Chapter 183 – A Catastrophe
Chapter 183
A Catastrophe
Date : Day 30 of Lunaeve 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Freedom Party continued fighting. The goblin horde showed no signs of slowing. More and more Goblins charged onto the stone bridge.
They shoved one another without hesitation. They snarled at each other, with crazed and bloodshot-eyed.
It was as though the only purpose of their existence was to throw themselves at the enemy until they died.
Standing upon the raised dais, the Goblin Ruler remained perfectly still. It silently observed the battlefield below while its purple banner fluttered gently in the still air.
Hyoren briefly glanced toward the guardian.
It's like a boss monster… Waiting for its army to exhaust us… Then stage two of the fight will begin...
He quickly shifted his attention back to the battlefield.
About... twenty to twenty-five percent? I think we've already killed over three hundred Goblins.
Arianna has already used Ring of Fire three times and Earth Spikes twice… Coupled with the rest of us...
That's my rough estimate. So the total goblin count was probably closer to fifteen hundred...
Hyoren shook his head. He had to stay focused.
Another wave reached him. He drove his shield forward.
“Shield Bash.”
BANG!
The Goblins in front of him were blasted backward, crashing into the ranks behind them.
Without giving them time to recover, he activated his skill.
“Sweeping Slash.”
WHOOSH!
A brilliant blue arc swept across the bridge.
SQUELCH!
Several Goblins were dismembered before instantly dissolving into countless particles of Aethell.
A brief opening appeared.
Hyoren took the opportunity to inhale deeply. His shield arm had begun to ache. He subtly rolled his shoulder.
Although his armor had prevented serious injuries, he hadn't escaped the battle unscathed. Several bruises had begun to accumulate beneath his equipment.
If he ignored them, the pain would eventually affect his performance.
Just then.
BOOM!
A massive boulder crashed down several meters in front of him. It was Boulder Throw thrown by Arianna. The impact crushed the Goblins trying to surround him before the enormous rock continued rolling through the charging horde, clearing a path and relieving the pressure on his position.
Hyoren didn't even need to look back.
Thanks, Arianna.
He immediately focused inward. Toward the Light Aethell flowing within him.
“Healing Light.”
Gentle radiance enveloped his body. Warm Light Aethell spread through his aching muscles. The bruises along his right arm, shoulder, and right flank gradually faded. Even the soreness from continuously blocking countless attacks eased considerably.
Hyoren briefly glanced toward the right side of the bridge.
Jackey was still fighting fiercely.
However, the scratches and bruises covering the Beastkin had noticeably increased.
Hyoren couldn't simply leave his position to heal him. Healing Light, the spell bestowed by Goddess Luminara herself, traded range and automatic healing process for potency. To heal Jackey, he would have to move much closer. That wasn't an option while they were holding down the bridge.
Without taking his eyes off the charging horde, Hyoren barked an order.
“Jackey! Use a potion!”
He didn't wait for a reply.
He trusted the Cat-clan Beastkin to follow his instruction.
Hyoren tightened his grip on Dawn Breaker and his shield once more. Then he turned his full attention back to the endless goblin horde charging toward Freedom Party.
***
Jackey heard Hyoren's shout. His tabby cat ears immediately perked up.
"Big Bro is right. I hurt all over my body!”
He needed to heal. Cuts covered both of his arms. His torso and thighs remained protected by his Illusion Viper upper and lower armor, but the repeated impacts had left bruises hidden beneath the armor.
Even his arms had begun to ache from continuously swinging his axes.
Without hesitation, he activated his skill once more.
“Whirlwind Slash.”
He lowered his body before spinning forward.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Bloody Axe and Flying Kite Axe became deadly blurs. Every rotation carved through the goblins surrounding him.
SCREEECK! SCREEECK! SCREEECK!
Goblin after goblin dissolved into countless particles of Aethell, leaving only Magic Stones scattered across the bridge.
The moment the skill ended, Jackey immediately leaped backward. He had already created enough breathing room.
"That should be enough."
Quickly reaching toward the pouch hanging from his waist, he took out a green bottle—a Healing Potion.
