Never engage in battle with a mage inside their tower, unless you are launching a surprise attack.
This is a well-known principle, but life is rarely as one desires.
Much like now—once the battle has begun, there is no turning back.
The castle's magical defense system has been fully activated. Countless corrosive energies shoot out from within, raining down on the enemy forces like artillery.
Mere mortals cannot withstand such magical power; even the slightest contact will reduce them to bones.
However, the Paladin and the Light Priest are unaffected. The tyrannical anti-magic field nullifies all magic the moment it enters the aura, making them effectively immune for the duration of the field.
Unless one can cast god-level spells, breaking through the anti-magic field is impossible.
It is at this moment that the true difference between a fake legend and a real legend becomes apparent.
Every true legend is a demigod, having surpassed mortality and wielding a fragment of divine power.
Under normal circumstances, the legendary lich Amberxiu could use a spell infused with divine power to teach these young nobles from the Ryan Empire a lesson in humility.
But after abandoning the Path of Divination, Amberxiu has no spells capable of reaching the demigod level. In the face of this anti-magic field, all he can do is avoid it. Fortunately, the spell is being cast via a scroll, and all he must do is wait for the effect to wear off.
Typically, such scrolls last only a minute or two.
Amberxiu's relaxed demeanor contrasts sharply with the enemy's panic.
Harvey dodges left and right amidst the storm of corrosive energy, relying on his keen instincts to survive until the first barrage of magic concludes.
Though unscathed, Harvey is drenched in sweat. A slight misstep would have turned him into a pile of bones. The meager magic of a mage apprentice couldn't shield him from such potent attacks.
Behind him, the porcupine knights have also managed to survive, but three of the lords who joined him in the assault on the lich are dead, their bodies and horses turned to bone by the corrosive magic.
Other soldiers have suffered even heavier losses, with over two hundred dead on the spot. The few survivors are few because the magic was so overwhelming that even a glancing touch would have been fatal.
Amidst the carnage, Harvey cannot help but think, *Why provoke him in the first place?*
In the end, they had underestimated the lich's power. The lords were positioned far from the battle, where the magic should have been ineffective according to conventional wisdom.
Who could have foreseen that this castle had specifically enhanced the range of its magic?
Harvey muses, *Did the lich adjust his defenses after taking in the free folk?*
Perhaps that's a bit far-fetched. Amberxiu enhanced the castle's magical defenses after receiving detailed blueprints of the Ryan Empire's city defenses from the Rose of Death. There were many useful features, such as this range enhancement, which was both effective and economical—he'd be a fool not to implement it.
And today, it paid off spectacularly.
*Truly the work of the Ryan Empire*, Amberxiu thinks, silently admiring their magical ingenuity.
Harvey feels terrible. As an advisor, he has suggested retreating more than once, but the lords never listen. If he survives today, he will resign immediately.
But for now, he must fulfill his duties.
Harvey rides toward the Paladin, shouting, "We can't hold on much longer. Do you have a way to deal with this lich? If not, we must withdraw immediately!"
The Paladin is surprised. "You can't hold on after just twenty percent casualties?"
He admits to underestimating Amberxiu, but questions whether these alchemical city lords are too weak.
Twenty percent loss, and the morale collapses? Even the weakest legions of the Ryan Empire wouldn't feel the loss until it reached thirty percent.
Harvey wants to slap the Paladin, but he restrains himself, opting for the most efficient communication: "How can an army of common farmers compare to one armed with faith by the Ryan Empire? The fact is, do you have a solution?"
The Paladin, though somewhat taken aback, shakes off his surprise. "Of course. As long as we enter the castle and find his soul chest, it'll be over. If you can't hold on, retreat now, lest you hinder us."
With that, the Paladin, accompanied by the Light Priest, charges forward toward the castle gates.
The anti-magic field is still active, rendering them immune to all magical attacks as they charge toward the castle doors.
Harvey watches the magical barrage, hesitates for a moment, then follows behind the Paladin.
His intuition tells him that if he retreats now, the outcome will not be favorable. Perhaps charging forward with the Paladin is the correct choice, though he hopes his instincts are right.
Seeing Harvey follow, the Paladin praises him, "Your courage is commendable. May the Light protect you."
Harvey thinks, *If anyone needs divine protection, it's me, not these religious fanatics. I should be praying to Mystra, the goddess of magic.*
Thanks to the anti-magic field, all traps before the castle doors are rendered useless. The simple pits and crossbow traps pose no threat to the fully armored Paladin, who casually swipes away bolts with his longsword.
The three reach the castle gates, with only two horses lost along the way. But as the anti-magic field begins to flicker, it is soon dispelled.
Harvey follows closely, now standing before the castle gates.
Amberxiu watches the charge through his magical surveillance. Seeing the Paladin arrive at the gates, he smiles and presses a hidden mechanism.
As the Paladin readies to break down the gates, a series of snapping sounds fills the air.
The three are unsure of what's happening, but the Paladin presses on, his sword glowing with holy light. The Holy Strike not only kills liches but is also excellent for demolishing structures.
With a single swing, the thick wooden door shatters, the impact sending cracks spreading across the ground.
Harvey is in awe of the Paladin's strength when suddenly he questions, "Wait, are there too many cracks?"
Before he can finish his thought, the ground before the castle doors collapses entirely, revealing a bottomless pit.
The three, unprepared, fall straight into the pit.
Amberxiu, watching from his magical monitor, sees the three fall and gently strokes the live mercury beside him. He murmurs to the small creature, "It's your time to shine, little one. If you can defeat the Paladin, this business deal will be a huge win for me."
End of Chapter