Lyra listened carefully to Ethan's proposal, her expression calm on the surface but conflicted beneath it.

She wasn't sure whether Ethan was someone she could truly trust. His reputation alone was enough to make anyone hesitate.

The terms he offered were clear and straightforward—this was an exchange, nothing more and nothing less.

Lyra would stay temporarily in Lion City until the situation in Lotus City was resolved. In return, Ethan would deal with the threat that loomed over her city.

From a balance-of-power perspective, the situation was painfully obvious to her.

Inside Lion City, Lyra's abilities were far inferior to Hanss's. She would be vulnerable, completely under LionArk's control.

Meanwhile, in Lotus City, Ethan's power far surpassed every single member of Red Javelin combined.

If he wanted to, he could easily seize their city, confiscate all of their natural resources, and take the city's Core Crystal without anyone being able to stop him.

That was the terrifying reality.

And yet, Ethan had made it clear that he was planning something different—something that went beyond merely collecting city cores.

"So?" Ethan asked, his voice steady.

Lyra hesitated. This wasn't a decision she could make lightly. Her silence stretched on for several seconds as she weighed every possible outcome.

Ethan spoke again, his tone firm but not threatening. He reassured her that she would be safe.

He even issued a direct order to the members of LionArk: Lyra was not to be harmed under any circumstances—not injured, not threatened, not killed.

Hanss nodded in agreement. He stepped forward and addressed Lyra directly.

"I'll personally guarantee your safety while Ethan is away," Hanss said. "Nothing will happen to you in Lion City."

Lyra studied Hanss's face, searching for deception. She found none—only sincerity and confidence.

After a long pause, she finally exhaled.

"I'll accept your terms," Lyra said. "But I'll bring two of my members with me."

Ethan smiled, satisfied. "That's fine."

Before departing, Ethan formally entrusted Lion City to Hanss. He wasn't worried about attacks from other cities.

Every immediate threat within the desert region had already been eliminated.

"Take good care of her," Ethan said. "I'll be back in five days."

Hanss nodded and extended his hand. "Of course. Be careful out there, Ethan."

They shook hands.

Soon after, Ethan departed with the Red Javelin members, heading back toward Lotus City.

At the same time, Lyra entered Lion City accompanied by her two chosen teammates, stepping into the heart of LionArk's domain—the city of the Eastern Plains' ruler, the leader of the Eastern Alliance.

Just hearing the name LionArk was enough to make Lyra's body tense with fear and reverence.

As she walked through the city, she observed everything closely. The members of LionArk were equipped with high-quality gear, clearly selected from elite ranks.

Their movements were disciplined, their eyes sharp, their posture confident. These were not players who could be intimidated or defeated easily.

Invading Lion City would be suicide,

For Red Javelin—or any other guild—it would be an act of pure madness.

Elsewhere, Ethan continued his journey northeast with the Red Javelin escort. Along the way, they explained that the trip would take roughly seven hours.

"If we leave now, around nine at night," one of them said, "we'll reach Lotus City at about four in the morning."

That timing was ideal. It would give them enough room to prepare before any possible invasion attempt.

As they traveled through the dark desert, Ethan asked the question that had been on his mind.

"Which guild is threatening you?"

"Desert Eagle," one of them replied. "They're from the central plains."

Ethan nodded slowly.

Among the four major regions on the continent, the northern plains were undeniably the weakest. There were few cities and even fewer powerful guilds.

The environment was harsh—freezing temperatures, limited trade routes, and poor economic potential. Many guilds that once tried to settle there eventually abandoned it.

But the Red Javelin hadn't.

They had deliberately chosen the northern plains to avoid the constant political conflicts and power struggles between the eastern, central, and western regions.

"It's obvious that central guilds are stronger than northern ones," Ethan said.

"We know," another member replied. "That's why we're afraid."

The man introduced himself as Kai.

Ethan smiled faintly, attempting to reassure them. "As long as I'm there, no guild will be able to threaten you."

The Red Javelin members exchanged uncertain glances. They had only heard rumors about Ethan—stories from the global forums portraying him as a ruthless conqueror and a walking disaster.

Yet, walking beside him now, none of them sensed fear, hesitation, or arrogance. His expression was calm, his demeanor composed.

The seven-hour journey passed without rest. They crossed dunes, hills, and scattered oases.

Eventually, a city emerged in the distance—soft lights glowing faintly against the dark horizon.

Lotus City.

As they approached, several people waved excitedly from the walls. They were Red Javelin members welcoming their leader back—until they noticed the unfamiliar figure walking among them.

"EthanArk?!" someone shouted.

Instantly, guards raised their weapons.

EthanArk's name carried weight across the entire player base. Everyone knew the stories.

Everyone had read the discussions in the global chat forums.

"Why did you bring him here?!" another member shouted.

"Are you insane?! He'll destroy the city!"

Kai stepped forward quickly, raising his hands. "Calm down. Let me explain."

He spoke at length, explaining the agreement between Lyra and Ethan. Slowly, tension eased as understanding spread among the members.

Ethan added his own explanation.

"I gain nothing by attacking you," he said. "Lyra is currently in Lion City with your city's Core Crystal."

That statement sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.

"If I wanted your Core Crystal," Ethan continued, "I would have attacked Lyra from the start."

Gradually, weapons were lowered—though caution remained high. Ethan didn't mind. Vigilance was natural.

His attention shifted northward.

Ethan and Kai walked through the northern gate together. Ahead of them lay a massive canyon, connecting the tropical region to the desert plains.

Its cliffs towered nearly seventy-five meters high.

"Desert Eagle controls this canyon," Kai explained. "If we try to cross it recklessly, we'll be attacked immediately."

Ethan studied the terrain carefully.

The canyon was a natural choke point. Whoever controlled it dictated access between regions.

This changes everything.

What mattered most was that he had now found it.

If Red Javelin could seize and control this canyon, then invading the tropical plains would become far easier.

"This is why I decided to help you," Ethan said.

Kai frowned. "You don't want our resources?"

"Not particularly," Ethan replied. "I want this canyon."

He turned to Kai, his eyes sharp.

"If LionArk and Red Javelin control it together, we can launch joint invasions into the tropical region."

Kai nodded slowly, understanding dawning on his face.

The image of Ethan as a villain began to fade from his mind.

What he saw now was a calculating leader—a strategist who understood terrain, timing, and opportunity.

No wonder he crushed every enemy city in the desert.

"We'll help you."

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