A terrifying strike tore through the sky like a cataclysmic light, sweeping across the heavens with boundless brilliance. The dazzling radiance was even more intense than the sun itself, engulfing the entire land in a torrent of blazing white.
Everyone on the battlefield had to shield their eyes, struggling to track the trajectory of this world-ending attack.
This devastating strike was enough to annihilate any being below the Morning Star level it was the most powerful offensive move unleashed by War Fortress No. 13.
It carried not only the accumulated energy of the fortress but also the expectations of Grand Wizards Yude and Earl.
Boom!
The battlefield trembled violently, as if on the verge of collapse. Dust and debris were swept into the air by the raging energy storm, making the very heavens and earth feel as though they were crumbling.
A deafening explosion tore through the sky, like the arrival of doomsday.
The shockwave of destruction swept across the battlefield, obliterating everything in its path. Ruins and remnants of structures were reduced to dust in an instant.
The blinding light carried an unimaginable level of destructive heat, distorting the very air with its sheer intensity.
Even as the warriors narrowed their eyes, attempting to lessen the impact of the glare, this was no ordinary brightness it was infused with a raw, overflowing energy that neither magical barriers nor enchanted artifacts could completely withstand.
Only a handful of the most powerful individuals could barely gaze upon the spectacle without turning away.
Among them stood the legendary mage, Linge.
He stood firm like an ancient pine tree, his white hair flowing like cascading snow. His eyes, vast and unfathomable like the cosmic abyss, remained fixed on the incoming destruction, unwavering.
In his hand, he held a star of blue and white hues, shimmering like an eternal celestial body.
Surprisingly, instead of channeling his power, he merely let go, allowing the divine artifact to float freely in the air.
The blue-white star rotated gently, releasing a soft and ethereal glow like a flicker of unquenchable starlight from the ancient void.
At that moment, the apocalyptic strike from the war fortress, brimming with overwhelming annihilation, surged toward Linge with an inescapable, all-destroying force.
Boom!
Suddenly, the celestial object in midair shimmered, and a hazy female figure emerged from its glow.
She was tall and graceful, her silhouette exuding an ethereal beauty, though her face remained veiled in mist.
Only her slender, delicate hand could be seen, stretching out as if reaching for the vast expanse of the cosmos seemingly ready to grasp the very stars themselves.
The next moment, among the boundless sea of stars, the blue-white celestial body was gently cradled within her palm.
To hold the sun and moon, to command the stars such a presence could only belong to a deity.
There was no doubt that this mysterious figure was none other than the Goddess of the Weave herself.
Yet, only a few select individuals on the battlefield were privileged enough to witness the divine revelation.
Among the wizard faction, the presence of this mighty goddess weighed heavily on their spirits, pressing down like an invisible mountain.
Conversely, the mages of the divine faction were ecstatic, their eyes brimming with reverence.
With a feverish devotion, they dropped to their knees, chanting hymns in praise of their goddess, their voices resonating across the battlefield.
As the entire battlefield held its breath in anticipation, the enigmatic goddess gracefully lifted her hand.
Like a celestial maiden plucking the stars, her movement was soft and effortless.
The blue-white celestial body pulsed slightly, releasing an immeasurable brilliance, and with the gentlest flick of her hand, she casually waved toward the incoming destruction.
In an instant, space itself seemed to freeze.
The earth-shattering onslaught from the war fortress capable of obliterating even a Morning Star-level being was utterly extinguished in a single, effortless motion.
The battlefield, once consumed by chaos and destruction, returned to an eerie stillness.
Even the residual energy of the massive strike had been smoothed away, leaving behind nothing but silence.
It was as if the apocalyptic blast had never existed merely a fleeting illusion.
High above the battlefield, the hazy silhouette of the celestial maiden floated among the clouds.
Her figure, both ethereal and divine, flickered between light and shadow, creating an aura of untouchable majesty.
Even though her face remained obscured, her overwhelming divine presence engulfed the battlefield like an all-encompassing celestial veil.
Both sides of the battle had witnessed this scene with their own eyes.
Their minds were overwhelmed with shock and disbelief.
The devastating strike, capable of leveling entire regions, had not even left a trace?!
The mysterious celestial woman had merely waved her hand and in doing so, completely neutralized an attack that could decimate a Morning Star-level existence?!
The wizards, their expressions grim, felt an immense, sinking pressure in their hearts.
Meanwhile, the mages were ablaze with fighting spirit, their gazes filled with fervent admiration.
The divine presence of their goddess had rekindled their will to battle!
"…Hah."
