The pendant emitted an ominous purple-gray light, projecting a giant purple magic array in front of Rhode.
Astonishing magic power emanated from it, as if connected to a most terrifying abyss.
The speed of the magical beast charging forward suddenly decreased, and suspicion and uncertainty appeared in its eyes.
Sitting atop the magical beast Legion, 'Erza' also showed a shocked expression:
"Although I knew that the mages of Aslan have magic power within them, is such vast magic power really something that humans can unleash in an instant?"
However, this was just the beginning.
Because suddenly, a purple-gray spider-like creature appeared within the massive magic array.
Its oval purple belly dragged behind, so swollen it could easily hold dozens of people.
On its abdomen grew huge protrusions, like tightly arranged stalactites in caves, only they were of an ominous purple color.
A pair of long forelegs were covered with purple carapace, ending in flat black spines, which remained visible at a man's height even when deeply embedded in the ground.
Those giant spines glittered with a metallic sheen, as if they could cut anything in half with a mere touch.
In comparison, the numerous yellow-glowing compound eyes and sharp fanged mouth appeared less menacing.
"Hiss..."
The frightening creature, larger than dragons, howled towards the sky, producing a nerve-wracking sound.
The sound seemed tangible, originating from its mouth and rippling outward in waves of gray-purple.
Legion displayed an expression of fear, involuntarily stepping back two paces, even fluttering its wings gently as if wanting to take flight.
A fierce wind arose following the roar, forcing both Erza and Shugboy nearby, as well as soldiers of the King's Army a little further, to instinctively raise their arms to shield their faces.
Some soldiers even overreacted, directly activating the magic shields on their arm armor, causing semi-transparent shields of magical power to light up with a rather sci-fi feel.
Once everyone regained their footing, those overreacting soldiers sheepishly deactivated their magic shields, anticipating reprimand from their squad leader.
Magic power is after all a precious resource.
But no one scolded them at all, because the squad leader, amidst the shock, merely exclaimed—if a mere noise could stir up such a gust, how powerful must it be in battle?
"So big! Rhode, you actually kept such a powerful big spider hidden!" Natsu's focus was always a bit off.
Wendy's eyes sparkled: "It feels so strong."
Lisana could no longer count how many surprising things she had witnessed today; this person...
Now Rhode realized how powerful Throat of Dishonor was, as summoning it consumed much more magic power than a small dragon.
He dared not waste a moment, shouting, "It's all enemies ahead, I'm counting on you."
"Ha..." Throat of Dishonor seemed to respond to Rhode, 'gently' exhaling a breath.
On the other hand, Legion, Erza, and Shugboy only felt a fishy wind enveloping them—who knew how many souls were buried within this creature's belly.
But Erza's character wouldn't allow her to easily concede; she tapped Legion's head with her spear shaft, sternly saying:
"Who permitted you to retreat? As a member of the King's Army, no matter who the opponent is, if they become an obstruction to the Empire, they must be eliminated!"
Reluctantly, Legion obeyed the order to advance, poised to pounce on and bite Throat of Dishonor.
Yet it seemed like Throat of Dishonor spared it not a glance, merely opening its mouth to spit out a white ball.
The ball, barely leaving its mouth, unfurled immediately into a giant web, cascading down to engulf the area.
Legion, Erza, Shugboy, even the thousands of soldiers behind, all became prey to this net!
"What?"
"Is this..."
"A spider web?"
"Damn, I can't tear it!"
The web was so fast that by the time most people noticed the big spider had spat out something, they were already ensnared in its net.
Everyone was stuck fast, the net couldn't be ripped or torn, even swords would get their blades stuck when slashing at it.
In their struggle, more parts of their bodies contacted the web, tangling them tighter and tighter.
The thousands of soldiers, like insects caught in a spider's web, were akin to fish ensnared in a fishing net, all becoming helpless prey—the more they struggled, the more despair settled in.
Gray and others sneaking a peek from the guild's entrance couldn't believe their eyes.
"A...all done?"
"Is this a joke?"
"Defeated an entire army with one move?!"
"Is Aslan's magic that formidable?"
Wendy murmured quietly: "Not all magic is that powerful either."
Legion's struggles were the fiercest; with its vast size and considerable power, it managed to tear through a dozen or so strands, but more quickly entangled it again.
It roared, attempting to bite through the strands, only for the strong and sticky webbing to get caught in its teeth and adhered to its jaw...
Erza attempted to slice through with her spear, failing, then separated her hands, splitting the spear into a pair of red and blue double spears: "Ice Flame Spear!"
The red spear slashed in an arc, and all the webs on Erza fell apart, their cut ends catching flame.
"Don't panic, fire is effective against the web!"
However, saying was easier; the soldiers carried much simpler equipment than Erza, where could they easily conjure flames?
Moreover, Throat of Dishonor wasn't about to let her help, lifting a foreleg high and thumping it down.
Rumble!
The ground trembled, and the area ahead of its strike exploded like a minefield's surface, erupting in neat, giant 'water flowers'.
Legion's abdomen burst open with a horrific wound, blasting both it and Erza, engulfed in dust, into the web behind.
Throat of Dishonor lifted another foreleg and struck again, identical strike hitting Shugboy.
The pink armor shattered, the immense force sent Shugboy flying, even snapping the webbing.
Merely breaking free was futile; vomit flew from his mouth as he fell, landing into another section of webbing, too weak now to even hold a sword.
"Dropped equipment..." Rhode's face turned pale, but his eyes burned staring at the round-ended, broad-blade sword. Clearly, it was a magic tool, of seemingly fine quality.
He intended to pat Natsu's shoulder to ask him to pick it up but leaned against Natsu instead.
The days without the Cyan Engraved Golem were really hard to get through.
Finally, Reby's voice rang from within the guild: "Ready!"
Throat of Dishonor's image began to blur too.
It glanced back briefly at Rhode, pulling slightly at a web strand while astonishingly dislodging Shugboy's sword from the sticky web and sending it flying back.
Along with it flew dozens of soldiers' arm armor as well.
As Throat of Dishonor disappeared completely, the pile of equipment clattered down just at the guild's entrance.
Though Rhode had little strength left, he couldn't help but smile; this big spider seemed terrifying, but was actually quite understanding.
At this moment, Lucy ran to the doorway as well: "Stop standing around, get in quickly, I'll escape at once... huh?"
Lucy froze; an army of thousands couldn't move at all? What had they done, what on earth were those things like spider webs?
And aren't these the King's Army's magic equipment?
Hang on! That sword, isn't it the Rose Sword belonging to Shugboy?