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    [N, Llyniel, Leira, Sera, E, and Halime''s POV]


    When the six girls stepped onto the pier from the Battleship, the surroundings shocked everyone as they took in the beauty of the port city. Before them sprawled Tigerw Bay-a bustling Indian-inspired fantasy city teeming with life.


    Tall towers reached into the sky, and they noticed that all of them were embellished with beautiful, colorful banners representing the Ganesha imperial family, theirplex designs catching the sun''s light.


    Leira quickly noticed that city walls were adorned with detailed and beautiful murals depicting legendary battles from the empire''s long past and mythical monsters that their heroes slew encircled the sprawling metropolis.


    The girls nced around, only to see ships of various shapes and sizes decorated with beautiful colored sails showing what part of their world they came from. Merchants unloaded exotic goods from distantnds while sailors hurriedly prepared their vessels for the next voyage.


    While standing there in shock, the pungent aroma of spices hit their noses, and the sound of traders haggling in a melodic blend ofnguages filled the air. E studied each street and found that it was bustling with market stalls.


    Vendors sold everything from silks and jewels to spices and enchanted weapons. While standing there, the captain of the Battleship spoke up, "My Queens. We will stay docked here as long as the city allows it. But if we''re not here, I will leave a detachment of marines to wait for you."


    The group nodded before entering the colorful city and looked at peace; they had to dodge people who nearly bumped into them while walking. N was getting frustrated when a woman barged into her, and her anger made the others giggle.


    Llyniel quicklymented on changing the subject, "Tigerw Bay seems busy. I wonder if the whole continent is this busy."


    "Apparently, it is Lyn," Leira answered. "''Orientia is a trade hub for the other continents as they have ess to gems, spices, rare monsters, and many more things that the nobles sought, which earned the empires a lot of coins."


    Afterward, urged by Sera''s enthusiasm, they explored the city and took in all the unique views and buildings that amazed the six. Eventually, hunger led them to a nearby restaurant, where they were warmly greeted by a server who seated them at thergest table avable.


    Archer''s generosity ensured theycked for nothing, as he had spoiled each of them thoroughly. Although E had questioned his motives earlier, his exnation was simple: his love for each of them knew no bounds.


    Following that, the girl ced a big order, which shocked the server, but he took it nheless. Once he was gone, E spoke, "Tomorrow morning, we''ll hire a carriage with a driver before traveling north to the Green Sea Jungle. Once there, we will search for the Dark Unicorn and moss."


    "How will we find the monster? Halime questioned.


    Sera was the one to answer an excited voice, "N and Leira can sniff it out. Remember, they are felines and have the best noses among us, even mine."''


    She giggled as E, Halime, and Llyniel''s eyes widened, setting off even moreughter from Sera while N and Leira shook their heads. "Shut up, you silly dragon," the half-elf said with a smile, "things have been hectic, and it slipped our minds."


    After that, the girls started eating once the restaurant staff and enjoyed all the different dishes. Once they were done, N, E, and Llyniel went to find an inn to stay in, while Leira, Sera, and Halime went to stock up on stuff for the trip.


    It took them a couple of hours toplete their tasks and find an inn to stay in, and E saw one of the best in Tigerw Bay. She rented out the biggest rooms so three girls could stay in each one as it was full.


    They all settled down for the night and reviewed their ns for the journey north as they gave out all the potions they bought from a General Store. While doing that, N''s and Leira''s ears perked up as the lioness jumped and took out her sword, ready for anything.


    The rest jumped to their feet and readied themselves, but all they heard was a knock on the door, which took them by surprise. E approached the door, followed by the others, and when she opened the door, the people outside surprised them.


    ***


    [Pope Jeremiah''s POV]


    He was sitting in the main church on Verdantia, trying to figure out how to raise more funds. Jeremiah had been stressed over thest couple of weeks due to the dragon stealing enough of their wealth, affecting their war effort.


    While doing that, a knock resounded, heavy thuds hit the door, causing him to shout, "Come in!"


