“Oh… Ah…”
As Lesa’s words sounded without any rhyme or reason, Corina didn’t know what to respond to in an instant. At that moment, her mind was in a total mess.
Why are the people of the Void Territory here? Could it be that His Majesty Rhode sent reinforcements over? But why didn’t I hear any news about it?
“Roar———!”
But before Corina said anything, a furious bellow disrupted her thoughts. Upon hearing the snarl, she turned toward it hurriedly. At the same time, a thick branch fell to the ground in front of her. She pulled back swiftly, only to realize that the battle between the ancient tree and flame giant was reaching its climax. The ancient tree gripped the flame giant with its two hands, attempting to lacerate it. In response, the flame giant flourished its arms, repeatedly pounding the ancient tree. The formidable flames that it was proud of weren’t able to deal enough damage to the ancient tree as the damp mist proliferating around the ancient tree effortlessly overwhelmed the ambush of flames. But despite that, the physical damage from the flame giant was a huge problem for the ancient tree. The leaves on the ancient tree crumbled in the assault and cracks appeared over its solid trunk. At the same time, the ancient tree roared and clenched its fists with all its might, breaking up the blaze on the flame giant again and again. Judging from the situation, even though every punch from the ancient tree was enough to smash a huge hole in the flame giant’s head, the flames coalesced on its body healed the injury immediately, perfectly exemplifying the proverb ‘even a prairie fire cannot destroy the grass—it grows again when the breeze blows’.
If this continued, the ancient tree would falter at any time now. Corina looked around her; reinforcements weren’t here yet. Even though the elves around her were doing their best to resist the enemies, they had little success. What made the situation worse was that they didn’t have relevant battle experience at all, which was why many of them suffered different degrees of injuries from the fire crows’ attacks. Although Corina was experienced in this area, she could barely command the people below, not to mention gathering them to engage in battle together.
Should I give this place up and evacuate with the rest?
At this thought, Corina gazed at the battle and gnashed her teeth with an ashen expression. With the sharp vision of elves, she clearly witnessed the conflagration in the deep forest subsiding. However, this wasn’t good news for her because the flames didn’t extinguish naturally, but fused with the flame giant instead, becoming its additional power. And now, the three flame giants on the other side also peered out and headed toward the main battle in the ruined forest.
Seems like I’ve underestimated them.
Clang!
Just as Corina made up her mind to command the elves to retreat, a sudden crisp collision of metal interrupted her thoughts. She turned around and witnessed Lesa lifting her gold staff and silently gazing ahead. Upon detecting Corina’s gaze, Lesa smiled in response. Then, she hit the staff on the ground!
Clang!
Along with this movement, Corina saw a blue light column descending from heaven. Then, a star ritual composed of seven small circles displayed in front of her with surging magical power emanating from it, forcing her back. At that moment, Lesa raised the staff and hit the ground again.
Clang!
Bright magical radiance coalesced and shortly after, some human-shaped figures appeared in the light column one after another. The magical winds dispersed silently and more than 100 fully-armored warriors lined up before Corina. They were clad in exquisite, gorgeous, and solid glass armor. The swords hanging on their waists flickered in a natural green radiance unique to elves. White hoods and capes wrapped their slender figures. They merely stood on the spot, but Corina felt an unprecedented and mighty aura from them.
“T-They are…”
Corina stared blankly at the warriors who appeared out of the blue. She was completely speechless and her head was in a total blank. Judging from their attire, there was no doubt that they were knights. But Corina knew that elf knights no longer existed in the Country of Law. The infantry units closest to them were the elf guards of the palace.
Where did they come from? Who are they?
While Corina was baffled, the commander of the elf knights strode toward her and saluted solemnly. Upon witnessing her salute, Corina saluted in a flurry. Then, the commander said.
“Greetings, Madam. Elf Guards First Army—Moon Blade Legion, reporting. I’m the commander, Nightingale. May I know your order?”
“Huh? Ah, I…”
Facing Nightingale’s question, Corina was at a loss for words. Even though Corina experienced several battles as a fighter in the Legendary Stage, this was the first time she met an elf with such a strong military presence, where not even the elf guards of the palace were as determined and unyielding. The feeling they gave Corina was like the pine trees in the north: solid, tall, and upright. Besides, what surprised Corina was that all of them were in the Peak Legendary Stage!
Oh my goodness… Who exactly are they? Why haven’t I heard about this army in the elf palace before? Besides, why is Miss Lesa the one who brought them here? How are they related to His Majesty Rhode?
“Madam?”
“Ah! That…”
After Nightingale asked again, Corina returned to her senses and couldn’t help but blush in embarrassment.
This is a race against time, so why am I behaving like a nervous recruit? No matter what, they are stronger than I am. Besides, there are around 100 of them, so they should be able to defend the encampment.
“Please help defend the encampment. We need to protect this path.”
“Got it!”
Nightingale nodded in response and turned around to leave immediately. At this moment, Corina let out a long sigh and felt her legs weaken. If it weren’t for her strong determination, perhaps she would have already plopped to the ground.
But now, Corina had no time to relax because the other three flame giants had arrived at the periphery of the encampment. In this one versus four situation, the ancient tree could no longer put up a fight. Its massive body swayed, while cracks on its trunk became larger and wider. Looking at this weakening opponent, the flame giant let out an ice-cold and crazy bellow. It lifted its clenched fists, attempting to smash the ancient tree into bits.
At that moment, a purple, magical radiance flashed past its face. The flame giant witnessed a sword-wielding elf knight appearing before it. Her long hair flowed gracefully in the wind as she dashed ahead. Her beautiful green eyes glinted in ice-cold flashes, facing this enormous monster that could devour her in one bite. The fearless elf knight gripped the sword and brandished it at the flame giant.
Swish…!
The surging, powerful blade ray shot straight ahead, ruthlessly slashing apart the flame giant’s skull. However, it apparently wasn’t threatening enough for the flame giant because shortly after, the scorching flames twisted, gathered, and fused together again. But this time, the flame giant didn’t have its wish granted.
Looking at the rebirth of the flame giant, the elf knight didn’t reveal any expression. On the contrary, she erupted a golden brilliance from her body, clutched her sword, and struck at the flame giant!
Boom!
The instant the sword came into contact with the flame giant’s chest, the flame giant’s body exploded in a crisp, shattering impact. It began to crack from the middle of its chest. Its body caved in, fragmented, and turned into chunks of debris. At that moment, the flame giant finally realized that something was amiss. It let out a furious snarl, extending its arms in despair to capture the elf knight. But before it caught its target, the elf knight slashed the sword with all its might! In a resounding collision, the towering flame giant swayed like a fallen stack of building blocks, crashing upon impact on the ground with innumerable fragments scattered from its body. At the next moment, the fragments vanished to nowhere.
“What is…”
Looking at this incredible scene, Corina and the elves beside her couldn’t help but gawk. They didn’t expect the enemies who left them badly battered to be defeated so easily! Not only that, but the strength of the elf knights was also bewildering. Corina sensed that every single one of them had strength that wasn’t inferior to even their elders! Corina knew that such power was unique in the elf race!
What exactly is their background?
