Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 198: The Ambush (Final)

"Zora’s combat ability is exceptional," Sebastian remarked, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration, watching everything from the shadows. "Decisive, ruthless, and never hesitating when she strikes. That kind of resolve is rare."

"Not only that," Miel added thoughtfully, a gleam of insight in his eyes. "Even in the midst of battle, she remains calm and composed, fully exerting her strength without being swayed. Compared to her, Sylvandria’s ability to adapt under pressure is clearly lacking."

Sebastian nodded slowly. "Many students go through this stage before they’ve experienced enough real combat. But Zora..." He smiled faintly. "She truly is remarkable."

Sebastian’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. As a mentor, nothing pleased him more than seeing his students perform like this when it truly mattered.

"Zora’s mental fortitude is exceptional," he said slowly, his tone filled with approval. "Back during the Royal Hunting Tournament, when she was surrounded by Nether Wolves, she remained calm and decisive. Even seasoned spirit warriors with years of combat experience might not have handled that situation so steadily."

Miel nodded in agreement, the corners of his mouth lifting as well. "Indeed. Zora is a rare battle genius. Her current cultivation may not yet be top-tier, but that is only a matter of time."

As he spoke, Miel’s gaze shifted toward Prince Kael, and a faint smile surfaced. "And it isn’t only her. That young man is no ordinary figure either."

Sebastian and Miel exchanged a glance, both feeling a twinge of complicated emotion. "The two of them are actually married," Sebastian sighed softly.

If the people of Elysia’s Imperial City could see Zora and Prince Kael as they were now, who would still connect them with the image of a disgraced general’s daughter and a crippled prince?

Back to the battle;

After Zora finished dealing with her opponent, Prince Kael turned his attention to Thaddeus. With a single, seemingly casual strike, he sent Thaddeus reeling, then calmly returned to Zora’s side.

"Well done, wifey," Prince Kael said, his star-bright eyes filled with genuine admiration. During the time he had not been by her side, her strength had clearly improved by no small margin.

Zora glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "Compared to you, I still have a long way to go."

As her cultivation advanced, she found herself increasingly unable to gauge Prince Kael’s true strength. That alone spoke volumes about the gap between them.

Prince Kael smiled faintly. "What do you plan to do next?"

"Since trouble has already come," Zora replied calmly, brows lifting slightly, "it’s best to end it as soon as possible."

On the other side, Thaddeus’s face had turned deathly pale.

That palm strike from Prince Kael looked simple, yet its power was terrifying. Thaddeus felt a searing pain spread through his internal organs. There was no doubt about it, he had suffered severe internal injuries.

What made it worse was the realization that two of his men, both late-stage Sky Realm spirit warriors, had already fallen. For the Black Vulture Mercenary Group, losing even one such expert was a heavy blow. Losing two at once was nothing short of disastrous.

Only now did Thaddeus realize that the situation he had once thought firmly under control had already slipped beyond his grasp.

Just as he tried to circulate his mana, a sharp pain surged through his meridians. His expression stiffened. He immediately understood that Prince Kael’s strike had concealed something else. For the next few hours at least, he would be unable to use his mana freely.

Seeing Zora and Prince Kael fighting with such overwhelming force, Reesa and the others felt their morale soar. Their attacks grew sharper and faster, pressing their opponents harder than before.

In contrast, fear began to creep into the hearts of the Blazing Fire mercenaries. Even their two leaders had been gravely injured. If Prince Kael struck again, how many of them would be left standing?

"Boom!"

As Raphael felled yet another opponent, Thaddeus’s expression darkened completely.

"Stop!" Thaddeus suddenly shouted.

At his command, the remaining mercenaries retreated quickly, regrouping at his side.

Julian frowned deeply and turned to look at Thaddeus, unable to understand why he would suddenly call for a halt at such a critical moment.

"Vice leader Thaddeus, what are you doing?" Julian shouted, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Thaddeus’s heart was already in turmoil. He had promised Julian that he would take care of Alaric Von Seraph and the others, yet he had never imagined that their strength would be this terrifying.

Out of sixteen attackers, four had already fallen. The formation of the Black Vulture Mercenary Group was breaking apart, and the signs of defeat were unmistakable. If they continued to fight, the losses would only grow heavier.

The casualties among their Sky Realm experts alone were already unbearable. If the battle dragged on, annihilation was no longer an impossible outcome.

Only now did Thaddeus truly feel regret.

Julian was a mid-stage Heaven Realm spirit warrior, someone worth recruiting at any cost. But the tide of battle had already turned, and there was no way to reverse it tonight.

If he forced his men to continue, it would be nothing more than sending his brothers to their deaths.

"Brother Julian," Thaddeus said with a heavy sigh, "we’ll withdraw for today."

Their initial judgment had been wrong. Before the fight, he believed Alaric Von Seraph was the strongest among them. As long as Julian could hold him back, victory would be theirs.

But only after exchanging blows did he realize the truth.

The most terrifying existence in that team wasn’t Alaric Von Seraph at all.

It was Prince Kael.

Even after fighting him for so long, Thaddeus still couldn’t gauge Prince Kael’s true depth. With that man present, their defeat had been decided from the start.

"Why?" Julian demanded unwillingly.

He had fallen to this point. How could he just retreat?

"We’ll discuss it after we return," Thaddeus replied firmly. "Now is not the time to argue."

Alaric Von Seraph and the others watched coldly as Thaddeus made his decision. His sudden retreat was unexpected, but it also allowed them to quietly breathe a sigh of relief.

Seeing that Thaddeus’s mind was made up, Julian clenched his fists. Rage burned in his chest, but there was nothing he could do. On his own, he was no match for Alaric Von Seraph and the rest.

Once Julian relented, Thaddeus finally relaxed. He raised his hand and shouted, "Everyone, withdraw!"

The mercenaries of Black Vulture had long since lost their fighting spirit. Upon hearing the order, they retreated without hesitation.

Their speed was far faster than when they had charged in.

"Are we not chasing them?" Reesa asked, seeing that no one moved.

Alaric Von Seraph shook his head. "They’re retreating in different directions. There’s no point in pursuing."

Even if they caught up and killed one or two mercenaries, it would mean little.

"We should recover and continue toward the Suffocating Forest," he added.

Everyone nodded. That was the true objective of this expedition.

Julian’s departing glare was filled with resentment. Prince Kael’s voice was calm but serious as he reminded them, "That man won’t give up so easily. From now on, everyone should stay alert. Trouble may come at any time."

Though he didn’t know the full history between Julian, Alaric Von Seraph, and Sylvandria, Prince Kael knew one thing well.

As long as Julian lived, the conflict between them would never truly end.

A complicated light flickered in Alaric Von Seraph’s eyes. He understood that Prince Kael was speaking the truth.