The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1782: Anticipating All Preparations

"Dismissed..." Evelyn commanded.

The soldiers retreated to their respective legions in a disciplined fashion.

Adhara moved forward with measured strides after releasing the Elf and signaling for her to depart as well.

"I believed the strategy was for me to keep Sven occupied while you seized the kingdom," she remarked, halting a short distance from Evelyn. "Given the strength of our forces, it shouldn’t be that difficult, but something must have occurred regarding Kyran..."

"I didn’t anticipate that either," Evelyn admitted, rubbing her temples.

The sudden arrival of Vivian, Gelmar, and Iris had been completely unexpected.

Furthermore, the information they delivered was even more bizarre.

Evelyn could never have guessed that Naela’s peace had been disturbed once more.

"A Human masquerading as an Angel visited Naela in her private chambers," Evelyn sighed, finding the task of managing two fronts increasingly taxing. "He intended to drag the empire directly into the conflict with the Angels. Somehow, Kyran caught wind of it despite being deep in enemy territory, forcing me to step in and save him."

"An Angel previously injured Naela," Adhara noted with a frown. "And now another Angel—or a pretender—has paid her a visit?"

"Yes, I follow your train of thought. It’s likely the same individual," Evelyn agreed with a nod. "It almost certainly is."

Given that both incidents involved a lone Angel, it was probable that Richard was responsible for both. However, the motive behind his return to target Naela a second time remained a mystery.

The fact that he went as far as to brand her was highly irregular.

"He might have returned because Kyran isn't reacting as strongly as he hoped," Adhara suggested.

"Hmm?" Evelyn’s eyebrows knitted together. "Doesn't that imply he is monitoring Kyran?"

That realization was deeply unsettling.

It suggested that Dargena City required significant defensive upgrades, a task that would necessitate Rex’s direct involvement. Most of the current wards and protections were designed to repel external threats; none were specifically built to counter an internal infiltration.

Of course, this was largely because Dargena City’s location was considered impregnable.

Infiltrating it was supposed to be impossible.

But with this new threat, the necessity for change had arrived.

"Regardless, how is the situation with Sven?"

"Don't worry about him. I've handled it."

"Handled him?"

Evelyn looked at Adhara with a start, surprised by the implication that she had defeated Sven.

However, the truth was slightly different.

"No, not in that sense," Adhara laughed, knowing it was impossible for her to overpower Sven, who was far mightier than any typical werewolf. Only Rex could stand against him. "I manipulated him into a confrontation with two Order Beasts. Winning that fight will take him quite some time."

The idea had struck her suddenly.

Because the region was isolated from civilization and Sven was lost in the bloodlust of the hunt—fueled by a high concentration of powerful mutated beasts—the area was crawling with dangerous predators. Adhara simply had to lead him into their dens.

Letting monsters tear into one another was the perfect distraction.

"Based on his fighting style, I suspect even more Order Beasts will be drawn to the commotion," Adhara added with a shrug. "In any case, he is no longer a concern for us."

"Excellent," Evelyn breathed a small sigh of relief. "That is very good news."

Boom—!

Roar!

Just as the words left her mouth, a series of explosions and feral roars echoed through the air.

The sounds ascended from the canyon depths below.

Evelyn and Adhara watched as flashes of clashing energies erupted within the thick, pale blue fog.

"What is happening down there?" Adhara shielded her eyes, squinting to penetrate the dense mist, though she saw little. "Now that I think about it, where are we exactly? Is this just another city to occupy before the primary objective?"

"This IS the primary objective," Evelyn answered, pointing toward a fortress situated roughly half a mile ahead. "Princess Selene is within those walls, protected by her most loyal Alpha Primes. If we take this place, the kingdom falls to us."

"Oh..." Adhara fixed her gaze on the castle. "Then why shouldn't we just leap directly to the gates?"

Even with the air growing thick from the surge of Cultivation energy, a half-mile distance was easily covered. A single leap could bring them to the castle walls, potentially catching Princess Selene unprepared.

"Don't be reckless," Evelyn said, turning away. "We will wait for them to conclude their business."

"Fine," Adhara shrugged. "It makes no difference to me."

...Inside the cathedral.

Rumble—!

Kuruk stepped into the cathedral, his eyes immediately meeting those of Princess Selene.

She remained exactly as he had left her before the invasion preparations—sitting perfectly motionless, a sight that was quite chilling. The eeriness was heightened by her King Mark, which remained active as if she were unable or unwilling to suppress its power.

She was positioned precisely where the moonlight streamed through the window.

"Is the moonlight not magnificent tonight, Kuruk?" she inquired.

"Ekhm..." Kuruk cleared his throat and pulled the door shut behind him. "Indeed, Your Highness. It is a perfect night for conflict."

He walked forward with cautious steps, kneeling about ten meters from her.

"I have come to report that the engagement has begun," he stated as the sounds of war echoed from afar. "It is not their main force yet. I suspect the Empress is merely testing our defenses to see what we have in store for her."

"Then all is proceeding as it should," Princess Selene said with a smile. "Assemble the troops. We shall provide them with a very warm welcome."

