“More enemies?” Phaeton was dumbstruck, the situation was getting worse by the second.

“We just delayed Harken for nothing, didn't we? Were back to square one.” Azrael frowned as he wiped the blood off his mouth.

They both thought that by stopping Harken, Demetrius would be able to finish off the task.

--

“Boss, are you alright” Said the man

“Could be better, I’ll have to put you both to work right away.” Harken said

He didn't talk, instead, he used his communicator.”

“Aidan, I'm going to need your support this time. Make sure to cover my blind spots and don't get near Demetrius, we need to isolate him.,since its come to this

“Were teaming up against him?” Aidan asked.

“Do you think we have a choice? I haven't been able to make any progress. I have barely put a dent on his armor while getting injured. Plus he’s already figured out that he can destroy the barrier by force.”

“Does he know about the nodes?”

“Not yet, all he’s doing right now is brute-forcing it. We have to make sure that he stays oblivious about it”

Finn then made a disgruntled face “What about me?”

Harken made a pointing gesture towards Azrael and company. “You deal with those kids and secure the princess. The ‘Sovereignty’ is useless right now, she can't do a thing. We don't have much time so let us get to it”

Finn’s face contorted.

“Why do I have to deal with those brats! I want to fight the King’s guard! This is fucking unfair, I’ve been fighting amateurs ever since this operation started” Finn rebuked

Harken glared at Finn while releasing energy. The glow on his arm grew brighter. “Are you done?”

“How about I tell you how I feel. I feel that you’re incapable, your lack of coordination with others will get you killed including me, and with that, we will achieve nothing! So cease your incessant whining and take care of those kids.”

“This is an official covenant from Ciar”

Finn felt a shiver on his spine and immediately shut up. Ciar’s name brought an indescribable fear in his heart.

—

Demetrius analyzed the current situation. Controlling Harken was one thing but seeing the additional reinforcements that arrived made him re-evaluate.

Judging by the mana and bloodlust they were emitting especially the other person, Demetrius could conclude that these were battle-hardened warriors.

“I can most likely break that barrier if I hit it a few times, however, it will leave the Princess unguarded, if only I had a bit more time” He looked at Phaeton and Azrael.

Can they take on Harken’s reinforcements? It was a stretch but it was possible. That's right how could I forget, there was another fighter here, albeit he didn't move the whole time.

________________________

Azrael had a heavy heart when he was observing the current structure of the barrier.

“Your Highness I have an idea about how to break the barrier. “

The princess looked at Azrael skeptically. “Tell us”

“Do you see those pillars your Highness, embedded in those are ‘High-grade magic stones’, I don't have the working knowledge in how the barrier works, but I'm absolutely sure that the energy source of this barrier can be found within those pillars.”

“If that's the case, then once those pillars are destroyed or merely damaged, the barrier will cave in on itself. That would be a more efficient way of destroying the barrier.”

Demetrius shot a serious glance at Azrael. “How do you know about this?”

If this was true then they could turn around this situation, there was no reason not to hear out this boy.

Azrael had an apologetic look and he turned to the princess with a low bow. “I'm very sorry, our Workshop might have provided the enemy with those High-grade magic stones. If we knew it would be used for this purpose we wouldn't have accepted the order”

Princess Hildegard held Azrael shoulders while slightly shaking them, then she spoke with an agitated voice. “What?! You’ve met the enemy? Do you remember their face?!?”

Azrael could not respond.

“Your Highness, I believe we can investigate this thoroughly later once we’ve secured your safety.” Demetrius said then he looked back at Azrael.

“Regrettably there's a problem with your plan, the pillars are spread, all over the stadium, outside, the stands. Destroying the pillar here is one thing but what about the other locations”

Phaeton raised his hand seemingly wanting to say something. “Excuse me, but arent there soldiers stationed all over the place, after all the Princess is here, the security would have been good.”

A realization dawned upon Demetrius. “Right! Cygnus’ squad is stationed outside, although Cygnus is trapped on the Right-wing, his officers should be there, the only problem here is how do we reach them from here. We can’t get outside ourselves.”

“Couldn't we just use the broadcasting of the one our announcer uses? It's accessible since it's just inside the stadium. The barrier didn't block the doors going inside.” Phaeton said as if this was common sense.

When the barrier formed it locked down the arena, observation stands, and the outer area. It didn't lock down the arena’s connection to the first floor where most of the staff were situated in. Fortunately, the utility functions of the stadium including its communication functions were still there.

Everyone looked at Phaeton. “What, amazed by my genius?”

“Genius? That’s a stretch.” Azrael remarked.

“Hey! Hey! I’m contributing, stop devaluing me.”

