Sometimes, the joys and sorrows of people are not the same.

Previously, the leader of the Wind Clan had watched the attacks of the Fang Clan and the Earth Clan as if observing a spectacle.

After all, none of the dead fairies were hers.

Naturally, she hoped the casualties would be as high as possible.

But now, what was this Earth Clan representative saying?

That the fairies of her clan should join the battle?!

The Wind Clan's leader was firmly opposed to this.

Absolutely not.

The fairies of the Wind Clan were far too valuable.

Even if siege weapons were provided, there was no guarantee they wouldn't suffer losses.

Was this appropriate?

Absolutely not.

Thus, the Wind Clan's leader spoke:

"The fairies of our Wind Clan are unprepared. To act hastily now would be highly inappropriate. You should continue your assault first allow our Wind Clan more time to prepare."

Whether they were truly unprepared or not was entirely up to the Wind Clan's leader to decide.

If things looked unfavorable, "preparing" for another ten days or even half a month would be perfectly normal.

But by then, the opportunity for battle would be completely lost.

So, the burden of the attack would fall entirely on the Fang Clan's fairies.

Seeing this, how could the Fang Clan's acting leader not understand the implication?

He bared his teeth, eyes gleaming with menace.

"So, you've no intention of joining the fight?"

He spoke in a low voice.

"Some people are born freeloaders. And let me tell you, freeloading is not a good look."

Beside the Fang Clan's acting leader, Lot added fuel to the fire with a smirk.

The moment these words were spoken, the Wind Clan leader's expression darkened for an instant.

Then, she lightly flicked her wings.

"Melusine."

She called out softly.

In an instant, Melusine appeared before Lot and the others.

At the sight of Melusine, the Fang Clan's acting leader's face twisted in displeasure.

This one's strength was beyond what he could handle.

And now, the Wind Clan leader had summoned Melusine was she preparing for hostilities?

He clenched his fists, mind racing.

In stark contrast to his tension, however, Lot simply waved at Melusine with a smile.

"Miss Melusine, we meet again."

He greeted her cheerfully.

"...Yes. We meet again."

Melusine nodded quietly.

Watching their interaction, both the Wind Clan leader and the Fang Clan's acting leader were stunned.

Then, at the same time, a single thought crossed their minds:

"Will this one beside me betray us?"

This fear was especially strong for the Wind Clan leader. She knew full well that Melusine's thoughts did not align with her own. The only reason Melusine obeyed her was because she had taken her in when she was alone and helpless.

As for whether Melusine would turn against her she had no confidence whatsoever.

Fortunately, neither Lot nor Melusine had such intentions.

Lot smiled at Melusine and asked:

"So, little Melusine, have you found your answer?"

"...Yes."

Melusine nodded.

"I've found my answer."

"Then, what is your choice?"

At this question, Melusine's face twisted in conflict.

But after a moment of hesitation, she finally replied:

"For now... I still stand here."

Lot had expected this.

Beneath his mask, his lips curled into a pleased smile.

The worse the war became, the more despicable the Wind Clan leader's actions would be. Eventually, she would cross a line Melusine could not tolerate.

Heh.

Then, she would swiftly join their side.

"I hope your choice doesn't bring you regret."

Lot said lightly.

Watching their exchange, the leaders (or acting leaders) of the Fang and Wind Clans glared at each other fiercely.

If you have something to say, just say it outright.

Enough with the riddles get lost.

After a tense silence, the Fang Clan's acting leader demanded:

"So, what's the plan now?"

"We still need time to prepare. For now, your Fang Clan will continue the assault on the castle. We'll support you with magecraft from the rear."

The Wind Clan leader replied.

"You refuse to pay any price, huh?"

The Fang Clan's acting leader grew even angrier.

At this, the Wind Clan leader responded matter-of-factly:

"Our Wind Clan fairies have never been fond of war. This attack on human society was your Fang Clan's idea to begin with. That we're willing to assist at all is already a great concession."

"Casualties among your Fang Clan are to be expected in battle. Don't take it too hard."

"Heh. Then I hope your Wind Clan's captives are doing well. Your fairies are quite popular among human nobles, after all."

The Fang Clan's acting leader spat venomously.

Listening nearby, Lot couldn't help but think to himself:

"That was before. Now that I'm here, the Wind Clan fairies work hard but they don't sell their bodies."

Outwardly, however, as the Fang Clan's acting leader turned to him, Lot merely shrugged.

"I designed those siege tools specifically for the Wind Clan's physique. If they refuse to fight, there's nothing I can do."

As he spoke, he deliberately revealed a few siege weapons the Fang Clan had never seen before tools tailored exclusively for the Wind Clan's fairies and useless to anyone else.