"As you command..." Kuruk bowed low before turning to depart.

...According to Sintra, only a day or perhaps a day and a half remained until the arrival of the Blood Moon.

The prediction came from a venerable Shaman, so its precision was not in doubt.

That provided the Great Army with ample time to reduce Verrathen Canyon to rubble.

Securing a victory here would allow Rex to face the Blood Moon in safety.

Since the Blood Moon was his birth moon, its influence on him would be exceptionally potent.

He would surely value a day of peace without the burden of war.

Aaoouuu!

A signal howl rose from Fenrik.

Evelyn turned toward the left outer edge of the canyon, identifying the source of the sound.

While the path taken by the Great Army had been treacherous, the outer rim seemed more accessible. It lacked massive fissures or suffocating forests, yet the terrain was deceptive, riddled with concealed cracks and gaps that were invisible from Evelyn’s position.

Fenrik remained hidden from her view, obscured by the jagged rocks and sloping terrain.

"Has Fenrik located the enemy?" Evelyn whispered.

Aooouu!

Another howl echoed, this time from the rim directly opposite Fenrik’s position.

It appeared Fenrik’s intuition to scout the outer edges had been correct.

Evelyn signaled to Gistella and Mavok with a sharp nod.

Both commanders led several thousand-strong units toward the locations of the distress calls.

With Adhara by her side, Evelyn felt secure enough to dispatch Mavok and Gistella to handle the flanking enemies. "Werewolves are naturally inclined toward ambushes," she murmured, pleased she had consulted her advisors. "Princess Selene will meet her end today."

"Are you certain that number of troops is sufficient?" Adhara questioned. "I can pick up their scents; I estimate their numbers at around two thousand."

"It is plenty," Evelyn replied dismissively. "The morale of our troops is at its peak."

As anticipated, the skirmish on the outer rim was over in less than fifteen minutes.

Gistella and Fenrik wiped out their targets first, with Mavok’s unit finishing their task shortly after.

It took the Elves another ten minutes to establish the defensive wards.

Following Fenrik’s success, an Elven soldier presented Evelyn with a large leather scroll. It was a tactical map of the canyon, glowing with twelve active sigils. Each one throbbed with energy on the leather surface like a magical radar.

"Should any hostiles appear, the sigils will shift from green to red," the Elven warrior explained.

"Understood," Evelyn said, rolling up the parchment and looking ahead.

Progress on Valkis’ side was also steady.

Although the initial scouts were lost—save for a resilient group moving through the dry riverbed—he had successfully mapped the general locations of the hidden packs along the route to the city, which the Great Army was bound to encounter.

More significantly, he had captured a prominent Alpha.

The sheer weight of his Qi, marking him at the early ninth-rank realm, proved he was a high-ranking official.

Evelyn stared down at the captured Alpha, her expression neutral—a calmness that the prisoner interpreted as pure arrogance. "Tell me," she spoke, her voice laced with the compelling influence of her Luna energy. "Is there any talk of surrender? Does your Princess truly believe she can emerge victorious?"

"Just kill me," the Alpha sneered with a dark laugh. "You won't get a word out of me."

"You..." Evelyn’s voice trailed off, her expression remaining cold. "You are going to deeply regret saying that."

She did not doubt his resolve.

For a werewolf possessing high-speed regeneration, physical pain was not an obstacle but a familiar companion.

It was a sensation they had long ago learned to tolerate.

Any being blessed with rapid healing knew the trade-off: temporary agony for immediate restoration. However, the Alpha was displaying his bravado to the wrong people, and he was about to learn that the hard way.

"Adhara..." Evelyn turned, summoning the one who was the literal bane of all werewolves.

At the mention of that name, the Alpha’s eyes shifted. He wanted to see who would be foolish enough to try and break him using something as trivial as pain.

"Are you still attempting to show them mercy?" Adhara asked with a heavy sigh. "I don't mind offering choices, but we are facing the leadership of the enemy. It is more efficient to wipe them out so this never happens again."

"Even so, I wish to try," Evelyn said, closing her eyes. "It eases the burden on my conscience."

Seeing no other way, Adhara stepped forward.

She walked right up to the Alpha and stopped.

"This is your final warning," she said, leaning in to lock eyes with him. "Answer her, or I will make you answer."

"In your dreams!" the Alpha barked with a crazed laugh. "You're wasting your breath! Kill me already!"

Adhara simply shook her head and lifted a finger.

A pure, white energy began to shimmer at her fingertip.

It was a small light, but the aura it radiated caused the Alpha’s eyes to bulge in terror.

"W-White Omicron...?" he gasped, his voice trembling. "You're an Anti-Werewolf?!"

"What happened to that brave face? Where did all that confidence go?" Adhara smiled playfully as she pressed her finger against his forehead.

The Alpha tried to thrash and retreat, but Valkis held him firmly in place.

"Don't try to run now—I gave you a way out. For now..." Adhara funneled her energy directly into his skull. "Clench your teeth and take it like the man you claim to be."

"RAARGGHKK—!"