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Chapter 036: Sandra's Gambit

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With that single loud crackling of electricity, even the bombardment explosion paled in comparison in its intensity and fear-inducing factor.

As Sandra's and the other's Fire Fields erupted to create a fiery domain to protect their surroundings, a few large holes were opened on their formation.

"There he is!" roared Hossain.

Following everyone's gazes, "Siva" appeared and brandished his War God Axe on an unsuspecting group who were clearly shaken by that explosion just now.

"Bastard! Fight me!" Sandra was utterly furious but she can't cast any spell as Siva was attacking a tiny group at the far back of their ranks. She might hit the other followers around them, further reducing their numbers which helps Siva's aims.

In the end, she could only curse and roar in rage.

No one even dared to recast their Blood Prison and only focused on defense.

The group's Barrier Shield collapsed in one swing of the War God Axe and on the second, "Siva" had begun to harvest their lives in a storm of blood and horrified screams. The flying blades served as the harbinger of doom as they flew and danced using the tune of an invisible wind.

He didn't linger on as he disappeared on the spot and appeared on another area, taking advantage of the fact that the entire group was still disoriented from the Lightning Bomb and the bombardment of his artillery 'team' to suppress them in this location.

"Cast the Blood Prison! Pin him down!" Hossain is on a state of panic and burning anger. He was an almighty Cardinal and yet Siva was toying with him and the entire battalion as if they were dancing on the top of his palm.

While the world was wary of the entire church, this man was showing that he can whittle their numbers down bit by bit with his cunning tactics.

This was an insult and is really a cause for him to burn in furious rage.

*****

On the other hand, Siva wasn't happy at all.

[One minute more until we ran out of artillery, sir.]

—Damn it. What's taking them so long?

"Electra! I can't hold them off much longer."

If Siva loses the bombardment cover, there was no saying that his effectiveness in this ambush will be cut in half, if not reduced to barely be 1/8ths.

{Evacuation's almost done. Just give us a minute!}

"Send in the reinforcements now. The Dragons are being controlled by some sort of spell and they are all going to attack your city!"

Mohindra's voice came; {Electra, Captain, you go. I can handle the entire evacuation myself. Support His Excellency! I will send more as soon as we get the citizens evacuated in the safe zones.}

{But mother!}

{Go!}

At this point, Siva clicked his tongue and threw in a few more Friable Grenades and repeated the same brain-rattling lightning explosion alongside the still on-going bombardment of Bloody Mary Cannons.

By now, Siva had whittled their numbers in half and only 500+ were left in their ranks.

"Those two leaders are really troublesome. They can predict the BMA's next location and action now that they'd become familiar with my variations and the locations of the static Mini Realms."

Although there are variations on the attack mode of his current arsenal, Siva knew that with the limited ammo he got for the cannons, the sniping and the handguns' effectiveness will get reduced as time passed by.

Even if he can bring their numbers down, the entire process was still too slow compared to his expenditures and the pressure of the Fire Dragons just a few kilometers away from them.

"Should I join now?"

With two elements joining the fray, in addition with his Killing Zone and the Artemis MOD, he believes that he can suppress a Priestess and Cardinal pair even with their insta-cast capability.

But the addition of the Followers that can insta-cast Tier-2 spells... even if their range is small, with his attention divided between Sandra and Hossain, all these small-ranged attacks can still become a pain, especially when they each can concurrently insta-cast AOE spells and overlap them with each other.

That... would have been deadly.

Lower tier spells differ by range and requirements for Mana while almost all of them have overly long cooldown and spell-cast times.

Of course, Scion's example is a little bit of a special case since her [Initial Ability] lets her recover Mana like a machine, putting all Mana Requirements of all the spells voided so all of her "Spells" forego this detail in exchange for short cooldown and spell-cast times despite being lower in Tier.

But overall, the power and damage of lower and higher Tier spells are almost, generally, still about the same, seeing that [Players] can choose to "charge" the spell just before they release them to increase the damage/effect output in return for higher Mana consumption; the more Mana a spell use up, the higher and/or better the effects it has.

It was the reason why "Magicians" are scary and it was also the reason why 90% of the players of the game centered their abilities in [Magic] —with few using real [skills] to boost their effects since battle with the monsters in the game are still generally put in the matter of bravery and not real skills.

"No. I can wait." Siva told himself.

[Based on analysis, sir, you have a 40% chance of dying when you go out now.]

"Is it because of their Insta-Cast abilities?"

[Yes sir. Based on analysis from data from the Net and your own experiences, a Tier-5 spell, when it's Insta-Cast, has 70% chance of killing you on the spot as soon as it hits.]

—because these two leaders are quasi-Immortals and they have ample Mana to spare to Insta-cast a few spells at a time!

Most especially when two or more Magicians are working together, one can defend and one can attack, becoming an indomitable duo... or group.

As such, Siva didn't dare to show himself until he's sure that the surviving Acolytes around the two are not going to be troublesome when he finally begin his attacks.

Besides, reaction speed-wise, the BMA is operated by Cortana who function in nerve-speed according to his thoughts with a 0.001% latency rate.

