Chapter 71: He... blocked it all by himself? |
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At this point, Deswen gritted his teeth and said, "Intensify the bombardment! Every rune has limited durability. Blast a hole through that wall—they're just a few thousand men on the other side. Without this barrier, they're nothing but pigs waiting for slaughter."
Though he spoke boldly, Deswen's unease grew exponentially. They hadn't even reached Thunderkeep yet, yet faced such formidable resistance.
"Yes, sir!"
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Meanwhile.
Jonas had ascended the battlements, followed closely by Charis and Katdera.
"My lord!"
As Jonas arrived, every defender bowed respectfully, their eyes brimming with reverence. Katdera remained clad in her black robe, though now adorned with two delicate black anklets that swayed with her movements, causing faint tremors through her body with each step—a new magical device Jonas had crafted. The more violently she moved, the greater the peculiar pain she'd endure. This served as both ornamentation and preventative measure against escape.
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Jonas surveyed the aggressive Destiny Army below the walls and shook his head dismissively:
"Is this all the Destiny Army could muster? How disappointing."
Deswen snorted upon witnessing Jonas's demeanor.
"You noble dogs know nothing but empty boasts. A few thousand men? We are a legion of tens of thousands! Against your pitiful garrison, this is utter domination."
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Jonas chuckled, unperturbed.
"Tens of thousands? Can't even breach a single wall. Daring to call yourselves 'Destiny'—what a joke."
"You—"
With a casual wave, Jonas abruptly yanked Katdera forward by her collar, eliciting a faint gasp from the assassin. He pinched her waist like a cruel noble teasing a pet.
"Come to rescue dear Yaoluo, have we? Miss Katdera, your beloved Destiny Army is here to save you. Aren't you thrilled?"
Katdera pressed her lips together, turning her face away without reply. She loathed being displayed here—not for any noble reason, but because the shame of her current state beneath the robes would be unbearable if seen. Strangely, despite hating Jonas as the architect of her humiliation, his words and actions stirred conflicting emotions she couldn't reconcile.
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Watching their interaction, Deswen spat violently below the walls.
"Damn it! Filthy noble bastard and his whore!"
Katdera's eyes flashed.
"What did you say?!"
After all she'd sacrificed for Destiny—one of its greatest assets—enduring this disgrace without divulging a single secret, to be called a whore by this man?
Deswen sneered:
"What's there to say? The entire army knows you've defected to Jonas. Look at you—the noble's plaything, putting on this disgusting act."
"You... Where's Deslar? Does he share this opinion?"
"Traitor! Don't you dare mention my brother! He's the one who branded you Destiny's number one turncoat! Every soldier has orders to kill you on sight. Today, I'll drag both your corpse and Jonas's back to headquarters!"
"What... I'm the top traitor?"
Deslar had designated her as Destiny's greatest betrayer? After everything she'd risked for them? The revelation struck like a physical blow, leaving Katdera dizzy. She turned desperately toward Jonas, only to find him lounging with crossed legs, golden hair fluttering in the breeze as he flipped the control coin for her restraints between his fingers.
With feigned innocence and a mocking lilt, he said:
"Don't look at me like that. I've done nothing. Rather, it seems Commander Deslar never trusted you. From greatest asset to public enemy—what does that feel like, I wonder? Eager to confront him for answers? Ha..."
"You vile bastard!"
"Vile? Please. I granted you life when death was your due. Had I killed you during your assassination attempt, you'd forever be remembered as the whore who betrayed Destiny. Isn't that right?"
"You... you..."
"Think carefully, Miss Katdera. Face reality—it's far uglier than you imagined. And I... am the only one who can help you now."
As Katdera tried to retort, Jonas flipped the magic coin again. She gasped, legs buckling into a seated position as waves of sensation overwhelmed her. Jonas crouched, gathering a lock of her hair in his hand.
"Watch closely. Your precious Destiny Army is nothing but delusional rebels playing at revolution."
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The scene enraged Deswen beyond measure.
"Enough talk! Mage corps—initiate first sequence! Concentrate fire on the walls!"
At his command, two mage battalions rearranged their formations. Dozens of mages began chanting, magical energies coalescing in their hands before unleashing a torrent of elemental power—fire, ice, lightning—all surging toward Jonas's position.
Instead of retreating, Jonas stepped forward to the very edge of the battlements. His golden hair gleamed under the magical onslaught as he calmly raised both hands. The air solidified into an amber-hued barrier the instant before impact.
The combined spells detonated against the invisible shield, creating a swirling vortex of opposing elements around Jonas. Yet when the flames and ice shards touched his hair, they disintegrated into harmless sparks. With a flick of his wrist, dark golden tendrils slithered from spatial rifts, coiling around the chaotic energies like chains, systematically crushing tornados and fireballs into dissipating motes of light.
The spectacle left both armies awestruck—the luminous aftermath hanging dreamlike between the forces.
He... had blocked it all alone?
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