"You can use this to cast your spell."
"This…"
Everyone's eyes widened a little as their acting Sect Master presented a familiar item covered in cloth. It was a beautiful spherical pearl-like object that shimmered between translucency and opaque. When it became translucent, one could vaguely see patterns inside the pearl resembling clouds and the blue sky. It was very light, weightless enough that one might not think they were not holding anything at all. This, combined with its near-transparent state, might have people wonder if it was trying to fly away. However, that was its original appearance. What should have depicted a cloudy sky was beginning to fade into grey. What should have been a perfect sphere was fractured down the middle, splitting it in half. Moreover, the once awe-inspiring aura it once possessed was laced with death like a dying man struggling for his last breath. This was the famed trump card artifact of the Featherwind Sect, the Lesser Monarch Grade Featherwind Pearl!
"I guess I should call it Superior Noble Grade now," Elder Argo sighed.
After splitting, its power also went with it. Although the five birds were upset, this might have been a blessing in disguise. There was no greater irony than possessing a treasure that one should not have. Instead of bringing fortune, it would bring misfortune. If it attracted the greed of a Rank 3 King, they would come to rob the treasure and kill any interference. The five birds could be killed before they knew it. Not to mention, a Monarch Grade artifact was termed precisely because it required a Rank 3 King to use. Under certain circumstances, a Half-Rank 3 King could use it too such as during the battle of the Featherwind Sect, but that was difficult to reproduce. There was no way that the five birds, weakened from their backlashes, could fulfill the greedy needs of the Featherwind Pearl. Having the Lesser Monarch Grade Featherwind Pearl drop to Superior Noble Grade meant that they could use it boldly without fearing the consequences.
"Very well…"
Elder Terus picked up one of the splinters and held it in front of him. His aura abruptly surged, causing World Energy to condense around him in faint rainbow-colored droplets. He held his wings together, as if they were human hands, as two Magic Circles manifested in his palms. A third Magic Circle blossomed in the vast sky above Liguang, while a fourth traced the ground around Liguang. Thanks to Elder Ludin's interference, no one noticed the colorful commotion. Elder Terus continued channeling his Magic Energy as droplets of energy formed between Elder Terus's hands in the semblance of a starry sky. Using a splinter of the Featherwind Pearl like this seemed like a bit of a waste, but the bird carried on. The splinter shattered into fine dust, bringing with it a huge infusion of Magic Energy. The spell spurred on like a lethargic animal injected with energy. Bloodline Ability: Starry Caged Sky activate, its target Liguang!
***
Elizabeth rode her personal carriage in a large military procession down the streets of Liguang. The Royal Guards and the Ten Dawns flanked her on either side, while Sir Winstin manned the helm. Accompanied by hundreds of other soldiers, she was at the center of a moving fortress! Seeing the dark streets, without a light or soul in sight, it filled her with dread. She felt like a lonely boat in the middle of a vast and empty ocean. It was creepy and spurred her fears on like any shadow could come out and attack her. Her hands gripped her bow tightly enough that the whites of her fingers showed. Anyone could tell she was shaken. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her tense nerves. If a battle broke out with her mental state, then it would only end poorly for her. It was crucial that she maintained a somewhat relaxed attitude to prepare for anything.
She peeled her gaze from the window and reflected. According to their intelligence, the Phoenix, Qilin, and Kun Divisions were preparing to attack Liguang. Their best window of opportunity was now since everyone was separated and unprepared. Then, to pressure them into attacking prematurely, General Dennis and the Alzar Kingdom made this bold move of regrouping with the Steel Eagle Brigade. The main army located far away was also beginning to move in their direction as planned. Furthermore, the Li Family would sense their movements, and in all likelihood, do the same as them. Thus, the Imperial Council's forces would have no choice, but to attack with inadequate preparations. Of course, they had the option to retreat, since their objective of ruining the negotiations was successful, but that was fine with Elizabeth too. The Alzar Kingdom did not need the Li Family nearly as much as they needed the kingdom, and no one would die unnecessarily. It could be considered a slight win.
