"Turn to 10 o'clock. Focus your Spells there!"
I shouted to the Wizards surrounding me. With the almost never-ending enemies who were all trying to scale up the walls, I took up command for a small part of Wizards that were encompassed by the Domain of Valor.
Though it's not as effective if it was used by my real body, it's enough to strengthen them to close the gap made by the pseudo-empowered Corrupted. Well, it's now pseudo because of my recent verification of how the Corruption works.
Reinys was next to me as part of the group of Wizards surrounding me. We're behind Zerina and Caila who each took command of a group of Knights to defend and hold the walls and to serve as shields for us. With them at the front, the Wizards would bombard enemies with their spells. Noelle was further at the back along with the other Priest as they kept on casting Blessings on us.
It's been 10 minutes since the Door of Transcendence appeared and Yuko was still up there, trying to break it open. Though her attacks were not as flashy as the others. Each hit of her saber was chipping a small part of that door.
This knocking on the Door of Transcendence looked like that one mini-game from that fighting game where you have to break down a car by punching, kicking or anything your chosen character could do. You get more bonus points if you manage to break it before the time is up. Luckily that door didn't have that kind of limitation.
As more and more damage accumulated, the door seemingly started to break down, however, it's also trying to restore itself.
When she noticed that, Yuko increased her speed and used more Spells and Skills in a bid to keep it from restoring itself.
"Reinys, use a Level 4 Spell there."
"… There? Alright."
Though a bit reluctant since there's nothing to be seen at the spot where I pointed at, Reinys still followed my instruction.
I sensed something was approaching Yuko from the sky. With how chaotic the place was, I didn't have the time to explain it to her.
Reinys raised her staff and pointed it there, after accumulating a huge amount of World Energy on its tip, it was released and hovered above the spot I pointed at.
"Firestorm!"
As soon as she shouted the name of the Spell, the hovering accumulated World Energy expanded and ignited itself as fireballs started raining down from above. When those fireballs hit the spot I pointed at, a group of Dark Soldiers appeared and immediately spread out to dodge it. However, some of them failed to dodge and were immediately consumed by the raging fire. They flail at first to shake the fire off but most of them failed to do so as they started to burn further and plunged down from the sky.
"H-how did you know?"
Surprised that there were Dark Soldiers there, Reinys stuttered.
"Just a hunch."
Even as an Incarnation, I'm still sensitive to the flow of energy. Looks like that group of Dark Soldiers used an ability that could conceal them but it's not as fancy as the Orb of Concealment. Also, it's surely lower leveled than Erin's Shadow Concealment.
Upon hearing my answer, Reinys hissed.
"Hmph, what a show-off."
What show-off? I answered her question honestly…
This girl... She's still the same Reinys, eh?
"I am stronger now, Reinys. When will you warm up to me?"
"How about never?"
"Haa. At least you're back to your old self. I'm counting on you to help Yuko and Zerina more, Reinys."
Well, it wasn't as harsh as before. I guess she already changed just that she's now too stubborn to admit it.
In any case, now that she's back, Yuko's trusted party is complete again.
Apart from Zerina who's still catching up from behind them, Reinys, Noelle and Caila were already Master-class now.
Caila was promoted as a Master Knight on her Knight Order, she was supposed to be moved to create another branch somewhere but due to her being a part of the Hero's Party, they let her stay unburdened by duties while granting her benefits. If I have to guess, she's already the strongest in her Knight Order.
Noelle was the same, she's already an Archbishop and was a candidate to be the next Pope. The World Church has asked her to come back but she refused, telling them her place was to accompany the Hero. Well, their faith was just based on the World's Will so they really couldn't restrain her. Instead, just like Caila, she was granted the highest benefits. She also told me she could get me the Blessings that I need.
Knowing the nature of the skills here in this world, Skills and Spells somehow lost its charm to me. Though Flash Step and Air Bullet were still the most convenient skills that I have, learning higher Spells and Skills that have higher cooldown time wasn't that appealing anymore. Blessings, on the other hand, were something I really want to get. Through Noelle, I will finally be able to get my hands on it.
And Reinys, even if she left the Hero's Party due to her brother, she still continued to train herself and being a Princess, she has access to the resources even without joining a Wizard Association.
"Just shut up and instruct us. What's next?"
… How could I instruct you if I shut up? This princess.
Ah. Let's just ignore it.
