Eren didn't engage in much conversation with Reen.
He had mentally prepared himself for what he was about to do, and it was time to take action. Staying with Reen longer than necessary would only stir his emotions, something he aimed to avoid.
Eren surmised that Eliza's intention in allowing him to reunite with Reen was to expose his vulnerabilities, hoping to exploit them. Nevertheless, he took the bait because, for someone like Eliza, glimpsing his vulnerabilities would be the key to making her believe that everything was still under her control.
From one control-freak to another, he understood her psychological needs.
After considerable contemplation about Eliza and the intricate Lazarus Project, along with their intense sparring within the Nightmare Domain of Sansara World 1.0, Eren felt he was gradually unraveling Eliza's character. The more he delved into her psyche, the more he recognized her vulnerability concealed behind a facade of bravery and indifference.
'Everyone harbors fears within them, unless their mind is truly unhinged. Every individual has their breaking point. It's merely a question of how much pressure they can endure before they reach it,' Eren reflected inwardly as he regarded Eliza.
"Let's get this thing started."
Eren declared, concluding his conversation with Reen. He then exited the isolated domain. With Layla and Ivor in tow, he made his way to the nearby battlefield, where the blood of Rankers flowed continuously.
Above this gruesome scene, the skies had become the stage for the Sages from both factions to display their earth-shattering powers. The Rankers currently fighting for their respective kingdoms didn't know at this point what was coming for them.
***
"Akass Formation!"
These words resonated across the battlefield as Tumko and his comrades activated the runic array formation. This artifact-centric marvel, conceived by Eren's fusion of diverse knowledge and expertise, proved invaluable for their retreat.
As they made their escape, the formation drew the gaze of allies and adversaries alike, evoking complex emotions from those who watched Tumko's departure from the battlefield's center stage.
While the Akass Formation remained active, elemental spells from foes lost their might. It protected the Rankers wearing the runic rings who traveled together.
It created a spectral domain that shielded them from physical and magical effects, thanks to Eren's modifications tailored for the White Raven Rankers. This adaptation transformed the formation into both an offensive and defensive tool, enhancing their chances of survival.
Other White Raven Guild Rankers, scattered across various units, followed Tumko's lead. They too possessed the necessary runic artifacts for the Akass Formation, ensuring their safe passage from the dire situation.
Eren's generosity in distributing the runic rings demonstrated his commitment to minimize losses of his own guild, both to the war and his impending destructive actions.
He had prepared to depart the world of Anfang anyway. So there was no point in keeping the Akass Formation to himself. Most Rankers on the battlefield remained unfamiliar with the formation, leaving them helpless to thwart the White Raven Guild members' escape.
"What's going on with those White Raven Guild Rankers?" a bewildered Edinburgh Ranker exclaimed.
"Wait... isn't that… Tumko? Why the fuck is he..." questioned another before he was disturbed by his enemies.
"Traitors! We've got fucking traitors among us."
"Hahahahaha! Look at the Edinburgh Rankers. They're fleeing like scared rabbits! Layos Rankers, advance! Cut down these cowardly foes of our kingdom and avenge our fallen comrades!" an enthusiastic elf from Layos urged.
"Edinburgh's formation has crumbled. Seize Tumko and his team. Exterminate them!" another elf proclaimed, rousing the Rankers deployed on the ground with him.
"Capture Tumko! Grandmaster Avalon Lancelot will personally handle him." Even Edinburgh Rankers who had shown respect to Tumko's actions all this time were pissed because of his sudden betrayal.
It didn't take them long to ignore the contributions he had made in the last few days. Now they could only see Tumko as someone who needed to be punished because he didn't want to risk his life on the battlefield along with them.
Chaos erupted on the battlefield as a result of Tumko's actions, sending ripples of confusion and discord across various sections. High-ranking entities grappled with one another, unable to directly intervene and rescue their subordinates without endangering their own safety.
Tumko had chosen a strategic moment, in the bright afternoon sun, to plunge the entire battlefield into a nightmarish state.
***
Just when it seemed that Tumko's sudden retreat had stolen the spotlight, a formidable group emerged on the battlefield, following the path he had carved and ruthlessly dispatching any Rankers who stood in their way, regardless of faction.
This group was marked by its swift, unrelenting strikes that left all who witnessed them in awe. Their speed was matched only by their savagery, resulting in a trail of severed limbs and lifeless bodies in their wake. The battlefield echoed with intensified screams, and chaos reigned as various mana signatures filled the air, accompanied by elemental spells and Abilities executed in rapid succession.
This was the Lightning War strategy in full effect—a coordinated, high-speed, and aggressive approach designed to secure swift and decisive victories by overwhelming the enemy through a combination of spells and lightning-fast weapon attacks. It hinged on three key elements: speed, surprise, and the concentration of force. It proved virtually unstoppable, regardless of the desperate attempts by Rankers on both sides.
Rankers from both factions paused in their actions to identify the group that had arrived. At first, they wanted to know whether they were allies or foes. However, as the group continued its relentless advance, it became increasingly clear to the Rankers that they were facing a common enemy. This group showed no favoritism, meting out the same merciless treatment to Rankers from Edinburgh and Layos alike.
"Wait a minute... These spells... this mana signature… isn't that…" a surprised Ranker's voice rang out as he recognized the leader of this enigmatic group.
"It's him! Eren Elija idril from Edinburgh!" an elf from Layos exclaimed as she too identified Eren amidst the chaos.
Eren had decided to show himself on the battlefield just when Edinburgh's central administration had issued a "search and persecute" order against him.
===
AN: Akass Formation was mentioned in chapter 1464.
