Chapter 50: Changing Strategies
The Warrior Lord who had just been sent flying by Airael’s sword stood up.
“Are you alright, Sel?!”
The nearby Warrior Lord, Derek, asked anxiously.
“I’m fine! Luckily my armor is tough enough, or I would have been seriously hurt just now,” Sel replied with forced bravado, but he couldn’t help but grimace as he spoke.
Even though the armor and Magic Shield absorbed the direct hit, the shockwave was still quite overwhelming.
Yet, hearing Sel’s reassurances, the other Elven Lords didn’t fret too much.
They redirected their attention to Airael.
Moments ago, they had miscalculated her strength.
Their Queen, Airael, was not just a powerful Mage but also a formidable warrior.
Once Sel regained his composure, he suggested, “We shouldn’t act alone any longer. If the Queen decides to ambush someone who’s isolated, we won’t stand a chance.”
The other Lords nodded, recalling the scene of Sel being attacked.
Having a buddy nearby to watch your back would make all the difference when Airael lashes out.
So, Sel decided to stick close to Derek from that moment on.
On the other side, Tugur and Radis formed a small squad together.
“Shall we move as a team?”
Airael noticed their plan, a smile creeping onto her face.
Admittedly, it did put a little pressure on her.
Four hands can outmaneuver two, and with the Demon-Slaying Sword in their hands, along with the two Mages lurking behind them, they could neutralize some of her magic while providing their own support.
Withgive and take, the gap in strength between them closed a bit, not to mention they had the numerical advantage.
However, Airael remained unfazed, displaying calmness in the face of the approaching threat.
This was just the outcome she desired; even if fighting would get tougher, she would persist.
Because only then could she shatter the psychological defenses of these Elven Lords and make them submit.
“Everyone, prepare to attack!”
Once all were ready, Mason, who was stationed in the back, called out.
As he spoke, Smir cast another Earthen Yellow Shield around Sel.
Feeling reassured by the protective barrier, Sel’s tension eased considerably.
Even though the Magic Shield couldn’t fully withstand Airael’s onslaught, having something was better than nothing.
Having said that, Mason unleashed his prepared spell at Airael.
Suddenly, the air around Mason heated up dramatically.
A giant Fireball emerged before him.
Though its power seemed weaker than Airael’s earlier attack, it should not be underestimated.
Using Fireball Technique was Mason’s only option.
After their previous skirmish, Airael’s ice magic had severely countered his water magic.
Despite her greater magical prowess, the dynamic between water and ice also played a role here.
Elemental magic like fire and water mimicked natural laws, thus adhering to them.
Given that Airael was stronger, he could only get trampled underfoot.
Using water magic again would only benefit Airael and waste his magic power.
A blazing Fireball charged toward Airael.
She glanced at the incoming projectile and casually swung her sword.
The Sword of Dawn flared with fire as a long fiery arc sliced through the air, targeting the Fireball.
When the Fireball collided with the flame sword qi, it detonated right in the middle of the battlefield.
Moments later, as Airael swung her sword, the four Warrior Lords seized the opportunity to strike.
At that same instant, Smir activated his magic.
The ground beneath Airael suddenly became unstable, shaking vigorously.
After that strike, Airael had to leap to evade the Lords’ attacks.
Together, the pairings of the four Warrior Lords, with two Mages flanking them, meant even she couldn’t afford to be careless.
In the stands, Linis watched the battlefield grow increasingly chaotic and felt her heart race again.
At the same time, she couldn’t help but harbor some grievances against Airael.
Though her approach aimed for a decisive victory, had she considered the risks it involved, as well as the concerns of those around her?
Linis had been plotting for a long time to bring change to the Elven Race.
To be safe, she wouldn’t mind waiting even longer.
After all, they, the Elven Race, had plenty of time.
But the one who appeared was Airael.
Despite her lengthy lifespan, Airael still struggled with the time perspective of long-lived beings.
She retained parts of the time-sensitive thinking of shorter-lived folks, believing that every second counts.
Every moment of difference could yield entirely different outcomes, turning a bad situation into a good one.
Let alone the disparity of years, decades, and even centuries.
As the fray escalated, the four Warrior Lords banded together and pursued Airael.
The two Mages created barriers with their spells to cut off Airael’s escape.
The existence of Fireballs and colossal stone javelins demanded Airael’s undivided attention.
Thus, Airael was forced to engage the four Warrior Lords in direct combat.
With their attacks, they pressed forward, attempting to breach her defenses.
As Elven Lords who had lived for thousands of years, these Warrior Lords were very experienced fighters.
They coordinated their efforts seamlessly.
As one pair launched an attack, the other seamlessly picked up right after.
Airael skillfully deflected their blows.
Though her situation appeared precarious, a closer look revealed that the four Warrior Lords hadn’t managed to break through her guard.
She adeptly defended herself with her sword.
The two Mages observed, wanting to lend assistance, but found themselves limited in their means.
With Airael and the four Lords embroiled in close combat, launching spells now risked friendly fire.
Four against one? The odds were too steep.
So, they could only maintain supportive magic for the Warrior Lords.
Seeing that their combative efforts with Airael had yielded no substantial progress, the four Warrior Lords knew they needed to change tactics.
In the brief moments of interruption during their attacks, they exchanged glances.
That glance forged mutual understanding, and their attack rhythm suddenly shifted.
