The next day began early.
Isaac woke before sunrise, just as he always did. The routine helped clear his mind. He stepped outside first and checked the crops. The soil was still moist from last night’s irrigation (done by Avery), and the sprouts looked healthy.
He spent nearly an hour dealing with the farm. It was calm work, and normally he would have stayed longer, but today the entire city felt different.
There was movement everywhere.
After finishing with the crops, Isaac headed to the gym.
He went through his usual training. Strength work first, then endurance, followed by controlled mana circulation. The physical stats could now be trained thanks to the high-quality sealing bracelets he got from Ashfang Tribe.
After training, Isaac returned to his room, took a quick bath, and changed into fresh clothes. By the time he stepped into the dining hall, the entire house was already awake.
The dragon maids moved back and forth carrying trays. Alice was speaking with Celia near the table. Catherine stood near the window, reading something on a tablet. Even the atmosphere felt tense, as if everyone was preparing for a major event.
Today was Emily’s Lord Quest.
Isaac took his seat and began eating.
The conversation was light, but no one was truly relaxed. Everyone knew that a Lord Quest was not a simple event. It was dangerous, unpredictable, and often escalated quickly. Even with preparations, things could go wrong.
After breakfast, everyone began getting ready to leave.
Weapons were checked. Communication devices were distributed. Celia prepared the livestream setup. The Orc Overlords and Eltari Overlord coordinated outside. The entire operation moved with practiced efficiency.
Just as Isaac stepped toward the exit, Professor Catherine grabbed his sleeve and pulled him to the side.
"Be careful about Master," she said quietly.
Isaac frowned. "What do you mean—"
"The Trial," Catherine replied.
Isaac froze.
For a moment, his mind went blank. Then the memory hit him all at once. The Trial. Everything that happened there. The conversation. The tension. The things he said.
Catherine continued, "She’s acting completely normal. Too normal. That’s what worries me. I’m afraid she remembers the Trial. That’s the only explanation for why she hasn’t come to meet you at all."
Isaac’s face paled.
What. The. Fuck.
Was the System trying to screw him over?
Why did Sword Empress remember what happened in the Trial?
That wasn’t supposed to happen. Out of all the people who could’ve remember why her?
Isaac suddenly began recalling everything he had said during the Trial. Every line. Every reaction. Every moment.
His stomach tightened.
Then he paused.
’Wait a second... why am I getting worried?’ he thought.
It wasn’t like he had done anything wrong.
If anything, Sword Empress should be the one embarrassed. She was the one who had crossed lines. If she was avoiding him, it was probably because she felt guilty.
Yes.
Isaac didn’t need to be scared.
His expression slowly stabilized.
Catherine watched his shifting emotions. She sighed, then flicked his forehead.
"Don’t try to step on Master’s toes. If she gets angry or agitated, you’ll have hell to go through," she said.
Isaac rubbed his forehead and nodded.
"Understood."
The group finally departed.
They traveled toward Emily’s city. The entire area had already been evacuated. All civilians had been moved to Isaac’s city earlier as a precaution. The streets were empty. Buildings stood silent. Defensive walls were manned by awakeners and summoned troops.
The sky slowly darkened.
Clouds gathered overhead. The air grew heavy. A faint metallic smell spread through the wind.
Then the first red droplets fell.
Red Rain.
The sky dome activated instantly, forming a transparent barrier above the city. The red droplets splashed harmlessly against it, sliding down the invisible surface. Outside the dome, the rain intensified.
The ground began to rumble.
In the distance, the first monster hordes appeared. They emerged from the mist, moving in waves. Beasts, flying creatures, and twisted aberrations rushed forward together.
Emily stepped forward.
She raised her hand.
A massive crimson magic circle appeared above her.
The Crimson Sky Wyrm descended with a roar.
Immediately after, three more flying monsters emerged. They were the monsters Emily got from the Great Dungeon. Large, winged predators with sharp beaks and elongated tails. They screamed as they took to the sky.
The summons charged forward.
The initial wave of monsters was slaughtered instantly. The Crimson Sky Wyrm swept across the battlefield, breathing destructive energy. The aerial summons dove repeatedly, tearing through the horde.
Emily lifted her hand again.
Her skill activated, Call of the Behemoth.
The slain monsters began to rise.
Their bodies trembled, then stood again. Temporary resurrection. They turned and rushed back into the battlefield under her command.
Then she continued.
Isaac and Celia exchanged strange looks.
They had come here expecting a difficult battle. But Emily was handling everything alone.
She wasn’t just holding the line. She was dominating the battlefield.
She alone looked almost as strong as an entire city’s defense force. While other Lords required allies, coordination, and defensive formations, Emily simply crushed everything herself.
The Eltari Overlord and Orc Overlords watched in awe.
The entire battle was being livestreamed to Isaac’s city. Citizens—both Eltari and humans—watched from large projection screens. Alice stood with her arms crossed, looking proud as Emily commanded her minions.
Celia handled the livestream while Isaac stood quietly behind her, observing.
The battle continued.
Then something appeared behind the monster horde.
It was a rhinoceros.
But this one was different.
It was massive. Its body looked like layered metal plates. Each step shook the ground. The Crimson Sky Wyrm attacked first, striking its back with a powerful dive. The attack barely left a mark.
The three aerial summons followed. Their claws scraped across its armor, producing sparks. Still, almost no damage.
"That’s a Catastrophe. Iron Armor Rhino," Catherine said, her brows furrowed.
She drew her whip sword.
Isaac stepped forward as well.
Before either of them moved, Emily spoke.
"Let me handle this one on my own."
Catherine paused and looked at Isaac.
Isaac stared at Emily.
She was looking directly at him. Her expression was steady, but he could see the tension in her shoulders. She was trying to fight her own battle. Emily was afraid of Catastrophes. That fear had always been there.
She wanted to defeat one herself. She wanted to overcome her fears.
Isaac understood her choice. A smile appeared on his face.
"Okay," he said. He stepped back, planning to let her take the charge. He would step in only if the things got dangerous.
Emily smiled, then turned back to the battlefield.
She activated her Lord Talent.
[Kingdom of Ghosts]
All dead monsters rose again.
Dozens. Then hundreds. The resurrected horde rushed toward the Iron Armor Rhino. They climbed over its legs, attacked its joints, and slowed its movement.
The Rhino roared and charged forward, crushing dozens instantly. But more replaced them. Emily kept summoning, resurrecting, and commanding without pause.
Her three Abyssal Summons moved in together, fighting the Catastrophe head-on. They held its attention while the aerial summons repeatedly dove from above, stacking damage.
The battle dragged on.
The Rhino’s armor was incredibly tough. Most attacks barely chipped it. But Emily had numbers. Endless pressure. Constant harassment. Gradual damage accumulated.
An hour passed.
Finally, the Rhino staggered.
Its armor cracked. The Crimson Sky Wyrm unleashed a full-powered breath. The aerial summons struck at the same time. The Abyssal Summons pinned its legs.
The Iron Armor Rhino collapsed.
Emily stepped back, breathing heavily, but smiling.
She had done it.
The rest of the awakeners finally moved. Cannons on the walls began firing. The Eltari Overlord and Orc Overlords joined the battle. With the Catastrophe defeated, the remaining monster waves were quickly suppressed.