Chapter 387: Assault and the Shadows

Rod and Tally slipped into the shadows.

Leaving the main hall of the banquet, they arrived where the guests were most gathered.

Rod had intended for the clever Tally to impersonate him while he used the invisibility of his magic ring to search for the hidden dark elves.

However, considering Tally's shadow magic was even more outstanding and more concealed, he decided to let her accompany him.

"Look, Master! This woman isn't wearing underwear!"

Tally exclaimed.

They patrolled along the path the guests had taken, hiding in the shadows on the ground.

Thus, it was unavoidable that they passed beneath the skirts of the various ladies.

But unfortunately, our ranger isn't very interested in human women.

"Tally, focus on the mission."

"Wow! She has scales too! Could she be a hybrid of lizardfolk and human?!"

"Really? Let me see... Holy crap! That's a syphilis rash! Let's go!"

It took nearly ten minutes.

The two quickly checked all the guests but found no problems.

The banquet had still not officially begun.

Such banquets are often very drawn out; after all, they are social gatherings where various figures attend. Besides, the front hall of the courtyard has abundant buffet-style drinks and food, so one can at least fill their stomach before the formal start.

"They aren't mixed in with the guests..."

Rod looked up at the 【Wind Wall Technique】 that enveloped the first half of the manor.

This thing blocked the night wind and sand, acting like a fortress barrier to ensure the banquet proceeded successfully.

But if used as a ritual to do something to the people inside, wouldn't that be quite convenient?

Rod frowned.

He had Tally attempt to use Shadow Step to leave the range of the 【Wind Wall Technique】.

As expected, it failed.

Tally said a layer of strong light-attribute ritual was interwoven within it; once shadow magic passed through, it would trigger and forcibly dispel it.

"A ritual targeting shadow magic? Or simply to prevent escape?"

Rod had originally wanted to have Tally secretly use shadow magic to transport the guests out before startling the snake.

Now it seemed that was impossible.

The two moved through the shadows to a corner.

Rod reached out and touched the wind wall of this hemispherical 【Wind Wall Technique】.

Generally, the 【Wind Wall Technique】 is a wind wall made of mana to block wind and sand; while the wind wall section has some resistance, it cannot prevent human entry.

"The wind wall is solid, and its strength is not low... It's not just the 【Wind Wall Technique】."

It seems they intend to catch the turtle in the jar.

Such composite-acting rituals are the most troublesome.

Judging by the strength of this touch, it shouldn't be able to trap a powerful spiritual warrior, but forcing passage doesn't mean the ritual will collapse; ordinary people still cannot leave.

Spell rituals require vast knowledge as a foundational structure to understand; Rod is a complete novice.

But it doesn't matter; we have Lady Kali.

【Rod: Little Kali, are you there?】

【Lady Kali: What did you call me?】

【Rod: There's a problem with the 【Wind Wall Technique】 ritual; help me check it.】

【Lady Kali: Human, I recall you attended two of my basic spell ritual classes. Don't tell me you remember nothing.】

The elf's voice was cold, her questioning tone as terrifying as a homeroom teacher from a past life.

【Rod: Hahaha—Is everyone in position?】

【Lady Kali: Just in case, I left the ghoul and Vivian in the forest. I warn you, human, do not call me like that again!】

Rod nodded, continuing to ignore the latter part of that sentence.

As for the two left behind in the forest, Pan Ni had already reported to Vivian via the 【Chain of Long Speech】 more than ten minutes ago.

Only after Rod's approval did they follow Lady Kali's arrangements.

However, the elf's decision was not flawed.

Rather, he himself was negligent, planning to summon everyone at once.

Pan Ni's undead army is too flamboyant and unsuitable for stealth operations; Vivian is a tree spirit, and without the aid of natural forces in the town, she cannot exert her full strength, so holding the forest is correct.

After the communication ended.

Rod turned his gaze toward the low-level mages maintaining the magical lights around the manor.

As the mages who established the 【Wind Wall Technique】 ritual, they were naturally the most likely to act.

Indeed.

Among the sixteen scattered mages, he detected five in a state of 'disguise'.

Interrogation is impossible.

As warlocks of the Duke of the Netherworld, the dark elves' souls were already cast into the 【Blood Life Pool】, so they feared death not at all.

Failing to kill them in one strike would be equivalent to giving them a chance to send a message.

Although they would resurrect in the 【Blood Life Pool】 after being killed directly, ordinary transmission spells, without external aids, cannot achieve ultra-long-distance communication like the 【Chain of Long Speech】.

The strength of these dark elves is around the mid-sixth tier.

Before Rod, they were no different from radishes on a cutting board.

Combined with Tally's Shadow Spell providing powerful concealment, Rod cut them down one sword at a time, every thrust going straight from crotch to skull, dung and brains sloshing together — disgustingly nauseating.

Luckily the Black Slime Sword was a one-use item, so he didn't feel bad about it.

Tally, meanwhile, used 【Clone Art】 and transformed into the appearance of the slain mage, continuing to put on a show of casting spells, unafraid of being discovered.

While at it, she had Little Black swallow another head — 【Memory Devour】.

But perhaps because their souls were connected to the 【Bloodbirth Pool】, the first few attempts all failed.

On the last one, Rod figured he was using it anyway, so he casually tried out his new skill 【Despair Mycelium】 as well.

This was a skill that required release through bodily fluids or spiritual essence.

Rod's method of using it was also very simple.

He just had Little Black jerk off for a moment, then carried his essence to devour the last dark elf's head, seeping the essence into the target's brain in the process.

This process was very short; whether 【Despair Mycelium】 would take effect, he wasn't holding out much hope.

Meanwhile.

Little Black's 【Mind Link】 sent over a notification that the memory devour had succeeded.

There wasn't much information.

But luckily, it was all important recent intel.

Little Black's 【Beginner's Luck】 deserved much of the credit.

"Try not to kill the management layer; the main targets are Dimia and Rosalia, who control the military and security; isolate and avoid the Warden Rod; simultaneously launch attacks on the outskirts of Shi Ying Town."

Not killing the management layer was understandable.

The dark elves' numbers were ultimately limited, and the town's management still needed to be maintained — as long as Dimia and Rosalia, who served as the defensive force, were replaced with them, it would do.

They want to isolate me out?

It wasn't hard to see the dark elves' wariness.

But the dark elves of Coral Bay shouldn't have fought me head-on yet—is it just hearsay that earned me such respect? It hardly fits the temperament of this famously arrogant race that never sheds a tear until they see the coffin.

Rod suddenly recalled that there was a half-deer person with the 【Hero's Blessing】 in Coral Bay.

Could it be a prophecy about me?

Rod shook his head, didn't speculate further, and continued reviewing the memories.

"... Disguise as the bard 'Aidan'; a bomb against the Inferno; unless absolutely necessary, please stay as far away from the management figures as possible when using it. Also, when using it, please get as close as possible to the Warden Rod and his companion?"

(End of chapter)