Longbottom glanced at the few figures dressed in black robes. These people had slim bodies and had concealed their features with large cloaks. The cloaks were so large, in fact, that one could not even tell the men from the women.
These were the backup he had been given by the dark elves. All of them were at the peak of rank 1.
As for the rank 2 matriarchs? Every single action of theirs was being monitored; it was impossible for one to sneak across the border to conduct an assassination.
In addition, even if they somehow got in, they would be surrounded and attacked by the Magi of Twilight Zone.
Dark elves could bear the deaths of rank 1 Magi, but rank 2 matriarchs were the backbones of their clans; their presence was a spiritual support to the clan members, boosting their morale. The death of a matriarch was a heavy loss for any clan.
It was for this reason that Fendix, who had killed a matriarch, had gained large rewards from Twilight Zone as well as a huge bounty from the Dark Elven Empire. Honestly speaking, the rewards that the crazed dark elves promised had even tempted Leylin.
Fendix himself was so frightened that he spent all his time at the headquarters of his guild, and had naturally not come to the aid of the central region.
“Go!” With Longbottom’s order, flames of death descended on this peaceful field.
*Rumble!* Fireballs rained down like meteors, sending sparks flying everywhere.
“What’s going on?” A knight dressed in the garb of nobility rushed out, shocked.
“A- An attack from Magi? Why? Are they dark elves?”
*Xiu!* After seeing the situation, he retreated without the slightest hesitation, leaving his territory, subjects and even family behind.
As a knight who had entered the battlefield before, he knew the terror that Magi brought with them. He knew that once they attacked, this place was doomed.
“Don’t let any of them go!”
Longbottom watched the knight who was darting away and pointed at him like one would at an ant.
A deathly light streaked across the sky and reached his back. Like cutting through cotton, it easily penetrated the knight’s defence and exploded on his back.
*Bang!* A hole that could fit a basketball was opened up, revealing white bones and black blood. The knight’s eyes were filled with fear, as well as shock. The powerful inertia allowed him to run a few more steps before he fell with a thud.
Under the constant onslaught of spells, the village turned into a sea of fire. None of the peasants lived, and it soon turned into a white land.
However, Longbottom was still not satisfied and ordered the Magi to quicken their actions.
Layers of soil were lifted, revealing a glossy rock wall, with runes on it concealing any energy fluctuations.
“Hehe, he’s actually like a groundhog hiding under the feet of regular humans, and has even carved energy runes to conceal his aura. This Magus Rosby really is rather timid…” Longbottom sneered, and pointed at the magic wall.
“Destroy it!”
*Rumble!* Numerous spells were interrupted by several rays of light before they could reach the rock wall.
*Rumble!* The rock separated, revealing a large door.
*Thud! Thud!* Accompanied by heavy footsteps, four large silver guards walked out.
These silver guards were all adorned in heavy armour, and their expressions were moulded to be blank. There was even some light flashing out of their eyes like a searchlight.
Ernis immediately stepped forward and spoke “Rosby is very careful and cautious. He hasn’t revealed this location to any other Magus, and even the guard has been set up by him alone, consisting only of Secret Silver Puppets. Hence, he’s the only one in here. We need to prevent him from fleeing.” As for how he had found this out, it would stay a secret.
“When working together, these four Secret Silver Puppets are equivalent to two peak rank 1 Magi. The two of you, go up there and stop them. The revolutionary army will be around to keep them from fleeing.” Longbottom quickly sent down the command.
The two black-robed people charged up without a word.
*Roar!* The Secret Silver Puppets yelled and brandished their large silver swords, battling the black-robed elves.
Immense energy fluctuations gave rise to a storm, sweeping through the region.
The revolutionary army Longbottom had brought with him dared only to watch on from a distance, occasionally supporting the two and pinning the guards down.
“Ernis and the rest, follow me.” Longbottom shook his robes, and the rest of the dark elves and Ernis followed him.
Only after they were far from everyone’s eyes did Longbottom speak to Ernis, “Quick! Find the escape routes Rosby could be using!”
“Come with me!” Moments later, Ernis led the way.
“Go!” Longbottom watched Ernis who was leading the way, eyes darting everywhere. Nobody could guess his thoughts.
In a little farm about five kilometers away…
*Pala!* The soil flipped over, revealing a dark pathway.
A grim middle-aged man in dark red Magus robes walked out. After glancing at his surroundings, he immediately unfurled a scroll. Green hurricanes blew forth, and a large pair of wings formed on his back.
“I can’t stay here any longer. How did this get out?”
This Magus was obviously Green Water Gardens’ rank 2 Magus, Rosby.
He was obviously in a stale mood. The location that only he knew of had been leaked, and someone had even found him while he was weak. The whole situation reeked of a conspiracy.
