Chapter 227: Liberation Once Again After a Thousand Years (Three-in-One Chapter)
Crescent City, the most powerful human city in the far north, was always shrouded in the glow of a barrier. Even though it would be hit by a monster tide every now and then, it was always able to survive thanks to the protection of the powerful barrier.
However, at this moment, the city was shrouded in unprecedented panic and despair.
A piercing, high-pitched magical alarm blared throughout the city, signaling the highest level of disaster warning.
On the edge of the city, the defensive barrier that had been suspended like a glass dome was now flickering and flashing violently, as if it were about to shatter at any moment.
It turned out that just outside the barrier, beneath the city walls, countless ferocious monsters, like a black tide, were frantically attacking the blue light barrier in front of them, trying to deplete the barrier's energy continuously.
Even the sky was obscured by swarms of flying monsters, casting terrifying shadows.
"Quickly! Have all the mages channel magic into the core node of the barrier! Quickly!"
On the city wall, the commander roared hoarsely, but his voice sounded so weak amidst the howls of the monsters.
In the past, when faced with a monster horde, they would open a small section of the barrier, let the monsters in, and then have all the mages and soldiers unleash their firepower on the opening, thereby reducing the pressure on the barrier.
But they couldn't do that now.
Because the barrier's magic power was insufficient, each time a gap was opened or closed, it consumed the limited magic power within the barrier.
Now they were forced to cower behind the city walls, placing all their hopes on the barrier.
Inside the city, numerous mages, regardless of rank or whether they came from official or civilian backgrounds, gathered in the temple, desperately channeling their magic power into the core node in an attempt to restore the depleted magic power of the barrier.
Given that they couldn't leave now, this was the only option left to them.
Beams of magical light of various colors flowed into the base of the barrier, attempting to make up for the huge deficit.
However, it was ultimately just a drop in the ocean!
The total amount of magic power that Flamme and Ayla had forcibly extracted was far too enormous, or rather, the amount of magic power required to cast the targeted teleportation spell was astronomical, which had almost shaken the very foundation of the barrier.
Even if all the mages in the city tried their best to replenish the barrier, it would only slow down the collapse slightly.
Cracks had begun to spread across the surface of the barrier, like shattered glass, constantly assaulting the senses of all the soldiers on the city wall.
Underground prison.
Flamme and Ayla suddenly stood up and went to the window at the same time.
They clearly felt the ground trembling beneath their feet, and even the deafening alarms and monster roars outside reached their ears. Seeing the flickering light of the barrier not far away, the two of them knew something was wrong.
"What happened?!" Ayla's expression changed, her pointed ears trembling incessantly due to the violent energy fluctuations from the outside world.
A young guard assigned to watch over them, his face pale and his voice trembling with tears, replied, "The... the monster tide has broken out ahead of schedule! And it's on a scale far exceeding anything we've seen before. The barrier is about to collapse, all because we don't have enough magic power..."
He didn't say the rest, but Flamme and Ayla understood instantly.
It was because of them!
It was because they had forcibly extracted the barrier's magic power from its core that its defensive power was greatly reduced, leaving it unable to withstand this sudden, premature monster tide.
An overwhelming sense of guilt surged into their hearts, gripping their souls like an invisible hand.
In their attempt to save Frieren, they had dragged the entire city into a hell of destruction.
"Let us out!" Flamme turned around abruptly and shouted to the guards at the door, her voice filled with urgency. "We are also mages, and we can help!"
The guard looked troubled. Without orders from his superiors, he dared not release them without authorization.
"Go and inform the city lord and that bishop!" Ayla said sternly, her imposing manner sending a chill down the guard's spine. "We have a responsibility to make amends for the mistakes we have made!"
The guard hesitated for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth, turned around, and ran to report.
Soon, the news reached the Duke and Bishop Casalius, who were in the midst of an emergency command.
The two were in a state of utter distress and were taken aback when they heard Flamme and Ayla's request.
"Nonsense! What use are they now that they're out here!" the Duke instinctively objected.
Although these two people were likely disciples of Lady Serie, they were not her in the end and could not play any significant role in the current situation.
"Release them, Your Grace." Bishop Casalius waved his hand wearily, a complex light flashing in his eyes. "They are quite powerful, and it's always good to have more strength. This will also make them feel better, and perhaps the barrier can be extended for a while longer."
"Alright!" Seeing that the bishop had said so, the Duke naturally no longer objected and immediately issued the order.
After the guards hurriedly left, Flamme and Ayla waited anxiously.
Outside the prison, the roars of monsters and the humming of the barrier, which was under immense strain, mingled together, causing even the walls to tremble slightly and shed a considerable amount of dust.
