Chapter 826: Music Spark Attack

Chapter 826: Music Spark Attack

Music spark attack, Dallion thought as he played a few chords on his harpsisword.

Tendrils of sound shot out in all directions. What they couldnt attach to, they sliced. What they couldnt slice they purged.

With a single set of sounds, the whole area around Dallion became empty of void matter. Another, and the metaphorical bubble of purity doubled in size, allowing him and all his guardians to ignore any corruptive attacks. Once that was settled, he went on the attack.

No one interfere, Dallion ordered his familiars as he cast a speed spell with his aura sword.

Since spark dissolved magic as it did void, he had to switch between the two to make sure the effects of his spells held. As Adzorg would say, it was all a matter of speed. Breaking a flight spell for half a second didnt cause any immediate damage or disruption. And if Dallion could reduce the time he was spell-less even further, it would be as if he hadnt lost anything at all.

You can also stop going all out, dear boy, the mage suggested.

Against void I dont take any chances. Dallion played another chord, this time targeting the twin guardians specifically.

Nosh and Zdrach split up, each flying off in different directions. That didnt help muchthe glowing tendrils of music split after them, each set at their own target.

Black vines emerged from the female guardian, forming a shield of void matter. Several dozen of spark tendrils hit it, letting off steam. One burned its way through, hitting the dagger in the shoulder.

AGGRAVATED STRIKE

Damage dealt is increased by 100%

The strike wasnt at all bad for a first hit, but Dallion remained displeased. With what he had put in, he was hoping to achieve at least a critical.

Meanwhile, the other guardian changed approach. Instead of a leaf shield, a torrent of void drops flew at Dallion like daggers. In the past, Dallion would have required help and a lot of instances to avoid such an attack. Now, both seemed useless.

Could that be the reason why Euryale didnt resort to splitting so much? Dallion used to think that it was a personal preference, but there was no denying that if one was skilled enough to counter any attack, instances were useless.

Spark music attack! He played his harpsisword again.

The first wave of strands destroyed all the dagger guardians attacks. The second shot right at him.

There was no time for either of the twins to react. Rays of light pierced Zdrach, causing dozens of red rectangles to appear in the air.

CRITICAL STRIKE

Damage dealt is increased by 200%

Thats better, Dallion thought, continuing with the next set of cords. A semi victory wasnt a reason to let down his guard. One guardian still remained.

Three shields of void matter sprouted in front of the entity, one after the other, like layers of an onion. Each was drilled full of holes almost the moment it appeared. And with each attack, the distance between the shield and the guardian was pushed further back.

You can always surrender, Dallion said, as he kept on playing. Itll be faster that way.

The pressure was too much for the guardian to even make a sarcastic remark. Unable to maintain three shields, it cut them down to two, then one. Then, even that proved no longer enough.

CRITICAL STRIKE

Damage dealt is increased by 200%

CRITICAL STRIKE

Damage dealt is increased by 200%

Unsummoning his sword, Dallion sat back down in his seat.

Please dont tell me youre surprised, the duchess frowned.

Im surprised that you came to warn me.

I thought I told you. Were better off as allies. Grandma likes you, and you dont have a chance of replacing me. Tors, on the other hand.

Has a chance? Dallion found that hard to believe.

He thinks he has, which is enough for him to try something stupid. Like killing you, for example. He wont do anything direct, of course, nor will he be sloppy as those Mizovy clowns. Itll be just subtle enough to be noticeablea trap that tricks you, thinking you have the upper hand. Possibly an alliance offer or even the promise of information about your grandmother.

Despite his efforts, Dallion didnt manage to keep all his emotions in check. He quickly tried to make up for his mistake, but it was too late.

Definitely information about your grandmother, the duchess nodded, pleased with herself. Whatever it is, ignore it.

Thats all? Something felt wrong. Why tell me and not the duchess?

Grandmas fond of him. If I go to her then at best, hell get a stern talk, and at worst, hell try to come up with some convoluted plot to get back at me. With the outside expansion, now isnt the time for the family to squabble. Im not warning you so you could do anything to him. Im doing it so you ignore him and keep doing what youre doing. As grandma said, youve been given the role of the jester so the real work could be done behind the curtains.

I dont believe you, Lady Elazni, Dallion said in a firm tone. He was fairly certain she hadnt uttered a lie since shed come here, but she wasnt telling him the truth, either.

Good. It means youre getting used to the capital. She stood up. Continue to make contacts, distinguish between allies and enemies, and maybe youll get to blend in, after all.

Before Dallion had the time to respond, the old overseer put his hand on Liyas shoulder and pulled her out of Dallions domain. The room was empty again, leaving him slightly anxious.

Lux, check for echoes. He summoned his bladebow.

While the weapon floated around the room surrounded by blue flames, Dallion cast every spell he knew seeking any unwanted presence. There seemed to be none, which made him even more anxious.

Shes just toying with your mind, dear boy, Adzorg said. Its a common noble tactic.

What does she have to gain?

Might be nothing. For all you know, she might be doing it out of boredom.

That didnt sound like the answer, especially since it had happened so soon after his conversation with the copyette. There was a very real chance that she was a cultist, if not a Star candidate.

I really need to get out of here, Dallion thought.

Unfortunately, as it quickly turned out, leaving the capital was no easy matter. The many golem statues, metalins and bladeres abundant throughout the city werent just a symbol of authority. They were the best guards magic could create. Nearly impossible to defeat, they were placed at strategic points, ready to react to anything, anywhere in the city. Whoever had originally placed them there was a skilled strategist, creating an invisible cage within the cage. But even if Dallion somehow managed to get past them, he couldnt escape the overseers.

Each time he got remotely close to a city gate, or even the outer wall, one of them would appear. They wouldnt say a word, nor make any threatening actions, just stand there looking at hima reminder that there was no escape without the proper approval.

The only way that remained was the questionable method of the leech Bar, but all the times Dallion tried to get an audience with Duchess Elazni in order to obtain the ring in question, his request was ignored.

He made two subsequent attempts to use the Academy as a means to temporary loosen his leash, but the archmage was less than charmed, personally taking the time to send a crimson fury with an assurance that the Academy had no need of his assistance and that his previous request was going through the proper channels, whatever that meant.

With no other alternatives, Dallion was left with nothing else to do, but increase his skills and, given his proximity to Count Pilih, subtly purify a few weapons in his collection. Things seemed rather bleak, when a couple of days later, he received two surprises in the same day.

The first came in the form of two swallows flying right into Dallions mansion. It only took a moment for him to spot that they were, in fact, Gleam and Ruby under an illusion spell. Thanks to her current level, the shardflys illusion abilities had increased quite a bit, although Dallion strongly suspected they had been allowed to reach him by the city overseers. Either way, he was more than happy to see them.

The second surprise, the very same evening, was an official visit from the envoy of the Stone and Steel Alliance.