"Come on, then! Don't tarnish the orcs' reputation for bravery in battle!"
Rhett rarely praised the orcs, but the cold smile on his lips made the Peak Shadow Tiger, Taili, feel immense pressure. As he charged forward, Taili couldn't help but think, "If only we had some Phantom Venomous Snakes to help against this Archmage, we might have a better chance. But the chieftain would never agree..."
Pushing these thoughts aside, Taili pulled out a metal spear from behind him, preparing to carry out his plan to attack Rhett from a distance.
Rock Light Shield!
Rhett calmly cast a defensive spell on himself, imbuing it with the Oscillation Arcana. The shield emitted a repulsive force, making him resemble a porcupine covered in spikes. Though the surrounding orcs were seething with hatred, they were powerless to act, forced to watch in frustration. Without a Peak Dragonman, none of their claws could penetrate the perfected Oscillation Arcana.
Thus, the orcs could only wield their axes, spears, or spiked shields, putting all their strength into smashing the Rock Light Shield with loud clangs.
But soon, the sky once again glowed with a brilliant light. The advanced supernaturals forming the surrounding circle couldn't help but look up, sensing the terrifying elemental force brewing above. They silently marveled at Rhett's power, the doubts in their eyes gradually fading. Perhaps they had indeed underestimated him... Though they had seen Arcanas before, they had never witnessed firsthand the combination of earth magic and multiple Arcanas in battle. Until now, they had only heard of such feats in historical tales, lacking any real credibility.
Now, the deep impression left by what they were witnessing shook them to their core, leaving them in awe.
A large expanse of yellow light brewed into highly condensed earth-element spikes. This time, although Rhett appeared to be casting his magic as usual, his expression was not as relaxed. His understanding of the Disintegration Arcana was still too shallow; he could only mobilize a small amount of earth elements at a time to trigger the Disintegration power, making it impossible to cover all the spikes.
"But it's enough to deal with you orcs!" Rhett furrowed his brows tightly, focusing all his attention.
A sense of unease rose in Taili's heart as he threw a spear, glancing up to see the earth-yellow energy condensing wildly. His eyelids twitched, and he immediately issued a new order, fearing the terrifying consequences: "Everyone, retreat! Do not try to withstand this spell head-on!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh
The moment Taili's words were spoken, over thirty high-ranking orcs obediently scattered in all directions. The death of the Diamond-Horned Minotaur earlier had left a deep impression on them—they had now experienced firsthand the terrifying power of the Disintegration Arcana, as feared as the legends said it was, with the ability to dissolve anything!
Had it not been for Taili's command, they might have strategically retreated the moment the Minotaur fell...
"Hahaha, where do you think you're running to? Today will be your end!" Rhett laughed loudly as he completed the final stage of his spell. The sky rained down spikes; some carried the Oscillation Arcana, exploding on impact with a violent bang, while others seemed ordinary, piercing the ground like typical earth spikes.
Taili transformed into a black lightning bolt, dodging the rain of spikes. But outside the spell's range, the First Corps Commander and three other Sky Knights were already waiting, swords drawn, ready to strike. As Taili shot forward, the four of them carefully swung their swords, sending out arcs of sword energy from four directions.
At that moment, from the center of the rain of spikes, Rhett's mocking voice rang out: "Taili, even if you can dodge most of the Oscillating Spikes, the other orcs don't have your abilities. As a commander, running away alone—what a disgrace to the orcs!"
The First Corps Commander, Moldy, missed his strike but smiled faintly. This Rhett was quite clever, using psychological tactics effectively—his battlefield experience was quite rich.
But Taili ignored Rhett's taunts, his claws slashing like a storm as he faced the four swords. What else could he do? Should he make a futile sacrifice knowing it would only lead to his death?
The remaining high-ranking orcs, who had all been through countless battles, weren't swayed by Rhett's words. However, they did pick up on a key detail: it seemed that the enemy was unable to cover all the spikes with the Oscillation Arcana?
That was certainly good news! Though the Oscillation Arcana was slightly less deadly than the Disintegration power, it was still deadly enough to cause serious injury or death. The orcs, with their keen dynamic vision, quickly identified the "safe" paths through the ordinary spikes and began to flee.
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
Screams rang out from within the rain of spikes, some abruptly cut short as the victims fell silent.
