Chapter 64

Carl's covert infiltration of the Madness castle is exposed when Osvaldo's Memorial Crystal produces a massive prismatic beacon visible across the realm. Despite Carl's attempts to proceed with the original plan, the enemy's discovery forces a tactical pivot: the 105th battalion is summoned for immediate combat support while the 103rd must retreat early, and missile strikes begin hammering the castle's shield.

As Carl's team moves toward the Madness castle under cover, Samantha identifies the god Yarilo pursuing them, believing Samantha caused his banishment. A spectacular prismatic light beacon suddenly erupts from the forest—Osvaldo's Memorial Crystal, which he cannot suppress. The light alerts the Madness forces to Carl's presence, negating his covert approach. Carl receives a quest update to obtain the Memorial Crystal from Osvaldo but deprioritizes it. Elle warns that the beacon will draw enemy observation spells. When Osvaldo tries unsuccessfully to conceal the crystal, Baroness Victory warns Carl against illegal collaboration, and a notification confirms the enemy has detected the incursion. Prepotente reports that while the 103rd battalion's diversionary force is working on the opposite side, Osvaldo's beacon has drawn additional Madness troops toward Carl's position. Carl reassesses the situation with Elle and Katia: summoning the 105th without proper psionic protection is risky since Prepotente cannot protect both the 103rd's retreat and the 105th's advance simultaneously. They decide to have the 103rd retreat early with Donut's support while Prepotente rushes to Carl's position. Carl sends orders to Jurgen (leader of the 105th Scream Warriors), Prepotente, Donut, and Bodi (leader of the 103rd). Bodi expresses concern about losing Prepotente's psionic protection during retreat but follows orders. Moments later, hundreds of missiles rain down on the castle in waves, with the shield flickering but holding. A large fast-moving force approaches in dune buggies. Carl realizes the infiltration has become open combat.