Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1722  An Army (Part 2)

The mages were in complete disbelief, so much so that many of them naturally took a few steps back without even realizing it. Just moments ago, there had only been around five enemies in front of them, all of them seemingly on their last legs, retreating and barely holding on. That alone had given them confidence. But now, in the blink of an eye, there was an entire army standing before them, stretching out across the battlefield as far as they could see. The shift was so sudden that some of the mages froze, their minds struggling to catch up with what their eyes were seeing.

"Hahaha, it's time for some destruction!" Kizer shouted at the top of his lungs as he leapt high into the air. His excitement was clear, almost manic, as he raised his weapon above his head. This was no ordinary weapon. It was Kizer's special weapon, one that had been given to him by the Dark Magus himself, a weapon that gained more power depending on how many enemies stood before him. And right now, there were plenty. As Kizer came crashing down, his weapon struck the ground with overwhelming force. A massive wave of Qi erupted outward, tearing through the battlefield. Buildings in the distance were ripped apart, collapsing as the shockwave passed through them, while a large number of mages were caught directly in its path, screaming as they were sent flying or crushed under the sheer pressure of the attack.

That first strike was enough to finally kick the Noble Guild into action. Shouts rang out as commanders barked orders, and the mages quickly began activating their weapons and artifacts, pouring mana into defensive spells and counterattacks. But they weren't the only ones who reacted quickly. These weren't ordinary fighters rushing forward. These were warriors. Strong, powerful warriors who had trained their bodies and Qi for years, who knew exactly how to fight in real battles.

The three thousand Pagna warriors broke formation almost instantly. They leapt forward, weapons in hand, charging headfirst into the mages without hesitation. Blades swung, clashing directly against magic, sparks and bursts of energy exploding with every impact. They pushed through spells, enduring burns and wounds just to close the distance. Once they were close, it was over. Spears pierced through chests, swords sliced through defenses, and enemies fell one after another, blood staining the ground as screams were cut short.

For Cronker and his team, the chaos was the perfect cover. He made himself completely invisible, along with his small group of allies, their presence vanishing entirely from sight. They moved through the battlefield like ghosts, appearing behind mages without warning. Daggers and blades flashed, stabbing into backs and necks, eliminating the most troublesome targets before they even realized what was happening. By the time bodies hit the ground, Cronker and his group were already gone, moving on to the next victims.

Lilly, the spear user, stood her ground amidst the chaos. From where she was positioned, she thrust her spear high into the air, channeling her Qi through it. A powerful beam of energy erupted from the weapon, shooting straight toward one of the ships hovering above. The beam struck true, and in an instant, the ship was torn apart, crashing down in flames and debris. Forma wasn't far behind. She pulled back her bow, Qi gathering rapidly as she formed a massive arrow. When she released it, the projectile tore through the air and smashed into another ship, destroying it completely.

As she turned, her movements smooth and practiced, Forma drew her bow again. This time, she fired ten arrows in rapid succession. Each one found its mark. Five mages fell almost instantly, their bodies collapsing before they even understood what had hit them.

"You don't have to take it all on your shoulders anymore," Fixteen said as he moved closer to her. "I know it hurts. We have a strong army with us now, so don't worry."

Forma had given up her bow for a while before, due to the severe toll it took on her body. Its power was undeniable, capable of turning the tide of entire battles, especially in large-scale wars like this one. But repeated use pushed her mind to the brink, threatening to tear her apart from the inside. Fixteen was her anchor, the one keeping her grounded, the one who made sure she didn't lose herself completely.

Amir and his group of hybrids were on the front lines, tanking spell after spell that was hurled toward them. Magic exploded against their beast-like bodies, but they pushed through it, roaring as they tore into the mages with claws and brute strength. Limbs were ripped apart, defenses shattered, and panic spread as the hybrids continued their relentless assault.

There were those protecting them as well. Tilion stood firm, shield raised, leading a defensive unit that blocked countless attacks. Flames, lightning, and shards of ice crashed against his shield, but he didn't falter. At one point, he slammed the shield into the ground, Qi spreading outward and forming a massive barrier that blocked even more incoming spells, giving their allies room to push forward.

Despite the items and artifacts that Idore had provided to the Noble Guild, they weren't helping. These tools were powerful, yes, but they were designed for battles fought at range, against enemies who relied on spells and formations. Once the Pagna warriors closed the distance, once blades were driven into flesh and bodies were gutted, the items became useless. No artifact could save someone who was already dead.

The Pagna warriors were used to this. They were used to war. They were used to fighting up close, to relying on their own strength, their own weapons, and their own resolve. And now, they were dominating the battlefield, cutting through the Noble Guild as if they had never stood a chance to begin with.

Idore watched it all unfold, his expression stiff, his mind racing. He was at a loss for words. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He had imagined that if they ever faced Pagna directly, the Noble Guild would clearly emerge as the victors. That their preparation, their artifacts, their towers, and their magic would overwhelm any opposition. But this… this was something else entirely.

What stood before him was a united front. Various powerful factions across Pagna had come together as one. Unlike Alterian, where people were forced to join under a single banner, this unity had been chosen. That was the difference. And it was devastating.

"Alba, Rayna!" Raze called out as he stood amidst the chaos, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "I need you to do me a favor. Those towers are going to start gathering energy again soon. I need you to take them out. There's some kind of reflective barrier around them, but if you perform an attack large enough, you'll be able to destroy them."

They didn't hesitate. There was no need for discussion. Alba and Rayna nodded and immediately moved, gathering others they knew were strong enough to help with the task. They disappeared into the battlefield, cutting their way toward the towers.

Meanwhile, Raze stood in the center of it all, the noise of battle raging around him. He gripped his weapon tightly, his gaze locking onto a familiar figure.

"Trubin," Raze said, his voice cold and steady. "I'm not taking any chances of letting you go. This might be the only time you're away from Idore. So I'm going to kill you. Right here. Right now."

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