Trash Prince and Ice Queen 10th Re - Life

The following day in the city of Whitdale, a massive shadow swept over the land. The entire population looked up to see hundreds of giant zeppelins carrying dwarf and giant forces, moving toward the southern continent like a thick bank of clouds blotting out the sun. From the capital of Durnhill and every city in the kingdom, thousands of infantry and cavalry marched through the town squares, heading toward the borders of the Durnhill Kingdom and the Orthus Empire. They were set to join the zeppelin fleet in the assault on the central continent, while the dark elves moved through the regions, spreading word and gathering everyone capable of a fight.

To the east, the forces of Fredonia and Rellios marched toward the crossing bridge that served as the border to the Orthus Empire on the central continent. They were supported by the elf and demon armies assembled by Baalbel and aided by the Fredonian Raven squads. In the straits between the central and western continents, thousands of merman soldiers from the Lenoria Kingdom broke the surface alongside their war machines, fully armed and ready.

Meanwhile, on the northern continent, a joint force of Rellios, demons, Ateras, elves, and barbarians flooded the port city of Tramund, with some crossing by sea and others moving through the connecting bridges to pierce the border. The entire world was in motion to eliminate the Orthus Empire and seize control.

Ard, Eva, Alicia, Milia, Rosalind, Beatrice, Adeline, Pyria, Mirea, and Claudia set off by sea aboard a zeppelin, accompanied by the demon naval fleet and Vahn’s pirates to strike the port city of Vernice. At the same time, the Rellios, Ateras, and barbarian forces crossed the bridges, reinforced by Ainsley, Irwin, Irina, Varvir, and Durgat leading her orc army.

A few moments later, as Ard and Eva stood on the deck while the zeppelin still hovered above the Tramund naval fortress, they both turned around. A member of the Raven forces was already standing behind them. He immediately bowed and handed over a letter from Abel, who was acting as both intel and informant with Baabel.

"Reporting, Your Highness Ard, Your Highness Eva. The assault from the southern continent has begun. The dwarf, giant, and Durnhill forces have moved out and assembled. Likewise from the east—the Fredonian forces led by Prince Alexis and the dragon riders of the Rellios Kingdom have begun crossing the bridge. End of report," the Raven said.

"Very well. Thank you," Ard replied.

"I shall take my leave, Your Highnesses," the Raven answered.

Without waiting for a response, he vanished instantly. Ard opened the letter; everything the Raven had said was written inside, only in much greater detail. He handed the letter to Eva, who read it immediately. Then, Eva turned to look at Ard.

"It’s time," Eva whispered.

"Yes," Ard replied.

The two of them walked to the front of the bow and looked down. The demon naval fleet and the pirates had already begun to move, accompanied by the merman army beneath the waves. Then Ard turned back to look at his eight fiancées and his younger sister.

"Let’s head out. We’re entering the final great battle. I’m asking all of you to be careful—and that includes you, Eva," Ard said.

"There’s no need to worry about me," Eva replied, reassuring Ard with a kiss on his cheek.

"Yeah... me too. No need to worry, my prince. I’m much stronger than I used to be," Alicia said, also reassuring Ard before kissing his cheek.

Milia didn’t say anything; she simply stepped forward, kissed Ard’s cheek, and nodded to let him know she would be fine. Then Pyria, Mirea, and Claudia did the same. After that, Rosalind stepped forward.

"I won’t let you or Eva down, I promise," Rosalind said firmly.

"I know... take it easy. I believe in you. Just make sure you look after yourself and stay sharp," Ard replied, placing a hand on Rosalind’s shoulder with a smile.

"Don’t worry about that. You know I’m the future commander of the royal knights," Rosalind replied, then stepped forward and kissed Ard’s cheek.

Afterward, Ard’s gaze shifted toward Beatrice and Adeline, who kept their heads down, not daring to look at him or Eva. Ard walked over to them and placed his hands on their shoulders with a smile.

"And you two, please be careful. I’m not going to stop you, but if anything happens to either of you, I will be absolutely furious. Do you understand?" Ard said kindly.

"Yes... Ard, I’m sorry for acting so recklessly," Beatrice said.

"Me too, brother," Adeline added.

