Plano Town (19)

Oc'toal, A'ra and the rest watched the giant transparent fiery bird flying towards their direction.

"That's an interesting spell," Oc'toal said with a smile on his face.

Vooom!

Wooom!

He suddenly dashed forward and then jumped into the air.

[Explosive Fist].

Woooh!

"What…?"

His fist struck nothing but air as the bird passed through him. He also didn't feel anything, not even heat. It was as if the bird was nothing but a mirage created by the heat of the weather and the stench of blood of the battle.

While still floating in mid-air, he activated a spell.

[Poison Strike].

Woooh!

Just like his attack from earlier, he struck nothing and the spell on his hand didn't trigger.

Thud.

He finally landed on the ground.

A'ra turned to the people around her.

"All of you, run away!"

She returned her gaze to the bird and activated a spell.

[Ice Storm].

A 10-meter-incantation circle appeared between her and the bird and a blizzard began brewing under it, freezing everything on its path. However, the bird passed through the blizzard without any hindrances and continued flying towards them.

Ding!

The [Plant Protection] that A'ra casted on herself activated as the bird brushed through her.

Brgh!

Brgh, Brgh!

Brgh!

Brgh!

Brgh, Brgh, Brgh!

"AAAHHH!!!"

Meanwhile, her companions had their bodies engulfed in flames as the bird passed through them. However, there were a few who have mastered the Fire Affinity and received the [Fire Body] that were left completely unharmed.

A'ra turned to Oc'toal.

"Kill the Viscount immediately! The bird is completely immune to physical and magical attacks!"

Oc'toal scratched the side of his head.

"Didn't you just see me use [Poison Strike]?" he said and then turned to the Royal Box.

Thud.

Lozario jumped off the Royal Box and landed on the ground. He then activated a [Mana Bow] and also [Enchant Wind] before aiming it at him.

Thud.

Francisco, Lozario's personal bodyguard, landed beside him and then activated [Dual Mana Swords] before charging.

Oc'toal noticed Ronaldo and Freca battling at a corner.

So there's one that could stand against Ronaldo…?

He returned his gaze to the Royal Box.

I wonder how many are there who could also stand against Ronaldo…

At the Royal Box, he could see Knights and people wearing green-colored scholarly robes standing around Alcedes.

Those people around the Prince seem too relaxed…

Woooh!

An arrow made out of mana and imbued with [Enchant Wind] passed through his head as he dodged it.

Woooh!

Francisco finally arrived in front of him and swung his Mana Swords.

Whooosh!

Whooosh!

"Hey! Take it easy, you guys!" Oc'toal said as he continued to evade the attacks.

Woooh!

Whooosh!

Whooosh!

Unfortunately for Lozario and Francisco, Oc'toal's Physical Force was 10 (+465) and her Magical Force was 10 (+483).

Woooh!

Whooosh!

Whooosh!

Oc'toal activated a spell.

[Enchant Lightning].

Vooom!

Chu-pscht!

Bam!

As lightning appeared on his left hand, he immediately lunged forward and caught Francisco by the neck, electrocuting him, before raising him up and then violently slamming him to the ground.

Francisco was dead.

Woooh!

Oc'toal moved to the side as he evaded the Mana Arrow imbued with [Enchant Wind].

"Sorry, my guy, but I hate to be scolded by Her Royal Highness for public indecency again!"

In his head, although Lozario could still hurt him a bit, if he gets struck by an Explosive Art, it would definitely destroy his clothes.

Woooh!

"But I wouldn't mind seeing her having her clothes getting ripped of --"

His eyes suddenly became wide.

Is that why she sent me to deal with the enemy…?!

He then recalled all the fights they'd been together.

Now that I think about it…

She always leaves the fighting to me and Ronaldo…

Meanwhile, all she does is throw spells at the side…!

Lozario deactivated his [Mana Bow] and [Enchant Wind] as he sent a mental command to the fiery bird.

[Mana Spear].

The spear he summoned was almost 4 meters long and had a cross-like shape on its blade.

He activated two spells through [Double Cast].

[Fire Golem], [Wind Golem].

A Fire Golem of 9 meters tall and a Wind Golem of 3 meters tall began to manifest beside him.

