A silence in which seconds felt like minutes.

There was concern on the faces of Teraz Sevec and De Moraf Arcariz; meanwhile, the treasurer looked pensive as he calculated the potential cost of a war at that moment and whether there were any benefits.

Balac Sevec simply stared intently at his grandson while holding a crystal glass containing a golden liqueur, which he quickly drank.

Mart Sevec looked at them all. He knew that from the moment he defeated his grandfather and claimed the title of marquis, the burden on his shoulders would grow; but he also knew what would happen sooner or later if the demons did not organize themselves into a territory led by a strong ruler who would not tolerate traitors.

"Yes, there may be wars; in fact, it’s more realistic to say there will be. So we’ll be prepared. I won’t back down from this decision," said Mart Sevec with a firm tone and determination in his eyes.

"If you know that, all we can do is support you," said Balac Sevec.

The rest of those present agreed, yet each offered their own perspective on the decision the marquis had made and on how they should prepare for the future consequences.

After the meeting ended, Mart remained alone in the study.

A virtual window flickered before him.

[Warning: The host is suffering from severe fatigue]

[The host wishes to hibernate: (yes) (no)]

"Will Prince Absab still be able to use my demonic energy?" asked Mart, who had already stood up.

[That is correct, but the more demonic energy the linked human uses, the longer it will take for the host’s body to reach an optimal state]

Mart was satisfied with the response as he walked through the hallways of the luxurious mansion until he reached his spacious, opulent bedroom. He walked over to a wardrobe, changed his clothes after using a demonic spell to purify his body, and dressed in a white shirt and white pants.

Mart lay down.

[Sloth Trait activated]

[The host will hibernate until his body recovers from severe fatigue]

The system was able to deduce that Mart simply wanted to recover from severe fatigue so he could wake up as soon as possible; otherwise, Mart might have slept for years or longer while his body gradually adapted and grew stronger through the use of the "Sloth Trait."

...

That same afternoon, Teraz Sevec was in charge of writing the letters with which they were going to notify Marquis Mart Sevec’s decision to all the noble demons of low, medium and high rank who were allies of the marquisate.

...

It was sunset, just an hour before the sun would set completely.

At the imperial camp, specifically in the Supreme Commander’s military tent.

Rasgar Relvin and the other commanders present were reading reports prepared by deputy commanders who were experts at compiling detailed reports.

The only person missing from the tent where the commanders were gathered was Mr. Géminis, who was inside another white-and-gold military tent at that moment.

Mr. Géminis was watching a young-looking man with short white hair and pale skin, who was wearing a white shirt and black pants, and who had a pendant around his neck bearing the sacred symbol of the Temple of the Endless Sky.

He placed one of his hands, covered in white gloves, on the sleeping man’s forehead; a golden light and a blue light appeared, and then the surroundings filled with blue magical circles containing golden symbols.

Several minutes passed, and with each passing minute, the magic circles he had created began to fade away.

"It’s impossible for me to break this spell," Mr. Geminis muttered.

Despite his words, he didn’t stop until the last magic circle had vanished, because the one he was trying to awaken was Alon Rifersten, one of the apostles.

Outside, among the soldiers, uncertainty reigned; seeing so many comrades sleeping soundly and being unable to wake them left some with a deep fear of falling asleep and never waking up.

Attention!

To your positions! 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Quick!

Some deputy commanders of the imperial army began issuing orders when they saw that the vanguard of the enemy army was beginning to move, among whom was King Sition Brooks, seated on an imposing black warhorse.

From the position of the Presial Kingdom’s army, Prince Absab struck the ground with the butt of his spear, and a shockwave of air spread out like a wave until it reached the territory where the Imperial army was encamped.

A deputy commander ran to the Superior Commander’s tent to report what was happening.

Bang!

Explosion!

Attack!

"Don’t let your guard down! Stay in formation!" shouted a deputy commander, trying to maintain order and organize some of the troops.