Streaks of cold light flashed through the air as Taili let out a furious roar, launching an all-out attack. His four claws forced the four Sky Knights back. When he turned to look, he was shocked to find that over thirty of his comrades had perished in the rain of spikes, their bodies reduced to nothingness!
Seeing the distorted, oscillating spikes mixed in with the "ordinary" spikes, and recalling Rhett's earlier taunts, Taili's eyes slowly turned blood-red as he pieced everything together...
A deep sense of resentment welled up in Taili's heart, his trembling claws clenched tightly. But after the repeated clashes, the weight of this loss quickly turned that resentment into despair... until he felt utterly defeated...
The enemy's strategy wasn't particularly brilliant, but it had still managed to wipe out so many of them, relying on sheer strength in the end...
"No, the orcs are finished. We need the help of a Saint. Otherwise, no one can deal with this monster!"
This thought rapidly took root in Taili's mind, spreading uncontrollably. His subconscious refused to face Rhett head-on any longer; his only option was to return and relay the message!
In his shadow form, Taili ignored the four knights' attacks, moving like a ghost as he vanished from his original spot. In the blink of an eye, he had fled hundreds of meters and was speeding away.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Locke and Prince Hogus, the two wind-element Sky Knights, were elated to see the Peak Shadow Tiger fleeing. They immediately raised their swords and gave chase, transforming into two streaks of blue light that followed closely behind.
"This time, we can't let him escape!"
Rhett watched Taili's escape, his expression serious as he shouted, "Comrades, please pursue Taili with all your might. I'll handle things here alone! Victory will belong to the Kingdom of Kinlen!"
"Let's do as Rhett says. Everyone, go after that Peak Shadow Tiger and make sure Prince Hogus and Locke stay safe." Moldy had initially not intended to pursue Taili, but seeing the prince and another commander rush off, he worried they might be in danger. His expression turned anxious as he quickly made a decision, urging everyone to give chase.
There was no time for detailed discussion. The surrounding high-ranking supernaturals quickly gathered, exchanged glances, and agreed silently, then turned to pursue Taili.
As they left, many of them cast final glances at Rhett, their eyes filled with admiration. For the first time, Rhett had demonstrated his full strength in public, and they were utterly convinced.
Watching his comrades disappear into the horizon, Rhett let out a long breath, surveying the area around him. He could feel the roar of tens of thousands of orcs, his heart burning with determination.
"With the speed of that Peak Shadow Tiger, it will be difficult to catch up to him with sheer numbers. If he manages to deliver the message and summon a Saint, initiating a battle between Saints, it will be a disaster for me!"
"In normal times, both sides would be wary, knowing that the losses would be nearly equal. But if they know what I've accomplished, the orcs' Saints might stop at nothing to take me down. Even if the commander, Ankus, follows, if we fight here, as long as they eliminate me, they'll have achieved their goal..."
At this moment, Rhett's mind was clear. He knew that once his terrifying talent and strength were exposed on the battlefield, he would undoubtedly become a primary target for the orcs.
This meant that the time left for him was running out. There was no room for caution anymore—he had to seize the moment and soar to new heights!
The ordinary orcs might not understand the secrets of the world, but Rhett believed that the Saints among them likely knew some insider information. Seeing someone as exceptional as him, they would show no mercy!
"These orcs... they will be the final nourishment I need to reach the peak..."
Rhett's gaze became resolute as he looked at the surrounding orcs. Taking a deep breath, he spread his vast mental power and finally located the blood-soaked Tucker on the battlefield.
"Commander..." Tucker stabbed a weakened Night Cat with his sword. When he saw his father approaching, he wanted to rush forward in excitement to express his emotions. He had witnessed the scene earlier, where over thirty orcs were wiped out in an instant. Now, his heart was filled with excitement because this man was his father!
Rhett patted Tucker's shoulder, nodding calmly. He then took out a giant bow from his spatial ring and handed it to his eldest son, along with a quiver full of arrows. He then instructed:
"As usual, the task of harvesting the orcs in this battle is up to you..."
"Now?" Tucker blinked in surprise, hesitating. "Aren't there too many orcs here? Tens of thousands of them... It'll take forever to harvest them all..."
"Tucker, this should be the last time..." Rhett said softly.
"The last time..."
Tucker paused for a moment, not fully understanding his father's words, but the special bond between father and son made him feel that he should agree without hesitation. His gaze became determined as he looked at Rhett, nodding firmly. "Father, I will do as you say!"
