Hannah Fields paused in her steps, while Richard Kenneck's gaze turned cold. His right hand clenched the air, and an intense surge of magical energy immediately began to gather.
Noticing this, Hannah Fields quickly spoke up, "Stop! There's no need for us to fight!"
Hannah Fields then turned to Dean Bruce and said in a serious tone, "Mr. Dean, it was my own decision to leave with them."
Dean Bruce nodded and smiled, "I know. If you hadn't agreed, there wouldn't be such harmony between you all. But, if they truly care about you, why don't they let you make your own decisions?"
As his words hung in the air, Hannah Fields fell silent.
Richard Kenneck then spoke softly, "Your Highness, it would be best for you to return to the carriage immediately. This man is definitely from the Church of Light, here to take you back! We'll deal with him!"
"Ridiculous!" Dean Bruce sneered, "I am from the Magic Guild. Why would I do the Church of Light's bidding? I simply saw the future!"
The moment the word "future" left his mouth, the expressions of Hannah Fields, Richard Kenneck, and the others changed drastically.
"Quick, get Her Highness out of here!" Richard Kenneck commanded in a low voice. He then raised his right hand, and a powerful surge of magic condensed into a giant flaming sword, radiating searing heat.
Richard Kenneck didn't strike immediately but instead asked in a cold tone, "Are you really seeking death?"
It was clear that even Richard Kenneck was somewhat intimidated by Dean Bruce's status as a Magic Guild elder and didn't dare to act rashly.
"Seeking death?" Dean Bruce's lips curled into a smirk. "You? Do you think you can manage that?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Dean Bruce stomped his right foot on the ground. The Interrogation of the Soul spell was unleashed, and black liquid poured down from the sky, surging toward Richard Kenneck and his companions.
The earlier conversation was nothing more than a ploy to unsettle Hannah Fields, ensuring she wouldn't participate in the battle.
When it came to the rest of his enemies, striking first was the key to victory!
Swoosh—
The black liquid rushed down, instantly engulfing several people closest to Dean Bruce. They stood motionless, their faces blank, as ghostly images of their souls appeared above their heads. Moments later, they began violently attacking each other.
"Not good!"
Seeing this, Richard Kenneck immediately shouted, "Fall back for now! Masno, cast purification magic!"
At his command, a mage swiftly raised his staff and slammed it onto the ground.
Buzz—
A pale yellow light shimmered, glowing like the sun, casting its brilliant rays upon everyone.
In an instant, those who had been controlled by The Interrogation of the Soul spell began to regain their senses as their souls returned to their bodies.
Even the surging black liquid was temporarily halted by the glowing light!
"Mydora, restrain this guy! Everyone else, charge!"
Richard Kenneck shouted orders while gripping the flaming sword he had summoned earlier. With a fierce swing, he aimed the fiery blade directly at Dean Bruce's face.
Buzz—
As they tumbled mid-flight, blood splattered across the ground, and Richard Kenneck's expression turned grim.
Despite Dean Bruce's assault on the soldiers, the mages had successfully cast the connection spell.
Buzz—
Whoosh—
Suddenly, a fierce wind howled, and in the already dark night sky, flashes of lightning appeared out of nowhere.
Crackle!
With a loud rumble, more than a dozen bolts of lightning descended from different directions, all converging toward the area where Dean Bruce stood.
Feeling the intense pressure from the incoming lightning, Dean Bruce was about to cast Thousand Mountains Fortress to harden his body like solid rock, rendering him immune to lightning damage. But suddenly, an idea struck him—Blade of Thor's Judgment.
Could the Blade of Thor's Judgment absorb all of this lightning?
Dean Bruce was not one to hesitate. As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he swiftly drew the Blade of Thor's Judgment.
In an instant, the many bolts of lightning crashed down towards the blade, creating a surge of energy as the blade absorbed the powerful strikes.
"Phew..."
"Our combined connection spell is something not even an archmage could easily withstand! Even if he's an elder, there's no way he can resist that!"
"If it doesn't kill him, it should at least wound him!"
The astonished murmurs spread among the group, their eyes fixed on the place where the lightning struck. Even Hannah Fields, who had been escorted back to the carriage, couldn't help but watch with bated breath.
However, when the lightning finally subsided, everyone was left dumbfounded. Their pupils dilated in disbelief.
Dean Bruce stood there, completely unharmed, holding an oddly shaped sword in his hand, with lightning still dancing along its blade.
"What... what is that?!"
"Impossible! How could this be? We all cast the connection spell! How could it have had no effect on him at all?"
Fear surged through the crowd, causing them to instinctively take several steps back.
Dean Bruce calmly waved the Blade of Thor's Judgment, the lightning shimmering along its length, illuminating him like a divine figure. The sight left everyone in stunned silence.
"If you have any other tricks, feel free to use them," Dean Bruce said with a casual smile. "Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't have another chance to make a move!"
"You... you arrogant fool!"
Richard Kenneck's face twitched with anger. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "The Kenneck family has never been humiliated like this before! I swear on my honor as a knight, even if it costs me my life, I will see you dead!"
With those words, Richard Kenneck swiftly pulled out a dagger from his cloak and slashed it across his cheek and chest. Blood gushed out like a fountain.
"Attack! Buy time for the Viscount!"
"The time has come to serve the Viscount! Brothers, charge with me!"
The mages and soldiers, now resolute and undeterred, hardened their expressions. Fear left them as they steeled themselves for what seemed like a suicidal charge toward Dean Bruce, determined to fight with all they had, like moths rushing into the flames.