Chapter 531: Chapter 531: The Aftermath and the Unseen Threat

The fortress was a hive of activity as dawn fully broke over the horizon, casting its golden light across the battleground. The sounds of the battle had faded, replaced by the murmurs of weary soldiers and the clamor of repairs. The defenders worked diligently, their movements a mix of exhaustion and determination.

Elara, her armor dented and her face streaked with grime, moved through the courtyard with a sense of grim satisfaction. The battle had been fierce, but the fortress had held, and the Shadow Shard's forces had been repelled—at least for now.

Cedric approached her, his face showing signs of fatigue but also relief. "We've managed to push them back and secure the perimeter. The wounded are being tended to, and the repairs are underway. We've lost some good people, but the fortress stands."