Ghislain’s plan was set in motion, and he addressed Vanessa to confirm the enemy’s movements.

“What’s the enemy's force distribution?” he asked.

Sitting in silent concentration, Vanessa opened her eyes, glancing at a fallen mage beside her, who had collapsed with foaming lips.

“As you expected, my lord. They’re all clustered near the tunnel’s exit point. There are barely half the troops left around the gate and walls.”

Vanessa, with her skills as a 6th-circle mage, was able to scan an impressively large range, though at a cost. She drained mana from other mages to maintain the effort, leaving several …