"Alright. Suppress those. The defenders on that part need a little breather."
I pointed at the left side of the wall where a Knight Champion from one of the small kingdoms was leading a group of knights which probably members of his own Knight Order.
Those were mostly Adept Knights and only he reached the upper ranks of a Great Knight. Though he's just a Great Knight, his strength could exert the might of a Master Knight which led to him becoming a Champion.
However, in a large scale of a battle like this and being in a defensive position, he couldn't show all his prowess which led to them being overwhelmed by seemingly unending enemies consisting of both Dark Soldiers and Corrupted.
The Domain of Valor was fully opened but I have to limit its use. My supply of energy wasn't unending in this Incarnation and I couldn't absorb the World Energy here. However, I could control it at some degree to turn it as fuel for Spells or Skills instead of using up my Flux Energy reserves.
"The Door is about to break!"
Someone shouted and that took my attention to look up at Yuko again.
The Door of Transcendence that was continuously being hit by her has already been chipped away to the degree that a hole was already made to its surface.
Another burst of Spells and Skills from her, the archaic door issued loud cracking sounds as if broke down and fell upon the spot.
After that, the debris made from it was magically swept away by the sudden wind which let it rain down on the spot outside the fortress, stabbing the Dark Soldiers and Corrupted that were currently marching forward.
I don't know where that wind came from but I guess it's a help from the Door of Transcendence itself?
After those stabbed or crushed by debris died, it also vanished just like how it suddenly materialized earlier. It's not a real object after all, as to what it was made from, I have no way to know at the moment.
What's next? Though Nysia kept on giving tips, she didn't really detail the actual process of Transcendence. She says that after the Door, everything will be different for everyone.
"Hey, focus, they're coming."
Reinys' voice reminded me. Up above, Yuko was watching warily at the now opened door as she slowly approached it. What's inside the door couldn't be seen properly, however, she needed to enter it to complete her Transcendence.
Seeing her confidently fly straight to it, I returned my focus on what's in front of us, a group of Dark Soldiers and Corrupted were approaching us atop something like a siege tower. Judging from their strength, most of them were at Master-class or Rank 4 Mortals.
Among the troops around me, only the Hero's Party Members have that strength; at best there's a Great-class.
"Reinys. I'll take the front with Caila and Zerina. Take command in my place and provide us with support."
"Huh? Wait! Zerina is there. She's already stronger than us."
"I know, that's why I'm going to her. To support her."
Well, I'm grateful to the people fighting with us but I prioritize my Companions' safety. I would be relieved if I was there with her. Besides Reinys has the talent to lead, she just didn't want to. Putting her in that situation now, she had no choice but to do it.
Without waiting for Reinys' reply, I jumped overhead to land next to Zerina who's currently readying herself. The ancient noble lineage of her mother changed her system to a unique one called Runeknight System.
Ah. Maybe it's not really unique since anyone with the same bloodline could inherit it. Though it wasn't as overpowered as our system, it gave her access to runic enhancements she could employ in her Skills and equipment.
In a way it's like a Magic Swordsman or a combination of a Knight and a Wizard in this world just that her Spells didn't need to be cast but to be written in runic letters before imbuing it to her Skills. The system gave her knowledge about it so even if she's a complete novice, she could utilize it completely. Those Runes gave her the boost in strength to catch up to Caila.
As soon as I landed next to them, the two noticed me. Caila just nodded at me as if she already expected me to come while Zerina was overjoyed that if we're not on a battlefield, she would probably jump into my arms and make herself comfortable in it.
I looked around and picked a dropped sword, I didn't bring a weapon after all.
Before turning all my focus to the incoming enemies, I checked Yuko's status and saw that she was being blocked by creatures that were continuously marching out of the gate. However, using her Foresight, she waded through the creatures at ease while only killing those who were blocking her way in.
It looks way too easy for her. Now I wonder if I could do the same when it's my turn.
Due to that, it's not even 2 minutes and she already successfully entered the Door.
As soon as she stepped her first foot in, the creatures that have just been trying to block her way vanished completely.
Also, the enemies approaching us have finally arrived and like a common villain, the one in front of the enemies made a senseless speech that could be summarized as, 'Die.'
Haa… Really?
I don't know, upon seeing a Transcendent like Nysia fight, these guys seem too weak for me now.
Well, there's no way I will be complacent so having Zerina at the lead, the three of us jumped and engaged them in battle.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om