The flying fortress was shaking like a dying animal.
Not only were there mighty battles being waged inside and outside its walls all around, the energy that powered the massive magical artifact was becoming more and more unstable. The efforts of the scattered strike team to destroy the minor power sources were working.
The power sources kept the mind-boggling massive structure levitated in the sky, creating an ice hail to besiege a barrier maintained by a Level 5, and to supply the fortress’ inner defensive measures.
But as long as the main power source was intact, the fortress could go on for some time. Which was why it must be destroyed.
Croix and the others had come so close to success. They just had one final wall between them and the main power source. Croix knew it wouldn't be an easy task.
“But the four of us can do it.”
“Yes,” Celestine replied.
A shockwave swept them over, making their feet unbalanced. The two royals looked at the source, the battle between Red Eyes and Stratos. The two fought not too close as to interrupt them but not too far either.
Through a broken wall, the sight of those two battling in a ruined courtyard could be seen. Wielding wind and lightning Artes, was Stratos. There was a lion at his side. Perhaps it was his familiar. Red Eyes met his foe head-on, showing his mastery over fire and blood, combining power and elusiveness. He had a black shadow monster, sinister and creepy, in contrast to the noble lion magical beast.
“Amazing,” Croix murmured. “I’ve seen Level 4 fights before but it's like those two are in an entirely different league.”
“I know Sir Stratos is strong but this is far above my imagination. Red Eyes who can fight at equal footing warranted acknowledgment, despite his allegiance.”
“I don't think he’s with the Empire. He fought the Empire’s men as much as us.”
“I am inclined to believe he’s with the cults. But enough about him, let us focus on the task at hand.”
The two didn't talk for just the sake of it. They were preparing their Arte along with their dragons.
“Still, this main power source is a marvel, isn't it? I regret we have to destroy it. Just think of how many mana crystals it’s worth.”
Celestine only smiled. “Ready?”
“Falmerion!”
“Serena, give it your all!”
The two dragons received the power of their partners and unleashed their breaths. A blazing red flame and a mysterious black flame. The breaths were much stronger than the ones they did on their own.
Falmerion was much bigger than Serena so his stream of flames was also greater. Even so, Serena’s was no slouch either. She was a Rank 3 True Dragon.
The barrier brimmed with power as the two flames hit it. The silhouette of a white dragon was moving as if it were alive on the surface of the icy-white barrier. It looked at both humans and both dragons aloof. It was as if the soul of the dead dragon refused to submit even in death.
The attackers weren't stopping. The stones began to melt and the air burned. The heat spread far and wide. From afar, it looked like there was a huge bonfire in the middle of the fortress.
Even though the three fortresses brought winter to Gryphon’s Reach and its surroundings, at this moment, just on one fortress alone, the cold died.
***
“Aaaaaaaahhh! I hate you! I curse you!”
Moments before Boram’s killing strike fell down, Theus Mercea pulled all the stops. At the end of his rope, he no longer had other options. His trump cards were spent so he turned to Forbidden Artes.
The term Forbidden Artes was pretty loose. It differed from person to person. Mr. A used a powerful Forbidden Arte at great cost to himself but Mr. B could use the same Arte without inflicting such harm to himself so it wasn't a Forbidden Arte to Mr. B. When Mr. A became Level 4, he could also use the Arte without prior problems so growing was also a way to conquer Forbidden Artes.
The most common Forbidden Artes were the ones that used the user’s life as fuel.
Empowered by the flames of life, Theus was able to knock Boram back. Before, he was like a dying candle, now he was back to an erupting volcano. No, he showed an even greater power than his previous most powerful during the fight!
As expected of a core member of the Ducal House of Mercea. Viers suspected the current Theus could fight against a Level 4. He also showed a different form than before. His body became magma itself. He was half melting but somehow retained a human form.
Boram no longer had the strength to maintain his ten-meter-tall Giant form and reverted back. At the time he was half incapacitated he was bracing himself for a revenge strike from Theus who was at his most powerful.
But the attack never came.
Viers guessed what Theus was about to do. He meant to use the burst of power to escape. Viers was ready. He focused so his Imaginary Domain wouldn't be broken by whatever Theus was about to throw at it.
A crystal dagger appeared in Theus’ magma hand. Viers was ready to resist.
Theus slashed at the air and a fissure was created, a crack in space. Like a slimy octopus, Theus went inside.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
And he appeared right in front of Viers.
The half-liquid man was angry and poised to attack with his entire might. The fact that Viers held Ciel in his arms was a rage multiplier.
Viers was caught off guard. His Imaginary Domain was not broken like what his opponents did during the Magisterium Tower but Theus managed to escape while the Domain remained intact. For those under Level 4, getting caught by a Domain almost meant certain death. The crystal dagger must be a lifesaver. Even for someone as rich as Viers, he didn't have something like it.
“Avel! You I’ll never forgive! It’s all your fault!”
Instead of running, Theus went for the offensive. The Akainu-wannabe made it into his life’s mission -what remained- to prevent one thing: Ciel’s falling in love with the hateful mudblood vagrant. He mustered a powerful attack aimed at the bastard’s head.
He wouldn't harm a hair on Ciel’s head so the attack was focused. Ciel was still unconscious so Theus reckoned he still had time. At the very least, he had to prevent Ciel from seeing the bastard’s face.
