Last week, the farmers officially began their winter break. Farming was impossible in weather like this.

Since the farmers here were workers, not slaves, Gara allowed anyone who wished to return to their hometowns to do so.

They had already taken a soul oath, so he wasn’t worried about them leaking information about the dimensional home.

Some farmers chose to go home and promised to return before planting season. Others, who had no families left, decided to stay.

As for the farm managers, they were slaves. They remained here. It wasn’t that Gara intended to treat them differently, but the slaves he had chosen either had no surviving families or didn’t even know where their families were.

Most of them were victims of political purges. Entire households erased or reduced to slavery.

They returned to the mansion. Ares was about to carry Gara again when Gara’s crystal ring suddenly glowed.

Ares quietly stepped back and walked behind him instead.

From the crystal ring came a familiar voice.

Madha.

Gara’s expression brightened instantly. The biting winter air no longer felt cold. Just hearing Madha’s voice warmed him from within.

They exchanged news. Gara also updated him about Bel’s condition.

"I’m glad to hear you’re all doing well," Madha said. "I might not be reachable for a while."

"Are you going on a secret mission? Or intensive training?" Gara asked. Those were usually the reasons Madha went silent.

"I’ve been deployed to the front lines for defense against the mist monster invasion."

Gara’s heart skipped.

"The large-scale mist monster invasion? The one that only happens every few years?"

"Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. You don’t need to be anxious."

But how could he not?

Gara had seen the aftermath of a mist monster attack in the elf village. And that had only been a small-scale incident.

This time, it was a full-scale invasion. All higher beings within the kingdom were being sent to the borders to defend the realm.

Behind him, Ares naturally heard everything Madha said.

When the connection ended, Gara walked forward listlessly.

Trying to cheer up his beautiful master, Ares said gently, "From my observation, Master, Madha is a strong Liner. He won’t fall."

"In previous invasions... were there many casualties?" Gara asked, torn between hope and fear.

"There are always casualties," Ares admitted. "But usually they are non-Liners or unfortunate Liners. This isn’t the first mist monster invasion. Every province has developed strategies to defend themselves with minimal losses."

"Really?"

A fragile hope bloomed in Gara’s chest.

...

News of the mist monster invasion became the main topic at the academy. After all, the students of Gyakarta Academy came from elite families.

Their families were the pillars of defense whenever mist monsters attacked.

"I heard in Nozama, the Lion Clan is leading the defense this time," Xerath said casually to Valeon beside him.

He added, "At Palapa Mount, my father is the commander."

Valeon, who had been anxiously awaiting news of the invasion, suddenly felt he had found someone who understood.

He looked at Xerath with troubled eyes. "My father is also the commander this time. I wanted to go with him, but they forbade me."

When their gazes met, Valeon’s voice could be heard.

Not spoken aloud.

But echoing from within his heart.

Father has been preparing for this for years. He secretly gathered the strongest beastman warriors and trained them in silence. Even that special legion is unknown to anyone because he wanted to keep it hidden for the day of invasion. But I’m still afraid something might happen to him. As the heir, I don’t think I’m ready if something happens to Father.

Xerath heard every word of that silent confession.

He could not continue listening, because Valeon lowered his head, his expression dark.

Xerath patted his shoulder.

"I think your father doesn’t want you there because he hopes you can maintain order within the clan while he’s away. Maybe he’s worried someone might stir chaos when everyone’s focus is on the mist monster invasion."

Valeon blinked, as if suddenly awakened.

Yes. Anything could happen.

Instead of worrying about his father’s safety, he should be thinking about the stability of the clan.

"Thanks, bro," Valeon said sincerely.

When their eyes met again, Valeon suddenly remembered that Xerath could read minds.

He quickly looked away, releasing a quiet breath of relief. Thankfully, while expressing gratitude, he hadn’t thought about any clan secrets.

"Thank you too," Xerath replied with a small smile.

Yes.

He truly should be grateful.

Because Valeon had just given him crucial information that would influence his father’s plans.

That day marked the beginning of the academy break. Xerath returned to Palapa Mount Province and immediately sought out his father.

"Father, I obtained information from Valeon, the heir of the Lion Clan." Xerath explained everything he had heard.

Damien Lucivar looked at his son with satisfaction.

"No wonder you were placed in Class S."

He rose from his seat, patted Xerath’s shoulder, then ordered his subordinate, "Summon all representatives for an emergency meeting tonight."

Xerath watched his father’s back.

Since childhood, he had always seen his father as powerful, intelligent, and extraordinary.

The only thing he wanted in this world was to support his father’s ambition to become the number one leader in this kingdom.

A man like him deserved to be King.

That night, Xerath was once again permitted to attend the meeting.

The representatives arrived on time. None dared to question why they had been summoned so suddenly. Their obedience was absolute. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Once again, Xerath was reminded that his father was not only capable of destroying others.

He was also capable of making them kneel.

Damien shared the information Xerath had gathered.

"Young Master Xerath is truly talented," an elderly man from the Snake Clan said. "Even I, an elder of Nozama, was unaware of this information."

Xerath returned the compliment with a polite smile and a brief thank you.

The discussion then shifted toward strategy.

"When the mist monster invasion begins," Damien said calmly, "we will sabotage Swargaloka."

...