Free Web NovelChapter 407: Chapter 404: Turning Point
This was the second time Richard had experienced the unpleasant sensation of a Forbidden Magic Tsunami. It wasn’t just the roaring surge of chaotic waves that disrupted the Magic Power in his body. It was also the subsequent void left as ambient Magic was expelled from the area, a painful emptiness that made a Caster feel like a fish thrown into a desert.
His comrades around him were also staggering about, dizzy and disoriented, all while cursing the Airships in the sky.
The Empire’s side had unexpectedly been forced onto the defensive. The enemy, charging like madmen, had already broken two of their infantry lines. Richard longed to join the battle. His rigorous training ensured that even without his Casting Ability, he still possessed ample Martial Virtue.
But the entire Mage Corps was on standby. Not all the other Military Mages were like him, skilled in both magic and physical combat.
’At least the enemy hasn’t reached us yet...’ The hastily assembled National Guard lacked enough cavalry to cut through the enemy’s battle lines.
However, Richard’s relief didn’t last long. A cannonball landed in the middle of the Mage Corps, sending men and horses flying. As several more fell, Richard realized this was no accident. He immediately tore off his standard-issue Empire Army Mage Robe and yelled, "They’ve locked onto us! Scatter! Take cover!"
He pulled his reins tight and broke away from the group, moving outside the area of bombardment. Fortunately, the cannonballs had limited power. He merely suffered a tear in his clothes and a cut on his right cheek from a flying piece of lead shrapnel.
"A man who can’t cast is truly fragile..." He wiped away the blood and scanned for the source of the artillery fire. After spotting the position where Paul and Pascal were, he quickly planned a route and estimated his travel time.
’By the time I get there, I should have my Casting Ability back...’
"Anyone still combat-ready, with me!" he called out. Two other Casters joined his squad, and they deftly avoided the main battlefield, beginning their sprint toward the artillery position.
Meanwhile, the 2nd Artillery Battalion, still unaware of the approaching danger, could barely contain their excitement. Colonel Druao, having noticed the battalion’s concentrated fire, arrived at their position. "Hey! Who told you to change targets!"
"Sir, look! We took out an elite cavalry unit!" a spotter exclaimed, pointing it out to Druao.
The colonel was also quite pleased after seeing it. "You did well! Who? Who spotted them?"
Paul was thus commended on the spot. Pascal, however, remained calm. "Focusing our fire like this might expose our position, so..."
Before he could finish, a great cloud of dark green mist suddenly rose from the front line. At the edge of the mist, Valois soldiers could be seen falling.
Their own lines, already thin after the charge, were easily pierced by Richard’s squad as they made a beeline for the high ground. After emerging from the mist, the Mages behind him began using an Illusion Technique to conceal themselves. Pascal stared at the thick fog, then realized his Casting Ability had returned. He immediately activated his Arcane Vision and witnessed three globes of Spiritual Light bursting out of the mist.
"Enemy attack! Three enemy Mages!" Pascal’s roar shattered the cheerful atmosphere at the artillery position. Paul grew tense as well. Druao made an instant decision: "Odd-numbered gun crews, load your rifles and prepare to fire! Even-numbered crews, move the cannons!"
In Pascal’s vision, however, the attackers’ forms gradually became clearer. His magical senses outlined hooves, and combined with their charge speed, he could confirm they were on horseback. Furthermore, the horses displayed extraordinary jumping ability, rapidly closing the distance by scaling the incline like mountain goats.
’The leader used a poison mist to break the infantry line, one is responsible for the illusionary concealment, and one is providing a movement enhancement...’ The combat proficiency displayed by the Empire Army’s Military Mages made Pascal’s scalp tingle.
"They’re here," Pascal said, issuing a final warning as he began Casting. The words had barely left his mouth when three men on three horses appeared, descending from the air. The leader, Richard, brought a heavy stomp down on Pascal, who was observing from the edge of the high ground.
