Hearing Augusta's refusal, Benjamin was puzzled.
"What? Is something wrong over there?"
"More or less. Things have changed a little."
Augusta nodded solemnly. "While you were away, the number of creatures on the other side of the spatial passage kept increasing, and very quickly at that. More importantly, the auras of those newcomers were all fairly high-level."
Benjamin frowned, then quickly caught on. "Looks like the lord of the world on the other side is mustering troops."
"Exactly. That's what I thought too." Augusta nodded. "A considerable number of high-level forces have gathered in front of the spatial passage. Taken together with the situation on your end, it's clear they've committed most of the forces they can mobilize here."
Benjamin considered this for a moment. "In that case, shouldn't you come over all the more? They certainly can't break through over there, after all."
"No!"
Augusta shook her head firmly. "They've gathered far too many troops on the other side. I need to stay here and keep them occupied. Once the pressure is off, they may well free up enough forces to regain control of this spatial passage. If that happens, things will get troublesome later."
Benjamin understood what she meant, but he was still a little worried. "Can you keep them occupied on your own?"
Augusta smiled at his question. "If they all attack immediately, things will certainly get difficult on my end... which is why I still need your help!"
"I need you to take advantage of the fact that most of their fighting forces are concentrated in front of the spatial passage and attack their rear directly. That way, whether they choose to hold their ground or send reinforcements back, they'll have to split their forces." Benjamin finished her thought. "And if they split their forces, it'll