Chapter 167: Breaking Through the Barricade!

"The Slaughterhouse War?"

The black-robed elder murmured softly, as the mention of that war seemed to draw everyone's attention. Merlin, other nobles, and even Earl Celine turned their gaze toward him, realizing that when it came to large-scale battles, Mage Hill was exceptionally experienced, having survived the merciless "Slaughterhouse" battlefield—one of the most brutal wars in history.

The elder gazed down at the massed soldiers below, lost in recollection as he slowly explained, "The Slaughterhouse War was terrifyingly brutal. Even powerful mages capable of single-handedly destroying fortresses fell in countless numbers. To wield such destructive power, a mage had to be at least fourth level. By the war's later stages, no soldiers remained—only mages with the strength to kill thousands in a single spell, locked in mortal combat."

This was the war's bloody finale: elite mages decimating each other in a spectacle of magic and carnage. But Merlin was more interested in the beginning stages.

"What about the early stages of the war? How did lower-level mages survive?" Merlin pressed.

"In the beginning? Before the high-level mages got involved, lower-level mages would infiltrate the ranks alongside soldiers, aiming to kill the enemy's command. Their magic could handle hundreds or even thousands of troops, but if they faced tens of thousands, a single barrage of arrows could overwhelm them. Many of these mages met their end under the relentless hail of arrows from ordinary soldiers."

The elder shook his head, a note of bitterness coloring his words. Like many mages, he regarded mages as superior to ordinary humans, so seeing fellow mages fall to common soldiers was a tragedy to him.

Merlin listened carefully, realizing that without defensive spells, even low-level mages could easily fall to a single, well-trained squad of archers. But defensive spells made all the difference—still, no mage under fourth level could handle a full army alone.

"Earl Celine, open the gates. I'll go alone."

Merlin's sudden statement startled the Earl and the others.

"What? Baron Merlin, you want to face their entire army alone?" Earl Celine's voice wavered, unable to fathom such a seemingly suicidal move.

Mage Hill also voiced his concern. "Merlin, mages are powerful, but under fourth level, we can still be brought down by sheer numbers. You're underestimating the threat."

Merlin responded calmly, "I'm not aiming to fight the entire army. With my Gale spell, I'm fast enough. If I can withstand their arrows, I can reach Longadi's command center and take him out in one strike!"

Earl Celine hesitated, but the logic in Merlin's plan intrigued him. If Merlin succeeded, Longadi's death would end the siege in an instant. However slim the chance, it was a hope, and holding the city gates alone was unsustainable.

"It is a chance, but…"

Before Mage Hill could continue, Merlin cut him off with a resolute gesture. "Open the gates, Earl Celine. I have my ways to stay alive. If it's truly hopeless, I'll retreat, and we'll think of something else."

The Earl, his expression conflicted, finally nodded. "Baron Merlin, if you succeed, your merit will be undeniable. I'll see to it that you're promoted to Viscount, and I'll also grant your father a baronial title!"

Titles were valuable, particularly Viscounts, which were rare. To elevate Merlin's father to a baron's rank would be significant, cementing the Wilson family's legacy.

Merlin smiled faintly but said nothing, knowing that even though he valued safety over rank, this would make his family's position in Pugasi City secure for generations.

"Open the gates!" Earl Celine commanded. The massive gates creaked open, and Merlin dashed out alone.

---

Longadi was feeling triumphant. His forces had just repelled Pugasi City's cavalry charge, and morale was high. Things were looking up.

"Earl, look! The gates are opening again!" a sharp-eyed knight suddenly called out.

Longadi, alert to any threat, watched as the gates opened, puzzled. "What are they planning now? Another charge?"

But as everyone watched, only one figure emerged.

"One man?" Longadi squinted, trying to comprehend what he was seeing.

Beside him, Mage Hegal muttered, "There's an elemental aura around that figure—he's a mage. Could it be Merlin?"

Hegal found it hard to believe that a mere entry-level mage would dare face an entire army alone.

Longadi laughed. "One man? Against my tens of thousands of troops? Even if he's Merlin, and from the Dark Arcane Order, it's reckless to the point of stupidity."

"He may not be aiming to fight the entire army," Mage Hegal noted as he felt the sharp rise in the wind element around Merlin. "His target… could be you, my lord."

Longadi sneered. "Let him try! Even if he reaches me, there's still you, Mage Hegal. This saves us a trip to the city to deal with him!"

---

The moment Merlin stepped outside the gates, he summoned the wind element, activating his Gale spell and feeling the spell's surge propel him forward. But almost immediately, he sensed a few strong magical presences observing him, likely Longadi's mages.

With no hesitation, he chanted, "Gale!"

Merlin's speed surged as he bolted towards Longadi's command. Thousands of troops quickly reacted, and at the captain's command, they unleashed a rain of arrows, darkening the sky as they descended on Merlin.

A dangerous sensation tingled across Merlin's skin, and he knew the sheer volume of arrows was deadly.

"Earth Shield!"

Merlin cast the spell repeatedly, summoning walls of hardened earth to shield him. In seconds, over a dozen barriers sprang up, including reinforced versions. Surrounded by thousands of trained soldiers, Merlin knew he had to stay vigilant.

*Crack! Crack!*

Arrow after arrow shattered against his Earth Shields, collapsing each barrier one after another. Even the reinforced walls seemed close to breaking under the onslaught.

But Merlin's face showed no fear. With a final boost of wind magic, he released the enhanced version of Gale, his speed spiking as he zigzagged unpredictably, evading the brunt of the arrows and breaking past the first lines of defense.

The speed was dizzying, doubling his previous pace. With his irregular path, even the crossbowmen found it impossible to take aim, forced to watch helplessly as Merlin broke through the barricades, closing in on Longadi.

"He's breaking through!" From the city walls, Earl Celine cheered, watching as Merlin darted past the front lines.

Mage Hill, though, remained cautious. "Breaking through was only the first step. Now, Merlin must face Longadi's mages. That's where the real battle begins."

While the other mages didn't worry him, Longadi's hired fourth-level mage, Hegal, was a serious threat. Mage Hill wasn't sure Merlin could face him successfully.

In the distance, old Wilson had climbed the walls, unnoticed by others. Watching Merlin dash toward the enemy's command, he couldn't help but feel a pang of worry for his son.