Chapter 1013: Coercion
More importantly, some of the Mud Lizards’ spells were already slipping into the valley. The three Essence Relics supporting the massive barrier were straining under the assault. It wouldn’t be long before the second Essence Relic gave out and shattered...
The Henry Family’s mages looked pale, bitterness lingering at the corners of their mouths. Each spell was cast through gritted teeth. Even with alchemical potions refilling their mana, the endless casting wore down their minds, scraping away at their sanity.
Now, the pressure was mounting, and the air was thick with complaints and exhaustion...
Arno wore a bitter smile. He saw Morgan’s reckless behavior and wanted to intervene, but the truth was clear—without help, they were truly doomed...
But the Mud Lizards hadn’t been lured away—instead, their attacks only grew fiercer. Any hope of gain had turned into bitter loss...
Morgan gulped down an alchemical potion, glaring at the six Mud Lizards outside with clenched teeth. His heart ached as he watched the trap zone on the right mountain begin to reset, the pain nearly physical.
Just now, Leon’s spell had swept through that area. The precious Enchanted Scroll had triggered the trap zone, keeping it active for at least half a day. During that window, the Mud Lizards wouldn’t dare force their way through.
Now, though, the trap zone was reverting, the spatial rifts shrinking and growing fewer by the minute...
Through his Spirit Serpent, Morgan saw Leon’s group lounging, watching the chaos unfold as if it were a staged play. Fury boiled in his veins. Without hesitation, Morgan sent the Spirit Serpent slithering straight to Leon.
The Spirit Serpent slithered out from the woods, its metallic body rising up as Morgan’s furious voice poured from its jaws.
"Leon, what the hell are you trying to do? Can't you see we're in danger? You're just sitting there watching instead of helping, and now your spell has injured our people. Damn you! Are you trying to start a war with the Henry Family?"
Leon glanced at the Spirit Serpent, his expression unchanged. He replied in a dry, almost bored tone.
"Oh, sorry. The power of the magic scroll was out of my control. My bad."
"Oh, sorry. The power of the Enchanted Scroll was out of my control. My bad."
"Matthew Merlin, you bastard! How dare you treat us like this? No one insults the Henry Family and gets away with it. You're finished—just wait!"
"Leon, you bastard! How dare you treat us like this? No one insults the Henry Family and gets away with it. You're finished—just wait!"
Arno, in the midst of casting a spell, suddenly heard Morgan's tirade and felt his scalp tingle. In an instant, he realized exactly what Morgan was doing.
Arno’s face went completely white...
"Morgan, you idiot! What are you doing? Shut up, now! Are you trying to get us all killed?"
Damn it, Morgan really is an idiot. As if he hasn’t done enough stupid things already—does he not see what’s happening right now?
That bastard insisted on stealing the Mud Lizards’ eggs, got us surrounded by six of them, forced us into pure defense, and now we can’t even break out. We’re almost finished, and he still goes and provokes Leon.
Idiot. The biggest fool in Henry Family history. Leon’s just watching the show right now—that’s generous enough.
That Leon probably doesn’t know the secret of the Mana Crystal, which is why he let it slide. If it were any other faction, stealing their Mana Crystal would mean war.
If they were in this situation, they’d definitely fan the flames. Leon’s just sitting on the sidelines, not taking the chance to wipe you out—that’s already pretty decent. Yet this idiot still goes and picks a fight. Is he in a hurry to die?
They don’t even need to attack us outright—just a little extra pressure. If Leon casts two or three more spells like that, the Mud Lizards will break in and we’ll all die horribly...
Idiot, idiot—what the hell is he doing...
"Morgan, give me control of the Spirit Serpent! Now! Or I’ll deal with you myself! Damn it, why did you have to provoke Leon? If he gets angry and attacks us, your stupidity will get us all killed!"
"Morgan, give me control of the Spirit Serpent! Now! Or I’ll deal with you myself! Damn it, why did you have to provoke Matthew Merlin? If he gets angry and attacks us, your stupidity will get us all killed!"
At last, Morgan realized what he’d done. His face went pale as a vision flashed in his mind: Leon and his people fanning the flames, unleashing a few powerful spells, and the enraged Mud Lizards tearing them all to pieces...
Morgan quickly produced a metal token and handed control of the Spirit Serpent over to Arno.
Arno took charge of the Spirit Serpent, checking through its senses to confirm Leon had no intention of attacking. Only then did he allow himself a faint sigh of relief.
But the delay weakened their defenses, nearly letting the Mud Lizards break through. Gritting his teeth, Arno tossed out a Water Elemental Essence.
It was a rare relic left behind by a level 40 Water Elemental, something Arno had always used to comprehend the rules of water magic. Most mages focused on frost spells, and pure water magic was rare—few ever reached level 39, and even fewer attained Sky Rank.
Even with the Henry Family’s immense wealth, rivaling the oldest mage factions, there was little practical experience for Arno to draw from.
This Water Elemental Essence contained traces of water rules—extremely precious. If he could grasp those rules, even without advancing to Sky Rank, he’d have one foot in the door, and future insights would come much easier.
But now, he had no choice but to use it as a casting material...
Arno chanted rapidly, and water light shimmered around the Water Elemental Essence. In an instant, it exploded into a torrent, streams of liquid light pouring down, forming a water curtain at the valley entrance...
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The eighth-level defensive spell, Water Curtain Tianhua, was perfect for this situation. Its lasting endurance and formidable protection made it the most renowned water defense spell.
If only Leon would help, they could definitely defeat the six Mud Lizards. Their own people could handle three, maybe four at a stretch.
Leon’s group had made it this far, so they were clearly strong. Judging by their state, it didn’t look like they’d faced any tough battles.
Arno shaped the water into a mighty river, combining it with Water Curtain Tianhua to barely fend off the frenzied Mud Lizards.
Suddenly, a crisp bang rang out...
In an instant, the largest crimson barrier shrank, its color dimming. Of the three Essence Relics forming the barrier, another exploded and was destroyed...
The barrier’s strength shrank again, rippling violently under the claws of the crazed Mud Lizards. It wouldn’t last much longer...
Arno’s face shifted as he glanced toward Leon’s group. Through the Spirit Serpent, he saw that Leon and his followers were all in perfect condition—not a single one was injured.
If only Merlin would help, they could definitely defeat the six Mud Lizards. Their own people could handle three, maybe four at a stretch.
Merlin’s group had made it this far, so they were clearly strong. Judging by their state, it didn’t look like they’d faced any tough battles.
There were plenty of Sky Rank beasts here—they couldn’t have avoided them. Earlier, they’d even chased down an Ice Ape. To make a Sky Rank beast flee, they had to be at least as strong as us.
But now, how do we get Leon and his people to help us?
"Good day, Sir Leon. I am Arno Henry, one of the commanders of the Henry Family."
"Good day, Commander Arno Henry."
"Sir Leon, please forgive Morgan's outburst. He was only worried about our situation. As you can see, we're in serious trouble and hope for your assistance."
"Have Morgan come speak with me."
"Sir Leon, although we belong to different kingdoms, we are all human here. Our common enemy is the Rageflame Orcs.
There are six Mud Lizards here. The Henry Family alone cannot hold them off. We hope you can share the burden. After the battle, all the spoils from the Mud Lizards will be yours. Sir Leon..."
"Have Morgan come speak with me. Otherwise, there's nothing to discuss."
"Morgan, I just negotiated with Sir Leon. He hasn't refused to help us outright—there's still hope. But he wants you to negotiate with him."