Iron Dragon Fortress -- Wartime Command Hall.
Dozens of tallow torches burned atop iron brackets along the walls, their flickering light casting shadows across the grim faces of the senior officers gathered around the sand table.
At the center of the hall stood a massive tactical map, its terrain marked with flags of different colors that indicated the current state of the defensive lines.
Seated at the head position was the commander of Iron Dragon Fortress—
Ironwall Garson.
An elderly man with a black eyepatch over his left eye, his features hard and resolute.
Before him lay a military intelligence scroll branded with three star marks.
The black-and-gold–uniformed commander from earlier was also present. Fresh bloodstains still marred his gauntlets, as if he had only just returned from frontline reconnaissance.
In addition, four senior officers sat along the long table, accompanied by two spellcraft advisors clad in gray robes embroidered with star sigils.
Every pair of eyes was locked onto a glaring red zone on the sand table.
The air in the hall was so heavy it felt as though it could be wrung into water.
After a long moment, Garson slammed his fist onto the table.
"Bloodhowl Highlands… are lost."
On the sand table, Bloodhowl Highlands was marked in red—a fortress model perched atop a cliff.
Beside it stood a broken silver banner.
A young staff officer spoke up emotionally.
"The defenders were the Hawkeye Legion!"
"Five thousand troops, equipped with the latest anti-magic ballistae—how could they fall in just three days?!"
The black-and-gold commander, Hegros, cut him off coldly.
"Recon teams barely made it back alive. A gargoyle swarm launched a night assault, coordinated with Soul Devourers' psychic shockwaves. Half the garrison was mentally dominated in their sleep and slaughtered each other."
Another officer turned pale.
"Gargoyles? Aren't those creatures confined to the Evernight Mountains? How did they appear on the eastern front?"
"That's exactly the problem!"
"The alien races are shifting their attack priorities—while we're still responding with defensive layouts from ten years ago!"
Garson's voice cut through the rising argument.
"That's enough!"
"Now is not the time to assign blame. The highlands must be retaken!"
His stern gaze swept across the room.
"The fortress contains twelve Inscription Mirrors. Powered by Nex, they can project enemy movements from thousands of miles away into the Observation Hall."
"If we lose them, our forces on the eastern front will be fighting blind—like losing an eye."
The adjutant beside him added gravely,
"The highlands also control three Nex tributaries. Losing them means the alien races can directly siphon resources that should belong to us…"
A staff officer proposed,
"We could redeploy troops from Ironshield Fortress and Bloodwolf Stronghold, launch a pincer attack from east and west—"
Garson shook his head.
"Ironshield Fortress was hit by a Soul Devourer night raid three days ago. Casualties exceed fifty percent."
"As for Wolfsmoke Stronghold—their commander fell recently. They're still in internal reorganization."
Silence descended once more.
With both reinforcements unavailable, and distant fortresses too far away to respond in time, there was no margin for delay.
The alien races would never grant them the luxury of a calm deployment.
Hegros slowly stepped toward the sand table, his eyes moving between the towering model of Iron Dragon Fortress and the distant Bloodhowl Highlands.
After a brief silence, he spoke, his voice icy.
"Except for the First Division, which must remain to hold the fortress and maintain order, I propose we immediately mobilize the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Divisions for a night assault to retake the highlands!"
"What?!"
An older officer cried out.
"Commander Hegros! The Second, Fourth, and Fifth Divisions are the fortress's most elite mobile forces aside from the First—they are the Fangs of the Iron Dragon!"
"If we send them all out, what happens to the fortress's defenses?"
"What if this is a diversion—an alien race stratagem to lure us away?"
"Exactly!" another officer echoed.
"There are still large numbers of recruits and wounded inside the fortress. Defensive manpower is already stretched thin!"
"If all our elites leave, Iron Dragon Fortress will be nothing but an empty shell!"
Hegros spun around sharply, his gaze like a blade drawn from its sheath.
"Then tell me—what better option do we have?"
"Sit and let the alien races observe our entire eastern defense line from the highlands?"
"Allow them to directly threaten Iron Dragon Fortress?"
He moved his finger across the sand table, tracing a line from the highlands to the fortress.
"From the moment Bloodhowl Highlands fell, we no longer have a rear!"
"Rather than waiting to be besieged here, it's better to commit our main forces now and reclaim the highlands!"
Garson frowned deeply, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously.
As the fortress commander, he had to weigh the overall situation.
Iron Dragon Fortress could not fall.
It was one of the three pillars of the eastern defense line. If it collapsed, the entire eastern front might crumble.
Yet Hegros was right.
Without Bloodhowl Highlands, Iron Dragon Fortress's strategic position would deteriorate rapidly.
No matter the choice, the risk was enormous.
At last, Garson made his decision.
"Hegros, your judgment has merit. However, the safety of Iron Dragon Fortress is always our highest priority."
"It is our foundation—and the cornerstone of morale for the entire eastern front."
"The Fourth and Fifth Divisions will be placed under your command. Depart immediately for Bloodhowl Highlands and reclaim control as swiftly as possible."
"Commander!"
Hegros tried to argue further.
"My decision stands."
Garson raised a hand to silence him.
"Hegros, I will also assign you one-third of the Awakened Mercenary Corps."
"You must do everything possible to take the highlands back."
He looked directly at Hegros, unwavering trust shining in his single eye.
"Remember—Bloodhowl Highlands must be reclaimed."
"And you must return with sufficient strength."
"Iron Dragon Fortress needs both its Iron Wall and its Fangs intact."
Hegros met Garson's gaze. Then, without another word, he slammed a fist against his chest.
"Yes, sir!"
…
The convoy traveled for most of another day.
When the legendary great city finally appeared on the horizon, even Raine, who had once been accustomed to towering skyscrapers, couldn't help holding his breath.
Iron Dragon Fortress.
It resembled no city Raine had ever imagined.
This was not a spire-filled fantasy metropolis—but a ferocious colossal beast clad in steel and stone.
The first thing to come into view was the city wall.
At first sight, Raine immediately recalled Matthew's words—
Fifty meters tall.
Far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
The wall sloped slightly outward, constructed from countless blocks of dark gray stone, with dull metal poured between the seams, reflecting a cold, hardened sheen.
But what truly stunned him were the three colossal towers rising behind the wall.
Arcanist Towers.
Nearly a hundred meters tall, they were like spears thrust straight into the sky.
Massive crystals were set into their spires. Sunlight refracted through them, shrouding the entire fortress in a hazy halo.
Just as Matthew had said—
They looked like guiding stars.
"Nex Accumulation Towers,"
Kyle murmured beside him.
"I've heard veteran mercenaries talk about them… alien races hate that light. Getting close weakens their power."
As the convoy drew nearer, the oppressive presence of the city walls intensified.
Intricate runes were carved into the massive gates.
A colossal dragon was etched across the surface, its eyes set with enormous rubies that seemed to smolder even in daylight.
"It's Officer Aaron!"
"Open the gates!"
A command rang out from atop the walls.
With a deep, thunderous roar, the gates began to slide open.
Raine looked up—
The dragon's eyes seemed to turn slowly, watching them enter.