"It's all because of us…" Flamme's voice was filled with deep self-reproach. She had never imagined that her attempt to save Frieren would bring such a massive disaster to the city.
Ayla gripped the iron bars tightly, her knuckles turning white. "Now is not the time for regrets. We must do something to make amends."
Time seemed to pass exceptionally slowly.
Finally, heavy footsteps approached, and the guard returned, followed by a solemn-looking temple guard.
The other party took out a key, inserted it into the lock, and turned it, making a piercing sound.
"The city lord has ordered that you two be temporarily released to assist in the defense!" the knight said rapidly.
The restrictions on Flamme and Ayla were lifted, and the long-lost magic surged within them once more.
They didn't even have time to thank the guards. They took the wands from them and rushed out immediately.
As the two walked along, they came to a barrier control node near the city wall, where several mages were working hard to keep the barrier from breaking.
The Duke and Bishop Casalius were also present, their faces so solemn they could drip water.
The barrier's light flickered violently in the air, and through the increasingly thin membrane of light, one could clearly see the demons surging towards them like a black tide.
They came in all shapes and sizes and attacked the barrier frantically, each impact dimming the light.
"No! The barrier's magic recovery rate can't keep up with the consumption! It won't last long at this rate!"
A mage responsible for monitoring the state of the barrier shouted, his voice filled with despair.
The Duke suddenly looked at Flamme and Ayla. "Weren't you going to help? Hurry up and go to the temple to infuse the barrier with magic!"
"That's a completely ineffective solution!" Ayla immediately retorted. "With the magic power of the two of us, we can only delay the barrier from breaking by a few minutes."
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
"We need to go outside!" Flamme answered without hesitation. "Staying inside won't effectively reduce the pressure on the barrier. We must clear out the monsters on the outside!"
"No!!!" the Duke exclaimed. "The barrier's magic power is already limited. If we give you an opening, the constant opening and closing will only accelerate the barrier's collapse!"
"Besides, there are so many monsters outside. If you go out, you'll likely die a horrible death!"
"This is the most effective method right now!" Ayla said firmly. "We have the ability to protect ourselves."
The city lord wanted to say something, but the bishop beside him gave them a deep look, a resolute glint in his eyes. "I agree! Opening a gap the size of a person won't consume too much magic power, and besides, it's the best way right now."
He chose to believe in these two mages who might have been disciples of legends, and he also believed in the unwavering resolve on their faces.
Besides, it would be a waste of their talents to have them use their magic to replenish the barrier's magic power. Perhaps these two really could create a miracle?
The old bishop couldn't help but think this.
After a moment's hesitation, the city lord agreed, and his gaze toward Flamme and Ayla softened considerably.
Although the current situation was partly due to the two of them, and partly due to the premature outbreak and the fact that the monster tide was far larger than ever before, at least the two of them were willing to make amends for their mistakes.
At that moment, the two mages swiftly manipulated the barrier, painstakingly opening a small opening, just wide enough for one person to pass through, in the violently fluctuating light wall.
Without the slightest hesitation, Flamme and Ayla simultaneously cast flight magic, transforming into two streaks of light and darting out of the gap like lightning.
"Close the passage!" the city lord ordered immediately.
The gap closed instantly, isolating the inside and the outside once again.
As soon as the two rushed out of the barrier, countless demonic creatures focused their bloodthirsty gazes on them, especially the flying demons in the air, which swarmed towards the two who dared to leave the barrier.
"Sister Ayla, I'll handle the ground," Flamme shouted.
"Okay!" Ayla immediately understood.
The next moment, a terrifying surge of magical energy erupted above the monster horde.
As Flamme's magic was unleashed, countless thick golden arrows of light crashed down like hailstones, even exploding directly in the areas where monsters were most concentrated, instantly turning large swathes of monsters into charred remains.
Ayla also began to act, with dozens of blue vines emerging from the magic circle. As if they were alive, they rushed out in all directions, easily lifting the flying monsters and squeezing them, causing them to explode into clouds of blood mist in the air!
Their powerful firepower immediately drew the attention of many monsters, which reduced the barrier's direct impact to some extent.
Even the soldiers guarding the city walls, witnessing this scene, began to have the unrealistic fantasy that the two before them could actually save the city.
The Duke and Bishop Casalius also looked surprised.
They knew these two were quite strong, but they didn't expect them to be this powerful.
The ability to annihilate large numbers of monsters with a wave of the hand was far beyond the reach of ordinary magicians.
"Such strength... it seems they truly are that lord's disciples," the Duke murmured.
The bishop did not speak, but looked solemnly out of the city, his face showing little joy.
