Chapter 382 Spell of the Red Lotus (2/2)
Marlene looked towards the hills in doubt.
”Somehow, I feel that they can only cast the fireball spell. If one of them had chosen to cast a rain of fire arrows instead, they might have a chance to break through our defenses even though the fire arrows are less powerful than the fireball. Furthermore, the houses and fences are made of wood. If they were set ablaze, we would be in deep trouble. I've already prepared myself to extinguish the flames with Water Elemental spells. But, those ”Mages”… Apart from casting simple fireball spells from different locations, there is no variation whatsoever. No Mages are that foolish.”
Suddenly, seven to eight fireballs were released towards the small town from the forest.
Only fireballs?
Rhode agreed with the oddity. Usually, there wouldn't be any Mages who would choose to battle in such a simple style. Even though the fireballs were powerful, the speed was extremely slow which were meaningless to those who were prepared for them. Amongst the players, the fireballs were used as the finishing blow after restricting their opponent's movements. There were no idiots who would start casting fireballs at the start of a battle and keep at it non stop. Could it be that this group of people were fanatic believers of the once popular Five Fireballs God?
Rhode came up with a countermeasure.
”Alright, Marlene.”
Rhode turned to Marlene who was furiously attempting to stop the on-coming fireballs. She was indeed furious. Although she didn't know who these people were, their display of skills had left her ashamed for all the Mages. There were no tactic, no attainment in self-cultivation, and even wisdom involved. Are they just a bunch of fire lizards who knew how to spew fireballs only? How dare they call themselves a Mage? For the honor and reputation of all Mages, they have to die! No, they need to die! It is a blasphemy towards all Mages in this world!
Although Marlene didn't know why this bunch of idiots loved fireballs so much, Rhode had vaguely figured out the reason. Since they loved to cast fireballs and nothing else, Rhode wouldn't need to waste Marlene's energy anymore. There was a more suitable way of dealing with them.
”Gillian.”
Rhode snapped his fingers in the air. Shortly after, the fox-eared young lady emerged from the crowd casually.
”Is it finally my turn to fight, Master? Gosh, I didn't have the chance to perform earlier… I'm so bored…”
Rhode held Gillian back in the previous battle because he meant to use it as an opportunity to toughen the newcomers. An insanely powerful being like Gillian didn't need to toughen up at all, which was why it would be a waste of her time to participate in the battle. Since these enemies used only fireballs as their attacks, it couldn't get any better for Gillian. After all, there were basically no other beings who held higher authority than this young lady.
The fireballs had gathered in the middle of the village like a huge bomb descending downwards. This horrified the militias, but the mercenaries were as calm as water. They had seen many things that were scarier than this when they were training in the Sphere of Mystery.
Gillian lifted her chin up and revealed a sly smile. The young lady extended her arms and clapped lightly.
The massive fireballs exploded suddenly as the soon as the clap sounded. However, the flame currents didn't disappear as fast as when Marlene dealt with them. Instead, they began to merge and formed a sea of flames swirling in the sky which shrouded the entire village.
The militias shrieked at the sight of this strange phenomenon. Some of them had even buried their faces in the ground and hugged their heads as though the flames would transform into a rainstorm that would fall on them any second now. However, they lifted their heads quickly after realizing that the flames didn't touch them at all.
To their surprise, the spreading sea of flames had solidified completely and transformed into a red polyhedral crystal barrier. The fireballs were once again cast from the forest, but, they were absorbed into the barrier silently like a waterdrop falling in a lake.
”Good job.”
Rhode nodded at the Fire Elemental barrier and asked.
”Do you have a way to capture these people alive?”
”That's for sure, Master.”
Gillian smiled cheekily as she placed her finger by her lips and winked at Rhode.
”But, before that, I need to prepare for a little something.”
The fox-eared young lady stretched out her arms with her palms facing towards the sky and a huge, fiery red gem appeared magically. It was glistening with scorching radiance and the burning core within the transparent gem could be seen vaguely.
”That's the Ruby of Flames…”
Lize and Marlene stared with widened eyes as they knew where this gem was from — This was the most expensive gift that Lydia had given out during the Midsummer Festival. This treasure from the Fire Plane of Existence could be said as invaluable. Although it didn't worth an entire country, it would still be valued enough for one or two cities.
However, no one knew why Gillian needed this. Rhode had asked her before but was answered with a self-righteous ”The Ruby of Flames originally belongs to me and it is only right that it is returned to me.”. In the end, Rhode wasn't able to figure out why did Gillian ask for this gem.
Many of them were curious and some of the mercenaries were surprised and drooling over the beautiful gem hovering above Gillian's palms. The fox-eared young lady winked at Rhode.
”Master, weren't you curious about the capabilities of this gem? Now, let me show you… This gem was stored with my energy and it's about time for me to have them back.”
Gillian shut her eyes and lifted her arms gradually.
”Darker than dusk. Bloodier than red. Buried in the torrent of time. In the name of the great…”
Lize and Marlene held their breaths as they had never heard of such mysterious, ancient, and terrifying incantation.
Could this be an ancient incantation?
Rhode was even more troubled than the young ladies. He quickly interrupted Gillian's soliloquizing.
”Wait. What are you doing?”
”Aiya. Master, can you don't interrupt me? This adds more to the atmosphere, isn't it?
Gillian pouted but quickly scanned her surroundings and revealed a playful smile.
”So then, in the name of the Fire Lord… awaken! Return to the world, Flames of the Red Lotus.”
Kacha. The beautiful gem let out a crisp sound and a line of nasty crack appeared on its smooth surface. Then, it shattered to pieces.
The flames rushed towards the sky and shrouded everything in its capacity. The heat waves that were spreading rapidly forced everyone to retreat. In a blink of an eye, the flame waves contracted instantly as though there was an absorbing force. They gathered and transformed into a bright, red card between Gillian's arms.
Gillian smiled proudly at this precious card before winking at Rhode playfully.
”Spell of the Red Lotus. With my command… Spread my glory.”
Gillian held her palms together and the bright red card shattered.
”Spell of the Red Lotus, Flame Talisman — Sulfur River.”