104 An opportunity arise ...

The only humans that were absolutely not happy with that were those still residing in the northern part of Archet. When the retreat was ordered, they were pushed back, both by the citizens and the guards. For them, the leeches that were only causing problems in daily lives didn't deserve to be protected. For Seron, it was only because his men will be too much spread out, but some had other ideas behind this order. Thanks to the chaos, some spiteful officers manage to permanently block the poor inhabitants, even threatening them with their weapons.

Faced with the incoming sea of skeletons, the outsiders could only rally behind those that could protect them. The numerous gangs, bands of criminals and other dark societies that never saw the light of the sun. Because the undead were completely mindless, none of them managed to see the numerous hideout and secret passages, allowing the outlaws to provide a shelter for many. Or at least, that was until Malakov decided to get rid of the expendables.

From his point of view, Archet was already theirs, so, feeding mouths that will only provoke issues and not repay the favor was definitely not a priority. After cutting wide open the walls and furniture blocking the way, he didn't dwindle any longer.He had to guide a huge amount of undead directly toward Meridiana and Davion, to make them even more incredible. Each time a skeleton was aiming at them, it was him doing it. Otherwise, even basic summons like them would not actively seek out such frightening monsters. Not that they will not target them at all, just that only those at the very front would do, the rest will naturally try to kill the feeble humans nearby.

But just a small action from the Envoy of Leilade was enough to provoke a huge issue to the refugees. The dark tunnels and somber ceilings that should have guarded them were suddenly turned into traps that no one could escape. Even if the enemy could only attack one by one, or at most, two side by side, the undead were still infinite in the eyes of the humans. The petty thieves and weak beggars were only capable of using agilely a dagger, but such a weapon was useless against a skeleton. Their experience at targeting a weak point in the flesh didn't prepare them at all for such a grim battle.

Without the support of any renown fighters or a solid formation, the true murderers and bandits were the only one still standing. Their families were all located in their headquarters, protected by their brothers and sisters. A rare sight, but all the grudges were forgotten between every group. They had all joined the underground fortress that was only the façade for the activities of the Organization, but the latter didn't answer any of their calls. The fact that none of them were expulsed and killed by the trained killers could already be considered mercy, but the desperate peoples could hardly see it that way.

All the shouts and cries that resonated beyond the reinforced gate couldn't be heard by the kind old man still enjoying his tea. He had already brewed a second one, but that didn't prevent him from appreciating the exquisite taste of that brewage. Not a single trace of worry was seen on his face because he was confident that even if the two liches came knocking on the gate, the only result would be their obliteration. The power behind hadn't spent so much gold bribing dwarves and magus alike for their fortress to be breached so easily. And some things that were only exchanged inside the White Hand and not with any nations around here were powerful enough to take care of the undead. It was just too wasteful to use them.

"… her mission." A few minutes after saying those words, he saw one of his bodyguard approaching him and murmuring the reports from the outside. The last criminals had died, crushed in less than 30 minutes. It had not been that long since the local garrison left them to die, alone at the mercy of the skeletons. Some had worked for them for many years but since they were not approached to join the Organization, that meant no one had a high esteem of those gangs. But what was more interesting was the following sentence that was pronounced.

"So, after seeing the door and the pile of corpses nearby, no skeletons even tried to hit it? Interesting. Is it because the liches know what the gate means or were they not controlling their servants anymore?" The white-haired elder was just saying his thoughts loudly, not bothered by those residing in the shadows nearby. If it was the former, it meant the entire situation was far more complex than it seemed at first glance. If it was the latter, it also brought a few incoherencies, regarding the intelligence of the undead.

"Tell me when the knights will have cleansed the battlefield, I will personally ask them their feelings about that. It's a shame we hadn't predicted this uprising; we could have got the opinion of more qualified experts." As for whether those experts were human or not, only a few could know that. But since the liches were not very keen on fighting the Organization, he will not send another group of killers. Their losses of qualified personals in this part of the world were getting higher and higher.

This distraction still served a purpose, allowing an important amount of fighters near the poor area to finally catch a break and rest for a bit. The flow of skeletons was incredibly low while the gangs were still alive, making those that had a bad conscience forgot it. In the end, for the protection of many, a few were sacrificed.Or at least, that was what they were constantly saying to themselves.

Those that managed to rest for more than a dozen of minutes were quickly dispatched to the South. Numerous rotations between the walls in the West and the frontline had already happened, but because of the huge crowd between the two, it was not really efficient. Seeing the injured and exhausted soldiers and adventurers appearing once in a while, the previously extinguished fear was once more rising. But now, thanks to the reminder of Gwendoline, the old families were truly putting their weight in the matter. They acted like peace guardians, quickly suppressing any belligerent individuals.