"Damn it! Why didn’t the scouts and lookouts report this?" thought another deputy commander as he held a magic staff and led the soldiers under his direct command.

Bang!

AAHH!

Boom!

Spells, aura slashes, and other attacks began flying back and forth on the right and left flanks of the imperial camp, where chaotic, disorganized battles were decimating the unsuspecting imperial soldiers.

...

Lord Miller was utterly dismayed, even though he was at the rear of his troops, with whom he had begun to attack the Imperial army’s right flank.

"Damn it, if I hadn’t seen the decapitated bodies of some Imperial Army sentries and scouts, I would have tried to hide my house’s banners; now they’ll know it was me who led one of the attacks," Lord Miller thought as he left the entire attack in the hands of his most experienced deputy commanders.

...

Although the sudden attack launched by Lord Miller’s and Lord Danev’s troops against the Imperial army camp allowed the Presial Kingdom’s forces to wipe out several hundred mages, soldiers, warriors, and others, the momentum of the attack did not last long.

In the end, the lords of the Presial Kingdom were attacking the Imperial camp, and the most skilled Imperial deputy commanders wasted no time in leading their forces and charging directly into battle, thereby enabling the Imperial side to restore order. As a result, the battle became increasingly fierce, gradually tilting in favor of the Imperial army.

Shortly after receiving a report from a deputy commander, Rasgar Relvin and the rest of the Imperial Army commanders went out to assess the situation.

Rasgar Relvin looked to the right and left of the camp; his gaze seemed deep as he analyzed what was happening. He then looked into the distance, where the vanguard of the Presial Kingdom’s army stood, seemingly ready to attack at any moment.

"Commander Lerkiant, lead your troops to the left flank. The enemy will retreat as soon as our advantage becomes clear. Remember not to let your guard down, or the demons lying in wait could wipe out you or your most important subordinates."

"As you command, Supreme Commander."

Commander Lerkiant hurried to carry out the order he had been given.

The next to receive a nearly identical order was Commander Rudolpher, who was a member of the neutral faction; the difference was that he was assigned to repel the enemy attacking the right flank.

...

The battles grew increasingly fierce.

The two Lords began to realize that their troops were losing ground at an ever-faster pace.

In the middle of the battlefield, the imperial soldiers had already organized themselves into orderly groups and maintained a solid formation that struck a balance between attack and defense.

It was becoming increasingly difficult for the lords’ troops to kill the imperial soldiers.

In fact, for every imperial soldier killed, four of the lords’ troops were dying, and the disadvantage continued to grow.

Lord Danev’s hands were sweating; he had a heavy sword on his back, but he lacked the courage to fight the imperialists, especially when he saw the commander of the imperial army approaching.

"I’m never going to follow the plans of a scheming bastard like that disgusting Miller again. If I don’t pull out now and that commander intervenes, I’ll just die in vain," thought Lord Danev, who was about to order the retreat.

Another man who was growing increasingly terrified and cursing King Sition and the Empire in his mind was Lord Miller, who began to watch as some of his soldiers were dismembered, burned, or blown to pieces right in the middle of the battlefield.

"They’ve just sent a commander. I think it’s time to order a retreat. There’s no point in staying here," thought Lord Miller, who saw the commander standing beside him to protect him.

It seemed that both lords were thinking along the same lines, but at that moment, the vanguard of the Presial Kingdom began to advance slowly.

...

"Commander-in-Chief?" asked Milia Philostal upon seeing the enemy army’s vanguard move.

Milia was a mage in the sixth magic circle (high level); she was the second most powerful mage in a kingdom allied with the Empire, and in her possession was a high-rank magic staff with which she could achieve power equivalent to the seventh mana circle (low level).

"We mustn’t be impatient; the enemy is being pushed back. We just need to keep our front lines on high alert to repel any surprise attacks," said Rasgar Relvin, who kept his magical senses sharp so as not to miss a thing.

At that moment, Mr. Gemini stepped out of the white and gold tent.

"Demons," muttered Mr. Gemini.