Ats and the others began sing through the avaible floating isnds they could test in the uping Dominion Skirmish. Some of these isnds were new, having only appeared alongside the start of the event. Iingly, Fre Peak, which they often used for training, was not among them.

  They examined each Rank-1 isnd, weighing the risks and rewards of each choice. Edrik had already provided a clear guideline for their sele strategy:

  A bination of High-Risk, Mid-Risk, and Low-Risk isnds. This approach would give the team more flexibility to adapt their strategy during the mid-battle phase.

  “The first option is Crimson Pyre, the Volid,” Edrik began.

  Ats nodded, listening ily as Edrik summarized the key details of each isnd.

  “Crimson Pyre: Volic terrain with wide va flows, magma pools, and jagged rocky outcrops. It’s cssified as Moderate-High Risk due to enviroal hazards that weaken troops and limit mobility. Additionally, it will attract high petition from Lords seeking valuable crafting materials.”

  “Okay,” Ats replied, filing the information away.

  “ is Sands of Soce, a Desert Isnd. Arid desert with open dunes and scattered oases. This isnd has few natural barriers, which makes ambushes and le attacks highly effective. It’s sidered Moderate Risk because the open terrain leaves troops vulnerable ted attacks and ambushes. Moreover, effit supply ma will be essential due to the harsh ditions.”

  “Okay,” Ats said again.

  “The one is Emerald Gde, a Forest Isnd. It’s a dense forest with magical flora, hidden pathways, and wildlife. This one is cssified as Low Risk. It will face moderate petition from Lords aiming for safe Dominion Points geion. Additionally, it synergizes well with Mira and Lyrassa, as their abilities enhance resource colle and forest navigation.”

  “This one sounds tempting and safe to choose,” Ats remarked.

  “I’ll tinue, My Lord,” Edrik responded.

  “Go ahead,” Ats enced.

  Edrik tinued, “The st one is Azure Dunes, a Coastal Desert Isnd.”

  “Okay,” Ats replied, ready to hear more.

  Edrik eborated, “It’s a coastal desert with sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and freshwater oases. The coastal cliffs provide excellent vantage points but are proo attacks from ke creatures.”

  Ats gave a thoughtful nod. “I imagine if we secure this isnd, it could give Zefyros a home where he roam freely.”

  “Agreed, my Lord,” Edrik replied with a small smile before tinuing, “However, this isnd is cssified as Moderate-High Risk. The hybrid terrain may disrupt troop formations, and there’s a signifit potential for interference from ke creatures.”

  Ats leaned back, carefully sidering the options as Edrik paused. Each isnd presented a different blend of risks and rewards, and while they hadn’t yet delved into the finer points of battle strategy, it was clear that their choices would have far-reag sequences.

  The uable nature of potential oppos added another yer of plexity. Greed could lead them into unwinnable flicts, fag overwhelming challehat could cripple their forces. Oher hand, a bition might leave them with underwhelmis, squandering an opportunity tthen their domain.

  Each decision o be deliberate and well-calcuted.

  Edrik resumed, presenting the three isnds he reended.

  “First, Crimson Pyre Isle. Reason: It offers critical crafting materials for early upgrades. Additionally, the terrain favors your team, My Lord, as they are already familiar with volic areas.”

  “Okay, ,” Ats prompted.

  “ is Emerald Gde. It’s a low-risk option for steady DP geion and troop sustainability. It also synergizes well with Mira and Lyrassa’s abilities.”

  Ats nodded slowly, signaling for Edrik to tinue.

  “Finally, Azure Dunes. Reason: It provides high-value hybrid resources and offers tactical flexibility for ambushes and defense.”

  Ats fell silent for a moment, digesting Edrik’s reasoning. Each option seemed to fit fortably within their broader strategisiderations, a mix of safety, utility, and potential rewards.

  “I think all three isnds sound incredibly promising, Edrik,” Ats said thoughtfully. “I would be more than pleased to secure any one of them. My main is ensuring we successfully cim at least one new isnd, regardless of which we prioritize.”

  “I agree with you, My Lord,” Edrik replied.

  Ats took his time to thhly reanalyze the three reended isnds. Although they couldn’t visit the isnds during this preparation phase, they had access to detailed maps of the terrain and youts. Edrik used these visuals to further expin why these three isnds were the most logical choices.

