Chapter 44: If Magic Isn’t for Showing Off, It’s Utterly Meaningless

After casting the divine spell on Kasa, I called the still-shaken youths to head home. I turned and supported Kasa as we walked out.

“How could this happen?” Kasa muttered, utterly bewildered.

“Simple. Their real target was always you. Damn it! We were set up.”

“Us? We’re just the Silver Scale Guard! Why us?”

“All of you are the princess’s trusted inner circle, right?”

“Exactly! Before escorting Her Highness, we got intel from special channels—someone meant her harm. Only our unit’s core members and loyal brothers joined this mission!”

“So that intel was leaked on purpose. They wanted the princess’s most loyal Silver Scale Guards gathered here, escorting her to this remote town.”

“Hah!” Kasa’s eyes widened. “You mean—”

“They never planned to assassinate the princess. She’s the king’s favored heir. A blatant attempt would unleash his wrath, success or not.”

“So they targeted us instead?”

“Yes! You—her ministers, her wings. Strike fast, leave no trace. Even if the king dotes on her, he won’t punish the Crown Prince over dead guards. Without you, she loses nearly all her power in the Imperial Capital. You’re the backbone! Your deaths shatter her entire faction. A vicious endgame move!”

“My brothers! Save them now!”

“What about you?”

“I’m fine. My body’s self-repairing. Go!”

“Head to the manor. Get the Old Mage’s help—I left weapons there. He knows. Arm up and join me.”

“Got it! Split up, regroup fast.”

I released Kasa, activated the Magic Arrays across my body, and shot skyward toward the inn.

In the distance, Silver Scale Guards formed a battle line against the scar-faced man and the short one. Behind them lay several gravely wounded soldiers. The explosion had hit them hard.

“You fiends! This Great Sage has arrived!” I bellowed from above. The enemies paused, startled, giving the guards a moment’s breath.

As they advanced, I raised my right fist. Elemental energy surged; the Magic Array flared instantly.

“Boom!” I punched, using the recoil to land smoothly. But that blow—dense wind element roaring like a gale—was my enhanced air cannon. Not easy to dodge.

The scar-faced man blocked it with his left hand on his chest. Unscathed!

My pupils narrowed slightly. “Barbarian?!”

“Brat! You!” He recognized me, axe swinging down. “Today, I tear you alive!”

I marveled inwardly. This guy’s a barbarian descendant—born with insane magic resistance. Raw strength, combat prowess: a natural mage-killer. Rare these days.

Bad luck. Their pawn to counter the Old Mage? He’d trouble the master, but not kill him. Just a high gold-rank barbarian, after all.

“Perfect! Hold the short one!” I yelled to the guards.

“Yes, sir! Big brother’s big brother!”

I stumbled, almost falling. Seriously, I’m reconsidering saving these idiots.

“Whoosh!” The axe’s wind hit first. My Magic Arrays flashed; I sidestepped, crouching to his left.

I punched. His momentum spent, he took it square on the cheek.

“Little master, that soft punch doesn’t hurt!”

“Oh? Really?” Three flame Magic Arrays ignited on my elbow—*kaboom!*—using the blast, I struck again, sending him flying.

“Pah!” He spat blood. No rest for him. My fists flew—enhanced air cannons roaring—slamming into him and the ground. High magic resistance? I’ll bury you in damage!

“Ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora ora!”

“Haaah!” He burst from the dust, eyes glowing blood-red.

“Bastard, you die!” Thick blood element erupted from him. Muscles swelled; bones cracked. I wouldn’t wait for his transformation.

I raised my hand—two wind blades, one Flame Dragon Break—flew. Not a scratch. My scalp tingled. Complete immunity? Barbarian royalty?

“Ster! That form’s unstable! You’ll die!” The short man, pinned by guards, roared in panic. His assault intensified, but the Imperial Capital’s elite held him tight.

In seconds, Ster’s transformation finished. Fangs, claws, beastly fur covered him. “What the hell is this? Barbarian-beastman hybrid?” I gasped.

Impossible! Crossbreeding has rules! Reproductive isolation, damn it!

“Owooo!!!” Half-beast Ster lunged, axe discarded, claws and teeth bared.

I dodged using my Elemental Armor’s agility. Another Flame Dragon Break, a Thunder Roar—no effect.

“I didn’t expect this,” I said, steadying myself. “You’d trouble the master. Hold him back, at least.”

“Awooooo~” Ster stared, eyes murky, reason gone.

“Too bad! You met me—the current me!” I placed my right hand on my chest. “Zaku… Assault Mode!”

“Assault Mode” echoed. My Elemental Armor’s chest plate popped open. Joints followed—armor pieces springing loose. Belt Magic Arrays spun wildly; scorching white steam billowed.

“Roar!” The beast charged. I side-kicked—blue lightning crackling—smashing into Ster’s face!

“Thud!” A sparking shadow flew, crashing into a roadside carriage.

“Hmph! Think mages can’t use battle aura? I uphold justice and command all!” I struck Kabuto’s signature pose.

“Wow! Big brother’s big brother’s so cool!”

“But what does that pose mean?”

“Who cares? It’s just cool!”

“You idiots! Eyes on the enemy!”

Their awe filled me with satisfaction. If magic isn’t for showing off, it’s meaningless—and same for battle aura.

“Come! I’ve gone all out from start to finish!” I beckoned. The beast, feral, roared and charged.

I dodged a claw, slipped under him. “Shoryuken!!!” A fiery fist smashed his chin.

“Not done!” Magic Arrays flashed. Wind magic spun me mid-air—a lightning back kick sent him flying again.

“Magic Pegasus Meteor Fist failed? Try my battle aura version!”

I steadied myself, fists blurring at the staggering Ster. “Muda muda muda muda muda muda muda muda muda!”

Fist winds battered him, blood spraying. Yet his will kept him standing.

“A true warrior! But finale time.” I raised my glowing right hand, rushing close. “Taste my Qilin Arm!”

Red light flared. My fist struck his gut. Fire battle aura exploded—a massive shockwave erupted.

“Boom~~~” Eight seconds of roaring force melted the street to magma. Ster was ash.

“Ster!” The short man broke free like a madman. “Whisper of the Dark God!”

A black shockwave burst from his hands—piercing screeches tearing through everyone nearby.

“So you’re Dark Brotherhood!” I raised my left hand. “Supreme Light!”

Holy radiance erupted. The dark wave melted like snow. Light seared his face—*sizzle sizzle*.

“Aaah!” An inhuman scream. He collapsed.

“Tsk! Elemental advantage—downed a powerhouse so easy?” I grinned. “Wait! Why so weak? What did you do before coming here?”

“Anomaly… so strong. Even high-tier divine spells. Pity, pity!”

“What pity? Talk, and I spare you.”

“Heh heh… too late! I’ll wait ahead… hahaha!”

Silence. Breath gone. Why was such strength so drained?

“Big brother’s big brother! Trouble!”

“Call me that again, I punch you. What?”

“Blackrock Mountains! A beast tide surges from Blackrock Mountains!”

“What?!” I glanced at the corpse—incinerated it with a fireball.

I whirled to the guards. “Evacuate residents now! Flee to the stronghold in the Hengduan Mountains! Go!”

“Bastard! Mister Bai! Such a vicious scheme! I’ll settle this in the Imperial Capital myself!”