Earth's Greatest Magus

2402  Exit Plan

Emery's task was clear: assist the Ghostblade team in infiltrating the stronghold and ensure their escape afterward. However, with the fortress on high alert, a spatial disruption had been triggered within the barrier, making any form of teleportation nearly impossible.

To evade the powerful elven forces and make their escape, they needed to breach the barrier, open a spatial gate, and create enough distance before the reinforcements could corner them. The strategy was a classic infiltration and extraction plan—a familiar approach, as Emery had used a similar tactic during the academy acolyte rescue 18 years prior.

This time, however, they added a new twist to the plan. By sabotaging the southern watchtower and shattering the barrier in that sector, they created a diversion that drew most of the elven forces within the base and the reinforcements outside toward the southern wall. Meanwhile, they moved to their designated extraction point at a different location: the western side of the fortress, near the gap they had initially created during their entry. This strategic misdirection was designed to spread the elven forces thin, ensuring that the western path remained relatively unguarded for their escape.

The sounds of distant explosions and frantic commands echoed around them. With countless elves on their heels, Emery knew the diversion wouldn't buy them much time. The seconds they'd gained were already slipping away, and he could only hope the rest of the team had already reached the designated rendezvous.

Emery surged forward, flying swiftly down the mountainside as Grand Magus Archie carved a path through the oncoming ranks of elves, each of his sword strikes leaving a trail of devastation. To increase their chances of a successful escape, the elderly Grand Magus forced himself to cast two duplicate white lighting clones, sending them in different directions to create chaos.

Yet, despite their attempts, a large contingent of elven forces followed close behind, with the scar-faced Grand Magus leading the charge. Meanwhile, the other elven Grand Magus had turned back toward the ruins of the stronghold, likely to check on their commander.

As they descended, Princess Miriel, flying at his side, shot him a grateful look and said, "Magus Emery… thank you for your help before… I will not forget this."

Emery kept his gaze forward, every sense on high alert. "Senior Miriel, save the thanks for when we're out of here."

Bound in Emery's thorned vines, Azula Raine sneered, her voice strained but defiant. "Huh… You… are not… going anywhere…"

As Emery expected, Azula Raine's resilience was formidable. Being of the Durokhai bloodline, her soul was much stronger than that of the average elven magus; she shook off his spirit attack more quickly than he'd anticipated.

Curious about what she might reveal, Emery decided to prod her further, a slight smirk crossing his face.

"You elves always underestimate us," he taunted, keeping his grip on her tight.

Azula chuckled, a mocking glint in her eyes. "Haha… we know everything… we know the ghost rats came with you."

Her words sparked unease in Princess Miriel, who shot a worried look at Emery. If the elves were aware of the Ghostblade units' involvement, they could have set a trap waiting for them.

Azula continued, her grin widening. "If only our great commander had heeded my warnings… you would all be dead already... But it's still fun watching you struggle."

Keeping his expression calm, Emery responded, "You seem to know a lot, don't you? Tell me, then—do you know who I am?"

She scoffed, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "Hmph… you're just a small magus. Your existence is inconsequential."

Emery let out a quiet chuckle, tightening his grip just enough to make her wince. "We'll see about that."

With a swift motion, Emery opened his domain, casting Azula Raine into the spatial void. The elven commander's shock was palpable as she realized he wielded spatial magic—a skill rare among magus. Her surprised face lingered a moment before disappearing entirely within his domain.

Beside him, Princess Miriel's astonishment was evident as she watched. "You are full of surprises," she murmured with both admiration and disbelief.

Emery's actions provoked a frantic response from the elven pursuers. Shouts rang out, the urgency apparent in their voices. "What did you do to our Lady?!" The scarred grand magus, clearly furious, urged the elven troops forward, quickening their pace as they closed in on Emery and his group.

However, Emery was calculated in his actions; the reason he dared to make such a move was because they were near their destination.

As they approached the edge of the western wall, Emery sensed the chaotic clash of spells. Just ahead, Grand Magus Dopa and Helga were holding off a fierce onslaught of elven magus, struggling to keep the path open.

Seeing the two human Grand Magus holding the line, the scar-faced elven Grand Magus was forced to halt his chase. His voice rang out urgently as he called for reinforcements, "We've found their escape route! Send word to all forces!"

In the middle of this frenzied skirmish, Grand Magus Helga turned, her usually composed face filled with urgency. "Their reinforcements arrived sooner than expected... We need to leave now!"

Princess Miriel looked back anxiously. "What about Major Kouga?" she asked, her voice filled with worry for the Ghostblade commander. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

It was becoming painfully clear that Major Kouga and his Ghostblade unit were in trouble. Even with the combined divine senses of Emery and Grand Magus Helga, there was no trace of them anywhere in the vicinity. The unsettling silence left only two possibilities: either they had been captured or killed, or they were using their concealment skills to evade detection and escape. Emery clung to the hope that it was the latter, but the unknown gnawed at him.

Meanwhile, his senses picked up a more immediate threat. Two grand magus elves were closing in from the southern wall. They would only need minutes to reach the western side, minutes they simply didn't have—especially with Grand Magus Archie struggling just to remain upright, his injuries worsening by the second.

Thinking fast, Emery proposed, "I'll send some of you out of here first!" He met the princess's gaze, hoping she'd understand his urgency. "Let me transport you and Grand Magus Archie out to safety."

But to his surprise, the princess shook her head, a glint of resolve in her eyes. "No. Send Grand Magus Helga instead," she insisted, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. "As a spirit master, she can sense the escape route ahead and detect any potential ambushes... I'll stay and help"

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Special thanks to Lyonfang for the Magic Castle. thank you very much