Chapter 118 Chapter 118-Battle, Linking Magic!
Sensing the arrival of Howard and Wales, Athena turned around promptly, giving Wales's robe a scrutinizing glance.
She then broke into a smile, walking up to greet Wales, "Lord Ravenous Wolf, I was beginning to doubt if you had taken the payment and ran, since you hadn't shown up yet."
Since it was Wales who had convinced Daniel, Athena was not aware of his exact identity and could only make guesses.
Even though the Nightshade organization had a history of many years and had never broken a promise, Athena couldn't help feeling anxious seeing that Wales was late, leading her to make such a playful remark.
Seeing Athena recognizing Wales's identity, Howard was taken aback and upon closer inspection, he noticed that there was a blood-red wolf head emblem on Wales's black robe.
Clearly, the members of the Nightshade organization had their own ways of proving their identities.
"Miss, you jest. A mere S-level skill book is hardly enough to fill the stomach of this Ravenous Wolf," Wales responded, his voice calm, causing Howard to raise his eyebrows slightly.
Once they left Holy Abyss Academy, there was a noticeable change in Wales's demeanor and temperament.
Howard couldn't help but wonder if it was the presence of numerous powerhouses inside Holy Abyss Academy that had suppressed Wales, or if he was intentionally disguising himself.
Athena giggled, "As long as you can forge a perfect path for us, there might be an even more generous reward awaiting you. Of course, this is on the condition that the route must be completely unknown to the public, far away from cities, and away from human habitation."
Wales surveyed the luxurious convoy, speaking coldly, "Forgive my frankness, but with so many carriages, it is simply impossible to meet your requirements. Many mountain paths are hidden and treacherous; it's impossible for an entire line of carriages to pass through."
Athena nodded in agreement, smiling as she said, "I am well aware of that. Once we are out of the urban area, we will abandon the convoy and only keep one carriage. If there are places that we truly cannot pass through, then we will find another route. Don't worry, we are not in a hurry. As long as you can lead us back to Crimson Dragon City, the reward will be delivered into your hands."
She paused for a moment before adding, "In addition to that, you might even earn the friendship of the Lord of Crimson Dragon City and many other families."
Hearing Athena raise the stakes of the reward, Howard and Wales immediately realized that the item they were escorting must have a significant relationship with Crimson Dragon City.
Howard's gaze swept across the entire convoy, growing more astonished as he took it all in.
Among the mercenaries were shield bearers, warriors, archers; it was practically a perfect team setup, lacking only assassins.
What surprised Howard even more was that there were magical fluctuations emanating from the central carriage.
Unfortunately, it was wrapped in several layers of cloth, obscuring whatever was inside from view.
However, Howard was sure that the item they were about to escort was on that carriage.
"There's no need for that, I'll just take the previously agreed upon reward," Wales spoke calmly, "Additionally, when it comes to the route, you must follow my instructions."
"Rest assured, Lord Ravenous Wolf, we will certainly not meddle in professional matters," Athena responded respectfully, giving a slight bow, "Then for the upcoming journey, we will be in your care. Please, follow me!"
At the outset, there was no need for Wales to take action, and Athena led the two onto a carriage.
Under the cover of night, the massive convoy of hundreds of people slowly set off.
Almost the moment they started moving, numerous figures quietly followed behind the convoy.
Clearly, many had set their sights on this particular group.
Otherwise, why would Athena offer such a generous reward?
It was because they were being targeted by too many, and through normal channels, it would be absolutely impossible to safely reach Crimson Dragon City.
However, Adia City was still under the jurisdiction of the Alliance, so those people didn't dare to rob openly.
They could only follow behind, intending to make their move once the convoy entered the wilderness.
When Howard was jolted awake by deafening shouts and the clear sound of metal clashing in his dreams, he found Wales still with his eyes tightly shut.
Pulling back the carriage curtain to take a look, he saw flames shooting up into the sky.
The mercenaries and warriors responsible for guarding the convoy had already gone forward to meet the enemy.
Fully armed warriors and shield bearers with shields raised formed the front line.
Behind them were archers and magi, as sharp arrows rained down like a torrential downpour, striking the black-clothed individuals charging towards them.
Those who had come to seize their chance also belonged to some of the most reputable families within the Alliance, and naturally, they would not expose their identities.
