Bang! Boom!
Some of the spells flying towards the charging knights exploded in mid-air.
“No need for powerful spells! Intercept with mana bolts and magic missiles!”
Tower Master Perido shouted as he unleashed the memorized spells.
Whoosh, swoosh!
Dozens of various magical arrows formed above his head, shooting past his knights and colliding with the enemy’s spells.
As a seasoned 6th circle master, his command was efficient, and about thirty mages intercepted as many enemy spells as possible.
Though they were short-handed, they occupied a higher position on the hill and were still within close range, allowing an effective response.
“Our target is 4th circle or higher area spells. Hold until our allies reach mid-battlefield.”
Unlike the mages who were fervently casting spells, Pierce and the knights on the fortress walls remained idle. They planted large shields into the makeshift fortress to form a shield wall, then readied their oversized longbows, waiting.
These were knights specialized in long-range attacks like Pierce. Having trained in various archer skills such as 『Longshot』, 『Sniping Shot』, and 『Power Arrow』, they narrowed their eyes, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Meanwhile, Raul, charging along with the knights, did not blink an eye even as waves of spells flew towards them like a tide of light.
“Don’t mind the spells ahead, increase your speed!”
Support shots from their own side intercepted incoming spells one by one. But that would only last so far. Soon, enemy spells would break through the interception and reach them.
They had to gain sufficient speed and momentum before that happened. With swift motions, Raul swung his sword forward three or four times. Swathes of energy, like whip-like sword beams, cut through spells that broke past the interception net.
Bang! Boom.
The same was true for the areas where Philip and Jake were. High-ranking knights at the front used their mana blades to cut through incoming spells.
Finally, the knights reached their maximum speed.
“Unsheathe swords and form the mana curtain!”
At Raul’s command, the trailing knights lifted their swords. Blinding mana blades (mana blades) emanated from their swords.
Buzz.
Dozens of mana blades mingled, shaking the air and forming a protective barrier around the knights.
“Activate!”
As Raul thrust his sword forward, the knights followed, thrusting their swords as well. And at that moment, a golden barrier formed in front of the charging knights, blazing forth.
The 『Knight Division’s Charging Curtain』, a feat only possible for a well-coordinated knight order.
It required dozens of knights capable of handling mana blades, with similar mana attributes, and a skilled leader to control the massive power.
All these conditions had come together to manifest this ultimate knight technique on the battlefield.
Swish. Crackle!
By now, they had covered half the distance. Spells targeting the knights began to outnumber those intercepted. But the spells hitting the golden charging curtain either dissipated powerlessly or had their power significantly reduced.
At least spells of the 3rd circle or lower seemed incapable of inflicting any harm on the knights.
***
Crack.
The veins on Thaddeus Skyler’s hand, gripping his staff, bulged.
‘Why is that happening now!’
The Knight Division’s Charging Curtain. He never imagined he’d actually see it in use. That ancient technique, a symbol of the best knight orders, had nearly faded into obscurity.
The reason was the commercialization of Power Armor. It took a long time and considerable effort for dozens of Expert-level knights to train in such a technique.
But with Power Armor, a defensive field automatically formed, capable of blocking up to 4th-circle spells. Who would bother learning group techniques?
Currently, the only ones in the Leslie Kingdom capable of even mimicking the Charging Curtain were the Royal Knights.
‘But how could a mere viscount’s knight order possess such a technique!’
More importantly, there were three such unbelievable charging units. At least three Expert-level advanced knights, and most of those knights were of Expert level.
‘No, judging by the Flying mana blades, there must be at least ten advanced knights. Where did these lunatics come from!’
Frankly, their power seemed to rival or even exceed the Royal Knight Knights of the Leslie Kingdom. Considering this, he began to doubt whether those knights truly belonged to Viscount Raul.
‘Could the Ruben Kingdom be plotting to mess with us? Or perhaps Leopard or Cornelius?’
Various thoughts popped into his mind, but he knew he had to stop these insane knights first.
“Damn it, stop using those worthless 3rd-circle spells! Prepare for magical bombardment! Officers, fire your strong spells!”
With Thaddeus’s irritated command, the Skyler mages moved busily. Aside from some mages engaging the enemy, the rest moved to their prepared positions.
Hummmmm.
Buzz.
A blue glowing hexagram began to form among groups of six mages. Soon, spheres of lightning rose above the magic circles, crackling and growing larger.
There were more than ten such magic circles, and the senior mages of 6th circle and above were chanting to cast their most potent spells. As the intense mana waves swept through the camp, Thaddeus regained his confidence.
“Hmph. Impressive that you’ve brought out such an old relic, but this is it. There’s a reason why outdated techniques are obsolete! Feel the wrath of superior magic!”
And with his gesture, a barrage of mass destruction spells, at least 5th circle, was launched toward the First Knight Order.
*
「Detected massive mana flow in the front! Sniper squad, prepare for battle.」
「Yes, Master!」
Upon receiving Raul’s orders through guild communications, Pierce and the knights finally drew their bows.
Zing.
The specially designed large bows and arrows began to glow yellow, imbued with the knights’ mana. At that moment, massive spell spheres larger than a human torso rose from the Skyler formation and began their bombardment.
“Target!”
Pierce designated the targets through guild comms, his eyes gleaming as he pulled back the bowstring taut. And as the spell spheres reached their apex,
“Fire!”