Linge, the legendary mage, let out a soft, cold chuckle his expression carrying a hint of mockery.
This war was no trivial skirmish.
Even within the highest ranks of the Seven Stars, the significance of this battle had been acknowledged.
After all, the goddess herself had decreed her will the Seven Stars could not allow her divine name to be tarnished.
Previous conflicts had been small in scale, and the goddess had not been directly involved.
But this time was different.
This time, she had personally issued a divine command.
She had even entrusted them with her weapon.
This battle must be won.
A mere victory was not enough absolute dominance was the only acceptable outcome.
For this very reason, Linge, one of the Seven Stars and a legendary mage, unhesitatingly summoned the Blue-White Morning Star, calling upon the power of the Goddess. He wanted those filthy wizards to witness the divine might firsthand and have their faith utterly shattered!
At this moment, he surveyed the battlefield with satisfaction, taking in the shocked and pale faces of the wizards, contrasted with the surging morale of his mage army. A cold smirk curled at the corner of his lips.
With a simple wave of his hand, the blue-white star slowly drifted back into his palm.
As the celestial light faded, the hazy projection of the Weave Goddess also gradually dissipated.
Yet, despite the pressure weighing heavily over War Fortress No. 13, the morale of the mage army remained high.
"Troops, march forward."
Holding the Blue-White Morning Star, Linge walked through the sky, leading the charge while issuing orders to his forces below.
Like a vast tide, the mage army surged forward, their eyes burning with unwavering conviction.
On the other side, inside the war fortress command room, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
Even though Grand Wizard Yude and Grand Wizard Earl had anticipated this outcome knowing that their attack was unlikely to inflict serious harm on the legendary mage they couldn't help but feel disappointed when the final result became clear.
After all, not only had their strike failed to injure him, but it hadn't even grazed the corner of his robe.
The terrifying assault was effortlessly torn apart in front of the Weave Goddess's projection. The sight sent chills down their spines, filling them with helplessness and despair.
However, despite their disappointment, as war commanders, they had to remain composed.
Observing the unwavering commitment of the mage army, Yude, and Earl could tell that this battle held immense importance to them perhaps even more than it did to the wizards' faction.
Cursing internally, the two Third Level Grand Wizards knew that they had already stalled for a considerable time.
Yet, despite their efforts, reinforcements from the Eastern War Zone were still nowhere to be seen, as if their entire front line had been abandoned and left to fend for itself.
Although frustration gnawed at them tempting them to lash out they forced themselves to suppress their fury and maintain control over the battlefield.
"Activate the war fortress! Create distance retreat!"
"Suicide squads, assault squads, prepare to intercept the mage army at any time!"
With their decisive commands, War Fortress No. 13, which had been lying dormant, suddenly roared to life like a slumbering beast.
Mechanical arms whirred into action, layers of external armor unfolded, and from the lowest section, powerful thrusters erupted with surging energy, propelling the massive airborne fortress rapidly backward.
"Rumble!"
The fortress trembled as it ascended, its metallic form trailing a long tail of fire, shaking the battlefield with its deafening roar.
Yude and Earl dared not take any chances. Before Legendary Mage Linge could get within striking distance, they resolutely ordered a retreat refusing to risk the total annihilation of their forces.
The thunderous sound of the fortress retreating carried far across the battlefield, reaching Linge's ears.
He let out a scoff, his smirk widening, yet he made no move to give chase.
To him, the reckless pursuit was meaningless. His goal was to steadily reclaim the lands of the Goddess, step by step, rather than risking everything for a fleeting victory.
However, even though he had no intention of pursuing, he still issued an order to spread the news below:
"The enemy is fleeing."
At once, a thunderous cheer erupted from the mage army. Pride and contempt were written all over their faces as they looked down upon the wizards who had dared to challenge the Goddess.
"These cowardly wizards why do they scurry away like rats the moment we engage?"
"The only reason they survived before was the Goddess's mercy. But now that Lord Linge, one of the Seven Stars, has taken action, they've fled in disgrace!"
However, just as their mocking words began spreading among the mage army, a series of sudden disruptions shattered their celebratory mood.
Although War Fortress No. 13 had chosen to retreat, it had secretly laid numerous traps before leaving.
As the mages advanced, the ground suddenly cracked open violently, and suicidal mechanical constructs burst from beneath the surface, exploding in a devastating blast!
Meanwhile, in the sky, invisible flying vessels suddenly decloaked, revealing an arsenal of deadly weapons crystal cannons, sorcerous devices, and bombs all raining down like a hailstorm upon the mage army, unleashing chaos.
