Chapter 178: Chaotic Battlefield
Seeing the horizon stripped with the white armor of the Iliosian army, Arthur gritted his teeth. His heart was full of frustration for the tactics deployed by the Iliosian empire.
Their troops being here could be explained by using the teleportation circles when they started chasing Mistletoe, but there was nothing to explain the existence of such a large number of them.
"It seems the dragon is their target now." Arthur looked back with worry at the giant monster that was flapping its wings majestically in the sky. The motives of the Ilios Empire didn"t matter in times of crisis, so their obvious preparation in terms of troops was overlooked.
The runes master from Runera didn"t come empty-handed, but riding runic humanoid machinery, Runic Mechas. They were purely constructed using runes and they were a lot more durable than Magic Technology Mechas or Electronic Mechas.
"Runera is staying neutral, after all." Arthur sighed inwardly. He knew that Runera didn"t want to cause wars between the countries. However, they were no focusing on the more disastrous thing at hand. A dragon has been found next to the city, so it must take it down to guarantee safety.
The air was filled with tension that threatened felt like a charged static blanket. Arthur looked at the Ilios Army but dared not to approach them.
"I need to flee, regardless." Arthur used his Teleport rune and his body was enveloped by mana. However, the moment that his rune was about to teleport him, a giant doom covered the battlefield. Arthur cursed his luck as he felt the s.p.a.ce-locking rune do its job.
"You have nowhere to flee, puny thief." A voice cut across the battlefield despite the world-shaking collision of mana above in the sky. Arthur looked at the source and saw an armored knight riding a giant armored white tiger.
Arthur looked at the thousands of soldiers that surrounded the battlefield. As he was about to answer, a heaven-shaking roar almost tore through his ears. He looked up in a hurry to find the Dragon surrounded by many awakeners that tried to take it down.
"Mother…" The Elusive Dragon"s voice was heartbreaking, and it resonated deeply in Arthur"s mind. After they had established a bond, Arthur shared the feelings of the young dragon.
"I need to flee; she"s buying time for me." Arthur knew the method that he used earlier in the arena could disturb the s.p.a.ce-locking runes for a short moment. He could also use his insignia, but he didn"t want to reveal that the outsider was still alive.
As for using the power of his Art, Arthur knew his body couldn"t handle it. After all, he had used it once and made his body a mess, even now. If he had a state for his lifeforce, he was sure it was below fifty-percent now.
Another use means death. He looked at the thousands of soldiers and mechas standing in front of him. Fighting them also meant death. However, what other options did he have? Wait for the Astra-ranker to flatten him with a slap?
"I"ll try to break through their formation to escape. If that doesn"t work, I can only gamble using my Art." Arthur took a deep breath and his internal organs ached, each crying and begging for some rest. "Bear it, weak body of mine." Arthur snapped his eyes open as golden light enveloped him.
With a single step, Arthur appeared like a ghost in front of a soldier. The infantry, normal soldiers, were all at the rei-rank. The riders were at the Vetus-rank and they were also the captains. As for the Deme-rankers, they were the Commanders.
Astra-rankers were Generals if they served the army. That"s why the dragon was helpless against so many Astra-rankers attacking it, one of them being Ilia Perli that accompanied the royals this time.
Arthur could perceive the panicked eyes of the soldier that stood before him. However, he wasn"t about to show mercy. His mana circulated as he punched. Like a cannonball destroying a wall, the line of defense was blasted through as soldiers flew apart.
"Stop him!" The captain roared as he charged forward. Arthur used his protection rune to block incoming attacks.
As he felt the incoming presence of the Vetus-ranker, Arthur gritted his teeth and braced himself. He used his protection rune to block the sword of the captain.
The moment the sword came in contact with the barrier, it tore through it easily. Arthur had to use Shadow Swap at the last moment to fall into the shadows and dodge.
"I can"t survive this way," Arthur grew desperate as he looked at the thousand more soldiers blocking him. Among them were many Vetus-rankers that stayed behind because they weren"t useful in their battle against the dragon. "I have to use my Art." Arthur braced himself as he took a deep breath.
