Chapter 30: ~Fall of a nation.~ (2/2)

Tjena jumps in front of me in a well meant gesture. But there is no need for protection. I am confident in my barrier-spells. It has been proven during countless assassination attempts.

The minister starts to scream while his whole body catches fire. It's like he is becoming a living flame. Sparks and ash are flying all around while the minister jumps forward and collides with my barrier. But it's like he was running into a solid wall.

Some of the sparks hit other members of the delegation, who catch fire too and turn into flames themselves! It's a chain reaction and there is no escape for the people inside the confined space of my barrier.

“What a nasty spell...” I watch in awe as the whole delegation is consumed. I increased the strength of my barrier when I realised that this spell feeds on everything it touches.

No a single sound can be heard while the inside of my barrier turns into a scene from hell.

A howling inferno starts to rage. “Quite a feat to cast inferno with a human sacrifice as an amplifier.” Tjena admires the wavering plasma inside my barrier.

“If your highness hadn't been here the army could have been annihilated.” Tjena bows to me.

I sigh. “It's annoying me a little that your judgement was accurate. I guess I will have to do this the hard way.”

The Inferno-spell inside my barrier loses its power and just a dark smoky atmosphere remains inside. I release the barrier and clear the smoke with a wind-spell.

The ground where the delegation stood turned to glass and not a bone remains. “At least they spared me a bloody sight.”

“Tell the troops to advance and take the city.” I wave for one of my officers to sound the signal.

“The big building in the centre is the parliament. Their highest officials and leaders are most likely there.” Tjena mentions this not without expecting something from me.

I close my eyes and gather my mana while imagining a small ball of light on my finger tip. After having gathered enough, I open them again and point at the big city gates.

The spell is unleashed and a ray of pure white light turns the gate and a large part of the city wall into dust. The city's barrier hadn't even time to flicker.

Pointing at the parliament I activate the spell a second time and the building vanishes. “There, ~done~. Any other wishes?”

Tjena shakes her head. “No, thank you. That saved me much work. It's better for the enemy leader to die during the fight, rather than being executed afterwards. Executions always leave a bad taste in my mouth and it doesn't look good to the public.”

I watch my troops advancing into the city. Then I clap my hands as I remember something important. “That reminds me! What do think about sending five ships to Norfolk? I want this Ascathon captured and brought to me.”

Tjena shows surprise. “Why? Of course we could do that. But why should we abduct a single person?”

“Eh!? It's not a good idea? But I was interested in him....” I gnaw at my nail while looking at Tjena.

Tjena shrugs her shoulders and pulls out another paper. “I don't think that a married guy would take it lightly to be abducted by someone with your reputation.”

Eh!? “Married? Why! You didn't mention that before!”

Tjena sighs. “I didn't think that you were interested enough to try to abduct him.”

“It was just a whim..... but you are right that a married person wouldn't take it lightly..... What about bringing his whole family then? Send the ships and prepare for guests!” I point my index finger at Tjena who jumps aside.

“Yes! But dispel that first!” Tjena starts to scribble something into her notes.

“Oh, sorry, sorry. I guess casting this spell in such a contained form isn't enough to use up my power.” I fire the remaining gathered mana into the sky to get rid of it.

A ray of light stabs the sky and parts a cloud.

Then I watch the conquest of Jamai in silence. The fighting and dying is the job of the common soldiers. To me it's just another small battle in a long series of battles.

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