The massive gates of Base 305 stood fully open.
Rows of armored soldiers lined the stone road leading into the fortress.
Not one weapon was raised.
Not one arrow was drawn.
Yet every pair of eyes remained fixed on the visitors.
Sam stepped forward.
Behind him walked Ben.
Beside Ben was Zora, her long robes flowing gently in the breeze.
Kael followed with his Frost Spear resting comfortably over one shoulder.
Runa's keen eyes swept across the walls, already noting every archer position and every possible firing angle.
The Goblin Warlord King marched in disciplined silence.
The Goblin Mage floated alongside it, crystal mana slowly orbiting its staff.
Hidden from sight...
The eight Shadow Scouts had already entered the kingdom's outer perimeter.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Multiple observation teams have detected our hidden scouts.
Estimated detection rate...
Thirty-four percent.
Sam smiled faintly.
"They're good."
---
As the delegation continued through the gate...
Whispers spread among the soldiers.
"That's Commander Sam..."
"He really brought undead inside the kingdom..."
"They aren't acting like monsters..."
"Look at that Goblin..."
"That's the evolved Goblin Warlord King..."
"I heard it defeated an entire monster army..."
Another soldier quietly muttered,
"...And that's the Goblin Mage."
"The one capable of crystal magic."
A young Dragon Knight frowned.
"They don't look out of control."
An older veteran shook his head.
"No."
"They're disciplined."
"Just like soldiers."
---
Several children peeked from behind their parents.
One little boy stared wide-eyed at the Goblin Mage.
"It floats..."
His mother gently pulled him back.
"Stay close."
The Goblin Mage noticed.
Instead of reacting...
It simply lowered its staff slightly before continuing forward.
The frightened expression on the mother's face slowly eased.
---
High above...
Standing atop the palace steps...
Commander Elena watched them arrive.
Her silver armor gleamed beneath the afternoon sun.
A crimson cape rested against her back.
Beside her stood four Dragon Knight captains mounted beside powerful drakes.
Yet...
Elena remained focused on only one person.
Sam.
Inside her mind...
A calm feminine voice echoed.
Commander...
System Analysis Complete.
Commander Sam.
Threat Assessment...
Unable to Calculate.
Military Potential...
Exceptionally High.
Recommendation...
Proceed with diplomacy.
Elena answered silently.
"I was planning to."
---
Instead of waiting...
She descended the palace steps.
One by one...
The Dragon Knight captains followed.
The soldiers watching exchanged surprised glances.
"Commander..."
"She's meeting him herself..."
The older veterans understood immediately.
"Only equals receive that honor."
---
Sam stopped walking.
Ben, Zora, Kael, Runa, Leon, the Goblin Warlord King, and the Goblin Mage stopped with him.
The courtyard became completely silent.
Elena stopped only a few steps away.
For several long seconds...
Neither Commander spoke.
They simply observed one another.
Finally...
Elena extended her hand.
"Commander Sam."
Sam accepted the handshake.
"Commander Elena."
Neither tried to overpower the other.
Neither attempted to establish dominance.
They simply acknowledged one another.
Leader to leader.
Commander to Commander.
Kingdom to Kingdom.
---
Elena smiled slightly.
"I've been looking forward to meeting the man who defeated humanity's first Regional Boss."
Sam answered calmly.
"It wasn't a victory I achieved alone."
He glanced behind him.
"My people earned it with me."
Elena followed his gaze.
She saw Ben standing proudly.
Zora calmly observing everything around her.
Kael carrying his Frost Spear with effortless confidence.
Runa quietly studying every rooftop.
Leon...
For a split second...
She couldn't find him.
Then...
She realized he was standing exactly where he had been.
Somehow...
He simply blended into the surroundings.
Interesting...
---
Elena looked back at Sam.
"You inspire loyalty."
Sam smiled.
"They inspire me."
For the first time...
Elena laughed softly.
"I think we're going to get along."
Ben quietly leaned toward Zora.
"I like her."
Without looking at him, Zora replied,
"I know."
Kael grinned.
"I give it five minutes before Ben tries to recruit one of their soldiers."
Ben looked offended.
"...I wait at least ten."
Even Elena's captains chuckled.
The tension faded.
---
"Come," Elena said.
"My command hall is prepared."
Sam nodded.
"I appreciate your hospitality."
The two Commanders walked side by side toward the palace.
Behind them...
Their officers followed.
Two groups.
Walking together.
Not as rivals...
But as allies.
---
The command hall of Base 305 was magnificent.
A massive map covered one wall.
Colored markers identified nearby monster territories.
Supply routes stretched between allied settlements.
Training schedules, patrol reports, and production numbers filled several glowing System screens.
Ben's eyes widened.
"They're organized."
George would have loved this place.
Zora studied the magical formations carved into the ceiling.
"...Mana circulation arrays."
Kael whistled.
"They don't do anything halfway."
Runa quietly examined the tower placements shown on the map.
Leon had already disappeared.
No one noticed exactly when.
---
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Scanning Base 305.
Population...
Thirty-two thousand.
Standing Army...
Five thousand two hundred.
Dragon Knight Corps...
Eight hundred.
Elite Mage Corps...
Six hundred.
Military Rating...
Comparable to Base 101.
Alliance Probability...
Ninety-six percent.
Sam nodded almost imperceptibly.
---
Elena gestured toward the large table.
"Please."
Everyone took their seats.
For a brief moment...
Peace settled over the room.
Then...
BOOM!
The command hall doors slammed open.
A Dragon Knight scout rushed inside.
His silver armor was scratched.
His breathing was ragged.
He dropped to one knee.
"Commander!"
Every officer stood instantly.
Elena's expression sharpened.
"Report."
The scout swallowed hard.
"Our eastern border forts have sent an emergency transmission."
"The Beast Kingdom..."
"...has crossed the frontier."
Silence.
Every eye in the room fixed on the scout.
Elena's voice remained calm.
"How large?"
The scout's face turned pale.
"More than twenty thousand Beastmen."
Ben frowned.
"Twenty thousand..."
Kael tightened his grip on his Frost Spear.
Runa's smile vanished.
Leon silently appeared beside the wall.
Even the Goblin Warlord King's soul flames burned brighter.
Elena asked the final question.
"Who is leading them?"
The scout lowered his head.
"General Bjorn..."
"...the Beast King himself."
The room became deathly still.
Sam slowly looked toward Elena.
Without speaking...
Both Commanders understood.
This was no border skirmish.
It was the beginning of a war.