Chương 147: Seer Aelira’s Fear

In a village in the central regions, recently conquered by the coalition, a portal opened. Xarath emerged from it. He had appeared right in the center of the village. Since it had only recently been conquered, martial law was still in effect. The streets were teeming with soldiers, who immediately approached with their weapons drawn.

"You…who are you?" asked the soldier at the front.

"Identify yourself immediately, or we'll be forced to arrest you", ordered the soldier beside him. Xarath simply began walking toward them, his hands casually tucked into his trouser pockets. The soldiers tightened their grips on their swords, ready to attack. They didn't even have time to do so. Their bodies were torn apart by invisible slashes. Arms, legs, torsos—with every step Xarath took, dozens of lives were snuffed out.

He continued forward without speeding up or stopping, as though he were simply crossing an ordinary street. He walked on while dozens upon dozens of soldiers were massacred without him even lifting a finger. When the soldiers saw their comrades torn to pieces before them, the others began fleeing in terror. But it was too late. The invisible slashes reached them one after another. Xarath continued the massacre until the very last soldier, leaving only the villagers alive.

Three hundred soldiers lay behind him, reduced to scattered pieces of flesh across the ground. The streets were covered in blood and entrails. Xarath approached one of the villagers. He was an old man. The man immediately fell to his knees.

"Don't kill me! Please!" Xarath gave him a faint smile.

"Old man, burn the corpses, or you'll all die from some disease". Then he walked away. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Only then did the old man dare to raise his head. His heart was still pounding furiously, as though it were trying to burst out of his chest. Xarath sighed.

"I'd say another land has been conquered". He opened another portal and disappeared, leaving behind nothing but silence and carnage. Oscar was having lunch with Matilda and Teresa. Matilda's baby bump was now clearly visible. There were still several months until the birth, but the pregnancy was already impossible to hide. Oscar finished his rare steak, drank his water in a single gulp, and then looked at Teresa.

"Mother, I know you told me to wait, but it's time to start training those dragons. The war has taken a completely different turn. It's accelerating, and we don't have any time to waste. I'll need your help training them". Teresa raised her gaze.

"It won't be easy…the green dragon is very protective of her young. Are you sure? Xarath is on our side, and as much as I hate to admit it, he's the most powerful weapon we have".

"Xarath is phenomenal, there's no doubt about that. But with the dragons, we'll be even faster. And above all…" Oscar clenched his fists.

"I can't allow a sorcerer to win my war for me. I want to be the one who secures victory, riding that black dragon in front of my soldiers". Teresa stared at him.

"You really want to fight on the front lines? It's too dangerous, my son". Matilda instinctively placed a hand on her belly.

"Oscar, aren't you thinking about our child?" Oscar rose to his feet.

"My father personally fought in dozens of battles. It's time for me to do the same. I don't want to be remembered as a king who sat on his throne the entire time while others fought his war for him".

"And what if you die?" Matilda pressed. Oscar looked her in the eyes.

"If I die, our child will take my place. And the two of you will guide him together with the council". He paused, then smiled with absolute confidence.

"But I won't die. I, Oscar Hawk, will win this war and be remembered as the greatest king this kingdom has ever had". Nikos and Morvath stood before Seer Aelira.

"Did you hear me, Seer?" Morvath asked. Aelira slowly nodded.

"Unfortunately, I did. So that bastard Xarath is now fighting for the king, and he has already reconquered dozens of lands you had taken".

"Exactly", Morvath confirmed. Nikos stepped forward.

"May I ask you a question, Seer?" Aelira stared at him.

"Speak, human".

"If you're the most powerful mage in the world, why don't you kill Xarath once and for all? From what we know, you placed limiters on him. You should be able to do it. Once he's eliminated, and with the legendary swords on our side, we could enter the capital and win the war". The Seer remained silent for a few moments. Then she spoke.

"Do you know why I remain seated here, human? Why I never get up?"

"I assume it's to keep watch over the war. To observe the battlefields".

"Not only that". Aelira's voice grew more solemn.

"I control every single one of my soldiers. Especially the humans. They fight for me like puppets. They feel neither hunger, thirst, nor fatigue. They fight until they are completely exhausted and annihilate their enemies". Nikos's eyes widened.

"If I were to fight Xarath", Aelira continued, "I would expend so much energy that I would lose control over them. I would risk losing the entire war. Do you understand now why I choose not to act?" Nikos slowly nodded.

"Yes, but couldn't Morvath take your place for a short time? Just long enough to eliminate Xarath". Aelira shook her head.

"No. No one even comes close to possessing the amount of magical energy I have. Morvath would lose consciousness after a few minutes".

"I understand…" Nikos muttered.

"Thank you for the information. I'll use it to devise a plan and counter their offensive". The Seer closed her eyes.

"Good. Then hurry. You may leave". Nikos turned around. A small smirk appeared on his lips.

"So that's how things are…the Seer is afraid of Xarath".