I use my power, quickly moving to the side, hiding behind a partially intact building. A high-pitched whirring sound passes by, hitting the spot where I was standing before and exploding there.
I forgot that one of my shields no longer functions and I am thrown to the side, into an open area where shots are being fired back.
I slam Glory into the ground, creating a large earth wall that I hope can withstand the shots. It manages to hold, but not according to my initial plan of avoiding attention, as now not just one, but three shots are aimed at me.
Each of them creates a thunderous sound that reminds me of coastal artillery, the kind used to defend the shores against enemy ships during World War II.
Explosion after explosion occurs, sending dust and rocks into the air. I run and run, knowing that if I stop even for a moment, my body will be torn into pieces. The explosions feel so hot on my back, with rocks continuously raining down, forcing me to protect my head with both hands to avoid getting hit.
I hope that what I'm doing now at least makes it easier for the troops to come and attack the palace. Considering Celine's and Mr. Anderson's previous positions, it's certain that they are now in the city and not in the palace.
I don't know who would dare to attack them while Celine and Mr. Anderson are inside. Not to mention Celine's golem, which is as powerful as someone in Tier 8. It's highly likely that they encountered even stronger enemies, especially after what happened to Elecya.
Perhaps that damn Ezreal had something to do with it.
I hope I'm wrong.
Shots are fired back, whizzing through the air, getting closer and louder until they finally explode not far from me, throwing me far enough to crash into a fragile building that seems like it could collapse with just one touch.
I quickly get up, trying to fight the pain and make my way out through a window, ran towards a bridge not far ahead.
As soon as I heard the loud hissing sound, I immediately stopped in my tracks, knowing what they were targeting.
And sure enough, they destroyed the bridge.
I shielded my face with the back of my hand to avoid the heat radiation produced. It was painful, but I couldn't run. I had to decide which direction to go now before the shots were fired again.
I could jump down, but from there, I would only be able to swim forward, and I must say I'm not a good swimmer, so it would be difficult to avoid artillery shots.
Or I could go back the way I came and try to find the Anderson troops, then advance with them to attack the palace. However, I don't want them to get severely injured because of me. So, there's only one remaining path that I believe can help the troops and destroy the artillery inside the palace.
Light begins to form within Glory, growing brighter and brighter until eventually a Hoverbike appears in front of me. I quickly hop on, twist the throttle, and speed off towards the palace at high speed.
There are several reasons why I don't want to be immediately taken to the palace using a rocket or something similar.
From what I saw with the Pirate Captain, everyone has limitations when using this transparent blue cube, and I don't want to endanger myself before finding out more. That's why for now, I'll be cautious in using it, or I'll end up foolishly dead like the Captain who was too greedy.
The explosions keep happening, destroying the road right behind me, with the heat that can be felt on my back. I ride the HB even faster, using the wide main road to avoid obstacles because it would be pointless to go through narrow winding paths while facing artillery attacks.
They could easily demolish an area if they wanted to, and I still don't know what kind of weapons they're using. It's possible that they're not too serious yet, so it's better for me to use the larger road where I can easily find an escape route.
There's only one road to the palace, and I'm sure it's near the Anderson troops, whose faint footsteps and someone giving orders can be heard in the distance.
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They are likely to be hit by the explosions if I'm not careful, so I need to plan this well.
And by "well," I mean using my brain.
As the explosions occur again, I count them until the next explosion happens and discover that there is a six-second gap.
I need to make use of that, then lure them into shooting just before I approach the Anderson troops to ensure their safety. Then, when the next shot is fired, I will already be at a safe distance from them.
That's why I deliberately circle around an area while inspecting the area ahead on the road to the palace. There, I see the Anderson troops preparing, with some soldiers guarding the front lines, observing the road ahead, waiting for the enemy to appear. They don't flinch at all when the explosions occur, even if they are quite close to them.
This is my chance.
I twist the throttle until I can no longer go any further, riding the Hoverbike at its highest speed, where I almost get thrown off backwards unprepared for its propulsion.
My eyes stay focused ahead, observing every obstacle and skillfully avoiding them without pause because this is the only chance before they realize what I intend to do.
