Stefan set aside the lofty feelings and warm sensations permeating his heart and he decided to focus on the task he had been assigned to.


    Ever since he lost his cousin and all his friends, joining the Outers in the process, he never really had much of an opportunity to interact with someone his age. He had to force himself to grow up, bing more like the grown-ups around him, so he could properly contribute to his team.


    The Outgroup was his family, and he loved all of them as one would cherish older siblings or parent-figures. However, something felt missing amid all of that.


    But everything changed when Ana joined their team.


    ''These past months… I really enjoyed myself.''


    It had been so long since he felt something like this for anyone. However, he couldn''t assume that Ana felt the same. He didn''t want to burden her with how he felt, especially when things had reached this critical stage.


    ''Let''s make it out of this alive, Ana. I''ll tell you how I feel once this is all over!'' Stefan gritted hs teeth as he floated in the air among his troops.


    ''I promise you!''


    *


    *


    *


    "The Safe Zone has been established already. It''s time."


    The Safe Zone was arge patch ofnd, just outside the bustling Dwarven Capital, which was now covered in a bright white dome.


    ''We''ll bring all the Dwarves here while Ana and her forces eliminate the threats.''


    The Dwarven Colony was filled with poisonous air, and the levels of infections were high. The only reason the denizens could survive in such a ce was because of their strong vitality. However, by taking them to the Safe Zone, their health would be guaranteed, and they would be protected from harm.


    It was Jared''s idea, but Stefan couldn''t help but feel immensely proud of the idea.


    The Safe Zone Core was designed by the joint efforts of Ana and Neron. It uses the Mana around and creates a denseyer of protection that hardens and prevents any form of entry. Only those whom it recognizes will be allowed entry by the Mana Layer lowering its density in the direction of the ally, enough so that the person could enter with no problems arising.


    ''My troops and I are all recognized by the device. We''ll bring the Dwarves here and keep them safe.''


    The Safe Zone was only about half the size of the Dwarven Colony, but when you considered the current poption, and the fact that most of thend in it was upied by Evil Jared''s minions and factories, it became easier to see how it would upy all of them.


    ''They should have already sensed the Mana Convergence in the Safe Zone, so the scouts should be here at any moment. Looks like Ana and her team will be making their move soon. I should y my part now!''


    >WHUUUUUUSSSSSSHH!<


    With a wry smile, Stefan navigated his way through the air, his troops behind him, and he lunged toward the Colony.


    Within moments, he closed the distance and arrived at the Dwarven Colony.


    "HALT! INTRUDER, SURRENDER!"


    As expected, he was met with resistance by pretty much all of the Colony''s Security.


    Golems and Exoskeletons manned by pilots appeared before Stefan, as well as other Magi-Tech constructs that imposed a grave apprehension of harm.


    Faced with the malevolent forces that threatened to halt his mission, Stefan resorted to one of his Trump Cards—one that was drilled into him, and hisrades, by Jared.


    ''Spellcraft…''


    In an instant, the Mana he had spread around began to coagte with the surrounding Mana, creating a fierce reaction that stunned everyone who watched.


    "[Frost Blizzard]"


    In an instant, a severe ice storm consumed the environment, creating a screen of fog that epassed everything within a couple hundred meters.


    ''Not only will the frost slow them down, but they''ll have a hard time seeing or even sensing me thanks to the thickness of the blizzard.''


    Since it was a Mana-condensed area, even Mages who had Sensory Magic would find it difficult to find him.


    >WHOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHHH!!!<


    Completely unharmed by his Spell, thanks to his preemptive utilization of a defensive barrier, he continued his journey into the Colony. His main mission was now about to begin.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    ''Getting the people to cooperate in our efforts to relocate them to the Safe Zone as quickly as possible…''


    Normally, this would have been quite a difficult task to undertake. Not only was he an unreliable stranger, but these Dwarves had been living in fear and captivity for so long. Why would they dare defy Jared and listen to him?


    It was a problem that would have threatened the viability of the entire mission.


    Fortunately, the solution dwelled in his second Trump Card.


    ''Arcana Spell: [Temperance]''


    Within moments, a burst of magnificent light spread from him and covered the entire Dwarven Colony. This peach-colored glow pierced the dark clouds, turning them into pink-like fluff. Soon after, showers of the fluff began raining down on the city.


    ''Alright… let''s see what happens now.'' Stefan watched as the shocked and worried Dwarven Denizens tried to escape the falling pink snow, though not all of them could avoid it.


    The moment the snow touched a Dwarf, their eyes glowed bright pink, and a smile of pleasure coursed though their faces. They stopped moving, almost as if stuck in a trance.


    "Take them to the Safe Zone." Stefan told his Automaton and Golem troops, and they instantly obeyed.


    The ones who did their best to avoid the snow, either by seeking shelter or using the tools in their possession, were still a problem for Stefan—though not for long.


    ''[Temperance] deals with emotions. It forcefully drowns emotions while bringing a dominant one to the surface. It affects anything, as long as it is living. By putting the catalyst in the clouds, I was able to spread it faster as snow… but its effects aren''t limited to that.''


    All that was required was physical contact with the catalyst, and that existed in many ways.


    ''For one…'' Stefan smiled as he watched even those that avoided the snow suddenly showing signs of its influence.


    They came out of their hiding ces, showing ecstatic smiles while leaving themselves defenseless.


    ''... The sense of smell can also be used.''


    The pink snow leaked out a sweet smell that permeated the Colony. Even if the snow itself couldn''t reach everyone, the aroma would. In the end, it was just like the spread of an epidemic.


    ''This way, all of them will easilyply with my wishes and safely evacuate.''


    Stefan was grateful for the perfect conditions that made it more convenient for this n to work. Not even he had enough Mana to influence an entire nation—no one among the Outers did, except perhaps Jared.


    It was thanks to Spellcraft that he was able to utilize the dense Mana in the surroundings to spread his influence over these people. Without the right conditions, it would have been too draining and time-consuming to do so.


    ''Also, these people are physically and mentally worn-out, making it easier.''


    All in all, the conditions were simply made for the solution he utilized.


    >BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!<


    He could hear the sounds of battle in the distance, realizing that Ana must have begun handling the enemies.


    ''Good luck, Ana. I hope to see you soon.''


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    You know... I miss thements and power stones you all used to give. For those who constantly support me, thank you. For those who don''t... it isn''t toote to start.


    Your contributions matter a lot to me. Thanks.


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