The Fang Clan's acting leader let out a furious roar.

Then, he pointed at his subordinates and barked:

"Continue the attack!"

At his command, the Fang Clan's fairies raised their weapons and charged toward Orkney's walls once more.

Seeing this, the Wind Clan's fairies turned to their leader for direction.

"Begin casting spells."

The Wind Clan leader waved her hand dismissively.

Beside her, Melusine stepped forward, lifting her greatsword.

"I'll join the assault."

She declared.

"...Fine."

Though the Wind Clan leader was visibly reluctant to let Melusine participate, she knew refusing now would raise too many questions.

With permission granted, Melusine dashed toward Orkney's castle.

All of this was observed by Morgan, hidden in the shadows.

Watching the scene unfold, a thought crossed her mind.

She turned to the Rain Clan's leader beside her.

"I have something to attend to."

"Understood."

The Rain Clan's leader nodded.

She was aware of the "Savior's" connection to humanity whatever Morgan did now was understandable.

Morgan began transmitting orders via magecraft.

On the battlefield, Tristan and Bedivere watched as the fairies launched their assault.

"They're even fiercer today than yesterday," Bedivere remarked, frowning. "And behind the Fang Clan's forces those are the Wind Clan's spellcasters, aren't they? The pressure we're facing is far greater than before..."

Just as he spoke, Bedivere suddenly fell silent.

Noticing this, Tristan immediately asked:

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

The fairies were unpredictable if they'd cursed Bedivere mid-battle, they had to act fast.

"It's nothing. I've just received a magical transmission from Her Majesty Morgan."

Bedivere exhaled, then smiled.

Pointing at the fairies, he instructed Tristan:

"From now on, focus all archer fire on the Wind Clan's fairies."

"Hm? Understood."

Tristan blinked, then nodded.

Without hesitation, he drew his bow and loosed several arrows each one piercing through a Wind Clan fairy with terrifying precision.

Streaks of crimson painted the ground.

Watching this, the Wind Clan leader's face tightened.

Meanwhile, the Fang Clan's fairies reached the base of the walls and began scaling them.

The defenders retaliated with rolling logs, crushing stones, molten gold, and boiling water but the archers ignored them entirely, raining death upon the Wind Clan instead.

Tristan, in particular, dealt devastating losses with every shot.

The Wind Clan leader's heart twisted with each casualty.

Hidden in the shadows, Morgan watched her expression with disdain.

These fairies are nothing compared to Vortigern.

The difference wasn't just in strength though the fairy armies held the advantage in numbers, their mentality was leagues beneath his.

Did the Wind Clan leader truly believe she could hide safely behind the frontlines?

Pathetic.

Morgan smirked.

She's made herself the perfect target.

The assault continued.

The Fang Clan suffered heavy losses, yet their acting leader remained impassive.

In contrast, the Wind Clan leader grew increasingly agitated as her own forces fell.

Noticing this, the Fang Clan's acting leader sneered.

"Casualties among your Wind Clan are to be expected in battle. Don't take it too hard."

He threw her own words back at her.

"This... this is unacceptable!"

The Wind Clan leader's mind raced.

If we lose so many, we'll be at a disadvantage in future conflicts with the other clans!

Making up her mind, she issued a command.

"The Wind Clan has other matters to attend to. We withdraw!"

Her fairies shared her sentiments entirely.

During battle, they had dragged their feet but the moment retreat was called, they fled with astonishing speed.

In moments, the Wind Clan's forces had vanished from the battlefield.

Watching this, the Fang Clan's acting leader saw red.

"That bastard!!!"

He roared at his troops.

"Sound the retreat!"

With the bellow of horns, the Fang Clan's assault ceased.

Meanwhile, atop the walls, Melusine had engaged Bedivere in combat.

She disdained slaughtering common soldiers massacring weaklings wasn't her style.

Instead, she sought out the strongest opponent: Bedivere himself.

In terms of raw power, Melusine was the strongest foe Lot had encountered since Vortigern's draconic form and this was without her transforming.

Even Bedivere, wielding his lance, was forced on the defensive.

Just as the battle reached its peak, however, Melusine realized

The fairies had retreated.

For a moment, she was stunned.

But she knew she couldn't continue.

Though focused on the duel, she'd kept an eye on the broader battlefield and the Wind Clan leader's actions left her disillusioned.

She's no true leader.

After exchanging a few more blows with Bedivere and evading Tristan's arrows, Melusine leapt down from the walls and withdrew.

Upon returning to the fairy camp, however, she immediately sensed the tension.

The Fang Clan's warriors had surrounded the Wind Clan's encampment, weapons drawn.

At the entrance, the two leaders stood in a heated standoff.