After a three-hour journey, they arrived back in Galica and went straight to their new dormitory. As a gift, Queen Sei granted them a piece of land where Nathaniel built a brand-new building for the team. It was a five-story structure featuring one hundred rooms, ensuring no one ever had to squeeze into cramped living quarters again. The building came fully furnished, complete with its own dedicated office for managing missions. Ataparag was also introduced to new team members who had joined the search effort during her absence. Overjoyed by the new living arrangements and equipment provided by Nathaniel, the team held another celebration over a shared meal. Ataparag took the opportunity to address everyone in their new home. Standing at the head of the table, Ataparag called for everyone's attention. "Everyone, I know you're excited about our new home. I also know you've just returned from a long journey and want to rest, but all of Serania needs our help." Ataparag explained

After a few minutes, Nathaniel accompanied Penelophie to the mansion of the wealthy merchant who had lent her money for food and housing. As they waited outside the front gates, Nathaniel couldn't help asking how someone like her managed to secure a loan from a wealthy man in the first place. "I'm just curious... as a human, how did you get him to lend you money so easily? When I was wandering around Galica as a human, almost no one even gave me the time of day." "Well, it's normal for people to discriminate against humans because they're weak and powerless. But my situation was different because I'm beautiful," Penelophie replied. Nathaniel smirked, disagreeing with the idea that physical appearance should dictate how people treat one another. "I get that you're pretty, but treating people differently based on looks is unfair." "Ha! It isn't my fault that I was born beautiful, and it's certainly not my fault that you were born ugly—which is why no one helped you," Penel

The next day, when they returned to the Seranian border base, soldiers immediately gathered to meet Nathaniel’s ship. As soon as he landed, hundreds of soldiers assembled near the vessel to welcome him back. Nathaniel stepped down alongside Penelophie and began walking toward the main building. Before he could even step inside, Ataparag rushed out through the doors toward him. Nathaniel nearly stumbled backward as Ataparag threw her arms around him in a tight embrace. "I'm so glad you're back safely, my love. I was so worried about you," Ataparag said softly. Nathaniel smiled warmly at her greeting and wrapped his arms around her just as tightly. "I'm back. You don't have to worry anymore." While they were holding each other, Queen Sei and the other generals emerged from the building. "It brings me joy to see you return safely, Nathaniel," Sei said. Sei immediately noticed the woman standing beside him and asked about her identity. "I heard you traveled somewhere important.

After three hours of waiting at the border, the army finally spotted thousands of monsters approaching in the distance. "There are so many of them... That's impossible!" "How did Halloween manage to march that many monsters across other lands unnoticed?" "He's likely using portals to move his forces into other nations without their armies detecting them," General Agane deduced. Fear washed over the faces and movements of the Galican soldiers as they bore witness to the size of the enemy horde. Paralyzed by dread, sweat poured down their faces as they realized they were about to face a force exceeding one million monsters. Tightening their grips on their swords, some whispered prayers under their breath. "Dear God, please protect us..." Watching her troops from above, Queen Sei could feel the overwhelming fear and anxiety gripping her men. Every soldier knew their future hung by a thread once the clash began. Seeing that the enemy outnumbered them tenfold sent their morale pl

As the clash raged below, no one expected Halloween himself to descend upon Queen Sei to engage her in combat directly. Nathaniel immediately leaped into the air, flying toward them to support her. "Watch out, Your Majesty!" Nathaniel yelled. However, before he could reach her, thick black tentacles burst forth, cutting off his path and forcing him to a sudden halt. "Dammit! I have to get to Queen Sei!" Nathaniel muttered anxiously. He knew that even though Sei possessed time manipulation powers within her domain, a Dark Lord's absolute authority still held a massive advantage. "I expected to see Eskapa's main army here, but it seems they're nowhere to be found," Halloween remarked coolly. "You don't need to concern yourself with them. Serania is my land, and I am more than capable of protecting my own domain," Sei replied calmly. A magic circle flared beside her, summoning her Class A Crimson Weapon—a wooden weapon attached to a long big ribbon—to her hand. Halloween scoffe