He uncorked it and emptied the contents in a single gulp.
Unlike a Magic Potion, whose effect gradually accelerated Aethell regeneration, a Healing Potion worked almost immediately. Especially one brewed by a Master Alchemist like Oria.
Jackey watched the cuts on his arms rapidly close. The aching throughout his body faded away.
“Hehe... Big Bro always got the best stuff for us.”
He rolled his shoulders. The soreness was gone.
“Now I'm back to FULL POWER!”
But, there wasn't even enough time to enjoy the recovery.
The goblins were already charging again. Several rushed him before he could properly settle into his battle stance.
Just before their weapons reached him.
SWOOSH!
Two arrows streaked past Jackey.
SQUELCH!
The leading Goblins were struck squarely through their foreheads before immediately dissolving into particles of Aethell.
Jackey couldn't help but grin.
“Thanks, Elise!”
He tightened his grip on his dual axes.
Bloody Axe swept across.
SCREEECK!
One Goblin dissolved.
His Flying Kite Axe followed immediately after.
SCREEECK!
Another Goblin disappeared into particles of Aethell.
We've been fighting for so long… There still so many Goblins! SO MANY!
His grin only widened.
But...
Another swing.
SCREEECK!
This is fun...!
Seeing the goblins attempting to surround him once again, Jackey lowered his stance.
“Rotating Slash.”
WHOOSH!
He spun once.
SCREEECK!
Every Goblin surrounding him was cut apart before instantly dissolving into particles of Aethell.
Jackey smirked as his tabby tail spiraled happily behind him.
Yes… This is fun!
The longer the battle continued—the more excited the Cat-clan Beastkin became.
***
Elise smiled softly.
That Jackey is having a little too much fun… I just hope he doesn't make too many mistakes…
Even as those thoughts crossed her mind, she never stopped aiming.
A Goblin slipped past between Hyoren and Jackey, sprinting toward the backline.
Elise immediately released her arrow.
SWOOSH!
SQUELCH!
The Goblin dissolved into countless particles of Aethell before taking another step.
Without wasting a moment, she reached into her quiver.
“Double Shot.”
SWOOSH!
Two arrows streaked across the bridge.
SQUELCH!
Two Goblins that had climbed over their own comrades in an attempt to reach the backline suddenly had arrows embedded in their foreheads.
The two monsters dissolved into particles of Aethell.
Elise reached into her quiver again.
Her fingers found—nothing.
“Huh? I've already emptied my quiver?”
She remained calm. She quickly slung her Moonveil Bow on her shoulder.
Her left hand lightly touched the Storage Bag hanging from her waist. A small void silently appeared. Without taking her eyes off the battlefield, she reached inside and pulled out a fresh bundle of arrows.
She always made sure to carry plenty of spare arrows inside her Storage Bag.
With practiced movements, she quickly refilled her quiver.
She quickly unslung and drew her bow.
“Double Shot.”
SWOOSH!
The two arrows flew over the bridge.
SQUELCH!
Two Goblins charging toward the backline dissolved before they could come any closer.
My quiver holds forty-eight arrows… Have I alone already killed forty-eight Goblins...?
For a brief moment, her eyes shifted toward Arianna.
Standing behind her, the purple robed mage calmly launched another Fire Ball toward the advancing goblin army.
How many has Arianna already defeated...? And... how many Goblins are there in total...?
Elise quickly shook those thoughts away.
She had spent only a few moments resupplying her quiver. Yet during that brief interval—seven Goblins had already slipped past the frontliners and were charging directly toward her and Arianna.
I really can't stop shooting...
“Double Shot.”
Two Goblins dissolved.
She drew another arrow.
“Double Shot.”
Another two disappeared into particles of Aethell.
Without stopping, she nocked another arrow. The fifth Goblin dissolved. Another arrow—the sixth Goblin vanished. One final arrow—the seventh Goblin dissolved before it reached half of the bridge.
Elise had no chance to relax. More Goblins continued slipping between Hyoren on the left and Jackey on the right.
She calmly aimed again.
As she drew Moonveil Bow, a slight tremble ran through her arms.
