[Chapter 50 Comment]
"This is called Inscription. I'm an Inscription Grandmaster before I'm a minister," Baold explained.
Theo pondered for a moment before asking, "Hoh? How does this Inscription work... if you don't mind sharing?"
"Well, while it might not be common knowledge, it has spread quite widely. I don't see any issue with sharing the basics with you," Baold replied. He pointed at the lines and continued, "We have been studying the flow of essence since ancient times."
Theo crouched down, examining the lines closely and noticing smaller lines within the larger ones. Baold had formed numerous intricate patterns when activating his power, indicating the difficulty involved.
Baold elaborated, "By using the blood of magical creatures, which has an affinity with essence, the energy can flow more smoothly. By drawing these patterns, you can create a barrier. Of course, there are basic patterns and a vast amount of knowledge required to form the lines. It's not something that can be understood with just a single glance."
"I see. It's certainly quite challenging," Theo agreed, recognizing the complexity of Inscription. Replicating it would require direct learning and practice. It appeared that this world had dedicated extensive research to the study of energy flow.
"Does that answer your question?" Baold inquired.
"Well, I definitely intend to explore this knowledge further, but I suppose it can wait," Theo chuckled.
"I can provide you with a few books on the subject as an additional reward," Baold offered.
"That sounds good enough," Theo agreed. Baold likely saw his previous boast as a form of assurance. With the white dragon's acknowledgment of Theo's power, it was clear that he possessed enough strength to reach the end of the ruin. Offering this knowledge as a bonus would help Theo focus on it rather than being distracted by the treasures within the ruin.
However, their peaceful journey was suddenly interrupted. While flying through the sky, a distant blue light caught their attention.
"!!!" Baold and Theo were the first to notice. The light raced straight toward their barrier and collided with it.
Boom! Roar!
The white dragon roared in pain as the explosion singed his scales and destabilized him.
"What's happening?!" The two students were startled, but they realized they were suspended in the air rather than being blown away.
Theo used his essence to create a rope that connected himself, the two students, and the dragon, keeping them together. Additionally, a barrier made of concentrated essence materialized next to Theo. Anticipating an attack, he had prepared an extra layer of defense.
Fortunately, the barrier held strong against the blast. Meanwhile, Baold stood on the other side of the barrier as the dragon adjusted its flight.
"Who dares to attack us?" Baold gritted his teeth, scanning the direction from which the light had come.
"What is this? Are we under attack? Do you have an enemy or something?" Theo asked, furrowing his brow. He attempted to locate the source of the attack, but it seemed they were being targeted from a significant distance away.
Baold didn't respond immediately. Instead, he examined the explosion and said, "Lushivar, how are you?"
"I'm fine. I'll return to my original flying position," Lushivar replied, rotating his body. "What is happening, my friend?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Baold replied, forming a few lines on his hands. When he clapped his hands, a large Inscription appeared outside the barrier. He positioned it in the direction of the previous attack as an additional defense. "I apologize, Mr. Theo and the two students. I am also puzzled by the situation, but for now, we must remain vigilant against another attack."
"That's true," Theo nodded, turning to his two students. "Are both of you alright?"
"Yes, Sir," they confirmed. Observing the situation, Haruka asked, "Should I send my friend to fly over there and investigate the cause?"
"Will it cause any problems for your friend?" Theo inquired.
"No," Haruka confirmed.
"Alright," Theo agreed.
As soon as they reached an understanding, Haruka sent her friend to investigate the direction from which the previous attack had come. She maintained her position, flying alongside the dragon. They remained on high alert, expecting another attack to strike.
After three minutes, Haruka relayed the information, "She says there is a giant gun located far away. It was so distant that we had difficulty seeing it from here."
Theo turned to Baold, seeking his knowledge on the matter. Baold looked pensive, struggling to recall, until he changed the term "gun."
"Wait a minute... Cannon... The Light Bead Cannon?!" Baold exclaimed.
"What is that?" Theo inquired.
"Just as the name implies, it's a cannon that accelerates and fires Light Beads as projectiles. As you witnessed earlier, it has a significant impact. The barrier we have is an incredibly powerful inscription, allowing it to withstand the impact. However, without a barrier, it could evaporate a portion of Lushivar's body. During wars, multiple cannons like these are often used to breach fortress barriers," Baold explained.
"Then, who would dare to employ such weapons?" Theo asked.
Baold hesitated before responding, "I..."
"We are currently under attack, and there is a possibility of further assaults. If you're unwilling to disclose the information, then we will have to abort the mission. I won't allow my students to become embroiled in a conflict the empire is facing," Theo asserted.
Baold sighed. "Are you familiar with our world's common enemies?"
"Magical creatures?" Theo guessed.
"While they could be classified as such, they have a specific name: Marei. After we discovered that the planet is round, we finally identified their origin. Are you familiar with the concept of a Hollow Planet?" Baold queried.