However, he had another question. “I didn’t tell anyone about this place. How did they find out?”
However, he did not dare dwell on this for long, “This place is dangerous. I’ll think about it after I leave.”
Just as Rosby was about to spread his wings, an extreme sense of danger came upon him.
He immediately retreated, his figure turning into an afterimage.
*Rumble!* A large explosion occurred right where he had been standing, and the energy particles that were dispelled caused massive damage to the ground.
*Xiu! Xiu!* Two black streaks of light flew across the sky, forming a cross in mid-air. These arches accurately homed in on Rosby’s wings.
“This trajectory? It’s the dark elves’ curved archery! You are dark elves!” The wings fell apart, and Rosby paled before crying out in alarm.
*Shua!* Black light flashed, and a distortion appeared in the air, revealing a few figures.
Longbottom took the lead, and the two robed people behind him also took off their clothes, revealing pale, handsome features and pointed ears.
The twisted runes on their fantastic black bows were now flickering.
“Humans and dark elves! Looks like you are the revolutionary army that has been causing such a ruckus. You are the leader, right? Longbottom?” Rosby calmed down.
“Yes!” Longbottom bowed, “As a rank 2 Magus, you are my senior, but for our hopes and future, please die.”
*Rumble!* Just as his words sounded, the dark elves suddenly attacked.
Black streams of air formed what looked like a spider web and fell from the skies. On Longbottom’s body, the phantom image of a large giant spider appeared and jumped onto the web, hissing loudly.
“Combination magic? Its power is almost as much as that of a rank 2 spell!” A strange smile appeared on his face, “But just that isn’t enough.”
*Rumble!* A torrential power exploded forth from Rosby’s body, as if a landslide or tsunami had come upon the area. Silver spiritual force slashed at the skies like a sharp sword, and quickly severed the web into two. The phantom image was also bisected, causing both Longbottom and the dark elves to pale.
“Rank 2 strength! You’re not weak anymore!” Longbottom had become deathly pale, his voice quivering.
“Impossible! Impossible!” Ernis could not believe it either.
“Recognise the reality of it! Your opponent is a rank 2
Magus. How could he not have a few trump cards? Even if his strength might have been lowered because he was in his down period, he can still suppress that for a while and reveal true rank 2 strength!” Merlin’s voice sounded in Ernis’ mind.
“How is this possible? I didn’t predict…” Ernis was flushing red, but suddenly became silent, like a duck that had been grasped at the neck.
“Do you understand now? You’re only a rank 1 Magus, and in ancient times you’d be considered as just having crossed the gates of becoming a Magus. With just this bit of strength, it’s impossible for you to completely predict the trump cards of a rank 2 Magus using Sacred Flame, even if he were weakened or heavily injured. The fog of destiny may shroud him, or even counterattack!”
Merlin’s voice was as cold as ice. “Now, do you know why I fell?”
Clone Seed
Ernis looked defeated. “So I’m definitely going to die?”
Merlin sneered in his mind. “Not necessarily! Longbottom is a child of destiny, and is not one to fall so easily. Besides, do you think the matriarch backing him doesn’t have any contingency plans?”
“You dare offend me, a respected rank 2 Magus? You will pay for this humiliation in blood!”Rosby declared grimly, and a line of spiritual force converged that was tinged silver.
The rank 2 Magus had even been slightly frightened. If he hadn’t possessed a technique that could temporarily suppress his weakness, he could have died just then.
A rank 2 Magus dying at the hands of a group of rank 1 Magi would be the biggest joke in Twilight Zone’s history!
Rosby felt like a robust adult who had been bitten by an ant. The humiliation irked him to his soul.
This secret technique was not without cost. His period of vulnerability would be extended, and in the times of war, this could have had deadly consequences. Hence, he was now truly enraged.
“I shall turn you into maggots, making you rot and suffer underground for ten thousand years. I swear it!” Rosby’s eyes were completely red, and great amounts of solidified silver spiritual force swept through the area.
“Damn it. Use that!” Longbottom yelled.
The two dark elves behind him exchanged a glance and nodded, silver rays shooting out of their eyes. In that moment, their expressions were that of those preparing for death.
They then produced jewelled daggers with a strange curve, aimed them at their own hearts and jabbed in.
*Puk! Puk!* Two peak rank 1 elves collapsed, a bloody mist spreading from their chests.
The phantom image of the spider behind Longbottom had been seriously injured by spiritual force and was on the verge of disappearing. However, it suddenly twitched and absorbed the red blood-mist, quickly restoring itself. Its aura continually strengthened, until it was almost strong enough to rival the rank 2 Magus ahead of it.
“What- What’s going on?” Ernis was astonished.
“Hehe, nothing much. It’s just a sacrifice! The same old thing that the dark elves always use.” Merlin laughed sarcastically.