The next hour was harsh for Seron and his men, but they were still capable of holding the line. After discussing with Meridiana for a while, he convinced her to move across the battlefield, to show hope for the guards. If even he was totally amazed by her vigor and power, what to say about the few rookies that were still alive. They would be galvanized by that sight, and maybe hold for the last hour. It was only when he heard that they were too far away from him did he realized that it was an error. For rising from the ground, a lich was floating a hundred meters away from him.

SLING

He was not alone in that case. Before he could even begin to create a word in his mouth, he heard the sound of a string being released. The small catapult, or what seemed to be a catapult, released its deadly projectile toward the terrifying undead. Their chance of finally hurting the lifeless army at its core at long last appeared. Only to be crushed in the most brutal fashion.

FUSHHHHHHHHHHH

A huge fire exploded, illuminating the city in its red light. Shouts from everywhere celebrated that sight since it only was possible when a bomb provided by the White Hand was used. And everyone had full trust in Seron and the Guild Master to not waste any shot. But only the two and the few elites guarding the latter were not enjoyed at all, but only shivering. Even if the bomb was meters away from the lich, they knew it didn't inflict enough damage to destroy it.

Utilizing the surrounding building, a gigantic skeleton had eaten the bomb, suffering the blunt force of the magic from the 6th Circle. The reason why the flame was so high in the sky was that the huge foe opened a way for the flames to go toward that direction, even if it meant the be burned to the crisp. They could see from afar the melted remains of the skeleton, only the charred bones forming its feet. Everything else had disappeared, but not the silhouette still intact. With the magic shield protecting the lich and the sacrifice of its guardian, they had lost an opportunity.

"TO ME! FORWAAAAAAAAAARD!" Brandishing his sword, Seron dashed forward. The remaining of the veterans that were previously guarding the Guild Master quickly joined him, acting like a piercing spear in the sea of skeletons. They had not fought once since the beginning, ready to group with Seron at his command. This was the only action still available for them since even the mighty bombs were not capable of dealing with the opposing side.

For the first time, they displayed entirely their strength, not sparing anything. Even if it seemed hopeless since the lich could still fly away. But because the latter was immobile, the crazy idea of the undead being stunned by the bomb grew in their minds. No one could infer what was truly inside those locked devices, so it was a mince possibility to have an additional spell in it. But a possibility nonetheless.

In a matter of seconds, they had arrived in front of the lich. Their training, all the sufferings they endured to have a body reinforced with mana was finally paying off. Right under the sword of Seron, the lich was still immobile, even when its doom was arriving at great speed.

SLASH

The image of the undead was cut in half, the lack of sound disturbing the veterans nearby. If a sword hit something, especially bones, it should create a sound. After that, they saw the lower and upper parts slowly fade in the dark, like a dream escaping the mind of those awakening.

"KAKAKAKAKA"

"KEKEKEKEKE"

The chilling laughs resonated from both sides, one on the left and one on the right. Even without seeing them, the small group knew they had fallen in a trap. But it was necessary, they couldn't have lasted that hour if the liches decided to partake in the battle. Even without their intervention, the help would have to arrive exactly at dawn, not a minute later. Not even the exceptional performance of Davion and Meridiana could have prevented thousands of casualties among innocent civilians.

"Madala Naratros" "Mordaran Malaran"

"I failed yo…" The frozen statue that Seron became will never be able to finish his sentence. He was gazing at the terrified guards and adventurers, seeing them fell into despair. But in the end, Archet will be destroyed and razed under his watch, a city that had survived more catastrophic situations. But those were when everyone was prepared and the army of Avenio was also present.

"I am sorry Seron for I was not able to help you more. Would you two despise me, if you knew what was located inside the Guild?" The master of the adventurers inside Archet could only watch the entire ordeal unfold, only blaming himself for it. He was bound by his position but it was the first time he realized how huge were the shackles around him. Even if everyone died here, those above him would be pleased if nothing was touched inside his Guild. But if he dared to even take something out and use it to save others, he would not be the only one to suffer.

Unlike the magicians and magus that were trained by the nation, adventurers only respected gold and power. Creating the huge monster that was the Guild of the Adventurers, spreading its tentacles inside every city, every region. Similar to the White Hand, only that they were always placing themselves on a higher pedestal, acting like they were heroes. But even after someone he could call a friend died, the Guild Master was still too scared to act like he wanted to. Looking downward, he saw guards and adventurers alike running for their lives. Only a few still maintained the formation, but it was evident it would not hold even a minute.

The Guild Master noticed for the first time that he was alone, truly alone. Those guarding him had all died along Seron or were sent when the situation was too dire somewhere else. It was only him, and the other bomb. Surrounded by the screams of pain and cries of panic.