Is this really a Game?!

The sudden realization of being surrounded sent a jolt of urgency through the group. Athlaston, with a quick assessment of the situation, shouted orders to his men. They hastily shifted into defensive positions, forming a protective circle with Reign and Athlaston at the center.

The enemy forces, having regrouped and located the team, closed in from all sides. The darkness seemed to come alive with the glint of weapons and the ominous presence of hostile magic. Reign's senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement.

The battle that ensued was intense and unforgiving. The Elais Kingdom forces, determined to avenge their fallen comrades and kill the forces of the Irason Kingdom, unleashed a relentless assault. The clash of steel, the crackling of spells, and the cries of warriors echoed in the night.

Reign moved with calculated precision, his lightning-infused attacks fending off multiple adversaries. Athlaston, despite the chaos, displayed tactical prowess, directing his men to counter the onslaught. The air was thick with the scent of blood, and the ground became a battlefield stained with the struggles of both sides.

As the battle raged on, casualties mounted on both ends. The Irason Kingdom forces fought valiantly, but the sheer numbers, strength, and relentless assault of the Elais Kingdom presented an overwhelming challenge. The group, initially in a position of strength, found themselves gradually pushed back.

Aethion's voice resonated in Reign's mind, offering guidance and encouragement amidst the chaos. "Hold your ground, Reign, don't go all out yet. We can't let them break through. Athlaston's tactical prowess is crucial, and your strength can be used to turn the tide at the right moment. Weather the storm, my friend."

Reign nodded inwardly, determined to see this battle through. The enemy forces, recognizing Reign as a formidable adversary, focused their efforts on him. He became akin to a lightning rod, drawing their attention while Athlaston's men fought fiercely to protect their flanks.

As the minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity, the intensity of the battle took its toll. Irason Kingdom soldiers fell, their sacrifices marking the harsh reality of warfare. Athlaston himself bore the weight of leadership, fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with his men.

Amidst the chaos, Reign detected a shift in the enemy's strategy. A small group of elite warriors, all of them powerful Tier V combatants who were at least high-grade Tier Vs, moved with calculated precision, aiming for a coordinated strike. Reign realized that this was a critical moment, and decisive action was needed.

"It should be fine, go crazy," Aethion said as the mark that Zeus had given Reign shone brightly.

His lightning exploded forward, and over 20 men were electrocuted immediately, their bodies convulsing in pain as their skin charred from it.

Reign moved incredibly quickly, holding nothing back as he arrived in front of the team of Tier Vs. His lightning was on full display, and his soul power activated as the Tier Vs showed painful expressions on their faces, while the weaker ones around them started dropping dead thanks to the immense damage to their souls.

The battlefield erupted into a storm of chaos as Reign unleashed the full extent of his power. Lightning crackled in the air, arcing towards the enemy forces with deadly precision. The Tier V combatants of the Elais Kingdom, caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, struggled to withstand the overwhelming force.

As the lightning surged, Reign moved with unparalleled speed, his dual blades slashing through the air. The enemy ranks crumbled under the onslaught, their bodies convulsing from the electric shocks. Athlaston, recognizing the opportunity, rallied his remaining forces to capitalize on the enemy's momentary weakness.

However, the Tier V combatants of the Elais Kingdom, though injured, were not easily defeated. They regrouped with resilience, their magical defenses mitigating some of the damage. A fierce clash ensued, the battlefield now a chaotic dance of magic and steel.

Reign, despite his formidable abilities, was not invincible. The strain of using such immense power took its toll on his body and soul. Athlaston, witnessing the toll it was exacting on Reign, knew that they had to end the battle swiftly.

"Push forward! We can't let them regroup!" Athlaston shouted, rallying the remaining Irason Kingdom forces.

The soldiers, inspired by Athlaston's leadership and Reign's display of power, fought with renewed vigor. The momentum shifted, and the Elais Kingdom forces, now disoriented and weakened, began to retreat.

"Ohh hell no, none of you will be leaving this place!" Reign roared in anger, utilizing even more mana and soul power, which made his head and body ache in pain, but he was not willing to let them escape this place.

He zoomed through the battlefield, attacking the powerful individuals of the enemy group with incredible power.

It didn't matter who his opponent was, none could withstand him.

With Reign using everything he had, even the peak Tier V warriors, two of whom were present, were barely able to keep up with him and struggled immensely against his power.

As the dust settled, the battlefield was a testament to the ferocity of the clash. The bodies of fallen warriors, both Irason and Elais Kingdom alike, lay scattered across the uneven terrain. The air crackled with residual energy from the magical and lightning-infused onslaught.

But victory came at a cost. The field was scattered with fallen warriors from both sides. The Irason Kingdom had suffered significant losses, and Reign, though standing, bore visible signs of exhaustion and injury. Athlaston, too, had not escaped unscathed.

Athlaston, his armor battered and stained with the blood of the fallen, approached Reign with a mix of admiration and concern. "Reign, that display of power was beyond anything I've witnessed from a Tier V individual, but, are you alright? The toll it took on you..."

Reign, though visibly fatigued, managed a nod. "I'll be fine. It was necessary to prevent them from escaping. We can't afford to let any of them survive to plot another ambush."

The surviving Irason Kingdom soldiers gathered around, their expressions a mix of awe and gratitude. Athlaston addressed them, "The threat has been neutralized, thanks to the valor of every one of you and the timely intervention of our ally, Reign. We've weathered the storm, but our duty is not done. We must now focus on rooting out the traitors among us."

The realization that the internal threat remained lingered in the air. Athlaston, despite the recent victory, understood the need for caution. The Irason Kingdom forces, though victorious in battle, were now faced with the delicate task of identifying and eliminating the infiltrators within their ranks.

Athlaston, still recovering from the exertion, joined Reign in addressing the soldiers. "We need to secure the area and conduct thorough investigations. I have a feeling this won't be the last attempt to destabilize the Irason Kingdom. We need to be vigilant and united."

The soldiers, their spirits bolstered by the recent victory, nodded in agreement. Athlaston, turning to Reign, expressed his gratitude once more. "Reign, you've proven yourself not just as an ally but as a true friend to the Irason Kingdom. We'll stand together against any threat, internal or external."

"Yes, none will dare question your allegiance later." Istamaros, the same council member who played the role of the bad guy who was not fully loyal to the king when Reign first met them, said from the side as he walked over as well.

He was a mage, and he was of great help as his strength was of the low-grade Tier V realm. With his long-range attacks, he was able to deal significant damage to the enemy as they were attacking them.

But even he, who was shielded by many warriors in the middle of the formation, did not escape unscathed.

His arm was broken thanks to an attack by a low-grade Tier V warrior who managed to get close to him at one point. Had it not been for Athlaston who quickly intervened, he would have fared much worse in that exchange.

As the group began the task of securing the area and tending to the wounded, a contingent of Irason Kingdom officials arrived on the scene. Among them was the leader of the council, the seasoned warrior who had addressed the outpost earlier.

"We heard of the ambush and the subsequent battle. You have our deepest gratitude, Reign. Your intervention saved us from a dire situation," the temporary council leader was placed while Athlaston and Istamaros, who was the council leader of this area, acknowledged.

"The prisoners back at the outpost?" Reign asked as the man nodded with a smile.

"We were attacked indeed, but the enemy force was not as powerful as we feared it would be, it seems that they placed all of their strength here."

"Luckily for us, you were able to defend against them and survive."

"The outpost is secure, as are the prisoners."

"We have already transported them back to the city, where they will be interrogated, and the traitors put on trial for all the citizens to see."