Chapter 346: The Most Direct Method
Looking at Frieren's calm confidence that screamed "I can't beat them, but I have a way," everyone felt their internal world collapsing.
They didn't believe her at all!
You just admitted you couldn't beat them, so what "way" could you possibly have?
Depending on love and courage?!
However, a mission was a mission. Master Serie's orders allowed no questioning. They could only bite the bullet and begin the final preparations.
Unbeknownst to them, at the very top of the Magic Association tower, a figure with pure white wings stood quietly in the night sky, overlooking the myriad lights of the capital.
Rhodes naturally wouldn't let this group of half-grown kids and Frieren take real risks.
He had prepared many powerful defensive and offensive magical items for Frieren. But since Olivia had stayed at the Association temporarily, he took the opportunity to ask this powerful Sky-Winged lady to guard them in secret.
This served as tempering for his disciples while ensuring nothing went wrong.
Of course, Rhodes had only told Frieren about this. Alvin and the others knew nothing, completely unaware that a legendary Sky-Winged hero was acting as their invisible guardian angel above their heads.
Deep into the night, the operation began.
The first step was to leave the Magic Association silently.
The Association was now surrounded by spies mixed among civilians and curious onlookers, making them impossible to distinguish.
But fortunately, after the special training from Master Serie following the last mission, and utilizing various methods, they successfully avoided the increased patrols and hidden sentries on the streets.
However, when they approached the imposing walls of the Count's mansion, their hearts sank.
Around the mansion, a thick magical barrier covered the estate like an inverted bowl. The brilliance on its surface far exceeded the one they had broken last time.
"It is a Legion-Type Barrier!" Thea whispered. "A level higher than the last one. I cannot crack it."
Everyone's face darkened instantly. They hadn't expected to hit a wall at the second step.
"These nobles are too rich! Setting up such a barrier for their own mansion!" Doc complained in a low voice.
Such barriers were generally only used by armies and required at least double-digit numbers of powerful mages to maintain.
"It seems they cherish their lives very much," Legolas sneered.
Just as they were at a loss, Frieren stepped forward. "Let me."
Although Alvin and the others were skeptical, remembering she was Flamme's disciple and might indeed be skilled in barrier magic, they made way.
She took out her staff, then retrieved something resembling a feather from her pocket. It was violet-blue throughout, with tiny purple gems embedded in the quill.
"Is that... a magical item?" Legolas's eyes narrowed. He could sense the lightning elemental power contained within.
Frieren didn't explain. Holding the feather's end in one hand and raising her staff with the other, she pointed at the barrier before them.
Then she began casting. A magic circle unfolded around her, and invisible mana gathered toward the item in her hand. The gems lit up abruptly, emitting the sizzling sound of electric current.
Alvin's pupils contracted. Recognizing the nature of the mana fluctuation, he exclaimed in a low voice, "Wait! That is... the starting formula for the highest-ranking Lightning offensive magic?!"
Legolas reacted instantly too, his face turning pale. "You intend to break the barrier by force?! That will alert everyone!"
Everyone started trying to stop her, but it was too late. Frieren's spell was complete.
BOOM!!!!
An incredibly thick and dazzling bolt of lightning appeared from the sky, slamming viciously onto the barrier. With the most extreme and unreasonable release of energy, it forcibly blasted the barrier into fragments.
Bang!
The massive noise exploded over the district like thunder, shattering the surrounding silence instantly.
Inside the Count's mansion, countless lights lit up, and chaotic footsteps rushed toward their location.
Frieren slowly lowered her staff. The heart-palpitating lightning and violent mana fluctuations began to recede. She turned her head slightly, looking at her companions who seemed petrified. "Barrier broken. Proceed according to plan."
Alvin and the others looked at the dissipated barrier, then at the lit-up mansion and the noisy shouts in the distance. Their faces turned green!
This isn't infiltration! This is banging gongs and drums to tell the enemy: 'We are here! Come out and fight!'
But it was too late to say anything. They could only brace themselves. Taking advantage of the initial chaos, they charged toward the main residence where the Count's bedroom was located, as planned.
However, contrary to their expectations, although a large number of guards poured out into the courtyard, they were clearly frightened by the earth-shattering method of breaking the barrier and appeared somewhat chaotic.
Coupled with the desperation of Alvin's group and Frieren's assistance, they miraculously broke through layers of obstruction and successfully reached the main door of the residence.
With a roar from Doc, a magical attack blasted the main door to pieces.
The group filed in. However, the moment they stepped into the main residence, they sensed something wrong.
Too quiet!
In stark contrast to the noise outside, the interior was terrifyingly silent. The corridors were empty; not a servant or guard was in sight.
"Bad! It is an ambush!" Alvin reacted instantly, alarm bells ringing in his mind. "Retreat!"
They turned hurriedly to go back the way they came, but the moment they prepared to retreat, a magical barrier appeared at the entrance, sealing off their escape route.
Simultaneously, complex magical runes lit up on the ceiling, floor, and walls around them.
A larger, composite restrictive barrier instantly shrouded the entire main hall like a giant cage.
Judging from its effects, it was clearly designed to counter mages. Everyone felt the flow of mana in their bodies slow down.
"Heh heh heh... as expected, you came." A mocking voice came from the staircase on the second floor.
The target Count appeared slowly, surrounded by guards with distinctly powerful auras.
His gaze swept over Alvin and the others trapped in the barrier. Seeing Flamme wasn't present, he visibly relaxed, though his look remained unfriendly.
To be honest, the Count also had a headache regarding how to deal with these brats from the Magic Association.
Kill them outright? He didn't dare.
The power of Rhodes and Serie was real. He didn't want to become a target personally erased by those two legendary existences.
Moreover, the organization wasn't ready to completely tear up relations with them yet. But letting them go so simply... where would his dignity be?
Or could he use them as hostages to force Lord Rhodes to hand over the immortality magic? After all, these people were Master Serie's disciples.
But he felt that given Serie's personality, the likelihood of her storming in and killing him was higher.
He sighed, making a decision. "Capture them all! Lock them in the dungeon."
"Wait until the Magic Association sends someone to negotiate."
The Count planned to control the situation first and see which way the wind blew.
Just as he gave the order and the elite guards prepared to swarm Alvin and the others—
Another change occurred!
A massive, incredibly pure lance of light descended from the sky without warning.
It didn't attack anyone. Instead, it pierced through the powerful restrictive barrier instantly.
Crack!
The barrier shattered in response, turning into specks of light drifting in the air.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden strike, including the Count and his guards. They looked up in horror to see a figure with pure white wings looming in the night sky, radiating palpitating majesty and holy aura.
Olivia had made her move.
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