Chapter 318

Because of the impact, the ground started to crack, and the magical energy flowing underneath the surface fluctuated. The labyrinth below broke apart, and monsters became collateral damage. They screamed as they died.

The confusion surrounding the tower resolved itself after a short amount of time. The magical energy swirling in a violent manner started to find order. The flow of magical energy created holes through the ground, and these tunnels crisscrossed each other to form an enormous magic diagram.

Magical energy calmly flowed through the magic diagram. The entire Mage city shook once again as the ‘stake’ activated. The magical energy flowing through the magic diagram started to greedily eat the magical energy in its surroundings. Then it flew to the center of the magic diagram where the stake was.

Pah-ah-aht!

Since the city had flipped over, the floor of the city had become the top, and this top released magical energy. The magical energy surging into the air resembled a fountain dispersing water into the air. It looked as though someone had unfurled a large umbrella in the air.

It was thin, but the flow of magical energy spread out over the moon before it was sucked underground.

Just like this, the flow of magical energy encircling the Moon came into existence.

“We’ve received a report! All the portals leading to Earth have vanished!”

Everyone in the situation room let out a cheer.

The Mage city wasn’t done.

The magic diagram, which had formed below the tower, started to lurch and send more magical energy to the tower. The flow of magical energy here was different than that of the magical energy encircling the Moon.

A blue light started to gather around the top. It was a great spectacle, but regular humans with no magical energy couldn’t see it. The Connectors felt an electric sensation crawl across their skin.

The blue light swirled up from the tip of the tower and reached the base to create a foundation. Then, it started climbing up toward what used to be the floor of the Mage city. The light gathered at the highest point of the rocky formation.

Pah-aht!

The magical energy shot forward into the air in the form of a powerful beam of light. Its destination was Earth, and it lit up the dark Space in its path.

Puh-uhng!

After the magical energy arrived on Earth, it spread across the atmospheric layer. A light show occurred above Earth. The radiant light in the sky was more beautiful than any natural phenomenon the people of Earth had ever seen.

“It's the light from the magical energy.”

“It’s very pretty.”

Russell and Bruce gawked as they watched the magical energy extend out from the tower.

“Is that how it's sending magical energy towards Earth?”

“I guess so.”

Russell didn't even turn his head as he replied to Bruce, who was also standing there gaping at the spectacle.

“Report to the Mayor. Looks like the plan is a success.

***

When Russell’s report reached the situation room, the cheers turned louder.

This time, the Mayor didn’t stop anyone. The plan had been a complete success. However, he still did his best to push down on his excitement.

“What about the Knight and his party?”

The safety of the Knight, the person who had contributed most to this plan, was a priority.

“I’ll check right now!”

His subordinate quickly moved.

The Mayor closed his eyes and tried to be calm and collected, but he couldn’t stop his heart from being overwhelmed by emotions.

He kept his emotions in check and planned to do so until he received news of the safety of Sungyoon’s party.

***

“It stopped.”

“I guess so.”

Sungyoon had been ready to open a portal at any moment. However, he gave up on doing that as he placed his hand on the pillar. He could feel the great stream of magical energy through his hands. It was like touching a bellow pushing out magical energy.

“I think it was a success.”

The party reacted in a variety of ways.

One cheered. One sighed. One sank to the ground in relief.

Everyone reacted in different ways, but they all displayed similar emotions: happiness and relief.

“Let’s check what happened outside the city.”

Sungyoon led the way as he retraced his steps through the tunnel. Then, they climbed the tower. Since they had exited the tunnel, their surroundings became devoid of air. They jumped down to the floor, which had been the ceiling before, and saw the view outside through the tower's entrance.

Everyone’s eyes turned round. If there was air, one would have been able to hear the exclamations.

Sungyoon was also in awe. All the buildings that had been rooted to the floor were hanging upside down on the ceiling. They looked like stalagmites hanging off the flat ceiling.

When they looked below, they could see Armstrong city and its dilapidated buildings shrouded in darkness. However, the enormous size of the city displayed its splendor. The city was too large to take in all at once.

The Connectors near Armstrong city had made improvised defensive positions, and they were all looking up at the tower and the city.

‘We succeeded.’

Sungyoon knew the plan had been a success through the magical energy he felt on his skin.

He unconsciously clenched his fists and shook it.

***

Armstrong city once again came back on line. As the generators started working, light returned to the city. The construction materials had been transported to the portal beforehand, and they were used to seal the holes in the outer wall.

After that weapons were mounted on the outer wall. The workers were more meticulous in building a stronger defense.

A spaceship landed in Armstrong city. It was the first spaceship to land in the city after the city had been lost to the monsters. Following it, a continuous procession of spacesh.i.p.s landed at the airport. In just a while, the Aldrin spaceport had been fully occupied.

The spacesh.i.p.s unloaded all the supplies brought from earth.

Numerous portals were opened next to the Aldrin spaceport, and the excavated Mana Knights were stacked there.

The spacesh.i.p.s, which had unloaded all the supply, reloaded the Mana Knights and moonstones. Then they left for earth once again.

“Stability is starting to return to Armstrong city.”

The mayor looked tired, but unlike before, there was life to his face.

Even the dark circles under his eyes were shining.

“They are still showing no signs of attacking us in large numbers. Some monsters are roaming near the city, but I do not believe we have to activate the defense system. It’ll be enough to send out a couple of Connectors. It seemed our initial plan of luring out the monsters and crushing them was highly effective.”

