Chapter 270: Malefics and Malibreeds

"I will not allow it!" 

Emlen's ear-splitting tone seemed to penetrate deep inside every single person within the room. His protectiveness was evident, and he wasn't ashamed of it. His eyes were daring as if to challenge anyone who would want to rebuke him. No one made a sound. 

However, there was always someone who wasn't afraid of him. 

"There is no time for arguments. Aren't we all aware that if we do not take action now? We will lose our people." 

The Lord of the Morfaers narrowed his eyes. He disliked Emlen's sudden interruption. "Clearly, It is not your decision to make..." When he finished, he turned to set his eyes on Moulin. His meaning was clear. It was Moulin's choice whether he should go or not. 

Everyone was still awaiting his decision. And the time was ticking. Being the center of the entire hall's attention, Moulin felt his palms sweat within his fists. However, his expression remained serious, as if he was in deep thought. Finally, he spoke. "I will go."

As his decision was made, Emlen froze on his feet. Sighs of relief sounded around him, but he was persistent. As he was about to speak up once more, a hand grasped his shoulder. Wearing a fierce glare, Emlen turned his head only to realize that the person grabbing him was none other than his eldest brother, Maxille.

Maxille stared at him, "Let him be."

"Are you hearing yourself?" Emlen hissed. "Moulin isn't ready-"

"Yes." Moulin interrupted him. He approached them as the people quickly began to disperse. A calm expression shaped his face as he continued.

"I am not ready, but I will not stand by and let more people die because their best chance of security cannot accompany them." He finished. 

"..." 

Emlen paused with knitted eyebrows. His eyes were deeply assessing Moulin, searching for a faint presence of reluctance. Unfortunately, he found none. Confronted by his two brothers, Emlen felt like he was cornered. Forcefully retreating, he sighed. "Fine..."

Moulin eyes softened. He nodded at Maxille before hurrying back to Hadrian's side. Reaching the man, he spoke. "I'm coming with you."

"Good." Hadrian smiled at him. At the corner of his eyes, he caught Moulin's two brothers, who were staring at them. 

"I will protect him," Hadrian said. 

Emlen gnashed his teeth. "You better will. I will not forgive you if you lose him one more time." His eyes were glaring daggers at Hadrian. 

Hadrian was unaffected, but he nodded in response before leading Moulin to the doors. 

Emlen groaned under his breath as he watched their figures disappear. "Why did I have to stay and defend the walls?"

"Because no one is more qualified to lead the men than you," Maxille responded. He clapped his brother's shoulder one last time before pulling away.

"Don't worry. I will return with our brother," Maxille said reassuringly. With that, he and his men departed the halls. 

No teleportation device was allowed to be built outside the walls of Helios. The mana expended would be a beacon for malibreeds and demons. Thus, the reinforcements would have to travel by horse to reach the rift. The Pathfinders had crossed the bridge of ice. However, they weren't alone. 

Just as the last of the team's horses have left the bridge, a group of people in robes of red ambled at the edge of the forest. They were calm even when they crossed the bridge and watched as their prey moved farther and farther from them. At last, they stepped on the dark, barren ground. A vicious air surrounded them, engulfing them in dark corruptive miasma.

They inhaled the corrosive air as though they were breathing the freshest breeze. Exhaling, their mouths moved as if they were involuntarily chanting.

In the next second, something bursts from the solid earth. Limbs dug underneath the black ground, emerging hastily—Malibreeds in different sizes with grotesque features. The eyeless monsters released a series of bestial roars and cries. It was thunderous, loud enough to reach the center Helios. 

Afterwards, the creatures charged towards the faint sounds of hooves ahead of them. Some released a terrifying screech as their mouths gaped and sputtered black drool, which corroded the ground like acid. 

"!!!" 

One of the pathfinders looked back, and he regretted it deeply when a malibreed was already a few meters behind him, chasing him hungrily.

Moulin, who was on horseback heading towards the rift with the others, raised his head when he heard a piercing shriek. His heart thundered wildly as he glanced at Hadrian, whose eye turned frightfully cold. 

"Hya!" Moulin sped up his horse dreadfully. He hoped they weren't too late. 

Finally, their eyes caught a few figures ahead of them. Some of the riders exhaled a breath of relief, but Moulin eyes narrowed. 

Something seemed wrong...

"AGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! SAVE ME-"

A bloody person dashed when he saw people approaching them on horseback. He failed to finish his words when a giant mouth descended to his head. With a crunch and a tear, the man's head was decapitated, and a skinless, eyeless monster was chewing and swallowing its victim's skull. 

"No." Moulin gasped. His eyes were wide. The others shared a similar expression. 

Moulin's eyes narrowed. They didn't come in time. 

"No! No!" 

Within his vision, Moulin caught someone defending himself with all his strength against a rock-type malibreed. His fire was useless, and he could only escape. The creature chased after him, amused with his fleeing prey. 

Moulin stretched his arm, materialized his sacred weapon,  shot the malibreed. However, the creature had already caught the man, its clawing puncturing several holes into his chest.

