The mercenaries that had been gathered around Ghislain parted to the sides, revealing multiple magic circles that had been hidden beneath them. In the center, one large magic circle was surrounded by six smaller ones.

Without a word, Vanessa nodded and stepped into the center of the largest magic circle. Alongside her, Alfoy and the other mages had also been brought here, each wearing a bracelet made of runestone, engraved with intricate spells.

“What kind of magic circle is this? When did you set it up?” Alfoy asked, curiosity in his voice.

Ghislain responded nonchalantly, “Alfoy, you and your friends should step into the circle as well.”

“How can I do that without knowing what this is all about?” Alfoy complained, speaking with increasing familiarity, though Ghislain didn’t seem to mind. Formalities were of no concern at this moment.

Rather than try to convince the hesitant mages with words, Ghislain chose to act.

“Get them on.”

At his signal, the mercenaries drew their weapons and forced Alfoy and the other mages into the magic circles at swordpoint.

“Hah, what on earth are you trying to pull?” Alfoy grumbled openly, but Ghislain ignored him, turning his attention to Vanessa.

“Vanessa, you can do this, right?”

With trembling eyes, Vanessa looked at Ghislain, swallowing hard. Though she had made up her mind, her confidence wavered at the moment of execution.

“C-can I really do this?”

“You can. You must succeed,” Ghislain’s voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

Nodding with determination, Vanessa closed her eyes and began channeling her magic.

Rumble!

Her body slowly rose into the air, magic surging toward her. Despite being someone who could barely cast even a simple 1st-circle spell, the power flowing through her now was overwhelming.

“M-magic transfer!” Alfoy screamed in horror as he felt the mana draining from his body at an alarming rate. He glanced around and saw the same panic on the faces of the other mages.

“Are you out of your mind? Why would you give her control?” he shouted, his voice filled with panic.

Magic transfer was a spell that concentrated the mana of several individuals into one, amplifying the power of the focal caster. However, if the person at the center couldn't properly control the energy, it could result in the death of everyone involved, draining not only their mana but also their life force.

“She can barely cast a 1st-circle spell! She’s going to fail for sure!” Alfoy cried out.

“Trust her,” Ghislain replied calmly.

“Trust her? Are you insane?” Alfoy and the other mages tried to flee, but it was too late. They were already caught in the storm of mana, their bodies helpless as the magic circles siphoned their power.

“This can’t be happening... I won’t die like this...” Alfoy groaned, writhing in agony as the magic drained him dry.

Vanessa, too, was enduring immense pain, gritting her teeth as blood began to seep from her nose and ears. The veins across her body darkened, a sign that she couldn’t handle the overwhelming magic flowing into her.

Her body trembled violently, making it clear just how close she was to her limit.

“Ugh...”

Eventually, a groan escaped her lips, and blood trickled from her tear ducts as the pressure of the magic became unbearable.

As time passed, the others could feel the weight of the mana accumulating around them, a force that was neither wild nor violent but pressed down on them with an increasing intensity.

“Agh...”

Vanessa could endure no more. Her vision began to blur, and her mind slipped toward unconsciousness.

‘This is impossible... I can’t do this. Who am I kidding...?’

Her life had been one of constant failure. She had tasted a brief moment of success, but now she realized that it had all been an illusion. She had been foolish to think she could ever succeed.

Rumble!

The sound of the approaching enemy forces reverberated through the ground, shaking the very earth beneath them. The soldiers of Peridium began to steel themselves for the end, each preparing for their final moments. Some wept, others prayed, while a few clung to the thought of their families.

Meanwhile, the mercenaries remained silent, waiting for Ghislain’s command. His calm voice broke through the tense silence.

“Vanessa.”

“I... I...” Vanessa muttered to herself, oblivious to his call, eyes still shut tightly.

— Can I be of help to you, my lord?

— Of course, you’ll be a great help.

“Vanessa.”

— I want to help you, my lord...

Slowly, painfully, Vanessa raised her head.

“I...”

Every mercenary watched in breathless silence.

“Vanessa.”

— Can you do it?

Ghislain’s gaze was filled with both sympathy and encouragement.