Unfortunately, the chances of them attacking are more than seven-to-three… Elizabeth thought wryly. She continued thinking, Their forces went through an earth-shattering transformation, but the details are somewhat vague. Apparently, there are many more Perception Realms among them. Could it be the work of the Featherwind Sect? That makes sense. That said, it would still be in their best interests to keep us separated. How are they going to respond?
"What's the matter, Shirley?" Elizabeth asked, noticing the abnormal expression on her friend.
"It's strange, but we should have left Liguang already. Why is it taking much longer than before?"
"Now that you mention it… Are we taking a different path?"
Freon's brow furrowed. "I didn't feel the carriage changing directions, so we must have been moving in a straight line. This town isn't that big, and we've been moving at our top speed. Something is wrong here."
"This must be the Imperial Council's trap!" Benedict shouted. "Elizabeth!"
The girl nodded in response and rang the bell near the window, prompting a mounted messenger to rush up. "Have the convoy on maximum alert. The enemy has likely made their move already and will be attacking soon. Prepare for an enemy ambush. Also, inform the Royal Guards and Ten Dawns that there may be something wrong with the convoy's route. Confirm that this is the correct route out of Liguang."
"Understood, Your Highness," the man said.
After he left, the convoy skidded to a halt, jostling everyone inside the carriage. Elizabeth and Shirley were thrown forward, while Benedict and Freon received a heavy whiplash, making everyone curse a little. Thankfully, there was no harm, but they were not happy about it either.
Just as they were about to voice their complaints, Benedict whispered, "Is it an enemy attack?" Like magic, everyone simmered down and grew serious, their hands hovering around their weapons as they regained their balance.
"It's too quiet," Freon murmured. "What's happening outside?"
Shirley closed her eyes and activated Mock Perception. Her sense of touch amplified to extraordinary levels, enough to feel the minute vibrations of the air and ground. After a short moment, she looked confused. "There doesn't seem to be any enemies nearby, or the signs of an ambush. It feels like… we stopped for no reason?"
"Let me take a look," Benedict volunteered boldly.
He decided to open the carriage doors with his sword drawn, ready for anything. When he finally stepped out and joined the soldiers outside though, he grew dumbfounded. There was a stupid expression on his face, as though he could not believe the sight before his eyes. Upon seeing this, Elizabeth, Shirley, and Freon followed him, and when they realized why the convoy stopped, they also became confused. What should have been the outskirts of Liguang was the central manor of Liguang instead. In other words, they returned to their departure point! But as Freon pointed out, they moved in a straight line since they left. From start to finish, it was a straight road with no curves nor bends. Yet, they managed to loop back around? How was that possible? It was no wonder the convoy stopped in disbelief.
Did they shuffle the buildings around? No, don't be ridiculous, Elizabeth thought to herself. There's no way that the convoy could be led astray by a traitor unless they could fool everyone. But Sir Winstin and the other Royal Guards are present. It would be extremely hard to pull a trick like this without them knowing. In that case… this is…
"Your Highness, I'm glad that you're safe," General Dennis rode up on horseback.
"Spare me the pleasantries. What's the situation?"
"Our scouts reported that the buildings and streets in front of us are not illusionary. Furthermore, they have reason to believe that it is the same building that we departed from."
"What did the Ten Dawns and Arcanists say about this? This should be the work of a grand spell."
"Reporting to Your Highness," Ten Dawn Yvonne walked up with her partner, Ten Dawn Rosemary. "This should be a large-scale beguilement Magic Array, which inverts directions for everyone inside, thus trapping them in the center of the spell. Considering the scale and scope of the spell involved… Pardon my saying so, Your Highness, but this should be a spell from the Featherwind Sect."
"That was to be expected," Elizabeth exhaled deeply. Memories of the battle of the Maelstrom Gulf welled up in her. Should a spell of that calibre be unleashed again, she had little confidence in stopping it like before. It was the perfect weapon for the Imperial Council, a total massacre!
"Can your Arcanists break it?" General Dennis asked the Ten Dawns with a stern gaze. Previously, when the Alzar fleet was trapped by a barrier, the Arcanists failed to do anything of note against it. Since then, they made appropriate preparations to prevent another case like that happening again, but preparations were preparations in the end. Whether or not it could work in practice was another matter entirely.
"Rest assured," Ten Dawn Yvonne replied confidently. "Please give us some time."