Three days passed after Head Court Magician Arnold sent out the message. He had gathered enough intelligence and led the army to the real source of the trouble, ignoring the Brightmoon territory. Of course, the real commander of the army was Knight Roderic; yet, since Head Court Magician Arnold possessed higher authority and power, he could only agree.

Before long, they could see the Brightmoon River in the distance. However, not that far across it was a big settlement encircled with a strange tall reflective wall made of steel. Calling it a settlement would be an understatement, a city would fit more in this context.

Naturally, Knight Roderic commanded the army to set up the siege engines and prepared the necessary to siege. They didn't bother to set up a camp as it was still noon, and the soldiers had rested up a few hours ago. They acted very cautiously, not bothering to use boats or anything else to cross the river. The tales about half of the Brightmoon army that got electrocuted had obviously reached their ears.

Hmph. I need to make sure that this attack will be successful. I shall act myself to minimize any kind of unknown variable. Head Court Magician Arnold flicked his staff before he transformed into a dark mist and vanished into the air.

Not far from the magic carriage, Knight Roderic was busy overseeing the army’s preparation. He was being very vigilant of the surroundings, looking for any kind of ambush. Suddenly, a dark mist appeared beside him and Head Court Magician Arnold emerged from it.

Unperturbed, Knight Roderic glanced at him. “Great Magus Arnold… Are you going to take action this early?”

“We cannot say for sure what the enemy has in store for us. Better to play safe— Hmm…?”

From the surrounding, a transparent gas not visible to normal human’s eyes appeared and enveloped the whole army. Head Court Magician Arnold raised a brow, finding this situation quite intriguing. Knight Roderic on the other hand also noticed this soon by his heightened senses.

“Poison? Such a simple trick.” With a wave of a hand, the transparent gas disappeared like there was never one in the first place.

"I think the enemy is trying to test us." Knight Roderic commented with a cold voice.

“No matter, the army should be prepared by now. I should proceed with the plan.” With that said, Head Court Magician Arnold flew into the air and started chanting a spell, “{Darkness Ground}.”

Just then, an expansive darkness spread from Head Court Magician Arnold’s staff and enveloped the river in a wide range. It then consolidated on top of the river and made a solid ground that could be traversed through — like a wide darkness bridge.

Upon witnessing this, Knight Roderic seemed to flinch a little but said nothing. He then gazed at the whole army behind him and bellowed with an amplified voice, “Soldiers of Razel! This is going to be a war to take back the lost land of the country! Show Razel’s might and crush your enemy, then you shall be rewarded!”

Clunk! Sounds of metal hitting metal came from the soldiers hitting their chestplate.

Instead of cheering like any normal army, the Razel army yelled solemnly, ““Yes! We will show them our might and bring glory to the Dukedom!!””

“Good! Now, follow me!”

Hong! Sounds of the trumpet hummed throughout the army, giving the sign for the start of the battle.

Knight Roderic led the 20,000 soldiers in front, accompanied by 200 other knights behind him. This kind of army would be able to easily swoop any small nations without much effort. Yet, now it was used to attack a single metallic city.

When looking at the crossing army below, Head Court Magician Arnold smirked. "Heh… Now, what action the enemy will take? Well, no matter… as long as I take action, everything will be handled easily." Although confident, he still observed the city and acted carefully.

It didn’t take long for the army to finish crossing the river. They began to take out their weapons out and make a formation, anticipating the enemy that might come. No matter how long they waited, however, there were no signs of the enemy.

“Men! Prepare the siege engines! Archers load the arrows!”

Quickly, the soldiers prepared catapults, ballistas, and ladders to scale the wall. As for the archers, they all loaded arrows into their bow and crossbow, ready to fire anytime soon.

“Archers, fire!”

Countless arrows flew out to the air, splitting the wind in half without much issue. But just when the rain of arrows was about to get behind the wall, a transparent shield appeared and deflected the arrows.

“Hmm…? So, the rumor is right. They indeed have a mana shield that covers the whole city." Knight Roderic stared coldly at the wall.

