Chapter 301 The Yisage Empire’s Assault

The leading Seventh-tier warrior did not take Shaoke's spell attack seriously, believing that a single-target spell from a Seventh-tier mage could not penetrate his Aura protection, unless the opponent mastered a special type of spell.

That carelessness cost him his life.

The black pillar of light easily tore through his defensive spell, pierced through his chest, and then struck another warrior behind him, forcibly stopping that warrior's charge.

Irregular Slash. An advanced version of Death Slash, also a Seventh-level Spell that Shaoke had mastered.

This Seventh-level Spell was forcibly compressed by Shaoke into a ripple about thirty meters long, which exactly matched the width of the street. Seven or eight Sixth-rank Warriors charging at the front were cut in two before they could react, while the warriors behind them, unable to escape the combined attack of Shaoke and over a hundred other mages, were quickly turned into corpses.

Handfuls of magic powder were skillfully scattered by the mages over the corpses. After taking all the valuables from the bodies, the mages chanted an incantation, setting the bodies ablaze with Arcane Fire until they were reduced to ashes. Only then did Shaoke lead them onward.

Perhaps due to the brutal massacre by Shaoke's team, many groups fighting in the streets had disappeared. However, some remained, relying on their formidable strength and paying no heed to Shaoke's mage team. A short while earlier, Shaoke's group had annihilated a band that was looting ordinary homes or shops. Although that band was entirely composed of Seventh-tier warriors, Shaoke killed all ten of them, but at the cost of some mages' lives, and obtained several magic bags as spoils. Inside were all the valuables those warriors had plundered. Of course, Shaoke had no reason to return these items; instead, he kept them all himself. But he also paid the other mages generously with potions as compensation, something they had no reason to refuse, since sufficient potions were an absolute requirement for joining his team. As for precious materials for magic experiments and construction, they had to set aside for now.

Just after extinguishing a fire in a civilian house, Shaoke sensed a special magic signal from the direction of his manor. This signal alarmed the mages, as it indicated the manor was under attack and the attackers were very powerful.

"Return." After a brief pause, Shaoke quickly issued the order, then slung his staff over his back and sprinted toward the manor. He was extremely worried about what was happening inside. He didn't know what he would do if anything happened to Mage Roman.

Half a magical hour later, Shaoke's team arrived at the manor. The twenty-plus acre estate had been completely destroyed, leaving only a solitary stone tower standing. Seeing the flickering Defensive Magic Array on the tower, Shaoke felt slightly relieved, knowing at least that the people inside the mage tower were unharmed. He knew that Mage Roman usually rested and conducted experiments in this low stone mage tower; in recent years, she had rarely left it.

The bodies of young maids, some low-level Wandering Mages resting here, and even a squad of patrolling warriors lay silently on the ground, still being burned by the flames.

The mages quickly extinguished the still-burning fires and magically sealed the cracks in the ground. After giving some instructions to the others, Shaoke entered the mage tower. He saw no sign of the attackers, who appeared to have looted the place and left.

The massive stone door of the mage tower was tightly shut, and the defensive magic array on it showed no signs of damage. This reassured Shaoke, as it meant the attackers had not entered, so the mages inside should be safe.

Just as he expected, after using an Arcane Secret to open the stone door, Shaoke soon sensed Mage Roman's psychic presence observing him through the central stone pillar, conveying that all was well. Shortly after, Mage Roman, the White-robed Cleric, Lan Wei'er, and other mages who had been researching came down from upstairs.

"I thought I would never see you again." Mage Roman hugged Shaoke tightly, her body trembling with fear, her face pale. "A large group of enemies attacked us just now; they were very powerful." As Shaoke comforted her, Mage Roman slowly calmed down and began to detail the attack.

It turned out that an hour ago, a band of over a hundred white-robed figures had attacked them. This group included many warriors and mages, and even two Archers. They killed everyone outside, burned down the buildings, and then started attacking the mage tower. "But they couldn't break through here; this laboratory's defenses are really strong," she said, her voice rising.

Seeing the still-panicked White-robed Cleric and Lan Wei'er, Shaoke comforted them one by one. After hugging and consoling her, the Cleric suddenly clung tightly to the Male Mage and said, "I thought I would never see you again. Under their attack, I thought this tower would collapse."

Finally, Shaoke told the other mages to return to their research, as there was no more danger. However, the three female spellcasters stayed by Shaoke's side. Mage Roman and Lan Wei'er both clung tightly to his arms, as if he might suddenly leave. The White-robed Cleric, after a few brief words with Shaoke, went back to her room on the third floor to rest. Mage Roman gave Shaoke a more detailed account of the attack, and Lan Wei'er added her own observations and speculations.

"They are definitely practitioners from the Yisage Empire," Lan Wei'er whispered in Shaoke's ear, glancing secretly at her mother. "I saw them on the street before." She moved slightly to use Shaoke as a shield from her mother's gaze, as Mage Roman had recently forbidden her from going outside.

"Over a hundred Seventh-order Practitioners." Shaoke repeated Mage Roman's description softly, then sat down in a chair, closed his eyes, and fell silent. Mage Roman poured three glasses of wine for her family to enjoy.

"We have no ability to retaliate." Mage Roman had regained her usual composure. She leaned lazily against the chair opposite Shaoke, took a small sip of wine, and added, "I think there must have been an Eighth-order Practitioner with them this time. But I don't understand why they attacked us." She looked at Shaoke with a questioning gaze, knowing that this male mage must know the reason.

Under her scrutiny, Shaoke sorted through his thoughts and then recounted the afternoon's events in detail, explaining the mission of this gathering. His answer made Mage Roman feel helpless; she knew this must be retaliation from the leader of the Yisage Empire team.

"Then what about our Empire's Eighth-order beings in this regard? Shouldn't they give us aid? Are they tacitly allowing this?" Lan Wei'er shouted from the side, but Shaoke and Mage Roman immediately scolded her, as such behavior was unbecoming for a female mage.

Shaoke had long known the answer to Lan Wei'er's question but didn't want to say it. Likewise, Mage Roman seemed to know as well. However, Shaoke didn't resent the Eighth-order beings too much, since they had at least sent some low-order beings to help, even if those were just sent to die.

A tangle of complex interests churned in Shaoke's mind, giving him a headache. When Mage Roman stood up to massage him, Lan Wei'er stepped behind him, placed his head on her ample chest, and skillfully massaged him. Mage Roman was quite satisfied with Lan Wei'er's behavior, but Shaoke felt embarrassed, and his discomfort did not escape Mage Roman's notice. However, she just smiled and shook her head, ignoring him.

Lan Wei'er's chest was actually larger than Mage Roman's. Feeling the softness of his nominal daughter, Shaoke felt very uneasy, as inappropriate thoughts crossed his mind. Fortunately, his self-control was strong enough to prevent any embarrassment. To avoid Mage Roman's teasing gaze, he simply closed his eyes and remained silent.

Lan Wei'er's massage did not last long before Shaoke refused it, which displeased her. Seeing her pout, Shaoke quickly explained that he still had work to do and couldn't stay too long, finally calming her down.

Of course, giving Mage Roman enough time to rest was his main reason, as everyone knew about her condition.