In this matter, Limo's judgment was actually quite accurate.

Because of that attack unleashed by Limo, Yumo's mood instantly plunged to rock bottom.

Limo's Annihilation Cannon had been aimed directly at the central axis of Garos Fortress.

With a single shot, it tore through the fortress with overwhelming force, transforming roughly one-third of the entire stronghold into a blazing inferno.

As a result, the combat effectiveness of the defending forces instantly dropped by more than half.

Fortunately—

Because Mengxi had taken Yumo to the eastern side of the fortress to see a doctor, they were not directly struck by the Annihilation Cannon.

At worst, they were blown dozens of meters away by the hurricane-like shockwave produced by the explosion.

Otherwise, they were completely unharmed.

The reason Yumo was in a bad mood naturally wasn't because she had been hit by the Annihilation Cannon.

It was because of that brat's unauthorized actions!

She had clearly told that troublesome girl not to make any reckless moves!

Why was she acting on her own again?!

Since when had she become so disobedient?!

'Th-That girl... is her skin itching for a beating?!'

Three days without discipline and she's already climbing onto the roof!

A rare trace of anger appeared within Yumo's azure eyes.

Previously, Limo had secretly eaten raw meat behind her back every day.

Then she had sent Abyss Demons charging at Mengxi.

Yumo had endured all of it.

But this time?

Even after Yumo had specifically given instructions, that girl still acted recklessly right in front of her?!

She directly bombarded Garos Fortress with an Annihilation Cannon?!

Was she trying to start a rebellion?!

Of course—

Yumo wasn't worried about the female lead dying from Limo's attack.

As long as she was present, she could effortlessly block Limo's attack.

The problem was—

The moment she intervened personally, all of her previous disguise work would become completely meaningless.

She still wanted to continue pretending to be a weak little girl and stay beside the Child of Destiny so she could properly observe her.

If her identity were exposed now, Yumo would be depressed to death.

After all—

In order to play the role of a slave girl convincingly, she had already been taken advantage of by the female lead countless times!!!

If everything was exposed now, wouldn't all that suffering have been for absolutely nothing?!

What a massive loss!

And besides...

'After that brat blasted the place... this fortress is basically finished...'

Looking at the burning hellscape in the distance and the Abyss Demon army pouring through the breached walls, Yumo narrowed her eyes slightly.

Disappointment filled her azure gaze.

Originally, she had wanted to conduct a proper test.

How long could the barrier withstand attacks from ordinary Abyss Demon hordes?

How strong were the defenders?

How well did the logistics teams coordinate with the frontline?

How long could the fortress actually endure?

...

But after Limo's bombardment, most of those questions would never be answered.

The entire plan had gone straight to hell!!!

At that thought—

Although Yumo maintained a frightened appearance on the surface, inwardly she was thoroughly annoyed.

That little brat!

Looks like she's been spoiled too much!

How dare she act so recklessly?!

Just wait until I get home—I'm going to spank her until her butt blooms like a flower!

Yumo viciously grumbled inwardly.

At the same time, the giant snow-white wolf steadily approaching Garos Fortress suddenly shivered.

An ominous feeling arose within Limo's heart.

—

Meanwhile—

As Yumo contemplated how to educate her rebellious daughter once she returned home, her body trembled slightly from anger.

However, Mengxi mistook that trembling for fear and anxiety.

To comfort the nervous slave girl, Mengxi gently raised her hand and rubbed Yumo's little head.

“Don't be afraid. It'll be okay.”

Yumo: ...

Seeing herself misunderstood, a complicated expression surfaced in Yumo's azure eyes.

Well...

She had lived for so long.

Normally, she was the one patting other people's heads.

Now suddenly being subjected to a head-pat by a young girl...

It felt rather strange.

Although...

It was actually pretty comfortable.

Of course, complaints were one thing.

After being comforted by Mengxi's head-pat, Yumo immediately returned to actress mode.

She nodded slightly and pretended to calm down under Mengxi's reassurance.

However—

While Yumo had regained her composure, the Asumos Church knights around Mengxi were unable to maintain theirs.

Especially after sensing the immeasurable Shadow of Silence Power contained within that °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° crimson beam.

Their mental states were already on the verge of collapse.

They clearly understood one thing.

The horrifying monster that launched that attack was absolutely not something ordinary knights like them could fight.

Looking at the hellish devastation.

Listening to the endless screams of despair.

Hearing the increasingly closer roars of terrifying beasts.

The faces of the Asumos Church knights had become twisted with fear.

At this moment, nearly every living being inside Garos Fortress was engulfed by terror.

With the sole exception of Yumo, who was holding Mengxi's hand.

The entire fortress seemed draped beneath a black veil of despair.

The atmosphere was unbearably oppressive.

However—

Unlike the soldiers of Garos Fortress, these church knights had nothing worth protecting in the northern border.

Their families weren't here.

Their property wasn't here.

Therefore—

They had no intention of dying alongside the soldiers of the Snow Night Empire while waiting for reinforcements that might never arrive.

Retreat.

That was the only thought remaining in their minds.

Thinking this, the surviving knights hurried toward Mengxi.

One black-haired male knight could no longer contain himself.

“Captain!! W-We need to retreat immediately! If we don't leave now, it'll be too late!!”

“That's right, Captain! That thing outside is probably a Demon King-class Abyss Demon! This fortress is definitely finished!”

Another knight with braided hair echoed fearfully.

As the two spoke—

Garona slowly stepped forward as well.

“Captain, let's withdraw. That monster isn't something we can handle. Garos Fortress is most likely doomed already. You're the Child of Destiny. Nothing can happen to you.”

Hearing this—

Mengxi did not answer immediately.

Instead, she stared thoughtfully toward the shattered walls in the distance and the tens of thousands of Abyss Demons flooding through them.

Behind her mask, her light-purple eyes narrowed slightly.

Seeing this, Garona's expression became increasingly anxious.

“Captain! These people attacked us before! They're all traitors who violated the agreement! They're not worth using a Miracle for!”

?

Hm?

A Miracle?

What's that?

The female lead's trump card?

Listening to Garona's words, confusion appeared within Yumo's azure eyes.

At the same time, a trace of curiosity emerged.

Perhaps later...

She could innocently ask what exactly this Miracle was.

Thinking this, Yumo cast an interested glance toward the silver-haired girl holding her hand.

At that very moment—

Yumo suddenly frowned.

She had sensed something unusual.

'This fortress really is filled with all sorts of people...'

A meaningful smile appeared on Miss Yumo's face.

—

Meanwhile—

After thinking for a moment, Mengxi nodded slightly in agreement with Garona and the others.

Indeed.

There was no longer any point in remaining here.

The sudden appearance of a Demon King-class entity, combined with the continued absence of reinforcements, meant that Garos Fortress was destined to fall.

Retreating to preserve their strength was undoubtedly the correct choice.

Though...

She did feel somewhat sorry for the defending soldiers.

???

Hm?

What?!

However—

Just as Mengxi was about to issue the order to retreat—

A powerful fluctuation of battle aura suddenly entered her perception.

Along with it came an icy killing intent directed specifically at her.

The bone-chilling sensation caused the silver-haired girl to shudder violently.

Startled, she immediately turned around. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The next instant—

A black figure wrapped in dark-blue battle aura appeared in her field of vision like a ghost.

Under Mengxi's solemn gaze, the figure mercilessly swung a short war scythe.

Its blade slashed directly toward the girl's slender, alluring neck...