Amidst the pandemonium, one aircraft launched a suicidal dive, streaking directly toward the mage army without hesitation.
Its fearless charge sent chills down the spines of those who witnessed it.
Caught off guard, many low-tier mages barely had time to react before being blown to pieces by the explosion.
The once orderly formation of the mage army fell into disarray, with soldiers scrambling in different directions, teetering on the verge of collapse.
High above, Legendary Mage Linge observed everything with an eerily calm expression showing no intention of interfering.
These harassment tactics weren't even worth his attention in Linge's eyes, they were nothing more than pests. His true targets were the higher-tiered wizards, not these small fry.
Among the mage army, there were naturally others equipped to handle such disruptions.
Linge continued his slow advance, his gaze cold and unwavering. Only when he sensed the power fluctuations of a Third Level Grand Wizard would he pause, raise a hand, and intervene.
For instance, when a dimensional purification device self-destructed, or when a wizard had left behind a triggered explosive formation…
Buzz…
Suddenly, one of the invisible aircraft trembled in the sky, clearly unstable.
In a bid to maximize the damage, the First-Level Wizard inside had a crazed glint in his eyes. Driven by ambition and the desire for glory, he recklessly lowered his flight altitude, aiming to deliver a precise and lethal blow.
However, in his overconfidence, he miscalculated the safe distance.
Boom!
A magic crystal cannon roared from the aircraft, streaking through the sky like a blazing meteor.
In the next instant, a massive explosion lit up the sky. The shockwave ripped through the air, engulfing dozens of mages.
Flesh and blood flew everywhere. Severed limbs were scattered across the battlefield. Even First-Circle, Second-Circle, and some Third-Circle mages were either killed outright or gravely wounded in the devastating blast.
Just as the wizard inside the aircraft reveled in his brief moment of triumph, he attempted to retreat, accelerating to escape the battlefield.
But at that very moment, a cold and emotionless whisper reached his ears:
"Fourth-Circle Spell Lorochim's Spear of the Mind."
Buzz…
The voice, like a death knell, carried an oppressive force impossible to resist.
The wizard's pupils contracted sharply. Before he could react, a dazzling, spectral spear tore through the air, emerging from thin air.
His soul trembled.
The spear pierced straight through his chest with ghost-like precision.
Agonizing pain flooded his body. Trembling, the wizard looked down to see the soul-forged weapon radiating a faint, ghostly light like an invisible blade shredding his heart from within. His soul began to disintegrate and fade, visible to the naked eye.
The aircraft immediately lost control. Like a lifeless husk, it swayed in mid-air before plunging toward the ground in a spiral of fire and smoke.
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted. Flames roared, debris flew in every direction, and the shockwave painted the battlefield blood-red.
And this wasn't a rare occurrence. Among the swarm of aircraft, similar scenes played out frequently.
Some died due to recklessness, some were just unlucky wandering into zones patrolled by high-level mages and getting obliterated by powerful spells.
Farther away, Lynn was piloting his invisible aircraft, stealthily approaching the mage army with his squad.
Unlike the other reckless and glory-hungry squads, Lynn's team was far more rational and composed.
They had mapped out a detailed battle plan long in advance, with no desire to act impulsively.
Their aircraft stopped at a safe distance, from where they calmly launched magic crystal cannons and enchanted devices in a calculated manner.
Whether or not these weapons hit anyone didn't matter. Killing wasn't their goal stalling the mages' advance was.
Even if the crystal cannons failed to kill, their detonations would still force the mages to pause or detour. No mage, after all, would risk walking straight into an explosion.
This not only delayed the mage army's advance but also subtly disrupted their formation.
More importantly, they accomplished their mission with minimal risk staying safe while remaining effective.
If the other squads were like mosquitoes biting, drawing blood, but risking death themselves
Then Lynn's squad was more like flies annoying, buzzing incessantly, but never quite threatening enough to warrant serious attention.
They maintained a reasonable distance, avoiding direct engagement and keeping out of danger.
But in the sector, they were targeting, there happened to be a squad, unlike the rest of the mages.
These were mounted soldiers clad in armor, riding warhorses they looked like knights at a glance. And indeed, they were members of the Knights of the Mystic Flame, a mysterious order under the Goddess's command.
At that moment, one of these knights grew visibly irritated by the buzzing "flies" Lynn and his squad.
With a tug of the reins, he urged his steed skyward.
The warhorse sprouted wings and surged into the air, charging directly toward Lynn's aircraft with righteous fury.
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