Chapter 4561: Not a Rescue Operation (Part 1)

The Empire’s mages didn’t fare any better.

Source Magic spells had a much wider range than normal tier five magic, and the Dead King’s army had escaped the notice of the sentinels. Those patrolling the city walls died before conjuring a single rune, while those in the safety of the garrison’s arrays had no idea what to do.

"We’re under an attack of unknown origin." The Mage Captain said to the headquarters via his communication amulet. "Something pitch-black is pressing against our barriers. It blocks our sight and hearing. We’re completely isolated.

"I request immediate assistance and instructions." No elite forces were stationed in Drenghen, and the local mages were unsuited to fight anyone stronger than criminal gangs and rogue mages.

"Fuck!" Rusta the Banshee, lieutenant colonel of the Night Court, stared at the massacre through a surveillance mirror. "This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not a single Upyr is moving towards our base.

"Their entire forces are focused on Drenghen, and at this rate, the city will be reduced to a pile of rubble in a matter of minutes. We must lure those bastards away from our herd!"

The Blood Warlocks and Witches infused the vanguard units with Blood Maelstrom boosted by their Harmonizers, while those who also had long-lasting enhanced bloodline abilities activated them before leaving the mana geyser.

"Just as predicted." Marnora, the Ishara commander, studied the situation from afar thanks to an enchanted nine-eyed spyglass. "The Garleners are getting slaughtered."

"Our troops stand ready, sir. What are your orders." Jinima, his second-in-command, waved at the battalion of human-sized Isharas standing at attention behind her.

The blood of Selkis’ troops almost matched Orpal’s already, and more kept coming from the hidden nearby Warp Gate.

"We wait." Marnora replied with a predatory smile. "There is no glory if we just sweep in and kill the Upyrs. It would seem easy, and doing the easy thing gets you no praise, Jinima. Moreover, if we do all the hard work, our ’allies’ will just stand there and study our every move.

"Taking an Upyr prisoner under such circumstances would be pointlessly hard and unrewarding. We wait until the humans, undead, and whoever else joins the fight against the Dead King is about to get slaughtered.

"Only then do we send the first unit in and save the day. That’s how you act heroic and earn everyone’s gratitude. The ensuing chaos will also give our advance units the time to bag an Upyr.

"At that point, we keep stalling until the situation gets desperate again and send out our main forces at the last minute. This isn’t a rescue operation, soldiers." The Elder Ishara turned to address his followers.

"This is a specimen capture and public relations mission. We are not here to save lives. We are here to save lives and look good while we do it. We need to show our ’goodwill’ and earn the forgiveness for Ankhuta’s misdeeds."

He laughed at those words, and the rest of the Isharas joined him a heartbeat later.

"Don’t go all-out until you receive the signal. Hide your strength and let the rabble that passes for mages in Garlen underestimate us. If your life or your comrades’ is in danger, however, you can disregard my previous order.

"A single Ishara is worth dozens of Upyrs and thousands of lesser beings. Our blood is already dying. Don’t let it die even faster, or our victory will hold no meaning."

Meanwhile, the Upyrs kept solidifying their upper hand in the battle for Drenghen.

"Look at them." Uragar laughed. "The bloodsuckers come rushing to their death, thinking a few paltry tricks can save them. Not this time."

His host flipped through the pages of the cursed book and instantly conjured three gravity arrays, one beside the other. The sudden pressure slowed the squadron of Chiropterans despite the empowering effect of Blood Maelstrom, making them easy targets for the Upyrs’ spells.

The Corrupted Divine Beast rained darkness-infused fireballs and lightning bolts, without bothering to chase after those who turned tail and ran away. The Upyrs ignored the taunts and feints of the Night Court and kept razing Drenghen to the ground.

"Stay on your guard." Akhton was in his Bastet form, afraid to conjure his Vurdalak powers and fall prey to Light Soul’s effects. "We know how this goes. These are just the first response units. Expect the other Courts to join the battle any moment now.

"We might even face one of Baba Yaga’s Firstborns, and the Council won’t sit out of this either. Strike fast, and strike hard. Time is not on our side."

"It’s hard to believe that such a mighty being can be so fainthearted." The Book of Knowledge sneered as he slaughtered one Chiropteran after another with the Source Magic spell, Deadshot. "A body like yours is wasted on-"

Ilthin’s Orphan Maker war mace struck the Davross tome like a baseball, sending it flying across the sky and cutting him short.

"You’re not the one I was expecting, but you’ll have to do." She snarled, her delicate elven features twisted in a mask of rage.

"I wasn’t expecting you either, but you or Vladion make no difference. Boss!" The Chosen answered Akhton’s call by infusing him with a bolt of silver lightning.

The first Banshee charged forward, wreathed in Blood Maelstrom, and the Bastet accepted her challenge. His spear, Ashen Dread, performed a barrage of jab-quick lunges, each strong enough to level a building.

Ilthin took the onslaught head-on, repelling the spearhead with her mace over and over again. The Davross of Orphan Maker clashed against the Adamant of Ashen Dread with the rhythm of a frenzied drummer and the sound of silver on crystal.

The inferior metal bent with every hit, but it took minimal damage, and the spear’s enchantments repaired the Adamant within seconds.

"You’re incredibly strong for someone that small." Akhton grunted with effort, his fingers getting more numb with every impact. "But you’re also dumb. This is a waste of time. The sun will rise before you can destroy my weapon!"

He roared, releasing a powerful burst of Origin Flames. Akhton also activated Life Vision to seal the Banshee’s fate. If she stayed there, the mystical fire would cripple her strength. If she Blinked, she would find the Bastet waiting for her.

If she turned around and tried to fly away, he would skewer her from behind and turn them into dust with Ashen Dread’s enchantments.

Ilthin opened her mouth so wide that it almost reached her chest and unleashed her bloodline ability, Shattered Soul. The sonic screech dispersed the Origin Flames and struck the Bastet’s head, making his ears and eyes bleed.

"Not bad, but I have something called Mana Body." Akhton said with a predatory smile. "You can’t- Mom?"

He shook his head, refusing to believe his eyes, but Ileza the Bastet, Guardian of Life, suddenly stood in front of him, staring at her son with eyes filled with reproach and disappointment.

"That bitch!" Uragar prioritized repairing his true body over stopping his flight. "I’m going to murder her for this!"

Orphan Maker had crumpled the Davross pages of the cursed book, deforming the runes they contained and making it impossible for Uragar to access his powers.