The trembling in Vanessa’s body stopped suddenly. The flow of mana that had been swirling wildly around her steadied, and the blood that had been trickling from her nose and eyes ceased.

Ghislain clenched his teeth so hard they nearly cracked. He turned away and gave his next order.

“Open the gates, Skoban.”

“D-Duke, are you sure...?” Skoban hesitated.

“Open them.”

Skoban swallowed hard. He understood Ghislain’s plan. If things continued as they were, they would surely lose. Their only hope lay in a final charge led by Ghislain and the mercenaries.

‘Well... if we’re going to die anyway, better to go down fighting like last time.’

Skoban motioned for the soldiers to open the gates. With a loud creak, the gates began to part.

On the walls, the people of Peridium gasped in shock, particularly Zubaltur and Randolph, who immediately realized what was happening.

“Stop it! Ghislain, what are you doing?”

“Have you lost your mind? Close the gates right now!” Randolph shouted.

They knew just how capable Ghislain and his mercenaries were, but even so, there were simply too many enemies this time.

Zubaltur yelled again, “This won’t work a second time! How many times do I have to tell you to be careful?!”

The enemy was prepared this time, with dense formations of shield-bearers at the ready, clearly anticipating another charge. It was obvious that they had taken measures to minimize the impact of Ghislain’s tactics.

“Close the gates! Close them now!”

“Just run away! At least save yourself, you fool!” Randolph and Zubaltur screamed, but Ghislain paid no heed.

Even Skoban ignored their orders, keeping his head down as he continued opening the gates.

“You idiot! Are you really going to throw your life away so easily?” Zubaltur, shaking with rage, made a move to head toward the gate, but Randolph stopped him.

“It’s too late, brother.”

If the lord left his post now, the battle would be over before it even began. Zubaltur shot a glare at Ghislain, then took a deep breath.

“Fine. The gates are open now, so we’ll fight together.”

There were no arrows left, no more supplies for defending the walls. If they were going to fight, they would fight together on the ground.

“All soldiers, abandon the walls and gather at the gates!” Zubaltur commanded.

The soldiers of Peridium began to converge near the gates, though there was barely enough space for them behind the mercenaries.

As Zubaltur, Randolph, and the knights continued organizing the remaining forces, Ghislain turned to his mercenaries.

“Get ready. We’ll finish this before our allies even gather.”

The mercenaries, their weapons in hand, prepared for the charge. Though tense, they weren’t afraid. They trusted that, as long as they followed Ghislain’s orders, they would win, just as they always had.

Kaor let out a deep breath. ‘Well, if I die in battle, so be it. There are worse ways to go... I wouldn’t mind going out in a war like this.’

For once, Belinda, who usually fretted over Ghislain’s safety, was silent. The truth was, whether the gates were open or closed, they were still in danger.

‘I’m sorry, Lord Zubaltur. I’ll do whatever I can to keep the young master alive. If possible, I’ll save the young lady, too.’

She planned to knock Ghislain unconscious if necessary and drag him off the battlefield if things went wrong.

Gillian, knowing Belinda’s thoughts, said nothing as he inspected his weapon. He had heard about the magical traps they had prepared, but something about Ghislain’s expression suggested that something had gone wrong.

Though he hadn’t known Ghislain long, Gillian had come to realize that his young lord would never flee. He had already resolved to die by Ghislain’s side.

‘Rachel, if things go wrong, escape with Lady Elena.’

On the other side, Victor, noticing the open gate, broke into a wide smile.

“Finally, it’s time to end this.”

As expected, the enemy was preparing for a final charge, gathering all their forces at the gate.

“Fools. Rushing at us all at once will only make things easier,” Victor sneered, raising his hand.

His cavalry, which had been waiting at the rear, moved into position on both flanks of the central army, ready to target the sides of the Peridium forces.

“When they break, chase them down and annihilate them,” Victor commanded, a cruel smile on his lips. Finally, it was time to pay them back for everything.

“Advance slowly in tight formation!”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The enemy ranks tightened, growing more imposing with each step. The soldiers of Peridium, standing at the gates, looked on in terror.

Skoban, standing near the gate, realized something strange.

‘Why isn’t the duke on horseback? And neither are the mercenaries...’