Rhett smiled gently as he patted Tucker's head. This time, he didn't correct Tucker's battlefield address, but instead turned to face the ferocious orcs, raising his staff.
"Earthquake!"
...
Meanwhile, several hundred kilometers away from the battlefield, in the Kava Ravine, an intense chase was underway.
Perhaps seeing familiar scenery stirred memories in Locke, reigniting his anger toward the orcs. He recklessly drained his energy, pushing his power to its limits. His momentum surged, and the blue glow around his sword became even brighter. Reaching its peak, his speed increased by another third, and he charged in a straight line toward Taili's back.
Prince Hogus, left behind by Locke, watched from a distance as Locke used the Speed Arcana to tail the Peak Shadow Tiger. His eyes flashed with envy. Although the Dimensional Arcana was powerful, it was still slower than the Speed Arcana. Nevertheless, he pushed himself to keep up, unwilling to be left behind entirely. Following closely were other commanders or Archmages, many stronger than Hogus, but lacking wind element powers, they couldn't match his speed.
Taili, the Peak Shadow Tiger, flashed through the ravine's rocks, growing increasingly frustrated with Locke, who clung to him like a leech. As he leaped over a deep pit, Taili suddenly spun around, swiping his claws at Locke's head.
"Die, human vermin!"
"The one who's going to die is you! I was ready for your ambush!"
When Taili's black claws struck Locke, they shattered like an illusion. Using the Speed Arcana, Locke had already sidestepped.
Taili coldly glanced at Locke. Forcing him back was a small victory, but he didn't linger, knowing that Locke was trying to buy time. He wouldn't fall into the trap.
And so, the chase continued, one side pursuing, the other fleeing, for an entire day and night.
In the end, what forced Taili, the Peak Shadow Tiger, to stop was not the threat from behind, but the terrifying aftershocks of a battle ahead in a rift valley. The rift before him wasn't naturally formed; just today, it had been a flat plain. But now, accompanied by the violent roars of combat and the quaking earth, the rift continued to expand and deepen.
Soon, the commotion subsided, and a towering, silver-scaled figure, over five meters tall, emerged from the rift. Every inch of its armor-like scales was not only solid but sparkled like diamonds, surrounded by a faint silver mist, exuding an unfathomable power.
Opposite the Saint Dragonman stood Ankus, clad in armor. His hair was slightly disheveled, and there was a scratch on his face. But as Locke and the others arrived, they saw the wound on Commander Ankus' cheek heal instantly, a testament to the formidable regeneration of a Saint's physique.
At that moment, the Saint Dragonman's eyes were cold as he glanced downward, noticing that only Taili remained. The silver scales on his face shifted smoothly as he voiced his suspicion:
"Taili, why are you the only one being pursued? Where are the others?"
Hearing this, Taili was terrified, his black-furred cheeks trembling uncontrollably. Suddenly, he half-knelt on the ground. The seemingly calm voice of the Saint Dragonman Chief Ka'imaha felt like countless cold arrows piercing the air, stabbing into his eardrums. Thin streams of blood trickled from his ears, but Taili didn't dare to wipe them away. He quickly replied:
"Chieftain Ka'imaha, it's all my fault. Our high-ranking forces at the Coldstream front were almost completely wiped out by one person. That person is a rising star in the human kingdom, well-hidden before, so our scouts didn't detect him. Now, he wields four Arcanas, and we're no match for him!"
"Four Arcanas?!" Even the stern-faced Ankus was visibly shaken by Taili's words. When did someone in their ranks master four Arcanas?
Even in the past few millennia, such a figure had been almost unheard of...
"Rurrulu..."
"Ugka..."
Suddenly, Chief Ka'imaha and Taili switched to using an orcish dialect, their words lost on Ankus, who couldn't understand what they were saying.
But in the next moment, Ka'imaha's body suddenly shrank to half its size, becoming even smaller than a normal Dragonman. His speed was astonishing—like a blur, he vanished from sight. The spectators didn't even see how he moved; one moment, the Saint Dragonman Chief was floating in the air, and the next, he was gone.
Some breathed a sigh of relief. They hadn't expected their pursuit of the Peak Shadow Tiger to lead them into the middle of a Saint-level battle. Fortunately, the fight didn't continue...
