433. End of the Siege of Alyras

“Grand Fireball. Frost Fall. Arcana Expulsion. Pillars of the Fallen Sanctuary.”

Helena Warshade spoke quickly, listing spell after spell as a barrage of magical attacks launched out at the [Cambion]. Ira didn’t flinch or falter at the sight of the crimson ball. He stood there, sneering, embracing the blast of flames, followed by the gust of ice. A beam of pure mana struck him after, knocking him off balance, before the earth trembled and broke beneath his teeth, consuming him like a mouth full of sharp and jagged teeth.

These weren’t weak spells. But they weren’t Helena’s Skills either. The Great Tempest Archmage of Mavos Academy knew an eclectic array of spells off the top of her head, and she could cast them rapidly— with little effort. They were the kinds of spells even Diamond Ranks would be impressed by. And to unleash them this quickly and to this degree?

Anyone who was spectating this battle would see that Helena Warshade truly lived up to her reputation in her strength. Yet, it wasn’t enough.

Ira emerged from the rubble, breaking through the teeth-like rock pillars as he cackled. His body rippled and tore— flesh mending and bones cracking. His jaw dropped, unhinged from his cheeks as his mouth gaped wide open. Helena Warshade clicked her tongue, already creating a barrier.

An amalgam of the spells she’d thrown his way launched back at her. A deluge of magical energy that ripped apart the earth and sent the fallen debris flying in all directions. Helena’s barrier held up against the tide of magic. It was a replica— slightly inferior— of her own spells.

She’d done this dance with Ira for a while, and that was why she wasn’t wasting any of her better Skills or spells against Ira. With the Archdemon of Wrath’s Grand Skill, he could survive and deflect all her magic back at her. It was pointless.

Perhaps if Helena obliterated Ira in his entirety with her strongest Skills, she’d be victorious. But she didn’t want to risk it— because if he survived, he’d return the wrath of that magic against her. And, unfortunately, the Archmage didn’t think she could deflect such a spell.

So, all she did was stall. She kept Ira at bay with Diamond Ranked spells as he continuously regenerated from her bombardment of magic. All she had to do was just wait a little longer…

Her eyes flickered behind her. She saw the Salvos clone continuing to work on the fractal dome, slowly dismantling it. Once that prison fell, the other Elites would be set free. It would no longer just be Helena against Ira— Peris Dolonia, Alder the Augur Elder, Scarlet the Red Rose, and Laux Lionfist would join the fray.

Together, she knew they’d be able to figure this Demon’s tricks out. Perhaps with Laux’s Grand Skill, he’d be able to counter and defeat Ira here. But just as Helena got her hopes up, Ira suddenly paused.

The smoke cleared up and the dust settled. The Archdemon of Wrath didn’t attack the Archmage. Rather, he raised his head and faced the horizon.

“Hmph, I see.”

Helena raised a brow. What is it doing? she wondered as the Demon straightened.

“Unfortunate.”

Ira straightened, shaking his head. Helena didn’t respond. She just eyed him warily as he turned back to her.

“It seems Libid is finally dead.”

“Libid?”

Helena knew he was referring to the [Jinn]. What she didn’t know was how Ira knew that one of his allies had fallen. Still, Ira continued muttering to himself.

“And I’d have thought at least one of those fools would’ve survived. At least they’d served their purpose.”

He scoffed and turned his back on Helena Warshade. She blinked, caught off-guard for a moment. The normally cool and collected Archmage stared as Ira lumbered away from her. She didn’t react for a moment, before raising her staff and calling out after the Demon.

“Halt! Where do you think you’re going, Demon?”

A blast of lightning streaked out just ahead of Ira, but he walked through it. He craned his head back to face her, replying simply.

“I am leaving.”

He didn’t continue. Helena watched his back as he continued. Was that it? Was he really just going to go? The Archmage was compelled to stop him, but her apprehension seized her. And before she could make a decision, the fractal barrier finally collapsed.

The Salvos clone drew back, laughing silently as space opened up and returned to normal. Helena turned around, looking on as four figures emerged, leaping out one after another. Alder, Laux, Scarlet, and Peris appeared swiftly behind Helena.

“What’s going on, Archmage?”

Laux was the one to ask. He directed his gaze at Ira, cracking his knuckles.

“That’s… another Demon, huh? Should we stop him?”

He looked eager to fight, but Ira glanced back simply and spoke in a dangerous voice.

“Try and stop me if you wish to die.”

“Oh, that’s quite the threat. I wonder if you can back that up—”

Laux Lionfist started forward, and that was when Helena Warshade made her decision.

“Let him go.”

She said as she raised a hand. Peris narrowed his eyes as Laux blinked.

“But Archmage—”

The latter began to protest. But she explained.

“There’s no need for us to suffer any more unnecessary casualties. If what he says is true, then it means we have won here. Let us take our victory and return to the city.”

She also needed to ensure the rest of the Treasures of Alexander hadn’t been stolen. That Daniel Song truly managed to fend off those Demons. What mattered was never killing Ira, but stopping the other Demons from getting to Alyras.

“You can have your victory.”

Ira spoke as he reached a thicket.

“But victory…”

His laugh echoed as his form vanished behind the trees.

“It is such a fickle thing.”

Helena frowned. She was certain Ira had just been there a moment ago. Then his presence completely vanished. Alder sensed the same thing.

“That Demon is… gone.”

The Augur Elder confirmed Helena’s suspicions. It had to have been some kind of spell. But it wasn’t space magic. She’d have seen the ripple in space if it had been. It had to have been something else.

Helena shook her head. It didn’t matter now. Instead, she turned to the four Elites— and the Salvos clone. She nodded at them and spoke simply.

“Let us return to the city.”

With that, the siege of Alyras finally came to an end.