The three mages kept bombarding the fortress, launching spell after spell without any care for what was below. The sky above Vancouver Fortress burned with flashes of violent light.

Every strike shook the land and sent waves of dust and debris into the air. The walls glowed as magical power clashed against the barrier that protected it. Even the soldiers far behind the fortress could feel the heat and pressure of the attacks.

Emma stared at the spectacle and a cold sweat ran down her face. The entire front of the fortress was now lit up as if someone had dragged the sun down and pressed it against the walls.

She bit her lip, her hands trembling. She had poured countless resources and crafted the barrier using a rare artifact.

She believed in it. It was strong and it could withstand a direct attack from a Master Mage.

Two might be a problem but it could probably hold. However, three attacked at the same time... she did not know if it could survive that.

The barrier that held the fortress began to crack. Lines of blue light split across the surface like broken glass.

Emma's eyes widened. She shouted at once.

"Roen... Julia..!"

"Yes mother.." The two responded immediately, stepping closer to her.

"Leave!"

"Huh!" The two looked confused. Roen frowned and Julia's eyes shook, not understanding why their mother would give such an order.

"Do as I say. Take the knights and leave. We have already evacuated the citizens." Emma forced her voice to stay steady although fear was rising inside her. "Leave this place. If you can save others, then hide. We cannot survive this."

She had already made the calculations in her mind. Even a single Master Rank knight was an important asset. But here, under this assault, it would not matter. It showed how serious the situation had become. The enemies were not only trying to capture Vancouver Fortress. They were determined to destroy it.

The barrier continued to weaken. Light flickered over its surface like a candle struggling to stay lit in a storm.

Emma saw it and shouted again. "Run!"

"Even Ruthiana might not survive at this rate."

"But mother, you..." Julia's voice broke and tears filled her eyes.

CRACKKKKK!

The barrier, unable to hold any longer, shattered. A burst of magical shockwave tore outward. Light exploded in every direction. Soldiers screamed. Some fell to the ground, covering their heads. Others froze, wide-eyed, staring at the collapsing shield that had been their last hope.

The fortress walls shook and dust rained down from the battlements. Horses panicked and tried to break free from their handlers. A few knights clenched their swords, fear and anger burning inside them. They had trained their whole lives to fight, yet they felt powerless now.

Bernard looked at the broken barrier and laughed wildly, the sound echoing across the field.

"Hahaahahahah! It's broken..." His eyes shone with cruel excitement. "Now time to have fun."

He raised his hand. A black mist began to hover around him like smoke rising from burning coal. A magic circle formed above him and a heavy force descended. The very air trembled.

He lifted his hand, ready to throw the attack.

But suddenly a sharp whistling sound cut through the battlefield. Something shot through the air like a spear. It struck the magic circle and shattered it like glass.

A massive blast erupted. The force threw Bernard slightly back and he screamed in anger and surprise.

"What the helllll?"

BOOOOOM!

Fire and smoke burst into the sky. Soldiers covered their faces from the shockwave. Roen and Julia turned toward the direction the attack came from, eyes wide with confusion and sudden hope.

"Who is it?"

"Someone else had entered the battlefield."

And not just anyone. The person seemed to he strong enough to interrupt a Master Mage's spell.

But then a loud sound echoed in the distance.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

It grew heavier, faster, like thunder rolling across the earth. Everyone turned toward the noise, tense and unsure. Through the smoke and ash, figures began to appear. A group of soldiers rode in on horseback. Their armor shone under the sunlight and the proud banners of the Weiss family waved behind them.

At the front was a white-haired man in heavy armor that radiated a deadly aura shaking away all the dust and debris.

His huge sword gleamed at his side like an executioner on hunt.His eyes were sharp and cold as they took in the chaos spreading before the fortress. He raised his voice, steady and commanding.

"Form up! Protect the men at all costs!"

Roen felt his chest loosen, a small breath of relief escaping him. For a second the fear pushing down on everyone lifted.

"Reinforcements from the Blanks family... Lord Baron is here," Roen said, his voice shaking.

"We are saved!" someone cried behind him. Others shouted, their hope returning for the first time since the barrier cracked.

"It's him," another voice gasped. "Baron Blanks."

SWISH!

Before anyone could react, Ethan pushed himself up on his horse, then jumped. His body shot into the air with incredible speed. Everyone watched in shock, eyes wide, mouths open. It looked impossible, yet he moved as if the sky was his to walk through.

He flew nearly a kilometer in a single leap and landed on the fortress walls. The stone floor cracked under his feet.

BOOM!

The impact shook dust loose. Soldiers and knights stumbled, their legs weakening. A heavy pressure poured down on them. It felt like a giant hand was pressing against their chests and shoulders. Some dropped to one knee, struggling to breathe.

Ethan stood straight and calm. His white hair shifted in the wind, and he slowly looked around until his gaze locked onto the three mages floating in the sky.

His expression darkened, his voice cold.

"So you son of bitches are finally here. Fine, you save me trouble to go around."

He took a step forward, his hand reaching for his weapon.

"Now I can crack your skull here."

The battlefield froze for a moment.

The mages who had been laughing and destroying the barrier stopped smiling. Their eyes tensed as they focused on him.

"..."

Now from where did this maniac come from?

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