But the First Corps Commander, Moldy, suddenly turned pale. "This is bad, Commander Ankus, could that Dragonman be going after Rhett? Rhett is still on the battlefield."
"What? The one who has mastered four Arcanas is Rhett!" Ankus' face turned grim.
And just as he spoke, he vanished like a breeze, leaving only his distant, ethereal voice echoing in the ravine: "Leave that Shadow Tiger to you. Don't return to the front lines for a day!"
The group stood in place, exchanging uneasy glances. Reflecting on the commander's orders, they realized it was likely to keep them from being caught in the crossfire of a Saint-level battle. They turned to look at the Peak Shadow Tiger, now bound by a green whip. The whip, made of wind-element battle energy, appeared light and thin, but no matter how Taili struggled, he couldn't break free.
"Please, spare me..." Bound like a caterpillar, Taili began to beg for his life, writhing and struggling on the ground, but to no avail.
At that moment, he was filled with regret. If he had known, he wouldn't have led the humans to the chieftain's battlefield. He hadn't expected that after hearing about the death of two Peak Dragonmen, the chieftain would order him to die as punishment. In his pursuit of Rhett, he hadn't even spared a thought to protect himself...
"Who wants to take this one?" The First Corps Commander glanced at the group, his expression calm.
"Leave it to me..." Prince Hogus said coldly. "I have mastered the Dimensional Arcana; I can guarantee a killing blow without worrying about retaliation..."
As he spoke, Prince Hogus raised his sword, drawing an X-shaped slash in the air. The blue sword light was denser than anyone else's, seemingly slicing through space as it struck Taili's chest.
There was no gruesome explosion or massive rupture—only two thin intersecting lines, from which a cross-shaped fountain of blood sprayed out. The trembling heart, still within, seemed ready to burst out at any moment but was quickly silenced.
Immediately, Moldy's expression grew solemn as he unleashed a wave of fire, burning Taili's body to ash. Only after the corpse had turned to charcoal did he speak:
"Since Commander Ankus ordered it, we should wait here patiently for a day. I suspect the commander doesn't want us to go too soon because the two Saints are still at full strength. Even if we join the fight and cause some trouble, we'd have little chance of surviving."
"When the commander specifically mentioned a day, he likely meant that we should wait until the two Saints are exhausted and injured. Only then can we become a more effective force on the scales of battle!"
This statement, like a stabilizing needle, brightened the eyes of the other supernaturals, who nodded in agreement.
"That makes sense..."
"Indeed, going now would be suicidal."
"..."
"But... what about Rhett?"
The one who spoke was Locke. His empty sleeve hung limply, swaying in the wind, while his right hand gripped the sword stuck in the ground. His eyes, however, showed a trace of worry.
The other officers, who had been discussing heatedly, suddenly fell silent. They didn't know how to respond. To them, Rhett was indeed a brilliant figure, with the potential to become a leader of his era and rise as the next Saint! But now, as a mere Archmage, facing the direct threat of a Saint-level orc, could he really survive...
"Rhett is not an ordinary person. With the Arcanas at his disposal, even if a Saint strikes, he might withstand a few blows. And with Commander Ankus protecting him, he should... survive..."
The Fourth Corps Commander, Freya, spoke softly, her expression tinged with sorrow, but she forced herself to offer some comfort.
"Locke, worrying is futile. All we can do is wait patiently," Moldy said seriously, stepping forward to face Locke.
"Hah, I guess you're right."
Locke closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. His fingers, gripping the sword hilt, rubbed against its textured surface as he fought an internal battle. Finally, he opened his star-like eyes. "I'm going to help Rhett!"
"Locke, you can't disobey orders!"
Moldy's face darkened as he sternly warned him. But before the words were fully spoken, the wind-element battle energy around Locke began to trace a complex pattern. He erupted in a burst of blue light, transforming into a streak of blue, disappearing from sight in an instant.
"That bastard!" Moldy fumed. A century of battlefield experience had taught him that orders were sacrosanct. Though he was also worried about Rhett, orders were orders—no one could defy them!
At that moment, Prince Hogus nodded slightly, his deep gaze fixed on the distant, flat horizon as he softly said, "Moldy, if he wants to go... let him go. Maybe... he will succeed?"
"But that's a Saint..."
"But he's Rhett... Right now, we have no choice but to believe, don't we?"
Moldy clenched his fists, then slowly released them, staring down at the uneven ground before him as he sighed deeply.