Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 41 (Part 2)
On the day they were branded with the slave mark, they were told that all the slave rods would be gathered and taken to the palace. Cory believed that without question because it was said by a committee member.
But thinking about it now, it didn’t make sense.
Slave rods could decide a slave’s life or death. Because of one small rod, a slave would jump into the fire or willingly become a shield in a deadly battle.
If the palace had the slave rods, it could control all the trainees here. The committee couldn’t have made the special forces an independent force in the first place.
“Even if you don’t know the exact location, just a rough idea would be helpful. I can find the rest myself.”
“Hmm, who should I monitor?”
“The instructors wouldn’t know. Instructor Serion firmly believed the slave rods were in the palace.”
Rodin had tried to probe Instructor Serion several times during classes. He seemed completely unaware that the committee had the slave rods.
Moreover, when the first generation was pulled out and the special forces gained independent decision-making power, he doubted its feasibility.
He questioned how the committee could command the trainees freely when the palace held the means to control them.
“Then the committee? I’ll investigate for a few days. I can’t get too close. I’ll watch from a distance. Understand?”
“I understand. The committee members are higher level than you. Leave quickly. It’s time for the instructors to move.”
“Okay. See you later, Rodin. I’ll definitely find the slave rods.”
“Don’t overdo it. Never get caught.”
Cory quickly disappeared, heading toward the mountain where he had trained in wind attributes.
‘Ten mana stones… One would have been enough, but he gave so many. What can I make with these?’
With pleasant thoughts, Rodin headed to the Advanced Library 3 by the lakeside.
He exchanged light greetings with the assistants guarding the entrance and went inside.
* * *
Following from behind was difficult. It was hard to know exactly how far they were from the group led by Count Bahas ahead.
They believed they were maintaining a 20-minute distance, but it could be more or less.
Worried about getting too close and being noticed by Count Bahas, Deputy Leader Cliff slowed their pace.
They rested before sunset and departed a little later in the morning.
“Aren’t we too late?”
“It’s better to be late than for Count Bahas to notice us. Trust in the main force. With the skills of the commander and the royal guard, they can win without us.”
The shadows grew shorter. When the sun was directly overhead, Deputy Leader Cliff looked back at the group.
“Let’s run now. Hiyah!”
“Hiyah!”
Everyone spurred their horses. The slow-moving horses quickly picked up speed.
They ran wildly for a few minutes. Faint sounds of weapons clashing could be heard from ahead. And then.
Boom!
With a loud noise, the ground shook slightly. It was the sound of a mage’s magic exploding.
“The battle isn’t over. We rush in to help our allies. Hah!”
“Hiyah!”
The horses ran even faster. Now they could see not only the sounds but also something moving in the distance.
“I see them!”
“We join immediately. Daren, you handle the mage.”
“Yes.”
They arrived at the battle scene.
In the left corner, Count Preiss, the commander of the royal guard, was fiercely dueling with Count Bahas.
On the opposite side, knights were taking turns trying to get close to the mage Weidman.
“Let’s deal with the mage first, Lant.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Hedler and Lant moved to the right.
A quick glance at the battle showed that the only problem was the 6th-circle mage, Weidman.
Count Preiss was slightly being pushed back, but it wasn’t a fight that would end quickly. They could handle other parts first without causing issues.
In the center, the knights were overwhelmingly pushing the enemy. The numerical difference was so great that victory was assured even if left alone.
On the other hand, on the right where Weidman was fighting, there were already casualties on their side. Several knights, likely hit by magic, had burns all over their bodies and were out of the battle.
‘Even the instructors are hurt.’
Three instructors moved with the trainees, and all of them were injured and had retreated, clutching their wounds. Though not seriously injured, they were too hurt to rejoin the battle.
“Haah!”
Lant jumped off his horse and charged at Weidman, already holding a shield he had taken from his horse.
Hedler followed closely behind Lant, using his large frame and shield to cover himself.
“Shockwave!”
Weidman, who seemed to retreat, used magic. A large shockwave swept the front.
The knights fell back. Some tried to endure, but they couldn’t advance.
“Hold on!”
Lant planted his shield in the ground and braced himself. Hedler put his weight behind it.
“Just hold on a bit. I’ll rod a sword in him.”
“I’ll hold.”
The shockwave lasted about two minutes. The area became a mess from the magic.
But Lant endured. His innate strength and Tier 4 ability sustained him against the 5th-circle magic.
“Go!”
“Run!”
As soon as the shockwave’s force dissipated, Lant charged forward.
He was only a few steps away from Weidman when the mage cast another spell.
“Humph. Blink.”
Weidman, who was right in front of them, disappeared. He reappeared far behind his original position.
“Damn it!”
“Form a perimeter!”
“Blink’s range is short.”
“Huh!”
The knights shouted to boost morale. Lant also roared and ran toward Weidman again.
‘Hmm.’
Hedler read exhaustion on Weidman’s face. He seemed completely worn out, forcing himself to use magic.