"Yes," Theo nodded without hesitation.
"Marei are believed to come from the other part of this planet. However, as essence originates from the planet's core, they possess more magical energy than the beings on the surface. Periodically, they emerge from the surface to attack us. In response, we have employed Inscription to disrupt the energy flow and prevent them from teleporting to specific areas," Baold explained.
"So, you're saying that the Marei are attacking us?" Theo confirmed.
"Yes. They are intelligent creatures, and their civilization has birthed numerous magical technologies that astound even us. The Light Bead Cannon is one of their inventions. If we don't want to be sniped again, we must turn around and strike them first," Baold declared.
Theo pondered the situation. It was frustrating, but they seemed to have no other choice. "Fine."
"Lushivar!" Baold called out.
"I understand," Lushivar acknowledged, altering their course to head directly towards the giant cannon.
As Haruka had mentioned, they spotted the colossal cannon. It stood about twenty meters tall, with a size akin to a mansion. What captured Theo's interest, however, was the massive crystal positioned at the back of the cannon's barrel, which appeared to concentrate the essence in the air. It was likely where the bullet was charged.
Additionally, they noticed several peculiar beings surrounding the giant cannon. Some resembled smaller dragons, but with faster flight and more powerful wing flaps. The essence emanating from their bodies was substantial.
"What is this..." Haruka gasped. "There must be around a thousand of them."
"They must be here to attack something. Are they waiting for us or merely spotting us from this location?" Avalon questioned, unsheathing his sword.
Theo observed the individual Marei. They resembled magical beasts but were stronger than any he had encountered before.
"With this number and the giant cannon, there must be a commander among them," Baold surmised, scanning the surroundings. "I will decimate them and destroy their cannon. That should be enough to make them retreat. Once we reach our destination, I will report this incident to the empire."
"Very well. I will assist you... because I'm rather annoyed," Theo sighed. "Come forth, Toon Carnival."
A sudden burst of essence erupted from Theo's body, creating a small shockwave in the vicinity. The Marei sensed the extraordinary power emanating from Theo and immediately turned their attention towards him, seeking to protect the cannon. Those capable of flight swiftly moved towards the dragon, while the cannon's barrel shifted as if preparing to fire.
"You better stop," Theo's expression turned cold. With a wave of his hand, the ground trembled beneath them, startling everyone present.
A pair of hands burst through the earth's surface, revealing a giant body. It was the same clown that had fought against the Supernatural Being in Haruka's world.
The Marei were shocked to see a colossal enemy emerge seemingly out of nowhere. They attempted to attack the clown, but he swiftly seized the cannon and bent it, rendering it useless. Despite being assaulted by multiple Marei, the clown vanished, having accomplished his task.
Amidst the chaos, Baold took advantage of the distraction and completed drawing his Inscription. A massive symbol composed of numerous intricate lines materialized above the dragon. It appeared as though it was formed by hundreds of giant lines, but Theo recognized that there were millions of smaller lines intricately forming the pattern.
"Seven Rank Inscription. Composite Bullet!" Baold exclaimed.
The symbol emitted a brilliant glow as essence began to converge in front of it. The turbulent flow of essence propelled it forward at high velocity.
A few Marei creatures attempted to intercept the blast, but upon impact, they disintegrated. However, before the projectile could reach the cannon, a small creature leaped into the air and punched the bullet. Their clash generated a powerful shockwave, effectively halting the extraordinary attack.
Once the dust settled, a small humanoid creature stood suspended in midair. It possessed red skin and a pair of black pupils. Theo could sense the creature's intelligence through its piercing gaze. Furthermore, he felt irritated to have become a target when he had no connection to the Marei in the first place.
Theo's illusions were so lifelike because he possessed actual knowledge and experience of their effects. Anyone who encountered Theo's illusions would experience the burning sensations and pain that they would likely feel in reality.
This was due to Theo using his own abilities to create and endure such experiences. In fact, Theo had subjected himself to self-inflicted burns, torture, and death in countless ways, from fatal stabbings to lightning-induced demise.
Mia had heard from her mother that Theo indirectly caused the deaths of ten billion people, but she was unaware that her father had subjected himself to millions of self-inflicted deaths.
The accumulation of the sensations of death and the intent to kill during those experiences was immense. Now, Theo unleashed that accumulated killing intent in one swift release.
The overwhelming killing intent caused the temperature to plummet instantly. The sky darkened, resembling an eclipse.
The Marei sensed this killing intent, feeling as though a king was looking down upon mere commoners, ready to exterminate them. Meanwhile, both of Theo's students were overwhelmed by the intensity of his killing intent, dropping to their knees and struggling to breathe.
Lushivar had previously confirmed that his soul was integrated with Theo's, allowing him to tap into the killing intent he possessed from his original world. It felt as though Death itself had descended upon the world.