The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Attack!!" Einclar suddenly roared, charging at the bandits with his sword. His blade cut through the air, and a tide of energy burst forth, shocking the space and sweeping toward the bandits. "Run!! Scale the walls, and don't look back!" the other guards cried hoarsely, unleashing their strongest Combat Magic against the bandits.

Boom!

The bandit leader casually waved away Einclar's mighty surge, leaving a shadow in his place. In an instant, he appeared before Einclar. His blade was falling swiftly, with no flourish but with astonishing speed. Thwack! Before Einclar could react, his body was severed, blood spraying in a tragic arc, staining the dark night.

"Ahh!" The remaining nine guards, resigned to their fate, charged in a frenzy, swung swords, and lashed whips. Energy boiled over, and all struck at the bandits.

But compared to these bandits, they were far too weak.

Blood sprayed in all directions, painting the sky crimson. Nine of the Mallister family's guards were struck down almost simultaneously. Their once-believed formidable Combat Magic proved utterly ineffective against these peculiar bandits. Not even a ripple was caused amidst the turmoil.

The ladies of the Mallister household were shocked before they snapped to their senses. "Miss, run! Run!" The maids urged desperately, taking several steps forward to form a human barrier. Tears filled their eyes as they bravely faced the bandits.

Oda sobbed uncontrollably, but Helna clamped a hand over her mouth and forcefully pushed her away.

The women of the Mallister family had no time for goodbyes, let alone to grieve, as they scrambled to scale the wall.

Having dispatched the guards, the bandits laughed heartily and lunged toward the ladies.

Oda was the first to climb the stone wall, feeling desolate and in despair. Her mind went blank. But then...

Whoosh! A figure suddenly leaped onto the rampart, standing in front of her.

Oda instinctively looked up. A portly man was dressed in a black robe. His eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes seemed fierce.

More figures seemed to drop from the sky, appearing on the wall to either side of him. In an instant, the wall was filled with people, panting and sweating, but their eyes emanated a murderous intent as they took in the sight of the blood-soaked ground and the bodies.

"You are...?" Oda began to speak.

The women below quickly pulled her down, looking at the wall anxiously and fearfully. There were bandits here, too! They were surrounded.

"Who are you?" asked the bandits in the courtyard, puzzled. Where did these people come from? Had the Grand Elder arranged for others to come?

"What do you want?" Oda screamed through her tears. Bandits were supposed to steal treasures, so why were they killing everyone and surrounding them?

The chubby man glanced at the distant flames leaping into the sky, then extended his hand toward Oda. "Sorry, we're late."

"Ah?" Oda gaped in bewilderment.

"Sorry! We're late!" The people on the wall murmured in unison, then launched themselves into the air like arrows shot from bows, charging at the bandits in the courtyard. Midair, beneath the night sky, they tumbled and dove headlong with a thunderous roar. "Kill them!"

The sound shook the night, reverberating through the stone courtyard.

The bandit's faces turned pale with the realization that these newcomers were enemies!

Just then, suddenly, a great number of dark figures burst from beyond the wall, soaring into the sky, high as hawks in the night. Their formation was neat, and their approach was spectacularly awe-inspiring. Their eyes were fierce, their hands gripped short spears, and as they somersaulted through the air, they hurled their weapons with all their might.

The compact spears, crafted from pristine steel, shimmered under the light as they took flight. Each launch was accompanied by a distinct crack, akin to a cannon firing. They spun rapidly in mid-air, akin to lethal drills, carrying winds as wild as a storm. A high-pitched whistle echoed each time they made contact with the bandits.

The spears rained down like a torrential storm, hitting the bandits before the first wave of attackers, engulfing them in a ferocious onslaught.

The bandits hardly had time to react, barely able to dodge instinctively. The spears were fast and fierce, instantly slaying more than thirty men; some were pierced through the chest, others had their throats shattered, and some had their legs broken. The scene was horrific, chilling to the bone. Some spears missed their targets but exploded into the ground, creating shocking craters and sending stones flying and dust billowing.

Piercing screams echoed through the courtyard. It was a one-sided massacre, an astonishing suppression.

After a wave of spear assaults, the front wave of attackers followed. Their coordination was seamless, leaving virtually no gaps. Their blades were like waves, and their edges were glinting as they pressed the attack on the remaining bandits.

"Who are you?" the surviving bandits shouted in a mix of shock and rage, clashing head-on.

Boom, boom, boom!!!

A fierce collision ensued, and a terrible clamor accompanied by dust and debris rose into the air, smashing through the front stone wall, with over a dozen bloodied figures thrown backward. Not far away, the rest of the bandits, who were arrogantly ravaging the manor, all looked up at once toward the tumultuous wall.