Chapter 278: Noah’s Plan [1] After hearing Lola’s acceptance, Noah sighed before a wry smile appeared on his face. "What would I do without you? You really make life easier, don’t you?" Lola giggled like a little girl at his compliment before saying with obvious pleasure, "Anything for my boss, hee-hee~" "Lola, how long do you think it would take you to reach the power level of these two?" Noah asked as he observed Seraphina and Darian’s ongoing battle. Lola turned to study the enhanced rulers with an analytical gaze. "Hmm... based on having daily rations of two powerful enhancement items... I would estimate three to four days if I dedicate myself completely to advancement." She paused before adding teasingly, "Mind you, I might become stronger earlier if you check up on me often and give me goodbye kisses before leaving." She winked playfully. Noah seemed to completely ignore her flirtation as he processed the timeline. "Three to four days..." he repeated thoughtfully. "That’s pretty good... Alright then, it’s settled." Noah took one final look at the fighters outside before walking toward the door and opening it. He had kept it closed during their strategic discussion to prevent any potential eavesdropping. Taking a deep breath, Noah spoke with calm authority, using mana amplification to project his voice across the entire battlefield. "A new item auction will be announced once this fighting concludes. When both parties cease combat and enter the safe zone, the item will be revealed." The announcement struck the battlefield like a thunderbolt. Every combatant heard his words with perfect clarity, and the reaction was immediate. "Another item?" gasped a light elf grandmaster, parrying a shadow attack while processing the shocking news. "After what the last one caused?" "Impossible," breathed a dark elf master, momentarily lowering his guard. "What could possibly be more powerful than the luxury smoothie?" If the previous enhancement led to this war, Elena thought between defensive spells, what devastation could the next one bring? The psychological impact was immediate and profound. Both factions began questioning whether continuing their current battle was strategically wise when an even more powerful enhancement might soon become available. Seraphina and Darian exchanged meaningful glances across the battlefield, their enhanced intelligence immediately recognising the implications. Both rulers simultaneously began disengaging from their personal duel while maintaining defensive awareness. "This changes everything," Seraphina muttered, her light magic dimming as she stepped back from aggressive positioning. Another auction means another opportunity, Darian calculated, his shadow constructs dispersing as he evaluated the new situation. Darian was the first to move toward the safe zone, his enhanced speed allowing rapid repositioning while his forces followed suit. The other grandmasters began slowly disengaging from their individual battles, though some remained so absorbed in combat that they continued fighting despite the announcement. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺 Adrian felt overwhelming relief at Noah’s intervention. The mysterious shopkeeper was already implementing his plans, though Adrian couldn’t understand why revealing a new item was necessary for peace negotiations. Whatever his strategy, at least the fighting is stopping, Adrian thought with gratitude as he defensively retreated from his opponent. Most combatants began filtering into the neutral zone, but several dozen masters and grandmasters remained locked in combat, either too engaged to disengage safely or too consumed by bloodlust to care about potential auctions. Both Seraphina and Darian observed Noah standing with arms crossed, clearly waiting for the complete cessation of hostilities before proceeding with his announcement. Understanding the requirement, both rulers turned toward their respective forces with commanding authority. "End the fighting. Now!" Seraphina’s voice boomed across the battlefield, enhanced by her magical capabilities. "All forces disengage immediately!" Darian’s command echoed with equal power and authority. The remaining fighters reluctantly broke off their engagements and moved toward the safe zone, recognising that their leaders required everyone’s presence for whatever revelation was coming. Within minutes, Noah found himself facing two distinct legions of light and dark elves—nearly hundreds of practitioners at master and grandmaster rank, all waiting with rapt attention for him to speak. The assembled force represented more concentrated magical power than most kingdoms could deploy, yet they all stood silently awaiting the words of a single shopkeeper from Earth. After the fighting had stopped between both factions completely, Noah decided to start his ceremony. Noah raised his voice before addressing the assembled forces with the gravity befitting such a momentous revelation. "The item for auction is the Warrior’s Protein Shake," he announced, producing the enhancement from his dimensional storage. "This enhancement increases weapon proficiency learning speed by twenty percent, doubles all attributes for one hour, and grants enhanced weapon mastery. All physical attacks gain a twenty percent critical strike chance, and the user can wield any weapon type with basic competency during the effect. Also, upon first consumption, it permanently increases both Agility and Strength by fifty points ." The reaction of the crowd was explosive, befitting that of a powerful item. Queen Seraphina’s eyes blazed with excitement as she processed the implications this had on her power. This enhancement would make my Light Execution technique absolutely devastating. Combined with doubled attributes and critical strike potential, I could obliterate Darian before he could mount any meaningful defence. That bastard would finally pay for his crimes against us. Lord Regent Darian’s expression darkened with predatory hunger as similar calculations ran through his mind. My shadow spear techniques would become unstoppable with those enhancements. Doubled attributes plus critical strikes... Seraphina wouldn’t survive the first exchange. I could end this war permanently and claim both kingdoms for my selves. Then...all these light elves will become my personal slaves. It’s a pity that I can’t take Seraphina as a slave; that woman is too dangerous. Both rulers stared at the enhancement with undisguised hatred for each other, each visualising their enemy’s destruction through the item revealed. Prince Adrian felt his stomach drop with growing horror. The shopkeeper was supposed to stop this war, yet he’s offering them even more devastating power. This item isn’t just dangerous—it’s apocalyptic. Whichever ruler claims this enhancement will absolutely annihilate the other kingdom. This makes no strategic sense!