Neither Ghislain nor the mercenaries had mounted their horses. The horses, which had been kept close to the gates, were ready and waiting, so there was plenty of time to prepare.

Skoban hesitated, wanting to ask Ghislain about the horses, but he stopped himself. There was no way Ghislain would have forgotten something so simple.

Skoban studied him closely, and what he saw wasn’t the expression of a man making one final, desperate charge. Instead, Ghislain’s face was that of someone who had been waiting for this exact moment.

A shiver ran down Skoban’s spine.

Ghislain had always defied expectations, producing miraculous results with seemingly impossible actions.

‘Let’s trust him. He’s not the kind to give up.’

For the first time, someone in Peridium placed their faith in the duke.

Skoban’s intuition wasn’t far off. Ghislain narrowed his eyes, glaring at the approaching enemy, his face filled with certainty.

‘You must have been holding back, too.’

A normal commander would have thrown all their forces into the battle as soon as their supply lines were cut. But Victor had moved cautiously, exploiting every one of Peridium’s weaknesses. He was a formidable opponent, but Ghislain had also been waiting for this moment.

‘You’re not the only one who’s been waiting for this.’

Every day, Ghislain had fought the urge to charge out and crush the enemy, restraining himself for the sake of complete and utter victory.

He clenched his teeth unconsciously.

‘I’ve never forgotten.’

It was here, on this very wall, that the heads of his father and retainers had been displayed, rotting in disgrace. That image had haunted Ghislain every day of his life, filling him with agony.

His heart pounded with rage as the memory resurfaced, and the mana within him surged, straining to break free.

‘Not a single one of you will leave here alive.’

Ghislain had prepared as thoroughly as he could. It wasn’t perfect. A single mistake could lead to the destruction of his land and the death of everyone.

Against such an overwhelming army, who could guarantee victory?

But...

‘I won’t give up.’

Ghislain took a deep breath.

He had managed to stave off war temporarily upon his return. Elena had given him the time he needed to prepare. But now the war had come, larger and more dangerous than ever.

The harder he fought to prevent it, the greater the risk became, as if the heavens themselves were determined to see Peridium fall.

‘Perhaps this land is cursed, bound by an inevitable fate.’

But Ghislain shook off the grim thoughts, baring his teeth in a savage grin.

‘No way. It won’t happen twice.’

Clink!

Ghislain lowered the visor of his helmet, and every mercenary followed suit.

Huff, huff, huff...

The tense breathing of the mercenaries echoed as they stood at the ready.

Skoban and the soldiers waiting by the gate were forced to step back, unable to withstand the intense energy radiating from Ghislain and his men.

Only Ghislain and his mercenaries stood their ground, their fighting spirits burning like wildfire.

Ghislain stretched out his arm to the side, addressing his mercenaries.

“Wait.”

The tension was at its peak.

Their hearts pounded as if they would burst, and their muscles were tight, their bodies rigid with anticipation.

Their minds were consumed by the rush of adrenaline, barely aware of their own existence.

“Not yet.”

Time seemed to slow as the mercenaries focused, their attention locked on Ghislain’s next word.

Suddenly, Ghislain turned and shouted.

“Vanessa!”

Vanessa’s eyes snapped open, and within them, golden magic circles gleamed.

Her lips moved, whispering words that resonated with the world itself, unlocking a deeper truth.

It was a power that ignored limits, transcending the boundaries of magic circles.

Rumble!

The immense surge of mana unfurled in all directions, transforming into symbols that danced around Vanessa. These burning symbols soon became red points of light, scattering into the air and dissolving back into the world.

Rumble!

In that moment, everyone present—friend and foe alike—froze in place, their eyes locked on the same sight.

A massive, shimmering red barrier, like a sunset on the horizon, rose between the fortress and the enemy forces.

Zubaltur, stunned, dropped his sword. Randolph stood with his mouth agape, forgetting his dignity.

Rumble!

The enemy could no longer approach Peridium. Even Victor pulled up his horse in shock.

As everyone remained frozen, there was only one person still in motion.

Like the fiery red wall before him, Ghislain’s eyes blazed with a matching intensity.

Rumble!

The ground shook violently beneath him.

“I’ve been waiting for this day.”

His voice rumbled like molten lava.