Chapter 17: City Under Siege (Part 2)

Kaladia City

It was high noon and the soldiers of the allied forces were standing ready and waiting for an enemy assault and yet apart from artillery strikes from catapults and large spell strikes hitting the walls there are no enemy soldiers charging at the walls.

They are just in formation threatening to charge and yet not moving. The defenders are obviously confused by this actions due to the enemies past actions which are considered quite aggressive like flooding the walls and attacking all potential entrances. But now they are just standing still poking around.

Of course none of the defenders knew that General Yohmu has ordered to a full scale assault. Though only on standby while probing for weakened potential point of entry even the invaders themselves at least to the lower ranks thought they are being on standby to prepare an immediate assault that was soon to come.

But to the disappointment of both sides at least the lower ranks no attacks happened in the past several days only poking with experts at the walls the soldiers who’s been bored while standing all day long in the past few days started hurling insults at the walls and the defenders likewise.

It was on the 13th day that a breach has been detected. Right at the wall Sera Hawke is stationed along with her Golem Army. This is due to a slug fest with the Golems be it Eastern Cultivator, Magic Knight or Wizards this section of the wall was literally the hammer and anvil of the battlefield unlike other sections of the wall the Golems did not have to rest or retreat for that matter.

And the invaders have been sending their soldiers to that grinder day in day out for the last 5 months or so. Even during several surprise night raids this section of the all suffered the most beatings since life detection magics never detected the golems presence putting the night raid party in a false sense of security. But reality is often harsh and cruel just as they thought they managed to bypass the wall enchantments the golems sprang to like putting the night raiders into the precipice, should they run they risk getting attacked at the back.

And now their only choice is to win. Naturally they were overwhelmed by numbers of undying and relentless golems the walls seemed safe at last then but since there are no living guards at this section of the wall the damage just piled up one after another until the wall finally shows signs of being broken.

Of course General Yohmu’s scouts did not miss this opportunity and instantly planned an assault on Sera Hawke’s wall Section. None of the defenders knew at the time that they are about to literally fight for their lives and this time they would be fighting on the streets and houses inside the City without the safety of their walls.

That same evening Marianne Vi Kaladia accompanied by Mayor Dalton went to see Sera Hawke, they are wearing combat attire with enchanted robes the two of them were actually high level wizards which took Sera Hawke by surprise.

“huh… I thought you were a delicate flower who can’t hurt a fly” she said to Marianne

“and you who would’ve thought you’re a wizard” she pointed at Dalton

Marianne just simply answered “these secrets were necessary to avoid prying eyes from looking to deep. We the house of Kaladia wanted to stay away of all this politics and yet… here we are still dragged back to the pit” as she sighed exasperatedly

“come in. Just in time for dinner we’ll talk after” Sera gestured for them to come in while being escorted by recently hired “maids”

The strength of the energies emanating from them could not escape from the senses of Marianne and Dalton but said nothing of it they did not want to pry too deep on Sera Hawke’s secrets or risk offending her, they actually came here to ask for her help and make preparations should the City fall.

The “maids” were not exactly that powerful but Marianne being a Wizard at her age means she is no less that a genius of her generation and could feel the power emanating from them which she found surprisingly not that far from being a Magic Knight.

The “maids” were indeed not that far from being Magic Knights they are all ranging from the strength of 7th to 9th layer of QI refining using the Eastern Cultivators methods. They are parts of the experimental test subjects modified by Sera herself to empower her employees at the same time put a leash on them. They have a hidden weakness that only Sera knew.

Whether it is Western Continent , Continental Isle or even Eastern Continent no matter how they call the power levels and whatnot they are basically just vessels of magic and being able to contain and control more magic means they get to be labeled based on their strength after being Magic Knights or Wizards there really is no layers or realms to differentiate them from one another, unlike the Eastern Continent they are labeled by layers and realms.

To outsiders it really is intimidating for a Foundation Establishment to face a Nascent Soul Cultivator but to the people of Continental Isle they are just Wizards and Magic Knights that Contain more magic compared to others and could sustain battle for longer periods of time in the end no fancy magics or techniques would help you if you get struck at the heart or head. Basically the Eastern Cultivators just prioritize hierarchy by creating this layers and realms .

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But aside from the methodology and techniques, magic and cultivation are one and the same. Although the Eastern Cultivators’ techniques and methods are proven to be more superior and effective compared to the rest. Marianne Vi Kaladia had been suspicious of how powerful these servant are and yet they are still servants.

Normally when you become that powerful you can have a high earning job and no longer needed to endure being a servant. She suspected that Sera empowered them through other means like how the Lavant soldiers suddenly increase in strength via Eastern Cultivators. But without evidence Marianne was extremely reluctant to confront Sera Hawke about this matter with the enemies at the gates and the City under siege.

The meal was simple yet hearty. They feasted on deep fried chicken, mashed potatoes and deep fried potatoes. After they had a meal they moved from the kitchen towards the guest room and finally have a conversation.

“now I suppose we can talk?” Sera said nonchalantly as she sipped on some iced fruit juice

“yes. First we have seen strange movements from the enemy they are not attacking as aggressive as they used to and I’m worried they may have already have an entry point to the City and everything happening outside in the past few days is a ruse or a preparation for a full scale assault”

“how can you say? Maybe their casualties are also mounting too high and they are being more careful with their remaining soldiers”

Marianne shook her head and said “no. I am pretty confident they already have an entry point I have come here to ask if you have an escape route out of this City” she look dead straight into Sera’s eyes

“now why would you ask me that? And how are you so sure? I mean perhaps you are right but.. really?” she said as she looked at her back

“I have already thought this through even if they don’t breach the City the allied soldiers are not working cohesively it would only be a matter of time before our forces collapse. I already have most of my assets prepared and ready to leave the city at a moments notice I only need an exit point and an army of guards...”

