"We are getting near… Everyone, get ready!"

Folco announced in their comms after noticing that they are getting near to the landing site… He is the commander of the second Battalion from Maja that was sent to assist the Montego.

The first batch of Mage Battalion was unfortunately almost annihilated by the aliens. Their survivors weren't even in a good condition and they could still die at the medical facilities…

Right now, he's in a room within their airship together with his vice commanders as they just finished discussing the topography of the alien's landing site.

"Haa~ This might be our last mission..."

Folco muttered as he prepares his mind.

He has a large frame compared to the other officers inside the room so anyone would easily recognize him. Aside from that, his mechanical right arm was also something that could catch anyone's attention.

This mechanical right arm was made through the advancement of their automaton's study… Of course, it is through the help of Veda, who would like to help each country depending on their needs.

Nevertheless, their country isn't the best for creating automatons for no reason. They truly deserve such a title even if it's backed by Veda.

As he was about to point something out about their rendezvous point with the Montego's forces, they heard someone running outside…

Knock! Knock!

"Commander… We just received a report that even Sir Julian's Soul Grip didn't work against the aliens…" The soldier reported after entering the room.

"The Soul Grip? What's that?" Folco asked as he couldn't remember such Mana Spell, Steel Knight, Mana Artifacts, or weapon before. He has no idea what it is.

"Ahh… We previously received a piece of information from Veda that Sir Julian has a forbidden Soul Art that he can use against the aliens… We just learned that its name is Soul Grip after Veda made another report…"

"Hmmm. I remember now… Even a forbidden Soul Art is useless, huh…"

Folco muttered as he weighed the situation.

"Did we receive a report about their current plans?"

"No, Sir… However, it seems that Sir Julian is waiting for our arrival as he was gathering his remaining forces."

"Tsk… They were too confident with their Mage Towers. Are they not planning to rebuild them?"

"Ugh… I wasn't aware of any information regarding that, commander… However, as far as I know, they would require at least a week or two to rebuild a single Mage Tower."

"Mhmm… Very well. You can go back now…"

The officer then saluted to the commander before returning to his post.

Folco remained silent as he was trying to consider the fact that the aliens seem to be looking for something.

They previously received information from Avalon that the aliens are most likely looking for the Memory Crystal Mines aside from the magicians that they could capture.

They seem to have a use for the crystals that they were not aware of. Nevertheless, this means that they would need some workers or time to establish mining missions…

If they used this opportunity well, they might be able to deal more damages to the Black Sovereign's forces than just mindlessly charging towards that spaceship.

They already have weaker firepower and they have to accept that… If they try to force the fight in which they are at disadvantage, they would just lose more magicians… They can't let them die in vain.

They have to learn new tactics to adapt to the alien's fighting method.

"Everyone, our Battalion isn't that good to a large-scale fight between spaceships and airships. We have seen that they also have ground forces. We will focus on eliminating their Mech Frames and other smaller units…"

"Yes, Commander… However, we won't be able to do that unless there would be something that would pin their spaceship…"

"It's alright… We already confirmed the effective range of the Black Sovereign. We will just lead the Mech Frames in some areas and isolate them."

Folco then continued explaining his plans.

Unfortunately, the aliens still have a lot of ground forces so they have to be mindful of their actions. If they made a mistake, their 3000 automatons may just be wasted by a single positron cannon of the Black Sovereign…

After a few more minutes, they arrived at the rendezvous point of their army and Julian's remaining forces.

Folco looked at the old man in his luxurious robe… It feels like Julian is about to attend a ceremony instead of going to war. The latter is currently together with 4 more sages that are also wearing a ceremonial robe…

However, he knows that the robe has been enhanced multiple times and is probably tougher than their airship's armor.

This is also Julian's first time seeing the man, so he was a bit surprised after seeing his Mechanical Arm.

He had only seen such mechanical limbs with the retired and disabled soldiers before. He never thought that someone with such a disability can still serve in their country…

'I guess they don't have many soldiers in Maja… Ahh… It seems that it is right since they are focusing on automatons…' Julian talked to himself after seeing the man.

He can tell that Folco is at the level of Sage and is the strongest in his group. Julian never failed to analyze the power of his fellow magicians so he approached the man and greeted him.

"Thank for you coming here… Though my country is at a huge disadvantage, we still have a chance to win this war."

"Ho~ You're confident Sir Julian… That's what I like to hear… Tell me about your plans."

Folco didn't bother with pleasantries as he gets to the point. If he didn't like Julian's plan… He would insist on what he thought to be the best for his men…

He doesn't want any of his 500 magicians to die in vain.

It is fine for him even if the 3000 automatons are destroyed by the aliens. However, the life of the 500 Adept Mages of his country is irreplaceable.

"Very well… You should've heard about my Soul Grip already…"

"Yes… It didn't work against the aliens, right?" Folco bluntly replied to the royal court magician…

Julian smiled wryly upon hearing this and explained about the Khrusam Race's specialty…

"The Khrusams, or those golden-skinned aliens, have the power to manipulate the Death Energy… Avalon and Veda confirmed this information…"

"Mhmm… So their ability to control the energy can affect your Soul Art?"

"Yes! That's why we can probably treat the Khrusams as Magicians that have studied the Mysticism's Path…"

Julian seems to be excited as he was explaining what he knows about the aliens.

However, Folco does not understand where his excitement is coming from. Learning about such a powerful alien ability shouldn't be something he should be happy about.

Indeed, Julian noticed that he wasn't interested so he continued explaining…

"I heard that they are using a Corpse Furnace to properly control this energy… I'm suspecting that they are also using a Soul Art in a completely different way… After all, only Soul Art can fight against another Soul Art… If I use that logic, then I can probably use my other forbidden art called Soul Explosions against them… The only problem is that this is a difficult process even for me."

The royal court magicians explained as he gave hope to their current despairing situation…

"Only Soul Art can fight against another Soul Art…" Folco repeated as he looked at Julian…

If the aliens are indeed using an unknown Soul Art, then it makes sense that they can defend against Julian's Soul Grip if they follow that rule.

"Very well… Give me the details…" Folco asked as he felt that this is a good shot for them.

Right now, he can only hope that the preparations require for this Soul Explosion Art isn't to sacrifice his Magicians…

***

Yumi and the rest of the people that are important to Wallace have arrived at the Floating Island meant to be their exclusive Shelter…

The place is surprisingly familiar as the building structures and facilities are similar to the Moon Base that they have seen in the previous broadcasts that Ace made…

Of course, Miya noticed this as well since she played the second season of the virtual game, the Player Invasion: Moon Project…

The game allowed them to do some space missions and some battles in outer space.

"Avalon, what's the current situation of the war?"

Miya asked softly after being left alone with an automaton… Diana Humeray, her Manager, wasn't together with her since they are watching the live broadcast at the gathering hall…

Miya doesn't like the crowded place so she decided to just walk around the huge floating island together with the automaton.

[ Unfavorable to our planet at the moment. There are more than 8,000 confirmed deaths on our side… and still counting. The highest casualty is the war happening at Montego followed by the one in Stella Region. ]

"That's so many…. How about the casualties on the enemy side?"

Miya asked after hearing the sad news… She doesn't know the number of magicians and ordinary citizens in that count but it doesn't matter.

She knows that the aliens wouldn't stop until they got what they wanted.