"Can the kingdom hold?" Eldrian asked, currently with Pros atop the newly constructed magic tower. The two looking over the fort and taking some time to catch up on what had happened on opposite sides of the kingdom.


    "We might lose another city or two, but evacuations have beenpleted for the east, and the west has started. The capital also has enough food reserves for now. But it will alle down to how organized the invasion is. If the orcs also start moving, things will be bleak."


    Falling silent, Eldrian wished he had something more to offer. Sadly, he was no tactician. And he didn''t even understand war all that well, despite having been fighting for over two years now. He only understood the limitations of being able to only be at one ce at a time.


    "Do you think we''ll be able to hold off the undead if they flood in from the east?" Eldrian asked. The red dots surrounding the two southeastern cities were terrifying.


    "I do." Pros replied, strangely confident, considering that their numbers would only grow as they conquered morends.


    "Your trade deal with Ganalin fixed our problem ofcking materials, and the cannons we receive weekly are solidifying our border wall. The question is actually if we can secure a path to this fort."


    "Speaking of materials..." Eldrian went ahead and exined the city building feature he had been given ess to. "Sadly, there are limitations to it. But if I can get enough funds, I might be able to secure the fort against any normal force."


    "I see..." A moment of silence psed. "Sadly, we are short on both funds and materials. Everything is being put into the border wall and expanding the agriculture to feed all the refugees..."


    "Yeah, I know. I''ve been thinking of going ahead and iming all the bounties I have from participating in the war."


    Hearing this, Pros grimaced. "Please go and do that in the capital."


    From there, the two continued to talk for a while longer, Eldrian filling Pros in on hisck of gear. Pros offered to allow Eldrian into the city''s storehouses, but Eldrian declined after thinking of it for a while. Everything there was below Tier 5 and would likely be destroyed after just one serious fight.


    "Elizabeth actually collected some material of a Night Terror. It is a fascinating substance. Is it useful?"


    "I do not know. I''ll ask Solvi and let you know through the guild."


    —


    "Hey Levana... Jade." Eldrian faltered a little at seeing thetter, but quickly prepared his mental defenses as Little Phoenix flew to his shoulder. Rubbing the firebird''s head, Eldrian gifted it some more mana.


    "Are you here because of the—what was that blue window?" Levana asked. Apparently, Jade had not filled her in on it.


    ''Wait, why don''t I feel the normal invasion from her?" Lowering his defenses a bit, Eldrian realized her aura seemed under control.


    Seeing his stare, Jade smiled proudly. Until Eldrian asked if the barrier was somehow helping her keep her aura retracted. "How did you know?" she asked with a pout.


    "I doubt you can fix something you had lived with your entire life in just a week or two." Eldrian said, "How does the barrier help?"


    Jean shrugged upon hearing his question. Apparently not even having realized it until Levana had pointed it out to her.


    ''It still is a barrier.'' Two decided to exin, or at least offer, what he suspected was the cause. ''Physical barriers are different, but magical barriers -like this one- takes control of all the mana within it.''


    ''Right, but how does that help with her aura?'' That was why magical barriers were hard to maintain and expand. While you did not need to take control of all the mana within it, you had to be aware of it and be capable of reacting to shifts in the mana.


    ''I''m not sure on that part, but I assume it works in a simr manner to how magical barriers can contest the will of spells, or simply drain the mana making it exist. An aura is still magic. We don''t really know how it works, but we know it is tied to lifeforce and emotions.''


    ''My guess is that the barrier prevents it from leaking from her,'' Two offered, ''Or it makes it easier to control, or Ziraili took control of it to an extent?''


    Nodding, Eldrian formed a small ball of mes, his go to for testing things. Letting it fly around for a bit, he found it funny how Little Phoenix was chasing it. Finally, the bird caught it and swallowed it with apparent satisfaction.


    Repeating the test, Eldrian this time tried to add some anger to the mes. Not that he had much anger at the moment, so he just thought of his IRL situation and threw a bit of that frustration towards the spell.


    It flowed smoothly, not much different from normal. The ball of me did not survive long, Little Phoenix diving at it with astonishing speed. Giving a satisfied burp as it rubbed its belly.


    ''I can''t tell a difference. So no idea.''


    "The blue window was a sort of contract. Everyone entering the fort will have to ept its terms or they will be marked as an invader. This way, we should be able to maintain a peaceful environment to further our talks with." Eldrian finally exined Levana''s question.


    The vampire appeared satisfied with that answer and returned to her seat atop the walls. Enjoying some tea as she waited for Eldrian to continue. She, Jade, and Myropsis had made it a habit to meet atop the walls, feed Little Phoenix crystals containing mana, and talking.


    Eldrian, however, wasn''t going to join in that habit. "I just wanted to confirm that you epted the prompt, and that you had noints. Right, so I will be leaving now."


    "Wait, won''t you stay a bit longer?" Jade asked.


    "The kingdom is facing a crisis, so no. I have to try my best to help as much as I can." Eldrian replied.


    —


    "Where are we going?" Ceph asked. He had been catching up with Myropsis. Helping her with a few questions she had on dynamic casting. Her progress was slow but steady.


    "I think it is time to visit the capital. I need to call in my bounties and also want to look for some materials..."


    "Alright, but can we go tomorrow?" Ceph asked.


    "Sure." Eldrian wasn''t in too much of a hurry. He still had a few things he wanted to confirm in the city. And he wanted to meet with Ziraili before logging off. "Find me at my estate tomorrow." With that, Eldrian started for the city. Transitioning into a jog as he left the fort''s gates.


    Enjoying the simply run, Eldrian soon reached the border wall. It had improved greatly since thest time he had seen it. It was still mostly wood, but extending from Fort Ganalin, the walls were dotted with cannons. There was also plenty of a ballista dotting the wall. Any forceing within range of the defenses would be blown to smithereens.


    AN: Remember to leave ament and vote to show your support!


    :)