Eve of the Expedition

The purple runes sank directly into the cracks between the floor tiles.

Under the effect of those runes, lush green grass spread across the dust-covered bricks, while trees grew to maturity in mere seconds.

On the other side of the arena, black soil surged forth, and withered trees, already rotten with decay, rose from the cracks in the ground.

The fresh green and pitch black were divided by a shallow river.

"What is this...?"

Empress Yekana stood in the stands, staring blankly at the scene below, where life could be made to flourish and wither at will as if by a god's creation.

Even though she knew everything before her was an illusion, it was still the first time she had seen one so spectacular.

"The Battlefield of the Holy Spirit." Joshua pointed to both sides of the arena. "The Holy Spirit and Scourge factions. Lady Yekana, you should be able to tell them apart, right?"

"I have no interest in the game itself."

In Empress Yekana's eyes was reflected the sight of towers rising one after another from the lush greenery and the withered forest.

"I only hope the Iron Forgers can defeat those damned foxes on this battlefield. That will be enough."

"All right."

Joshua did not think this queen would become a middle-aged person with Internet Addiction either.

To have risen to the position of Queen of the Steel Country, she surely possessed formidable self-discipline. Resisting the temptation of a game would be easy enough for her.

"I must admit, this is an illusion impressive enough to astonish me." Empress Yekana did not hold back her praise. "Joshua Anoroth, who created this illusion?"

Perhaps the queen's favorite pastime was gathering every outstanding talent in the world under her command, regardless of their field.

Joshua had sensed that