The Moonlight Swordsman

Chapter 229 Ballista? (Bonus )

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The Next Day...

The group sat together in the lively restaurant, enjoying the great food and some drinks.

Anticipation filled the air as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the representative from the seafolk race, who held vital information about the cursed magi group.

Aizel and Seraphine both had their eyes closed in deep contemplation, seemingly detached from the rest of the group. 

Their conversation from the previous night lingered in their minds as they sought solace in their own thoughts. 

The lively chatter among the group abruptly ceased as all eyes turned towards the imposing figure approaching them. 

Standing at an impressive height of ten feet, the slender man took a seat with quiet grace, not uttering a single word. 

Zareena exchanged a knowing glance with Raven, who nodded in confirmation.

Raven drew a curtain of darkness around them, hiding them from view and making it difficult to hear each other within their secure environment.

As the person quickly took off their hood, his unique features were revealed. Light blue coloring enveloped his skin, and long, elf-like ears decorated his face elegantly. Dark, penetrating black eyes shimmered with an air of mystery.

[Master, isn't he too similar from the pictures in your world?]

Aizel's eyebrows twitched as he stared at the seafolk race member.

"Is there something on my face, boy?" the person asked as he noticed Aizel's gaze.

"No, it's just that you seem very familiar," Aizel replied.

The person ignored Aizel and turned towards the princess to speak.

"I have some information for you that I have collected."

"Good work. Tell me everything," Zareena said.

"Aren't you forgetting something, princess? I risked my life and my family for this."

"I will keep my word. When we depart for our kingdom, we will let you and your family join us. 

"And I will provide you with a safe place to live," Zareena replied.

"That's good to know. So here..

"ah ah ah..before that..."

She delicately presented the black, glistening orb, gently placing it before them on the table. 

The person's eyes widened in fascination as he studied the strange object.

"Place your hand on the orb and release your core energy when you relay the information for me," Zareena explained.

He gulped slightly and hesitantly placed his palm on the orb. 

"So what's your name?" She asked.

"Okion," he replied.

"So tell me the information about the cursed magi group."

"First, they used to operate in four. But now they have slowly started to gain followers because of their deeds.

"Everyone at first thought they were stupid or had lost their mind. But once their deeds started to do miracles for the people, everyone slowly started to support them.

"For the seafolk race and the nearby area, they are like divine mages.

Aizel sneered after hearing that, making everyone turn their faces to look at him.

"Continue," Zareena said.

[Master?]

I don't know why I did that."

"Not only have they provided many potions, herbs, weapons, and wealth for the betterment of the race and other members,

"But they have also presented one artifact to the seafolk current king's daughter."

"These fuckers, how dare they spend our kingdom's wealth like this." Zareena rebuked him in rage.

"So the artifacts they stole, they must have provided to the king of seafolk to get his favor," Raven said.

"Smart move," Edumont commented.

"Where are they? Where are they operating from? Where are the followers of their group?" She suddenly stood up and asked, raising her voice a little.

"I-I...I don't know,"

As if responding to an invisible cue, the orb emitted a soft, ethereal glow, captivating the attention of everyone gathered around the table.

With a flash of horror in his eyes, Okion withdrew his hand reflexively.

In an instant, a small, razor-sharp ice spike erupted from the wall, hurtling toward Aizel's face with deadly precision.

Time seemed to slow down as everyone in the room remained oblivious to the imminent danger, including Daisy. 

The scene unfolded in surreal motion as Daisy's eyes widened, witnessing the icy spear mere inches away from penetrating Aizel's face. No one was able to sense the attack, including her.

Sekki appeared in Aizel's hands, and he slashed through the incoming attack with a rapid swing of the blade. 

The room was filled with a burst of icy shards as the shattered remains of the spell scattered in all directions.

In the blink of an eye, Okion's head tumbled to the ground, severed from his body. 

Aizel stood just behind him; his movements were silent and swift, just like a ghost.

"SCATTER EVERYONE," Zareena shouted.

*Boom*

A sudden onslaught of devastating strikes tore through the walls and hurtled with unrelenting force at the group. 

In an instant, Zareena's golden leaves took the shape of a protective shield, shielding them from the onslaught. 

Without wasting a moment, they swiftly made their way towards the backside of the inn, seeking a safer escape route. 

With one powerful blow, Soren knocked out the back wall, allowing them to escape. Aizel, ever watchful, stayed close behind Daisy to protect her throughout their rapid escape.

As chaos ensued in the streets and alleys, the group swiftly retreated, their footsteps echoing through the dimly lit passageways. 

Daisy's senses spread out like tendrils, looking for signs of danger, and her concentration sharpened as she focused on pinpointing the whereabouts of their pursuers.

She strained to discern the faintest traces of movement or presence, relying on her heightened perception to keep them one step ahead.

"They are trying to trap us from both sides," she quickly yelled.

"RAVEN," Zareena shouted.

"On it, princess."

As they darted through the narrow streets, a shroud of darkness enveloped the group, obscuring their figures from prying eyes. The black veil, conjured by Raven's magic, swirled and twisted around them, like an ethereal shield against detection. 

As the black shroud closed in around them, golden leaves shimmered through the mix. 

The leaves were whirling and spinning within the dark space, illuminating it. With this newfound ability to fly, Zareena's golden leaves sent them soaring upward.

"From the right," Daisy shouted.

Her frantic yell echoed through the air as a massive spear sped through the skies at incredible speed. As its huge shape soared through the air, powered by invisible powers, it glittered menacingly. 

What the fuck, they have a ballista?" Aizel thought.

With unparalleled agility, Soren's fluid movements guided him towards the hurtling spear. 

He used his mastery over gravity to bring the projectile to a halt in the middle of its lethal course. The weight of Soren's order caused the spear to hang still in the air. He subtly redirected it back to its starting place by flicking his hand.

Zareena sprang into action, her golden leaves swirling around her in a mesmerizing dance.

Accelerating with unparalleled speed, she closed the distance between herself and the spear.

A hammer-shaped manifestation materialized from the vibrant leaves, and she swung it with formidable strength, colliding with the spear's rear. 

A cataclysmic explosion of wind force reverberated through the air, akin to a thunderous detonation. 

The sheer power behind Zareena's strike sent shockwaves rippling outward, propelling the spear back along its original trajectory with unwavering momentum.

Incredible," Aizel thought.

[Fuf, I will at least give 5 marks for this display of magic]