The ongoing battle between Gazel and Ophelia had yet to end.
Still, it was heartening to see Gertrude, Polpe, Elena, and Kylian working tirelessly to provide aid to the wounded seeking refuge in their shelter.
What's more impressive is how Black Trinity has played their cards right by casting a [Magic Jamming Barrier] that has effectively neutralized basic magical attributes. But other attributes like darkness and light can still function uninterrupted.
Elena possessed the rare magic attribute of [Light Magic], which she used to create a barrier around the academy in the western region. This barrier made the academy a safe zone for students and townsfolk. Currently, she was using her [Light Magic] to heal critical wounds while non-magical methods were being used for less critical wounds.
There was so much to go over, and so little time.
No one was available to go after Zaratros. Communications were down seeing as all communication crystals were deactivated by the barrier that interrupted the magicube efficiency of people. Only rare magical phenomena could function here.
Good examples would be: Holy Treasures, Primordial elements and its subcategories. Beside those with rare magical affinities, the demons and members of Black Trinity were completely unaffected which only made sense.
They wouldn't proceed with such a plan if it acted as a double-edged sword.
...
On the outskirts of Rivendell, a large group of over one hundred hired dark mages stood in unison, chanting incantations to maintain the barrier's strength. Their purpose was to ensure the success of the Black Trinity, as directed by the head of the Black Pendant guild.
The potency of the barrier could only be broken if a sufficient number of mages were able to overpower the influence of this many dark mages.
...
• Bluemond Plain Fields
The Bluemond plain fields outside Rivendell were the site of a fierce battle that had reached its climax. These fields connected Rivendell City and Glinforst City, which was the hometown of Nyx Besimios.
Vania watched from the shade of a nearby tree as her loyal servant, Azagoth, effortlessly defeated an entire army of knights who had arrived to help quell the chaos. Despite their numbers, the forty knights were no match for Azagoth's skill and were quickly defeated.
"Humans of this Era are so annoyingly weak.."
It was unlike Azagoth not to make fun of his opponents. So him being cocky by saying that was relatively normal even when he was alive.
"Are you done having your fun, Azagoth?" Vania asked him from where she sat.
The reason for their presence here was clear. While fighting the knights was an unexpected obstacle, it was not their primary objective. They were simply a bonus.
The strength of the knights paled in comparison to the Espada, who were the undisputed masters of [Sword Magic]. Every Espada was known to possess a [Unique Skill], a testament to their elite status.
"At this point I'm quite bored, I'll finish them off so you can place the magic circle my beautiful goddess.." Azagoth and his unending honorifics when referring to Vania.
He extended his right arm, ready to eradicate them. Azagoth was merciless, not even the defeated presence of his adversaries could satiate him. He desired their reduction to dust, as that was the only appropriate punishment, particularly for a much weaker human specimen.
"I'll crush them to dust.." in his hand he manifested his halberd. It went by the name [Crusher] seemingly that was his favorite word.
It was a large double-sided spear for combat, one end resembling a drill-like spear and the opposite end was shaped like an axe blade. His skill in wielding it is exceptional, as he has demonstrated an array of fatal and highly destructive techniques with it.
In his time as a general that is.
"Die you plebians!"
Azagoth's halberd was poised to strike the earth, unleashing a devastating shockwave upon his enemies.
However, before he could make his move, Lync's lightning-fast reflexes allowed him to sever Azagoth's forearm with a swift gust of wind. In the same moment, Lync delivered a powerful kick to the back of Azagoth's neck, shattering his skull and sending him hurtling forward.
Despite Azagoth's strength, he was no match for Lync's speed and precision.
In actuality, Lync's attacks were only avoided by Nyx and Fushu. His sword techniques, which utilized the [Thunder God Style], were too much for all other opponents.
This style emphasized speed and one-hit takedowns, making it difficult for those who were slower or unfamiliar with the style to defend against. In such a situation, one would need to be even faster or abandon the battle.
"Behind me!'
Azagoth swiftly turned and reattached his right arm, delivering a powerful punch to Lync's abdomen with his left hand. Lync attempted to intercept the blow by crossing his hands, but Azagoth's immense physical strength overpowered him, sending him flying backwards.
Lync managed to regain his footing by using his feet for traction, preventing himself from rolling on the ground in a humiliating display.