In short, it operates almost as fast as his thoughts and so could dodge and react at the same speed as his own thoughts commands.

Siva was watching the battlefield as a third-person and so he could see angles and positions that are not visible if he was the actual person in there.

In addition, the Inventory Plus Ultra is a little bit of a tricky "item-slash-ability" of his as its operation and uses are dependent on his mental input.

The locations and activities of the Mini Realms are all, in simple words, part of his mind.

What they have stored inside of them, what they're programmed to do, what they were preset-capable of, what they are meant to serve as... it was like an instinct to Siva but a little more of a sure and exact feeling that he didn't have to look or see where he put them into or on what article he had attach them into just to know how to operate them. Siva senses and controls them all according to his whim.

And since he was seeing the battlefield as a third person, he can think-synchronize the BMA with Cortana's control of it, alongside his instinctual control of the Mini Realms.

This was the effect and the very reason why Siva created the [Orbiter Bracelet] and pursued making a lot of [Puppets] because he wanted to capitalize on Cortana's ability to interpret his thoughts into a set of actions, preset or otherwise, to better cope up with the situation... in addition to the fact that he had always wanted to "be at different places at the same time" as he pursues his goals.

Cortana is nothing more than an eventual gift that turns out to be the very thing that eased all of the wrinkles of his initial plans.

With the unlimited spatial-potential the Mini Realms can give his [Puppets], being in many places in this planet at the same time wasn't a problem at all.

In fact, just about now, Siva had a new idea on how his "Company" can profit a lot over this concept.

Based on the viewpoint of gamers, this is a CHEAT in all aspects but Siva didn't care. When his family members' lives are on the line, cheating in this God forsaken game world was the last of his concerns.

The thing is...

"Our situation is different now than what was first anticipated." He told Cortana's body beside him.

The Fire Dragons are now almost puppet-fied and once they complete their ceremony, a full invasion of Horbe will occur. Although the Vajras are strong as a race, there're still too few of them and dealing with the Blood Prison along with the Fire Dragons at the same time will prove to be fatal to the clan.

As such, he had to call in the reinforcements now and deal with the Dragons and the leaders before they fully complete their preparations.

Siva was gritting his teeth through the pressure.

"Based on their distance, they have half a minute to get here. Until then, I could only hang on and keep up with the bombardment attacks alone."

As Siva rearranged his plans, he also sensed the three locations of the Space-Locking Pillars.

In order to use the Mini Realms to their potentials, he had to disable the [Space Lock] but by doing so would also give these people a chance to run away and inform their headquarters to plan another day to attack. As such, he can't let them go.

"If I'm going to remove those pillars, I at least have to make sure that they're not going to run away!"

*****

There were only around 500 people remaining on their battalion and this size was nothing more than merely three companies combined.

Cardinal Hossain was frantic and Sandra is burning in her fury.

Siva was really devious in his tactic. He knew he is no match if they managed to lock him down and so he chose this guerilla tactic; hiding within a series of bombardment fire and slowly shaving down their numbers. It not only reduces their military strength for the attack in Horbe but it also lessens morale, thus making them easier and easier to eat his sneak attacks.

Hossain gritted his teeth and issued an order, "All Acolytes, listen up! Stop casting the Blood Prison and focus on defense. We are charging out of this place. We will directly attack the city!"

Sandra was also lost for words. But she also knew that she can't refute the command because there are only two options available for them right now.

First is to charge to Horbe and physically deliver the signal to attack for Bishop Morris and fight their way through to complete the Ark Gate... resulting in an eventual casualties, and probably annihilation.

But she also knew that the uncertain factor in this plan was the fact that they didn't know if the entire Ark Gate formation in the surface was still intact or not. Hossain was very sure that the foundations of the formation was intact but no one could even be sure of that since right now, Siva is already aware that they were going to attack the city.

The second option is to retreat, abandon the plan, and then recall all their units, preserving all of their remaining forces but facing the admonishment of the Pope.

This was, after all, a plan proposed by Pope Ajora.

Pontifex Balaam used to be a Martial General from the Seven Dragon Clans. Based alone on the fact that he was a Hydralisk, it was in his nature to be a short-tempered individual that focuses all his talent and abilities on improving his battle might.

Because of this craziness, it was easier for him to ascend into the seat of Pontifex, mastering the [Blood Prison Magic] and becoming stronger, thus ascending to be the first Pope-level existence in the 25cycles history of the Bloody Church.

Pope Ajora, however, was a schemer. Being smart was on her nature. She was gentle and she was an existence loved by all. She rose to prominence in the church five years later than Balaam but with her at the helm managing the internal structure and the direction of the Church, The Church became a big power, feared by all that it was today.

This entire plan... was designed by Pope Ajora.

She rarely gets angry... in fact... she's never been angry before. But because of this trait of hers, this gentleness and mildness that was natural to all Lao Shan, Dragons of Nature Element, that the Church Followers are deeply devoted into her every words and command.

As such, Sandra, and most especially Hossain, was so concerned about them abandoning the plan that their Pope Ajora had carefully conducted through all these years.

When Sandra heard that Hossain wanted to attack the city, the other possibility of the second option entered her mind and she hesitated.

