[Wait, you said something about the sons of Steel being able to block magic or something. How do they do that? That sounds like a good plan for sure! If we can manage to grasp that ability...]

We could totally use that to avoid the AoE spells that will be thrown at us inevitably at some point.

"It's not that complicated in theory, but it takes insane practice to get it right. The concept is very simple. You make the ambient mana fluctuate in order to mess with the spells that are being cast in that area."

[Wait, won't that disadvantage the caster a lot too?]

"Not really, close-range stuff and self-enhancement can still be used. That's what they mainly focus on, so it simply gives them a shield with little downside."

[So how do I make mana fluctuate?]

"Well, it all depends on your ability to sense it and..."

He keeps going for a little while, but I've already realized how much of a lost cause this is. How do you affect something you cannot even perceive? This would be extremely hard!

[Still, these Sons guys are the least likely to use magic against us. We should probably target them.]

"Is that so? Honestly, I think you should just leave. Bring the invisible killer out with you and just try to live. The more I think about it and the less likely it is for me to survive this."

He gives a sad slight smile as he grabs the fly before handing it to me. The little creature understands there is something wrong going on, but it doesn't seem sure about what it is exactly. He wants to remain behind and me to survive?! That's literally what caused this mess with my pink-haired friend!

I approach him and grab him by the collar before shaking him violently.

[Do not ever suggest that. Am I clear?! We're getting out of here alive and well! I just don't know how but we can still figure it out!]

He gives me a surprised look. Then he sighs a bit.

"You truly are kind. Still, be careful or people will try and exploit you. You must remember that-"

[Enough with the wise last breath speeches already! This isn't some cheap drama!]

"?!?"

[You heard me! No dying on my watch! When we break out, make sure to stay either far away from the fight or right next to me so I can heal you. Anything else is just suicidal. Are we clear?]

He finally gets convinced by my momentum.

"Y-yes."

[What did you say?]

"YES!"

[Good. Still, I wish the soil was harder here. I could build us an instant fortress easily then.]

"H-how does that work?"

[Well, back in the cockroach realm I used to just dig out slabs of super hard ground and use it to build a defensive position. But here it would just get destroyed instantly.]

"Right…"

[Ah, do you think these halberd guys would be immune to illusion magic too?]

"Did you say illusion magic? That is a lost art, isn't it? How did you learn it?!"

[Ah, yeah. From a random elf using it to hide. The issue is that just a while ago some riders managed to do a spell that somehow protected them from my abilities. It was a big cage made of light with white swords in it...]

"Isn't that the killing formation of the purity sect?!"

[Wait…the purity sect?! That's why they looked familiar! *Sigh* If I had known I would have tried destroying them while at it. Then again, I'm missing a few things.]

"A few things? Just a few?! To destroy an entire sect?!"

[Ah, the purity assholes have a glaring weakness. Drug them with some very potent aphrodisiac and they soon lose their power.]

"It can't be that simple…they are bound to have measures against that, no?"

[Their Eaglevein branch didn't. Can't talk for the others.]

"Right now, we should focus on the enemies here…"

[Right, right. You know what? Let's just try diplomacy. Then if it doesn't work we'll break through using illusion magic. If even that doesn't know it will probably devolve into a melee. If I stick to them, it should be possible to beat them up.]

"Are we still talking about The Sons of Steel?"

[Yes, of course.]

"They are deadly in close range! The best way to fight them is to throw things at them."

[Right, since they can block magic itself, is it? You use mana to manipulate physical objects then you throw that at them?]

"Exactly!"

[Alright, let's go already!]

It is the moment of truth. We walk slowly toward our target. They look at our approach, raising their halberds in the air slightly. Then one of them leaves their group to come to meet us and he stops nearby just observing us.

[Hello there. Would it be possible for us to leave? We do not want any trouble at all. We are but simple travelers.]

"Of course, if you guys want to die that is. We can help you both leave this world very expediently. HAHAHAHA."

On that note, he leaves again with his armor clanging. My friend sighs.

"They probably don't want to appear weak to the other factions by compromising with us."

[Just in case, let's approach everyone. Who knows we may get lucky!]

I say that with pep, but even I don't believe the shit I'm saying. Let's just say the outcome isn't surprising either.

The Terracotta warriors offer to bury us alive in sacrificial clothes. Apparently, this way our death would have some meaning. How about no!

Then, the slavers nicely offer to make us heroes on the battlefield. They would send us straight at the frontlines with collars to control us. Honestly, I would have accepted their offer if there was a way to be at the back. We could have escaped low-key afterward.

As for the White Lotus people, they start blasting us as soon as we come close. They don't even bother hearing us. They say something about how we can only have evil intentions given how shady we look.

Hey, what's with that discrimination against farmer clothes?! Ah, whatever. We slowly go back to see the Sons of Steel. One of them approaches to taunt us again. Let's see if he'll still be gloating soon …

In front of us is a warrior. Huge polearm, sturdy-looking armor, a big guy too. He has his weapon in hand, ready to cleave us in half as soon as we leave the no-man's land in the very middle.

"You guys are truly ridiculous. Running around begging everyone to let you pass through. You guys disgust me! You have no pride whatsoever. You clearly deserve the death that will soon claim you."

What the hell?! Why does he hate us so much? He even seems happy about potentially killing us. Oh well, it can't be helped. Here goes nothing. Let me succeed. I use divine energy. That is when the entire place goes silent. One could easily hear a fly in the background.

I can feel it, illusion magic is definitely working! All eyes converge on that one soldier. I look at him and he's dumbfounded. He has no clue what is happening. Yet, he can feel it. He can feel the mad killing intent that is radiating toward him.

His face changes. It loses all color, he starts sweating, then screaming. "What the hell is this?!" I can't help but remark.

[Alright, big guy. Show us how you won't beg for mercy. Well, on that note we gotta go.]

I forcefully grab my companion and begin running. I can see the various powers getting ready to head here. So far so good. I'm hurrying. But that's when the warrior that is currently public enemy number one starts chasing us.

"WHAT did you do?!"

[Stop following us you asshole!]

He's actually faster than me. He finally, reaches and slashes with his weapon. I just keep running, making sure to boost my own defenses as much as possible. CLANG. When his weapon collides with my back without any damage, his face changes twisting in bafflement and horror.

"Who are you?!"

[Just a traveler, as I said! ]

"That's impossible!"

But even as he exclaims in surprise he still keeps chasing us. I don't fear him at all. The problem is that in the distance I start seeing tons of mages aiming at us. Goddamnit! That's a lot of AoE attacks! So many of them!

The Earth benders are preparing giant boulders that they are about to hurl at us. I see something that looks like...a magical catapult?!

The White Lotus people are all sitting in a big circle and are preparing some kind of ultimate spell. It seems as if they are all driving their mana toward the very middle of it. While I can't see the mana the air itself is changing. There is a white mist too around it.

As for the slavers? Well, they are sending a sea of slaves at us. I really disapprove of this! Still, they shouldn't be that troublesome.

That leaves only the Sons of steel in front...and that one right behind me that I need to get rid of. This is such a pain!...