They were five meters apart.
Lync employed the advanced technique of the [Thunder God Style] known as the [Velocity Charge]. This technique is a slower version of the original attack created by Thunder God Dendrosa Storm. The blade is swung at a speed beyond the sound barrier, resulting in no sound being left behind.
He moved with incredible speed, catching Azagoth off guard. Their weapons clashed in a loud clang, causing a burst of wind from the impact. Despite the speed, Azagoth was able to react quickly and stop the attack with great force.
They were in a tug of war with their armaments as they stare at each other in close proximity.
"You're quite the fighter!" Azagoth complimented his adversary.
But said adversary did not take his words to heart. He cared less what Azagoth thought of him and was mainly focused on ensuring he defeated him.
He swiftly pulled back and spun like a tornado, unleashing his sword. With five quick horizontal slashes, he carved into Azagoth's upper body, causing black blood to spray out in all directions.
"Try again!" said Azagoth.
The deep cuts carved into his body closed instantly, and on Lync realizing this he was caught by surprise. He was repelled into a stone wall as a result of a punch that was thrown into his gut like a torpedo.
"Very impressive fighting, that's the Thunder God Style if I'm not mistaken.."
Being a General in his time, Azagoth learnt many techniques and it was one of them. But he never really got the chance to use it to its fullest potential because he wanted to be versatile. A jack of all trades, versed in many but master of none.
The [Thunder God Style] is a swordsmanship technique that prioritizes speed and aggression, with the belief that the first strike is the key to victory. Practitioners of this style often exhibit short-tempered and belligerent behavior. To maintain quick reflexes, heavy armor is discouraged, and light clothing is preferred for maximum mobility.
The [Thunder God Style] philosophy emphasizes defeating the enemy with a single blow, but this leaves practitioners lacking in defense and counter-attack skills. As a result, they struggle against [Counter God Style] practitioners who excel in defense and countering. However, [Thunder God Style] can overpower [Sky Lord Style] practitioners who heavily rely on dexterity in combat.
All Azagoth had to do to match Lync was, to better his reaction time and make use of the [Counter God Style] as easy as pie.
...
The other members of Lyncʼs party arrived. Berla focused on attending to Lync, "Are you okay Captain!" she was used to referring to him formally, much different from Dvena who'd call him "Boss."
Beltin, Dvena, Yugta were also present and ready to give it their all. All this while they'd been trying to contact Nyx but he hadn't responded.
"We've been trying to contact that bastard and he's been avoiding us like the plague.." said Beltin, he had a sharp mouth so it was expected that he'd utter his thoughts from time to time.
"He must have his reasons.." Yugta said, he remained calm. For someone like Nyx who defeated him in a short two seconds, he had to give him some respect.
A sigh exited Belitn's mouth, "A reason? We're the ones who have to save his crappy City now."
While the two went back and forth, Azagoth was trying to get a word in, "Hey gu... I a... Can you lis..." but the two were so absorbed by conversing with each other.
Vania laughed at the scene. She found it pleasantly amusing. Azagoth tried to introduce himself and they acted like he wasn't even there.
"Focus boys!" Dvena intervened, "We can focus on Nyx later, but for now we should focus on the main issue now!" her words were effective as it did get them to forget their initial argument and focus on the battle.
The General cleared his throat, now that there was a lull he could speak "Ahem. My name is Azagoth, the Mountain Crusher and th.."
He was interrupted again, by Beltin who said "Uh, yeah we don't really care.." all he wanted to do at the time was dish out some pain.
"Wow, it's like they're not even afraid of you Azagoth.. I'm disappointed, maybe I should've taken Caspian with me." Vania was blunt with her words.
The man felt immense pain as the woman he admired expressed her disappointment in him. He was determined to prove himself and show his superiority over the insignificant creatures that had caused her disappointment. He planned to fight them to establish his dominance and make it clear that he was on a different level altogether.
"You disgraced me in front of milady... how dare you?!"
Manipulative as always. Vania saw Azagoth as nothing more than a pet golden retriever who obeyed her every command. She believed that to motivate him to fight, she had to make him feel her disappointment, even though she was always disappointed in him.
Another battle erupts in the Bluemond plain fields. What will be the outcome?