The battle was intensely fierce.
The black-clothed individuals from different powers were now united as one, launching a ferocious assault.
Even as their comrades fell dead before them, they continued to charge forward with guttural roars.
Once they closed the distance, they unleashed their skills, their figures flashing like lightning as they charged straight to the frontline shield bearers, their weapons striking against the shields.
However, what greeted them were the warriors stationed behind the shield bearers, relentlessly thrusting their spears and pikes forward.
The sharp tips pierced into flesh and blood in an instant.
Even if it didn't kill these awakened beings, it still inflicted severe injuries, causing them to collapse one after another onto the ground.
As they fell, those behind them remained unaware, charging forward like moths to a flame, only to collapse once more.
In the chaos of battle, there's no room for careful consideration.
They trampled over the fallen, eliciting screams akin to those of a slaughtered pig.
Those who were already injured could not withstand such torment.
Some even suffered internal injuries so severe that they perished on the spot.
The pressure was indeed greater on those leading the offensive.
Yet, as the black-clothed individuals continued to flood forward relentlessly, Athena and her companions began to feel the strain.
It was at this moment that Athena, leading a group of a dozen or so magi, stepped forward.
They chanted ancient incantations, waving their wands as the searing Pyro converged from all directions.
Buzz--
In just a mere ten breaths' time, a colossal fireball, akin to the sun, hovered in the air.
"Sun of Scorching Flames, burn away all the darkness and evil in this world!"
Over a dozen magi simultaneously waved their wands, and in an instant, the immense fireball floated above the group of black-clothed individuals.
The scorching temperature soared and erupted, immediately setting the clothing of the numerous attackers ablaze.
"Ah!"
"Damn it, how can the temperature be so high?"
"Quick, get the clothes off!"
"It hurts so much..."
The flames spread rapidly.
Just as the black-clothed individuals began to attempt to remove their burning clothes, the flames had already reached their hands.
The searing pain flooding their minds elicited wails of agony as they fell to the ground, rolling around in a desperate attempt to extinguish the flames on their bodies.
However, they neglected the fact that the searing temperature originated from the colossal fireball above them.
As long as that fireball remained, there was no extinguishing the flames on their bodies.
Seeing this scene, Howard, on the carriage, couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
It wasn't that he was concerned about Athena and the others' safety; rather, he knew that if the defensive line was breached, they would be affected as well.
He understood the proverbial saying, "When the city gates catch fire, the fish in the moat suffer."
"No need to worry," Wales spoke calmly. "They departed so ostentatiously to draw out the snakes. They were fully prepared for this. If they suffer losses here, honestly, it's a good thing for us. We're here just to watch the show, and we can still get an S-level skill book and even participate in looting their treasures."
Raising his eyebrows in surprise, Howard asked, "Loot their treasures?"
Wales opened his eyes, speaking softly, "If they all die, our employment relationship with them naturally ends. Why shouldn't we loot their treasures? For a treasure that could attract so many contenders, could we easily give it up?"
Hearing this, Howard couldn't help but laugh, "From this perspective, we are actually the ones who stand to gain the most. Whether the escort mission is successful or not, we still reap the benefits."
"The prerequisite is that you must have enough strength," Wales looked meaningfully at Howard.
...
Just as Wales had predicted, once Athena led the magi into action, the outcome of the battle was predetermined.
With the Linking Magic dominating the space, the black-clad assailants would be scorched to death upon approach.
As for the notion of forcefully taking down the magi and causing them harm?
They couldn't even break through the first line of defense, making such an ambition nothing short of a fool's dream.
The black-clad individuals, initially testing the waters with their attack, quickly grasped the severity of the situation and chose to abandon their assault, leaving behind a field strewn with corpses.
Athena, not one to take things lightly, meticulously scanned the surroundings, ensuring that the group of assailants had indeed retreated.
Only then did she instruct the magi to cease their linked skill execution.
After soothing her companions and ensuring the priests attended to the healing of the shield bearers and warriors, Athena approached the carriage holding Howard and Wales.
With a sigh, she spoke, "Such battles will continue to happen frequently. I hope Lord Ravenous Wolf can carve out a path for us, one that avoids the attention of others."
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