Attack-Defense (3)

Dusk hung heavily over Byron Fortress, as though the schemes permeating the air had stained it a gloomy gray.

Habakkuk, Joan, and Hudson gathered once more in the secret chamber, all three wearing grim expressions.

Habakkuk in particular had been holding in his frustration.

"What's going on?" Habakkuk broke the silence in a deep voice. "Why have all those Great Warriors and Archmages stopped looking for trouble with Ang lately?"

Leaning against the wall, Joan coolly fiddled with the ring on her finger. "We're humans, after all. We can't just draw our swords and attack like Demons."

Hudson frowned. "But I heard he posted a notice at Fokas Fortress, inviting anyone who doubted him to question the Archmages of the Tribunal Court."

Joan snorted disdainfully. "Hah, who would dare disturb the Tribunal Court over something with no evidence? Do you think the Grand Judge is paid to sit around?"

"Once they're brought in, if they find nothing, we might end up getting bitten back instead."

Habakkuk sighed, clearly feeling even more stifled. "Then didn't we waste all that effort spreading those rumors?"

A cold glint flashed through Joan's eyes. "Not entirely. Don't forget, the goal was not to make him take the blame, but to leave Blue Bridge Fortress isolated and helpless."

"As long as he receives no reinforcements, once Demons besiege him, even if we do nothing, he won't escape death."

The three fell silent for a moment, then nodded in mutual understanding before rising and leaving separately.

Several days later, beyond the first line of defense, darkness churned beneath the night sky.

Two massive Foul Spirit Legions slowly approached from different directions—one led by Dax, the other commanded by Damodi—both heading straight for Blue Bridge Fortress.

Although the Demons had failed to conclusively determine the cause of Tutdath's