Theus didn't buy that Ciel was in love with the peasant from the start. If she fell in love for real because of his love potion, wouldn't that be the height of stupidity?
A straight punch to the face, containing all of his life, love, and fury.
I... did it...
With one small satisfaction in his heart, Theus exhaled his last breath.
Perhaps it was Fate’s mercy that Theus didn't see what happened next. The man that he punched, his face was a mask conjured by a magical item. The mask broke from Theus’ tenacity. If Viers hadn't raised his magical guard in time, he would have lost a lot more than the mask.
Ciel stirred from the rough movement.
The man Theus knew as Avel didn't prioritize covering his real face since Ciel already knew it before. Instead, he quickly removed the evidence of a fight from the area, especially a lump of cooled magma that was formerly Theus.
He managed to erase the trace of murder -physical, magical, and spiritual- just in time before Ciel opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was Viers’ real face.
“Morning, princess. Are you feeling alright?”
“...Did I get saved by you again? Like a damsel in distress?”
“No, you saved yourself. Impressive, defeating those Level 4 cultists on your own.”
“You look like you’ve been busy too.” Ciel saw her surroundings were filled with the signs of battle and corpses.
While Theus and Boram were fighting inside Viers’ Domain, some enemies came. Viers took care of them. What he covered up was the death of Theus and his teammate.
Incidentally, that guy was the knight that Boram fought and maimed at the Emerith Grand Ball, which led to Viers apologizing, which led to some humiliation, which led to Theus and him being unfortunately slain by the hands of the Harkelan Empire.
“I need a moment,” Ciel said.
“Sure.”
While Ciel did some meditation to check her condition and recovery, Viers had a secret conversation with Boram.
“Well done.”
“You lost your mask because of my failings, Master,” Boram felt guilty.
“It’s just an item.”
The Impersonator mask was something he got from way back when he was weak. It underwent an upgrade after the Book World. The loss stings but just a bit.
He can't change his face now but no matter, magic cloth on the mouth or a full-face helmet would do.
Viers Isuel was dead at Valkut. It was better for him to keep dead so the Silver Legion didn't keep dragging up old bills.
“You’ve done well. Be careful when you use it. Someone might know.”
Viers placed Theus’ crystal dagger on Boram’s hand. One of many rewards for a job well done. He didn't always hog all the loot.
“Thanks for waiting. How’s the situation?” Ciel got back up and recovered a bit.
“I believe we’re almost done here,” Viers pointed with his thumb to the big fire pillar outside.
***
There was music in the air.
On a rooftop, a masked woman was intensely playing Vivaldi Summer using a violin. She arranged it for something befitting the situation. The blazing conflagration in the central keep was like a perfect prop.
Farley landed nearby, still in her Dragoon armor. She was covered in the blood of her kills.
“Welcome back.”
The greeting came not from Paina who played the violin like a woman possessed but from Clarissa. Beside her was Sakuya who admired the musician’s performance.
“My inventory items are full of dragon materials. We’ll have lots of trade at the next club meeting,” Farley looked tired but satisfied.
“Paina and Sakuya loot quite a bit too, I'm told.”
“What about you? Obtain anything worthwhile?” Farley asked her good friend.
“You know me,” Clarissa winked.
The fortress which was about the size of a small town was in bad shape. They could see the devastation from their vantage point. Some fights were still ongoing.
Paina paid no mind to her surroundings, immersing herself in the music. She didn't play her instrument for the heck of it. The Water-Sound Pathseeker was giving buffs to her allies who could hear her song. The most important ones were the two royals at the base of the giant bonfire of dragon flames.
Croix and Celestine had cracks on their skin. Empowering their dragon to the extreme. The Victa pathway in their bodies glowed orange and purple respectively.
To crack the barrier, they had to do their best and even then it wasn't enough.
But they didn't give up.
Falmerion and Serena had created a crack in the barrier. Croix stabbed his sword to the crack but didn't have the strength to go further. Celestine put her hands above his. Together, they sliced open the white dragon’s barrier. When they heard the silent death cry of the ice dragon’s soul, they knew they had done it.
As the barrier broke, so too was the power source. Soon, the whole fortress shook violently and began descending.
“Thank goodness. I thought the whole fortress was going to explode for a second,” Farley commented.
They saw the two royals and their dragons fell in exhaustion but alive. Solany and some others rushed to their aid. They couldn't get close before because of the intense flame.
“Ohhh, we’re really coming down now,” Sakuya said as the descent sped up.
“It’s not going to fall to the city below, isn't it?” Paina who finished her piece was back from the world of music.
“Someone will take care of that,” Clarissa watched calmly.
***
The citizens in Gryphon’s Reach looked to the darkened sky with hope. When one of the fortresses began to crumble and fall, they cheered.
Victory! Victory! Victory!
Before one of the fortresses touched the ground, the other two flying began their retreat.
There was no doubt about it now. The battle was won. The nightmare was over.
Looking down on the happenings were two men.
“Looks like you won. Congrats, Duke,” a brawny wild man wearing fur cloth said.
The Duke of Valentine remained silent.
“But the war has just begun. We’ll meet again.”
Sven the Bear, one of the Ten Tundra of the Harkelan Empire, retreated with his forces.
Sterling Valentine watched until Sven was far away, before looking down on Gryphon’s Reach, he felt his wife’s gaze from the palace.
“...The time of war has come again.”