He could clearly see jealousy in the eyes of many of the youngest generation behind Arthur as they observed him.
Well, whatever.
Gust wouldn’t have minded it, so why should he?
After the introductions finished, Arthur motioned for them to re-enter the forest. “Although the Clairmont Kingdom’s forces are focused on Lumient City, you never know if they have a few powerhouses scouting around the city looking for prime targets to assassinate. Let’s get back to safety.”
He then turned to Aunt Cin. “Melissa, thanks for bringing the kids over. Do make sure to keep yourself safe.”
Despite Arthur’s warm words, Aunt Cin’s countenance stiffened as he addressed her.
“Understood.”
With that, she and the other who had escorted the students from the city flew back into the sky, headed back for Lumient City.
Meanwhile, Kate, Wesley, and the rest followed Arthur into the forest.
Wesley walked up to Arthur, and couldn’t contain his curiosity. “Hey, is it really that much safer in the cover of the forest?”
Wesley hadn’t spoken too quietly, and those around him could all clearly hear his words. Upon hearing them, some of the younger generation snickered.
“Uncultured brat.” One of the teenagers spat out.
“Peter, hold your tongue!” Arthur glared at the offender, then turned back to Wesley.
“We have a… secret hideout of sorts not far from here. Actually, it’s right in front of us.” He smiled.
At the same time, those around him spread out, almost as if they’d met an invisible wall that forced them so.
“Can you see it?”
Wesley frowned, and squinted. “I don’t see anything.”
“Take two steps forward, and raise your hand.”
Wesley took two steps forward, then raised his hand.
“Stone?” Wesley’s hand had clearly passed through thin air, but he could clearly feel that his hand had brushed up against stone.
“Right-o. Watch this.”
Arthur took out a golden key, then walked next to Wesley, “placed” the key into thin air, then turned it.
By some miracle, an invisible door swung open, and from where he stood, Wesley could see the inside of a dwelling.
As the door opened, Arthur stepped to the side, and those behind him briskly made their way inside the building.
“Not bad, right? It’s almost completely impossible to detect. It really takes a lot of energy to keep up all the spells that make it so, though. Come inside.”
After the two entered, Arthur led Wesley through some hallways - it appeared that the “dwelling” was actually a fortified castle of sorts. They quickly made their way into a room where a purple rock brightly shined.
“This is the power source for all the spells concealing the castle. Unfortunately, it’s a one-time use, and it’ll only last a month at most. The rock cost a fortune, too… but it’s worth it to ensure the family’s safety.”
Wesley’s head was reeling, though. “Wait, wait. So you mean, it IS possible to engrave seals into a stone and activate it later?”
Arthur frowned. “I know where you’re going with this, and...well, it’s theoretically possible, but nobody has been able to. Any time someone tries to engrave a seal into any type of matter, it has proven unstable - the seal either won’t work, or it casts immediately, destroying whatever the seal was engraved into with it.
“This stone...however, is the one exception that has been found - and yes, found. This stone was discovered in some ruins, and was proven to work by some researchers, after which we bought it. Our Lumient family studied it for a few decades, but no progress was made. Still though, the stone is proof that what you’re thinking of is possible.”
Arthur shrugged. “But even so, this seal can’t be turned off after casting, making it a one-time use item. Only after the rock, its fuel source, has been depleted, will the spell stop.
“Well, that’s enough of a lesson. Come, let’s get upstairs. This castle is kept fully stocked with food and wine. I guess you can’t drink wine, but the food here’s good. We have several chefs on staff.”
Wesley couldn’t help but chuckle. Even in a hideout, the Lumient family still had chefs and a fully stocked food storage.
Still though, he couldn’t help but worry about the situation at Lumient city.
Chapter 29
Patriarch Lumient sped through the air, launching spells at those trailing him, when suddenly he was caught in a metal cage, and flew headfirst into a metal bar.
He quickly smashed the cage open with his staff, then dodged out of the way of several bolts of lightning flashed around him. Zigzagging his way through the air, he discreetly glanced upwards.
His preparations were almost complete.
In the city, Headmaster Farhir had managed to contact the various commanders of the Reiniad Army.
“Quick, we need to evacuate the city! This entire setup was a trap - the Clairmont Kingdom’s troops have surrounded the city.”
“What? The city-”
“Silence.” A deep, gravelly voice sounded in all of the commanders’ heads.
Instantly, all chatter ceased.
The voice continued. “Have the troops push toward the northern gates. We’ll push out way out of the encirclement.”