"Cardinal, should we really risk it all for this?"

Hossain knew what she was thinking, "Do you want to turn tail and report that we almost died because of a single man?"

"..."

She couldn't refute this as well.

Although it was just a "single man" that's pinning them down and put them into a perilous situation, it was a special-fact that this "man" was Siva so she thought that perhaps it could be justified.

Hossain cast a Barrier Shield. Now that they are all focusing in defense, their options for survival have also broadened.

"We have three choices." He told her, "Either we retreat from here or we charge through in this kind of formation. As soon as we get into the surface, we give the signal for Morris to attack while we do our best to complete the Ark Gate to summon the Pope and Pontifex as planned. Or... we wait here until the Ceremony completes and we have the Dragon Puppets as the Vanguard Team. By then, we can only proceed into the second possibility of the first option in this time in the plan."

Sandra bit her lips.

Just like what was said, right now, they can only choose between proceeding and retreating. But if they do proceed with the plan, then they can only choose between two ending possibilities; first is to totally destroy the city or; second, go on and open the Ark Gate for the best outcome of the plan.

This plan has two beneficial possibilities that align with the objectives of the Church.

One, they successfully establish the Ark Gate just before the Soul Puppet Spell Ceremony completes and offer this city and its citizens as sacrifice for the Dragon God; or...

Two, if they can't sacrifice the city's citizens, they kill them all and reduce the possible obstacles that will stand in the way of the Church in the future.

Both of these reduces Horbe into ashes but if they could help it, they'd rather make the first plan the reality instead of the second because all of these Vajras' souls are strong and was a large and very significant nourishment for their God. It was such a waste to kill them all without them being sacrificed to the Blood Dragon God as an offering.

Sandra understood that if they waited for the Soul Puppet Spell Ceremony to complete, they can only burn the Island Country of Horbe to the ground and waste all these precious offerings.

In hindsight, those 100 Acolytes conducting the Soul Puppet Spell Ceremony are their back up plan in this entire operation.

With 100 Fire Dragons as puppets, the Church will get a sure fire way to eradicate Horbe but at the same time, loses the ability to serve them as their sacrifice to the Gods.

To retreat, force their way through to the surface, or stay here and endure Siva's harassment so that they can destroy Horbe in the long run... that was the choice given and Hossain, as the General in command of the entire operation, had chosen to force their way into the surface because he didn't want to lay waste on Pope Ajora's plan.

He wanted the best result in this operation despite the already high casualties on their ranks.

Sandra bit her lip and nodded, "Then we force our way to the surface!" Do we have other choices?

She also wanted the best result in the Pope's plan.

They would rely on the Blood Prison conducted by Bishop Morris as the center to suppress the forces of the Vajras and ultimately call out the Pope and the Pontifex, and the reinforcements they will bring with them to eventually succeed on the best-case scenario Pope Ajora planned this entire thing for.

"Go!" Cardinal Hossain gave a loud bellow and the entire 500+ remaining Bloody Church followers all followed like a turtle in the form of a tide of Mana.

*****

Siva's face twitched.

They've chosen to abandon everything and go on to attack the surface! Although he didn't know their thoughts or the underlying reasons on their actions right now, just the fact that they'd began to huddle up and proceed like a turtle told him otherwise.

"Captain, you have to go faster! They're heading to the surface in full force! I can't hold them off much longer!"

{We're almost at the area of the hole in the city!}

"Hurry!"

Siva ended his call through the Mini Realm and bid a glance to observe the attitude of the enemies.

At least this stance of them told him a fact.

—they've abandoned retreating!

——if that's the case, then...

Without any hesitation, Siva orders the three Mini Realms holding the Space-Locking Pillars to get them back to his Inventory.

Now, everybody could teleport again.

"Cortana, I will have to rely on you to coordinate and synchronize the BMA's movements to me!"

[I'm ready boss!]

Siva didn't waste a second more and vanished on his location, reappearing next in the middle of the enemy's tidal wave formation and began his attack.

*****

SWOOSH!!

Space rippled and Siva held a familiar Fire Sword that he looted from Baal when he killed his avatar back in Jeremiah.

At the same time, he released the Killing Zone as well as focused the remaining bombardment fires to the location he was targeting.

Loud explosions rung and in just a single second, the area with 30+ Acolytes whose shield barriers are up and solely focused on defense, collapsed with the sound of shattering glass.

With a smash, Siva swung the Fire Sword that was as tall as him towards an unsuspecting Acolyte.

"It's Siva!" shouted an Acolyte from his rear.

Siva was on his faceless mask and formal attire when he appeared and although it wasn't the same "Siva" that's been harassing them earlier, they're all aware that this distinctive fashion style was Siva's and that no one else dared to imitate his clothes.

Cardinal Hossain and Priestess Sandra turned their heads back and saw the Acolyte split into two and they roared as they rushed towards his location.

Siva has been wondering about it since earlier, just how are these guys flying without the Flight Gears like the others?

As far as he knows, only full-fledged Immortals like Gabriel can fly in the air using their own Mana but these guys are just Acolytes and yet they can fly in the air without the aid of any devices.

"Kill him!"

"You're not running away!"