In the aftermath of their joint attack, Marcus and his compassion found that the castle around them had been reduced to rubble.
Even the floor that had been under their feet was now gone, and each of them was hovering in the air using either magic or by creating a platform with the mana barrier skill.
Yet, even in the wake of their explosive power, the area directly in front of them was still standing and looked to be barely damaged. The throne room had all manner of magical protections that kept it intact.
"It seems that one of them has survived." Roxene said, her eyes drawn to the sole figure in front of the orange doors leading into the throne room.
The level eighty-three Death Knight that was the strongest of the guards protecting the room where Ghost King Arriba Houten was presumed to be located stood tall with its shield held up defensively.
Of the eight original Death Knights he was the only one remaining. The others had been utterly annihilated.
A dark aura burst from the monster, and it charged towards the intruders that had attacked it.
In less than a second it closed the gap between them, and slashed towards Marcus who was the closest to it.
Normally a strike from a higher than level eighty monster would be the end of most people, but Marcus did not even need to move. His friends had already moved to intercept the blade.
Miguel easily repelled the strike with his shield, and Roxene, Mrazivý, and Lilia tore the monster apart.
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The battle was over before it really began, and the now unmoving remains of the strongest Death Knight fell to the ground below.
"I was expecting a little bit more from something that high of a level." Roxene said disappointedly.
"Well, it was in pretty bad condition already after taking our opening attacks. I'm honestly surprised that it was still able to fight back at all." Mrazivý said, before abruptly turning towards the throne room doors.
"You stand before the King of Houten. Kneel and await oblivion for your crimes."
Along with the first words that the Ghost King spoke, a powerful force assaulted Marcus and his party members.
Arriba was attempting to exert his will over them and force them to their knees.
At once Marcus recognized this power. It was similar to his phantom pressure specter power. Perhaps it was even the exact same ability.
Still, as intense as the force was, it was not nearly enough to make Marcus or any of his companions kneel as he commanded.
"We have no reason to prostrate ourselves before an abomination like you. You're a failure of a king that brought ruin to his people. All that you rule now is a dead city of monstrosities. I'd recognize a slug as a monarch before you." Mrazivý spat. Her own royal presence overwhelming the faint vestiges of what remained within the former King of Houten.
Confusion replaced the commanding expression that Arriba had been wearing a moment ago. Not only were the insurgents that had trespassed into his castle and throne room unaffected by his powers, but one of them had delivered to him an insult of the highest order.
"Insolence!" The Ghost King shouted as he stood from his those and slammed his scepter into the floor with enough force to cause a web of cracks to form.
"I was going to spare all of you with a quick and merciful death, but your crimes are too grave for such leniency. Prepare to suffer for eternity for your disrespect."
"I think that we will have to pass on that. You're the one that will be meeting his end today. I hope that you do better in your next life."
Wearing a confident grin, Marcus aimed his magic focusing lenses that he had rarely had the chance to use recently and unleashed the spells he had been preparing while Arriba was busy posturing.
'Quazar Blast, plus Rending Void.'
As he had done many times in the past, Marcus combined his tier six light and dark magic spells and channeled their powers through his focusing lenses.
An enormous spiraling blast of darkness and light filled with spiritual energy shot forward and annihilated everything in its path.