Chapter 743
“Shield!”
At the shout of a mage, the protective barrier expanded its reach. The attacks were indiscriminate, and no one could predict where the next strike would land.
The soldiers who had narrowly escaped death by the slimmest margin stood frozen, stunned. Those watching from afar screamed in panic, losing their bearings as they scattered in all directions.
“Hold the line!”
“Do not fear! We will protect you!”
“But, but—!”
“Pull yourselves together!”
Boom! Bang!
Several more powerful impacts followed, as if an invisible giant was pounding the earth with all its might.
In the blink of an eye, the ground was cratered and littered with the crushed bodies of soldiers. Moments later—
Sssshhh.
Blood surged upward from the corpses, freed from the crushing pressure. The survivors realized the ‘invisible weapon’ was being lifted again.
“More—”
Jin muttered, staring intently.
This was a one-sided assault unlike anything he had ever witnessed in battle. The stench of blood stabbed sharply into his lungs.
“Expand the shield! Make it larger!”
“Your Majesty, no! If it exceeds a certain size, the power disperses and it becomes less effective!”
“I said, as large as possible! Soldiers, close ranks and stick together! This way! Confirm the shield’s position!”
As Jin leaned forward, as if about to dismount, Tweller and Jaret stepped in to steady him. The mages poured every ounce of their magic into reinforcing the shield.
Ah, if only Lord Ian were here now. Ian would have protected everyone without breaking a sweat.
“Royal Guard!”
Jaret called out, supporting the emperor’s shoulder. Everyone knew what was coming next.
“Protect His Majesty, the Emperor!”
But Jaret’s next move was unexpected.
He stepped outside the shield and looked up at the sky. Terrified soldiers rushed past him, scrambling toward the barrier. Drawing his sword, he focused his mind.
“Captain!”
The more he concentrated, the slower time seemed to flow. The world around him hummed and stretched, and the night wind fell eerily still.
Then—
A flash!
Jaret’s eyes deepened with resolve. Magic exploded endlessly from his clenched fist, and he swung his sword through the center of the power. A blade of wind tore through the air.
Whoosh!
There is no attack that cannot be stopped. If you fail, it’s only because you weren’t strong enough.
Jaret faced the strike descending directly above him head-on.
Swish!
“…!”
The force was tremendous.
Even before it landed, Jaret sensed the gap. His instincts warned him: if you stand your ground, you’ll be crushed just like the soldiers.
So he quickly twisted his stance and stepped aside, moving out of the attack’s path. If he couldn’t block it, he’d at least try to cut it down.
Zzzzz! Zing!
Crackle!
Lightning surged from Jaret’s hand. His clothes stretched tight as if about to tear, and his eyes reflected the electric blaze, turning white.
‘Before it hits the ground…’
“Hyaah!”
Kraaaang!
Jaret’s lightning shot up along the invisible attack, reaching toward the sky. The thick pillar was briefly visible to all.
“A pillar.”
“A round pillar! About 20 meters in diameter!”
“Damn, it’s huge!”
The lightning wrapped around the pillar in bursts, creating resistance against the invisible strike and slowing its speed.
Snap!
It happened in an instant.
The soldiers dropped to the ground, covering their heads and trembling. Were they going to be crushed like their comrades? But why were they still alive? Had they died without even realizing it?
“Gasp!”
A few soldiers peeked open their eyes, frozen in shock. The royal guards standing near the emperor were holding off the attack with their swords.
Their faces twisted in pain as they groaned. It was astonishing—like watching ants bravely resist a crushing human.
“Damn, this thing’s heavy.”
“Yeah, but—”
Zzzzz! Zing!
The magic swordsmen gritted their teeth and drove their blades deeper.
“We can do this.”
Crack! Somewhere, wood splintered. As the swordsmen pushed back the attack and leapt lightly, shards of invisible wind scattered in all directions.
The attack had been broken.
Whoosh!
It was doable. When faced with such overwhelming power, there seemed to be no answer. But after clashing, confidence grew.
Jaret gripped his sword again and warned his comrades.
“Stay focused. Even the smallest strike can pierce your heart in an instant.”
Just like in the Battle of Agiar.
The magic swordsmen nodded silently, holding their breath. Like Jaret, they kept their eyes on the sky, ready for the next attack.
One by one, the soldiers cautiously crawled beneath the shield. Jin watched them with concern. But minutes passed without another strike.
‘It’s over.’
Everyone thought it simultaneously.
As sighs of relief spread, Jin quickly gave orders to Tweller. They had to manage the aftermath and move swiftly.
“Reform the ranks! Move the wounded to the rear and push the bodies to the roadside. Open the Tolrun castle gates—we’ll hold funerals with the precious cloth, stone, and wood stored there.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Jaret! Royal Guard and mages, gather around!”
