Chapter 305. The Uninvited Guest of the Festival (3)
The eldest grandson of the Duke of Leston, Hugo Leston, led the Oceanwolf Knight Order as he shouted urgently, "Hold the line until the Grand Purification Magic Circle is activated!"
At his side stood Amy, a knight of the Imperial Guards, barking out orders in a voice laced with fury. "Form up between the Oceanwolf Knights! Fill the gaps!"
In the center of the capital, the Grand Purification Magic Circle had been activated. It blazed with white-hot brilliance. It was a miraculous spell, jointly cast by mages and priests to purge the entire city of the dark mana that had descended like a plague.
Shrill, piercing screams echoed through the streets.
Kyaaaaak!
Screeeeech!
Monsters, grotesque abominations that had crawled up from beneath the earth, charged toward the spell formation. But both the Oceanwolf Knight Order and the Imperial Guards stood firm, letting not a single creature slip through.
A deadly plague was ravaging the capital. Hugo recalled what the priests had identified as its primary vectors.
Insects, he thought.
The plague spread at a terrifying pace. Already, nearly one-tenth of the city's population had fallen ill.
It was nearly impossible to contain, but there was no need to despair. The empire had prepared meticulously for a day like this. Even a plague born of dark mana had been accounted for in their contingency scenarios.
Boom!