powerful enemies are coming

"Shi**..." Lisa mumbled angrily under her breath, frustration evident on her face.

Lisa and her team members found themselves sitting on the ground, defeated and disheartened. Elisa and her knights continued to block their path, rendering Lisa's plan a complete failure. Despite her knights' valiant efforts to distract Elisa, Lisa's attempt to maneuver around them was thwarted by two masked teenage girls who forcefully prevented her from passing.

With no other viable option at hand, Lisa had no choice but to wait for Fray's return and attempt to strike a deal with him, hoping to persuade him to allow her to study the ruins she believed were located there. However, her belief was based on incomplete information, and she could not be entirely certain about the existence of the ruins.

"Sorry, young lady," Leo, one of Lisa's knights, spoke in a low voice, expressing his regret.

"It's okay, it wasn't your fault," Lisa replied, acknowledging Leo's words with a somber tone.

Hours passed as they anxiously awaited Fray's return, their minds preoccupied with the uncertain future. And then, the tension was shattered by a sudden exclamation.

"What is it..."

"A powerful creature is heading this way..."

"It's approaching at an alarming speed..."

Everyone's attention turned sharply in a specific direction, their expressions growing serious. They could all sense an overwhelming aura emanating from that direction—an aura that clearly belonged to a non-human entity.

Remarkably, they perceived this aura without relying on their spiritual senses. It became apparent that whatever was approaching intentionally released its aura to intimidate and frighten them.

"It's too formidable. We should retreat…" One of Lisa's knights spoke up, fear lacing his words.

"That must be the Monster King. We stand no chance against such power…" Another knight chimed in, his face etched with gravity.

Leo swiftly intervened, silencing his knights as he turned toward Elisa. "Lady Elisa, we must unite our forces to confront this threat."

"Alright," Lisa consented, mustering her determination. She then turned toward her elite knights and issued a resolute command. "Prepare for battle!"

Retreating was no longer an option. The creature drew perilously close, approaching with alarming speed. Even if a few managed to escape, the rest would meet their demise. Confrontation remained the sole available choice.

"He is coming..."

"There are three of them..."

Suddenly, the gathering witnessed three flying monsters rapidly advancing towards them. Each of these creatures bore a formidable rider, and it was clear that one of them emitted the overpowering aura they had sensed earlier.

"Two of those monsters are at the peak of Rank Six, and one is at the peak of Rank Seven," someone exclaimed in horror, revealing the monsters' classifications.

Monsters were ranked differently from human kingdoms, but a monster at the pinnacle of the sixth rank would be roughly equivalent in power to a human warrior from the eighth rank. As for a monster at the pinnacle of the seventh rank...

"Young lady, you should escape while we distract them," Leo urged, his gaze fixed upon the incoming monsters, his expression filled with seriousness.

"No, I will stay and fight," Lisa countered, her face reflecting her determination.

"Young lady, you are an alchemist, not a fighter. If you stay, you will only hinder us," Leo reasoned, concerned for Lisa's safety.

Lisa fell silent, realizing the truth in Leo's words. Although she didn't want to betray her teammates, Leo was right—she would only be a liability in direct combat.

"Lady Elisa, please, could you send those two girls with her? I am certain that Ronal's family would generously compensate you if you assist my young lady in

 escaping," Leo implored, directing his plea toward Elisa.

The two girls possessed exceptional skills in evasion, and they were not only formidable but also remarkably swift. Unlike the knights, their aid would greatly enhance Lisa's chances of successfully evading capture.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Leo. Those girls are under Fray's direct command. I cannot issue orders to them," Elisa responded, regret lacing her words.

"Isha, go with her. If we don't return, inform Mr. Montaser about what transpired here," Sina spoke with a resolute expression, anticipating that Fray might be taken hostage rather than immediately killed. Given Fray's status as the head of the Parada family and a prominent figure in human society, Sina believed Montaser would be the best chance for his rescue.

"No, you go. You know that I am stronger than you in direct combat. I must stay here and provide assistance," Isha insisted.

"But…" Sina began, her words trailing off.

Cutting her off, Isha interjected, "Sina, they're closing in on us rapidly. We don't have time to argue. Just go."

Reluctantly, Sina nodded, her face reflecting her unwillingness, before she turned to Lisa. "Let's go."

Sina and Lisa sprinted at full speed, opting not to utilize Flying Horses to avoid drawing attention. Moreover, flying horses would be unable to outpace the flying monsters ridden by their pursuers.

In the blink of an eye, the flying monsters arrived at Elisa's location, their imposing presence felt by all.

"Lord, it appears that two have managed to escape," one of the monsters, resembling a black cat, reported.

"It doesn't matter. They won't get far. Once we deal with these humans, we'll capture them," responded the horned monster—a figure resembling a normal human but with long, winding horns atop its head.

"Sir, they don't seem particularly formidable. We can handle them both. You needn't bother," the wolf-like monster voiced, its human body contrasting with its lupine visage.

"Very well," the horned monster agreed curtly.

The black cat monster turned toward Elisa, addressing her with a commanding tone. "I am the second general of Kaisha City. Who are you, and what brings you to this place?"

"We mean no harm..." Elisa attempted to respond, but before she could finish, the black cat monster vanished from its spot, launching a swift attack with its razor-sharp claws. Elisa narrowly managed to deflect the strike with her sword, avoiding a fatal blow.

"This is not the answer I was seeking," the black cat monster snarled, fixing Elisa with a lethal gaze.