[Enchant Wind].

A light green aura appeared on the tip of his Mana Spear.

"Stop playing around and finish him off now!" A'ra shouted from afar.

Oc'toal let out a sigh.

Vooom!

As he rushed over to Lozario, the Fire and Wind Golems were already done manifesting and were now charging towards him, with the 9-meter-tall Fire Golem matching Oc'toal's Physical and Magic Force.

Lozario charged as well but suddenly leaped to the air halfway before landing on top of the giant transparent fiery bird. He then commanded it to fly towards Oc'toal.

Woooh!

Oc'toal rolled to the side as the bird passed by him. Although he wasn't sure if he still wouldn't be affected by the bird, he still avoided being touched just in case. And unsurprisingly, Lozario also tried to poke him with his 5-meter-long Mana Spear.

Woooh!

BAM!

Oc'toal managed to evade the attack of the Wind Golem. But for the Fire Golem, he had to physically block it with his [Dual Mana Daggers].

Although he had the [Fire Body], making him immune to Fire Magic Arts, that doesn't mean he was immune to the physical attacks of the Fire Golem. On top of that, thanks to Lozario's Lore Magic [Progenitor del Fuego], aside from the extra height, his Fire Golem also has extra stats, making it 10 (+400) (+30) (+60) as its overall stats. The (+30) was from Lozario's Wizard Class Magic Spell [Magic Heart] and the (+60) was from his Lore Magic.

Lozario deactivated his [Mana Spear] and activated his [Mana Bow] once again.

Woooh!

Woooh!

Woooh!

Oc'toal ran and flipped as he evaded the arrows.

PAM!!!

BAGRAG!!!

The Fire Golem landed a slap on him and he was sent crashing to the bleachers.

Woooh!

Booom!

Lozario immediately shot an [Explosive Arrow] to where Oc'toal crashed.

A'ra, who was watching at the side, knitted her brows.

It seems that Oc'toal isn't a match for the Viscount…

Even if he uses his Lore Magic…

Although Oc'toal had 5 Magic Art Affinities while Lozario only has 4, beings at their level fight differently. The deciding factor could be their Lore Magic, the Affinities they have (specifically what Element they're immune from), or surprise attacks.

Wait…

Oc'toal has [Primordial Beast]…

However…

I'm not sure if the bird costs mana to maintain…

And there are still others at the Royal Box who haven't made a move yet…

Especially the ones around the Prince…

Specifically that Knight…

There was one Knight around Alcedes whom she believed to be one of the Supremes of the Marbleam Kingdom.

I have to force their hand…

"LI'EL!"

Wooom!

Chud.

The Primordial Beast from earlier flew down from the sky and caught her in his arm before flying back up.

A'ra activated a spell.

[Lesser Chaos Enchant].

Light red lightning appeared on her hand.

She activated her Lore Magic.

[Crystal Eye of Sal'amin].

A 20-meter-incantation circle appeared above the sky. The incantation circle then transformed into a flat purple eye and the iris began moving, its gaze locking on Lozario.

Woooh!

Woooh!

Woooh!

Woooh!

The eye started shooting purple spear crystals that were 2 meters long.

Woooh!

Chak!

Woooh!

Woooh!

"Argh!!!" Lozario cried out in pain as he was struck on the back of his left shoulder and he commanded the bird to evade the raining crystals.

Woooh!

Woooh!

Woooh!

Woooh!

Wooom!

CHUD!!!

Thud, thud!

Oc'toal suddenly tackled him in mid-air and they both went crashing to the ground. Without missing a beat, Oc'toal immediately got up with his [Dual Mana Daggers] on hand and then rushed over to Lozario.

Chak! Chak!

Lozario blocked the Mana Daggers with his hands.

Woooh!

Chak!

Woooh!

Chak!

Woooh!

Chak!

Woooh!

Chak!

The 9-meter-tall Fire Golem and the 3-meter-tall Wind Golem immediately rushed over to help Lozario but they were both struck with several spear crystals by the giant eye in the sky.

Cha--a--ak…

Oc'toal pressed the blades of his Mana Daggers until they sunk deep into Lozario's neck, almost decapitating him. And when Lozario finally drew his last breath, the giant transparent fiery bird, the giant Fire Golem and the Wind Golem vanished.

