Chapter 296: Shock

Chapter 296: Shock

This is not a temple in the secular sense, where statues of gods are placed, but in the magical sense, an upper-level evolution of a magus workshop, an otherworldly "temple" artificially constructed by the finest magus. A representative example of this is the Hounouden Rokujyuyonshou (The 64 Layers of the Hounou Temple) that was destroyed by Fujino.

Unlike the Hounouden Rokujyuyonshou, this temple was not built by a single person, nor was its construction measured in years.

This temple was perfected over more than a dozen generations, spanning centuries, finally becoming the highest masterpiece of the magecraft discipline known as "territory creation."

This is the core area of the First Lord's family in the Clock Tower, the oldest magus nobility, the Barthomeloi family, carrying the honor and legacy of the Barthomeloi name.

From the outside, it looks like an ordinary stone chamber, but once you pass through the door, you'll find another world hidden inside.

No exaggeration, no use of any rhetorical devices, the interior of the temple is truly an independent otherworld.

Time slows down; space extends infinitely; the four fundamental elements of earth, water, fire, and wind are extraordinarily active here; the rules of the entire world are redefined.

Now, this otherworld, as ancient as the name Barthomeloi, has welcomed its new master, the contemporary heir of the Barthomeloi name, the proud Queen—Barthomeloi Lorelei.

Her Majesty the Queen still dresses casually, holding in her right hand the Mystic Code that has accompanied her for many years—a short whip.

"Wind!"

With a single-syllable chant, Lorelei's magic circuits spun at high speed, roaring like a beast.

Under the influence of magic, the air in front of her split apart like waves, creating a vacuum.

Indeed, a vacuum, a true emptiness—Barthomeloi's secret magecraft, the Vacuum Blade!

The air displaced in an instant has a destructive power no less than a cannonball, and the air rushing back in after the pressure of the vacuum disappears causes even more terrifying secondary damage.

The result is the destruction of everything within dozens of meters, leaving only rubble and debris.

This is the terror of the highest-level wind magecraft, the Vacuum Blade, an attack so dreadful that only the lord who has inherited the ancient lineage magic crest of the Barthomeloi can perform it.

The accumulation and heritage of the Barthomeloi have surpassed the constraints of time; no matter the era, they can always stand at the top.

An elderly man in a tailcoat, dressed as a butler, walked out from a pre-built shelter and bowed to Lorelei standing proudly amidst the devastation: "Congratulations, Miss. You have fully adapted to the Magic crest."

Ever since they received the news of their captain's disappearance, every member had become silent and then unanimously entered this frenzied state.

The captain had chosen to face the dreadful White Wing Lord alone for their sake. So, before the captain returns and before the next mission, they must become useful and not drag the captain down.

They doubled their team training, doubled their exercises, pushing themselves to the brink of unconsciousness and injury—better to collapse in training than to be a burden on the battlefield. It was either break the silence with an outburst or be consumed by it.

When Lorelei entered the training ground, she witnessed this scene of madness.

"This state is wrong."

Although the Brigade had always trained hard, there was never this sense of betting their lives in such a tragic way.

Something must have happened. With this thought, Lorelei released her magical energy.

Sensing the familiar magic, Chariot immediately halted the training and lined up with everyone in front of Lorelei.

"Miss, have you—have you officially inherited the magic crest?"

"Yes," Lorelei nodded slightly.

"Congratulations, Miss!"

"Spare me the meaningless blessings," Lorelei raised her hand to stop anyone from speaking. "Where is Death? Where is he?"

No one answered, and no one met Lorelei's gaze. The training ground was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

The sudden silence cast a shadow over Lorelei's mood. "Why is everyone silent? Judgment, you speak."

The one named Judgment raised his head, his face a mix of a bitter smile and confusion. "Miss, you don't know?"

"I don't know. I came here directly after finishing my training," Lorelei shook her head. "What on earth happened?"

"On our last mission, we encountered Ortenrosse. The captain stayed behind alone to cover our retreat and has been missing ever since."

Lorelei's expression shifted, conveying her growing concern.