“That’s great. If we had failed in that plan, we wouldn’t have been able to recapture Armstrong city. The more problematic part would have been the countries would hesitate to cooperate with our plans going forward if we had failed.”

The entire world has been threatened, and every one urged for unity. However, that unity had been scratched and clawed together, so it was fragile.

If such a large scale plan had failed, the naysayers within each country would gain a platform.

Moreover, earth had taken large scale damage in order to put together this plan. They had pushed back the counterattack by the monsters, but earth had taken massive amounts of damage in the process.

“We can't let our guard down. They’ll start a large scale attack at some point. That is why I plan on building a Mana Knight munitions factory here. It’ll allow us to continuously upgrade our defense. Also, there is one more task that we have to accomplish. It’ll be as important as defending Armstrong city and the spike of the Mage city.”

“You are referring to Kevil.”

“That is correct, Ms. Plu-El.”

“I wholeheartedly agree with your plan.”

Magical energy was being transmitted to earth. Kevil would be more dangerous than ever before.

“As earth fills with magical energy, Kevil will start regaining its original strength. We have to kill him as soon as possible before he gains more power.”

“Then our next mission is to exterminate the rat that is living on earth.”

Everyone laughed at Sungyoon’s words.

“That’s right. We built up a defensive wall, and we just have to catch the rat that had hidden in our home.”

***

Sungyoon’s party would be returning to earth.

Sungyoon could use the source of magical energy, so he would be able to contend with Kevil if they came across each other. This was why Russell, Sungyoon, and his party members returned to earth. Bruce was left behind in Armstrong city as a backup.

To see Sungyoon off, the mayor, Bruce, Plu-El, and Aruwen had come out to the spaceport.

“Please take care of Soyoung, son-in-law Woo.”

Plu-El was a bit more comfortable interacting with Sungyoon now.

“Of course, I’ll look out for my sister-in-law.”

Sungyoon smiled.

Those that were leaving for earth said their goodbyes to the people they knew. They were about to move towards the spaceship, which would be returning to earth. It happened at that moment.

“Wait a moment.”

Aruwen stopped them.

“What’s wrong, Aruwen?”

Aruwen wasn’t close to anyone that would be returning to earth, so Plu-El had wondered why Aruwen had come. It seemed she was about to find out the reason.

Aruwen didn’t answer Plu-El. He approached Sungyoon’s party.

He looked at the party starting from Sungyoon. He turned his gaze toward Emily, Grace then Tim. His gaze came to a stop on Tim.

“What...what’s wrong?”

Sungyoon was used to dealing with Aruwen, but Tim still felt awkward in Aruwen’s presence.

“You are the warrior of Mr. Woo Sungyoon’s party. Am I correct?”

Tim eyed Sungyoon, Emily, and Grace. Then he returned his gaze towards Aruwen once again.

“What?”

“I asked if you are the warrior of Mr. Sungyoon’s party.”

Tim looked at Sungyoon once again.

“Y...Yes. Mr. Sungyoon and I are the warriors of our party.”

“Mr. Woo Sungyoon is good at using spells too. You are the only pure warrior in your party.

Since Mr. Woo Sungyoon is the user of Royal Gem, he is out of the question. Are you the warrior of Mr. Woo Sungyoon’s party?”

“I…I am.”

If Sungyoon was excluded, he was the only warrior in their party.

There was a bad taste in Tim’s mouth as he answered Aruwen.

“What’s wrong?”

Plu-El asked the question once again, but Aruwen didn’t say anything as he tossed something towards Tim.

“Uh?”

Tim quickly caught the item out of the air. Everyone focused their attention on the item in his hand.

“It is the Warrior Gem.”

Aruwen spoke calmly. He spoke as if he had given Tim a stone that he had picked up on the side of the road.

However, everyone lost their cool when they heard his words.

“Wait a moment! Are you out of your mind?”

Plue-El spoke.

She had assumed Aruwen thought of the Warrior Gem as a substitute for the Royal Gem that he had lost.

Moreover, everyone that knew him assumed the same thing.

However, Aruwen felt differently. He had handed over the Warrior Gem to Tim as if it was nothing.

“What do you think I am doing? I am handing over the Warrior Gem to someone that’ll have the most use for it.”

Aruwen looked at Emily and Grace.

Emily flinched at his gaze. Grace tilted her head in puzzlement.

“In fact, this is a good opportunity. Let’s use this opportunity to gain some clarity.”

Aruwen turned his back on Tim, who had no idea what was going on after receiving the Warrior Gem. He turned to look at Plu-El and Russell.

“Both of you should hand over your special Gems to them.”

He pointed towards Emily and Grace.

“Aruwen. You know I trust you, but you still have a terrible personality. At the very least, you should give us an explanation.”

Plu-El let out a sigh as she scolded him.

“It isn’t anything amazing. It isn’t something out of the ordinary. It is something that should make sense. I’m saying we need the special Gems in one place.”

“Give me the specifics.”

Plu-El crossed his arms.

Everyone knew Aruwen had a reason for saying this, so they waited for him to speak.

“The other special Gems are starting to awaken. However, it doesn’t change the fact that the Royal Gem is the most important, and the other specialty Gems can bring out the full extent of their power next to the Royal Gem. I’m sure of this since this information was passed down through my family.”

“You want to keep the other special Gems close to the Royal Gem?”

“Exactly.”