I don't know why I've become the primary target, but I'm grateful for it.
As I make the turn ahead, the troops turn their heads towards the sound, surprise evident on each of their faces, with Rayven's voice shouting from behind, "ZENT, YOU'RE BACK!!"
The Hoverbike enters the main road, ascending with the same speed and precision. Just when I'm more than ten meters away, another explosion occurs.
A smile forms on my face, knowing that I have just outmaneuvered them. Now, the palace gates are not far ahead, just a few meters away before I successfully reach them.
I use Glory to create a path of moving earth that rises above the palace gate. The Hoverbike ascends there and safely arrives inside the palace. I have to tilt it slightly to slow down because otherwise, I would crash into the palace door.
I take a long breath, proud of my accomplishment, and then dismount from the Hoverbike.
As I survey the surroundings, I walk along the side courtyard where the shots were coming from, unaware that blood is now dripping from my nose.
Celine and Mr. Anderson are currently devising a plan inside a building. The Goblin leader is also present, participating in the discussion, which now revolves around the underground passage.
They intend to use it to infiltrate the palace with the main mission of destroying the palace's defense field to gain entry for an attack, and then destroying three formidable weapons in the courtyard that have been overwhelming them in the past few days.
Suddenly, Rayven enters the room, surprising the three of them, who then exchange concerned glances, suspecting that the nobles have deployed their forces earlier than anticipated.
However, upon hearing what Rayven said, they were even more surprised.
Celine hastily exited the room, intending to follow him there. Tears flowed down, imagining her being reunited with her beloved, yet fearing that he would be in danger for attacking the palace alone.
However, Mr. Anderson appeared in front, blocking her path. Electricity sparked, indicating that he would not engage in an argument, knowing that the princess would surely insist on saving Zent immediately.
He didn't know why the young man had attacked the palace without finding out what was happening first.
It was either courageous or foolish.
Mr. Anderson hoped that he could escape safely from there, especially facing the nobles who had gained additional power from the heretics.
But when a massive explosion occurred above, they all turned their gaze in that direction, shocked to see that the three deadly weapons had been destroyed and rendered unusable.
A battle took place there,, so intense and shocking, especially when witnessing Zent facing more than twenty warriors belonging to the nobility. Even Mr. Anderson was overwhelmed when facing just over ten.
"He's using Glory," Rayven said, utilizing his long-range vision ability, a special skill for knights who use arrows as their main weapon.
"Glory? You mean that transparent cube that supposedly grants any desired power?" Celine asked, disbelieving.
"It seems we're not the only ones facing difficulties. Somehow, the young man has obtained it, but he has gone through so many obstacles. He looks... different," Mr. Anderson replied while observing the way the young man fought.
He seemed to be venting his anger rather than fighting to provide assistance. It was more accurate to describe it as a massacre.
Rayven struggled to speak as he saw Zent's face, which was completely different from the last time. "Mr. Anderson is right. He..." Rayven couldn't continue his sentence, knowing what Celine would do once she heard this.
"WHAT!?" the princess demanded.
Rayven sighed in frustration, hating himself for not being able to keep his mouth shut. It was difficult to resist Celine, who now appeared so worried with tears streaming down her face.
He finally took a deep breath and uttered, "He... is suffering."
Mr. Anderson quickly restrained the princess from running there, as they still didn't know the situation ahead. Celine was no ordinary knight anymore; she was the heiress to the throne. They couldn't let her endanger herself.
That's why Mr. Anderson reluctantly made her faint by hitting the back of her neck and then handed her over to Rayven to rest in a room.
"What will Mr. Anderson do?" Rayven asked, confused.
"Of course, I will save Zent. We may not be able to pass through the palace's defense, but I alone can penetrate it," Mr. Anderson replied. He ran forward swiftly, with a bluish electric trail following behind him, pulsating into the ground.
As he slammed into the transparent barrier, Mr. Anderson groaned loudly, trying to tear it apart with his bare hands as electricity surged there and there.
A bright light emerged as he succeeded.
Rayven smiled proudly, saying, "Be careful, Mr. Anderson," as he watched his master swiftly moving up the palace road at high speed.