My arms are starting to ache...
She ignored the fatigue.
Another arrow flew.
SWOOSH!
SQUELCH!
Another Goblin dissolved.
Her emerald eyes briefly swept across the frontline.
Hyoren was holding the left side of the bridge, blocking three Goblins at once before counterattacking with his Sweeping Slash.
On the right side, Jackey had already begun accumulating fresh wounds again as the Goblins repeatedly tried to surround him.
Elise immediately shifted her aim.
A Goblin had slipped past Jackey. She released the arrow. The Goblin dissolved.
Her emerald eyes narrowed with renewed resolve.
Compared to those two… I'm still in much better condition…
She nocked another arrow. Another Goblin slipped through.
SWOOSH!
SQUELCH!
Slowly... but surely… We'll defeat this army.
With renewed determination, Elise continued firing without pause.
Every Goblin that slipped past Hyoren on the left, or Jackey on the right, Would be met by one of her arrows.
She would never allow a single goblin to reach Arianna.
***
Arianna raised Quadraflux Weaver once more.
The four colored lights swirling inside the orb of her staff gradually merged into a brilliant white.
“Ring of Fire.”
The orb flashed.
WHOOSH!
A massive ring of fire rapidly expanded across the battlefield before erupting into a towering wall of flames.
Every Goblin charging toward the bridge was engulfed by the inferno. The front ranks disappeared into countless particles of Aethell, leaving only scattered Magic Stones behind.
Arianna tightened her grip on her staff.
She quickly wiped the sweat from her forehead with the sleeve of her robe. She didn't even have the time to take out her usual handkerchief.
Noble etiquette doesn't matter in a life-or-death battle like this...
Without wasting another second, she retrieved another blue bottle from her pouch—a Magic Potion.
She uncorked it and drank it in one motion.
Fourth Magic Potion… We've only been fighting for... about twenty to twenty-five minutes?
She exhaled.
It felt much longer than that…
She planted Quadraflux Weaver firmly against the stone floor and took several deep breaths. She had learned that calming her breathing and clearing her mind allowed her Aethell to recover more efficiently.
Her gaze returned to the battlefield. Hyoren was beginning to be overwhelmed.
She immediately raised her staff again.
“Boulder Throw.”
A massive boulder shot from her staff tip then descended before Hyoren's position.
BOOM!
Several Goblins at the front were crushed instantly before the boulder continued rolling through the horde, flattening more monsters along its path.
Only after the spell finished did Arianna lower her staff again. She leaned against it slightly for support.
Her light blue eyes slowly swept across the battlefield once more.
We've already reduced nearly half of the army...
She gently closed her eyes.
My Aethell reserve… I think I have less than seventy percent remaining...
She opened her eyes again.
Her grip around Quadraflux Weaver tightened.
And I still need half of my reserve to cast Lava Surge...
She had already informed Hyoren beforehand the cost of her spell. In exchange for the high cost, it possessed enough destructive power to eliminate at least five hundred to six hundred Goblins at once.
We've already eliminated nearly half…
Her light blue eyes gazed over the battlefield.
Since the Goblin army numbered around fifteen hundred… Just around two hundred more...
Before she could continue calculating, her eyes caught movement. Jackey's side had become crowded once again.
She immediately raised her staff.
“Fire Ball.”
SWOOSH!
The crimson sphere arced gracefully through the air before descending several meters in front of Jackey.
BOOM!
The explosion engulfed the goblins in front of him. Every monster caught within the blast instantly dissolved into countless particles of Aethell.
The moment the spell ended, Arianna's body swayed. A sharp throbbing pain pulsed inside her head. She raised one hand and gently massaged her temple.
This is the first time I've cast so many High-tier spells in such quick succession… The burden on my mind is... significant...
During their battles in the monster rooms, she had always enjoyed moments of respite. The narrow corridors and choke points greatly reduced the pressure on the frontliners. So she could alternate to low tier spells or wait because the frontline could hold without her spell.
This battle was different.
The bridge was too wide. Hyoren and Jackey constantly required her support to prevent the goblin horde from overwhelming them.
