[Island of Bones, Dwarven Mountains Underground Level 5]
The waves of spells that hit Sheila was just the beginning, months on the battlefield having consolidated the fighting formation of the crimson clan trio.
The waves of spells were actually a cover to allow Jorg, who was unmatched in close combat, to cross the distance. The wall of flames was a powerful defensive spell, but it also happened to obstruct their visions on the enemy, which was also a factor behind Sheila's injury, as she did not have enough time to dodge the fast rotating blood arrow spell cast by Lewis.
A huge lizardman charged through the wall of fire, using his powerful elemental shield to only get slightly grazed from the temperature, his natural physique also allowing him to ignore part of the damage.
Unprepared, the acolyte Edwin was taken aback and stumbled.
Jorg did not hesitate, and raised his hammer.
*CRASH*
The huge blow hit Edwin's body perfectly on his torso, sending him crashing onto the nearest wall. Sounds of bone getting crushed reverberated in the eerie silence of the dwarven mountain underground, quickly followed by a *thud* sound and agonizing scream.
Just like that, an elite beginner rank acolyte had been taken out of the fight.
The force of the hit, the momentum from the charge, in addition to the skilled mastery of a body refinement acolyte who had nearly two decades of experience in the Magical Court, all contributed to Jorg's swift and quick actions. His decisiveness, too, was a remnder that his fame in the Magical Court was not unfounded.
'This quick decision...To think the spells cast earlier were merely a diversion for the enemy...', Vanessa analysed
[Shadow Dance]
Without hesitating, Vanessa quickly cast her spell, to avoid the incoming two [Blood arrows] coming her way.
If it were not for her high agility, she would have been taken out in the same way.
'Dangerous', Vanessa analysed as one of the arrows still grazed her and inflicted unusual bleeding
Meanwhile, Orianna had engaged in close combat with Sheila, both of them using daggers.
'Looks like I am up against three fearsome opponents', Vanessa analysed quickly before taking out a potion and crashing it on the ground, 'If you cannot beat your enemies, you'd better run'
[Shadow Spear]
Casting two shadow spears, one targeted at Raon and the other at Lewis, she hoped to buy herself some time.
[Blood Shield]
Unfortunately for Raon, Lewis prioritized his own life over that of his companion.
The clay golem being too slow to react, Raon looked in disbelief towards Lewis, who had an apathetic look on his face as he saw the spear kill him. The shadow spear had pierced Raon's heart, and it was only a matter of time before he would die.
"Why...", Raon muttered, "Why not protect me?"
Lewis smirked.
Though it was a setback for Raon to die, he would have had to die in any case. In the end, Raon did not belong to the crimson clan, but to the Arcane Faction. Sending golem masters to reinforce the Crimson Clan's position was a way for the arcane faction to evaluate the strength of their faction, and get information on each one of their members. Though it was a costly investment to spy on them, it was a calculated risk since they owed such a huge debt to the Blue Wolf Mercenary.
Any loss of golem master would just result in compensations.
By doing so, Elder Kayle, the leader of the arcane faction, had skillfully manipulated the battlefield, allowing to get rid of a debt towards a hostile faction he had overpowered, and bind a combat faction with loads of debts. This was also because of this very reason that the Arcane Faction did not spare any resource upon supporting the Crimon Castle's construction, a project that costed in the thousands of magic crystals in raw materials alone.
In such a high-intensity battle, the death of a golem master would not be uncommon, as surviving was already a huge achievement in itself.