“What about the citizens?”
“We’ll have to leave them behind. They will be safe, the Clairmont Kingdom wishes not to rule a pile of ashes. Now, is the plan understood?”
“Understood.”
“Roger.”
A flurry of affirmations sounded through the various commanders’ minds.
Soon enough, the battlefield shifted - instead of the Reiniad Kingdom’s soldiers pushing aggressively to kill the Clairmont Kingdom’s soldiers in the city, they made their way towards the northern wall as quickly as possible.
Which did not go unnoticed - Clairmont Kingdom soldiers who’d been surrounding the city towards the southern end quickly swarmed toward the city walls and overwhelmed the Reiniad soldiers who’d been left there to guard the rest of the army’s retreat.
Enemies at the front, enemies at the back - the Reiniad Kingdom’s soldiers and mages were in a state of near panic as they fought their way toward the northern wall. But, they continued nonetheless, as the other alternative was death.
Back at the Lumient family’s hideout, Wesley couldn’t help but feel ill at ease. Those around him didn’t seem worried in the slightest, yet their home city had just come under attack from a foreign force.
After a moment of contemplation, he went and found Kate.
“Hey Kate, should we head back to the city?”
“What? No! Why?”
“It doesn’t feel right. We’re leaving everyone behind to fight for us while… what, we’re enjoying ourselves here? Even gramps is fighting.”
“Well of course gramps is fighting, he’s basically the backbone of the Reiniad Kingdom. We could do without the King, but gramps?”
“...Regardless, I’m heading back.”
“...Fine, I’ll come along.”
“Thanks, Kate. Let’s bring some equipment and supplies, leave in five?”
“Sure. Should we ask the rest?”
“...Up to you.”
“I’ll ask.”
Five minutes later, Kate and Wesley stood by the main entrance, with Luke in tow.
“Nobody else came?”
Kate shook her head. “Can you blame them? They’re still kids.”
Luke smiled. “Aren’t I still a kid? Aren’t the two of you, as well?”
Wesley raised an eyebrow at Luke. “Well, why did you decide to come along then?”
Luke gave a faint smile. “Of those in the team, the two of you are the most talented, and with the most impressive backgrounds. If I don’t follow the two of you, who should I?”
Indeed, he’d made up his mind almost as soon as Kate had approached him.
Wesley tapped his foot, then turned. “Let’s go.”
After a few minutes of dashing through the forest, they reached its edge, and could easily see the mass of Clairmont soldiers surrounding Lumient City.
Seeing the mass of troops again, Kate and Luke couldn’t help but shiver.
“How exactly are we supposed to help?” Kate asked.
Wesley was impatient for action, but he still understood that they couldn’t just rush to their deaths.
“Let’s wait for an opportunity to strike. Even if we can’t cause much damage, it’d be nice if we could kill an officer or two from afar.”
While he’d like to do more, he had to be reasonable with his expectations.
Meanwhile, Patriarch Lumient’s fight with the three Clairmont Kingdom King-class mages had reached its peak - the two sides had been probing each others’ strengths, continuously escalating their conflict until now - they’d begun going all out.
“Just give up, Chris. Even if you’re a match for the three of us, you can’t possibly have a larger mana pool than the three of us combined. Sooner or later, we’ll prevail. I promise you, surrender to the Clairmont Kingdom, and we’ll bring your family into the fold. Lumient City will still be yours.”
Tora threw out some bait to entice Christopher, who suddenly stopped flying through the air.
This made the trio of Clairmont King-class mages pause, as well.
That bait wasn’t supposed to have worked, but… had it?
“Thank you for the offer, Tora… but I’m afraid I won’t be taking the offer.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’ve won.”
“Huh?”
Patriarch Lumient waved his hand, and seven seals, previously hidden amongst the clouds, brightly shone as they were activated.
The seven stars, chariot of light!
Seven paths of light beamed down from the sky, striking the trio of mages, and Patriarch Lumient finally relaxed.
Before he could, though, a smoky, burned figure soared toward him at top speed, and latched onto him.
It was Katarina.
“Wha-??”
Patriarch Lumient didn’t even time to express his confusion and surprise before Katarina exploded, still latched onto his body.
Those in and around the city had unconsciously looked toward the skies when the seven paths of lights had beamed down, so they’d all seen the three Clairmont mages fall victim to Patriarch Lumient’s spells.
...And they’d seen Kate and Patriarch Lumient perish in a giant explosion of mana.
What the hell.
Had just happened??
Neither side knew how to react to the events that had just occurred.
