"Don't worry about these people — breaking through the opposing residence is our top priority!"
The leading Morning Star Wizard glanced at the throngs of nobles and commoners fleeing in disarray, shook his head, and left them all to the fire elementals before charging straight toward the Red Pupil residence.
"It seems like your side has ulterior motives for this joint operation! Would you care to explain? As allies, we're more than happy to provide assistance!"
Sake had appeared beside the wizard at some point and was speaking with a smile.
But paired with his enormous frame and hideous features, the smile looked absolutely terrifying.
"Nothing of the sort. It's just that several of our old enemies have also slipped in among the Fire Feather Clan. We need to take care of them all at once!" the Morning Star Wizard replied politely.
"Oh? Are they wizards from other worlds, like you?" Sake pressed with great interest.
This time, his ability to breach the enemy capital and inflict such massive casualties owed much to their help. Because of that, his curiosity about those mysterious spells and the rumored other world had only grown stronger.
"Yes! But unlike us, they're a pack of evil bloodline users! They have an obsessive interest in the bloodlines of every living creature and often kill without hesitation to obtain them — they're the source of all evil!"
The Morning Star Wizard declared righteously, as though he hadn't just been carrying out a massacre here moments ago.
"I didn't think things had already gotten this far! Quickly — reinforce the Presidential Residence!"
Shike's hand brushed unconsciously over a pendant hanging beneath his neck, and he issued the order in a loud voice.
Burns, energy overflowing from his body, lifted Shike into the air. The flames trailing behind him left a long tail of fire across the sky.
The speed of a Star-level powerhouse was nothing like the observation carriages from before. In less than a minute, Burns had carried Shike back to the residence.
Shike's expression was dazed. Just this morning, he had been happily dressed in formal attire, heading out to celebrate with his father. He never imagined he would come scurrying back in such a wretched state.
Even with his years of military experience, the reversal was so sudden that he couldn't fully process it.
"Sir!" Several officers stationed inside immediately stepped forward and saluted.
Though they had heard the explosions in the plaza and seen the flames, their sense of duty as soldiers had kept them at their posts.
"Good. Notify everyone — war has arrived! Activate all defensive facilities within the residence!" Burns ordered, and the command was relayed swiftly downward. A golden barrier of energy, like an enormous inverted bowl, enveloped the entire Presidential Residence.
"Father…" Shike touched the necklace at his throat, and a look of steely resolve appeared in his eyes.
"So you still managed to get here first?" Seven terrifying figures came hurtling through the sky toward them. Before they even arrived, their overwhelming pressure made everyone inside the residence feel suffocated.
"Desas's Flying Palm!" With the incantation, a colossal hand materialized, wreathed in countless symbols resembling Rune Chains, and slammed down onto the golden barrier.
Crack! Crack!
The golden membrane shuddered violently but held firm, though hairline fractures had begun to appear across its surface.
The moment the Flying Palm struck, a powerful earthquake also rocked the residence, causing cracks to spread through numerous buildings. The sound of shattering glass rang out in an endless cascade.
"Uncle Burns, can you handle them?" Shike's face went pale.
"There are seven Star-level powerhouses, and they command the forces of ice and water. Even one-on-one, I'm not confident I could win. The other officers — those who weren't killed have been pinned down outside…" Burns said with a bitter smile, then ruffled Shike's hair, a hint of paternal tenderness in his eyes. "But don't worry. I'll protect you!"
"Uncle Burns!" Shike's voice trembled, and his eyes reddened.
"The defenses at this Presidential Residence are rather weak. A single Morning Star could handle it…"
Meanwhile, outside the massive golden barrier, Leilin and two other Morning Star Warlocks had been lying in wait. Observing the scene, Emma shot Leilin a glance. "Judging by the layout you sent me earlier, this defensive array should be far more than what we're seeing…"
"Mm. Normally, its power can block one Morning Star-level strike at most. But it has a second-charging mode that can multiply its strength several times over. And the key is in Shike's hands… Of course, I've made a replica as well…"