"Finish it..." The words were subtle and spoke without much care. However, the aftermath was much beyond anyone's comprehension.
As soon as Lerian gave permission to start attacking the City to draw out the real culprit, the Flaming Dragon took action.
The sky suddenly darkened as the massive dragon descended from the heavens. Its wings stretched wide, casting a long shadow over the city below. It was an awe-inspiring sight to behold; a giant creature of flame and fury that seemed to have come straight out of legend.
The citizens of the city scrambled for cover, some screaming in terror as they ran for their lives. The dragon roared loudly, its voice echoing off the walls like thunder through a canyon. Its flames shone brightly against the night sky, illuminating everything around it with an orange glow.
The dragon flew directly towards one of the towers in the center of the City and released its fiery breath upon it without mercy. The tower began to crumble immediately under its assault and soon collapsed into rubble on top of many unfortunate souls who had not been able to escape in time.
As if this weren't enough destruction already, more buildings were engulfed in flames as embers spread throughout the city due to wind gusts caused by powerful flaps from its wings above them all adding fuel to fire already started by dragon's breath moments earlier.
"They are attacking! Does heaven really want us to die!"
People screamed louder now as they watched their homes burn before their very eyes while trying desperately to find safety elsewhere but unfortunately there wasn't much else left standing at this point besides ashes and charred remains everywhere you looked .
"Could it be that today is really the day I die?" Duke Callum sat inside his mansion, having his eyes closed. He didn't leave the mansion to join the battle yet. Not only did he not believe he could stop this assault, but he also thought that going out was just accepting death.
"If I go out to fight, they will know I'm a Dark Mage and kill me first. The entire blame might also befall me. Not if I don't go out, I'll still die. Should I really try to escape the City? No. The barrier won't let me leave. The only way to break the barrier now is by killing Lerian."
He didn't want to fight but deep inside, even he knew that no matter what he did, he was probably going to be buried with the City.
He glanced in the direction of the stairs that led downstairs to the secret locked room.
"In the end, it seems that I really can't abandon this place..." After a deep sigh, he stood up. "If death it is, I'll fight to death!"
He decided to fight back. Since he couldn't win in a battle of strength, he decided to wait for an opportunity and use a sneak attack to kill Lerian and break the barrier.
He wasn't the only one who decided to didn't. The new Saint King tried to follow Gabriel's orders and avoid Lerian as much as possible but in the end, even he couldn't take it anymore.
Now that the city was under attack, there was no other option! All the Royal Knights were already prepared for battle to the death for the Empire.
"Knights of the Empire!" He roared at the top of his lungs. "Today we face our greatest challenge yet: A seemingly invincible enemy that threatens to destroy all that we have worked to protect. Today is the day we must stand together against this foe if we are to save our beloved Empire!"
He paused for a moment to allow his words to sink in before continuing. "But do not fear! We have strength in numbers, courage in our hearts and the blessings of our Ancestors who established this Empire to protect people! Today is the day we fight to survive! Today is the day we fight to protect! Today is the day we make Saint King proud!"
The Saint Knight knew that all the Royal Knights were scared. Who wouldn't be scared of death in a situation like this? However, all he could do for them was to lead them to this battle, hoping his words could give them some courage!
"For the Saint King!" The Royal Knights roared in unison as they rushed on horses galloping towards danger brandishing weapons ready for battle against what most would consider unbeatable odds, being led by the new Saint Knight.
The citizens watching held their breaths with anticipation , hoping these brave men could somehow turn things around despite all evidence pointing otherwise. This was their only chance if they had to survive! They had to take down the Mages!
****
"The Knights are not bad." In the distance, Avilia watched the changing landscape. "If it was just a Head Priest here, they must've held on. Unfortunately, the waters are much deeper today. At most, this army will last a minute."
"If I take action now to save them, even the destruction of the Church of Flames would be linked to me. It would certainly be an unnecessary headache. What a pity that the timing was so wrong."
"When he returns, he's going to be quite upset for sure..."
After a moment of silence, Avilia sighed. "Whatever. I guess I'll lend a helping hand after all."
She clapped her head once. Multiple formation circles appeared all around her, releasing a frightening amount of magical energy.
****
"Futile efforts." The Head Priest shook his head lightly, watching the Knights getting closer to attack them . "I'll handle them."
Lerian didn't stop him. A whirlpool of flames surrounded the Head Priest who watched hundreds of Royal Knights rushing toward them from all sides, trying to use the numbers to their advantage.
"If you wanted to die faster, you really came to the right place. Let me just fulfil your wishes." The Head Priest raised his right hand.
