On the forest path, the giant bear's massive paw was about to slam down, while Shaborlei's warhorse was galloping madly, with no chance to turn in time.
"Is this the end?"
Shaborlei felt his heart turn to ice.
He had hoped Rosen could find a way out, but that thought flickered out as soon as it came. Although the battle had been brief, the exertion had cascaded like an avalanche.
Even with his strength as a high-ranked knight nearly spent, Rosen had unleashed several tremendously powerful spells in succession. His mana must surely be utterly depleted.
But just as that thought faded, a dazzling incandescent speck whipped past Shaborlei's side with a shriek, shooting under the bear in an instant before detonating.
Four-star Extraordinary Spell: Impact Fireball!
Cast with consummate skill, directly consuming a staggering forty percent of mana, pushed to the very limit the Impact Fireball spell structure could contain.
"BOOM!"
In the earth-shaking detonation, the intense shockwave smashed squarely into the bear's soft underbelly, forcefully blasting his gigantic body six meters into the air.
The massive spell unleashed terrible power.
Searing flames scorched away the outer earthen armor on the bear's hide, shattering its structure. The fierce impact then blew the remains into swirling dust.
The remaining force slammed into the bear's body. Though bloated and thick-skinned, even it could not withstand a direct hit between the legs.
Uttering a howl of anguish, the grievously wounded bear still did not relent, straining with all its might to bring its upraised paw crashing down.
But in the airborne state, the strike met only empty space. Curling in agony, the bear's paws slammed into its own belly with a hollow, penetrating thud.
Blood and tissue erupted in a fountain from its back, even as the front was smashed by its own blow.
Even the gods could not have withstood such grievous injuries.
But Rosen, fearing a death-throe retaliation, took advantage of its airborne state to unleash Voidforce: Falling Star!
The critically wounded bear plummeted rapidly, slamming into the ground with a booming thud.
Though only six meters high, its body was left in a gruesomely warped state, as if dashed from ten times that height.
Weighing over two tons, and exuding wild, overwhelming momentum just seconds before, this titanic bear had been reduced to a pulped mess by Rosen's spells in the blink of an eye!
The Silver Moon Rangers, let alone Shaborlei, were shocked speechless.
Rosen's improvement was simply too astonishing.
Clip-clop, clip-clop, the twelve warhorses thundered past the bear's corpse, soon leaving Moon Glow Town behind.
In a short span of time, Shaborlei had narrowly escaped death twice over. His emotions were in turmoil, unsure whether to feel delighted or afraid.
Rosen's voice called out from behind, "Boss, don't relax yet. The Beast King isn't dead. There may be more than just one giant bear!"
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"You're right!" Shaborlei immediately roared, "Brothers, stay vigilant! Now isn't the time to celebrate victory!"
He shouted over his shoulder to Captain Hamil, "Keep sending up red smoke signals! Warn Watson's team away from Moon Glow Town!"
"Yes sir!" Hamil promptly pulled out a signal tube. Igniting it with a crack, he swiftly tossed it high into the sky.
Pop pop pop! Bursts of red smoke blossomed overhead.
Perhaps blessed by the Goddess of Fortune, they met no more interceptions on the way back.
The frenzied beastified pursuers gradually fell behind until out of sight.
Still, Shaborlei did not dare relax in the slightest. "Keep running! All the way until we rejoin the main force!"
Other than Rosen, protected in the center, every man was injured.
Outwardly Shaborlei seemed fine, with barely any blood loss. But he had borne the brunt of attacks while holding the rear.
That hammer blow to the chest in particular had shocked his heart and lungs. Though he hastily drank a restorative elixir, the subsequent desperate fighting had prevented it from stabilizing his wounds.
An oppressive feeling welled in his chest, as if blood was about to erupt from his throat.
But now was no time to relax. Gritting his teeth, he pressed on.
After racing for over an hour, the sound of galloping hooves suddenly arose ahead.
Continuing on, they soon sighted a cavalry squad heading their way, bearing Silvermoon Castle's battle standard. Two Silver Moon rangers brought up the rear - the scouts Shaborlei had earlier sent back.
Reinforcements!
The pressure on Shaborlei's chest could be contained no longer. With a sputtering burst, blood erupted from his mouth as his body slumped weakly, on the verge of sliding off his horse.
Rosen hastily cast Mage Hand to steady Shaborlei on his mount. "Boss, are you okay?"
"Not dead... yet. But damn... does it hurt..."
Seeing his state, the Silver Moon Rangers were deeply shaken.
Though Shaborlei was infamous as a womanizing playboy, to soldiers in the fray, any commander willing to live and die alongside them was the best kind.
The two returning scouts hurried forward upon seeing this. Leaping down, they pulled Shaborlei off his horse.
The cavalry lieutenant approached as well. Dismounting, he snapped to attention.
"General, I am Lieutenant Jess, sent by Marshal Volpos to rescue you. What is your status?"
Shaborlei's dark, ashen face managed a faint smile. "By fortune... the brothers all live. No, Watson's squad is scouting the Maze Forest. Their status is still unknown."
His expression became anxious once more.
Captain Hamil quickly stepped forward to gently reassure him.
"General, Watson is an experienced veteran ranger. He will bring the men back safely."
"That's good... that's good... I can't hold out much longer..."
Mustering his strength, Shaborlei gave final instructions, "...Rosen's in charge if I'm gone... Remember that!"
Before the battle, such words would have been ignored. But having witnessed Rosen's prowess, none objected now.
"Yes sir!" Hamil promptly nodded, though his own body was covered in blood. His wounds were only superficial, nowhere near as critical as Shaborlei's.
With his final duty complete, Shaborlei let go, slumping into unconsciousness.
The two Silver Moon Rangers quickly caught him.
Seeing this, Lieutenant Jess said, "The general is secured. Let us return for now."
All were at their limit. Rosen had only twenty percent mana left.
After the fierce battle, body and mind yearned for rest. His head in particular throbbed agonizingly, desperately needing sleep.
Of course, there were worthwhile gains too. Rosen could feel his mana control and spellcasting ability had tangibly improved, now solidly at five-star mastery.
The trip back was uneventful, the party reaching the main encampment in about half an hour.
As they arrived, people streamed out to meet them, led by a woman in her early thirties with a kindly, reassuring aura. Clad in a white priestly robe and cap, she quickly introduced herself.
"I am Vina, a healer priestess of the Temple. Oh my, this must be General Shaborlei! He seems gravely injured."
She promptly turned and called to her attendants, "Quickly, bring the wounded to my tent!"
Opening the wooden box she carried, Vina took out a small crystal vial and handed it to Rosen.
"Spellcaster, you look terrible. You must have exhausted much mana."
"This is a secret Temple restorative, Azure Tonic. Drink it to swiftly rejuvenate your mind and body."
Rosen had of course heard of Azure Tonic. Needing it badly now, he accepted it with thanks and quickly downed it.
Almost immediately, he felt a warm surge course through him, rapidly flowing to his limbs and head. The agonizing ache from excessive spellcasting was swiftly soothed away.
His wrinkled brow smoothed out as his mana also began swiftly recovering.
"Thank you, Lady Vina."
"It's my duty. Now, I must see to the wounded." She briskly walked off.
Soon, the attendants carried the injured into the tents.
Lieutenant Jess' voice came from the side. "The marshal requires an immediate report. If you are able, please brief him directly on the latest war developments."
"Of course, lead the way."
Rosen followed Jess towards the command tent, ready to report to Marshal Volpos.