Chapter 670

Hale found himself smiling quietly, almost without realizing it. A battle that could mean life or death was unfolding right before his eyes, yet the pure, unshakable confidence of his comrades was so clear and genuine that it was heartening to witness.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel concerned, knowing all too well the weight of defeat and helplessness they must have endured in the last fight.

The mages once again pressed their lips together and shouted toward the main Luswena forces.

“Bring out the Forbidden Mage!”

“Eldert, you really messed up! Do you even know what the Abyssal Hell means to a mage? Do you understand what it means for those chosen by the gods to fall into the abyss?”

“You insolent imperial scum!”

“How dare you speak so disrespectfully of His Majesty—!”

“Shut up! After the Forbidden Mage, you’re next, so back off!”

The Luswena officers stiffened their necks and clicked their tongues at the mages’ provocations.

But that was all they could do. Even wielding Idgal weapons, they were mere humans. How could they possibly stand against mages hovering high above, looking down from the sky?

Ziiing, ziiing!

“They’re coming.”

“…!”

As the Luswena mages swooped in simultaneously, Hale muttered under his breath.

In the blink of an eye, they closed the distance and locked eyes with the Bariel mages. Their gazes were dull, devoid of any emotion, but the malice within was unmistakable. Their goal was clear: to kill the mages and utterly crush their very roots.

With a cigarette clenched between his lips, Hale met their attack head-on.

Kraaaang!

‘Where’s the Forbidden Mage?’

All those who charged at the Bariel mages were ordinary Luswena mages. The last remaining Forbidden Mage was nowhere to be seen—the one who had faced Beric in the Mage’s Forest…

“Ian!”

A faint shape appeared behind Ian. The Forbidden Mage. Trying to sneak up from behind—Hale tried to turn, but Ian was faster.

Thwack.

Ian lightly pressed his fingertip to the mage’s forehead and unleashed his magic. Boom! A gust of wind swept through, causing the nearby reeds to ripple beautifully.

“Your Highness!”

An officer, seeing this, called out to Eldert. The Bariel mages’ momentum was unusual. Had they fully recovered their strength in just one day? The Luswena mages had replenished their magic as well, but something was different.

At Eldert’s signal, the officers tightened their helmet straps and stepped forward, shouting.

“Bring out the dragons!”

“We’ll cut them down ourselves!”

Mounted on dragons, clad in black armor, wielding Idgal weapons—now that the balance was tense, if reinforcements didn’t arrive soon, the opportunity might slip away.

Just as the officers were about to order the soldiers forward—

“Ma!”

Kraaaang!

Boom!

A massive blaze tore through the earth. Kyu had leapt from Beric’s back, rising to his feet with one hand braced on the ground. Dust billowed, followed by a scorching heat.

“I’ll handle those crawling on the ground. Take them down from the dragons, damn it.”

“Ma, a magic swordsman!”

“Charge! Forward!”

Kyu rammed his body into the Luswena dragons attacking the mages, blocking their advance. The furious dragons opened their huge jaws threateningly, but Kyu’s eyes widened as he unleashed his breath.

Kyuoooo!

As the fierce battle raged, Eldert nocked an arrow, ready to shoot down any opportunity that presented itself.

Reading the signal, Commander Martin swung his baton grandly.

“Advance! Advance! Defend our land!”

“Waaah! Waaah!”

“Drive out Bariel!”

The Luswena soldiers charged, shaking the ground beneath their feet. In response, the Bariel mages spread out wide in the sky.

And with them, the branches of the World Tree moved in tandem. The tree they summoned together was both one and many. Each mage’s will was embedded within, making the branches’ movements complex and free.

In other words, the mages had summoned the World Tree of Binding together, wielding its branches as their weapons.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Pew!

Having consumed the mystical orbs, Ian and Hale moved with greater agility and grace than usual. Their good condition was no lie. The mages exchanged relieved glances, steeling themselves.

“Let’s go, everyone!”

“Tear them apart!”

Half turned to support Ian, the other half to aid Hale, then swiftly dove toward them.

Vwoom—vwoom—!

Meanwhile, Hale was deep in combat against the Luswena mages. His magic-infused fists swung fiercely, but only sliced through empty air. They dodged skillfully. Their focus was entirely on ‘Ian Hielo,’ yet their movements were sharp.

Shaaak!

Suddenly, countless branches shot out from behind him. Reinforcements had arrived.

The branches grabbed at the Luswena mages’ ankles, arms, and waists. The mages tried to slash them away and flee—

“…!”

But no matter how hard they cut, the branches wouldn’t break.

That was because this was a magic circle powered by Ian and Hale’s strength. On top of that, all the Bariel mages had joined forces to activate it, so each branch was infused with the power of every Bariel mage. No ordinary mage, let alone a Forbidden Mage alone, could break through.

Rustle, shaaak!

Leaves whipped violently, slashing at the Luswena mages’ skin. They screamed in pain, but their cries were lost amid the chaos. Too much noise filled the battlefield.

The roar of dragons clashing. The shouts of soldiers, thick with fear, anger, and excitement. Beric’s curses. And the explosions of magic bursting all around.

“Ian!”

Mages rushing to aid Ian stretched out their hands. Six or so branches connected to them surged forward, charged with will, and lunged at the Forbidden Mage.

Finally, they succeeded in binding his limbs and firmly grasping his waist. The mages cheered.

“Yaaah! It’s working! We’ve got him!”

“Yeah! Ian, we’re coming to help! Finally! We can support you!”