Arianna slowly shook her head. Her crimson hair swayed gently beneath the brim of her wide-brimmed hat.
I have to endure… Leader... Mentor... Sir Jackey… They've entrusted this role to me.
She fixed her hat with her free hand.
I won't disappoint them.
The goblin horde surged forward once more.
Suppressing the throbbing in her head, Arianna raised Quadraflux Weaver again.
“Earth Spikes.”
DONDONDON!
Dozens of massive stone spikes burst violently from the ground, skewering the advancing Goblins.
The tightly packed monsters dissolved into countless particles of Aethell.
As the spell concluded, Arianna planted her staff against the stone floor once more to steady herself.
Unlike the other three members of Freedom Party, she had not suffered a single wound. Nor did her muscles ache from battle.
However, continuously manipulating Aethell, constructing spell images, and forming intricate Runic Arrays within her mind, was steadily placing an enormous burden upon her brain.
***
Hyoren blocked another Goblin's attack with his steel kite shield.
CLANG!
He immediately counterattacked. Dawn Breaker flashed.
SQUELCH.
The Goblin dissolved into countless particles of Aethell.
However, because he had remained planted in one position for so long, he noticed it. A similar problem to Monster Room started to appear.
Magic Stones had begun piling up beneath his feet. There were simply too many.
Even the Goblins charging toward him occasionally slipped on the countless small stones scattered across the bridge.
Damn… The loot itself is becoming a hazard again...
Without hesitating, Hyoren slammed his shield forward.
“Shield Bash.”
BANG!
The front Goblins staggered backward. He immediately followed up.
“Sweeping Slash.”
WHOOSH!
The blue arc of his sword swept across the tightly packed monsters.
SQUELCH.
Several Goblins dissolved.
Using the brief opening, Hyoren slowly retreated while keeping his shield raised.
“Jackey! Retreat a bit! The Magic Stones are starting to pile up!”
He carefully stepped backward, never exposing his guard.
A quick glance toward the right side of the bridge confirmed Jackey had already heard him.
The Cat-clan Beastkin continued swinging Bloody Axe and Flying Kite Axe while gradually retreating as well.
Just then.
DONDONDON!
Arianna's Earth Spikes erupted across the bridge.
The advancing Goblins were skewered before immediately dissolving.
The sudden devastation completely cleared the bridge.
For the first time in several minutes, the frontliners could breathe.
Thanks again, Arianna...
Hyoren and Jackey took advantage of the opportunity, retreating several more meters.
At the beginning of the battle, they had defended near the end of the bridge.
Now, they stood roughly at its center.
The difference was immediate. The scattered Magic Stones were no longer piled beneath their feet. Their footing became stable once more.
Hyoren used the precious lull to assess the battlefield.
I think we've already killed almost nine hundred Goblins… About sixty percent of the army…
Then, his sharp eyes caught movement.
The Goblin Ruler—for the first time since the battle had begun—moved.
Slowly, the guardian raised the pole bearing its purple banner. The cloth fluttered violently despite the still air inside the dungeon.
Then, it planted the flag bearer firmly onto the stone dais. A wave of purple energy spread across the battlefield.
Hyoren's eyes widened.
A new phase...?
He immediately scanned the battlefield.
The change was obvious. The goblins snarled far louder than before. Every one of their eyes turned bloodshot. A faint purple mist enveloped their bodies.
Then the horde charged again. This time, they were much faster.
The first Goblins reached Hyoren almost immediately.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Three Goblins attacked simultaneously.
Hyoren blocked every strike with his shield. However, his boots slid backward across the stone bridge.
“Heavy! Damn… As I expected before… that banner really buffed the army!”
Gritting his teeth, he drove his shield forward.
“Shield Bash.”
BANG!
The goblins in front staggered backward.
But unlike before, the goblins behind them barely moved. They no longer tumbled into one another. Their bodies had become noticeably sturdier.
Hyoren didn't hesitate, he activated his skill.
“Sweeping Slash.”
WHOOSH!
The glowing blade carved through the front ranks.
SQUELCH.
Several Goblins dissolved.
