But he was very diligent, taking every opportunity to learn knowledge.

He often had books he secretly took from the mansion hanging on a bull's horn.

He read while herding the cattle.

Aileck discovered him by chance, moved by his thirst for knowledge, and accepted him as a disciple.

Who knew, on a whim, he would make a kingdom's legendary tale.

"Alright, you may begin."

Vistalia decided to trust Aileck, not thinking he would betray him.

Aozawa raised his hand, and the nobles around became alert.

The Vestalia Kingdom never established generals; instead, the nobles performed the duties of generals.

Never mind their lavish attire, they were quite fierce in battle.

"Will-o'-the-wisp."

Aozawa chanted the true name of the Noble Phantasm, and a faint glow emitted from the glove.

Those present suddenly felt their environment change, finding themselves on barren land, and then Aozawa transformed into a top-notch arms dealer.

He recited the names of each modern weapon that appeared, demonstrating their power.

Machine guns blazing, cannons roaring, the modern firearms left a great impression on those present.

Including Vistalia.

As an Angel Envoy, he was not frightened by such firepower, but shocked that such weapons could be wielded by trained soldiers.

No need to become a Treasure User, or awaken as an Angel Envoy.

An ordinary person not even two meters tall could achieve such things, truly incredible!

Vistalia was amazed, realizing that employing these firearms would strengthen the resistance against Naraku and the Dread Emperor.

...

"...that's the plan, we handle long-range cover, while you focus on close combat to delay. Before the defenses are established, Treasure Users, Giants, and Angel Envoys will advance to slow down Naraku and the Dread Emperor."

Aozawa revealed the arrangements from the command center, deploying the battle line required time.

And clearly, the enemy wouldn't give them time; they would surely continue their assault.

To ensure the firearms' effectiveness, they needed to deploy in advance to slow down the enemy.

Vistalia nodded, knowing in his heart that the Different World's nation was using them as a shield.

Yet, even knowing this, he couldn't refuse the lifeline offered, the firearms could instantly boost the previously ineffective kingdom's army into a formidable force.

This temptation, Vistalia could not resist.

"No time to waste, Aileck, you stay to oversee the rear and transport the weapons, Harvey! Garcia!..."

Vistalia, with a resolute tone, called out each noble's name. They stepped forward, heads held high, exuding a strong presence.

Aozawa felt as if watching a fully realistic fantasy game CG.

Vistalia's kingly aura and the nobles' iron-blooded spirit were both exceedingly formidable.

"You will join me in the expedition, to the front lines, to hold back the enemy, facilitating the rear's line arrangement!"

Having finished reading the names of ten nobles, Vistalia decided to lead the army in person, "The rest will stay to assist Aileck."

"As your majesty commands!"

The minister and nobles bowed in unison, revealing the advantage of a unified voice.

That is, when encountering a remarkably talented dictator, the work efficiency is often very high.

Of course, such dictators are rare, with more resembling the African tyrants.

...

"Emergency order, residents and refugees of Landon Village, retreat immediately!"

Cavalry ran back and forth between villages, urging them to withdraw swiftly, "Try not to carry too much when evacuating! Run! Quickly!"

The villagers, already aware as refugees from the Catalivo Empire, knew the tide of monsters was advancing toward the Vestalia Kingdom.

They chose to evacuate but did not heed the cavalry's advice, leaving lightly.

Without taking their belongings, even if they escape with luck, they can't avoid death's fate.

Vistalia is a merciful king, yet also a king.

The villagers did not believe that he could unconditionally support their family's livelihood.

At this time, bachelor men had it easier, casually packing and hitting the road immediately, with no concerns.

In despair, some took advantage, thinking they're doomed anyway, so might as well do as they please before dying.

Chaos happened at every moment.

In chaotic times, people are like grass.

The words Phoenix Academy Maggie once glimpsed in history books now appeared before her, deepening the understanding of the light and floating sentence and its hidden meaning.

This was the despair and oppression unimaginable in ordered society, unlike the subtle and heavy work pressure, chaos starkly displayed every downside, without disguise, directly and bloodily before people.

"Maggie, what are you looking at?"

Aozawa ran over from behind, assigned to team up with Phoenix Academy Maggie, to block the monster tide at Vestalia's northwestern defense line.

Phoenix Academy Maggie shook her head and said, "Nothing, let's go."

This wasn't the time to worry about refugees; she had a more important mission.

If she failed to stop the monster tide advancing toward Vestalia Kingdom in time, the scene would replay in more places, involving more people.

Thinking this, a sense of duty surged within Phoenix Academy Maggie's heart, she softly recited, "Sword of Promised Victory."

Releasing the Noble Phantasm in its sheath ahead of time, Phoenix Academy Maggie pushed off the ground, darting forward like an arrow off the bowstring.

The shining figure leapt easily like an ape through the forest.

The Catalivo Empire occupying the central Northern Continent equated to slicing the continent in half.

Its vast territory benefited from Onestor and Xius, providing the Empire with the continent's strongest military forces.

However, Onestor did not dwell solely in conquest; after founding this vast Empire, he chose to pause for internal governance to ensure the land indeed belonged to the Catalivo Empire.

This pause lasted five hundred years, yet surrounding countries' vigilance toward Catalivo did not relax at all.

Vestalia and Catalivo's border spanned six hundred and fifty kilometers.

Along such an extensive border, five hundred warning posts were established, and at key locations, passes were set up to prevent unauthorized entry.

Now the two not only had to go outside to intercept monsters but also had to deliver King Vistaria's orders to those passes, ensuring the soldiers guarding them withdrew rapidly.

Retreat all the way to the rear, preparing to use firearms to play a role in the subsequent war.

"Is this the King's order?"

The noble guarding the border showed doubt. He had resolved to coexist with the pass, but suddenly came an order to retreat, making it feel somewhat unreal, as if dreaming.

"Of course."

Phoenix Academy Maggie nodded, taking out a seal of approval from King Vistaria, "If you don't believe it, you can look at the words and seal on it."

The young noble took it, opened it, and indeed, it was the King's handwritten letter, with Vistalia King's lion crest on the seal.

"Alright, we'll retreat immediately."

The noble, having read the contents, hesitated no longer, swiftly called out for his three hundred men to gather promptly.

Then departed from the pass.

Phoenix Academy Maggie finally had the people evacuated, sighed in relief, and looked into the Catalivo territory.

The monsters were not visible yet, but the restless air, like flowing from unseen places.

The air was filled with a looming earthquake's anxiety, a trembling sensation.

"Aozawa, are you ready?"

"Always ready."

Aozawa grasped her hand, showing a determined expression of fighting side by side.

Phoenix Academy Maggie quipped, "You never miss a chance to take advantage of me."

"I call it meticulous consideration."

"That's sophistry."

Phoenix Academy Maggie cast him a glance, the tension eased indeed, after a deep breath, grew serious again, "Let's set off. If we encounter an enemy too strong, don't push it; retreat if necessary."

We are intercepting, not annihilating monsters, understand?"

"Understood."

Aozawa replied with a smile.