My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 165: First Act 34: Bloody Chaos

"Hmm… this is troublesome"

I muttered under my breath as I surveyed the scene unfolding below.

The sight of Tristan and the others engaged in the struggle against the Orc Lord weighed heavily on my mind.

Aria and Elena, in particular, caught my attention, and a sense of concern gripped me.

There was a lingering worry that they might fail to escape, especially given their unexpected descent to the 6th floor.

Now, with the Orc Lord's menacing presence, the chances of their escape without my intervention seemed close to zero.

As I observed their situation, it became apparent that they weren't in optimal condition.

Bella, whom I had expected to effortlessly navigate through the conflict, appeared internally wounded for reasons unknown.

Tristan, recovering from an unexpected attack by the Orc Lord, was still in the process of healing himself. Aria, nearly exhausted, struggled to maintain her composure.

The only glimmer of hope in this dire scenario was Alex.

True to form, he never let go of his guard and swiftly assumed a strategic position, ready to unleash an attack at a moment's notice.

'But… he'll only provide the group a few seconds at best'

'Should I help them out?'

Though my curiosity is still focused towards the princess at the back.

My gaze lingering on her amidst the chaos.

She exuded an air of composure that stood out in stark contrast to the turmoil surrounding the group.

As the empire's princess, such resilience was to be expected.

But… her calm demeanor piqued my interest, and I couldn't help but wonder about the thoughts swirling beneath that composed exterior.

Observing her closely, it became evident that she wasn't merely a passive spectator in this dire situation. There was a discernible determination in her expression, a subtle hint that she might have a plan. The nuances on her face hinted at a strategic mind at work.

'I don't know what she's planning, but it's best to be prepared for now'

The novel provided limited information about the princess, leaving much to speculation.

However, the author's sparse but deliberate descriptions implied that the imperial family harbored a hidden power within them.

A call disrupted my focus as my communication crystal lit up, and I swiftly accepted it, recognizing the caller as Schwi.

"Master, the blood wyvern is already out of the dungeon and is currently fighting against the principal and the top executives of the school," Schwi reported urgently.

"Good," I responded, a sly grin forming on my face. "Make sure to assist the wyvern whenever possible. We can't have them defeat it just yet. Although the principal and the other top executives of the academy would eventually win due to their absurd levels of powers, the wyvern's role in all this chaos is to serve as a distraction. We can't have all the other professors intervene with Tristan's and the others' fight here in the dungeon."

"Understood, master," Schwi acknowledged, her tone crisp and efficient.

"Tell the demons to start attacking, as well" I instructed, knowing that this would escalate the chaos even further.

"As you wish, master," Schwi replied before ending the call.

With the demons now launching their assault, the academy heads would be forced to divide their forces, making it even more challenging for them to subjugate all the monsters and bosses roaming around town.

'It's probably literal hell down there for ordinary folks who can't even manifest mana'

"Oh, and Schwi, make sure to keep Ana and Louise away from the conflict as much as possible," I emphasized through the communication crystal, recognizing the vulnerability of the two in the midst of the escalating chaos.

"Regarding that—" Schwi began to respond, but I cut off the communication abruptly.

The urgency of the situation required my immediate attention.

My focus shifted as I witnessed the Orc Lord leaping into action, poised to strike Tristan and the others.

As the colossal creature roared, its four axes descended upon the group with a menacing force.

The air quivered with tension as an earth-shattering noise reverberated throughout the dungeon.

The impact of the Orc Lord's strike was accompanied by a heated explosion, casting a wave of chaos in its wake.

….

"It's making a move!"

Alex's urgent shout echoed through the tense atmosphere as everyone braced themselves for the impending onslaught.

The Orc Lord, despite its massive size, surprised them all by executing a nimble aerial maneuver. It spun gracefully in mid-air before descending with a menacing strike, its four axes poised to wreak havoc.

In response, Alex and Tristan swiftly gathered their auras, preparing to deflect the impending attack. However, their movements halted as they noticed a white barrier materializing in the air.

