https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-123-Spell-Arrays-and-Unexpected-Developments/12810356/
Chapter 124: Their Close-Quarters Combat Must Be Weak
Chapter 124: Their Close-Quarters Combat Must Be Weak
Two barriers of magical energy, formed by spells, glowed brightly in the dense forest.
Rod and Gray were hurrying toward the closer of the two. However, by the time they arrived, the barrier had already vanished.
"First squad, attack! Second squad, stand by!"
The soldiers of the Enforcers, under the command of Deputy Captain Deputi, waved their wands.
Magic projectiles flew toward the members of the Naked Bandaged Men.
Caught off guard by the sudden assault, the barrier had been dispelled, and their numerical advantage was almost nullified. They were now being attacked from both sides.
The mages of the Naked Bandaged Men, however, were undeterred and their morale soared after the barrier's disappearance.
"Damn Council!"
"We're being forced to hide and run because of you!"
"Die!"
These men had a much more diverse array of combat styles compared to the Enforcers.
Some used wands and magic guns for ranged attacks;
Others wielded elemental magic like fire;
And a few were mage warriors, dodging the magic projectiles while advancing to engage in close combat.
The variety of combat styles made it difficult for the Enforcers to keep up, and the battle was intense with both sides suffering casualties.
This was the typical scene of a mage battle.
However, the Naked Bandaged Men had the added strength of the Zat brothers and a bald man, all of whom were exceptionally powerful.
With their involvement, the Enforcers gradually found themselves at a disadvantage.
"Damn it, if this keeps up..." Deputi was under immense pressure.
If this continued, not only would the squads he brought suffer heavy losses, but the colleagues at the other barrier site would also be in danger.
"Ice Make: Lancer!"
"Scarlet Beakbird: Feather Storm!"
Dozens of ice lances and hundreds of feather daggers suddenly descended, cutting down a large number of enemies.
"It's the mages from Fairy Tail! Hold on, reinforcements have arrived!"
Deputi didn't have time to question why they had joined the battle; the most important thing now was to boost morale.
But since it was Rod, he would naturally try to avoid any misunderstandings.
So after his initial ambush, he shouted, "Responding to Captain Keptin's request to support Deputy Captain Deputi!"
Deputi immediately relaxed. "Stay focused, attack!"
"Ooh!!!"
The Enforcers' soldiers were invigorated and fought with all their might.
"They're mages from a legitimate guild!"
"Damn it, those guys, even though they're already in the light, they still come to interfere with us?"
The bald man beside the Zat brothers sneered, "They're just two people. Follow me, and we'll take care of them."
"Got it, Brother Borga!"
Deputi, while helping, didn't forget to warn them, "Be careful, that guy's spear is hard to handle!"
"Magic Shot!" The bald man, Borga, pulled the trigger. "Die!"
"Ice Make: Shield!"
The magic projectiles exploded on the surface of the ice shield, creating cracks.
"That ice mage, his shaping speed is incredible!"
"That shield is so strong!"
"Is Gray's magic really that powerful?"
"Are you surprised too?!" Gray was puzzled by Rod's reaction; he had seen Ice Make magic before.
"I just didn't have a point of reference!"
Usually, he knew Gray was strong, but he had never had a clear understanding of his power.
But on this mission, when Sharoa marveled at Gray's shaping speed and precision, and even the enemies were amazed by his speed and the strength of his ice shield, it finally clicked.
This realization made Rod understand that Gray's skills might be far beyond ordinary. It would be great to have another Ice Mage for comparison.
And the comparison came almost immediately. Behind the bald man, a genuine Ice Mage appeared, casting a few seconds of preparation before firing an ice shard that left a small dent in Gray's ice shield.
Rod exclaimed, "Oh~~~ Gray is so strong!"
Gray created a spear and hurled it at a Mage who was firing magic bolts, shouting, "Fight properly!"
"Being surprised doesn't affect my fighting, you should focus more!" Rod waved his hand, "Sharpbeak Birds, Feather Storm."
Five small Sharpbeak Birds each shot a feather, then flapped their wings and charged forward to attack.
A large Sharpbeak Bird released another wave of feather daggers before charging at the leader, Zat.
Several unfortunate victims were immediately hit, screaming as they clutched their injured arms.
"Don't panic!" the bald man, Borga, fired another shot, hitting one of the small Sharpbeak Birds, "One is an Ice Mage, and the other is a Summoner. They must be weak in close combat, Sword Mages, charge!"
"Yes!"
Four people armed with long swords advanced, covering each other. At the cost of two severe injuries, they defeated the five small Sharpbeak Birds.
The remaining two, one charged at Gray, and the other lunged at Rod.
But Gray summoned an ice sword, knocking the opponent's sword away with his first move, and felling him with the second.
Rod noticed that the Crimson Sharpbeak Bird had also been defeated by Zat's magic, so he summoned a group of Stone Beetles.
The Sword Mage who lunged at him swung his sword at the Ancient Stone Beetle's back, creating a fine crack.
The Ancient Stone Beetle bit the opponent's waist and dragged him underground, leaving only his head exposed.
Another Stone Beetle lifted its leg and kicked him unconscious.
"Burrow!" Rod waved his hand, and the Stone Beetles burrowed underground. One emerged from under the bald man's feet, lifting him up, while another pounced and bit him.
Gray swung his ice sword, breaking the bald man's magic gun and leaving a dramatic wound on his chest, then froze his arm and body together with cold air.
He claimed the kill.
But Rod didn't argue, because the most formidable of Zat's brothers was approaching them.
The Stronghold Unit's combat ability was truly something to behold. Despite equal numbers, strict discipline, and proper command, the battle ended in a stalemate.
The deputy captain, Depdi, took a direct hit from Zat and a blow to the forehead from Cat, and was now unable to stand.
In his blurred vision, he could only see Zat's brothers facing off against Rod and Gray, placing all his hopes on these two reinforcements.
"What did you two do to my subordinates, huh?" Zat, with his spiky hair, said, "Bro Cat, how about we break their bones?"
Cat, with his rooster comb hairstyle, spoke a bit naively, "Sure, should we start now, Bro Zat?"
Rod refused to engage in meaningless conversation with the enemies.
So he ignored the provocations from these two who called each other 'bro,' and quickly shared the intelligence he had just gathered with Gray:
"The one with the spiky hair uses an invisible attack like an air cannon. The warning signs might be a glare or a raised hand, possibly using a ring on his hand. Pay attention to his movements.
The one with the rooster comb is an expert in close combat, using a short club. He's very strong, and his armor might be similar to Erza's magical armor, making him highly defensive."
Gray clenched his fists and took a fighting stance, "So you've been observing them all along."
"Of course, I can't just stand idly by while commanding my minions." Rod waved his hand, "Ancient Stone Beetles!"
(End of Chapter)
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