The rebellion’s victory over the Dread Colossus rippled across the region, spreading through whispers and shouts in villages, towns, and even noble courts. The nobles’ most formidable weapon had been reduced to a smoking pile of rubble, and Ironclad Bastion still stood defiant. For the first time, it seemed possible that Juri Winkler and his ragtag rebellion might succeed in toppling the ruling class.

  But inside Ironclad, there was little time for celebration. The fortress was in ruins, its defenses stretched thin, and the Dominion-class Mech was a wreck of twisted metal and scorched runes.

  In the war room, Juri leaned over the map of the region, his sharp blue eyes focused on the noble territories that remained under enemy control. Around him, the core leadership stood in uneasy silence.

  “The nobles won’t stop,” Juri began, his voice calm but firm. “We humiliated them by destroying the Colossus. They’ll retaliate—and this time, they’ll target more than just Ironclad. They’ll aim to crush the rebellion everywhere.”

  Kira frowned, her arms crossed. “So what’s the plan? We can’t just sit here and wait for them to regroup.”

  “We won’t,” Juri said, his gaze hardening. “We take the fight to them.”

  Juri’s plan was ambitious—more so than anything the rebellion had attempted before. Rather than defend territory, the rebels would adopt a strategy of relentless offense, striking at noble strongholds, supply lines, and key infrastructure across the region.

  “Every stronghold we hit, every supply route we destroy, weakens their grip on power,” Juri explained during the strategy meeting. “They want us to fight on their terms. We won’t give them the chance.”

  Halrick grinned, leaning on the table. “So, we’re turning this into a full-on guerilla war?”

  “Exactly,” Juri replied. “Fast strikes, coordinated movements, and no staying in one place too long. If they want to fight us, they’ll have to chase us.”

  Valeria Eldryn, who had grown increasingly vocal in the rebellion’s planning sessions, raised an eyebrow. “And what about the civilians? Every strike we make risks retaliation against the people in these territories.”

  “That’s why we don’t just attack,” Juri said. “We liberate. When we hit a stronghold, we evacuate the civilians and bring them under our protection. Every person we save is another blow to the nobles’ propaganda.”

  Before the rebellion could enact Juri’s bold plan, Ironclad needed to be rebuilt. The fortress had become a symbol of resistance, and its fall would be devastating to morale.

  Engineers and volunteers worked around the clock to repair the walls, fortify the gates, and replace damaged weaponry. Salvaged parts from the Dread Colossus were integrated into the defenses, creating new turret-mounted cannons powered by runes scavenged from the machine’s core.

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  In the workshop, Juri and Eren Vas focused on rebuilding the Dominion-class Mech. The upgrades they implemented went beyond simple repairs.

  “We’re going to need more firepower,” Juri said, examining the mech’s damaged chassis.

  “I’ve been working on something,” Eren replied, holding up a schematic. “A mana-plasma railgun. High energy output, long range, and powerful enough to punch through the thickest armor.”

  Juri’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Let’s build it.”

  Over the next week, the Dominion was transformed. Its new weapon system gleamed on its shoulder mount, and its modular arm had been upgraded for faster switching between tools. The mech’s mana core had been enhanced with an energy recycling system, allowing it to maintain peak performance in extended battles.

  When the repairs were complete, the Dominion stood taller and more imposing than ever—a machine born from destruction, ready to lead the rebellion’s charge.

  The rebellion’s first target was Silverbrook Keep, a small but strategic stronghold located at the intersection of two major supply routes.

  Juri led the assault personally, piloting the newly upgraded Dominion. Kira and Halrick commanded ground forces, while Valeria coordinated the strike from a forward camp.

  The rebels struck at dawn, catching the nobles’ garrison by surprise. The Dominion’s railgun roared to life, its energy blast tearing through the keep’s outer walls with pinpoint accuracy.

  As the rebels swarmed the stronghold, the nobles’ defenders scrambled to mount a counterattack. Mages unleashed fireballs and lightning bolts, but the Dominion’s mana barriers absorbed the blows.

  “Focus on the gate!” Juri shouted through the comms.

  Kira led a team of rebels armed with explosives, using the chaos of the Dominion’s assault to breach the gate. Within minutes, the stronghold was overrun.

  By the time the sun rose fully, the rebellion had claimed another victory. Supplies were loaded onto carts, and the garrison’s survivors were given the choice to surrender or flee.

  “We’re not here to kill for sport,” Juri told the captured soldiers. “You’ve seen what we can do. Tell your superiors: join us, or get out of our way.”

  Word of the rebellion’s success spread quickly, sparking uprisings in nearby towns and villages. Farmers, blacksmiths, and even former noble soldiers began flocking to the rebellion’s banner, eager to fight for a chance at freedom.

  At Ironclad, the influx of new recruits presented both an opportunity and a challenge. The fortress was already strained for resources, and integrating so many new fighters required careful planning.

  “We need more supplies,” Kira said during a meeting with Juri and Valeria. “Weapons, food, medicine. We’re growing faster than we can sustain.”

  “Then we expand our supply network,” Juri replied. “There are plenty of nobles sitting on stockpiles they don’t deserve. Let’s redistribute them.”

  In the capital, Lorian Vehr stood before the council, his expression grim. The rebellion’s offensive had caught the nobles off guard, and the loss of Silverbrook Keep was a serious blow.

  “We underestimated Winkler,” Lorian admitted. “His tactics are unconventional, but effective. If we don’t adapt, we risk losing more than just territory.”

  Lady Alarice Vorell’s green eyes narrowed. “What do you propose?”

  “We draw him out,” Lorian replied. “He’s too dangerous to leave unchecked. If we can isolate him from his forces, we can eliminate him and dismantle the rebellion from within.”

  “And how do you plan to do that?” Alarice asked.

  Lorian smirked faintly. “With the right bait.”

  Unbeknownst to the rebellion, the nobles began laying the groundwork for an elaborate trap. A decoy stronghold was established, designed to lure Juri into a confrontation. Inside, they stationed an elite unit of soldiers and mages, along with a new experimental weapon: the Arcanic Disruptor, a device capable of neutralizing mana-powered machines within its range.

  “It won’t just disable the Dominion,” Lorian explained to his officers. “It will destroy it—and everything Winkler’s rebellion stands for.”