186 Besieged (2/2)

Leon picked up one such book without much hope of reading, but his eyes widened in surprise at the language. It was the universal language of the Divine Realm. This… This was something he could read.

His surprise only lasted a split second, before he recovered and began flipping through the book with fake nonchalance.

”There's some crystals here!” A palace guard exclaimed excitedly. The discovery of more crystal was good news.

However…

Some shuffled movements that appeared to be coming from below them soon followed.

”What was that?”

The group immediately became tensed.

”There may be more ants below.”

”We need to kill them quickly before they call for more.” Leon said. He closed his book with a frown. There was no time to read.

”Yes, your Highness.”

The staircase and an elevator were quickly spotted. The palace guards immediately chose the staircase without hesitation. Forget about knowing how to operate something in a language they didn't understand, it might not even work!

As they headed down, the ants were found rushing up towards them.

”Kill!” Zorbek issued the order.

However, not long after the order was issued, did he notice a big problem. The staircase only allowed for two people to walk side by side comfortable, three if they squeeze together. The staircase was too narrow for them to fight effectively!

Even if the palace guard at the forefront could kill the ants by himself, with so many rushing at them, they would be quickly pinned down like the previous victim.

Furthermore, his senses were picking up several dozens of ants. This was too disadvantageous for them.

”Not good! Retreat! We can't fight here!”

The palace guard immediately retreated.

Just as the last palace guard was about to make it back up the ants weren't so lucky and had his waist area caught by its mandibles. The steel armor creaked and started bending under the sheer force of the ant's bite.

”Ah! Help!”

Being caught in his blind spot, he couldn't kill the ant with his sword. The other palace guards began hesitant as their comrade dangled randomly in front of them. They couldn't kill the ant when their comrade was being used as a shield.

”Ahhh!” The palace guard cried in pain as the ant continue to exert force on its bite, crushing the palace guard.

It was at this moment, Leon's black spear shot past. It curved around the palace guard and struck the ant dead under his metal manipulation.

”Grab him!”

The palace guard dropped to the ground as two other palace guards grabbed his arms and dragged him to safety, while the others fought off the rest.

Being in open space, it was much easier for them to fight. They fell an ant with each slash with anger burning in their eyes and the carcasses began to pile up around the start of the staircase one after the other.

”Let me have a look at him!”

Making his way over, Leon saw the crushed armor. The palace guard survived, thanks to the armor protecting him. But now, it was applying pressure on his ribs and organs.

Leon used his metal manipulation to bend the armor back into shape and free the poor palace guard from the crushing feeling.

”How is he?” Zorbek asked with concern. He wore a terrible expression. This was a result of his poor command.

”He is fine.” Leon said as he gestured for the black spear to fly back into his grasp. He noticed Zorbek's expression and patted him on the shoulder with his other hand. ”Don't be hard on yourself. This one was on me. It could have been worse if not for your quick judgement.

Zorbek nodded silently.

Soon, the ants were all killed, and their acidic blood began pervading the area. Lilith pinched her nose with a frown began to complain. ”It's started to smell now.”

Suddenly, the floor began to shake with trembling noises. The group did not get to rest before they became alarmed once more. The trembling filled them with dread and trepidation.

”What is going on now?”

”This trembling is coming from outside…?”

”Could it be an army of ants rushing towards our location!?

”What! How is that possible? The information said these ants rely on their sight. We've been inside this building for some time now and the lighting doesn't make it outside!”

”It's smell!” Leon quickly recalled Lilith's complaint, before continuing, ”These ants attracted by the blood of their kind!”

Leon peered outside with his [Spirit Eyes] and his expression quickly turned heavy. A large army of ants just entered his field of vision.

”We've been surrounded! It's too late to retreat!”

”Shit! What do we do!?” The palace guards began to despair at the news. Nothing seemed to be going right since their got here.

Zorbek's mind spun for a solution, as did Leon.

”Use the ant's carcasses to barricade the hole!” Leon quickly ordered.

”This…”

The palace guards hesitated. Shouldn't they try to break through and escape back the first floor? How will they leave if they trap themselves inside here?

”Do as his Highness say!” Zorbek barked angrily. They didn't have the luxury to be wasting time!