Chapter 2212 Indebted When the retreat order was sounded, the pirate forces descended into chaos. Ships veered erratically, and disorganized communication crackled through their comms. The sudden shift in momentum was palpable, and Grand Magus Xavier seized the moment with unwavering resolve. He charged toward the battlefield, his aura blazing with renewed vigor. "Now, Karat warriors! Strike them down!" The entire Karat contingent followed his lead, their spirits ignited by his fierce determination. They descended upon the retreating pirate ships like avenging angels, their spells and weapons cutting through the chaos. Several pirate vessels erupted in flames, exploding in a cascade of debris. The relentless assault by the Karat grand magus decimated the disorganized pirate fleet. Amidst the carnage, notable pirate leaders fell. One of the five Iron Guards was struck down, his body disintegrating under the combined might of the Karat assault. Another Iron Guard and two grand magus pirate captains were captured, their bindings glowing with containment spells as they were dragged away. Yet, despite the relentless offensive, not all targets were secured. Khazrak, the pirate warlord, displayed a desperate cunning. As his snake-like space beast was mortally wounded, he made a quick decision, sacrificing his loyal mount to create a diversion and rocketing away from the battlefield. The other pirates, those who thought they had narrowly escaped, faced another grim reality. The Zodiac City armada, an imposing fleet of over two dozen warships, materialized before them. The skies lit up as the Zodiac ships unleashed a barrage of concentrated firepower, tearing through the already weakened pirate ranks. More pirate vessels were obliterated, their wreckage floating aimlessly in the void of space. In the span of minutes, the pirate fleet was reduced to a fraction of its former strength. Less than 40 ships, about one-third of their original number, managed to escape the combined might of Karat and Zodiac forces. The once-formidable pirate armada had suffered an utter defeat, their retreat marked by desperation and loss. When the battle had finally ended, the first responder fleets from Golden City arrived. Fifty ships, representing various factions, entered the solar system. Their timing rendered them mere observers, left to document the aftermath rather than participate in the defense. Hours later, with the immediate threats neutralized and the area secured, two dozen key personnel were summoned to Karat's Golden Palace. Due to heightened security concerns, other factions were prohibited from entering the planet. However, the forces from Zodiac City were given a warm welcome and invited to the palace as honored guests. Inside the opulent halls of the Golden Palace, a gathering took place under the watchful eyes of a dozen Karat Elders. General Xavier and Lord Hassa stood together, their expressions a mix of relief and gratitude as they prepared to welcome the Zodiac City envoy. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, the significance of the meeting evident to all present. The doors swung open, and the Zodiac City delegation entered. Leading the group was Grand Magus Kurma of the Tortoise bloodline, his presence commanding respect. Beside him walked a striking human female magus, her beauty matched by an air of authority and confidence. To the surprise of many, she was none other than Magus Rosia of Terra City, a newly nominated candidate for the council. Her presence conveyed a subtle, unspoken message, sparking murmurs among the elders. Lord Hassa, maintaining a composed demeanor, welcomed them warmly. His gratitude for their timely assistance was evident as he invited them to take honored seats for the ensuing discussions. Despite his outward gratitude, General Xavier couldn't shake his suspicion about Zodiac City's swift arrival. His voice held a hint of caution as he addressed the matter. "It's crucial for us to understand this situation clearly." Grand Magus Kurma remained silent, deferring to Magus Rosia to respond. She stepped forward, her gaze steady and confident. "We came as soon as we received a message from our faction leader," she explained. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the assembled elders and officials. "I came to seek him… may I know where he is?" The revelation sent ripples of shock and concern through the assembled elders. Those who were aware that the faction leader in question was the young Magus Emery, recently held captive by the Karat faction, felt the weight of the situation more acutely. Among them, Grand Magus Kashid, privy to the full extent of the events, appeared particularly troubled. With a nod from Lord Hassa, the eastern guardian, Kashid, stepped forward to explain the situation that had befallen the young magus. He recounted Emery's unjust treatment, his imprisonment in the Karat dungeon, and his willingness to participate in the duel under a concealed identity. Kashid detailed Emery's crucial role in destroying the virus that had significantly bolstered their defense system and his heroic efforts in saving both Lord Hassa and Princess Tessa from assassination. The narrative seemed almost too extraordinary to be true. Yet, without Emery's contributions, the Karat faction might have faced annihilation at the hands of the pirates' conspiracy. General Xavier, both amazed and baffled by the information, voiced the question on everyone's mind. "Where is he now?" Seeing Lord Hassa silent, Grand Magus Kashid, the eastern guardian, turned to his knees, bowing before Magus Rosia. "It's my fault… it was my duty to protect my lord… I am ashamed." Hearing this, Magus Rosia's expression turned grave. "What happened to him?" Lord Hassa himself responded, his voice somber. "Your lord has been gravely wounded while protecting me. He has yet to awaken from his injuries." Rosia's eyes flashed with concern and urgency. "Take me to him, immediately." Kashid, without hesitation, rose to his feet and led the way. The gravity of the situation silenced the room, the weight of Emery's actions sinking into the hearts of all present. A young magus, once treated unfairly, had repaid them by saving their faction, leaving them deeply indebted to him. Lord Hassa's attention turned to the Zodiac city overseer, Grand Magus Kurma, and he said with gratitude, "Lord Kurma, we are indebted to you. If there is anything we can do to help you, please let us know." The old-looking tortoise grand magus gave a slight smile. After calmly taking a sip of provided drink, he replied, "I have no part in this matter. All I did was repay a favor to the Terra Lord. You can speak to him instead… let's all hope that he survives." With those words, the man stood up and casually walked out of the hall. As Kurma exited, the entire hall watched in silence, his words lingering in the air.