“Dark elven society is made up of clans. Every clan has its matriarch, and they all have immense control over their descendants. This control runs deep in the blood, and is very difficult to free oneself from. Even if it’s a peak rank 1 Magus, a mere spiritual suggestion would convince them to kill themselves without hesitation.”
“The meditation technique Longbottom is training in is one that absorbs life energy. After absorbing that of two peak rank 1 Magi, although he can’t defeat his opponent, he will most likely escape…”
“Hm? What about me?” Ernis was suddenly put in a difficult spot. Longbottom could leave, but he was just a semi-converted Magus. How was he to escape?
“This is the retaliation of destiny! Longbottom, being a child of destiny, can escape successfully. You’ll be left behind as an outlet for the rank 2 Magus to vent his anger upon!” Merlin’s voice was frigid, rendering Ernis silent.
His eyes turned white again as he tried to think up some countermeasures. He was trying to make a prediction, but he did not get anything.
“What should I do next?” Ernis’ voice was hoarse.
“Pray! At this point, you can do nothing but pray!” Merlin’s voice displayed his helplessness, “If I still had my body, killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant. But now? You can only hope he doesn’t prolong your life to torture you.”
“No! No! I still have hope!” Ernis stared hard at Longbottom, “As long as my lord is willing to save me, I can…”
Ernis’ words stuck in his throat. He watched as Longbottom, who was manipulating the phantom spider and battling with Rosby, quickly withdrew.
Black gas flew everywhere and increased his speed. In a moment, he disappeared into the horizon.
“I… I…” Ernis’ eyes were filled with despair.
On the other end, Rosby who had lost Longbottom turned his attention to the semi-converted Magus.
A giant silver claw flew forth, its strength not something that Ernis could resist, and grabbed him!
“Am I going to die? I can’t accept this!” Ernis closed his eyes. Powerful solidified spiritual force causing the magical power in his body to become sluggish in its movements. He could do nothing in the face of a rank 2 Magus’ wrath.
“Rosby!”
At this moment, a low voice sounded from the horizon a long distance away, carrying with it a berserk energy.
“Hm? An opportunity! A person seeking revenge against Rosby seems to have appeared. I’ll use my power to cover your presence. Quick, run!”
Merlin’s voice was hurried, and with a sudden feeling of coldness infiltrating his senses, Ernis found himself able to move once again. He quickly escaped, dodging the attack of the giant claw. Without looking behind him, he quickly left.
Rosby did not pursue him, because a rank 2 spiritual force was now focused on him. He raised his head and saw a black figure rushing over from the horizon.
This figure’s face was shrouded by black mist, causing him to be unable to tell the real appearance of this person.
“Who are you? I don’t think we’ve met.” Rosby sounded out.
He was currently in a very dangerous situation, and his secret technique could lose its effect at any time, causing him to fall down to rank 1. That would be very dangerous.
“It doesn’t matter who I am, but this is a seed I planted. How could I let you harvest it?” The figure’s voice was robotic, obviously having been altered.
“Seed? Harvest? Are you…” Rosby’s stunned expression immediately warped into an immense fear.
Mist! Large amounts of black mist brought with it a silver luster, forming a large maze that trapped him within.
“He plans to limit my strength, and after my secret technique stops working, he’ll deal with me.” Rosby could tell his opponent’s intentions with a glance. He waved his arm, and numerous silver arrows flew into the mist.
*Pu pu! Pu pu! Pu pu!*
The arrows of light flew into the wall of mist and instantly disappeared, causing Rosby to pale.
“You don’t need to consider calling a friend or anything of the sort. This place has already been sealed by me, and no information can be transmitted out.”
The voice from before sounded in the black maze, but it did come from a single location.
His opponent was very cautious in dealing with a rank 2 Magus that had used a secret technique to somehow return to his regular strength. He had not appeared, preventing him from using some powerful force that could destroy everything.
A look of hopelessness appeared on Rosby’s face.
Ten or so minutes passed, and Rosby bellowed, unresigned. The aura on his body quickly weakened, and lines of wrinkles appeared on his face. His appearance changed from that of a middle-aged man to that of an old man.
This meant the secret technique was no longer in effect. He was once again weak, vulnerable.
Seeing this, large amounts of mist pounced on him…
*Pak
!* The black maze dispersed, and a single black flame fell, burning Rosby’s corpse to ashes.
Leylin weighed the green ring in his hand, a smile blossoming on his face.
“As expected of the guild leader of a large-scaled guild. He’s accumulated plenty of things, and there’s even a spacial magic artifact!”
He stared closely at the ring in his hand. It was extremely slender and looked like it was for a female to use. Its surface was decorated with flowers and vines, forming an exotic image.
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