Hyoren quickly assessed the situation.
They're faster… Stronger… And harder to stagger… But at least… They still die in one hit.
He used the brief opening to glance toward Jackey.
The Cat-clan Beastkin was also feeling the pressure.
The empowered goblins were forcing him onto the defensive far more often than before.
Jackey compensated by swinging his axes even faster, rapidly dispatching every goblin that came within reach.
Even so, wounds had begun accumulating across his arms at a much faster pace.
Although he was still holding the right side of the bridge, Hyoren could see him relying on his skills much more frequently to keep the horde under control.
***
Another wave of Goblins charged toward Hyoren.
He skillfully blocked their attacks before immediately counterattacking.
CLANG!
SQUELCH.
Despite cutting them down one after another, the pressure never eased.
The frontliners continued giving ground. Slowly but surely, they had already been pushed past the halfway point of the bridge.
Hyoren cut down another Goblin.
The frontline won't be able to keep up if this continues!
Another Goblin lunged at him.
CLANG!
His shield intercepted the attack. A split second later, Dawn Breaker flashed.
SQUELCH.
While maintaining his rhythm, Hyoren quickly surveyed the battlefield.
Still roughly six hundred Goblins left… But we'll die if this continues…
Arianna's Lava Surge was powerful enough to eliminate at least five hundred goblins. However, if she cast it now, there would still be survivors. And afterward—she would be completely incapacitated, unable to continue fighting.
But there's no other way!
Hyoren swung his sword once more.
“Sweeping Slash.”
WHOOSH!
SQUELCH.
Before even confirming the result, he shouted toward the backline.
“ARIANNA! NOW OR NEVER!”
A moment later, Arianna's voice answered from behind them.
“UNDERSTOOD, LEADER! GIVE ME SIXTY SECONDS!”
They had already discussed this beforehand.
All Branch Magic was akin to a Ritual Magic, even her Lava Magic is one. It required an unusually long chant before it could be unleashed. In return—it possessed enough destructive power to completely change the tide of battle.
Naturally, such overwhelming power came with numerous restrictions besides its enormous Aethell cost. Long casting times. High concentration. And a heavy burden on the mind.
Another goblin rushed toward him. Hyoren drove his shield forward.
“Shield Bash.”
BANG!
The Goblin staggered backward.
Hyoren immediately raised Dawn Breaker, its tip pointing toward the bridge.
“Shadow Bloom.”
The orb at the tip of the sword blossomed outward.
WHOOSH!
A wave of dark magic surged across the bridge. The Goblins caught within its path dissolved, briefly clearing the frontline.
Hyoren had deliberately used one of his spells. For the next sixty seconds, his objective was to buy enough time for Arianna to finish her chant.
Using the brief breathing room, he glanced toward the right.
“Jackey! We need to work harder for the next sixty seconds!”
Jackey nodded without hesitation.
“Yes, Big Bro!”
A fresh wave of Goblins immediately charged toward him.
Jackey grinned and spun both axes.
“Whirlwind Slash.”
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
The spinning attack carved through the tightly packed Goblins, forcing the horde back as more monsters dissolved.
Meanwhile, Elise was working just as hard.
With Arianna occupied by her long chant, the burden on the backline now rested entirely on her shoulders.
Without needing anyone to tell her, she continued drawing and releasing arrows one after another. Her arms already ached from the relentless strain. Even so, she never stopped.
“Double Shot.”
SWOOSH!
Two Goblins charging through the gap dissolved. She immediately reached for another pair of arrows.
“Double Shot.”
SWOOSH!
Another two Goblins fell before they could reach the frontliners.
Her breathing gradually grew heavier.
Every draw of Moonveil Bow made the soreness in her shoulders and arms even more apparent.
Still, she ignored the pain.
I have to hold on… Arianna is counting on us.
The three of them fought desperately against the Goblins empowered by the Goblin Ruler's banner. Hyoren held the left side. Jackey held the right. Elise relentlessly eliminated every Goblin that slipped past them.
All while buying Arianna the precious sixty seconds she needed to complete the final spell that would decide the battle.
