I woke up the next afternoon to two Fairies with the appearance of Beastman children pulling my hair.
When I woke up I noticed that the two Fairies somehow managed to get tangled in my hair and were trapped, it took me a few minutes to get the two Fairies free, after that, I released them and got ready before going down to the kitchen.
There was no one in the kitchen, so I made myself some sandwiches and ate as I walked around the mansion with a plate in hand.
I didn't find anyone in the mansion, but after I finished eating I went outside and found Sophia teaching Alice behind the mansion, I noticed that Diana was also training while fighting Leo.
I kept walking and saw Lyra and Ivan walking around the garden while they were talking, Lyra's appearance was horrible, she had dark circles under her eyes and looked tired, I decided to let them have their father and daughter time in the hope that Lyra could get some rest, I started to think that I was demanding a lot from her.
With nothing to do, I headed over to the camp where everyone was trying to fix their armor and combat clothes before the battle in the fortress.
I noticed that Anton and Tânia were in charge of this, I also saw some Arachne helping Tânia in the combat outfit repair, I also saw some Orcs and Ogres helping Anton fix weapons and armor with various makeshift brick furnaces.
Everyone seemed busy with something, that's when I remembered the Cradle of the Spirits of Nix, so I used my Dragon Wings to throw myself up and hovered for a while looking at the entire 4⁰ floor from above was much bigger than I expected.
It didn't take long to see a small mountain and a waterfall just a few minutes from where I was, so I got down to the ground and walked in that direction.
When I checked into the lake and saw the waterfall I was shocked, it was beautiful.
For some reason everything looked more beautiful than before, I could also see a thin layer of black mist around the lake, but this time it was pure dark energy, there was no malice.
The water falling from the waterfall looked crystal clear and even glowed with the sunlight, the lake was beautiful and I could see the reflection of a starry sky with two moons on the lake all the time, even though it is still daytime, this place was amazing.
I could see Spirits playing all over the place, some were even swimming in the lake and some were flying while dancing with their friends, there were also several Infant Spirits around here, I found this strange as there was no longer to be any more Spirits or Infant Fairies inside the Dungeon since my last evolution.
I sit on the edge of the lake and watch the reflection of the two moons for a few minutes.
"Have you woken up, Master?" (Nix)
"Yes, it looks like our hard work has paid off." (I)
"Are you at the waterfall?" (Nix)
"Yes, I was taking a look around, so I decided to come here to see the result of what we did." (I)
"Freya was looking for you, she got worried when you weren't in the room anymore, so she came to ask me where you were." (Nix)
"I'm just taking a walk, what does she need?" (I)
"I don't know, she's already back at the mansion, you'd better ask her." (Nix)
"Alright, thanks for the warning." (I)
"I also want to say that we will be arriving at Farus' stronghold tomorrow, so prepare yourself." (Nix)
"Are you going alone?" (I)
"Layla is with me, I needed her space magic to help me hide better, so you won't see her until tomorrow." (Nix)
"Fine, just don't let her do anything stupid." (I)
"All right." (Nix)
After talking to Nix I get up and go to the mansion, I was wondering why Freya was looking for me.
As I check in front of the mansion I see Freya waiting for me at the front door.
"Nix told me you were looking for me, do you need me for anything?" (I)
"Good afternoon, Master." (Freya)
"Actually I wanted to let you know that Vanessa wanted to talk to you, she woke up yesterday afternoon, but you were out with Nix and when you came back you were unconscious." (Freya)
"Thanks for the warning, do you know where Vanessa is?" (I)
"She spent the whole day praying in the forest, she said she was getting ready for combat in a few days." (Freya)
"I'll go talk to her then." (I)
After saying goodbye to Freya I go in the direction she pointed me, spend a few minutes walking in the forest to a quiet place where Vanessa was kneeling praying in silence.
"…" (I)
I stood still when I felt a presence that I had felt before covering Vanessa, I also felt an Aura leaving Vanessa's body little by little and getting stronger and stronger as she merged with that presence.
I've been standing there waiting for over an hour before the presence and Aura disappears, then I see Vanessa move for the first time since I got here, she stands up and turns to me, I can see a glint of happiness in her eyes.