Those two mages were indeed incredibly brave, and their magical power was astonishing. Each time they attacked, they could clear out a large area.
However, there were simply too many monsters.
They seemed endless, constantly surging in from the distant wilderness, instantly filling the places that had just been cleared with new monsters.
Flamme and Ayla quickly realized this as well.
Their magic was being consumed at an alarming rate. They had slain thousands of monsters, but as far as the eye could see, the black tide showed no signs of abating.
"No! There are too many!" The two briefly reunited in the air. Ayla was panting, her face pale from casting high-level magic repeatedly.
Although Flamme had cleared out the flying monsters, these monsters only accounted for a small portion of the monster tide and had no impact on the overall battle situation.
She gritted her teeth and unleashed several more beams of light, blasting away more than a dozen monsters, but more monsters immediately took their place.
"The light from the barrier is getting weaker and weaker!"
Their efforts were in vain. The light of the barrier had dimmed to its lowest point.
Finally, with a crisp, resounding crash like shattering glass, the powerful barrier that had protected this city for countless years shattered, turning into countless points of light that dissipated into the air.
The city's last barrier had vanished.
"The barrier has broken!!!"
On the city wall, the desperate cries sounded so clear.
Unburdened, the horde of monsters roared deafeningly, charging towards the city walls and the city like a flood bursting its banks!
"Prepare for close combat!" The Duke drew his sword, his voice slightly hoarse.
The soldiers raised their shields and spears, and the mages that still retained some of their power prepared to unleash a final, desperate attack. Every face was filled with resolve.
From the air, Flamme and Ayla looked down at the terrifying waves surging towards them, their hearts filled with a sense of powerlessness and deep regret.
"In the end... it's all because of us." Two tears slid down Flamme's cheeks.
Just then.
In the center of the battlefield, space began to distort violently without warning.
A magic circle, radiating an aura far exceeding that of the teleportation magic previously cast by Flamme and her companions, suddenly unfolded in the air.
A beam of light shot into the sky, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Even the frenzied horde of monsters was stunned by the astonishing aura emanating from the magic circle, and their offensive stalled.
The next moment, three figures slowly appeared in the dazzling light.
The blonde elven woman at the head of the group had a cold expression and exuded a chilling aura, which intensified when she saw the horde of monsters beneath her feet. She was clearly Serie.
The black-haired young man beside her, with a white-haired elven girl on his back who looked nervous and was clinging tightly to his shoulders, was none other than Kurtz and Frieren.
Feeling the tension in the girl's body behind him, Kurtz was somewhat speechless.
Why was Frieren still afraid of heights at this time?
"Oh? It's so lively?" Kurtz raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the horde of monsters below, which resembled a black carpet.
"Teacher Kurtz! Teacher Serie!" When Flamme and Ayla saw the two of them, they were overjoyed as if they had seen saviors, and immediately flew over!
"Teacher! Frieren, she…" Flamme asked anxiously.
Kurtz immediately interrupted her. "The little guy is fine now. She's lively and energetic, just a little afraid of heights."
He even deliberately bounced Frieren on his back, causing her to let out a short gasp and tighten her grip on Kurtz's shoulder.
"Don't move!" Frieren whispered. "Besides, I'm not a child. I'm almost a hundred years old."
"Then you're still just a child, only a little over a hundred years old." Kurtz released Frieren, but underestimated the girl's strength. "Loosen your grip a bit. It's time to switch."
Frieren finally let go, allowing Kurtz to place her in Flamme's arms.
"Now, let's deal with the immediate trouble. It seems we've arrived just in time?"
Flamme and Ayla blushed instantly, lowering their heads in shame. "I'm sorry! It's all because of us..."
"Alright, let's talk about your problems later." Serie interrupted her coldly, her golden eyes sweeping over the demonic tide about to surge into the city below, a hint of disgust and fighting spirit flashing in them. "So many filthy things. They're an eyesore."
"I'm sorry, it's our responsibility!"
Flamme's face was filled with guilt, and Ayla looked at Serie with the same apologetic gaze.
Kurtz ruffled Flamme's hair. "Alright, alright, why do you look like you're about to cry? Since it's my lovely apprentice's request, how could I refuse?"
Serie glanced at him, then lowered her hand that had just been raised to cast a spell. She had already guessed that this man was about to take action himself.
Since that was the case, she wouldn't compete with him.
Kurtz casually stretched out his palm, as if summoning something in the void.
A ripple like water suddenly appeared in the space in front of him, and a minor but extremely complex teleportation magic circle instantly unfolded.
Amidst the flashes of light, a few faint cracking sounds could be heard.
There were several high-quality magic ores in Serie's package, which Kurtz had found and which were the power source for them when casting teleportation magic.