In contrast, Head Court Magician Arnold flew closer and transmitted a loud voice that encompassed the whole city, “I am Great Elementalist Arnold. Here comes under Razel Dukedom to take back the occupied land. As long as you surrender yourself and give me the legacy, I can give you a painless death.”

Despite the loud voice, not a single soul replied, no matter how long he waited.

“Hmph! So be it then.” Head Court Magician Arnold cast out the same black shadow that he used previously.

Soon after that, from the back of the army, 100 black-robed figures came out while covered with black fog. Then, 20 cannons emerged from within it, looking able to destroy every wall that they came across. Nevertheless, the cannons weren't loaded with any kind of cannonballs, instead, the 100 black-robed figures cast spells into the cannons.

“Shoot the Magic Cannons!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Deafening sounds of cannons explosion burst out from each of the cannons. Despite not being loaded up with anything, there were bright white balls made from myriad kinds of elements shot into the wall. It then crashed into the transparent shield and made it shook violently. A trace of instability within the shield also appeared for a moment.

“What a tough nut to crack. Shoot another round of Magic Cannons!”

However, the enemy didn’t just stay silent and let the army destroyed the shield. Countless explosion burst out from the grassy plain below the army. Hundreds of soldiers got blasted into smithereens and thousands got slightly injured.

“Heh… what a despicable trick. {Wide Darkness Shield}, {Darkness Cover}, {Darkness Combat Boost}.”

The raging fires caused by the explosions suddenly vanished and replaced with darkness fog and shield. The 20,000 slightly panic soldiers calmed down and their bodies got strengthen, it even emitting a trace of darkness. Coupled with their black armor, the soldiers looked like an army of darkness.

Not staying silent, Knight Roderic roared out, “Maintain the formation! Protect the siege engines and archers! Archers fire every ten seconds! Catapults and ballistas, fire at will!”

Out of the blue, there were numerous minigun turrets emerged from the wall and began firing. Luckily for them, the darkness shield managed to deflect most of the bullets. The darkness shield wasn't that solid, so it wasn't very effective at blocking projectiles — in return, the army within was able to send out attacks.

Then, hundreds of golems appeared out from below the surrounding ground. They were equipped with strange weapons and were firing from below the cover. Although most of the bullets were deflected by the shield, the Razel soldiers were helpless to approach them. The moment they left the darkness shield, they would die.

“Despicable!” Knight Roderic glanced the surrounding and roared, “Knights! Follow me to exterminate these golems!”

““Yes!!””

Knight Roderic led the 200 knights; each had a power of official Knight to intercept the golems. He burst out with unknown energy that covered the 200 knights and kept away any bullets from them.

Is this Great Knight Roderic’s Aura power? Truly something else. Head Court Magician Arnold stroked his chin while observing the surrounding below.

"This is going to be a battle of attrition. Let's see who's able to last longer." He then continued to cast spells and destroy dozens of golems.

Several shadow creatures were circling me from all directions, swift and merged with the wind. I knew that if I hadn't had a breakthrough and opened my head acupoint, I wouldn’t be able to sense them at all. This unknown sensation gave dread inside of me.

When one of them was about to attack, I swung my fusion blade to meet their claws. The other didn’t stay silent and attacked me simultaneously. I moved my leg and dodged swiftly, then hacked one of them right in the body. The hacked shadow creature disintegrated into the air.

After one was done, the others were easily taken care of by me. Still cautious, I looked at the holo-screen at the side and found that none remained. With no longer any enemy in sight, I exhaled in relief.

Suddenly, ATHENA’s cheerful voice rang out, [Master~! Congratulations on finishing the advanced virtual combat training.]

“Heh? Is this all that the virtual combat training amount to?”

[After this stage, all the enemies will be speculation. Not much data of stronger being available in this Ship-Virtual Chamber. Fortunately, I have more data for stronger enemies acquired.]

Hmm? Must be from the creatures from the other universe.

“Continue with stronger enemies!”

[Yes, Master!]