William's Defeat [1/3]

The night was as black as ink, and a full moon hung overhead.

More than ten hours had passed since William and Noah's battle erupted.

The temperature difference between day and night in the desert was immense. The scorching heat of daytime had completely faded, and the night wind seeped into the skin, carrying even a touch of chill.

In the valley below, numerous tents had been erected across the open ground, brightly lit.

Marine soldiers hurried back and forth among them, assisting the doctors accompanying the expedition as they did everything possible to treat the children rescued from the ice coffins.

Rear Admiral Buma had long since awakened as well.

After learning what had happened, she had wanted to help, but Kizaru had forcibly stopped her. Now, weakly leaning against the entrance beside a massive boulder, she held a bowl of hot porridge and quietly gazed up at the cliff above.

Howling sword energy and flower petals dancing across the sky remained clearly visible from the bottom of the valley, even from several hundred meters away.

"It still isn't over."

Worry flickered in her eyes as she murmured softly, "There isn't much time left, Noah. You have to win..."

The battle atop the cliff was simply too astonishing. The entire Hot Nest Peninsula could see it, and reporters and information brokers of every kind had long since rushed over like sewer rats catching the scent of filth.

Perhaps by tomorrow morning, News Coos would be carrying newspapers bearing this news, scattering them around the world like snowflakes.

And by then, before public opinion had time to ferment, orders from Marine Headquarters and pressure from the royal families of both nations would come surging in like a tide...

"Don't worry too much, Buma."

A familiar voice came from beside her.