Chapter 244: A New Mission and Nolan’s Warning (1/2)
Chapter 244: A New Mission and Nolan’s Warning
“They’re here!”
It was early evening when the Shadowfiend Corps valley outpost finally welcomed the arrival of long-awaited reinforcements and the medical team responsible for transporting the injured.
Considering the number of healthy arcane masters remaining within the outpost, this new squad of twenty arcane masters seemed incredibly majestic as they entered the valley.
“Nolan? Sarina?” Ayrin shouted in surprise upon seeing two familiar faces within the crowd as he excitedly ran forwards to greet them.
“Nathan?” 1
As Ayrin approached, he realized that he also knew the person beside Nolan and Sarina. It was Nathan, the member of Silver Trout Academy’s team who used the Tyrant Eye and had beaten Rinloran offstage during the competition.
“Ayrin, Rinloran, how come you are here?”
Nolan, Sarina, and Nathan were astonished when they saw Ayrin and Rinloran.
“The Office of Special Affairs gave us a mission. We came here as reinforcements.”
Ayrin scratched his chin as he smiled and continued, “What about you? I thought only the teams which entered the quarterfinals of the national tournament were allowed to participate in these missions. How come you all are here performing missions too?”
“Aren’t you looking down on us a little too much?” Nolan helplessly looked at Ayrin, “I am here because I have graduated and joined the Southam Demon Corp’s trainee team. Nathan is the same.”
“What about Sarina then?” Ayrin tirelessly continued to ask.
“You brat, can one not participate if they haven’t entered the quarterfinals?” Sarina also felt slightly aggrieved due to Ayrin’s questions as she annoyed replied, “I was suddenly transferred over.”
“Wait, all of the quarterfinal teams been sent over? The national tournament has called an intermission?”
“You guys didn’t know? Because of this great conflict, the tournament has changed some rules. The champion and runner-up will be decided based on the completion of missions here.”
……
“Black Necromancer Gaia, the Green Snake arcane team, Steel Ghost Angus… such a strong line up of opponents, yet they were able to defeat them. No wonder Sarina, Nolan, and Nathan lost to them during the competition.”
While Ayrin, Nolan, and the others busily chatted, the Shadowfiend Corps’ Demon Chaser arcane team briskly conversed with Zorn and the rest.
All of the team members, including their captain Zieg, had expressions of great disbelief as they watched Ayrin and Rinloran.
Many of the members of this arcane team were coincidentally from Silver Trout Academy. As they had fought Steel Ghost Angus in the past, they knew very well just how strong of an opponent he was.
“Just what is going on right now? Why was there such an offensive around this outpost?” Rui asked as he looked towards the white haired Zieg, who seemed to be the same height and age as him.
“According to the latest information, the Evil Dragon Followers are still not willing to give up their Fallen Shadow Valley. In the scheme of things, they are desperately trying to prevent us from launching an offensive against it.”
Zieg continued, “However, we have too many peak level arcane masters after joining hands with the Kingdom of Doa. In all the previous large-scale battles, they have suffered great losses. We believe that they, as they cannot compete with us, are enacting what they call “plan zero” and have split up into smaller groups of arcane teams and performing guerrilla tactics.”
“Although they are weaker, these tactics can allow them to achieve a certain effect and present them with the chances to kill quite a few arcane teams. However, it shouldn’t be enough to swing the tide, so why?” Rui responded after silently thinking to himself.
“Naturally.” Zieg nodded, “We believe there are two likely possibilities. First off, it’s possible that they have set up something special within Fallen Shadow Valley which must be kept, preventing them from giving it up. The other possibility is that they are trying to delay our assault on Fallen Shadow Valley to stall time for some of the thirteen bishops to return.”
After pausing for a slight moment, Zieg looked at Rui and Zorn and added, “If the first assumption is correct, then it is likely that this Fallen Shadow Valley has some relation to the Evil Dragon’s bloodline. Perhaps there is a shrine which allows the Evil Dragon Followers to obtain the Evil Dragon’s blood.”
“Or perhaps there is some special formation which can resurrect the Evil Dragon as rumored.” Although Rui’s expression didn’t change, his tone became colder as he replied to Zieg.
“Thus…” Zieg started speaking as he looked Rui in the eye, but then stopped as he turned his head and looked at Ayrin and Rinloran.
Rui calmly stared at Zieg, “What is it?”
“We were given another mission outside of helping transfer the injured and acting as reinforcements. The Office of Special Affairs has given a new mission to your Holy Dawn Academy team.”
Zieg awkwardly looked at Rui as he followed up, “Based on the Office of Special Affairs’ initial plans, this was to be your first real mission. When they told you to come here as support, they didn’t expect for such a large number of powerful enemies to attack.”
“There’s a new mission?” Ayrin abruptly exclaimed.