Chapter 1241 - Clash of Artifacts (Part 1) (1/2)

Thanks to the cloaking rings, not only was Solus's mana core and life force invisible, but also her energy signature was so messed up that even from up close Life Vision failed to perceive it.

”When are you going to leave?” Lith asked while giving her his pocket watch.

”About one minute before you do. I need that time to lure the guards away from the Light Torch and get used to fighting for real before facing the King.” Solus started weaving her best spells while she talked.

Her heart pounded faster by the second as the adrenaline rush made her hands tremble. It was the first time that she fought on her own and to make matters even worse, the thought of all the lives that would be lost in the case she failed weighed on her mind.

Suddenly the room felt small and damp. Solus didn't realize that it was just her being drenched in nervous sweat until she massaged her temples to calm down.

”Don't worry. It always feels like that.” Phloria said while using water magic to clean Solus up.

”Do you mean the first time you go to battle?”

”No, I mean every time. People like me have simply learned how to manage their stress.” Phloria said.

When the clock marked one minute before the first pulse from the Council, Solus opened a Warp Steps leading right in front of the King's tower.

The appearance of a human threw those who had come to plea the ruler of Kolga into a panic. Solus ignored their screams and their calls for the guards, focusing solely on the mana geyser below her feet.

The Hands of Menadion collected most of its power, making it impossible for her to wrestle for the control of the geyser from a distance. Now that Solus was so close to King Ykrah, however, she could finally put her mother's ingenuity to the test.

'Even if I'm unable to manifest it, the tower is still a part of me. I refuse to believe that my mother was so stupid that she would create something capable of messing with her own home.

'No matter if the tower and the Hands have similar effects on mana geysers, the tower must be stronger.' She thought as her consciousness spread through the ground with every breath he took.

Menadion had indeed made sure that none of her creations could threaten her, yet the situation was far from simple. The King's tower had been built exactly in the middle of the geyser to tap into its core.

On top of that, the Hands had perfect control over the flow of world energy. While in her human form, Solus could nibble at the geyser and slowly took over, but it would take her too long.

Also, she doubted that Ykrah would fail to notice her attack.

”Freeze! Hands in the air, now!” Solus turned around, hoping that she would face the same Captain that had taken away Khalia.

It would have been poetic justice and give her the opportunity to kill her first person without feeling any guilt. Alas, Kolga was big and plenty of people joined the army ranks for the power it granted them.

When Solus turned around, she didn't recognize the man in front of her.

”Your wish is my command.” Solus raised her hands, unleashing the Ice Age spell.