After confirming the Templar Code's headquarters were empty, Haylee's people marched toward the city where Ezra and company had set up a temporary encampment.
Soon, the city of Noser was once again enveloped with fiery lights coming from magic attack collisions.
Still, even though the encampment was being protected by the Spirits magic barrier, with the number of magic spells attacking it, cracks already appeared on its surface. The Montgomeray mages who contracted with the Spirits that were maintaining the barrier could only endure and continue providing them with their own magic energies.
Fortunately, with Anette and the rest of the Solum tribe there, the energy-replenishing potions and stamina potions available to them were of higher grade and managed to sustain their needs. The only shortcoming they had against their enemies was their mage level, which meant they had lesser magic energy.
But even after all these, the barrier could barely sustain.
Because of this, Zephyr wanted to go out and attack but because he had only recovered, Anette stopped him. Instead, Kyran's beasts Sigils, Bas, Iss, Manti, and Mera were the ones who initiated a counter.
They left the barrier and started their attack.
Hisss!
Bas and Iss hissed and let out a large-area shockwave attack.
Due to their sudden appearance, the mages nearby failed to react in time and disintegrated in an instant along with the surrounding buildings.
Rawrgh!
Manti and Mera also jumped out of the barrier and spat out fiery flames at the incoming magic attacks. Their flames possessed Void properties and defuse the flames into nothingness. After which, the smoke that came from Manti's flames covered the air. Due to his flames possessing poisonous property, every mage nearby that inhaled the smoke was poisoned.
"Gaaah!"
"Ugh!"
The mages let out a mournful shriek as they grasped their throat. Their eyes turned bloodshot and the veins in their bodies became visible the more the poisonous air entered their bodies. A few fell to their knees and clawed at their throats in pain while most fell to their death in an instant.
Seeing this situation, others would have retreated in fear. However, the enemy mages were not fazed by the poisonous air and continued their attack. They also summoned protective barriers that covered their bodies like a human-shaped veil to counter the poison.
Since they were all Fire mages, they were confident their flames could 'purge' the poison in the air. And their actions were actually correct.
With the poison being countered easily, they did continue attacking the barrier.
Manti and Mera wanted to burn the nearby mages. But since they were outnumbered and even if they killed off the enemy mages close to them, the others not in their range would still attack the barrier. It would then become a cycle where eventually their side would lose because of their disadvantage in number.
No matter how many Manti and Mera killed, the mages they could not kill would continue to attack the barrier.
In the end, Manti and Mera decided to focus on countering the incoming magic spells.
Seeing the four beasts struggling to defend the frontline, the rest of the Sprites could no longer stay still.
Most of these Sprites did not have a contracted mage and were only observing from within the Spirit world. But seeing how the four beasts were doing, they decided to come out.
"Aaack! These annoying fire mages! They actually think they can overwhelm our side with their puny flames?" A fire sprite spat out in annoyance as he rushed out of the Spirit world. "Don't underestimate us!"
Invisible Fire sprites rushed out of the Spirit world as well and joined Kyran's beast Sigils, throwing fire magic attacks at the enemy mages. Some even manipulated the fire magic energies in the surroundings to decrease the fire magic power of the enemies.
Anette, Ezra, True Void and Zephyr's expressions turned grim after seeing the Sprites easily countering the enemy mages' attack.
Others would have rejoiced because as soon as the Fire Sprites joined the fray, the magic attacks hitting the barrier decreased significantly. But not them. Because the fact the Sprites were able to use their magic without the Human plane restricting their levels and output meant the Sovereign's cradle had really stopped functioning.
True Void's expression was darker compared to the rest. The armor made of shape-shifting plates he used as a body was originally dark in color and frankly, it was almost impossible to see it change color. However, it still happened which testified to how affected he was by the cradle's status.
Obviously, True Void was worried about Azaloth. After all, if the latter dies, the Human plane would become a warzone wherein its downfall was inevitable. Because nothing would restrain the outsiders anymore. Aside from this, True Void was worried about Kyran's mental state. True Void had reasons to believe that the latter would blame himself for Azaloth's fate.
Kyran's mental fortitude might have improved, but True Void knew he would crumble at the simplest reason. In Azaloth's case, True Void sensed that Kyran would blame himself for not understanding the real intention of the Inheritance. Kyran might even think that his own inability and weakness caused everything.
In any case, True Void wanted to prevent that. And the more he tried to think of a way to prevent the worst-case scenario, the more he felt annoyed.
If only he could retrieve his real body! Just where did his master hide his body?
In any case, with the sudden change in the current situation, several enemy mages in leadership positions were at a loss on what to do. Even though they were fearful of receiving punishment for their inability, they still sent an update of the situation to the main group standing by hundreds of meters outside Noser.
Inside a makeshift tent, a woman wearing a tight-fitting white robe with red and gold accents scowled at the report she received. Her short wavy auburn hair fluttered as though there was a light breeze present inside the tent. She looked young, but the look in her olive green eyes reflected deep knowledge only one who had lived for a hundred years would have.
"Four mutated beasts and invisible enemies are killing our men?" She asked the kneeling mage before her.
"Yes, Archmagus Ane. We compared the report provided by the Royal Army about what happened in Noser the other day and confirmed the four beasts were the same ones they had fought and lost to. As for the invisible enemies, they are probably Spirits contracted by the Montgomeray Family. We also believed they are the ones who ambushed the army's supplies that time."
"Impossible," Ane shook her head in disbelief. "Based on the report, there are several hundreds of invisible enemies out there. This number far exceeds the number of Montgomeray family members who could form a contract with them."
The mage did not refute it because he thought so, too. However, the truth was right before their eyes.
"Unless...." Ane's eyes narrowed as she thought of a possible reason. "They do not have contracts and are still able to unleash powerful magic attacks on our side without restrictions."
The mage before her let out a gasp of surprise as he understood what the latter was trying to imply. He said, "D-Do you mean to tell that the magic level of those Spirits are far above the ones we are accustomed to, and thus, even if they are being restricted they can still unleash powerful attacks?"
Ane did not reply. What the mage said was the first thing that flashed through her mind. But she thought of another possibility and felt somewhat conflicted.
The restriction on the Spirits had weakened. If this was true, did that mean the Spirits could easily enter this side and attack them without them knowing?
"Send a coded message to her Highness, the Crown Princess, and explained the situation here at once," Ane ordered the mage.
The mage lowered his head, "Yes, Archmagus Ane." Although he wanted to ask a question, he did not ask it and left immediately to comply with the new order.
Ane also left the tent.
Two mages in dark gray robes, standing on each side of the tent's entrance outside greeted her at once, "Archmagus Ane, please give us your orders and we shall—."
Ane waved her hand at them dismissively and said, "There is no need. I will check the situation myself."
The two mages looked at her in shock.
"There is no need for you to make a move yourself, Archmagus Ane," the one at the left said imploringly. "Let us go."
"Not yet. Stay here and wait for my signal before joining."
"W-We understand," the two agreed albeit reluctantly.
Ane roused her magic energy and a gust of powerful wind enveloped her. In a blink of an eye, she disappeared before the two.
Back in Noser, the Sprites continued to push back the attacks from the enemy mages.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