Chapter 85: White Star Radiance
"We've breached this part of the barrier!!"
"Excellent! Let's push forward now!"
"We suffered quite a few casualties, but with our overall numbers, we still have more than enough!"
"Plunder! Pillage! Enslave!!"
All throughout the Fae Region, such cries echoed as vast numbers of enemies swarmed their territories, even as they reeled from the fierce defending attacks of the Fae people.
"Crashing Hellfire Rain!"
"Earth Wall!"
"Quaking Fist!"
Boom! Baaam! Sschwwwwiiing!!
Large-scale magic and attacks ripped through the landscape, leaving a trail of mass destruction. Blood flowed everywhere, staining the very ground of the Fae Region and even areas far beyond. Unbeknownst to anyone, deep underground, as the blood slowly seeped beneath the surface, ancient tree roots and various plant-like stubs, covered in tiny, intricate inscriptions, began to slowly absorb it. These roots reached as far as the Rudell Region, where even now, disastrous life-and-death battles filled with bloody war continued. It remained a mystery how long such roots had reached these far-flung locations, and these very roots had given birth to many of the ancient trees scattered across the lands.
It was at this precise moment that a certain individual, the leader of his own formidable faction, was overcome by an eerie, misplaced feeling. From atop his giant magical vehicle, he found his gaze inexplicably drawn to a distant tree in a particular region. He observed a few bloody, battered corpses nearby, watching their lifeblood seep into the earth. His face couldn't help but turn grim as an unknown discomfort washed over him. For barely a second, an image flashed in his mind: a certain individual whose existence he had dreaded for the past thousand years. He then issued a sharp command, relayed to all leaders across his army.
"Heed my orders. From this moment on, all divisions are to avoid confronting anyone related to the Elves of the Fae Region. If for whatever reason we do confront them, you are to avoid battle at all costs unless absolutely necessary."
After giving those chilling orders, he once again looked at the tree, murmuring to himself, "There should be no reason to be entangled in anything if you are making a move…"
On a particular battlefield, around a large crack in the barrier encircling the Celebi Forest Kingdom, immense armies clashed. Similar scenes unfolded outside the barrier, near other Allied territories. Bronze Tier warriors, utilizing intricate formations, powerful magic, and honed weapons, smashed against each other or engaged Silver Tier experts. Silver Tier experts, in turn, formed groups, wielding potent weapons and spells against their peers and the more formidable Gold Tier experts. And, of course, Gold Tier experts worked in tandem, facing off against enemies of their own level. The lower-level Mortal Lords confronted each other, either in chaotic free-for-alls or simply maintaining a vigilant check to prevent wider massacres.
In one such battlefield, the sheer devastation inflicted by a single allied troop drew more and more attention. A group of well over 100 individuals caused a stir within a specific company under the combined leadership of Jewleaf, the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect Golden Lord Elder Su Dan (the same elder who led the scouting unit and had visited the Bright Blade Sect), and 3rd Prince Hamlet Helmsley—a man thought to be dead but recently reappeared in the Great Brawlman Sect.
Under their formidable leadership, this elite unit, operating as 'Duke Aeloria Nightbloom's Allied Nation Sect Division,' was making significant waves.
"Hahaha!!! How does it feel to be defeated by our White Star Radiance group!" shouted Ramiro, clad in his new Martial Gi from the Bright Brilliant Blade Sect, a sash emblazoned with the words "White Star Radiance" wrapped around him, and a white star-patterned mask covering his face. He wielded a very unique new spear, plundered from an enemy; for some reason, the moment he held it, something about it called out to him, as if it was made especially for him.
"What White Star Radiance?! Aren't you and that group just the damned Laughing Blue Reapers with a change in attire?!?!" roared a frustrated enemy, sent sprawling by a powerful sweep of Ramiro's spear.
Ramiro grinned, his voice deepening into a sinister tone as he spoke, "Laughing Blue Reapers? Never heard of 'em!"
"Kyaaaa!!! How heroic!" shouted Seralily, attacking enemies with her own spear, her cheers for Ramiro seemingly genuine.
Practically everyone with an association with the former Laughing Blue Reapers now wore the distinctive white star mask and the sash across their shoulders to their torso. Not only that, but their original numbers had swelled, causing uncertainty among many of their enemies.
Elton and Zoro currently held a specific strategic position, prepared to deal with any incoming attacks from Gold Tier experts. Christy stood beside Elton, holding his hand, connecting his visual sense to her vision through their Aka Boshi no Tengan, which glowed with a bright red light. Shayleaf clung to Elton's shoulders, activating her Royal Elven Magics in sync with Elton and through Christy, casting powerful spells far into the distance. Erica, too, was on standby, chanting intricate magics, stacking and holding them, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.
And of course, others worked in perfect sync with them: Joe-Pine with his rapier skills and Nature Magics, Shirleaf who had finally reached Gold Tier 1, the twins Luno-Oak and Dino-Oak, as well as the other twins Kageha and Kuroha.
Newly added to their formidable group, either after causing a fuss or through strategic agreements, were Shia, Amberleaf, Seralily, two other Fanged Elf girls running around with Seralily and their spears, cheering on Ramiro, and surprisingly, 4th Prince Hunter with his two loyal followers. Even Nahjer and Mykuna for some reason persisted in being a part of them, much to Mykuna's constant pleading and persistence, which confused Elton and the others since they had barely maintained a close relationship in the Bright Blade Sect. Mykuna wouldn't elaborate on her reasoning, only saying that they had secretly always taken a liking to their group back then. Christy nodded, confirming there was some truth to this, which further surprised Elton. Christy even stated that people like Talia and certain others would probably wish to be a part of their group too.
John Soloman could only watch from afar, part of another group with mixed feelings about the White Star Radiance. This dynamic had inadvertently bolstered the creation of two powerful rival groups, mixed with other young geniuses from both the Seven Sects and Clans, and even other races, including the Fanged Elves themselves. These were the reasons why the White Star Radiance, or rather, the entire company, was making such profound waves on the battlefield. In truth, this was an elite group, composed of many individuals capable of fighting beyond their ranks, wielding powerful skills with excellent coordination. Not to mention the powerful leaders overseeing them.
"Tch, all personnel, retreat for now!" a Demon Golden Lord commanded, his voice filled with frustration.
The tide of invaders temporarily receded.
"Alright, fall back, everyone! Let's head back to the fort," Jewleaf ordered.
Everyone gathered what war spoils they could as they retreated to the makeshift fortress, established near a strategic point of the barrier produced by the Fanged World Tree.
"Good job, everyone! We've managed to get through the day for now, but we have to remain on high alert, as it's very likely that assassination attempts and surprise attacks can and will occur. So be careful," Su Dan warned, his expression serious. Everyone nodded in solemn agreement.
Later that night, Aeloria transmitted a message to Jewleaf, instructing him to gather Elton, Christy, Zoro, Shayleaf, Erica, Ramiro, and Joe-Pine alone. Once they were assembled, Aeloria spoke to them through the communication talisman. "Greetings, members of White Star Radiance. I have an important secret mission for you all. 'E Sol,' your powerful, widespread destructive magic, in tandem with 'S Leaf's' very own binding and poisonous nature magic, will be key to dealing with a small fleet of powerful demonic assassins that are likely heading in a certain direction. Aside from them, your mission is to kill certain individuals if possible in the northwest direction. Jewleaf will hand over the map, target pictures and descriptions, along with things to look out for."
"Yes, Lady Nightbloom," they all responded in unison.
Soon after, they secretly departed the fortress, embarking on their critical mission.