The moment the shield disappeared—
The city attacked.
Cannons roared.
Ballistae launched.
Mages cast spells.
The sky itself seemed to rain destruction.
For the first time since the battle began—
The attacks actually worked.
Metal armor dented.
Outer plating cracked.
Exposed sections sparked.
The GFR stumbled.
Only slightly.
But it stumbled.
The sight alone sent cheers through the military lines.
Inside the cockpit—
Udit stared at the warning screens.
His smile was gone.
"Interesting."
The machine took another step.
BOOM.
The damaged leg trembled.
Then stabilized.
Still operational.
Still moving.
Still dangerous.
Outside—
Nish lowered a spyglass.
"Direct all fire toward damaged sections."
Messengers immediately ran.
Orders spread.
The military shifted formation.
This time they had a target.
And this time—
The target could bleed.
Far above the district—
Alice stood on a floating platform.
The wind tugged at her crimson hair.
Raj stood nearby.
Holding a stack of reports.
And looking miserable.
"Why am I carrying these?"
"Because you're responsible."
"I'm not."
"You are now."
Raj considered throwing the reports at Alice.
Instead she sighed.
"One day."
"One day what?"
"I'm going to quit."