Chapter 240 Fire Priest's Ability
On the sunny day of the 4th of May, 303 Paign Era, near the serene Lake Nevya, an atmosphere heavy with anticipation hung in the air.
The sky stretched across the horizon in an unblemished blue, while the gentle breeze whispered through the surrounding trees, causing the leaves to rustle softly.
The tranquillity of the scene seemed at odds and unfitting with the imminent clash between two opposing armies.
The armies, each bearing their respective banners, faced each other in a carefully orchestrated formation. The soldiers, stoic and disciplined, stood in rigid lines with their expressions mixed with determination and apprehension.
Sweats trickled down their forehead as the tension could be felt by both sides. The metallic surface of the weapons in their hand was smeared by sweat as well.
Nervous whispers travelled among the troops. Their voices were hushed but filled with fervour. The weight of the moment bore down on each soldier.
The very atmosphere seems to hold its breath in anticipation of the impending clash. Time seemed to slow as the armies stood locked in a suspended moment.
Commanders paced along the frontlines, their eyes fixed on the enemy's ranks, analyzing their formations and seeking weaknesses to exploit.
As the tension reached its peak, the warhorns were blown.
Honk-
With the shrill sound of warhorns cutting through the air, the tension on the battlefield reached its crescendo. The deafening silence shattered on both sides.
The forces of Ryntum-Naharog and Barlia, unleashed a barrage of artillery upon each other, filling the sky with a thunderous symphony of chaos.
Explosions quickly erupted across the field, sending plumes of smoke and dust billowing into the air. The ground trembled beneath the relentless onslaught, reverberating with the force of each detonation.
The sharp crackling of gunfire merged with the resounding booms of cannons, creating a dissonant cacophony that drowned out all other sounds.
Projectiles streaked through the sky, whistling ominously before crashing into the ground with devastating impact. The artillery fire painted the battlefield with destruction, leaving scars upon the once pristine landscape.
In this tumultuous moment, the Fire Priest Gliibious step forward. Flames seem to flicker in his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Gliibious focuses his mind, drawing upon the dormant energy that resides within. He channels his inner flame, feeling its heat surge through his veins. With a swift motion, he releases the energy, directing it outward.
"Fire Shield!" he shouts, his voice rising above the clamour of battle.
A brilliant barrier of flames materializes in front of him, shimmering with intense heat and radiant light. The shield's size keeps getting bigger, providing protection for a few thousand people behind him.
Boom-
Projectiles collide with the shield. The impact was absorbed and dissipated by the fiery barrier. Each impact is met with fierce resistance from the fire shield.
The battlefield fell into a momentary silence. Allies and enemies alike stood in awe. Their eyes were wide with disbelief and wonder. A mix of shock and admiration washed over their faces.
"U-Unbelievable!" Bain exclaimed. His jaw dropped slightly, and his eyes widened as he witnessed the incredible display of power before him.
Despite standing near the old man, he still couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing. "I've never seen anything like this," he murmured.
His gaze flickered between the fire shield and Gliibious. Now, Bain understands why the King of Naharog put so much trust in this priest. The fire priest's abilities were far beyond anything he had encountered.
However, the realization of Gliibious' immense capabilities raised questions that weighed heavily on his mind. Did everyone is Turtevekesia capable of wielding such power? And even more importantly, can the Ryntum military possess win against these people solely with the weapon they had now?
Amidst the attention everyone gave him, the old priest sustains his focus to ensure the shield remains intact. He promptly called out for Bain, "Young man, take this chance to resume the attack. This shield is not going to last forever."
"Ah! Yes..." Snapping out of his thought, Bain quickly rallied the army to resume their relentless barrage of projectiles toward the enemy.
The soldiers, fueled by the Fire Priest's protection filled the air with deafening sounds of gunfire. At the same time, the infantry moved forward in an orderly manner, closing the distance between themselves and the enemy.
....
On the other side of the battlefield,
"Did you see that? Please tell me that I'm dreaming," exclaimed Sarika, perched atop her horse. She voiced her astonishment at the sight of the awe-inspiring fire shield.
"No, you're not dreaming, lieutenant," General Victor responded, his face etched with concern and a touch of apprehension.
The presence of that old man among the ranks of the enemy was unsettling to him. He had heard rumours about magic users before, but this was the first time he had witnessed one in the flesh.
Sigh-
Victor's hand reached his temples and massage it. He was visibly concerned. Their task of conquering Mezorin city would be significantly more challenging now.
"They have started firing back. What should we do now?" Sarika inquired. Her eyes remain fixed on the fire shield that provided formidable protection to the enemy forces. The shield made their attacks seemingly useless.
"Continue attacking the shield," General Victor commanded. "While the shield may seem impenetrable, I believe he cannot maintain it indefinitely. Sooner or later, he will reach his limit. Even now, he can't expand it to protect the entirety of the army."
Understanding the importance of pressuring their opponents, General Victor urged his troops to persist with their assault.
They maintain a relentless barrage of fire, concentrating their efforts on wearing down the fire shield. Their effort come to fruition went the shield gradually disappeared.
Hope surged among the Barlian troops as they saw their persistence yielding results.
However, their moment of relief was short-lived. The old man's eyes blazed with an intense fiery light. In an instant, he thrust his arms forward, unleashing a wave of scorching flames in a wide arc before him.
The unleashed wave of intense heat billowed forward with incredible force, engulfing the surrounding area. As the wave move forward, the searing heat licked at everything in its path including hundreds of enemies. They were either incapacitated or disoriented.
"Retreat! Retreat!" Reacting to the sudden danger, General Victor called out orders, urging his troops to move away and take cover from the incoming wave of fire.