The Manticore collapsed.
Immediately, the undead and the grotesque chimeras, still under the influence of the miasma, ceased all movement. Frozen for a moment, they crumbled like lifeless puppets.
The allied soldiers, at first silent, struggled to believe it. Then, amidst the chaos, a voice rang out:
"Hooray! We did it!!"
A heavy silence followed the victorious cry, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Then, all at once, the entire army erupted into cheers.
Weapons were raised to the sky, clenched fists struck the air. Some fell to their knees, exhausted, while others embraced, unable to contain their euphoria.
But in the midst of this jubilation, some remained impassive.
Kido surveyed the battlefield with cold lucidity. He watched the bodies of the chimeras slowly disintegrate, the miasma dissipating like smoke swept away by the wind. Yet his gaze remained grim.
