Chapter 359: The Trap (1)
Chapter 359: The Trap (1)
Jung Hayeon's explanation that followed did not betray everyone's expectations(?).
There were quite a few Users in the control room with shallow knowledge of magic, such as those from melee classes. Perhaps out of consideration for them, her analysis was free of the esoteric jargon typical of mages. Instead, it was a simple and concise explanation, completely devoid of technical terms.
Yet, she pointed out only the precise facts and key points, so when she finished, everyone in the control room could be seen nodding in unison.
In any case, according to Jung Hayeon, the characteristics of the Protective Magic Power Nullification Formation could be summarized into four points.
1. Magic power is manifested and maintained not through the body's internal circuits, but by following a unique process drawn into the magic circle itself.
2. While the circle is active, magic power generated externally cannot affect the inside in any way.
3. While the circle is active, the magic power inside is frozen.
4. The size and scale of the circle can be adjusted at will according to the caster's intent.
Of course, these conditions only listed the unique characteristics of the magic circle; they did not escape the relativity of magic power. For example, if I were to use Eternal Flame's power, I was confident I could affect the inside, even if the power was generated externally.
The heat that had filled the control room gradually subsided, and everyone wore expressions of deep thought.
The analysis was over. Now it was time to figure out 'why they installed this magic circle.'
“Mage of the Blue Moon. I have a question.”
Just then, a familiar voice echoed softly through the control room. Glancing over, I saw the Tarot Card Magician, Seon Yul, raising her hand.
“‘While the circle is active, the magic power inside is frozen.’ Could I ask for a further explanation on this part?”
“I don't know the full details myself, but I can answer within the scope of my knowledge. What part are you curious about?”
“‘It completely blocks magic power exerted from the outside. And the magic power inside is frozen...’ I'm curious about the precise difference between these two conditions.”
“Come to think of it, I was wondering about that too. Why would they install a circle that could restrict them as well as us?”
At Seon Yul's question, several Users nodded as if it were a valid point.
“That... you can think of it as a difference in preservation. Inside, it's possible to preserve magic that has already been manifested.”
As if it were a difficult question to answer, Jung Hayeon replied with a slightly troubled expression. At that, Seon Yul's eyes narrowed instantly.
“Does that mean... No way! Are you saying that magic manifested before the nullification circle is created can be preserved while the circle is active? Is that why you used the word 'frozen'...?”
“That's right. But that only applies within the circle's range, and it still can't escape the relativity of magic power. The protective Magic Power Nullification Formation is an ancient magic circle incorporating over eighty percent unique interpretation. It's very different from modern magic. In other words, the manifestation of magic whose wavelength doesn't match the circle's cannot benefit from the preservation effect.”
“Phew. That's a relief, at least. Still, the fact that there's a possibility makes me uneasy...”
“Modern magic circles are one thing, but ancient ones aren't that common, are they? Besides, as its official name suggests, the Magic Power Nullification Formation is, at its core, a magic circle made for support purposes. For a circle with opposing properties, wouldn't the chances of its wavelength matching be extremely low, even if it were an ancient magic circle?”
Jung Hayeon ended her statement with a question. This meant she wasn't certain about what she had just mentioned. But no one here would criticize her for that. The fact that she had analyzed it this far was, in itself, incredible.
“The Warp Gate.”
It was then. Jo Seongho, a diplomatic officer of the Goryeo Clan who had been listening quietly, spoke up, his face lighting up as if he'd just remembered something.
“Speaking of supportive ancient magic circles inside Barbara, isn't there a Warp Gate?”
At that moment, the quick-witted Users (or more accurately, those with extensive knowledge of magic) let out small gasps of realization.
Jo Seongho's words certainly had a point. Assuming their wavelengths matched, if they activated the Magic Power Nullification Formation while the Warp Gate was active, its function could potentially be preserved. In other words, they intended to use the Warp Gate as safely as possible while the circle blocked external attacks.
“Even if they left some forces in other cities, there must be at least ten thousand people in Barbara right now. Since they can't all use the Warp Gate at once, they must have devised their own method.”
“Oho. In that case, it means the enemy doesn't know about the New World Operation!”
Of course, Jo Seongho's words were just a hypothesis. But seeing Jung Hayeon and Seon Yul nod as well, it seemed they also thought this theory was the most plausible.
A lively stir once again filled the previously quiet control room. The thought that the enemy was planning an escape route before the battle seemed to restore the confidence that had been slightly eroded by tension.
Finally, the Goryeo Lord let out a long sigh and resolutely rose to his feet.
“What's the status of the northern and southern fronts?”
“They are currently moving swiftly with the goal of recapturing all cities simultaneously. They'll begin the operation as soon as they arrive, so we should get a progress report within four—no, three days.”
“Four days, or three...”
The Goryeo Lord stopped walking in the center of the room. He scanned his surroundings before continuing in a low voice.
“I wonder how they'll react when the Warp Gate is cut off.”
*
The dawn on the plains of Barbara was cold and silent. Not even the sound of breathing could be heard. The only sound was the footfalls of thousands of soldiers marching forward, treading on the grass.
Before long, Barbara began to draw closer. Despite having told each other to get a good night's rest, a considerable presence could be felt from the city walls.
