The Undead Army moved.
There were no war drums, no horns, only the teeth-grinding "Click!" sounds of countless bones grinding and armor colliding, converging into a tidal wave of death.
Six thousand Nazarick Skeleton Guards, like a cold, unstoppable torrent of steel, marched with neat, heavy steps, charging towards the already crumbling defenses of Sumeru City!
The breath of death, like a tangible cold wind, was the first to sweep across the faces of the defenders.
Under the corrosion of that fear originating from the depths of their souls, the last shred of courage completely snapped.
"We can't win! We absolutely can't win! Those monsters... there are so many of them!"
A young Graded Mercenaries mercenary was the first to break, screaming as he threw away his scimitar, his face as pale as paper, turning to flee frantically into the city.
"Run! Hurry and run! Staying here means only death!!"
Panic spread like a plague instantly. More and more mercenaries lost their will to fight, abandoning their armor and weapons, pushing and trampling each other, desperate only to get farther and farther away from that black tide of death.
"Bastards! You cowards! Get back here! Hold the line!!"
The captains of the Graded Mercenaries roared themselves hoarse, trying to strike the deserters with the backs of their blades, even killing one or two men in an attempt to make an example, but all was futile against the panic sweeping through the entire army.
Morale had collapsed, the defeat was sealed.
The few who did not run were mostly battle-hardened veterans or matra with firm convictions.
Their faces were equally pale, and the hands gripping their weapons were trembling, but their eyes shone with resolute light.
They understood that running might buy them a few minutes, but ultimately no one could escape this city that was about to fall.
Since death was inevitable either way, it was better to die fighting like a warrior!
"For Sumeru!!"
Someone let out a desperate cry, and the remaining defenders formed the final, fragile defensive line.
The next moment, the black torrent slammed into this fragile dam.
Boom—!!!
The result was instantaneous and without suspense.
The Nazarick Elite Guards charging at the forefront
—that thousand strong unit of elite skeletons clad in golden armor and wielding extra-long Armor-Piercing Spears
—their spears shot out like striking vipers: precise, cold, and efficient!
"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"
The dull sound of sharp blades sinking into flesh was incessant!
In a single exchange, just one exchange!
The Graded Mercenaries mercenaries in the front row fell in swathes like cut wheat!
Their armor was like paper before these magical spears; their bodies were easily pierced and torn apart!
Blood instantly dyed the ground red, and screams rose one after another.
Cyno's eyes were bloodshot, lightning flashed around him. The staff of the scarlet sands, carrying his rage and determination, fiercely struck an Elite Guard who was pulling a spear out of a comrade's body!
"Clang!"
The Elite Guard reacted extremely quickly, positioning its spear horizontally to precisely parry the powerful blow! Sparks flew everywhere!
At the same time, two more Elite Guards silently flanked him immediately. Three spears, screaming as they tore through the air, launched a relentless, storm-like attack on Cyno from different angles!
Cyno was exhausted trying to cope; the staff of the scarlet sands was wielded so tightly it was impenetrable, blocking, dodging, parrying... his Electro Element Power was rapidly depleted.
The individual strength of these skeleton soldiers might be slightly inferior to his, but their coordination was flawless, they felt no fear, knew no fatigue, and the magical effects attached to their weapons constantly corroded his defenses.
He was like a man trapped in a golden vortex of death, barely holding on. Every block jarred his arms numb, and his stamina drained rapidly.
On the other side, Alhaitham's situation was equally precarious.
He was surrounded by five or six Elite Guards, and the sword in his hand turned into streaks of green light, continuously hacking away at the deadly spears thrusting in from all directions.
His calculations remained precise, and his movements were still efficient, but the sheer numerical and strength advantage left him struggling.
"Hiss!"
A spear grazed his wrist, and the accompanying chilling energy instantly frostbit his tendons. A bone-deep pain and numbness spread through him, and his movements inevitably became slightly distorted.
In that instant of delay! Another Elite Guard closed in like a phantom, its foot, covered by a metal combat boot, slammed into his abdomen!
"Ugh!"
Alhaitham grunted, the intense pain making his vision swim, and his body stumbled backward uncontrollably, the sword in his hand nearly slipping away!
And the Elite Guard behind him had been waiting for this moment, delivering a precise upward thrust with its spear, smashing hard against his arm joints!
"Snap!"
A teeth-grinding sound of bones cracking! Alhaitham's arms were instantly crippled; he could no longer hold his weapon, which clattered to the ground.
He tried to struggle, but the spears of several other Elite Guards shot out suddenly, like vipers long in wait!
"Puff! Puff! Puff!"
Several icy spears pierced his chest and abdomen almost simultaneously!
Alhaitham's body instantly stiffened. He looked down in disbelief at the blood-soaked spear tips protruding from his body.
Excruciating pain and the sensation of his life rapidly draining overwhelmed him.
He opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound. Finally, the light in his eyes quickly dimmed, and his body slumped limply, held suspended by the spears before being ruthlessly tossed onto the ground.
"Bastard!!"
Cyno glimpsed this scene, his eyes splitting with fury, and the lightning around him instantly surged. He desperately tried to rush over, but his distraction instead exposed a greater weakness!
An Elite Guard seized the tiny gap caused by his momentary hesitation, and its spear thrust out like lightning, instantly piercing his flank!
"Pugh—!"
Cyno spat out a mouthful of blood, the intense pain nearly causing him to faint.
He roared in fury, actually grabbing the shaft of the spear in his abdomen with one hand and violently pulling it out, showering blood!
He immediately delivered a fierce kick to the chest of the Elite Guard in front of him, sending it stumbling back several steps.
But the next second, two spears from behind and the side mercilessly stabbed into his body again! One pierced his lung, and the other entered his waist!
"Cough... Hrk..."
Cyno's breathing instantly became labored, and blood continuously poured from his mouth and nose.
The Elite Guard he had kicked back had already regained its footing. It coldly drew the sword from its waist and thrust it forward without hesitation, the icy blade plunging once more into Cyno's already grievous injured abdomen!
Cyno lifted his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the empty eye sockets of the golden skeleton before him, as if trying to engrave the appearance of this harbinger of death onto his soul.
The Elite Guard showed no emotional fluctuation. It mechanically pulled back its long sword, and then, swung the blade—
A cold arc of light flashed past.
The world began to spin and darken in Cyno's eyes... Finally, endless darkness swallowed everything.
The Great Matra Cyno fell into a pool of blood, sinking into silence alongside the city he protected.
The golden skeleton soldiers indifferently stepped over his corpse, continuing their advance deeper into Sumeru City, leaving behind devastation and death.