Chapter 186: Night Attack (1/2)

They didn’t have to wait long for some of the attackers to focus their spells on the small fortress standing alone surrounded by gardens. Shields flared up from time to time to block incomings spells and Ilea knew exactly where they were coming from.

“I think it’s time.” she said as the first enemy mages and warriors actually landed on the roof, engaging the Birmingales in close combat.

“It is.” Trian said right before an armored warrior broke through their tower’s roof and swung his two handed sword at them.

[Warrior – lvl 130]

Ilea quickly identified the man as she ducked under the slow and powerful swing, quickly advancing and kneeing him hard in his armored crotch. The metal didn’t help much against Ilea’s powerful attack that dented his defense inwards. The man howled in pain as she grabbed his helmet and ripped it off to reveal a middle aged man with a patchy beard.

“Who are you people?” she asked simply but he was too occupied with the lack of children in his future to answer, making her let go of him.

“It’s Baralia. They’re not even hiding it anymore.” Trian said, tapping the crest on the man’s shoulder. A spike of metal smashed into the soldier’s head, blood spraying on Ilea’s armor as she looked away from the gruesome sight.

“Fucking warn me before you do that.” she said to Kyrian who shrugged in response.

“We don’t have time, sorry.” he said and looking outside, Ilea knew that to be true. More and more soldiers were coming towards the fortress. Both from the sky and land. They must’ve already breached the closest gate.

“Focus on the targets.” Trian said as he vanished. Ilea quickly checked and found the wood mage, blinking next to him as he was engaged with three soldiers. A hard punch sent him flying into the fortress wall but Ilea didn’t see any blood. He had managed to block her.

Creating ash around herself, she spread it outwards to create additional chaos and confusion. Her companions could just attack from further away.

A sudden stab sent pain through her, her right leg buckling downwards. She grabbed at the blade but it was gone already, a weird presence visible in her Sphere. Not only the enemy had gotten distracted by all the people and spells around them it seemed.

‘ding’ ‘You have been poisoned by Nocturnal Bite -35 HP/s for two minutes. A curse of Fatigue has been placed on you for ten minutes.’

‘Poison, again…,’ Ilea thought as she focused on the weird blur in her sphere as her Healing took over. Her severed leg was nearly back together when the blur advanced again and forced her to blink away, into an empty room downstairs. She heard people advancing up the nearby stairwell and the fighting on the roof but focused on getting her leg fixed which didn’t take long.

Spreading ash in the room, a moment later the blur appeared again, a near invisible blade slashing towards her. Ilea jabbed the blade upwards and moved to the right to avoid it hitting her helmet. Her enemy vanished before she could land a blow but Ilea knew the person was still in the room.

“You’re the one from two days ago aren’t you… the invisible girl.” Ilea said, a small grin spreading on her lips.

“Don’t call me girl. You’re not old either.” a female voice replied.

Ilea advanced on her, dodging the blade as she watched the woman dodge and weave through her attacks.

“You seem to be having difficulties in the ash.” Ilea stated as she created seven spiked projectiles, sending them towards her at the same time. One of them hit but apparently didn’t deal much damage.

Blinking next to the woman, Ilea got a little more aggressive, leaving herself a little more open to deliver her attacks. Her assumption was right and she landed two quick blows on the woman’s armor, sending destructive mana into her. It could’ve been a facade but from the way she had previously attacked Ilea and from what she had said, she didn’t think her enemy was the deceptive kind. One never knew though. She really did have difficulties in the ash.

The woman vanishing again, Ilea followed her upwards into another empty and dark room. To her surprise, she could see the woman now. Clad in black armor but much lighter than her own. Her blade was curved and reminded Ilea of a Japanese sword. ‘A Hanzo? I should be careful…,’ she thought.

[Rogue – lvl 241]

“Why do you attack our family?” the woman asked, her blade still pointed towards Ilea who was still counter healing the poison.

“The empire is under attack, are you paid by the enemy?” she accused Ilea.

“No, your family killed my friend’s family. That’s why I’m here.” Ilea explained. The blade wavered a little and the woman’s eyes opened a bit more.

“Which family? And who planned this? I wasn’t involved and I always talked out against such tactics.” the woman said.

“A family. Your parents and brother if you’re a Birmingale yourself. Being an assassin I doubt you weren’t involved.” Ilea said before she rushed at her, the blade flickering as she tried to get closer, driving away the blade with her armor as it scratched past her, making the woman dodge again and separate from Ilea.

“I kill and fight but for my own reasons. If what you say is true then your cause is just but I won’t stand by while my family gets slaughtered. You killed my parents and for that you must die. No ash and no illusions. Just you and me.” the woman said and Ilea nodded. If it got close, she would escape but Ilea was quite sure her adversary would do the same.

“It’s your choice. If you stand in our way then so be it. And if you want revenge then I understand.” Ilea said and breathed in, focusing on all her skills before she rushed forward. The woman’s blade flickered and Ilea blocked with her armor, deflecting the blade in the last moments and ensuring no injuries.