    When the door opened, a cold breeze rushed in, causing Jeremiah to shiver as he looked up to see a robed figure he was familiar with. This caused him to jump up, "You''re not meant toe here! What if the people find out?"


    "Does it matter, human Pope? We gave you many gifts to strengthen your empires and fight against the White Dragon," the being said. "You must invade his kingdom now. The time is right, and that devil is on his deathbed."''


    "What about the vicious girls he surrounded himself with?" Jeremiah questioned while thinking about what was being said.


    "Scattered on three different continents or hiding in the Underrealm," the being informed him. "I will give you 10,000 soldiers from my army to aid your forces in the invasion."


    Jeremiah nodded, "What do you want in return for all this help you''ve given me and the empire? We''re giving you ves and promised you can have the White Dragon''s wives."


    "We want the boy alive or at most his corpse," the being revealed. "You must hand him over once Draconia is conquered."


    ''Damn these heretics! But it must be done,'' he thought before nodding.


    The being was pleased and spoke, "It''s a shame that the boy will die. We had many weapons to test on him, but no matter, this is the best oue."


    "Like thest one? He managed to beat that thanks to the Death Witch, who now has be one of his women," Jeremiah questioned with a knowing smirk.


    "Take that smile off your face, human, or I will turn my armies on your precious continent once the White Dragon is out of the way," the being said with a chuckle.


    Jeremiah''s smirk vanished before he spoke: "I will send a scouting fleet to test their defenses while the main invasion force travels Southwest."


    "Good, if that''s your n, I will give you an additional weapon or two that wille in handy during the sea part of the invasion," the being said before vanishing and leaving the Pope on


    his own.


    He shook his head and called for his aid, "Aiden!"


    A young man rushed into the room only to shiver as Jeremiah spoke, "Order the navy to send a scout group to Draconia and inform the Temrs and Chuch Knights will be the vanguard as the Novgorod army the emperor assigned to me will be the main force."


    Following that, a week passed by, and the scouts were close to Draconia as they sailed across the calm sea. Thanks to a Mana Crystal set up on all the ships, Jeremiah and his wife Natalia


    could see what was happening.


    Jeremiah was confused when Natalia asked to join him, but once Natalia did, she never spoke to him again and watched the screen made from mana show a group of ten ships approaching arge ind in the distance.


    The coastline of Draconia was now visible, a dark silhouette against the horizon. "Everything seems to be proceeding smoothly," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.


    As the fleet neared the ind, the sky began to darken unexpectedly. Jeremiah frowned, leaning closer to the screen. "Is there a storm brewing?" he wondered aloud. Natalia shook her head, her eyes narrowing in concern. "I don''t think that''s a storm..."


    Suddenly, Jeremiah''s breath caught in his throat as he realized what was happening. The darkening sky was not due to clouds but thousands of shimmering, ominous objects


    descending rapidly toward the fleet.


    "Mana shells!" he gasped.


    Before he could utter another word, the first mana shells struck. The screen erupted in explosions as the shells rained down on the scouting fleet. Bright shes of light and plumes of smoke filled the air as ship after ship was obliterated in the onught. Jeremiah watched in horror as the meticulously nned scouting mission was decimated within moments. Ships splintered and sank, sailors were thrown into the turbulent sea, and the once calm waters turned into a chaotic, fiery graveyard.


    ''Oh god! The main fleet will have to use that strange magic, but that means the sailors will be affected by the corruption; maybe we can kill the survivors to stop it spreading?'' the Pope thought. Dayster, the main fleet arrived in the area and entered Draconia''s cannon range, and it happened again, but this time, the green mana shields blocked the shells, causing explosions


    to ring out.


    The Church of Light''s navy surged forward, only to encounter a dozen Draconian battleships that immediately opened fire. Suddenly, a colossal Sea Leviathan emerged, ramming one of their ships before decimating the rest, clearing a path for them.


    Amidst the chaos, the sea monster was attacked as something struck from below, causing the


    sea to erupt.