In the southern region of the Nolan Empire, the expansive metropolis of Green City stood tall, its grandeur reaching towards the heavens. As twilight enveloped the city, the radiant glow of the setting sun painted the horizon with hues of orange, casting a warm embrace upon the urban landscape.
Summer's heat blanketed the city, infusing the atmosphere with an air of restlessness. Green City, at first glance, appeared unchanged, with nobles relishing their privileges within their lavish manors and the common folk toiling diligently to make ends meet.
However, as the sun gracefully descended into the valley, approximately 50 miles north of Green City, an ominous event unfolded. A deafening screech pierced the tranquility, marking the beginning of a chilling transformation.
The once golden sky rapidly morphed into an ominous tapestry of gray and black, accompanied by an unsettling aura. It was as if a malevolent entity, one that had once devoured worlds, had broken free from its confinements and returned to wreak havoc upon the mortal realm.
A profound sense of dread permeated the hearts of Green City's inhabitants, akin to the fear instilled by a venomous serpent lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.
Within the confines of a luxurious manor in Green City, an elderly gentleman sat beneath the shade of a broad-leaved maple tree, engrossed in a tome of arcane knowledge. His appearance suggested an age of around sixty years, adorned in a pristine white mage's robe. His physique was slender, and his demeanor radiated an air of ordinariness, indistinguishable from the common folk that populated Green City.
As the ominous aura descended upon Green City, the old man abruptly turned his head, his gaze piercing, revealing an unmistakable anger burning within the depths of his eyes.
"The breath of the abyss! Which wretched fool has dared to open the door to the abyssal realm?" he exclaimed, his voice laden with fury.
With a sudden surge of energy, he rose from his seat, casting aside the facade of ordinariness. An overwhelming surge of magic erupted from his being, creating a tempestuous tide of energy that swept across an area spanning 100 meters. The white robe adorning his body pulsed with raw magical power, causing the very fabric of space to ripple and distort around him.
This extraordinary mage, known as Rock Hart, possessed unparalleled power within the city of Green. Having attained the esteemed rank of Extraordinary a century ago, he served as Green City's guardian, its sole protector against the forces of darkness.
In a heartbeat, Rock Hart vanished from sight, leaving only an echoing void where he once stood. When he reappeared, he materialized outside the city walls, an astonishing distance of ten kilometers from his manor, demonstrating his extraordinary capabilities.
As Rock Hart emerged beyond Green City's borders, he vanished once more, his movements so swift that even the civilians passing nearby failed to catch a glimpse of him. In less than ten seconds, this enigmatic and formidable mage arrived at the portal connecting the mortal realm to the bottomless abyss.
The once tranquil forest surrounding the portal had been ravaged by the insidious breath of the abyss. Cyan leaves withered and fell within seconds of coming into contact with the gray, chilling essence, disintegrating before they even reached the ground.
Swarms of diminutive demons with elongated tails and wings emerged from the kilometer-long portal, infesting the sky above.
A grim expression settled upon Rock Hart's face. He turned his gaze towards Green City, the metropolis he had sworn to protect, and without hesitation, he stepped through the portal, fully aware of the dire consequences should he fail.
The portal had to be sealed, lest Green City succumb to the relentless onslaught of demonic forces. The allure of this world proved irresistible to the abyssal entities, and once the powerful demons took notice, the situation would spiral beyond repair. Even the formidable defenses of Green City would crumble before the might of the abyss.
Rock Hart was not alone in recognizing the impending crisis. Numerous high-ranking individuals within Green City detected the anomalies. Countless skilled professionals, unable to remain idle, rushed forth from the city gates, answering the call to defend their homeland.
The arrival of the abyssal demons heralded a grueling war between species, a conflict where every soul would be tested. No one could afford to remain indifferent in this struggle for survival.
At this critical juncture, approximately 300 meters from the Scarlet Mage Tower, a man named Morgen stood, his presence overshadowed by the looming confrontation. This location had been meticulously chosen by Viscount Bernard, the orchestrator of a nefarious plot to seize control of the Scarlet Mage Tower.
Viscount Bernard's plan was straightforward: to exploit the chaos caused by the opening of the abyssal portal to launch an assault on the Scarlet Mage Tower. His objective was to plunder everything of value within its walls, leaving no artifact, individual, or possession untouched.
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Morgen had been relentlessly pursuing an audience with this enigmatic and influential figure, hoping to gain his favor. However, Viscount Bernard maintained a clandestine approach, issuing orders through secret channels, leaving Morgen frustrated in his attempts to establish a direct connection.
Despite his frustrations, Morgen remained resolute in his mission, determined to expose the Viscount's machinations. Unfortunately, the cunning adversary proved elusive, skillfully evading capture. Morgen's efforts to lure the Viscount's top enforcers out of the city and replicate the ambush he had orchestrated against Grot proved futile.
"They're here," Morgen muttered under his breath, his eyes fixated on the ominous aura emanating from the northern outskirts of Green City.
He was determined to prevent the Scarlet Mage Tower from becoming the main battleground, as such a conflict would inevitably result in devastating losses, regardless of the outcome. Despite his meticulous preparations over the past several days, the impending destruction could not be entirely averted.
