Chapter 969 (1/2)
When Rhode’s group arrived at the scene, the battle had almost ended.
Magic spells were a kind of AOE skill. The lush forest leaned unsteadily from side to side due to the blast. There were two groups of people facing off. One side wore neat, bright-colored robes and uniforms while the other looked like a group of mercenaries clad in a variety of clothes while wielding different weapons. But it was this group of miscellaneous mercenaries who crushed the other side, leaving many lying in ponds of blood. The spell casters at the back struggled to maintain their magic barrier as they faced the magic attacks from the mercenaries. The five people wielding magic weapons standing in front of them were dealing with the mercenaries, perhaps attempting to drag out time or turn the situation into their favor. But their efforts were obviously meaningless because not only were there spell casters among the mercenaries, but there were also monsters encircling them. If this continued, they would be annihilated in less than 10 minutes.
Rhode didn’t find anything strange about the mercenaries. He swept a glance at them and immediately recognized their identity. Although in normal circumstances, there shouldn’t be spell casters in mercenary groups, it was an exception here, especially for the guys who were specially here to capture elves. If they didn’t bring along spell casters, they would be seeking death entering the Enchanted Forest.
But why are they facing off with the people of Mage Tower?
Rhode patted Mini Bubble Gum’s head at this thought. The Mage Tower was the most popular organization for spell casters in this continent and it wouldn’t do them any disfavor if they offered help. Perhaps the Mage Tower might even be inclined to help the Void Territory in the future.
“Go, Bubble.”
“Yes! I’ve been waiting for this, Leader!”
Mini Bubble Gum jumped up in excitement and raised her hand high.
“Oh-oh-oh, it’s finally time! Here I comeeeeee!”
As she announced her arrival, a white radiance burst from her body and she darted forward like a blinding meteor.
The Mage Tower’s spell casters were at their limits.
“Aaron! When are our reinforcements arriving? Hurry! We can’t hold on anymore!”
The man brandished the burning battle ax and struck back at the mercenaries. He wore a white uniform with the emblem of the Mage Tower. Judging from his outfit, one would think that it was just a plain, defenseless attire. However, the faintly-glowing silver magical radiance proved otherwise. The invisible magic shield enveloping him was much sturdier than ordinary armor.
The man with a dark complexion standing behind him, casting the defensive barrier, shook his head.
“I don’t think they’ll arrive in time, Richard. We’ve already fallen behind and maybe the other teams have arrived at the destination. Under such circumstances, they wouldn’t possibly turn back and rescue us even if they see our signal. Everyone knows what a terrifying place the Enchanted Forest is!”
“Damn it!”
Richard sputtered. This was a disaster. In fact, they were apprentices of the Mage Tower who only came here for a test that would determine their fate in life. But never did they expect their luck to be this horrible, to meet a foreign group of ‘hunters’. Moreover, this group of ‘hunters’ also appeared to be heavily laden with captured elves.
Richard had no intention of stirring up trouble at all. After all, they were here for their future. In the competitive Mage Tower, there was no room for failure and as soon as they fell behind, they couldn’t catch up at all. This was why when they met the group of mercenaries, they acted cautiously and kept a low profile. But apparently, the mercenaries weren’t interested in treating ‘strangers’ nicely. Not only did they criticize the apprentices, but they also teased the young ladies among them and taunted them by torturing the pitiful elves…
The apprentices were a group of lively and righteous youngsters and it went without saying that they couldn’t stand idly by and watch the mercenaries abuse the elves. In the end, both sides broke out in a battle. But… Things were out of their expectations. They thought that they, as the elites of the Mage Tower, could take down the poorly-dressed mercenaries by close-combat or spells. To their surprise, the mercenaries were overwhelmingly powerful where even the strongest apprentices in their team were defeated and they could hardly hang on any longer.
But what was the purpose of this?
Richard gnashed his teeth, swinging the blazing battle ax in his hands. Even though their reactions as elites saved their lives from the quick attacks by the mercenaries, most of them were either gravely injured or had lost the strength to fight.
This can’t go on. The longer we drag, the more problems we will face.
Richard puckered his brows. They no longer had the strength to defend against the mercenaries. They were apparently stronger at casting spells than the mercenaries—and successfully kept them away—but there was still a limit, after all. Spell casters were also humans and couldn’t possibly cast infinite spells to resist their enemies. The only option now was to seize an opportunity for a counter-attack and quickly escape.
Richard was no longer in the mood to consider what would happen to them later on. First and foremost, they had to overcome this obstacle and their corpses would definitely be devoured by the monsters if they failed! He clutched his weapon and made his decision.
“Samuel, Vinnie, Nila—coordinate with Ray and I to release the exploding flame spell! Hope, Fabian—set up a rune trap ahead and stop their retreat. Now! Attack!”
Richard raised his battle ax and in an instant, the flames on his weapon erupted into a flame tornado that blasted the mercenaries before him. The mercenaries took a few steps back swiftly to avoid the scorching ambush. Even though they were experienced in battles, they weren’t spell casters, after all. They were afraid at the sight of the flames pouncing on them. At the same time, the swordsman standing beside Richard lifted his scarlet sword and slashed forward, releasing a dozen menacing blade rays. A few seconds later, the three Mages behind them raised their staffs and chanted in unison. All of a sudden, the blazing tornado transformed into a pentagram of magical ritual that burst in a series of explosions, enfolding the mercenaries in thick billows of black smoke.
“A bunch of useless trash!”
The man in a black cloak standing at the back of the group of mercenaries snorted. Then, he raised his arm…
“Hurry! Leave this place now!”
As the thick smoke and flames concealed the vision of the mercenaries, Richard immediately retreated, dragging along his unconscious companion. The rest of his group hurriedly supported their fallen comrades and also fled toward the back. At this moment, they didn’t have the strength to deal with another battle anymore. Their only hope left was to leave this place and escape into the forest to avoid the mercenaries.
“———!”