For the hundred-meter tall Mist Tree Sprite, Beacon City in the distance might look more like a gigantic sandbox.

As an intelligent creature, attacking this city would make no sense for it. However, the command engraved in its consciousness from the moment of birth made it unable to refuse the will to flatten the city.

With its massive foot, intertwined with roots, stepping down on the ground, the shockwaves were strong enough to make people within hundreds of meters unable to stand steady. But just as the Mist Tree Sprite took another step closer to the city, less than five kilometers away, the ground suddenly lit up with a Magic array enveloped in red light.

"Earth crack, ignite."

In mid-air, a dozen gray-robed Magic Masters, led by a white-robed one, completed the spell incantation and enhanced the power of this grand Magic to almost a forbidden spell level.

The surging lava and explosive shock instantly burned the left leg of the tree sprite, followed by a piercing screech. After stumbling a few times, the sprite's body halted.

"Ice Magic·Deep Freeze Ice Prison."

The action was disrupted by a blow, and the Magic Masters wasted no time preparing for the next joint incantation.

Below them, two people were looking into the distance, where the mist tree sprite, recovering its damaged tissues with its strong vitality, and the ice fog entangling its legs were delaying its movement.

"Thank you for your assistance, President Collin."

The speaker wore a linen short shirt that resembled a farmer, a sun-shading straw hat on his head, and even held a hoe stained with soil in his hand, as if he had just finished working.

Frankly, not long ago, Collin, who was sitting in the office, was also a bit surprised by the arrival of this individual until he saw him take out the badge representing the identity of a Knight of the Cross from his pocket.

"The Royal Knights directly act under the command of the King, and it is only natural to offer help when possible, especially since the Guild itself is in the city, it is only right to lend a hand."

Collin shrugged nonchalantly, but was actually somewhat surprised. The insignia on the knight's military emblem indicated the rank of a major. Among the Royal Knights who were few in number and known for their elite and secretive operations, he was at the level of a Knight Commander who could lead a hundred-man team. In other words, there were at least around a hundred Royal Knights near Beacon City?

It seems that the news he heard earlier about "Her Highness the Queen temporarily residing in Gilliast Castle" was not just a rumor after all.

"However, as senior Magic Masters, are you sure it's fine not to intervene?" The knight was worried to see that the actions of the mist tree sprite had not been completely restricted.

"Lynn's strength is not inferior to mine, and her ability to lead a joint incantation is even better than mine. Besides, our Magic attributes are poorly compatible, so joining forces would only reduce efficiency."

Collin was quite composed, and even had the leisure to take out a thermos cup containing wormwood tea from his storage magitech device and take a sip. "Moreover, Knight, our goal is not to kill it, right? This is her Highness's territory. The appearance of such a monster should excite her the most, don't you think?"

"Heh, look, they've already arrived."

Before he could finish his sentence, Collin pointed with a smile to the sky behind the mist tree sprite.

The six-element saturated dragon breath descended from the sky, accurately hitting the mist tree sprite, which was already restricted in movement due to the ice Magic. The immense impact knocked it down, burning, shattering, freezing, corroding... a variety of negative effects directly destroyed the seemingly lush crown of the tree, making it look like a large portion had been shaved off.

The pale giant dragon spread its wings and cast a shadow over the mist tree sprite, like a hawk spotting its prey.

On the dragon's back, a silver-haired young girl wielding a long sword fluttered in the high-altitude wind, her lips slightly upturned as she gazed down.

"I'm going in."

Tiran relaxed her body, falling backward freely, like a falling Angel.

Then she revealed the ultimate sword imbued with spatial laws.

For a moment, the Magic Masters and Dark Knights watching the battlefield nearby doubted what they were seeing.

Was that lightning? Or something else? A pitch-black, deep crack suddenly appeared in mid-air, as if an ugly scar on a painting tore it apart from top to bottom, cutting through the mist tree sprite within the painting along with it.

The crack seemed to last only for an instant, yet also felt like an eternity. When everyone came back to their senses, it was as if it had never existed. The only trace of its existence was the mist tree sprite, now completely severed in two from top to bottom.

The grotesque mimicry of a face on the sprite now looked lifeless, its fractured form adding to its eerie appearance. The body that had been fiercely resisting the ice Magic before now seemed frozen, entirely entering a state of rigidity.

Having executed the finishing blow, Tiran twisted her body to deliver a final strike before landing, landing steadily with the help of a rotating Chi cushion.

With a graceful motion, she turned around, sheathed her sword, brushed her long hair aside, feeling quite heroic.

"Indeed quite impressive."

Also landing beside her in human form, Aya nodded in agreement while holding her chin. "Hmm, if only I wasn't wearing a swimsuit."

"What's wrong with a swimsuit? Battling in a swimsuit is romantic for otakus."

Tiran let out a soft hum, her cheeks also slightly tinged with red.

No, no, she thought, realizing she was feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Aya, it's sly of you to change out of your clothes!"

"Can't help it, it's convenient with Magic." Aya wore an innocent expression but her eyes gleamed mischievously.

"You're becoming more and more cunning."

"All thanks to Her Highness the Princess." Aya stuck out her tongue.

They exchanged a glance and burst into laughter simultaneously.

"There's only one thing left to do."

Glancing at the crystal ball in Aya's hand, Tiran clenched her fist. "Let's properly teach that insolent fellow a lesson."

But at that moment—

Crack. Rustle rustle...

Sounds of branches swaying and vegetation growing were heard from behind, amidst the silence.

“Heroes must make a dramatic entrance when everyone is in danger, striking down enemies with style to be considered true heroes. Eliminating threats inconspicuously where no one sees does not make a hero.”

"In other words, a hero play without dramatic effects is boring."

In the vast wilderness, beneath an oak tree atop a small hill, a girl opened her arms and gazed at the towering mist tree sprite in the distance.

"..."

Beside her, the holy knight, still looking grim, leaned against the tree trunk, his brow furrowed.

More and more, he couldn't understand Vera's intentions. Betraying the church, helping them, and ultimately releasing a monster of siege proportions to ruin the church's plans... Was she trying to stir up trouble between Milanía and the church?

But if that was the case, why did she rescue herself from the custody of that steward?

It just didn't make sense.

Could it be that she was just whimsically playing around?

"I say, Sir Knight, it's disheartening to receive no response from you."

The girl sighed but quickly perked up, snapping her fingers and laughing.

"Anyway, Phase Two initiated."