At the same time, in the capital of Vayllencity, Tomás Denisse moved among his officers, directing troop preparations. The city, silent and nearly deserted, echoed with quiet warnings: springs of demonic mana seeped through the streets, and summoned creatures writhed under the control of the cult's priests.

  At the center of the Douglas camp, Sofía sat astride her black steed, surrounded by mounted knights and restless magical beasts that snorted and stamped, eager for the order to advance. Her voice cut cleanly through the low murmur of the encampment.

  "Scout the outskirts of the city," she commanded. "We can't afford surprises. Look for traps, ambushes, demons—anything."

  The riders vanished into the forests and hills, moving like shadows across the dusty terrain. Laurence turned to Keitaro, who was bent over campaign maps spread across a table, marking positions and possible routes of advance.

  "What do we know about the city?" Laurence asked, frowning.

  "The surrounding villages are empty," Sofía reported upon returning. "It appears the entire population has taken refuge in the territorial capital. This will be a prolonged siege."

  Laurence exhaled slowly. "Then we plan carefully. The walls aren't high—but every mistake will cost lives."

  A messenger arrived at a run, dropping a letter sealed with King Felipe's crest. Laurence opened it immediately as Sofía stepped closer, arms crossed, impatience sharp in her expression.

  "That damned demonic cult again," she muttered. "If they interfere with our plans and make me miss my son's birthday, their deaths won't be quick."

  When the scouts returned, they brought disturbing news: charred corpses—some clearly used in demonic summoning rituals.

  Later, Sofía dismounted and entered Laurence's tent, her cloak billowing behind her.

  "I surveyed most of the surrounding terrain," she reported, her tone firm but edged with tension. "There are no troops waiting for us. No civilians in the villages. They evacuated everyone to the capital."

  Laurence tapped the table lightly with a closed fist. "As expected. They're sheltering under the city's protection."

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  "Then this war becomes a siege," Sofía said, jaw tight. "Days. Maybe weeks. We need a plan to destroy them quickly. I refuse to miss my son's birthday."

  Laurence rubbed a hand across his face before addressing the gathered officers.

  "We have enough mages to breach the walls. The city is small—but we won't underestimate what awaits inside."

  The high-ranking officers and senior mages gathered around the table. Some hands trembled with tension; others clenched in determination. The maps before them seemed heavier with every marked line.

  "Our priority," Laurence said, pointing with his baton, "is neutralizing magical defenses and any demonic summons. Scouts reported traces of demonic mana and incinerated bodies. They're likely conducting rituals."

  A murmur rippled through the tent.

  Sofía straightened. "We divide our forces. Mounted units and magical beasts will patrol, block escape routes, and strike weak points in the walls."

  A general indicated sections of the map. "Mages will concentrate their attacks on specific sectors—five per sector—to reduce magical interference."

  Laurence nodded. "We establish fallback routes and defensive positions. If the Denisse summon high-tier demons, we could become trapped inside the city."

  A veteran officer leaned forward. "We can set magical traps and barriers around the perimeter before launching the main assault. That will limit the demons' mobility."

  "Good," Sofía said. "No detail is too small. This city won't be an easy march."

  Laurence's voice turned grave. "Preparation is everything. Coordination, discipline, speed. That's what will decide who survives."

  Silence followed—thick, electric.

  Then the tent flap burst open as a soldier rushed inside, breathless.

  "My lord! A messenger from the king!"

  Keitaro stepped forward, bowing as he handed over the sealed parchment. Laurence broke the seal and read aloud: enemy troop movements, possible large-scale summoning rituals, hidden preparations within the city.

  "It seems," Laurence said grimly, passing the letter to Sofía, "this will be harder than we thought."

  Sofía's fingers tightened against the table. "That damned cult again. If those lunatics cost me my son's birthday, I won't make it painless."

  "We'll receive support from Count Armett," Laurence said calmly. "His forces will act as vanguard and reduce the pressure on us."

  Sofía nodded reluctantly. "Then we wait the remaining six days for their arrival."

  Keitaro cleared his throat. "Your Grace… it might be better to attack now. The longer we wait, the stronger their summoned demons will become."

  Inside Vayllencity, Count Tomás Denisse was issuing orders to suppress rumors linking him to the demonic cult.

  An aide reported nervously, "My lord, the monks of the goddess Sheila have confirmed there is no epidemic. They've detected demonic mana within the city."

  Tomás stiffened. "Impossible. Search for demons immediately—and make sure preparations against the cursed Douglas continue. They'll attack soon."

  Before the aide could respond, a soldier burst into the chamber.

  "My lord! The Douglas have arrived. They're surrounding the city."

  Tomás's face twisted with fury.

  "How is that possible? Does that family not follow the kingdom's traditions? They have no honor!"

  Outside the walls, banners bearing the Douglas crest rose against the horizon.

  The siege had begun.