The Yelan Army knew that if they stayed any longer on the Great Plains, they would end up cornered sooner or later, so they had decided to retreat from the very start.

Aware that they wouldn't be able to retrieve the bodies of their countrymen once they did that, they decided to follow through with Lux's plans to use their corpses as fuel for his Corpse Explosion.

Although this was something they didn't want to see happen, they believed that their countrymen would be happy if their remains had been used to protect their Kingdom.

"As expected, they had no plans to pursue us right away," Great General Sherlock said as he gazed in the distance.

"They're busy burning the bodies of the dead from a safe distance as a precaution against Lux's ability," Great General Watson commented. "Still, it won't be long before they make their move."

Great General Sherlock nodded.

They had already prepared for this outcome.

Before the war started, he had sent two thousand of his men to build a makeshift camp that they would retreat to, which was only five miles away from the Great Plains.

At least, with this arrangement, they wouldn't have someone attacking them from behind, and they could use all of their forces to face the Ammarian Army head-on.

After arriving at the make-shift camp, the rest of the Yelan Army immediately helped to finish the temporary fortifications for the upcoming clash against their enemies.

"We've lost around 15,000 men," Great General Watson stated as the Generals, Commanders, and Captains of their army met up to discuss the next stage of their plan. "The Ammarians lost three times more than that, but they still outnumber us almost two to one."

Great General Sherlock nodded. "Now that they know what Lux is truly capable of, they will do their best to prevent it from happening again."

The two Great Generals as well as the other commanding officers, glanced at the Half-Elf who was standing in the corner of the tent. Because of him, they were able to retreat safely and deal a bitter blow to their enemies.

"If it was me leading the Ammarian Army, I would definitely eliminate Lux first," General Carran said while giving the Half-Elf a steady gaze. 'I hate to admit it, but General Revon made the right decision when he tried to kill Lux back then. This brat is more of a threat than me on the battlefield.'

General Carran had asked General Revon back then why he chose Lux over him, and the General's response was...

"Do you really not know the answer, or are you just pretending not to know?"

Even as he was dying, General Revon was firm that the one who would decide the outcome of the war was not the Great Generals, but an Apostle Necromancer, who had the power over the dead.

"If I was Great General Gideon, I would simply wait for Lux to be defeated by that devil-like Ranker who issued him a challenge," General Fahad commented. "Lux, I hate to say this, but right now, you are our main deterrence against the Ammarian Army. If possible, I ask you to not honor that unfair duel.

"I didn't know what fortuitous encounter your ex-mercenary member had when he left your side, but right now, he is an E-Ranker, who has fighting ability that matches a D-Ranker's. It is simply impossible for you to win against him."

Lux smiled after hearing General Fahad's words.

The Yelan General was a D-Ranker at its peak, which was slightly weaker than Second, who was a C-Ranker in its initial Stages.

Even he, who was a D-Ranker, acknowledged Nero's current strength, who had challenged Lux to a one-on-one duel.

"I agree with General Fahad," General Carran stated. "No one here will judge you if you chose to not honor your duel with that brat named Nero. I'm sure that even the enemy Generals don't expect you to show up. Right now, they all want to see you dead, and this is a good opportunity to do that. As long as you die in the hands of that devil, nothing will stop them from reclaiming their lands."

General Carran knew that if the Ammarian Army decided to advance straight to the Yelan Kingdom's borders, they would be hard-pressed to defend it.

"While it is true that not honoring the agreement will keep me somewhat safe, it will not solve our problems," Lux replied in a firm voice. "The reason why we were able to retreat safely is because Nero didn't join the battle. According to the reports of the survivors under the command of General Hubert, Nero played a crucial role in destroying their fortifications, and allowing the Ammarian Army to advance.

"If I don't face him, he will certainly join the battle and we will be hard pressed to fight against a Ranker who can fly in the sky. I have fought against him twice, and I can tell you that he is not only strong, but very cunning as well. Right now, his confidence is at its peak because of his current Rank.

"I believe that he will not kill me instantly, but slowly torture me to get revenge for the defeats he suffered from me in the past. That mentality of his is perfect for what I have in mind. Believe me when I say that although it is difficult, the one who will have the last laugh between us is not yet set in stone."

Great General Watson frowned after hearing Lux's words. He could hear a certain amount of confidence from the Half-Elf's tone, which made him wonder if it was really possible for a Grade-A Apostle to fight against an E-Ranker, whose fighting strength was equal to that of a D-Ranker.

"Lux, my boy, let me ask you this question," Great General Sherlock crossed his arms together and gave the Half-Elf a solemn gaze. "Do you have a chance of victory?"

Lux didn't hesitate and nodded his head.

"I do," Lux replied. "I have already made preparations. Nero's current strength will be the source of his own downfall."

A sigh escaped the Gnome's lips because he could tell that Lux was very serious about fighting against Nero.

"Very well." Great General Sherlock nodded. "If you defeat him, and we win this war, I will give you a Legendary Item."

The Half-Elf's body stiffened after hearing General Sherlock's words. He didn't expect that the Great General of the Yelan Kingdom would offer him a Legendary Item as a reward if he won against the bastard who had hated him since they had met in Wildgarde Stronghold many years ago.

"I will do my best," Lux replied.

A few hours later, the Ammarian Army and the Yelan Army once again faced each other, but this time, Great General Gideon didn't give his men the order to attack.

Instead, Nero, who didn't join the battle earlier, hovered between the two armies and called out to Lux to start their battle at an earlier time.

"No need to wait for noon to arrive," Nero stated. "Let's fight now, Lux. Or are you going to tell me that you're backing out?"

Lux rose up from the Yelan Army and stared at Nero, who had transformed into a devil under the corruption of the Seed of the Abyss.

"Why would I back out?" Lux asked. "It's not everyday that I'm given an opportunity to use a Ranker's face to wipe the floor. If you want to fight, then let's fight."

"Good," Nero replied. "But, I have one more condition. Bring Henrietta with you. No, bring all of your allies with you. I don't mind if all of you work together to fight against me."

"Sure," Lux replied. "But, bring your lackeys with you as well. It's about time we end this once and for all."

The corner of Nero's lips rose before glancing in the direction where Jasper and the other survivors of the different factions were.

"You heard him," Nero stated. "All of you are going to follow us as well."

For him, this was the perfect opportunity to let all of the Factions watching outside the Domain of the Fallen to see how formidable he was. He didn't care if they would think badly of him for bullying a Grade A Apostle when he was already a Ranker.

What he wanted from them was recognition of his strength, which would open up new opportunities for him in the future.

Nero also wanted Iris to see Lux's desperation, as well as his sorry state after her beloved Half-Elf suffered under his hands. This was his revenge for everything that had happened back in the tournament, and he would make sure that the Half-Elf would have a very slow and painful death.

After both sides had stated their conditions, the Half-Elf flew Eastwards.

Nero and his lackeys all followed him, while Keane and the others weren't far behind.

After many twists and turns, the Factions that were originally meant to work with each other to clear the dungeon, were now at each other's throats.

Although their reunion was something that none of them wanted, all of them understood that it was time to eliminate their rivals as soon as possible.