Ard smiled again. This time, he was the one to step forward and kiss Beatrice on the cheek, followed by Adeline. Naturally, both of them were startled and instinctively touched their faces. Their expressions looked as though they were about to burst into tears, and they both threw their arms around Ard in a hug. Eva, watching the scene, simply rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. Her face clearly said, "Go ahead, just keep spoiling them," until Alicia, Milia, and Pyria patted her back and shoulders to keep her calm.

"Move out! We must reach the city of Vernice before the naval fleet. For Liberta!" Eva shouted, thrusting Exelion into the air.

"Cling!"

The entire crew instantly raised their weapons and let out a roar before returning to their stations. Afterward, Ard approached Eva.

"Sorry," Ard said.

"It’s fine. Let’s get going," Eva replied.

"Yeah," Ard answered, his focus returning.

Ard then looked toward his other fiancées and his sister, Adeline. He pulled Exgrandal from his dimensional storage.

"Get ready. The nine of us will strike first in a surprise attack. Summon all your familiars. When the distance is right, we move," Ard commanded.

"Ready!" Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Mirea, Pyria, Claudia, and Adeline shouted in unison, wide smiles on their faces as they drew their blades.

The zeppelin surged ahead, racing past the demon naval fleet and the pirates. Vahn, Varvir, Durgat, Ainsley, Irwin, and Irina all looked up, smiling as the airship soared over them. On the deck of the zeppelin, every familiar had been summoned. Ard and Eva stood at the very front of the bow, staring ahead with sharp, piercing eyes, holding hands while their other hands gripped their respective blades.

***

Meanwhile, in the Orthus Imperial Palace, Edmund sat upon his throne with Ophelia in his lap. A soldier rushed into the throne room and immediately dropped to his knees before them, not daring to lift his head.

"Reporting, Your Majesty! The central continent is being attacked from four directions. The kingdoms of Fredonia and Rellios have joined forces to attack from the east; the Durnhill Kingdom and the legendary kingdom of Grimgarth are invading from the south; the Ateras Kingdom is striking from the north; and the legendary kingdom of Lenoria is launching an assault from the western waters," the soldier said, his voice trembling with the clear terror of a man who knew his life would likely end on the battlefield.

"Deploy all forces. Strengthen our borders on all four fronts, now," Edmund said firmly.

The soldier lifted his head, staring at the face of his Emperor, who seemed indifferent and unconcerned about the plight of his people. But when the man’s eyes shifted toward Ophelia, he immediately looked down. His face flushed with rage and his jaw tightened, but he was powerless. Finally, he spoke.

"Understood, Your Majesty. Long live the Orthus Empire," the soldier said with a heavy voice while bowing.

The soldier stood, bowed once more, and ran out. Meanwhile, Edmund remained relaxed, completely confident of victory with Ophelia’s support as she embraced him affectionately.

"As long as I have you, I have no worries," Edmund muttered, smiling at Ophelia.

"That is right, my Emperor. Leave everything to me," Ophelia replied tenderly.

But suddenly, an angel appeared, his handsome face looking deathly pale. Seeing the angel, Ophelia released her embrace from Edmund and approached him.

"What is it?" Ophelia asked.

"This... my Goddess," the angel answered, holding out a crystal ball.

Ophelia looked into the crystal ball, and her eyes widened. From the northwest, a host of the wing tribe could be seen in flight, accompanied by the harpy forces and a floating island—their kingdom and city known as the flying fortress, Soratopia. They were heading toward the central continent, clearly ready for battle. Ophelia swept her hand over the crystal ball to enlarge the image.

On a balcony of the Soratopia palace, a young girl sat on the railing, swinging her legs and resting her chin on her hand. Suddenly, the little girl looked directly toward Ophelia—as if seeing her through the crystal ball from a distance—and smiled, pointing her fingers like a pistol with a "gotcha" expression.

Ophelia’s face instantly twisted with fury. She gripped the crystal ball with both hands and—"crash"—she crushed it to pieces. The angel recoiled in shock and immediately prostrated himself, though a hint of uncertainty flickered across his face.

"Damn you... Githiess. So, she’s interfering after all," Ophelia muttered in her head, seething with rage.