Chapter 661: The Defenders

Major Ilia Perli stared at the White Fairy, giving orders, still finding it hard to believe that such a person reached the Astra-rank. Her young age was especially concerning because it made her the youngest Astra-ranker in history.

White Fey was not a part of the Yalveran Union, but she still lived here and led one of the strongest parties, the White Fangs. A few years ago, she attempted to raid Avarice only to fail. Nevertheless, it seemed to drive her forward into breaking through to become an Astra-ranker.

"Look at that woman standing equally with the other two," muttered one of the soldiers. "She is as young as my daughter but has reached the Astra-rank? This is nothing but a sick joke!"

"She is a descendant of that bloodline, after all," said another soldier as he gulped. "A hair as white as clouds and eyes as red as blood means one thing: descendants of the white dragon!"

"You are too old to believe in that fairy tale. There is no way a secret bloodline can exist in this world!" rebuked another soldier. "That woman is… a modified human."

"…go back to sleep."

After the three arrived, Major Perli could tell that the morale from earlier had been restored. These three guild masters were the backbone of this kingdom and the idols of the masses. After all, they were each a power to be reckoned with.

The White Fairy Fey was a mysterious person, but her accomplishments made the kingdom value her. The fact that she became the guild master just a month ago did not interfere with how loyal her subordinates were because she was always their star.

"Do these three puny humans change anything in the equation?" asked Amelio with boredom written all over his face. "The Ilia Boy was also an Astra-ranker, but he still did not manage to harm me."

The guild masters' expressions instantly changed as they turned toward Major Ilia, who nodded with a grave face. The Stars Mage of the Skyline Guild looked at Amelio and then at the ground beneath him. There was blood trickling down.

"Then who gave him that wound, Major Perli?" asked the Stars Mage with a frown. "I can feel a fearsome presence coming from that wound. Who in the world managed to inflict a calamity like this?"

"You would never believe me even if I told you," Major Perli shook his head while turning toward the sky. "All I can say is that the world is entering an era of conflict."

"As dramatic as ever, Iliara!" laughed the man with long hair as he walked toward Amelio. "Regardless of who inflicted that wound, he has given us an advantage! Let us take care of this and go back home, rarara!"

"I have no obligation to fight alongside you, Devan," said the Stars Mage as he walked forward. A wand was in his hand, created from black bones with a skull on the top. "However, it does make sense to eliminate foreign threats too."

"Remember the oath we made to the Yalen King," Fey said as she took out a white sword. "If the two of you do not cooperate, then I cannot offer form the link."

"We know, Feyra Kiddo," waved Devan his hand as he threw away his coat. It revealed the chiseled muscles that made him twice the size of a man. "I still regret not snatching you the moment you appeared."

"She is not an object, insolent man," said the Stars Mage as he raised his staff. "Join my guild, Miss Fey, and I will make sure you never regret it."

The bickering over who would get Fey to join them was not for her beauty. Major Perli knew that if the Yalen King could have her, he would have included her in the Unbroken Corps. She wasn't powerful, but she was the greatest support-ability user.

"I would have to refuse, dear guild masters. After all, I am still a brat who does not like to be chained to a single place. I would, however, join you for a drink after this ends."

"Having a youngster who entertains the whims of geezers like us is a blessing," grinned Devan as his blood began to leak from his body, covering his skin. "If Feyra Kiddo offers as such, I have no choice but to be serious."

"The stench of blood…" muttered the Stars Mage as his blue eyes stared at Devan with disdain. "You are as inelegant as ever, Bloody King."

Major Perli also summoned Lexus to aid them in battle. Although no official ranking has been established, the four of them have already contended against each other several times. The strong wanted to prove their strength, and the weak wanted to climb higher.

Among the four, the strongest was Devan, also known as the Bloody King. The second-place contended between him and the Stars Mage, Azkavan. As for the third place, it was the White Fairy.

The four of them were called the Defenders because they had a deal with the kingdom. In return for dungeon rights and resources, the three guilds needed to aid the kingdom in times of crisis such as this one.

"Retrace," muttered Devan as the blood covered his body before seeping into his skin. This was not his blood but the powers of his ancestors gathered in his genes. "The power of the past is coursing through me!"

"Just standing here is… quite embarrassing…" said Azkavan, the Stars Mage, as he raised his staff, which spewed out dark spheres. "From the depth of the infinite, Antimatter!"

"Pardon my intrusion, guild masters," said Fey as she raised her hands and white light left them. It connected the four defenders, Major Perli included, before expanding and turning into four pillars that covered the battlefield. "As long as we stand here, then we are one."

***

Kody was prepared to die, but he somehow lived. The soldier called Mino seemed to be the strongest of the bunch, but even he could not fight against the newcomer. When his sight returned, Kody found Mino collapsed on the ground. Standing beside the man was a masked man holding a broken blade.

"It seems we were not too late," said the woman who healed him. "I don't recall your face, but fighting against these soldiers proves that you are on his side."

"On whose… side?" Kody asked the woman, but she simply shook her head. Then, she turned toward someone standing far away. Kody followed her gaze to find a small girl with a scar on her face, looking at them wearily.

"Are you certain that he is one of his acquaintances?" asked the woman with confusion. The cloaked girl afar nodded with a cold face without explaining further. "You are not being helpful, Miko."

"Do not address me so casually."

"My name is Julia," the woman wearing black robes crouched beside him. "You may recognize me from magazines as the youngest runemaster. Let's say we are connected to Oren and here to help you all."

"…does that include him?" asked Kody with worry as he pointed at the masked man. The woman called Julia turned toward him and nodded. However, Kody could not rest easy. There was something about that man and weapon that made him uneasy.

"He is not the easiest person to trust, but he is strong. In any case, he did bring down the soldier's leader with a single attack."

"Bring… me… down?" groaned Mino as he moved. Julia glanced at him with surprise as the soldier rose from the rubbles. "A sneak attack is shameful to both of us, masked man."

Mino had a large wound on his chest that cut even his tattoos in half. However, despite the accusation of being low, the masked man did not face it. Instead, he raised his arm again.

"Stars Reaver," muttered the man behind the mask. "Meteors!"

The masked man slashed down again, and there was a shadow of countless meteors in the sky above him. The attack traveled toward Mino and struck him again before he could react. Despite his earlier showcase of strength, the soldier was sent flying and wrecking the buildings behind him.

"Well, that is that," said Julia as the two stared at the fight with fear. "I am not a monster like that one, but I know how to heal someone. Can you, in return, tell us where Oren is now?"

"What do you need him for?" frowned Kody as he tried to back away, but his wounds made him wince. "Are you also after them?"

"If we were, we wouldn't have saved you," sighed Julia before she pinched his cheek. "We are here to protect you kids. After all, that's what adults do."

"Adults also do that," said Kody as he glanced at Mino. Julia sighed and stood up before taking a potion. She poured it down on his wound, which made them heal instantly.

"Youngster," smiled Julia. "You are old enough to differentiate between an ally and an enemy. We are here to change the tides."

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