Their attention shifted to Elena, positioned at the back, whose white hair glowed with a golden hue as divine energy wrapped around her body. The air crackled with the manifestation of her power.

A protective shield formed just in time, a radiant barrier that stood between the group and the Orc Lord's descending axes.

The magical energy emanating from Elena's barrier deflected the imminent threat, and for a moment, time seemed to slow as the group watched the colossal creature's onslaught thwarted.

Upon making contact with the barrier, the Orc Lord's hands swayed in the air, the reverberation of vibrations traveling through its massive frame.

It felt as if the creature had struck a solid piece of unyielding metal. The impact resulted in a disastrous explosion, sending shockwaves of destruction around them.

However, those sheltered within the protective barrier emerged unscathed, their expressions a mix of relief and astonishment.

The dungeon echoed with the aftermath of the explosive clash, the Orc Lord momentarily staggered by the unexpected resilience of the group.

The air was charged with tension as the characters assessed the situation, their eyes locked on the colossal creature now hesitating in the face of its formidable adversaries.

Seizing the opportunity, Tristan and Alex swiftly moved, seamlessly transitioning into attacking positions. Their auras surged around them as they unleashed potent slashes within the protective barrier.

Elena, ever vigilant, momentarily opened the barrier to allow the attacks to travel, a calculated move to exploit the temporary vulnerability of their foe.

Despite the Orc Lord's ability to anticipate the attacks, it chose not to evade. Instead, a sinister smile played upon its monstrous features as it welcomed the onslaught.

The aura slashes struck its colossal form with impressive force. Flames erupted around its right shoulder, and a deep cut marred its collar.

Yet, the Orc Lord seemed impervious to the pain, continuing to smile with a sense of satisfaction.

The grip on its four axes tightened, and its bulging muscles glowed red, showcasing its monstrous strength.

"Boom…!!!"

Another explosion resounded, shaking the very foundations of the dungeon as the axes descended upon the protective barrier once again.

The impact was brutal, and cracks started to spider-web across the surface of the once impenetrable white barrier that Elena had created.

As the dungeon quivered with the aftershocks of the devastating attack, Elena coughed up blood, a testament to the strain she endured in maintaining the barrier against the relentless assault.

Looking at Elena's deteriorating situation, the princess wasted no time issuing her orders, her voice cutting through the chaos of battle.

"Spread out!" she commanded. "Tristan, go for its legs; Alex, try to block its attacks; Aria, go for the eyes; and Bella, assist the others whenever possible. I'll take care of the saintess."

As the princess articulated her plan, a sense of urgency permeated the air.

Each member of the group nodded in acknowledgment and promptly moved to their designated positions, dispersing strategically as they prepared to face the relentless Orc Lord.

Cough…! Cough…!

"Princess…," Elena's weakened voice interrupted the battlefield symphony, accompanied by the unsettling sound of coughs.

The princess hurriedly approached the saintess, her eyes revealing a momentary flicker of concern at the sight of Elena coughing up blood.

With a decisive motion, the princess retrieved a high-grade potion from her pouch and swiftly administered it to the saintess.

"Don't worry, Saintess. Help is coming soon. We just need to hold out for a bit—"

The princess's reassuring words caught in her throat as a sudden sense of foreboding enveloped her. She sensed a presence behind her, and as she turned, her gaze locked onto a masked individual.

The mysterious figure bore an air of enigma, with purple eyes glowing intensely from behind the mask as it stared at them.

The glowing red potion on its trembling hands made princess Christine even more confused on the situation.

…..

Siena's eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the chaotic spectacle unfolding across the academy grounds.

Black portals spewed forth monsters, massive explosions shook the landscape, and an overwhelming demonic energy permeated the air. The scene was one of pure, unbridled chaos, leaving Siena momentarily stunned.

"What the hell happened?" she mumbled, her gaze fixed on the tumult below as she stood atop one of the academy buildings.

"Boss!" Mila's urgent call snapped Siena out of her thoughts. She turned to her nervous companion, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

"What?"

"There…!" Mila pointed in the distance, a few kilometers away from the commercial district. A gigantic red lizard with wings soared perilously low in the sky.