"Thanks for not interrupting me, Dad." (Vanessa)
"What was that just now." (I)
"Something that will help with your plan Father, now I'm going to spend the rest of the time with Irina and the village mages to make the final preparations." (Vanessa)
"If you don't want to tell me, that's fine." (I)
"Freya told me you wanted to talk to me?" (I)
"I've already been told about your plan, I wanted to say I think it's too risky, but I think it might work." (Vanessa)
"But there's a problem you're not considering." (Vanessa)
"What would it be?" (I)
"We don't know what Farus's true power is, even if his plan works, we don't know how strong he really can be." (Vanessa)
"I've been worried about it, but we don't have time to wait any longer, we have to attack while we're able, this could be our best opportunity." (I)
"Just keep in mind that we don't know if this Heretic God gave any special power to Farus, you're going to have to fight with everything you've got." (Vanessa)
"Do you think you can handle your part of the plan?" (I)
"Now I'm sure." (Vanessa)
"So let's go with the plan, we have to do this fast before they can prepare." (I)
"I hope all goes well." (Vanessa)
"Me too." (I)
———-
Two days later.
In front of the fortress of Farus, noon.
I was in the forest in front of the fortress, the place where I was had many trees making the sight of those on top of the walls very difficult to see here.
I look up and see dozens of Undead birds flying in the sky, I noticed they've been flying slower since dawn, it seems they've even gotten weaker during the day.
"Is everyone ready?" (I)
"Yeah, we're just waiting for your signal to attack." (Sapphire)
"Let me check how Vanessa and Layla are doing first." (I)
"Be quick, every second lost we can be discovered." (Sapphire)
I go to the entrance of the Dungeon that is still open and enter, inside I see many Mages lined up for the exit of the Dungeon, I look around and go to Vanessa who was talking to Layla.
"I see you're ready, right?" (I)
"I've just arranged everything, we also managed to measure the area around it, I don't think I will have a problem with my part of the plan." (Vanessa)
"Where's Irina?" (I)
"She's making the final adjustments to the monster cores." (Layla)
"I'll start the plan in five minutes, so get ready and wait for Nix's warning." (I)
"Let's be ready, now go back outside and don't interrupt our preparations, master." (Layla)
"Alright, I just came to warn you." (I)
I exit the Dungeon and head back to the front where Nix is talking to the village leader.
"We'll start the plan in five minutes, let the troops know." (I)
"Yea." (Sapphire)
After the village leader went to warn the others who were hiding deeper in the forest I turn to Nix.
"You can now close the Dungeon gate and enter my shadow, you already know what to do on my signal." (I)
"Yes, but first I have to tell you to be careful master, I don't like this plan, Layla and I should be on your side." (Nix)
"Follow the plan, that's the best we can do right now." (I)
Nix leaves with a serious expression and comes back in a few seconds, then she enters my shadow without saying anything, when the five minute deadline was almost up the village leader comes back to my side next to Ivan, Diana, Leo, Irius, and Freya.
"Now Nix!" (I)
I take a few steps away from the others putting myself forward, then I close my eyes and transfer all my spiritual energy to nix in my shadow, at that moment my shadow grows behind me and a big dragon head comes out of my shadow.
This Dragon's head soon becomes three times larger and turns towards the main gate of Farus' Keep, then opens its large jaws and a silvery light begins to focus on its mouth.
"< Moonbeam >" (Nix)
Soon a beam of silver light comes out of the Dragon's mouth at a speed unable to dodge, this powerful attack hits an invisible barrier that instantly breaks, then breaks another two barriers before hitting a fourth black barrier, it takes a few seconds, but cracks begin to form and spread throughout the barrier before it breaks as if it were made of glass, then the attack hits the gates and walls of the Stronghold destroying the enemy's defenses while opening a passage.
"ATTACK, KILL ALL!!!!" (I)
"ATTACK!!!!!!!" (all)
I start to run ahead towards the fortress, right behind me comes my companions along with the village leader, and behind them were more than four thousand warriors.