Before they had even fully landed, the depths of Tunaxi Forest had already erupted into turmoil.
Low commands imbued with mysterious power spread like invisible ripples from the crown of the World Tree throughout the entire forest.
Upon hearing Therese's mental command, every lizardman stopped whatever they were doing, freezing in place as if struck by lightning before erupting into near-fanatical shouts.
It had been a long time since they had felt a direct summons from their god. This "divine decree" made their blood boil.
The various tribes immediately assembled their people. Whatever grudges they had once held vanished in an instant, and every gaze turned toward a single destination—Mount Maxy.
Less than four hours after the four of them landed, the first wave of lizardmen had already reached the edge of Tunaxi Forest.
Beyond the border lay a volcanic region of surging molten fire and choking smoke, its air heavy with scorching heat and murderous intent.
Some of the lizardmen began to hesitate. They rarely entered this place—it was the territory of Petersong, the Flame Lizard Dragon.
"This is the command of the gods!" a lizardman tribal chief charging from the rear roared, the scales covering his body gleaming like molten gold.
His roar carried an unquestionable fanaticism, stirring the other tribesmen to shout as well.
A few breaths later, groups of lizardmen flooded across the border of Mount Maxy like a tide.
And waiting for them was a baptism of blood and fire.
The magical beasts within the volcano were naturally violent, and the sudden invasion immediately sparked intense conflict.
The lizardmen at the front screamed one after another as blazing flames burst through the air. Spirits of lava, fire wolf spiders, crimson flame hawks... these fire-element magical beasts lunged madly at the lizardmen, relentlessly tearing apart the