***
At the backline, Arianna heard Hyoren's shout and immediately answered.
“UNDERSTOOD, LEADER! GIVE ME SIXTY SECONDS!”
She slowly inhaled. Then exhaled. She closed her eyes. Everything beyond her faded away.
The roar of thousands of Goblins. The clashing steel. The arrows flew. For this one minute—none of it mattered.
Branch Magic demanded absolute concentration.
Unlike Basic Magic, which only required a completed spell image and a Runic Array constructed within the caster's mind—Branch Magic required the mage to manually construct the Runic Array itself.
Rune by rune.
One mistake. One broken connection. One misplaced sequence. The entire spell would collapse. That was why every Branch Magic spell required a lengthy chant and preparation. Power always came with a price.
Arianna focused on her Aethell Core.
Roughly half of my reserve remained… It should be enough…
She slowly guided the inert Aethell resting within her core.
Gradually, it transformed into Earth Aethell. Only after the conversion was complete did she begin constructing the spell image inside her mind.
She raised her Quadraflux Weaver with her right hand, and a transparent brown magic circle appeared before the tip of it. This circle—a Runic Array—was completely blank. Waiting. Patiently awaiting its runes.
Arianna slowly raised her left hand. Her fingertip traced through empty air.
Earth.
The transparent circle shimmered. A single Earth rune appeared at its center.
Her hand moved again. This time much faster.
Lava. Lava. Lava. Lava. Lava.
Five runes materialized around the Earth rune. The spell was beginning to take shape.
Without stopping, she continued.
Point. Area. Erupt. Forward.
More runes appeared. These were targeting runes. They determined where the spell would start. How far it would spread. And the direction its destructive force would move.
The growing Runic Array became increasingly intricate.
At the same time—the swirling four colors inside the orb of Quadraflux Weaver began swirling more violently. Normally, the four elements would shift the color between red, brown, green, and blue. Now, brown gradually became dominant. Larger. Brighter. Until it swallowed every other color.
The staff had completely attuned itself to Earth Magic, serving as the conduit for the Ritual Magic she was constructing.
Arianna continued drawing.
Rock. Rock. Rock. Rock. Rock.
Five more runes settled into place.
The circle was already filled. But, she was only halfway finished.
This was precisely what separated Branch Magic from Basic Magic.
Basic Magic had limits. First-Tier Spells required only four runes. Second-Tier required six. Even Fifth-Tier—the highest tier of Basic Magic—required only twelve.
Branch Magic had no such limitation.
A mage could continue adding runes for as long as they were capable of maintaining the spell.
The true limit was never the magic itself.
It was the mage. Their mental processing ability. Their Attunement Level. Their control over Aethell. Together, those three determined how many runes a person could successfully deploy before the spell collapsed under its own complexity.
Every mage had a limit. Some reached fifteen. Exceptional ones could construct twenty.
Arianna, gifted with a ninety percent Earth Attunement Level, and blessed with an extraordinary mind capable of processing countless magical calculations simultaneously—could deploy thirty for all branch of Earth Magic.
Her fingers never paused.
Molten. Molten. Molten. Molten. Molten.
The Runic Array expanded again.
Liquid. Gas. Solid. Thermal. Burn.
Another five runes settled into perfect alignment.
The intricate Runic Array had become a masterpiece of magical engineering. Every rune connected flawlessly to the next. Every sequence flowed exactly as intended.
Only one final set remained.
The orb atop Quadraflux Weaver now shone brown alone. Not a trace of the other elemental colors remained.
The spell image inside Arianna's mind was complete. Now, she only needed to finish the ritual.
Her left hand traced through the air one final time.
Surge. Surge. Surge. Surge. Surge.
The final five runes locked into place.
Thirty runes in total. The completed Runic Array flashed with brilliant brown light. An instant later—an identical Runic Array spread across the stone floor before the bridge.
The ritual was complete.
***
Hyoren continued holding back the empowered goblins.
Every swing of Dawn Breaker. Every Shield Bash. Every spell. Bought another precious second.
