Merslin had heard the voices of his comrades and vassals. And at last, he made his decision.
It was time to stop playing defense.To become the undisputed lord of the South, he would need to take bold action—decisive, undeniable.Only then would Elysium stand on even ground against Hyperion.
Lisa intensified the military training.She reorganized the elite units, upgraded weapon systems, and mobilized every resource to strengthen Elysium's forces.Siege weapons were stationed around the military base. She established swift cavalry units and mechanized divisions for high mobility deployment.
"The army of Elysium shall fear no one. This is the moment we show them our might!"
Lisa's voice rang through the training grounds as the soldiers responded with renewed determination.Within the drills, she orchestrated live exercises simulating the destruction of enemy strongholds with coordinated cavalry charges and tactical assault.
Meanwhile, Serena embedded new spies close to the leaders of the Dwarf and Orc tribes.She deliberately spread rumors of Elysium's growing military strength.
"The army of Elysium stands fully prepared. We seek peace, but we are more than ready to answer any challenge..."
The rumors soon reached the ears of the tribes, unsettling them.Talk of war with Elysium began to carry the weight of heavy consequence.
Simultaneously, Serena secretly provided gold and arms to selected rivals within the tribes, sowing seeds of internal conflict and distrust among their leadership.
Aria continued her negotiations with Dwarven and Orc merchants, deepening Elysium's economic ties.She offered improved trade terms, tariff reductions, and even military protection for vital trade routes.
"With us, your caravans will be safe. We offer security, prosperity, and a better deal than you've ever had."
Her calm but persuasive tone won over many merchants.Some began advising their tribal leaders to cooperate with Elysium instead of resisting it.
Once the army was prepared and the regional alliances had taken root,Merslin made a public declaration in the capital square—bold and unmistakable.
"Elysium desires peace. But we will make it known: no one shall threaten us unscathed.As the Southern Lord, we welcome fair and peaceful relations with all powers.But to those who betray or challenge us—know this: you will face the full might of Elysium!"
His voice echoed through the plaza, steeling the hearts of his citizens.
Not long after, a small coalition of Orc and Dwarf tribes launched a surprise attack, testing Elysium's resolve.Their target: the newly established military base.
Lisa and her forces responded with brutal efficiency.With overwhelming mobility and firepower, the Elysian army repelled the enemy swiftly and decisively.
"Show them the might of Elysium! Let them never again dare to test us!"
Lisa led the charge, rallying her warriors to a crushing victory.
**
Episode: The Third Realm and Alex's Strategy
Under Hwanwoong's orders, Alex entered the Third Realm—a mysterious dimension beyond the boundaries of space, time, and reality—to track down Hyperion. It was a place where the Titans devised their secretive schemes.
"So this is the Third Realm… If I'm going to find Hyperion's traces, this is where I begin,"Alex muttered to himself, surveying his surroundings.
But the Third Realm was layered with overlapping dimensions and endless pathways, making it dangerously easy to lose one's way. Though Alex tried to trace Hyperion using divine magical senses, the trail dispersed like mist—faint and evasive.
"For him to hide this thoroughly... there's something more to this place,"he murmured, venturing deeper.
While scouring the realm, Alex thought of Elysium. He realized he needed to buy time for Elysium to prepare for war against Hyperion. So he chose to support them indirectly, using magic.
Sending a Silent Signal to ElysiumAlex used his energy to send a faint signal to Merslin and Elena, warning them of Hyperion's movements and urging them to fortify their defenses.
"Merslin, time is of the essence. You must hold out until Hyperion's gaze turns elsewhere…"
Providing Magical ResourcesHe also sent magical materials, gathered from hidden sanctums of the gods, to Elysium. These allowed them to craft special armor and weapons capable of resisting Hyperion's magic—giving Elysium a fighting chance.
Continuing his search, Alex infiltrated a covert gathering of Titans and cosmic entities, hoping to learn how they perceived Merslin and Elysium.
Discord Among TitansSome Titans expressed doubts about Hyperion's aggressive stance, fearing his unchecked power might disrupt cosmic balance.
"He's going too far. His path could bring danger to all of us,"one Titan murmured.
Conversely, some cosmic beings were intrigued by Merslin's rise and his proposed new order. They saw in him a symbol of freedom and choice—a challenger to the Titans' stagnant rule.
"Merslin may herald a new age. His order could offer us a fresh chance,"one entity noted.
Alex seized the opportunity. He approached the more sympathetic Titans and cosmic beings, explaining Merslin's vision and proposing an alliance.
"Merslin holds far greater potential than you think. He seeks a just and free order—and together, we can build a better future."
Thus began Alex's divide-and-conquer strategy: secretly forging pacts with discontented Titans and supportive cosmic entities, urging them to hinder Hyperion's plans or defect at critical moments.
He sowed distrust among Hyperion's ranks, emphasizing how the tyrant's unchecked authority threatened even his own allies. Alex even planted seeds of doubt among Hyperion's most loyal followers.
All the while, he pressed further into the Third Realm, finally discerning that Hyperion had hidden himself deep within a rupture in space.
"So that's where you hide... Deep within the Third Realm's core. But your arrogance will be your undoing,"Alex vowed, narrowing in on his target.
With alliances forming and Hyperion's location nearly discovered, Alex sent another signal to Elysium:
"Merslin, Elena… the final battle draws near. Hyperion hides in the deep, but his schemes are already in motion. While he waits for us to falter, we must gather our strength."
He also sent one last message to his newfound allies:
"Our time is coming. Before Hyperion makes his move, we strike first—together."