Unfortunately for him, Pascal had already raised a barrier. The horse’s hoof struck it as if hitting metal, letting out a pained whinny from the impact. Richard had already dismounted. Judging that his opponent had used a Force Field Wall, he followed up with a charging punch imbued with Corrosive Claw. The resulting Magic Fist Wind disrupted the Force Field.
But Pascal’s defenses weren’t completely broken. Beneath the dissipating Force Field was a second Blue Light Barrier.
The situation was not what Richard had expected. First, he hadn’t anticipated finding a Mage in an artillery position. Second, he hadn’t thought a Valois Mage would possess such high combat proficiency, managing to raise two different defensive barriers in such a short time.
Meanwhile, the thought that popped into Pascal’s head was: ’Thank God it’s not Rorschach!’
He began to prepare his next Magic, shouting, "Paul!"
Without needing Pascal’s command, Paul had already prepared an attack. The enemies were coming up from below and would need time to find their footing. Paul immediately used a move he had once used against Rorschach: Acid Splash!
The horse beside Richard was hit by the splashing concentrated acid before it could dodge, and it let out a sorrowful cry. The Mage on its back was forced to abandon his mount, letting it tumble down the high ground while he scrambled up on his own. Clearly, it wasn’t just Richard; this Military Mage also hadn’t been prepared for Casters among the enemy ranks.
Pascal finished his Casting. Not only he, but Paul and the other comrades around him also received Combat Motivation. This was the result of his training; previously, he could only apply it to himself, but now five people had received the buff.
Paul’s Spirit was invigorated. He threw his personal dagger, stabbing the dismounted Mage, then rolled and shoved Pascal out of Richard’s path. With an opening created, the artillerymen who had loaded their Firearms immediately found their moment and opened fire.
Unsurprisingly, the Empire’s Mages blocked the volley with a Shield. But for Pascal and Paul, this gave them the initiative again. Pascal conjured a Fireball. Since he didn’t have enough time to charge it, the Fireball was only slightly larger than his head. But Paul coordinated perfectly, tossing an unknown Alchemy Potion that merged into the Fireball, causing it to suddenly expand and transform into a more dangerous blue flame.
Richard dodged it, but his companion did not. The man, covered in clinging blue flames, screamed as he tumbled down the slope.
Richard realized the situation was dire; their surprise attack had lost its advantage. Still on his horse, he looked down on the two enemy Mages and nodded. "Richard."
"Hah... Pascal."
"Paul... Are you from the Nobility? Then state your family name. I am from Jasikone..."
Before Paul could finish speaking, Richard suddenly opened his mouth wide, and a torrent of searing, turbulent flame erupted forth, sweeping across the artillery position like Dragon Breath.
"You play dirty! That’s not an honorable way for Nobility to act!" Paul was still cursing as Pascal did his utmost to maintain the barrier. Soon, Paul’s Blue Light Barrier was also deployed. Yet even with their combined efforts, some of the Dragon Breath still hit their comrades and destroyed a cannon.
Fortunately, the regular artillerymen had already prioritized moving the gunpowder, so no sympathetic detonations occurred. This was a regret for Richard. He retreated on his horse through the flames, pulling up his badly burned comrade at the foot of the hill.
It wasn’t just Richard; the entire Empire Army was retreating. The Airships that had penetrated deep into the Valois Army’s territory were intercepted by Mages whose Casting Abilities had returned, failing to achieve the effect the Empire Army had hoped for.
The smoke of battle cleared, and flowing blood stained the fields black. The soldiers of Valois stood with difficulty, watching the enemy move in the opposite direction of the Royal Capital.
"We won! Valuva is safe! The motherland is saved!"
Although the National Guard, having suffered grievous casualties, had won, the few men left standing on the front line showed that they were in no condition to pursue. They could only watch as the Empire Army conducted an orderly retreat.
Regardless, the Empire’s spearhead had struck its first iron wall. Their aura of invincibility was shattered, and the lightning offensive planned by their command was on the verge of collapse.
Winter gave way to spring, and the war on the continent reached a turning point.
