The Shadow Orcs kneeled.
"Lord Jaku, Lady Umisu, and Lord Zion," greeted Narito. "You have just come on time."
Of course, the Dragonborns were a part of this siege. They had a big responsibility, for they were the only ones that had a higher cultivation realm than the others. They were in charge of dealing with the stronger opponents, the ones that the Orcs couldn't deal with on their own.
Jaku and Umisu were both only in the 3rd stage of the Body Formation realm, but he knew that their effective strengths were way above that. Sheina's performance during her last battle proved that.
"What are we waiting for? Let's ride!" Zion shouted with the Orcs.
Michael crossed his arms. "I don't think you should come."
"What?! Bro Mike!"
The youngest red-scaled Dragonborn was the only one amongst his siblings who had yet to awaken a Diva. He was barely a Maugnetic.
But this wasn't actually the reason why he was hesitant in sending out Zion.
It was because of Sheina. Her absence was sorely missed. If she was here right now, she'd already be swatting Zion's head for being so overly excited. Without her, there was no one to reel the reins before Jaku went too overboard.
"Don't worry, Master!"
A violet slime appeared from the ground and jumped up to Zion's shoulders. "I'll be sticking with Zion for the majority of the raid!" Fudge said.
This was the opposite of reassuring. Michael inwardly instructed more of his Mini Drones to keep an eye on the two. They weren't just double the trouble, they were a catastrophic multiplier!
"Did they brief you in on the mission?" he asked Jaku.
"I just need to enter through here and defeat anyone I see, right?" Jaku replied, pointing at the shadow map.
Michael massaged his head. "And you also need to guide the other Orcs so that they can infiltrate some of the treasure rooms here and there."
"Ah… right, right. Sorry, boss. I forgot hehe."
Okay, I have to add more Mini Drones to keep an eye on Jaku. Knowing him, he's too lazy to look over the map itself. He'd get lost.
"Ummm… sir Michael? What… what do I do?" Umisu asked, nervously gripping her spear.
"You attack the other side of the Stronghold. You'll be attacking at the same time as Jaku."
She knew all of this stuff beforehand. But her nervousness was getting the better of her.
"Hey, I heard you and Selune are getting close. How is she?"
Umisu's eyes widened, and the stiffness in her body slightly melted. "She's… she's a good friend! She's taught me a lot. I never knew that Werewolves like her also hide a lot of uncontrollable emotions within them…"
After a few seconds, Umisu closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Selune and the Brownblood's teachings were slowly coming back to her.
Her posture changed, slowly gaining more confidence and control.
Then, she turned to look at Michael. "I'm ready now, sir Michael!"
Surprisingly, it seemed that Umisu would be the most reliable out of the bunch. Allying with the Brownbloods did wonders for her.
…I'll still send a few Mini Drones to aid her.
Eventually, the preparations were done. If they lingered any longer, then they would just be stalling. And it would only increase the chances that Ersatz would move.
It was time to strike.
"Make these bastards know the comfort of Reborn," he shouted.
BU TO TO!
RAH TA TA!
As they readied themselves, Michael reached down into his shadows, revealing his stash of GodForge pieces ready to be consumed.
…
…
…
The Ersatz Stronghold. One of the most secretive locations in New Sparta.
Hundreds of men strolled through the parapets, guarding the castle with a casual attitude. In their entire tenure, no one had ever attacked their Stronghold and lived to tell the tale.
The walls. Only 15 meters in height. Yet, if one tried to climb it, they would suddenly find themselves scaling an impossibly tall mountain.
The creator of this Stronghold, a Nascent Spirit cultivator at the very least, made sure that the walls did its job, even against an all powerful Maugnetic.
The only way through inside was the drawbridge that would allow people to cross the moat, as instead of water, it was an endless abyss that would welcome its trespassers.
Two guards were stationed at the drawbridge. Both in the 3rd stage. Specifically chosen for their alertness.
Yet, they were clueless as a shadow emerged from the corner of their station room.
This shadow slithered through the cobblestone ground, before reaching the first guard.
It assimilated into his shadow, now bearing a sinister smile like that of a devil.
The soldier jolted up before he immediately walked over to the metal chains and began yanking it downwards.
Wood creaked as the drawbridge slowly lowered over the moat.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?!" screamed the other guard, shaking his companion.
His companion turned to him absentmindedly. "He said that we should open it."
The absent-minded soldier pointed at the empty space over the moat. This was unnerving, to say the least. "What are you talking about? There's no one there! Stop opening the drawbridge or you'll get us both in trouble."
He touched his companion's soldier, suddenly feeling a cold sensation on his back.
Aubility Power. He was being controlled!
"YOU—"
But as soon as he touched his shoulder, a devilish shadow suddenly engulfed his own shadow, creating the same absent-minded look on his face.
"Hehehehe…"
A violet slime popped up from the ground, watching as the two soldiers both lowered the drawbridge.
THUD.
For the first time since its creation, the Stronghold was forcefully opened.
It was only a few seconds later did the guards patrolling the area notice the cold breeze blowing from the lowered drawbridge.
"HEY!"
But his warnings were far too late. Thousands of shadows burst inside the Stronghold.
Shadow Orcs began emerging from these shadows. Thousands. Tens of thousands of them. All landing into the different parts of the Stronghold.
They scaled the walls from the inside, reaching the parapets and battlements. They flooded the entrances to the castles. They infiltrated the barracks, taking the resting guards completely off guard.