Combat Slave Harem-Chapter 54: Return and Plan

The war council chamber was filled with tension.

Maps covered the long stone table, marked with red ink and scattered tokens representing Orc movements. Generals, mages, and captains argued in low, urgent voices, their faces drawn from exhaustion.

Hilga stood among them, her golden armor dimmed but still radiant. She listened.

"We cannot hold the southern wall for more than two days at this rate," one captain said. "Their numbers keep increasing."

A robed mage slammed his staff lightly against the ground. "It’s not just numbers. The Rift is still active. They are not coming from our world alone anymore."

General Varos turned to Hilga. "My Lady, we need your judgment. You have seen the outside. How bad is it?"

Hilga’s eyes hardened.

"Worse than you think. The Orcs are not acting like beasts. They are coordinated. Something is leading them."

Murmurs spread across the room.

"A commander?" someone asked.

"No," Hilga replied calmly. "Something higher. If a high-tier demon appears, this city will fall within hours."

Silence.

The City Lord, a middle-aged man with sharp features and tired eyes, leaned forward.

"Then what do you suggest, Hero?"

Hilga didn’t answer immediately.

She looked at the map, then at the soldiers around her.

"We can’t defend."

That single sentence shook the room.

"What?" a general snapped. "Are you suggesting we abandon the walls?"

"I meant we strike first," Hilga said. "We ned to creatd a path, then initiate a direct assault on the Rift."

"That’s suicide!" another shouted.

Hilga’s voice turned cold.

"Staying here is also suicide. The longer the Rift remains open, the stronger they become. You are already losing."

The City Lord narrowed his eyes.

"And, Hero, you believe you can close it?"

Hilga hesitated for a fraction of a second.

Then she said firmly, "Yes."

The room fell silent again.

General Varos exhaled slowly. "If the Hero leads the charge... we might have a chance."

The City Lord tapped his fingers on the table.

"Very well. We will prepare a strike force. Elite units only. We move at dawn."

Hilga nodded.

"Then don’t waste time. Every hour matters."

---

Meanwhile.

Egon walked through the streets of Dolan City.

The once lively market district had turned into a refugee zone. People huddled together, whispering prayers, clutching their children. Smoke lingered in the air.

Dead bodies were lying here and there.

He ignored it all.

His steps were steady, his presence cold.

Soon, he reached the familiar gates of his estate.

The guards immediately straightened.

"Master Egon!"

The gates opened without question.

Inside, the courtyard was intact. Combat slaves stood in formation, alert and ready. Their armor was stained with blood, but their eyes were sharp.

They had done their job.

Egon nodded slightly.

"Status."

One of them stepped forward. "No breaches, Master. Two minor skirmishes. But eliminated."

"Good."

Before he could say more, a voice rang out.

"Husband!"

Vienna.

She rushed toward him, her elegant dress slightly disheveled, eyes filled with relief.

Without hesitation, she threw herself into his arms.

"Husband! You’re back. Do you know how worried I was?"

Egon caught her effortlessly.

"I’m fine."

She pulled back, looking at him from head to toe.

"Are yku injured? You’re covered in blood."

"They are not mine."

Vienna exhaled deeply, then pressed her forehead against his chest.

"You better not die before me. I won’t forgive you."

Egon smirked faintly.

"Noted."

Another presence approached.

Noella.

She walked calmly, but her gaze was sharp.

"So you made it back alive, hubby." she said. "Took you long enough."

Egon glanced at her.

"You sound disappointed, Wifey."

She scoffed.

"As if. I just don’t like unnecessary risks."

Vienna turned slightly.

"We held the estate while you two were away. Thanks to the combat slaves."

Noella added, "And me too." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Egon looked at her.

"I know."

Noella crossed her arms.

"There were scouting beasts. Not strong, but enough to test defenses. But we destryed them."

"You did great, Noella," Egon praised.

They moved inside.

The main hall was lit, though the atmosphere was tense.

Vienna poured a glass of wine but didn’t drink it.

"Where is Hilga? Did she make it?" she asked.

"Yes. She is our Hero now."

Vienna and Noella exhaled in relief.

"That’s some good news. The city is on edge. Supplies are running low. People are panicking."

Egon sat down casually.

"It will get worse."

Silence.

Noella leaned against a pillar.

"Then what’s the plan?"

Egon looked at them both.

"I told Hilga to initiate a strike on the Rift."

Vienna’s eyes widened.

"A direct assault?"

"Yes."

"That’s insane," she muttered.

"No, Sister Vienna." Noella said quietly. "It’s necessary."

Egon nodded.

"If the Rift stays open, this city dies. Simple."

Vienna clenched her fingers.

"And you?"

"I’m not going with them."

Both women looked at him.

Noella frowned. "You’re not?"

Egon leaned back.

"I have something more important to do."

Vienna narrowed her eyes.

"More important than stopping the invasion?"

Egon’s gaze turned dark.

"Yes."

A pause.

Then he said,

"I need to grow stronger. Fast."

Noella’s expression shifted.

"You mean..."

Egon nodded slightly.

"The system."

Vienna didn’t understand.

"What are you talking about?"

Egon stood up.

"Something that will decide whether we survive what’s coming next."

He walked toward the window, looking out at the burning horizon.

"This invasion is just the beginning."

Noella watched him carefully. "You’ve changed, hubby."

Egon didn’t deny it. "I have adapted."

Vienna stepped closer.

"I don’t care about your plans. Just don’t leave us behind, alright?"

Egon turned slightly, replying, "Do you think I’m still the old me, Vienna. I would never do that."

She grabbed his hand, looking emotional,

"Promise."

After a brief silence, he sighed,

"I promise."

Noella looked away.

"Good. Because if you die, I’ll kill you myself."

Egon chuckled and pinched her nose,

"That makes no sense, Noella."

"Hmph, hmph, It doesn’t have to."

The tension eased slightly. But only slightly.

Outside, distant roars echoed.

The war had only just begun.

And inside the estate, something far more dangerous was quietly taking shape.