Thunk! Whoosh!
Forty mana arrows, yellow trails streaking behind them, pierced through the air like lasers.
Bang! Boom!
Rumble.
Large-scale spells exploded in mid-air, shaking the battlefield. The coordinated sniping of groups of knights had successfully neutralized the enemy’s spells.
“Ready again! They’re still coming!”
But the enemy spells continued unabated. Now, as the knight order approached closer than halfway to the enemy camp, fragments of various magic rained down like fireworks.
After a few seconds of sniping, the knights lowered their bows. Beyond 300 meters, they lacked the power to intercept enemy spells effectively.
Only Pierce continued firing arrows, thinking inwardly, ‘Master, it’s all up to you now.’
The remaining distance to the enemy camp was now 200 meters. The knight order had to cover the rest of the distance on their own, without long-range support.
***
“Position change.”
Raul took a step back, and Kane filled his position. The flanks, where Kane and Jake were, also switched positions with the advanced knights Jackie and Davison.
“They’re coming!”
200 meters.
Up until now, the spells focused more on range than power, but from now on, more destructive magic would target them.
Moreover, rear support was no longer reliable. The real game was about to begin. However, Raul relaxed his tension and lowered his sword. He didn’t need to take direct action just yet.
“Everyone, raise your shields!”
At Raul’s command, the knights unsheathed unique shields with intricate designs. These shields, made from ivory-like mineral materials, were specially crafted for anti-magic battle.
『Great Anti-Magic Shield of Elemental Spear』
Rarity: Rare
Grade: A
Effect: Significantly reduces the power of magical attacks. Nullifies spells of 3rd circle or lower.
Description: A shield crafted from the shell of the C-rank Gate Monster ‘Elemental Spear.’ Boasts powerful anti-magic defenses but is vulnerable to physical attacks. Handle with care.
Similarly, the barding on the knights’ horses also gleamed with an ivory sheen. It was also specially coated with Elemental Spear shell for extra protection.
“Frontline, focus on intercepting the powerful large-scale spells! Defend against minor spells as necessary! No stragglers allowed!”
“Yes, Master!”
Raul also held his shield ready, bracing for incoming spells.
Bang! Boom!
Kane and the advanced knights at the front released mana blades to intercept the powerful and large-scale spells. The mana blades fired from the Knight Division’s Charging Curtain differed in power from those shot individually.
Like golden whips, the mana blades flew through the air, clashing with the spells. No matter how powerful the magic, it couldn’t withstand the concentrated might of the knight division.
However, this was thinning out the barrier, and more spells seeped through.
Pop.
Raul slightly swung his left arm, bursting a head-sized fireball with his shield.
He felt the heat but no real damage.
The knights similarly fended off incoming spells with their shields and sliced through those aimed at their horses with their swords.
Whoosh.
With the distance closing, the aftermath of intercepted spells became increasingly intense.
At 100 meters, reaching a distance that felt so close, another obstacle emerged.
“The terrain is changing!”
They were now within range where utility spells could be highly effective. Earth magic suddenly raised stone walls, and 『Dig』 spells created sunk holes.
The ground froze, causing horses to slip, and walls of fire threatened the knight order.
At that exact moment, Raul’s trump card came into play. From the center of the knight order, those who had only remained under protection until now, cloaked in robes, now moved forward.
They were not merely mages but 『Psychics』, who had joined the battlefield.
“How dare you!”
Taking off his hood and extending his hand was Palmer, the branch manager from First Knight Order’s Mira branch. As an earth manipulator, he literally pulverized the stone wall that blocked the knights’ path.
Likewise, the holes in the ground were quickly filled with rocks. Dozens of psychokinetics, like Palmer, mounted on horses, countered the utility spells conjured by the enemy.
“Melt away!”
The frozen ground targeted by a pyrokinetic swiftly turned to water, and an aerokinetic dried and solidified the muddy terrain.
Telekinetics, like Raul, supported the horses’ hooves to traverse the pits, and a wave manipulator cleared the dust and smoke obscuring the knights’ vision.
Manifesting these instant abilities without the need for spells, they swiftly countered the various enemy magic, ensuring the knights’ path.
Although these psychokinetics were just stepping into mid-tier capabilities, their presence at the center of the knight order made them an unparalleled mobile support squad.
*
‘Damn, more bizarre opponents! But it’s futile. This ends now!’
Thaddeus, glaring at the knights who had come within 50 meters, shouted.
“This is the end! Activate it!”
Simultaneously, he and three other 6th circle mages thrust their staffs into the ground.
Thump.
Waves extended from them, revealing thick mana lines on the ground.
Boom, boom, boom.
As the mana lines passed under their feet, the mages struck their staffs down to infuse more mana. The mana lines encircled the entire formation of Skyler mages, completing a gigantic magic circle.
Crackle.
Boom!
A huge pillar of lightning rose skyward, akin to a blue dragon ascending.
Rumble.
In an instant, dark clouds covered the sky as if time had been sped up.
“All of you, perish! Giga Thunder Lightning!!”
The 7th-circle wide-area destruction spell, a signature of Skyler Tower’s lightning magic, finally unveiled its deadly talons.
As Thaddeus lowered his raised staff, the pillar of lightning crashed down towards Raul and the knights.
BOOOOM!!
(To be continued)