A'ra, who was still sitting on the arm of Li'el, took out a Mana Potion from her pouch and opened one of them.

Gulp.

She was about to command the giant eye to focus on Freca when she suddenly heard a voice.

"MAR-ENOUGH!"

***

"ENOUGH!" Alcedes' voice echoed throughout the Coliseo. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to him. "General Ronaldo, come to me."

Bartolome, one of Alcedes' entourage, approached him.

"Your Royal Highness, you can't --"

"Our people are dying and it won't be long before this whole place is going to fall apart. I am Prince of the Marbleam Kingdom and I have a duty to protect its citizens."

"I understand, but --" Bartolome immediately stopped talking when he saw Alcedes' sharp gaze. "As you wish, Your Royal Highness," he said and then bowed.

Alcedes turned to Freca and Ronaldo who were heading back to the Royal Box and were accompanied by a Knight. He then turned to A'ra who was sitting on the arm of Li'el and flying in the sky.

A'ra deactivated her Lore Magic and the Li'el slowly descended from the sky.

When Ronaldo finally reached the Royal Box, Alcedes turned to him.

"What exactly do you want?"

Ronaldo knelt down.

"Your Royal Highness, as I said earlier, I only truly wish to have an audience with you so that I can ask you to free the slaves, both human and demon-kin, here in the Marbleam Kingdom and then invite you to the Housan Empire to meet His Majesty Emperor K'azare and discuss a future where humans and demon-kins can live in harmony."

"What if I refuse to go to the Housan Empire?"

"That is unfortunate, but I humbly ask you to reconsider."

"General Ronaldo, whether what you say is true or not, you have a record of betraying your kingdom. Not to mention, you and your group have violated the DG International Laws."

Ronaldo lowered his head even further.

"I understand your concerns, Your Royal Highness. But this is the only way we could ask for an audience with you. His Majesty Emperor K'azare also promised to reimburse all the damages committed here today."

"'This is the only way we could ask an audience with you'? Does your Emperor not know of any peaceful approach?"

"Your Royal Highness, we've submitted several letters under His Majesty Emperor K'azare name to your good office in the past 2 months requesting for an audience with you but we have yet to receive any reply."

Alcedes glanced at his group of entourage who didn't say anything before returning his gaze to Ronaldo.

"Why me?"

"Out of all of the Royalty in the Marbleam Kingdom, you're both the most influential and most liberal, Your Royal Highness. So if we approached you first and managed to make you understand the new future we're trying to create, we could then have an audience with the rest of your Royal Family, including with your father, His Royal Majesty Alfonso.

"A future where humans and demon-kins can live in harmony? Is your Emperor even capable of that?"

"If it's His Majesty's nature as a Necromancer you're worried about, I can assure you that he has transcended that, especially once you speak with him."

"Transcended? Or perhaps you have been charmed by his [Dark Halo] or a Lore Magic?"

Ronaldo shook his head.

"I swear to the Elemental Gods that I am not, Your Royal Highness."

Alcedes mused for a moment.

"The things you're requesting, I cannot grant them."

Ronaldo didn't say anything and continued to keep his head down.

"But once the Housan Empire has reimbursed the damages you and your group have caused here in Plano Town, we might be able to talk."

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness."

Everyone's eyes became wide, especially Alecedes' entourage.

Bartolome stepped forward. But before he could even say a word, Alcedes' cut him off.

"Not a word, Lord Bartolome."

Ronaldo raised his head. "

"Your Royal Highness, may you also let all of my companions and the slaves here in Plano Town go? My companions and I would be fine. But for the slaves, I can only imagine what sort of treatment they would receive once we leave them here."

"Granted."

Fernando, the Town Chief of Plano Town, stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Royal Highness, may I have a word?"

"Lord Fernando, your family have already dishonored yourselves enough for today."

Fernando bowed once again.

"Please forgive me, Your Royal Highness," he said and then stepped back.

Alcedes returned his focus to Ronaldo.