Its colossal 50-meter-long body cast an ominous shadow, making the very sky tremble. The creature's bloody presence caused the once-clear sky to turn red, and a torrent of blood began to rain down.

"Tssk… Now, a blood wyvern? What happened inside the dungeon?" Siena wondered aloud, her keen instincts assessing the situation. She wasn't an idiot; the moment she saw monsters emerging from the black portals, she immediately deduced their origin.

Sensing the faint mana that connected all the monsters, it became clear to Siena that they had originated from the dungeon.

'Did Victoria fuck something up? …I knew I should've taken care of that thing right then and there'

Siena thought, frustration clouding her mind as she recalled the red cocoon that Victoria had insisted on protecting, claiming it was for the students' benefit.

"Boss, this blood stings!" Mila complained as the rain of blood intensified, pouring down harder by the minute.

"Make sure you don't get a cut under this rain, Mila," Siena advised with a stern expression.

"I know," Mila replied, her face etched with a mixture of discomfort and unease.

The blood wyvern's rain wasn't merely a visual spectacle; it held a sinister power.

Not only was it capable of disrupting the mana of any living being it touched, but it also possessed the ability to control the blood of those unfortunate enough to come into contact with it.

Once a single drop of the blood wyvern's rain entered the bloodstream, the affected individual became a puppet at the mercy of the malevolent flying lizard, its manipulative powers extending to every aspect of their physiology.

Glancing back into the distance, Siena observed a group of professors gathering, attempting to confront the blood wyvern.

The creature, breathing blood upon any student unfortunate enough to catch its eye, wreaked havoc with each flap of its wings.

Some students swelled up like inflated balloons, having inadvertently ingested the blood or sustaining cuts that allowed the insidious substance to infiltrate their bodies.

The scene was becoming one of horror by the moment.

Seeing as it was turning into a bloody rainstorm, even Victoria, considered an archmage, struggled against the mana disruption. The chaos intensified, prompting Siena to take action.

"Mila, get ready. We'll help them out—" Siena began, preparing to assist Principal Victoria and the others, when a sensuous voice interrupted them from behind.

Despite the heavy blood rain obscuring the view, Siena instantly recognized the owner of that voice.

"Hi~!"

Siena tensed, her hands instinctively reaching for her blade.

The sadistic yet sensual voice belonged to the woman who had nearly cost Siena, Mila's life—the masked elf standing before her.

"You…,"

"Ufufu… Didn't expect to meet so soon, right?" the masked elf sneered, her voice carrying a sinister undertone. The memories of their previous encounters lingered in the air.

"What are you doing here?" Siena demanded, her gaze locked onto the mysterious figure.

"Hmm…? Aren't you asking quite the obvious stuff? To cause chaos, of course~ ehehe" the masked elf replied with a mocking tone.

With a flick of her hand, she clapped, and suddenly, hundreds of demonic presences materialized throughout the academy, further escalating the turmoil.

Demons, with their bat-like wings spread throughout the academy, wreaked havoc by throwing magic randomly.

The atmosphere crackled with malevolent energy, and chaos reigned supreme.

"Oh, and you might want to let go of that sword of yours, lest you want these two to die, ufufu," sneered the masked lady, her sadistic pleasure evident as black tentacles emerged behind her.

Two frightened female kids were ensnared within their inky grasp.

"You wouldn't want these two cuties to die, right? Fufu"

"You—" Siena's retort caught in her throat as she felt a surge of disgust while facing the woman before her.

"Let's talk, shall we? There seems to be a nice tea shop over there. Oh, and don't worry, I made sure to spare the owner; he already prepared what I wanted. Let's go" the masked woman stated nonchalantly, descending from the roof with the two captive children suspended behind her tentacles.

"Mila, stay here," Siena commanded firmly.

"But...!" Mila began to protest.

"Stay. You aren't suitable for a conflict with her yet" Siena insisted, her gaze firm as she looked at Mila's trembling form.

The trauma inflicted by the masked lady's voice still haunted her, rendering her temporarily paralyzed.

"Help out the principal. I'll take care of that thing,"