Mystic Calling：Stone of Glory

Meanwhile—

Ethan had just arrived at the battlefield where Oakenmaw and Orryn were engaged in combat.

"My Lord! You came here yourself?!" Orryn landed in front of him, clearly anxious. "This place is too dangerous! Maybe I should stay behind with some of my kin to protect you?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow and smirked. "You? Protect me? You sure about that?"

Orryn blinked—then his face froze as the realization hit him. "Ah... apologies, my Lord. I forgot. You’re far, far stronger than I am."

"But still, you should be careful! If anything happens to you, Princess Seraphina will skin me alive!"

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "Don’t worry. I’ll hold her off for you."

Then his gaze shifted toward the distance, where Oakenmaw was pushing through the chaos to reach them. "Orryn, Oakenmaw—what’s the situation?"

"To be honest, my Lord... not great," Orryn said, his face twisted in frustration. "It doesn’t feel like they’re here to fight us. It’s more like they’re here to die—just to corrupt the land and spread something called Infernal Blight."

"Infernal Blight?" Ethan frowned. "What the hell is that?"

"It’s a unique and vile ability of the Inferno faction," came Oakenmaw’s voice, low and weary. "My Lord, I must apologize. We failed to complete the task you gave us. The fault is ours. We await your punishment."