Patriarch Lumient, perhaps the strongest King-class mage of the Magmont Continent?
Dead.
Jaques, Katarina, and Tora of the Clairmont Kingdom?
Dead.
Yet, the one perhaps most impacted was Wesley.
Although he hadn’t been close enough to see the fight, the beams of light and ensuing explosion had been more than bright enough for him, Kate, and Luke to see, even from so many miles away.
It was as if he’d returned to that desert battlefield, watching his mentor fall from the sky.
Just… why?
Why did this always happen?
Why…
Above his mana pool, the blackened and charred seal crackled with wild streams of energy, and a section brightly glowed.
Wesley’s eyes shined a bluish-white, and he surged forward, towards the Clairmont Kingdom’s army.
“Hey, wait!” Luke shouted after Wesley.
Wesley didn’t stop. Confused as to what was going on, Luke turned to Kate. “What the hell just happened to him?”
Kate couldn’t answer either. Her gramps was… no longer with them.
An always-present, everlasting presence in her life had just been torn away, lost in a violent explosion.
Her fingers shaking, she didn’t answer Luke, nor had she even noticed him. She hadn’t even noticed Wesley’s changes, and his running towards the enemy troops.
What she did, instead, was lightly tap an amulet she’d worn around her neck.
“Dad?”
After a brief pause, Arthur’s voice sounded through amulet.
“What’s going on, Kate? What was that explosion? We could see the light even from here.”
“Gramps... is gone.”
A long silence followed.
“...Get back here, we’re going to evacuate to the north.” Although Arthur’s instructions were clear, Kate could hear the grief in her father’s voice.
But, Arthur wouldn’t have the time to grieve, at least not for now. As the new patriarch of the Lumient family, he would have to be responsible to his family first, and grieve later.
Kate took a shuddering breath to calm herself, before responding. “Gramps took out the Clairmont Kingdom’s King-class mages before… ah… there’s still a chance for us to save the city.”
“I don’t care, Kate. I’m not willing to lose another family member today. Speaking of, is Wesley safe?”
“Wesley? Yeah, he’s right…”
Kate looked up, and finally realized that Wesley was nowhere to be seen.
“Luke, where did Wes go?”
Luke pointed at a figure in the distance, almost too far to see.
“Over there.”
Far in the distance, Kate could see Wesley’s back disappearing into the distance.
“Dad, Wesley’s heading for the Clairmont Kingdom’s troops.”
“...Protect him. I’m rounding up our forces.”
“You don’t mean…”
“Our family has just lost its head. The world will be watching for our response. If not now, then when?”
“You’re right. I’ll go after Wesley, then?”
“Keep him safe until we get there.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“...You stay safe, too.”
“Love you too, dad. Going to go now.”
“Bye.”
Kate took a deep breath, then looked at Luke. “Well, let’s get after him.”
“Okay.”
…
The Reiniad Kingdom’s troops had pushed their way, with some casualties, to the northern wall… where they laid their eyes on the soldiers surrounding the city.
An older man in a decorative uniform looked outward from the upon the wall.
Behind him, several commanders, including Lieutenant General Farhir, followed along, without making a single peep.
The older man, was the one with the gravelly voice who’d earlier ordered the soldiers to push for the northern wall.
After observing the situation outside the walls, he turned toward those behind him.
“There’s no other way. We’ll have to push our way out with brute force. Mages capable of flight will stay on the walls and provide support for the army to push out. They should focus their fire on those ten to fifteen meters ahead of the foremost point of the army at any point.
“On my signal, Farhir, blow open the gates. Gardner, have the soldiers swarm out as soon as they can - the momentum of the doors will give them some breathing room to surge out of the gate’s bottleneck.
“Am I understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
A few moments later, Farhir drew a seal, and a beam of energy surged toward the northern wall’s gate, causing the gate doors to explode outward.
The Reiniad Kingdom’s soldiers surged out of the city, carving a path out of the Clairmont Kingdom’s encirclement.
Continuous bombardment from mages atop the city walls aided their progress - but there was one, slight problem.
Clairmont soldiers were rushing toward the northern wall from inside, and outside the city as well.
If the Reiniad Kingdom’s soldiers weren’t capable of breaking the encirclement in a timely manner, they would be completely, and immediately, surrounded.
…
<
br /> Meanwhile, Wesley had reached within a hundred meters of the Clairmont Kingdom’s northern soldiers. Yet, as they were all facing the south, none of their soldiers had seen him yet.
Memory Seal- Volume 2 Page 14