And with each passing moment, he could feel something gathering behind him. An immense concentration of Aethell. The density was becoming almost tangible. It pressed against his back like an invisible mountain.
She's truly going all out… Without even looking... I can already tell…
He gripped his shield tighter.
She's about to unleash something we've never seen before...
Alongside him, Jackey and Elise also fought with everything they had.
Jackey ignored the fresh cuts accumulating across his body.
“Whirlwind Slash!”
His twin axes became a spinning storm, carving open the right side of the bridge.
From the back, Elise's fingers never stopped moving.
“Double Shot.”
“Double Shot.”
Every Goblin that slipped through the frontline was immediately struck down before it could threaten Arianna.
None of them dared glance backward. They trusted her completely. All they had to do was survive for sixty seconds.
***
Those sixty seconds felt like an eternity.
Then, Hyoren felt it. The immense pressure suddenly stabilized.
He instinctively looked ahead.
A gigantic brown Runic Array slowly materialized upon the stone platform before the bridge. Its intricate circles spread outward layer after layer. Thirty runes glowed with a deep earthen radiance.
The entire platform seemed to tremble beneath it.
So that's the focal point… Then... I'll clear the area…
Hyoren didn't hesitate.
“Shield Bash.”
BANG!
The nearest Goblins were blasted backward. He immediately pointed Dawn Breaker toward the bridge.
“Shadow Bloom.”
The orb at its tip blossomed.
WHOOSH!
A tide of dark energy surged forward.
Every Goblin standing upon the bridge dissolved. The bridge and the platform directly before it were completely cleared. The massive Runic Array stood fully exposed.
Hyoren immediately shouted.
“NOW!”
Arianna had been waiting for that moment.
She slowly opened her eyes. The brown orb atop Quadraflux Weaver instantly flashed bright brown.
“Lava Surge.”
Silence.
For a single heartbeat, the battlefield became unnaturally still. Then.
DOOOOOOOON!!
The earth exploded.
The platform before the bridge violently ruptured. Enormous cracks shot across the stone floor like spiderwebs. Blinding crimson light erupted from beneath them. A column of molten magma burst skyward.
Every goblin standing above it vanished instantly.
The eruption did not stop. It only grew stronger. The stone platform bulged upward. Split apart. Collapsed.
Within seconds—a miniature volcano had been born inside the Guardian Chamber.
It roared.
GHORO!!
Molten rock blasted hundreds of meters into the air before crashing back down upon the goblin army.
GHORO!!
Another eruption. Then another.
The volcano pulsed like the heartbeat of an angry earth. Each eruption sent rivers of molten magma overflowing from its crater.
They did not flow gently. They charged. Like a tidal wave. Like a mountain collapsing into liquid fire.
GHORO! GHORO! GHORO!
With thunderous sound—lava, superheated gas, burning ash, and gigantic chunks of molten rock surged together as one unstoppable catastrophe.
The goblins army never stood a chance.
Some were incinerated before they could scream. Others disappeared beneath the advancing sea of magma. Others were crushed beneath massive boulders glowing orange from the unimaginable heat.
The molten tide continued advancing.
Forward. Relentlessly. Consuming everything in its path. The once-gray stone platform transformed into a blazing crimson landscape. The air shimmered violently. Heat distorted the entire battlefield.
Even standing safely atop the bridge, Hyoren could feel scorching air striking his face.
Freedom Party could only watch.
Elise remained frozen with another arrow already nocked. Her emerald eyes silently followed the unstoppable wave of destruction.
Jackey's tabby ears stood perfectly upright. Even his constantly moving tail had gone completely still. His mouth slowly formed an O shape. Both axes hung forgotten at his sides.
Hyoren gradually lowered his shield.
His black eyes reflected the burning landscape before him. He had expected a powerful spell.
I had not expected… A natural disaster…
It wasn't as though Arianna had attacked the goblins.
It was as if the earth itself had awakened… As if the world had opened its jaws… Angry… And swallowed the entire army whole…
For several long seconds, the battle simply ceased.
Freedom Party stood in complete silence.
Watching the terrifying wonder that a single magician could unleash when she cast Ritual Magic with everything she had.