A/N:
Sorry for few chapters today, more might come in a few hours
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"One down! One down! One of the Commanders is dead!"
Those observing the battle screamed in excitement. The news was welcomed and celebrated by the soldiers who had been risking their lives to defend against the beasts. The announcement raised their morale, and they renewed their efforts to defend the fortress while the Super Mages kept the ruler occupied.
Damon had also returned to the city. He took action to safeguard the barrier until the other mages could regain their positions. Engaging with a commander-level beast had already been more than enough for him. Though he could theoretically fight for days, in a battle where the falcons outnumbered him by thousands, it would be foolish to stand in the middle of the battlefield where nine commanders and a monarch still remained.
In the west, the sun was beginning to set as the mages barely held the defenses. Their magic reserves were nearly exhausted, and the falcons were gradually gaining the upper hand. Even though the death of a commander had lifted their spirits, the mages' minds were completely drained after fighting continuously for hours.
High among the clouds, a gigantic falcon with silver-colored feathers hovered at the center of the commander-level demon beasts. Its perfect silver plumage radiated nobility, each flickering feather sharper than steel. The gigantic falcon's head was the size of a room, its crest-like tufts standing upright like a silver crown fanning outward. Its proud eyes gazed down at the humans struggling to stop it with nothing but mild curiosity.
It was utterly superior—unconcerned even as it flew deep into human territory.
Above the city, Elder Li Tian and Commander Yun Feng were surrounded by a water barrier, sharp silver feathers raining upon them like a wild storm. The barrier managed to withstand a few waves before shattering, leaving their bodies covered in bruises and blood.
The Silver Skyruler was extremely cunning—it seemed familiar with how human magicians cast their spells. Those fighting it were all Super Magicians, and only Super Spells could pierce its armor of feathers. The demon bird manipulated its feathers freely; they circled around it like blades, forming a domain of swirling death that served as both shield and weapon.
The silver feathers were a nightmare for the Super Magicians. Each time they tried to construct a Star Palace, the feathers locked onto them, leaving no chance to complete it.
Constructing a Star Palace was a delicate process involving the connection of seven Star Constellations—something only a few could perform swiftly. Li Tian, Yun Feng, Tang Zhong, Zhu Meng, and the others were powerful, able to cast Advanced Spells instantly, yet none were strong enough to penetrate the Silver Skyruler's domain of feathers. The defensive tornado surrounding the beast shattered any destructive spell that neared it.
"What should we do? If we can't break through its defense, we can't even damage it!" Elder Li Tian said, frowning.
"The soldiers are at their limit too! One more hour and—" Yun Feng's voice faltered, despair washing over him. The situation was dire. They all knew humanity stood at a disadvantage before the monarch of the skies.
"We have to defeat it at all costs!" Councilman Zhu Meng roared.
His magic was the most destructive among them. Under Wu Pingjing's protection, he channeled the Lightning Element, retreating swiftly to gain distance. Five Star Constellations formed around him as he aligned the stars with astonishing speed. Nebulae and Star Patterns emerged in perfect sequence—a feat few could accomplish.
The seven Star Constellations completed, their densely packed stars combined into a magnificent galaxy. The perfectly aligned Constellations merged into a majestic Star Palace. Dark purple lightning flickered wildly within a hundred meters of Councilman Zhu Meng's position as he drew a lightning halberd in the sky.
The halberd expanded as it flew, its power multiplying. One after another, more lightning halberds swept across the heavens, forming nine blazing trails.
The lightning rays struck the Silver Skyruler's Feather-Blade Domain, and a lightning cage formed—nine towering pillars trapping the monarch within.
The Lightning Punishment—originally prepared for the Black Totem Snake—was unleashed at full force upon the Silver Skyruler.
The Silver Skyruler screeched furiously as lightning surged toward it from all directions. It tried to break free but realized that the strongest entrapment among all Super Spells could not be shattered so easily. Its colossal body began to fall, dragging the lightning cage down with it.
Then, at a certain height, the Silver Skyruler let out a piercing cry that echoed across the night sky, reaching every White Magic Falcon in the battlefield.
"What is it trying to do? Does it think its minions can break the Lightning Punishment?" Zhu Meng said in disbelief.
No sooner had he spoken than the army of White Magic Falcons hurled themselves into the lightning cage like giant white nets.
The first wave—over a hundred strong—collided with the lightning chains connecting the halberds. Their bodies vaporized instantly, turning into crimson sprays of blood.
Thousands of Falcons—minions, warriors all died within seconds, their blood forming a mist that stained the skies crimson—a horrifying sight.
Councilman Zhu Meng was stunned. He couldn't believe the ruler would sacrifice its own kind so mercilessly just to escape.
Finally, under the endless assault, the Lightning Punishment began to tremble. Its power weakened, and within minutes, the beast broke free.
The cold-blooded Silver Skyruler rose once more, its feathers bristling. Countless silver feathers shot toward the five Super Magicians.
They were impossibly sharp—no ordinary defense could stop them. Wu Pingjing, who had already used almost all defensive gear earlier, had only one life-saving artifact left.
As the silver rays streaked toward Zhu Meng, the one who had cast the lightning magic, Wu Pingjing leapt before him.
His defensive gear shattered instantly. The feathers pierced his chest, his blood spilling as he shielded Zhu Meng with his own life.
"Wu Pingjing!" Zhu Meng cried, holding the body of his loyal subordinate. His life faded before Zhu Meng's eyes—helpless before the fury of the monarch.
The Silver Skyruler raised its beak again, releasing a terrifying roar that shook the entire city. Its feathers went berserk, cutting through air and stone alike.
"We have to retreat!" Tang Zhong shouted, grabbing Zhu Meng as the Super Mages withdrew.
At the center of the battlefield, the falcon's roar sent lower-ranked creatures flying. Warriors trembled, and commanders bowed in fear.
Glass shattered throughout the city as humans clutched their bleeding ears. The giant silver wings of the ruler whirled like hurricanes, shredding even its own subordinates in the chaos.
"It's attacking…" one magician whispered, his voice trembling with despair.
The barrier could barely withstand the commanders' assaults. With the Super Mages exhausted, even the last line of defense—the barrier itself—would collapse within seconds once the attack landed.
Everyone braced themselves. The soldiers protecting the city let tears fall as they raised their heads bravely. Their eyes burned with fury and sorrow, yet their resolve remained unbroken.
Battling magical creatures. Protecting the city. Protecting humanity.
These were the only things they knew. Everyone closed their eyes, embracing death. None retreated. None fled. If the fortress were to fall—if the city were to fall—they would fall with it.
Till their last breath, they would protect humanity.
They dropped to their knees as the images of their loved ones flashed before their eyes.
Tang Yue, standing on the frontlines, closed her eyes as tears glistened. Her legs refused to bow even as her heart filled with regret.
I should never have let Damon accompany me… Regret welled in her heart as she thought of the boy who had followed her out of stubbornness. I'm sorry, Damon.
Because of her recklessness, the bright future of that boy was in danger. I'm sorry.
Her heart filled with guilt as the image of the blue-eyed boy flashed through her mind—memories of childhood, of her father who died protecting everyone, the uncle who raised her, and the Black Snake who watched over her.
Her eyes closed as darkness settled in—
BOOM!