Chapter 20

Carl emerges from the hospital to find the base in chaos as the warlord battle begins. With the throne room secured by Justice Light and enemies already attacking from multiple fronts, Carl prepares to lead a team toward the southern border to support Elle and the defensive trenches, despite suffering from soul poisoning and the constraints of new battle rules limiting magic and teleportation.

Carl exits the hospital tent to discover the base in organized chaos, with colonels directing troops to defend against attacks from the Operatic Collective in the north and the Naga in the south, each border roughly ten miles away. He confirms with Jurgen that two transports are reserved for his use and learns from Justice Light that the throne room has been secured as planned. Carl checks the map and verifies all faction throne rooms are positioned as expected. Immediately, enemy projectiles begin striking their defenses—initially conventional rocks, then chemically treated ones using poison gas, which mages work to disperse. Carl gathers his team, including Donut, Mongo, and various members of his personal guard (cretins, were-castors, Jamal the shark, and strippers Dong Quixote and Splash Zone), fielding messages about troop movements. Louis and Samantha's conversation reveals Samantha has stowed away on a scouting mission; Carl orders Louis to eject her from the bomb bay to prevent a crash at the territorial border. Elle messages from the southern front reporting enemy artillery, mounted troops on zebra-like creatures, and suspicion of coordinated strategy. Carl decides to take the Royal Chariot to the southern front with Dong Quixote, Holger, and others via the flatbed transports, covering ten miles over plains. Jamal, the three heavy cretins (Bomo, Sledge, Very Sullen), and young Clint are left behind to defend the FUPA, with Clint protesting that he wants to prove his toughness despite being a kindergarten-aged flesh golem. Carl attempts to attach his missile launcher to the chariot but receives an error—all armor slots are full. As they prepare to depart, Carl experiences a soul poisoning effect and begins suffering physical pain, which he attempts to ignore. The chapter ends with Carl and his team ready to move out toward the southern defensive positions.