“fearless and won’t break morale as they became rear guard… like my golems?”

“Yes, Yes like your golems. Surely you can see we are at the back foot here the nearby Kingdoms would not send reinforcements while the Elves and Dwarves are either spent or busy fighting their own battles for survival! We are alone we need to drag this war more if we are to win.”

“I have an escape route, yes… but until the City is breached I would rather not expose it as it would make my situation…. complicated” Sera thought of her flying fortress

“then I’ll have to ask a favor to have me and mine to join you would that be possible?”

“yeah sure I don’t really see any problem… just don’t bring too many people”

“that would not be a problem I have no more that 1,000 elites sworn to house Kaladia they won’t betray us I can guarantee that”

“well then… have your assets move in my underground laboratory and I will settle the rest. And do not forget I would be leaving the City once the breach cannot be stopped. Even though I would still be fighting I would rather be ready to leave than be surrounded”

“I understand”

With that Marianne and Sera finalized their plans on how and when to escape the City should it prove to be salvageable.

Early morning next day

The wall defenders were all lax due to the lack of aggressive stance of the Eastern Cultivators and Lavan Kingdom but this thought process would soon be their folly.

Before the sunrise while the skies are still dark General Yohmu finally ordered a full scale assault on the City while the Eastern Cultivators took the lead. The body cultivators reached the wall section where Sera Hawke’s golems are fighting with the sudden invading force.

The group of body cultivators gathered energies around their bodies until its condensed and then unleashing a punch to the wall “HUA!” that fist strike shook an entire section of the wall though it did not collapse it left a huge dent on the wall with long web like cracks.

Then the body cultivators gathered their energies again this time the gathered a more condensed energy covering their bodies straining their bones and muscles. Little lightning energies could be seen dancing around their bodies like snakes just as their bodies could no longer contain the energies they have gathered they unleashed a devastating punch while shouting “EXTREMITY FIST”

The fist strike was so powerful that the entire wall section was not only destroyed but the wall fragments also served like a shotgun pellet that scattered all over the place over 10,000 Skeleton Granite Golems were decimated in that instant and not to mention the nearby soldiers from the allied forces.

“THE WALL HAS BEEN BREACHED!!!”

Nobody knew who shouted those words but news traveled quite fast and the defenders were now in panic. Even though the invaders are being funneled through the breach seeing as how broken and disorganized the defenders are the Eastern Cultivators and Lavant Soldiers plowed through the pockets of resistance that they encounter.

It did not take long for the contingent of Elites to rush out and try to plug the breach. Magic Knights, Wizards, Sera’s Golem Army and even voluntary soldiers rushed out towards the breach and met with the enemies in combat.

Despite the soldiers on the wall running away as the wall were breached they quickly rallied themselves as they saw a new wave of soldier their comrades in arms rushing out to meet the enemy and plug the breach.

While the common soldiers fought each other into a bloodied mess on the ground until it became mud another fight is going on in the skies. Wizards waved their staves and wands while the Eastern Cultivators summoned their artifacts and made hand seals.

Bot sides in all front were in a bloody battle fighting to the end. The defenders knew thet once they turn their backs to escape they would be slaughtered wholesale coincidentally this was also in the minds of the invaders after they were surprised by a sudden and invigorated wave of soldiers who literally jumped to their blades.

In just a few strikes of their weapons their blades have become dull caked in blood, meat and bones of their respective adversaries.

Up in the skies Sera Hawke inside Banshee joined the Battle for air supremacy as she let her Golem Army throw themselves at the enemies on the ground. She saw a what the Eastern Cultivators would classify as a Spirit Severing elder fighting a Wizard in a duel as the surrounding air become distorted as the fabrics of reality threatening to break open.

She was just forced to grit her teeth and find a more suitable battlefield for her “there is just no way I am anywhere near capable of fighting that”

Sera realized that she was not even qualified to fight for the air supremacy as the old monsters have finally come out fight for the final battle of this City, like fireworks the skies above lit up as if the sun has come out followed by deafening explosions whose shock waves could be felt with the entire body.

Sera instead joined the ground forces while floating overhead and bombarding the invaders but just before she could get the hang of it she was tackled out of the sky by lightly dressed Eastern Cultivator his body is packed with muscles. Without even thinking as if on instinct Sera activated her defenses and attack the enemy in front of her with sonic blasts.

The muscle cultivator just made a hand seal and he was surrounded by an aura that protected him from sonic attacks.

“tsk!”

Sera clicked her tongue as she found out that she is one again faced with a tough opponent she summoned Vulcan and Torch Light beside her and have them attack the enemy Vulcan used the Gatling Railgun which pushed the muscle cultivator back and even forcing him to defend.

While Torch Light created concentrated fire that formed like a lance on its right hand while a long plasma like sword on the left cutting every enemy from sword to armor down to their flesh and bones like butter keeping away the swarms of invading soldiers threatening to surround Sera.

The muscle cultivator unleashed a long range fist strike that caught her off guard and crashing down the ground the muscle cultivator jumped and performed a 20 meter heel drop towards Sera but before it hit Ashura then tackled the assailant to the ground and rolled all over the surroundings while crushing allies and foes alike.

Sera was still dizzy from the attack when she come to it Ashura is wrestling the enemy on the ground but she also saw that Ashura is struggling and in on the loosing end of the struggle and that is despite Vulcan and Torch Light assisting it from the sidelines.

Sera could only grit her bleeding teeth and unleash a continuous stream of sonic attack.