Unlike the imperial defense soldiers rushing forward, the palace guard and mages closed ranks around the emperor.
Jin calmly assessed the situation.
“There were four invisible attacks in total. Correct?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Did any fall on the shield?”
“No.”
“The attacks came from the sky. We were stationary and had no shield at first. If they knew my position, they would have struck directly above me. Any objections?”
Jaret shook his head.
“No. There’s no reason to take out the soldiers before the emperor.”
“What does this mean? The enemy can’t see us clearly. Do you agree?”
“I do. Puppet masters see the world through their needles when attacking with them. This is a more destructive attack, so it’s likely they struck blindly, guessing where to pierce.”
“One attack’s range has changed. Do you think this is the same puppet magic we know?”
“The form is similar, but the weapon seems different.”
“Good. A different weapon means different conditions for use. Four strikes in a row—I believe this is their limit.”
“Possible, but not certain.”
If so, the attacks could resume after some time.
Jin snapped his fingers decisively. Despite the chaos, his mind was remarkably clear.
“We can’t stay here until dawn. We’ll move immediately to breach the castle gates. That way, the enemy won’t be able to keep up the assault.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We’ll prepare at once.”
“Mages, as soon as you connect with the city’s mages via message magic, share this information immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“While Minister Tweller organizes the ranks, the palace guard will keep the gates open. We can’t afford a prolonged siege—we’ll end this with a single strike. Beric!”
Beric, who had been quietly listening among the comrades, suddenly looked up, startled. Though not excluded from the battle, his attitude had been noticeably passive since the incident with his sister.
Jin nodded and pointed toward the walls.
“This time, Beric, you’re in charge of the operation.”
“…You mean breaking down the walls?”
“Yes. As quickly as possible. Can you do it?”
“…Well, it’s a piece of cake.”
…Piece of cake, you idiot. Barsabea rolled her eyes in exasperation but said nothing. Right now, boosting Beric’s combat spirit was the priority.
“Good. I believe you’ll do well.”
Jin clasped Beric’s shoulder in encouragement, and Beric bowed his head. The emperor gazed up at the pitch-black sky and murmured,
“Let’s hurry. Before the attacks start again.”
Kumasha’s hand faltered. Unlike before, when the needle pierced the sand cleanly, the bamboo needle trembled as if something was blocking it.
The child’s face twisted in a cold sweat, and the ministers watching nearby rushed over in alarm.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
“Your Highness! Blood, blood, blood!”
Dark red blood gushed from the child’s nose and mouth. Yet, undeterred, the child summoned all their strength to push the bamboo needle forward again, when suddenly—
Snap!
The tip was sliced off diagonally.
The broken needle tip rolled weakly to the side, and the child’s expression hardened rapidly. The attack had been thwarted. Their strike had failed to pierce the earth.
“Th-this—!”
“Please hold still! You mustn’t overexert yourself!”
“Stop your hypocritical concern! If you cared so much, you should have stopped me the moment you heard about this!”
The child struggled, clutching the remaining needle, trying to stab again, but all the strength drained from their body, and they collapsed forward.
As the king fell onto the sand, the ministers gasped in shock and hurried to catch the child. Their arms slipped down limply, like a puppet with its strings cut. Every joint in their body felt crushed; even moving a single finger was a struggle.
“In times like these, Your Majesty, how can you be like this? Please, please steady yourself and regain your composure.”
“Summon the royal physician at once!”
“Your Majesty! A beacon has been lit at the East Gate! The enemy is making a move!”
“Already? They must still be disoriented from your recent attack.”
“Actually, it’s only a few.”
“Who?”
“Those coming to assault the walls.”
Then it must be the sword mages or the sorcerers. They’re trying to open the gates quickly before things get worse.
The ministers stammered as they checked the positions of the elemental mages.
“When will each clan arrive?!”
“They’ll be deployed to the nearest gates as soon as contact is made. But the East Gate belongs to Lord Banusa’s clan.”
“Banusa! Where the hell is that man and what is he—”
“Quiet.”
Kumasha covered his eyes with the back of his hand and whispered. The ministers’ angry shouts echoed through the hall. The king was already in a fragile state from forbidden magic; pushing any further was reckless. Both body and mind were far from normal.
The child forced themselves upright, furrowing their brow and rubbing their forehead.
“…Banusa.”
Answer me.
“Banusa.”
If you don’t answer now, I swear I’ll tear you apart.
“Banusa!”
The ministers fell silent, watching Kumasha’s condition closely. The royal physicians had arrived, but the ministers motioned for them to wait a moment.
—Yes, Your Majesty.
After a long pause, Banusa’s voice came through the connection.
Kumasha chuckled softly, then looked at them with a knowing gleam in his eyes.
“You’re with that Ian guy right now, aren’t you?”