Ats reviewed the isnd’s dition and the team’s preparations o time. Four Fme Beas had been structed, positiorategically on each side of the isnd.

  Each tower featured a massive crystal core encased within a reinforced structure, t twice as tall as an adult. From the top radiated an intense, fiery aura, lighting up the area around it.

  The Fme Beas would defend by firing volleys of fireballs in all dires, capable of hitting both ground and air units—an incredibly effective defensive measure.

  Ats made a mental o build more ohey gathered enough materials.

  Thanks to the Lord Battle meics, the Beas' damage would only affeemies. Even if allies stood nearby, they’d be shielded from the attacks’ impact. Truly a magical advantage.

  He positiohe main fortress at the isnd's ter, surrounded by Residential Huts, the Training Ground, harvesting structures, and the bcksmith. Mira's gardens sprawled auch of the outer isnd, creating a natural boundary with vibrant greenery.

  If they decided on a deferategy, their enemies would o prepare themselves for the rage of the "Bunny Gardener."

  Ats frequently met with the team leaders, making time every day to build bonds across the team. eg with 30 people individually was no small task, so he started by fog oeam leaders, one by one.

  Zara began by expinirategy, carefully assigning each role to maximize each member's potential. Her deep uanding of her team’s strengths was impressive; she was naturally gifted and incredibly strategic.

  Kaida, oher hand, ughed and decred that her team was “ready to go all out,” keeping the details light. Fortunately, Lyrassa, with her cool head, banced Kaida’s enthusiasm by adding a defensive yer to their pn.

  Garen, t with his massive build, grinned. “My Lord, I’ll be on the front lines, leading my team to crush the enemy!”

  Ronan, always a man of few words, nodded. “My Lord, I’ve prepared a detailed analysis of my team as well. I’m fident in their readiness.”

  The day of the battle had arrived. Ats stood in the main fortress building with his Elite Subordinates, finalizing their strategy.

  Finally, the system notification appeared:

  [A New Battle Season Has Begun!]

  [Fight fiercely, using the best strategy you’ve got. Cim victrow your isnd, and bee unstoppable.]

  [You have received two Attack Tokens.]

  Two gold s, eagraved with the image of a sword, materialized in front of Ats. He took them in hand.

  “You piother isnd to attack with those two tokens,” Edrik expined.

  [If you effectively utilize the tokens, you’ll receive a bonus. But if you fail to use them by the end of the battle season, a penalty will apply.]

  “This battle season sure es with a lot of penalties,” Ats muttered.

  Edrik nodded. “Yes, it’s been harsh for everyohat’s why the casualties from this war have been so staggering.”

  [The battle season will st for 3 months.]

  [Ranking Lords will be anized into several clusters, with rewards distributed based on each rank within the cluster.]

  [Survive the battles, cim as many victories as possible, and earn exceptional rewards to fortify and grow your isnd.]

  [Ats - Seeker Div 1 has beeered in Cluster Saharian.]

  [The new battle season begins now.]

  Ats opehe map interface, revealing his isnd at the ter, surrounded by numerous isnds marked as Seeker Division 1. There were dozens—maybe even hundreds.

  He thought for a moment, then tinued. “So, our choiow is either to sele isnd to challenge… or wait for someoo challenge us.”

  “Yes, Ats. And remember, each isnd only accept up to five challenge invitations at a time. You’ll o choose which of those five challeo accept.”

  “What about the rest?”

  “You take ohers once you’ve finished with the current challenge. Or, if necessary, you retreat—with a slightly lower penalty.”

  Ats groaned. “Another penalty…”

  Ats weighed his options, also sidering his deferength with the Fme Beas.

  “I think challenging aoo early isn’t the best move. We have three months, so waiting for challeo ight be wiser,” he said thoughtfully.

  “Yes, letting others challenge you first be a good strategy. Especially if you’re fident in your defeup,” Edrik replied.

  Ats sed the isnds marked on the map, viewing eae from above. He could see their youts, the structures they’d built, and even a single aerial image of each Lord who lived there. Some isnds looked weak, likely easy targets for an early attack.

  “Remember, Ats,” Edrik cautioned, “if you target weaker isnds, the rewards will probably be minimal.”

  Ats nodded. “So attag stronger isnds meaer rewards but higher risks in battle, right?”

  “Exactly.”

  “But if someone wants easy wins,” Edrik added, “they’ll likely go after weaker Lords. They’ll secure points with less resistahough their progress will be slower.”

  Ats nodded. "So, being greedy with high risk and high gain, oing for stable growth with less risk."

  Edrik tinued, “By the way, you also adjust the map filter to show Lords of higher raher the same rank but higher divisions or even Lords from higher rairely. Anyone challenge up in rank, but never down.”

  “The rewards would be greater?”

  “Yes,” Edrik replied, “though I’m not suggesting you o. Just something to keep in mind.”

  “Got it.”

  After a brief wait, the system notifications began to pop up.

  [Neron from Ember Stone Isle, Seeker Div 1, has issued a challenge.]

  [Kara from Ste, Seeker Div 1, has issued a challenge.]

  [Varus from Thornspire, Seeker Div 1, has issued a challenge.]

  “Oh... three challenges all at once?” Edrik remarked, raising an eyebrow.

  And then two more notifications followed quickly:

  [Soren from Ashroot Grove, Seeker Div 1, has issued a challenge.]

  [Lira from Ironwave Isle, Seeker Div 1, has issued a challenge.]

  “Make that five,” Ats said, surprised.

  Edrik chuckled, “Well, good luck, Ats. You’ve filled up your challenge invitation slots in no time!”

  Ats quickly pulled up profiles on each challenger, analyzing their isnds through aerial previews.

  “Poor defenses, poor defehis one’s isnd is pretty rge, likely backed by a sponsor,” Edrik observed, pointing out the structural variations. “And these st two? Fairly well-fortified with a good spread of structures.”

  “Yes,” Ats agreed. “In the Saharian Cluster, where the area is vast and filled with powerful Lords, I’m not surprised that many newly awakened Lords have already been cimed by stronger alliances.”

  Edrik turo him. “So, what’s your decision?”

  “Neron, Kara, Varus, Soren, and Lira,” Ats murmured, mentally weighing his options.

  Accepting a challenge from a Lord with weaker defenses might mean the challenger relied on sheer numbers, fident that a rge force would overwhelm his defenses.

  Oher hand, choosing oppos with more plete structures was a gamble—it was hard to tell if they were weaker offensively or if they hid greater strength, possibly backed by sponsorship from stronger Lords.

  Ats studied each isnd carefully. Most challengers dispyed several dozen troops, though a few showed smaller numbers. Still, he khere could easily be additional forces hidden in reserve, ready to deploy when needed.

  "Alright, I’ll go with this one," he decided.

  [Ats from Gacha Haven, Seeker Div 1, has accepted the defensive challenge from Soren of Ashroot Grove, Seeker Div 1.]

  [The battle will begin in: 10:00:00]

  On the map, the isnds of Gacha Haven and Ashroot Grove began drifting closer, setting up for the impending csh.

  “So, choosing oppos based on proximity be a strategic trick too,” Ats noted.

  “Correct,” Edrik firmed.

  “Alright, we have ten hours! Prepare, everyone!” Ats anded.