The general and the king stood in silence.
Suddenly, a soldier of the enemy—one with the rank of commander—approached the general.
Commander: What should we do?
General (quietly): Wait for my signal.
Commander: Understood.
The commander then stepped back.
General: Hm... King of Milty.
King: Yes?
General: My purpose here is simply to declare war.
King: From the moment you attacked the children representing Milty, you had already declared war on us. There's no point in coming here to say it formally.
General: In that case, we'll take our leave.
The general bowed slightly to the king.
King: Alright.
The king turned to head back to the capital.
The general's expression hardened.
General (to the commander): Lead the troops—attack now.
Commander: Yes, sir.
The general immediately dashed toward the king with a sword in his right hand.
General: HRAAAH!
The king turned around quickly, sensing the incoming attack.
—Back at the capital—
Ray was carrying Hifung over his shoulder, with Micyl following beside him.
Micyl: What should we do?
Ray: The king has already assigned Mr. Feds to protect the capital. For now, we need to get Hifung to the hospital.
Micyl: Okay, let's go!
They rushed to the hospital at the heart of the kingdom.
Once they arrived, Hifung was laid down on a bed. His right arm had miraculously healed.
Ray went to call a doctor.
Micyl: Ray.
Ray: What is it?
Micyl: Look—Hifung's right arm, the wound is gone.
Ray: What!?
Ray rushed over to see Hifung's arm.
Ray: How is this possible!?
Micyl looked confused.
Then Ray suddenly realized something.
Micyl: What is it?
Ray: Don't tell me... he can use Healing magic!?
Micyl: Eh!?
She was surprised—yet a bit relieved.
Micyl: But Healing magic consumes a huge amount of chi energy.
Ray: That's why he always asked us to train together—to increase his chi capacity.
Micyl was even more stunned.
Ray (thinking): You really are amazing, Hifung. You've surpassed me now...
Suddenly, the sounds of chaos erupted in the heart of the kingdom.
Ray and Micyl panicked as they heard the commotion.
Ray: No... it can't be!
—Back to the king—
The general's sword was already inches away from the king's neck, but the king saw it just in time.
He channeled aura into his legs and launched a kick to the general's chin, knocking him back.
The general groaned, clutching his jaw, visibly furious.
King: So now it's clear what your real intention was.
General: Hahahahaha...
King: What's so funny?
General: It's amusing that a king like you can't even comprehend the true strength of the Hakao Kingdom.
The king frowned.
King: What do you mean?
General: It's too late for you to save your kingdom now.
King: What!?
The king turned to look back toward the capital—smoke was rising in the distance.
King: No... it can't be!
He turned back to the general.
General: That's right. My forces here are just a distraction. Right now, five large divisions—over 3,000 troops—are surrounding your kingdom.
King: Damn it!
King (thinking): If I return now, they might attack with full force. But if I fight them first, I might be too late to save the people...
King: I have to defeat you first!
General: What!?
The general looked furious.
General: Fine then!
King (thinking): Tch... I'll have to use a lot of chi for this attack...
The general coated his sword with wind magic and charged.
King: So you like wind magic, huh? Alright then.
The king drew his sword, coating it with white and black aura, then infused it with wind magic as well.
King: Take this—
King: Windstorm!
A massive tornado formed—a storm of swirling wind and fury.
General: What the—!?
Before he could react, the general and his entire unit were sucked into the raging tornado.
The king then took to the skies, using wind magic to boost his speed. He soared back toward the capital.
—At the center of the capital—
Darius, Feds, and three other generals were leading the defense.
But they were being overwhelmed by Hakao's massive numbers.
Feds: What do we do!?
Darius: We keep defending. That's the king's order!
—At the hospital—
Ray and Micyl went up to the rooftop to check on the situation.
They saw thick smoke and burning homes across the residential area. Enemy troops were fighting in the streets.
Ray: What's going on!?
Micyl: It looks like the Hakao Kingdom is attacking!
Ray: What!?
Just then, the king landed behind Feds and Darius.
King: ATTACK!!!
Darius and Feds: Yes, sir!
The generals charged into the battlefield.
Suddenly, enemy forces broke through into the inner city. They started chasing civilians.
King: Damn it!
He rushed to protect the people.
Other enemy units also breached deeper into the capital.
Ray: This is bad. We need to help the citizens.
Micyl: But what about Hifung!?
Ray: You stay here and watch over him.
Micyl: Okay...
Ray: I'll go help!
Ray dashed off to protect the townspeople.
Micyl returned to Hifung's room—only to find it empty.
She panicked, checking every corner.
Micyl: No way...
Then she saw the open window.
—Back to the king—
He had defeated the enemy troops who broke through.
King: Hurry, evacuate to the castle!
Civilians: Yes, sir!
The king flew up to assess the situation. The battlefield was filled with fallen soldiers from both sides.
King: Damn it...
Then he saw Hifung.
King: What is he thinking!?
King (thinking): Right now I need to assist the soldiers—if we keep getting pushed back, the casualties will only rise.
He threw fire magic down from above, burning through enemy troops.
—Meanwhile—
Ray helped an old woman to her feet. Around him lay seven dead enemy soldiers.
Hifung landed beside him.
Hifung: Ray!
Ray (to the woman): Head to the castle now, ma'am.
Old Woman: Thank you, young man.
Ray looked up at Hifung, who was now beside him.
Hifung: You took them down?
Ray: To save someone.
Hifung: Good. I'm here to help too.
Ray: Okay.
Micyl landed beside Hifung.
Micyl: I knew it—you snuck out of the hospital.
Hifung: Hehe, sorry.
Ray: We need to hurry before more people get hurt.
Hifung: Yeah.
They flew up to assess the battlefield.
They spotted Elric, Vlyn, Ziden, and others fighting to protect civilians.
Ray: That's my father!
Ray pointed to his dad fighting beside Feds.
Hifung: Ray, look—they're breaking into the city center!
He pointed to another direction.
Ray: What!?
Hifung: We have to move now!
Ray: Yeah!
Micyl: Let's go!
The three of them landed in front of enemy troops who were breaking through.
Hifung: How dare you!
Enemy soldier: Step aside, or I won't hesitate to kill them.
He revealed his hostages.
Among them were Hifung's mother and father—and three
Milty soldiers.
Hifung was stunned.
Hifung: Da—
Ray quickly covered Hifung's mouth.
Ray: Shh. I know they're your parents. If the enemy finds out, they'll exploit it.
Hifung: ...Sorry.
Hifung's face grew serious. He clenched his fists.
Hifung: If you harm them... I'll never forgive you.