"She really has been busy." Tim mentioned by the side. "She's practically taken over four Industrial Districts already."

"How many Industrial Districts do you have under your command?" George asked, in a daze.

"As of this morning… fourteen."

"You're really taking over all of Fal'Herim?"

"Really."

"Ahem!" Mindy cleared her throat. "I have to ask… why me? Isn't Song Chen and Markus and all those strong guys there with you?"

"They already tried. Suffice to say… it didn't go well."

"And you somehow think little old me would survive any better?"

"Definitely. Since the last time we crashed into each other, I dare say that except for Doom and Darian, you're the strongest human we have."

"You're comparing me with Doom and Darian? Are you nuts?!"

"I'm serious! I don't know if you've realized it yet, Mindy, but you're strong. You're really, really strong." That last bit came out as if squeezed from a tube of toothpaste. George felt his throat tight for some reason, and it was difficult to breathe.

Tim cut in. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not talking about emotional strength here?"

"I'm not. I'm talking about actual, physical strength."

"Huh." There was a short pause. Then, "Mindy? Punch this."

"What? Why would you want me to punch a piece of wood?"

"Humor me."

BAM! "Ow!"

"Tim! Are you okay? I'm sorry! I don't know what just happened…"

"Try punching that!"

"What? That's just an old desk…"

"Humor me."

BAM! There was the sound of wood splintering.

"Whoa…" Tim let out a low whistle. "How about hitting THAT, then?"

"Tim, that's your carriage."

"Yeah, I wanted to get a new one anyway."

BOOM! There were a lot of yells and screams in the background.

"Sorry, sorry! Just testing!" Tim shouted. "Everyone, back to work."

There was a sudden silence.

The silence continued until George started feeling uncomfortable. He tapped the communications crystal. "Tim? Mindy? h.e.l.lo, are you guys still there?"

"Still here." Mindy replied at last, breaking the silence.

"But with super-strength." Tim summarized in afterthought.

"You don't need to look at me like that!"

"Like what?"

"Like I'm some sort of new factory machine!"

"Aren't you? Can you imagine how much faster your Wasps could be built if you took a hand in it personally?"

"That's not the way I was planning to build my airs.h.i.+ps!"

"But it would be faster!"

George cleared his throat. "Mindy? h.e.l.lo? Remian needs backup when he fights the King Challenge. He's going to be up against whole teams of King Challengers and Lord Challengers. If you don't qualify by that time, there will be no one at his side except Phoebe."

"Fine, fine. I'm coming." Mindy grumbled.

***

As they flew south, Mindy was filled with doubts.

Was this really okay? Was this really going to be okay? So maybe she was stronger physically, now. Having a bond with the Flame Emperor seemed to have given her more than just fire powers.

But to fight a Lord of the Wilds, single-handedly?

[Calm down…] Chirpy pecked at her cheek. [You are more powerful than you think.]

[What do I think?] Mindy slowed her breathing. [I am an orphan abandoned in the Frontier. I'm just a little girl, not even a teenager yet.]

[You are the builder of half a hundred airs.h.i.+ps. You are the wielder of the Flame Wing Sword. You have stood beneath the Source of Magic. You have flown across the Wildlands from north to south. And you are my Comrade.] Chirpy scoffed. [The Lords of the Wilds are already no match for you. There is no cause for you to fear them.]

[You realize you're telling a four foot tall girl that she has no cause to fear when she's about to fight creatures easily fifty or a hundred times her size?]

[So? Have a bit more confidence in yourself.]

[Even so, I'm not too comfortable with the idea of challenging a Lord face-to-face.]

[Then don't. Hunt one the way the predator stalks her prey.]

[You mean… sneak attacks are okay?]

[Hunting skill and awareness of danger are highly respected traits in Wilds.]

[Well, then!] Mindy started rubbing her hands together. [Well, indeed!]

***

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That day, calamity descended upon the High Crown Stag Lord.

Jumping out of her airs.h.i.+p from fifty feet high, Mindy drew her sword and turned into a ball of fire. She landed directly on top of the Stag Lord's unsuspecting back.

[WHAT THE…!] The Stag Lord was face-down in the dirt before he knew what was happening. The poor guy didn't even know how he died.

The guys in the airs.h.i.+p didn't know either. All they saw was a ball of fire landing on the stag and the victim getting fried to a crisp with a broken back.

Of those present, only Mindy could really explain that she'd stabbed her prey through the heart from above. The rest of it was the power of her special sword and the connection she had with a certain Flame Emperor.

It was the first time she was really fighting and using the power of that connection. Or at least, she called it a fight. If one asked the Stag Lord, he'd complain that it was merely bullying. For crying out loud, she struck him, a mere Lord of the Wilds, with power borrowed from one of the Five Emperors! How was that even fair!?

But fair or not, the High Crown Stag Lord was killed in a single blow, and then turned into roasted venison.

"Does that mean that you're now the Lord of the Speckled Highlands?" George asked, hopefully.

"I don't have time to run this place! I have to work to do, and countries to trade with!" Mindy protested. She glanced around, and then pointed to a big owl that was staring at her, horrified, from one side. "You! Are you a Lord Challenger?"

[I am… was… Left Advisor to the High Crown Stag Lord.] The owl responded hurriedly. [I am known as the Moon Owl Marquis.]

"Yeah, well, from now on, you can run this place." Mindy waved casually as she leapt up straight toward her airs.h.i.+p, wings of fire stretching out from her back. "Be good, now! I'll come back and check on you soon!"

[Yes, my lady…!] the new Moon Owl Lord said hurriedly.

***

As they headed back with two Lord-level carca.s.ses in their hold, Mindy's airs.h.i.+p met a whole fleet of FDF Corvettes armed to the teeth with runic ballistae and magi. Song Chen was in the lead s.h.i.+p.

"Where are all you guys going?" Mindy called as they stopped to greet them.

"We're going to the Bog Marshes." Song Chen told her. "It's time for some payback!"

"Be careful out there!" Mindy waved, as they separated.

"Will do!"