Magic ores like these were extremely precious, existing only once every tens of thousands of years in the mythical era. It was like every piece used was one less available.
Now, these high-quality magic ores had been completely squeezed dry and turned into dust.
Immediately afterwards, two silver-white longswords containing unimaginable and immense power slowly emerged from the spatial ripples.
It was the divine sword Orger and the holy sword Athos!
Kurtz handed Athos to Serie. "Help me set up a barrier to protect the city and prevent the monsters from sneaking in."
Serie took Athos, gave a soft hum, seemingly slightly displeased at being ordered around, but her movements were not slow at all.
She arrived directly above the city and activated the power within the holy sword.
Buzz!
An enormous, emerald-green barrier instantly expanded outwards from her, enveloping the entire Crescent City once again.
Several monsters that rushed too fast crashed into it, instantly feeling as if they had hit an impenetrable wall. They screamed as the life force naturally contained within the barrier repelled them or even purified them into powder.
On the city wall, the people who were prepared to fight to the death were stunned by this miraculous scene.
The Duke gaped, and Bishop Casalius trembled with excitement, for he could feel the terrifying power contained within the barrier.
This was the legendary holy sword of the elves, Athos, which possessed the most potent defensive magic in the world.
"What... what is that!?"
"A new barrier! Such powerful energy!"
"They did it!"
Hope had been rekindled in people's eyes.
Kurtz, on the other hand, grasped the holy sword Orger.
He didn't even strike a majestic pose. He simply pointed the tip of his sword casually at the horde of monsters below, which resembled a black ocean.
"Let's have some fun after all this time," he muttered to himself, as if talking to the sword.
Then, the pure white blade of the Holy Sword Orger suddenly burst forth with a light that could eclipse everything else.
Vast magical power surged wildly into the sword, and the release after a thousand years caused Orger to let out a light, joyful cry.
"All liberated."
An indescribably massive, blazing white beam of light, like divine punishment, surged from the tip of Orger's sword, forming a dazzling beam of light.
The size of this beam of light far exceeded everyone's expectations. Its width covered almost half of the battlefield.
Wherever the light passed, all the demons were instantly annihilated upon contact, leaving not even a trace of ash behind!
There were no explosions, no screams, only pure and utter destruction.
The light lasted for several seconds before slowly fading away.
On the battlefield, a huge trench, several kilometers wide and bottomless, appeared.
The tens of thousands of monsters that once filled this area had disappeared.
Just one strike.
In just a moment.
The seemingly endless and despairing monster tides vanished without a trace, as if they had never existed.
The distant monsters seemed utterly terrified by this devastating attack, letting out horrified howls as they quickly retreated, fleeing this terrifying place they could not comprehend.
The entire battlefield fell into a deathly silence.
On and off the city walls, inside and outside the city, everyone, including Flamme and Ayla, stared in disbelief at the empty battlefield and the black-haired young man who seemed to have created all of this with a casual strike.
Their minds had almost stopped thinking, and they were unable to comprehend what was happening before their eyes.
What kind of terrifying power was this?
Was this the power of the Godslayer, Master Kurtz?
Although they already knew their teacher was incredibly powerful, they were still deeply moved whenever they witnessed it firsthand.
Holding Flamme, Frieren's mouth gaped open in an "O" shape, her emerald green eyes filled with shock.
What did she see?
Was this an attack by the gods?
Kurtz, the protagonist of All Eyes, seemed to have done nothing more than a trivial matter. He casually put Orger away, yawned, and said, "Done. Hmm, the magic control was alright. I didn't break through the ley lines."
Serie retrieved Athos, and the green barrier disappeared with it. "All you do is show off!"
She glanced at her two stunned disciples, raising an eyebrow slightly. "What are you still standing there for? You've caused such a huge mess that we have to clean it up. I'll settle accounts with you when we get back."
Although her tone was indifferent, there was no real anger in her voice.
"Alright, I'm a little hungry. Let's eat first! We can talk about their issues after we've eaten," Kurtz said from the side.
Flamme and Ayla finally came to their senses. Looking at their two teachers, they were overwhelmed with a mixture of joy at surviving the ordeal and deep remorse, leaving them speechless for a moment.
In the distance, the Duke and Bishop Casalius exchanged a glance, both seeing lingering fear and a hint of relief in each other's eyes.
These two were indeed the disciples of Lady Serie!
That blonde elf was probably the legendary Serie, but who was that young, dark-haired man? Could he also be her apprentice?
The two dared not be negligent in the slightest and immediately led a group of people to greet the figures in the center of the battlefield, whose identities were probably terrifying.
At least this city was saved.
[End of Chapter]
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