Demetrius then moved forward. “Then it's a plan! We need to stall them as much as possible. I will take care of Harken.”

“Phaeton and you with the light magic. You’ll be the one to make your way to the communicator device”

He then glanced towards Thanatos. “As for you, since you’re the strongest here, just fend off as many attacks directed to you here. If you plan to be a soldier then you must have the right mindset, you cant just sit on the sidelines.”

Thanatos was about to respond when he heard a loud voice in his head.

“Help the princess you fool! What are you hesitating for? This is a great chance!” A voice sounded from Thanatos’ mind

Thanatos glanced at the Observatory platform and he could see General Zarathos eying him carefully.

“It would be great if I could help out these terrorists” Thanatos thought to himself.

Phaeton muscles tensed and anger started to well up in his chest. Phaeton rose his voice and shouted. “Him?! I admit he’s strong but I don't think he’s capable of protecting the princess, he's a hateful bastard”

Thanatos smirked and didn't respond.

“YOU-!” Before Phaeton could say anything, Azrael tugged him twice, signifying to him that he should stop.

Phaeton was still holding a grudge over what happened to them in the previous match.

“This is not the time to hold grudges, you can sort out your personal issues later” Demetrius said then looked at Thanatos as if he was waiting for his affirmation.

“I trust you can protect the princess?”

Thanatos’ eyes twitched slightly as if an internal struggle was going on with him. He slowly calmed down and answered. “I will do my best Lord Demetrius”

“Everyone get ready! There is no room for mistakes here.”

Azrael and Phaeton popped a few mana pills in order to recover the mana they lost. It might not be enough, but it should allow them to reach their destination.

________________________

Harken and his two companions glanced at each other shortly, as if they were prompting a signal.

Each side had already agreed upon how to proceed with the battle.

Harken led the charge followed by Aiden right behind him, and increased mana pressure was felt from him.

He dashed right at Demetrius without saying anything.

“Remember the plan” Demetrius said to Azrael and the others as he welcomed Harken’s assault.

As Harken’s group was approaching Azrael and Phaeton circulated their mana. Azrael activated light steps on both himself and Phaeton. Azrael’s mana control was already above average, as such he is already capable of using magic enhancements on other people.

The both of them ran straight to the exit of the arena.

Harken immediately noticed this development. “What are they up to?”

It was unlikely that they would run for their lives. “We’ve already studied the whole layout of the stadium. Even if they go there, there’s nothing of significance that they can accomplish.”

Despite this thought, Harken couldn't shake the bad feeling that something may go wrong. “I can’t risk it.”

He then spoke at his communicator. “Change of plans! Aiden, go follow those kids and stop whatever they may plan to do. Finn, you go and secure the princess.”

Finn licked his lips. “Haha! That’s more like it. I’ve always wanted to see the princess up and personal”

Clash!!

Harken and Demetrius traded blows once more.

“I don’t know what you’re planning but it won't work” Harken shouted.

________________________

At the entrance of the stadium, a seemingly brutal fight was at the end of its legs.

“These assholes… its like they're possessed, don't they have any regard for their lives?”

After a heated battle, Seargent Marcus and his company were riddled with injuries but they were able to successfully suppress the enemies. They wanted to detain them, however, all of their bodies detonated.

The thought of being captured, interrogated, and potentially spilling information about their organization caused them to make a drastic decision.

“Secure the civilians instead. We just have to trust the people inside.”

“To think that they all killed themselves. I'm not familiar with these markings.”

Marcus tucked his tonfas and walked towards the leader’s body. He ruffled his clothes to fully reveal the tattoo.

I’ve never seen this symbol before, whoever these guys are, they're extremely zealot-like.

Whatever organization this was, they were very dangerous. An ideology of suicide to protect their own, this wasn't something a petty organization could do, even prominent organizations would think twice before taking their own life.

Assess the situation! Marcus then looked towards the entrance where the barrier was fully formed.

We were too late. It hasn't been long since this came up, Amira, go to the headquarters and request reinforcements. We need to get this stadium secured and surrounded. Whoever these people are, most likely they're out here to get the Princess.

We will not allow anyone to escape!

Suddenly a loud humming sound could be heard, it reverberated throughout the stadium, inside and out.

“ANNOUNCEMENT!”

________________________

In the right wing of the stadium.

“Damn, this barrier is tougher than I thought. "

Cygnus was currently using wind magic to shred the barrier. Due to the strong magic source, its integrity can only be chipped slowly.

“Seems like the old man is having more trouble than I thought. I’m not getting out of here soon”

He could feel that there were more people than before in the arena.

“ANNOUNCEMENT!!”