  The strategy remained sistent: include one high-risk, high-reward isnd for the potential majains, while also seg a low-risk isnd that would synergize with their current team position and eeady bes.

  Even with his victories in previous Lord battles, Ats knew better than to uimate the Dominion Skirmish. This was nhtforward one-on-one test—it was a chaotic battlefield involving multiple Lords, some of whom might form alliances, creating a potentially overwhelming threat.

  Ats had no alliao fall ba, a factor that pced him at a distinct disadvantage.

  To date, he had her actively sought allianor received any serious offers. The only exception was his i e to two Rank-2 Lords, Luna and Ember. They had offered him donations during his early struggles, providing crucial support at the time.

  However, they operated at a higher rank and had never met Ats in person, making their involvement in this Skirmish unlikely.

  For now, he had to assume he would face this challenge alohis isotion made meticulous pnning and fwless execution critical. Any mistake could lead to disastrous outes. The maps, Edrik’s strategisights, and his own instincts would have to be enough to secure victory.

  Ats g his other Elite Subordinates, who all remained silent, their expressions showing plete trust in Edrik's strategic guida was clear they deferred to Edrik’s expertise, leaving the intricate pnning to him. When Ats occasionally sought their opinions, they would often simply echo Edrik's points, showing their fiden his judgment.

  The discussion tinued for a while, with Edrik eborating on their options, until he suddenly chimed in with a opic.

  "My Lord, five me, but I feel I must bring this up," he said, his tone careful yet firm.

  Ats looked up, his brows furrowing. "Just say it."

  Edrik gave a small bow before speaking. "Master Kurogasa, please correct me if my suggestiooo risky."

  Kurogasa bowed slightly iurn. "I trust that our Lord is not reckless, and with the experien this room, coupled with a well-thought-out strategy, we should be able to minimize risks."

  "What is it, Edrik?" Ats prompted.

  Edrik nodded, his expression serious as he began. "My Lord, I’ve identified an isnd—a dynamiviro isnd."

  "Oh? Then why didn’t you mention it earlier?" Ats asked, surprised. He racked his mind, recalling the Rank-1 isnds they had reviewed, yet no such isnd had appeared.

  "Because, my Lord," Edrik tinued, "this isnd is in Rank-2."

  "Rank-2..." Ats murmured, letting the weight of that informatiole.

  Edrik pressed on. "It’s the Shattered Ember Isles, a volic Shadow Terrain."

  He paused briefly before tinuing. "The isnd is a crumbling volidscape infused with shadow magic. Its Shadow-infused zones reduce healing effectiveness but amplify shadow-based abilities. The tral Fortress is surrounded by unstable magma flows, requiring precise and calcuted movements to navigate."

  Ats remained silent, processing this new information, as Edrik tinued.

  "If we secure this isnd, my Lord," Edrik said with quiet vi, "it will solve our resource problem. The isnd holds the materials we o craft the Soulbinding Armor Set."

  Yes, the Soulbinding Armor Set. Ats had already secured the blueprint, and now they just o gather the materials—an immense amount, since his vision was to provide every member of his isnd with this powerful armor.

  However, the Shattered Ember Isles was categorized as Rank-2, meaning it would require Ats to participate in battles one rank higher than his current standing.

  "ce to win," Edrik tinued. "It’s Moderate to High. Our team is well-aced to training in enviros like this. Moreover, Manna, Kurogasa, Raze, myself, and you, my Lord, all perform exceptionally well in shadow zohis gives us a substantial edge against oppos who ck shadow affinity."

  Edrik paused briefly, allowing Ats a moment to process the information before tinuing. "If you decide to include this isnd as one of our choices, we devise a detailed backup pn or a retreat strategy to mitigate potential risks."

  "Rank-2 Lord Battles," Ats murmured, his thoughts trailing as he processed the expnation.

  Despite the obvious risks, he couldn’t ighe pull of this opportunity. The dynamiviro was rare—such isnds seldom appeared in Skirmishes. The Shattered Ember Isles held incredible value, both for its uerrain and the resources it promised.

  Naturally, such allure would attract tless other Lords, turning the Isles into one of the most fiercely tested battlegrounds in the Skirmish.

  His mind raced as he weighed the risks against the potential rewards. His team’s patibility with the terrain gave them an advantage, but stepping into Rank-2 battles introduced uable variables.

  Was this gamble worth taking?

  ath should he choose?