Chapter 1011

SIX WEEKS LATER!

Weeks blurred past in a frenetic haze of activity.

During these six weeks, the atmosphere from Bronzeland to Arondale had turned incredibly hectic.

Every single individual, from the highest-ranking commander to the newest recruit, had been occupied with preparing for the incoming cataclysm like never before.

Randin had effectively sealed himself within the searing depths of his cave, laboring tirelessly to forge weapons that would turn the tide of the struggle.

Grey’s allies were equally industrious, equipping themselves with a vast array of artifacts and armaments.

Fenrir, in particular, received a specialized storage ring from Randin, which he promptly filled with his collection of lethal magical parchments.

Those who weren’t actively engaged in combat training were busy fortifying their defenses and mental resolve as much as they possibly could.

During this grueling span of time, Grey had managed to evolve into a Seven-Star Mage.

He had spent his limited free time hopping from planet to planet, hunting powerful beasts and relentlessly pushing his limits to grow stronger.

He didn’t even have to strain for long, as he had been closer to the next star than he initially realized.

The remainder of his time was split between helping Randin craft enchanted weaponry and refining more medicinal aids.

He had managed to produce over six hundred thousand additional pills, which were distributed among all his allies.

Anything—truly anything—that could offer them the slightest edge for survival, he would seize it without hesitation.

As the days evaporated, a heavy sense of anxiousness and dread began to creep into the hearts of the army.

The date set for the invasion was no longer a distant threat; it was a looming reality.

Among Grey’s inner circle, almost everyone had managed to master the manifestation of a domain, save for Jay and Raze.

No matter how much Kael pushed them or what techniques they employed, they were simply unable to manifest that specific power.

Eventually, Kael allowed them to pivot, leaving them to their own devices while he focused on his own growth.

The air grew progressively more tense with each passing hour. And finally, the day had arrived.

The D-Day.

Grey, Amir, Kael, Scarlet, Greg, Jay, Arthur, Sol, Viktor, Dante, Lyra, Charlotte, Max, Vanica, and Elara were gathered in a dimly lit chamber, seated around a massive round table.

At the center of the surface sat a large, circular orb.

It appeared dull, lifeless, and felt cold and metallic to the touch.

It bore a resemblance to a standard communication orb, yet its purpose was far more critical.

This device was directly linked to the sophisticated tracking artifact Kael had secured from the Emperor’s vault.

They all waited in a suffocating silence, staring at the orb as they anxiously anticipated the moment the Otherworlders would breach their realm.

If Grey claimed he wasn’t tense, it would have been a blatant falsehood.

He was incredibly high-strung, his eyes locked onto the orb in a predator’s wait.

"So... we are just going to keep waiting like this?" Raze questioned, his voice echoing slightly as he looked around the room.

Every person present wore a solemn, anxious expression.

"There is nothing else we can do but wait. We don’t know the exact coordinates where they will emerge, so we must rely on the artifact to alert us," Kael replied, refusing to shift his gaze even for a second.

Max looked around the room, shifting uncomfortably before speaking up.

"Guys... what if the Otherworlders lied to each of us?"

Amir lifted a brow, his military focus momentarily broken.

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

Clearing his throat, Max shifted in his seat.

"... What if they aren’t actually going to assault Arondale? What if it’s another world entirely that they have their eyes set on, and they just provided this date to distract us?"

"— They will come." Grey interrupted, his voice low and certain, his gaze never leaving the metallic sphere.

Unlike the others, Grey wasn’t sitting.

He stood tall behind his chair, hands clasped firmly across the head of the seat, leaning forward slightly as he watched the orb with an intense, burning focus.

"How sure are we?" Greg questioned, his voice tinged with urgency.

"I have a feeling. They will come," Grey replied.

Afterward, he offered no more words, his silence serving as a final weight as he bore his gaze into the orb, waiting for the first sign of the end.

"...."

A few seconds passed before he finally lifted his gaze to look at the elven princess.

"Elara, where is Jesse?"

The elven princess sighed deeply, her expression weary.

"Last night, she wore herself out from training and is currently asleep. But I doubt she will be down for long; she is intent on pushing herself so as not to fail you."

Grey’s gaze softened for a fleeting moment before he began to ask another question.

Amir shook his head, anticipating the concern and interrupting him.

"Don’t worry. I have a few high-level mages monitoring and protecting her. When we depart, she will be under constant guard. Also, I hand-picked them specifically, ensuring they were mages she was already familiar with from the academy."

"Can they be truly trusted?" Vanica asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.

"They are my personal men, so yes, they can."

Only then did Grey relax, exhaling a long breath of relief.

However, he still turned back toward the elven princess.

"Why do you insist on joining the fray? I had specifically asked you to remain with Jesse."

Elara considered her words for a few seconds before replying.

"I was not present when those bastards attacked my home and slaughtered my family and community. It would be wrong of me to withhold my hand today."

Grey heaved a tired sigh, knowing there was no point in arguing further.

Everyone’s mind was made up; nothing he said or did would alter their resolve.

He was about to turn away when Noir whispered something directly into his mind.

The mage’s eyes lit up with a sharp intensity as he pivoted to stare at Elara.

"Do you trust me?"

The elven princess stared at him in confusion for a second before nodding firmly. "Yes. With my life."

Grey smiled and waved his hand. "Good."

Immediately, an ashen portal yawned open, the void swallowing the girl into its depths before she could even blink.

The room fell into a state of bewilderment as every eye turned toward the mage, brimming with unsaid questions.

"Trust me. There is a reason for that," he replied, his focus already shifting back to the table.

Scarlet stared at him for several seconds before her lips finally parted.

"Grey..."

The Supreme Magus lifted his head to meet her eyes.

A few seconds passed in a heavy silence, and then she smiled.

"Happy bir—"

The sound of a sharp, high-pitched ringing suddenly filled the room, causing every head to snap toward the orb.

The metallic sphere was pulsating with deep, ominous energy.

Ki flooded through Grey’s legs instantly.

Lightning and wind wrapped around his limbs, howling and crackling with intense power as he locked onto the device.

Everyone else had already shot to their feet while Amir rushed toward the orb, quickly swiping his hand across its surface.

"Where?"

"..."

The Captain looked up, a look of genuine shock plastered across his face.

"Town Kiten."

Crackle—!

"I will go ahead. Hurry up!" Grey commanded.

BANG—!

Grey darted out of the room with supersonic speed that shattered the sound barrier.

The glass windows imploded immediately as he zipped out into the open sky, kicking up a violent, destructive blast of wind in his wake.