Reinforcements Touch Down

The night sky was torn apart by a roar as the airship's lights illuminated the forest. The air churned into violent gusts, whipping up leaves and rolling dust, as if the entire forest were trembling. The campfire had long since gone out, leaving only lingering ash, yet everyone's eyes were fixed on the light above.

Palm's breathing came fast, her chest heaving violently. The weight that had pressed on her heart for days finally cracked at that moment. She clutched her notebook tightly, her fingers trembling, yet she still pressed her pen to the paper and wrote with all her strength: "Reinforcements have arrived." The strokes were heavier than usual, nearly tearing through the page.

On the outer battlefield, Knuckle looked up and saw the light in the sky, a low growl rumbling from his throat. He was already gasping for breath, both fists drenched in blood, but at that moment, his entire body seemed to ignite anew. He threw a fierce punch, shaking the air and knocking several Ant Soldiers before him to the ground.

The apparatus on Linas's back had been battered full of dents, and both his arms were numb with exhaustion, but he still swung it down viciously, cleaving apart the approaching swarm. Blood poured endlessly from his shoulder wound, yet he did not even spare it a glance.

Shoot moved swiftly through the forest canopy, his monocle reflecting a cold gleam. His fingers sliced through the air again and again, cutting off the enemy's reinforcements and throwing their formation into disarray. When he looked up and saw the airship, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile for the first time. "They're finally here."

The roaring drew closer and closer as the airship slowly descended. The intense wind pressure made the branches and