"General Ronaldo, I expect the Housan Empire to fully reimburse the damages you and your group caused here and also send a proper apology to the Marbleam Kingdom for violating the DG International Laws until next week. If your Empire cannot provide those things, then I will not entertain you any further."

This time around, it was Jose who stepped forward.

"Your Royal Highness, forgive me, but are my eyes and ears fooling me?"

Alcedes turned around to face him.

"They are not, High Priest Jose."

Jose's brows knitted together.

"Your Royal Highness, although the Marbleam Chapter Temple is part of the Marbleam Kingdom, we are also part of the Holy Kingdom."

Alcedes pulled his gaze away from Jose and turned to Joseph.

"High Priest Joseph, do you agree with him?"

"Your Royal Highness," Joseph bowed and then flashed a kind smile. "If you wish to entertain that heretic and his accursed band of demons and undead, then the Holy Kingdom might have to reconsider its relationship with the Marbleam Kingdom."

"Your Royal Highness, I believe it's wise to maintain our friendship with the Holy Kingdom," Bartolome said.

"The Marbleam Kingdom is an independent kingdom, not a subsidiary kingdom," Alcedes said. "We have the right to entertain who we want to entertain. Also, I haven't mentioned anything about abandoning the alliance of the Marbleam Kingdom with the Holy Kingdom in favor of the Housan Empire. Or perhaps the Holy Kingdom thinks so little of the sovereignty of the Marbleam Kingdom?"

Joseph continued maintaining a smile on his face.

"Your Royal Highness, we, the Holy Kingdom, are only thinking of what's best for the entire human race. The Northern Continent is the last remaining continent where only pure humans live. If you would still choose to entertain the Housan Empire, irreversible consequences towards the human race might happen."

"I won't let that happen."

Joseph bowed and then turned to his fellow members of the Temple of Priests.

"High Brothers and Sisters, our work is done here. Let us return to the Temple," he said and then gave Alcedes one last look. "May the God of Light bless you and the Marbleam Kingdom, Your Royal Highness."

All of the members of the Temple of Priests began exiting the Royal Box with Joseph at the lead.

***

2:42 p.m.

Temple of Priest building, Plano Town.

All Priest representatives and some of the key members of the Plano Town Branch Chapter Temple were inside a Meeting Room.

After leaving the Coliseo, Joseph immediately called for a meeting and they have been here for more than an hour already. Some of them had a somber look on their faces, not because they had to be in this meeting but because of the details spoken in the meeting.

"We have finally reached a conclusion," Joseph said. "After this meeting, I will go back to the Palace and immediately report to His Holiness the Light Saint and the Cardinals about what transpired here today."

The Palace that Joseph was referring to was the Temple of Priests Palace located in the heart of the Holy City where only those with a special pass can enter. Even Vivian, who was now an Inquisitor, would still need to secure a pass first before she could enter.

"In the meantime, all of you have to continue observing the situation. But be prepared for whatever decision the Temple would make. In the event that the Marbleam Kingdom will no longer be considered an ally by the Holy Kingdom, all members of the Temple of Priests and their families here would have to relocate. You have nothing to worry, the Temple will send in troops to escort all of you to the Holy Kingdom."

Whispers began to spread among the crowd.

"That is all. Meeting adjourned and may the God of Light continue to watch over all of you."

The whispers only grew louder.

Joseph turned to Pen, Zacharias, Vivian and Caleb.

They stood up and exited the room with him.

***

At a hallway.

Joseph and Pen were walking at the front, Zacharias and Vivian were in the middle, and Caleb was at the tail end.

"Excuse me, High Brother Joseph," Vivian said.

Joseph didn't stop walking but he turned his head slightly to indicate that he was listening.

"May I go on ahead? I need to check the animals that we're going to ride. I'm actually afraid of heights, you see. I won't be able to have any peace of mind if I can't personally check the animals I'm going to ride."

Hearing what she said, a surprised expression flashed on everyone's faces, especially Zachairas and Caleb's.

Joseph nodded.

"You may go, Sister Inquisitor. I still have to go to my room and get some things."

"Thank you, High Brother," Vivian said and bowed before walking away.

Joseph turned to Pen.

"You have an interesting member, Brother Inquisitor."

"Indeed she is, High Brother."

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