Abellona's eyes remained fixed on the bastard, his calm and confident expression, that same arrogant look.

This was definitely him, the man she had been looking for all this time… Damian.

Or actually, Damon Grey.

It was frustrating to think about, but while she had bared her heart out to him, the bastard had actually lied to her.

He didn't even have the decency to tell her his real name. Then again, what could she expect from a man who had left her alone in a dungeon.

'I was actually worried about this wretch…'

Abellona squeezed her fist, the metal of her gauntlet scraping together.

Was she the reason he was wearing a hood and covering his face? At least he wasn't completely heartless.

Abellona held back her emotions. Whatever it was would have to wait until the threat was neutralized.

She glanced at the hundreds of magical orbs floating all around, capturing the moment from every angle.

Walking forward, she left behind her followers, approaching the host.

Damon, who was seated in a chair.

She wasn't the only one. The other factions sent out their representatives as well. There was hardly any time to spare, since the combat zone was shrinking and closing faster and faster.

Their footsteps left faint sounds on the ground as they reached Damon, stopping not far from him.

He raised his hand, and his shadow spread, growing wider until it stopped in front of them.

From this inky darkness, chairs rose and a large table formed, fitted with porcelain sets and cups neatly arranged.

There was a small gasp of surprise from a few of the people present.

Ishara Fang from the War Academy was slightly taken aback, but she quickly regained her composure.

Xander didn't seem surprised at all. His eyes had deep, dark circles, and his gaze was cold. He had been in Damon's party before, so he knew a lot about the guy.

Emilia Highgon glanced at the chair in front of her and walked forward to take a seat. Xander didn't need an invitation, he sat down immediately.

The others took this as their cue to sit. Soon, the seats were filled with representatives from the factions.

Emilia Highgon smiled, looking at Damon. It had only been a few months since she last saw him, but he had changed so much. He was now in the third class advancement.

Xander glanced at Damon, who sat at the head of the table with a calm smile. He was familiar with that smile, it was the one Damon wore when he had everything under his control and everyone was playing into his hands.

His gaze moved to Evangeline, who was seated next to Damon. He felt a small pang of bitterness in his heart but closed his eyes and pushed it down.

Leona was also there, already eating the snacks a woman in a rare-to-find piyon dress was serving.

Xander was unfamiliar with this woman, he'd never seen her before but he could tell she was strong, without a doubt.

Behind Damon stood Matia, serving as his knight, and Renata Malcrist, their senior from the academy, acting as Damon's secretary.

Xander saw no sign of Lilith Astranova or Sylvia, but he was sure they would be fine.

He was slightly worried about Sylvia, but she was far from weak or helpless. Underestimating her was a quick way to die a horrible death.

The last person in Damon's group was actually Prince Waton. Xander narrowed his eyes in surprise.

'Why is he still alive?'

He was sure Damon would have found a way to end the prince's life, yet somehow, against all odds, the prince was here, standing among those who would reach the final battlefield of the war games.

Was it fate, random chance, or perhaps part of Damon's machinations?

Damon let out a soft breath.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming. I am pleased that you answered my summons."

There was a frown on everyone's faces when he spoke softly and amicably. The leader of the loose faction, the so-called Representative, frowned.

"You didn't give us much of a choice. You have spies in every group. We haven't the time or resources to weed them out, especially with the combat zone shrinking."

Emilia Highgon scoffed, her ringlet curls swaying slightly.

"Our biggest worry should be the demon forces accumulating on the other side, and the stubborn refusal to put aside our differences."

She glanced at Damon with a smile, showing her approval.

"You managed to gather everyone here, the one place that would best facilitate an attack."

Abellona didn't say anything until this point. Her gaze was solely on Damon as the broadcast orbs spread live footage to the world.

Velora Nyxfall touched the pommel of his dagger.

"Then what are we waiting for? Why are we beating around the bush? We have less than half a day… are we or are we not working together?"

Abellona closed her eyes, then opened them again.

"Working together is not the issue. The issue remains, can we forgive all the hostility built since we began and march as one? And if we do, can we trust each other?"

Evangeline crossed her arms over her chest.

"Apologies, Princess, but trust is a moot point at the moment. Whether we can or cannot doesn't change the fact that we have to advance on the dungeon gate before the combat zone consumes us."

The representative of the loose faction clenched his teeth.

"We would be facing a grueling force of several demons waiting in ambush. They are strong but don't have the numbers to fight us. It's still within the means of our victory."

Abellona watched Damon as he wore a calm expression.

"Then you must be confident you can defeat Amon, the unknown ruler who leads them. They have one ruler, organized and centralized, while we are here arguing, confident in numbers we have already whittled away."

Her words made Ishara Fang smile.

"This Amon guy seems tough, but how much more powerful can he be compared to us?"

Damon chuckled, then laughed, looking at the proceedings.

"Powerful enough to matter. More than that, I wouldn't be confident in our numbers at the moment, not when Amon has taken control of an army of demon beasts."

There was a pause as they all looked at him. Damon smiled.

"Now your numbers don't matter, do they? They have traps and have secured the path to the dungeon gate. I surmise they want to trap us here and let the combat zone do their dirty work."

Everyone was suddenly quiet.

If the combat zone shrank and they didn't make it past the bridge, they would be killed by the mana anomaly.

Damon smiled, leaning back on his chair, his crown gleaming, his voice filled with calm authority.

"Nominate a leader for the goddess races' invasion of the island."

He glanced at them all.

"We must pick someone who has what it takes to lead this expedition. All our lives hinge on the choices we make here."

The representative of the loose faction looked at everyone present, biting his lips.

"I nominate myself."

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