Chapter 700: The Ghosts of War ( 700 )

Javier’s eyes hardened slightly. “It’s not that we can’t handle them… but according to the information my father gave me, a fifth-stage Celestial is no joke. Right, Ari? Aria?”

From deep within Gloria, Aria’s gentle voice resonated softly:

“Correct.”

The calm but powerful voice filled the space around them. “A fifth-stage Celestial isn’t merely a magical powerhouse. It’s a living disaster. Once Edmund fully merges and unleashes its true strength, his soldiers won’t simply be stronger—they’ll become something else entirely. Unnatural. Twisted by celestial power.”

Gloria placed her hand softly on her chest as Ari spoke next from inside Liana:

“A fifth-stage Celestial grants its vessel automatic regeneration. Not quite as rapid as a sixth stage, but still dangerously powerful. Conventional sword strikes or magical attacks won’t be enough to quickly damage him.”

Liana exhaled slowly, visibly steadying herself as she absorbed Ari’s warning.

Javier nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging their insight.

“That means we need to strike carefully and decisively. We can’t afford a prolonged battle.”

His expression grew serious again as he turned back toward the enemy-held wall, fingers tapping thoughtfully at his side.

“No mistakes. No hesitation. We finish this quickly.”

Suddenly, the first attack came from the border of the Human Kingdom.

Hundreds of fiery fireballs and glowing magic arrows surged into the sky, rushing toward Javier’s group.

But none of them reached their targets.

Just before they could hit, the attacks vanished against an unseen shield, breaking apart into sparkles of magic that drifted away. Javier watched calmly as the spellcasters and archers on the wall stared in shock, realizing their attacks had failed.

Slowly, Javier raised his war horn.

He took a deep breath—and then blew into the horn.

A deep, powerful sound echoed across the battlefield.

For a brief moment, the puppet knights stood still.

Then, the hidden battle drones launched their counterattack.

All ten drones quickly appeared from their hiding spots and moved into perfect formation—their glowing eyes fixed on the enemy fortifications.

Gatling guns started spinning, making a high-pitched whine before unleashing powerful bursts of mana bullets.

The rapid fires tore through the heavy tower shields on the wall as if they were made of paper. Steel-tipped rounds pierced armor and stone alike, causing sparks, flying debris, and chaos across the fortress walls.

Screams of panic filled the air.

Ignoring the screams, Javier calmly raised his hand. The air rippled, and a heavy mana cannon appeared right out of his storage—shiny and smooth, with glowing runes of power etched into its surface.

“Stay here, Buddy,” Javier softly said, gracefully climbing down from his large Pekko mount.

He walked confidently to the cannon, placing one hand on the trigger while holding the heavy frame steady with his other hand.

His eyes remained fixed on the enemy’s large gate. Javier started pouring his enormous mana reserves into the cannon. Blue and gold energy flowed from his fingertips directly into the core of the weapon.

The cannon hummed, vibrating slightly in Javier’s hold. Its barrel glowed brighter and brighter, pulsing with increasing radiance.

Then, with a firm squeeze of the trigger, he fired.

A focused beam of mana energy shot out from the cannon’s mouth, blazing across the battlefield with bright blue and gold light.

The huge gate blew apart instantly, showering splinters and melted metal. Javier’s powerful attack completely shattered the barrier.

Smoke and dust burst out, clearing a direct path through the enemy defenses.

Javier lowered his hand calmly and watched what had happened.

“Now,” he said in a steady, cold voice.

“Knights!! Advance!!”

At Javier’s command, the front line of mithril-armored puppet knights lowered their heavy tower shields all at once. The sound of steel hitting the ground echoed like thunder as they started marching forward—organized, relentless, and strangely silent.

They stayed in formation, with their shields in front, spears pointed ahead, and magic crossbows ready behind them. Step by step, they moved toward the broken gate, unshaken by the smoke, debris, or the screams of panic from the walls.

Above them, the battle drones kept attacking without mercy.

Mana bullets ripped through any defenders still holding onto the ramparts, knocking them down one after another.

Javier looked to his side.

“We hold here first. Let the knights deal with the enemy.”

“Yes, young master,” Liana answered softly, her eyes never leaving him. A quiet smile appeared on her face—calm and trusting.

“As you wish,” Gloria said, with a similar calm expression.

Suddenly—

A burst of sharp, concentrated fire echoed from beyond the wall.

Javier’s ears perked up, and he instinctively tapped the magic glasses still hanging from his pocket. The image flickered to life, showing brief glimpses of the chaos unfolding inside the enemy base.

He smirked.

“Hmm… looks like the special operation unit has started the attack from within. Good.”

The view revealed a flurry of black-armored figures moving like shadows through tents and trenches. Silent. Efficient. One by one, command tents were cut down, supply wagons burst into flames, and officers fell before they even realized what hit them.

Flames and confusion began to spread from the rear.

“Just as planned,” Javier muttered under his breath, eyes focused, voice calm.

The pressure from the front. The chaos from the back. The trap had been sprung.

The sound of suppressed fire echoed across the battlefield—sharp, controlled bursts from the mana rifles of the special operation units.

They moved like shadows, clearing tents, corridors, and command posts in perfect formation. No shouting. No wasted movement. Each step calculated. Each shot precise. Like death itself had taken human form.

Inside the command camp, the Human Kingdom’s captain staggered back, eyes wide with terror.

What… what the hell are these Armand units?

He turned and slammed the table with trembling hands.

Every damn war… every time… they show something different! Different weapons, different tactics—what kind of monsters are we dealing with!?

Outside, he could hear screaming. Not just from the wall, but now from behind.

His rear camp. His officers. His supplies.

They’re attacking from within too!?

“Captain! Orders!! What do we—?!”

“Shut up!!” the captain snapped. “I’m done! I’m not dying for this madness!!”

He ripped off his helmet and dropped it to the ground.

Let the king think I’m dead…

This war’s already lost.

I’m running.

He turned and bolted toward the escape hatch behind the command tent, one that led through a narrow slope down the hill. A secret exit meant for emergencies.

The moment they saw their captain flee, the remaining soldiers froze.

Then panic set in.

“No… no way… he ran!?”

“H-he left us!?”

Their formation crumbled. The front lines began to shake. And in mere seconds, the fear rippled across the ranks.

( End Of Chapter )

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