Page 68 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

The earth erupted. Stone spikes shot up in a deadly barrier, impaling half the pack before they'd crossed ten feet. The remaining Blightspawn scattered, trying to flank—

Caspian reshaped the fallen soldiers' weapons scattered across the battlefield. Swords, spears, axes—metal twisted and reformed, then launched through the air with lethal force.

Eight Blightspawn fell in the next three seconds.

The remaining two tried to retreat.

Caspian was faster.

He crossed the distance in heartbeats, Wintersbane and Frostreaver already singing through the air. His dual swords moved like extensions of his will—precise, lethal, overwhelming.

The first Blightspawn didn't even have time to register the threat before Wintersbane separated its head from its corrupted body.

The second tried to dodge.

Caspian manipulated the ground beneath its feet, stone rising to trap its legs, giving him the split-second opening he needed. Frostreaver carved through its chest, the enchanted blade cutting through corrupted flesh like it was nothing.

Silence fell on the north ridge.

Twenty Blightspawn. Eliminated in under thirty seconds.

Caspian turned back toward his men and found them staring at him.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, Your Grace," Thomson said quickly. "Just... that was efficient."

"Very efficient," Garrett added, his voice slightly higher than normal.

Edwin was grinning as he approached. "Efficient. That's one word for it. Absolutely terrifying is another."

"The threat has been neutralized," Caspian said. "We should press forward while we have the advantage."

"We've been pressing forward for four days straight," Edwin pointed out. "The men could use—"

"The men are soldiers," Caspian interrupted. "They can rest when the incursion is cleared."

Edwin studied him for a long moment. "You're in a hurry."

"I'm being efficient."

"You just obliterated twenty Blightspawn in thirty seconds using powers you normally reserve for extreme situations," Edwin said. "Yesterday you personally cleared an entire corrupted grove that we'd planned to take two days to handle. You did it in four hours. Your Grace, you're not being efficient. You're being impatient."

Caspian didn't answer, turning instead to survey the battlefield.

The border incursion was nearly contained. One more push—maybe two if they were unlucky—and the immediate threat would be eliminated. Then cleanup, securing the perimeter, ensuring no stragglers...

Under normal circumstances, he'd estimate two more days minimum.

The thought of two more days made his jaw clench.

"We move in five minutes," Caspian announced to his troops. "The main nest should be another mile northeast. We attack it hard, clear it completely, and finish this."

His soldiers exchanged glances but began preparing immediately.

Edwin fell into step beside him as they moved out.

"You know," Edwin said conversationally, "the men are taking bets on whether you're going to single-handedly fight your way through the entire Blight before dinner."