Moulin cursed and fired a few more shots before the creature solidified into ice. It dropped the man before becoming as still as a statue. The event caused the surrounding creatures to stop at the presence of the new threat. 

Even when his horse was running, Moulin swiftly dismounted and rushed to the wounded pathfinder. The malibreeds advancing towards Moulin, but the others were just in time to intervene. 

"Moulin, be careful." Hadrian gazed down at his lover which he guided his horse.

Moulin lifted his head. "I'll be okay. Go."

Hadrian sighed; just before he was about to go and find the pathfinder's leader, a massive glowing spear rapidly flew above them. It was as fast as an arrow, and it was aimed swiftly towards the city. 

"What?" Moulin's eyes widened. 

Suddenly, the man in Moulin's arm grabbed Moulin's shoulder with a bloody hand. Moulin abruptly looked down, and four gaping holes, oozing blood, filled his sight. The man gripped him tightly with bloodshot eyes. 

"T-They are... coming f-for... the c-city." Red leaked between his teeth, and his grip on Moulin slowly loosened as the light in his eyes faded. 

Dread and sorrow filled Moulin's expression as the man died in his arms. 

"The city..." Moulin whispered. As though a realization struck him, he instantly raised his head, staring at the flaming object headed for the city walls. It wasn't even appropriately aimed over the city walls. 

"The barrier!" Moulin eyes widened. 

Thud!

Two boots struck the murky ground just beside Moulin. Hadrian dismounted, and his pupils were blazing. He unsheathed his sword. The black blade furiously cracked with vicious electricity. A fearsome air enveloped his figure. It was as if he was doused with brutality and murder. A trail of gold was left in the air as he swung his sword and forcefully pierced the earth. Moulin hurriedly drags the man's body away when he felt a horrendous amount of ruthless mana burrowed within the ground. Like a snake crawled underneath them, heading towards the city. A roaring sound accompanied it.

As the battle continued, the arrow almost reached the city. The four edges of the flaming spearhead spun wildly as if it would drill into its target. 

Fearlessly holding their positions, the guards at the wall hoped the spear wouldn't be able t9o pierce through the barrier. It was massive, a hundred times bigger than the size of an average person. And the orange flames which enveloped it was intimidating enough to shake their souls.

WHOOSH!!

Facing the approaching spear, the knights and mages closed their eyes and gripped their weapons. They will do everything to defend the wall. 

However, a violent blast of electricity abruptly bursted from the ground just a few meters before the wall. The explosive beam rose upwards and pierced through the spear, snapping it into two. However, the tip of the spear was already embedded through the barrier. Red waves spread out. The shattered spearhead fell in shards from the center. 

The black sword was pulled out from the ground. Dust fell, and Hadrian clenched his jaw. Moulin could perceive the frustrated look on his face from afar. Silver eyes intently stared as the pillar of golden light pierced throught the dim clouds. It was magnificent. However, it was brief, fading out and leaving flickers and sparks that could only be seen from the people on the walls. 

Hadrian had destroyed the spear. 

"Take out the mages!" 

Maxille's voice caught Moulin's attention. He turned back, and another flaming spear was materializing above them. His silver eyes flashed a terrifying glint. His sacred weapon emerged within his palm. His pale fingers curled around it. 

RAAAAGGGHHH!!!

A loud roar noised before Moulin's figure. Sputtering,  the malibreed charged towards Moulin pounding its fists as it advanced. 

Moulin wasn't intimidated. Determination drive inside him, surging in his blood. He ran towards the malibreed. His hair swaying with his movements as a cold wind brushes past him. 

The creature's massive fists punched the ground before him, and Moulin dodged the mouth that swooped to snap him in half. He swiftly leaped on the Malibreed's arm and jumped over its shoulder. Twisting his waist, he turned to land a shot at the creature's skull before skillfully landing on the ground. 

He didn't stop. His eyes were glancing upwards and coldly eyeing the three people in red robes who were chanting. 

Moulin avoided the sudden spray of blood that was directed at him. Maxille ran beside him, cutting down every single creature that dared to approached his little brother. "Don't stray far from me."

Moulin aimed an arrow towards Maxille. The arrow shot past his eldest brother's neck and struck the malibreed that was advancing towards Maxille. The creature turned into solid ice with its mouth still gaping towards the Fraunces Lord. Moulin's eldest brother gave a cold look as he kicked the frozen creature, letting it shatter as it hit the ground. 

"Warn me next time," Maxille spoke as he fought beside his brother. His sword following with malefic and malibreed flesh. 

Moulin smiled, "You didn't even flinch."

"You've always had a reason to shoot." 

Moulin glanced at Maxille with raised eyebrows. Softness in his eyes. However, he then focused his gaze on the three malefics. 

They need to cut them down and stop another attack. Silver eyes narrowed. 

Once they were closer, Moulin pulled his bowstring, and Maxille raised his hand, spinning ice swords levitated around him, ready to strike. Both brothers didn't hesitate as they released tension and attacked.