The moment he used his Art and the world began shaking, Arthur heard a whistling sound from above. He paused his actions and looked above to see a black jet cutting across the sky. A single logo was painted on the jet.
Ten leaves that resembled a flower. It was the logo of Mistletoe, the same that Arthur was wearing at the moment. The jet collided with the barrier as mana exploded everywhere before it managed to make its way through.
"JUNIOR!" Reece screamed as he was peeking his head from one of the windows wearing protective goggles. This act would kill a normal man, but awakeners could handle the air pressure.
The jet kept decreasing in alt.i.tude until it hovered above the air. Not giving the soldiers any time to stop him, Arthur dashed toward the jet as the army started chasing after him.
Arthur felt the presence of the captain close-in on him from behind. He knew he couldn"t outrun him so he was prepared to use his fire rune for a boost.
Something flew beside his face as his ear buzzed. He looked back reflexively and saw the birth of a giant explosion as a bullet struck the captain"s armor.
The battlefield was chaotic as the whole army started chasing a single man. The mechas flew as they also began chasing after Arthur, but the members of Mistletoe began their attacks as well.
Bullets rained like rain as William held his rifle and shot in an unceasing fashion. Li didn"t use his sword, but his domain and it spread to hinder the Mechas from flying. The gravity changed in Li"s domain and he was able to send the mechas to the ground. Hua"s arrows danced around the battlefield as they were enveloped with Ivy"s characterized mana. Reece"s throwing knives were merciless against any soldier that came close to Arthur"s back.
A roar came from behind Arthur as the fight above looked like fireworks. Arthur knew it was the tiger that he had seen earlier chase after him without its rider. It was then that he saw another masked person with goggles come out of the jet holding a giant gun with an evil smirk.
"Let"s try this baby, hahaha!" It was Ruby, Arthur realized, and her laugh sent chills in everyone"s spine. Even Mistletoe members paused their attacks as they fled to hide behind her.
The mana gathered around the gun rapidly as white light came out from its muzzle. Arthur realized that she was using a mana blaster like the one used against the Calamity Spider at that time.
As the sphere of mana around the giant muzzle of the gun reached its limits, Arthur saw with horror how the mana blaster sent a pillar of light over his head. The screams of the soldiers were unceasing as the mana destroyed their armor.
The tiger, which was the main target of the attack, let out a whimper before Arthur felt its presence fade from behind him. After the attack ended, there was another roar before the army resumed their chase.
Arthur was close to the jet when he felt his body pa.s.s through a barrier. He looked behind to see the soldiers that were chasing after him were sprawled on the ground.
"It"s Li"s domain." Arthur realized. His thoughts were interrupted by the shout of Reece as he tried to warn Arthur. It was late when Arthur realized that a magic arrow was a few meters behind his back and that he had no way of dodging it.
The arrow cut across s.p.a.ce as it destroyed everything in its path toward Arthur"s heart. His brain worked to the extreme to think of a solution but the arrow was too fast to give him time.
"Arthur!" Ivy shouted in worry as she rushed from the Jet over to him. He saw her race to his aid as he felt the arrow a mere meter behind his back.
"Protect…" Arthur heard the dragon"s voice in his mind as it sucked on his remaining mana. Eating his mana away, Arthur felt his body become lighter the moment the arrow came in contact with his back.
"No!" Ivy that was a few meters away screamed but then opened her mouth in amazement. The arrow that was a moment away from taking away Arthur"s heart pa.s.sed through him as if Arthur didn"t exist. The purple mana around him faded a moment later and the arrow carrier on to Ivy, who slapped it away.
The sudden drainage in mana left Arthur, who was already barely hanging all this time, weak and unable to keep himself balanced. He fell facedown and Ivy came forward to support him.
"You"ve done well, Newbie. However, never use yourself as bait again. I guess you"re still dumb." Ivy smiled at him as Arthur"s mind finally relaxed and blacked out.