Lobotomy Corporation had trained their employees to do all this time?
Thus, Obsidian sat quietly in his small cabin, patiently awaiting the coalition's arrival.
---
When the Ursus commander first stepped onto City territory, his face bore an expression of smug assurance.
War had already been declared some time ago... yet The City had still done absolutely nothing in response.
Wasn't this a clear sign of weak combat capability?
Previously, the officer had held some concerns. After all, The City's true strength was completely unknown.
If something went wrong, the outcome would certainly be unpleasant.
But now, looking at The City's apparent negligence, he realized he had worried needlessly.
Commerce-focused cities really don't have much fighting power, do they? Just like Lungmen—they're economically strong but militarily weak.
Confidently thinking along these lines, the commander slowly advanced into the desolate fields ahead.
The forces of Ursus, Leithanien, and Victoria had divided into three columns, aiming for maximum efficiency in their blitzkrieg attack. Currently, the Leithanien forces were moving steadily along the right flank towards The City.
"Report, sir! There appears to be a massive field of flowers ahead!"
Suddenly, a scout rushed back, urgently reporting to the commander.
"...Any sign of an ambush?"
"Uncertain, sir. The flowers seem ideal for an ambush," the scout replied firmly, shaking his head.
The commander pondered briefly, then drew his sword decisively:
"There's nothing to fear. Men! Charge ahead! Do not disgrace the Army Group's name!"
Banners waved vigorously, and a fierce cry rose from the ranks. Ursus's War Beasts surged forward first, followed closely by countless infantry. As they charged, they continuously scanned their surroundings—but no hidden enemies appeared.
Gradually, their caution gave way to boldness.
Directly ahead lay the flower field, countless white blossoms spread across the ground. The commander glanced up briefly.
Going around would waste too much time—at least two or three extra hours.
They needed to stay on schedule to link up with the other forces.
After brief hesitation, he shouted the order:
"All units, charge straight through!"
"Yes, sir!"
With thunderous shouts, the army surged forward. The commander personally led the charge, rushing into the sea of white flowers.
Yet, with this single reckless decision, they plunged headfirst into disaster.
Hidden beneath those beautiful blossoms was deadly danger.
The commander pressed forward, clearing the way with his sword. Less than two minutes later, an ear-piercing scream suddenly tore through the air.
"Commander!"
He spun around, goosebumps crawling up his spine, pupils shrinking in horror, nearly dropping his sword.
From beneath the flowerbed, a monstrous creature emerged, gaping mouth swallowing several soldiers whole, and with a sickening crunch, it devoured them in an instant, vanishing back beneath the blossoms before he could even give an order to attack.
Cold sweat drenched his back.
Yet before he could fully grasp the situation, the horrific scene repeated again.
Finally snapping back to reality, he screamed desperately:
"Watch your feet! Everyone, stop! Stop immediately!"
"These aren't flowers—they're monsters!"
---
Watching the chaos unfold, Obsidian calmly withdrew his consciousness from the scene, inwardly reflecting that the Abnormality currently confronting Ursus was perhaps the kindest among the released entities.
Of course, he mused, that means there are even worse Abnormalities waiting further ahead for these soldiers.
Truthfully, Obsidian doubted they'd even survive the first few encounters elsewhere.
After all, the three nations didn't dare send too many elite units to attack The City; otherwise, even a single Ten Kings' Court from Kazdel would tear through their main forces like paper. Therefore, in Obsidian's eyes, this coalition was little more than a delivery service of fresh ingredients—
—to the extent that The Eighth Chef might struggle to produce truly exceptional fabrics due to the inferior quality.
Smiling faintly at the thought, Obsidian shifted his focus elsewhere.
Now his attention fell upon the Leithanien army, whose once-harmonious symphony had devolved into utter discord and chaos.
The reason was simple enough: amid their orderly ranks, several soldiers had suddenly transformed into monstrous [Worker Bees], their former comrades becoming grotesque notes of dissonance, completely destroying the symphony of battle…