“You bastard, your good days are over! Grrr!”

“Don’t cry, pull yourself together, man!”

“You’re crying too!”

“Kill him! You…! Are you listening, King Toorun? We’re not afraid of Forbidden Mages anymore! Sniff!”

Even on a battlefield, Beric’s usual loudness paled in comparison. Since most of these mages were fighting in a real battle for the first time, they chattered excitedly, unable to hide their enthusiasm.

Come to think of it, it was true. The ones who had led the charge during the northern Great Demon Beast attack and the Agiar battle were mostly the palace guards. For mages like Hale, this was their first real fight in ten years.

“Krrr…”

The Forbidden Mage twisted his hands and feet, trying to break free, but quickly realized it was no easy task. What had happened in just one day? No wonder that mad magic swordsman had a reason for hiding in the Mage’s Forest.

“Move. Cut him down.”

Kumasha, controlling the Forbidden Mage, kept issuing orders. He clenched his teeth so hard that blood dripped from his mouth, yet he didn’t relent. If he had any self-awareness left, he wouldn’t have reacted this way.

Crack.

Whether it was a broken tooth or some other injury, a strange, unpleasant sound echoed as the mage twisted and broke free from the bindings.

“Ah!”

“It’s okay! We’ll catch him again!”

The Bariel mages quickly closed ranks, manipulating the branches to encircle the Forbidden Mage.

Until now, they had believed their very existence contributed to Bariel’s glory. But facing the enemy directly, blocking attacks, and throwing themselves into battle was a different kind of thrill.

Even if they got hurt, they wanted to leave with the satisfaction of having done their best. Even if they died, they would fulfill their duty as the magic corps. They prayed it would be meaningful…

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Then, the Forbidden Mage’s eyes glowed gold. As the branches surged forward again, King Toorun whispered.

“Finish him quickly. Use whatever power you must. Otherwise, he’ll suffer the same pain as before.”

It was a reaction born of fear.

He spread both hands wide and formed a magic circle.

“Mandō (Late Arrival).”

A time-sequence spell Ian and Beric had encountered before. The magic circle transformed into a clock shape and began to glow, causing the mages to hesitate. What was that?

Shaaak!

Ian stepped forward, blocking the mages’ view. His own eyes shone golden as he faced the Forbidden Mage.

“I won’t be fooled twice.”

“Nawi (Silk Veil).”

From Ian’s palm, a long, massive silk curtain rose—a kind of veil. It shielded Ian and the mages from light and isolated them from the flow of time.

The mages, seeing this unfamiliar magic, looked puzzled. Ian smiled and gave a light nod.

“What’s the matter? We’re not going anywhere.”

“I will protect you from that wicked light. You, move as you wish. I will ensure no shadow falls upon your steps.”

Feeling Ian’s strong resolve, the mages sealed their lips and then answered in unison.

“…Yes! Ian! Leave it to me!”

Whoosh!

As the mages swooped in all at once, a silk veil swiftly followed close behind them. Then, a cascade of light poured down onto it. The light was blocked and extinguished by the silk Ian had conjured.

But Mando’s clock didn’t stop; it slowly shifted its angle. In the end, the light didn’t hit the Bariel mages but instead struck the Luswena soldiers on the ground.

“Ah—!”

“W-What is this?!”

The soldiers caught in the light froze mid-motion, unable to move. So the magic’s effect had worn off! Panic spread as the soldiers scattered, and the once-tight formation collapsed in an instant. Chaos erupted. The officers tried to regain control, but it was hopeless.

“Calm down! It’s our own magic!”

“Ahh! Fall back! Get into the shadows!”

“Stop! Anyone disobeying orders will be punished under military law—!”

“It’s coming this way again!”

“Damn it, this is madness!”

What did it mean to have movement freeze in the middle of a battlefield? Especially now, with Bariel’s mad magic swordsman rampaging just ahead!

The soldiers were unruly, so Elderet frowned and stepped forward. At times like this, the king had no choice but to assert his authority and calm the troops.

Kraaaack!

Elderet fixed an arrow toward the sky. Then, drawing the bowstring with all his might, he closed one eye.

The target of the Idgal arrow was clear: Ian Hielo.

Piiing—!

Whoosh!

The long arrow flew straight toward Ian.

But a branch from the World Tree mercilessly swatted it aside.

The Bariel mages, having noticed the sniper’s move, glared at Elderet with open palms—as if to say, “Know your limits.”

Ziiing! Ziiing!

Mando’s magic was undeniably heavy. The movements of the forbidden mage had noticeably slowed. If the light didn’t touch him before the clock made a full rotation, this could actually be an opportunity.

Taat!

Wrapped in the silk veil, Ian closed in on the forbidden mage.

With the dazzling fabric swirling all around, the forbidden mage’s vision was restricted. Where is he? Where is he coming from? His eyes darted rapidly, but all he could see was the rippling silk.

‘The tide of battle has turned against us, yet there’s no sign of anyone trying to curse other mages like Lady Darsi did. Why? Is it not time yet, or…’

Was some side effect preventing them from attempting it?

As Ian tore through the silk and appeared right before the forbidden mage, he grabbed the man’s face with his left hand and condensed his magic in his right.

“…King of Torlun.”

…I will kill you. How dare you defile the sanctity of mages and bring ruin to Gaia… I will tear you apart.

Ziiing.

The boy’s golden eyes blazed with barely contained fury. Ian locked eyes beyond the forbidden mage, staring straight into Kumasha’s.

“Are you done?”