Yet, the decision was not his alone to make. Viscount Bernard, with his cautious approach, left Morgen with no choice but to play the waiting game, patiently anticipating the moment when his prey would make its move.
The Dark Covenant, unaware that they were being hunted by the Scarlet Mage Tower, remained oblivious to the deadly trap that awaited them. Morgen had meticulously laid the groundwork for their downfall.
"The teleportation scrolls are ready. Corso can enter as soon as the signal is given," Amy, her countenance grim, reported to Morgen. The shadow high priest, still smarting from her humiliating defeat at Grot's hands, sought redemption through combat. Only by proving her worth in battle could she wash away the shame that clung to her.
Inside the two-story building, Grot silently gazed out the window, while Betty lounged indolently on a wooden chair.
"Wait for the enemy to reveal themselves before engaging," Morgen instructed. Viscount Bernard's cautious nature demanded patience, a virtue Morgen possessed in abundance.
The Dark Covenant viewed the Scarlet Mage Tower as easy prey, but the Scarlet Mage Tower held a different perspective, regarding the Dark Covenant as nothing more than helpless victims caught in their web.
Based on the inherent characteristics of the blood race, as long as the casualty rate remained within manageable limits, their fighting spirit would only intensify. As time elapsed, the breath of the abyss grew stronger, its malevolent presence extending dozens of miles beyond Green City. The relentless flow of demons from the abyss prompted the Green City army to mobilize patrols in the northern district. Despite these efforts, numerous abyssal demons still managed to infiltrate the city.
Chaos erupted within the metropolis, its million inhabitants thrown into a state of panic. As the dark forces sowed destruction, certain nefarious underground organizations seized the opportunity to engage in acts of robbery and plunder, exposing the darker aspects of human nature.
The Green City army found itself overwhelmed, struggling to maintain order as panic gripped the city.
An hour later, the breath of the abyss reached its peak, plunging Green City into further chaos. Suddenly, a brilliant firework illuminated the sky, casting an ethereal glow upon the dark canvas of the night.
"They're here," Morgen announced, his eyes glinting with determination. The signal from the Dark Covenant to commence their attack on the Scarlet Mage Tower had arrived.
The occupants of the room sprang into action, their spirits reignited. Betty, who had been displaying signs of boredom, abruptly rose from her chair. The Northern Valkyrie's eyes, now filled with a wild, predatory gleam, betrayed her eagerness for battle. She retrieved the massive sword that Grot had yet to reclaim, her countenance reflecting an unyielding warrior's spirit.
At that moment, an atmosphere of terror descended upon the northern side of the Scarlet Mage Tower. A colossal bone dragon, its wingspan stretching an impressive 15 meters and its length reaching 10 meters, materialized in the sky, its metallic luster gleaming ominously. Atop this skeletal behemoth stood a figure shrouded in a cloak, his presence commanding attention.
This was the undead mage Bone, the master of the bone dragon. He had finally unleashed his prized creation upon the world, eager to unleash its destructive power.
Under Bone's command, the bone dragon swooped down towards the ground, its gaping maw unleashing a stream of icy, gray energy—the breath of the undead. This deadly breath possessed the ability to decay and disintegrate anything in its path. Buildings crumbled instantly, reduced to dust within seconds.
The bone dragon's massive wings, despite their damaged state, proved to be formidable weapons, capable of shattering structures with ease. Its claws, sharp and deadly, gleamed menacingly, promising swift and brutal death.
Recognizing the bone dragon as a significant threat, the Scarlet Mage Tower activated its protective shield, a translucent barrier enveloping the entire complex. The shield held strong against the bone dragon's relentless attacks, its surface rippling with each impact.
Morgen observed the unfolding scene from within his chamber. Despite the bone dragon's ferocity and the imminent threat it posed to the Scarlet Mage Tower, he remained unmoved. His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings, searching for anomalies.
Something was amiss. Bone was the only one who had taken action thus far. This was highly unusual. Neither the abyssal eight-armed snake demon Roy nor Viscount Bernard were involved. Could they be plotting something sinister, holding back their forces for some nefarious purpose?
Puzzled but unwilling to act rashly, Morgen continued his surveillance, hoping to identify his true adversaries as soon as possible. This was a war that demanded calculated decisions, as a single misstep could lead to devastating consequences for the Scarlet Mage Tower and the entire City of Breaking Dawn.
As the bone dragon's attacks intensified and the mage's shield grew weaker, Morgen's breathing quickened. The protective barrier, the result of months of painstaking construction, could only withstand the onslaught for a limited time. If it failed, the Scarlet Mage Tower, along with his painstaking efforts, would be reduced to ashes within minutes.
Just as the situation reached its most critical point, a thunderous roar echoed from the heart of Green City, followed by a surge of overwhelming power.
Morgen's expression shifted dramatically. He turned his head abruptly, a look of disbelief etched upon his face.
The unmistakable aura he sensed sent shivers down his spine.
"Ancestor, that's Viscount Bernard," Amy and Grot exclaimed in unison.
Morgen's brow furrowed, a sinking feeling weighing heavily upon him.