This dawn marked the day of the first proper clash between the East, the Western Continent, and the Vagabonds. Since the East was in no rush, the Goryeo Lord had announced they would limit the engagement to an exchange of firepower. However, considering that most wars in the Hall Plain are decided by magic, it was clear that today's battle would be the measure of future victory or defeat.
“Halt.”
A single, low word from the Goryeo Lord. But because the surroundings were quiet and Sound Amplification Magic was active, the Users' steps stopped in unison.
“Establish formation.”
The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Squads began to move busily.
1st Squad, melee-class Users, will defend against arrows at the forefront.
2nd Squad, archers, will prepare arrows for sniping.
3rd Squad, mages, will prepare offensive magic to unleash a barrage of firepower.
4th Squad, priests, will prepare large-scale defensive divine spells.
5th Squad, assassins, will stand by.
About two hundred and fifty meters from Barbara, the formation was established in an instant. Then, under the command of each squad leader, the preparations began.
“───. ───. ───.”
“───. ───. ───.”
“───. ───. ───.”
“───. ───. ───.”
The most overwhelming of all were the 3rd and 4th Squads, composed of mages and priests.
The force at the west gate numbered about 5,000. Though their incantations differed, the sound of nearly 1,000 Users chanting in unison was so grand and solemn it could be called sublime.
Soon, an immense flow of magic power began to cross between the city walls and the plains.
Whoooom! Whoooooooooom!
The plains were no longer dark. Five-colored lights swirled around each person's hands or staves, brightly illuminating the surroundings.
Perhaps because many Users had mastered Rapid Incantation, it didn't take long to complete the incantations for the first attack.
Having apparently finished her own incantation, Seon Yul, leader of the 2nd Squad, could be seen raising her arm high into the sky. In her hand was a single, blazing card.
Now, it was beginning.
Then, with an incantation, Seon Yul tossed the card she was holding into the air.
“Amplification!”
Fwoosh!
The card, which had been fluttering in the air, seemed to gain a three-dimensional quality for a moment before a pale green curtain spread out from its rectangular edges.
“Fire!”
And the moment the word "Fire" was heard.
“!”
With a tremendous roar, the magic imbued in the Users' weapons erupted. As hundreds of spells flew into the sky at once, my eardrums rang. The shockwave was so intense it sent a thrilling jolt through my entire body.
I suddenly felt my lips trembling slightly. Even though this was just the beginning of the battle, my blood was strangely boiling with excitement.
The spells, tracing thin arcs through the air, converged on the curtain Seon Yul had unfurled.
It was then.
“Acceleration!”
Seon Yul's voice rang out once more.
Swiiiiiish!
The spells, which had been drawing gentle curves, changed their trajectory the moment they passed through the curtain. After lingering for a moment, they shot toward the city wall as if someone had slammed on an accelerator.
It was a perfect, head-on assault.
The hundreds of spells drew clean, straight trajectories as they surged toward the base of the wall. Like a torrential downpour or a sudden shower, countless magical raindrops fell toward the wall like meteors.
Of course, the enemy wasn't just standing by. The flow of magic I had been sensing since earlier came to an abrupt halt. I wondered how they would counter the thousands of spells pouring in from four directions. I focused my vision and stared at the wall.
Boom! Kaboom! Kabooooom!
And in that instant, the enemy's response began. From the western wall I was watching, hundreds of spells were fired with brilliant explosions.
And the target of their magic was not us, but the empty air.
Are they admitting the difference in firepower from the start?
They must have priests on their side, yet they targeted our spells instead of us. This could only mean they weren't confident they could block the attack with their priests alone, so they intended to reduce our firepower with their own magic.
The clash of magic happened in an instant. In the empty sky, the spells of the two forces collided. The true contest of firepower had begun.
Flash!
Once again, brilliant flames and massive explosions created a symphony of destruction. As if in a grand fireworks display, streaks of light from the aftermath of the explosions mercilessly shot out across the sky, and stray sparks that had lost their targets shot up like fountains before falling back down.
And the result of the first exchange of firepower was immediately clear.
Fwooooosh...
A large, mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke formed in the air. As the smoke spread thickly in all directions, a distinctly smaller bundle of spells pierced through it and came into view.
And the spells that had not yet lost their power slammed directly into the city wall.
Kwang! Kwakwang!
Krrrrumble, krrrrrumble!
C-crack! Crackle!
It was then. Along with the sound of the large-scale defensive magic on the wall being battered, ten streaks of lightning suddenly appeared and struck down, completely unimpeded.
Is that... lightning?
Given the nature of my brother's magic, which could utilize clouds, it seems he was waiting for the screen of fire to clear. The enemy, too, apparently didn't expect a delayed attack like this. The lightning that followed certainly added force to the spells that had struck first.
A little time passed, and the thick smoke thinned. And from what I could see, the defensive barrier they had erected seemed to have blocked all of the initial spells.
However, my brother hadn't been aiming for the barrier. His greatest strength wasn't just his monstrous stats, but above all, his ability to control his magic with precision.
C-crack! Craaack!
With the sound of a crack forming somewhere on the wall, black smoke began to rise from several spots. The wall seemed to hold for a moment, but soon, a section on the right side collapsed with a rough roar.
Thud!
In that fleeting moment, my brother had located a spot untouched by the defensive barrier and struck it precisely with his lightning.
“......”
Whoooosh. Whoooosh.
The start of the full-scale siege.
And the first day's contest of firepower began with the Eastern Users in the lead.