Ery's sudden appearance just outside the Citadel's protective barrier sent waves of surprise to both sides. But the mont his group's identity was confird, the defenders allowed them to pass through the layered defenses and into the sanctuary of the inner wall.
Once inside, the chaos outside felt like a distant storm. The Citadel had three powerful barriers—imnse dos of protective energy that shielded the city from the relentless onslaught. Currently, the two innermost barriers held strong, though they bore the scars of constant assault.
At tis, the monstrous twin-headed ogres would breach the second barrier or the elven magus would combine their spells to carve a hole in the defenses. When this happened, the call to arms resounded through the Citadel, and dozens of stationed magus along with hundreds of saint warriors rushed to contain the breach, holding off the advancing orcs until the barrier was restored.
Despite the strain, Ery noted the calculated precision of the defense force. Exhausted magus and soldiers rotated in shifts, allowing for brief monts of rest before being sent back to the walls to face the next wave. The disciplined coordination kept the Citadel's defenses holding steady, even under such brutal conditions.
"Let's complete our mission," Sergeant Vorlax said, signaling for the group to follow as he led them toward the supply depot.
They made their way to the fortified supply warehouse, handed over the necessary docunts, and finalized the delivery.
As expected, there were no reprimands for their almost two-day delay. In fact, they quickly learned of a tragic event: another logistics team had been assigned to the sa mission but had been ambushed and wiped out just outside the Citadel's periter a day earlier.
The brutal loss of the entire team served as a somber reminder of the relentless dangers facing them all. Sergeant Vorlax, who had known mbers of the fallen team, maintained his composure, steeling himself with the knowledge that sacrifice was an unfortunate part of their duty.
When the Citadel's supply officers inspected the cargo, Ery noted the crates of energy cubes, specifically designed to power the massive turrets and sustain the barriers surrounding the city. This starkly underscored the intensity of the ongoing battle, as energy resources were rapidly depleting to hold off the constant waves of attackers. As the final checks were completed, a system notification ca through for Hall 6:
[Mission Complete]
[You received 2,500 points]
[Updated Ranking - 1st Place: Hall 6 - 28,225 Points]
Satisfied with their achievent, Ery turned to see Sergeant Vorlax approaching, his expression firm yet carrying a subtle glint of respect.
"Sir Ery," Vorlax said, "Thank you for your assistance… it was brief, but I am honored to have served with you."
Ery offered a respectful nod. "Likewise, Sergeant"
The group exchanged their final words and farewells with Sergeant Vorlax and his team, and the weight of their mission lifted, giving way to a sense of accomplishnt.
Hardy turned to Ery, his voice filled with anticipation. "Master, what should we do next? Are we returning to the space station?"
Before Ery could respond, Magus Sirri, their academy handler, stepped in with a practical suggestion. "Until a new mission assignnt is given, you're free to use your ti as you see fit. While you're welco to look for another mission, I recomnd returning to the station and regrouping."
Kingrig, his eyes blazing with a warrior's thirst for battle. "Master, what if we join the defensive force here?" His hands clenched, practically itching for another fight. Ery considered the option, but he knew a siege of this scale would be far too risky for the acolytes. While it might offer valuable experience, the level of combat posed a constant threat, with powerful spells and attacks raining down unpredictably. For any of his students below the Magus realm, the risk of being struck was high, and he and Klea would be forced into constant vigilance to protect them from sudden dangers.
Taking a deep breath, Ery softened his tone, allowing a small smile. "We're holding first place, and you all perford admirably. There's no need to rush into battle again so soon." He glanced around at their tired but enthusiastic faces. "How about we take so ti to celebrate instead?"
The team's mood instantly lightened at his suggestion. "Master, you're the best!"
"Hooray!! Hooray!! Hooray!!"
As they made their way through the narrow streets of the battered citadel in search of a tavern to celebrate, Ery and Klea discussed their strategy for the days ahead.
Ery's initial plan had been to remain on the planet for a more ground mission, which offered a better experience for his acolytes than risking them in the chaotic environnt of a space battle. He also worried that if they returned to the station, they might be assigned to routine non-combat roles, like logistical or support duties, which would waste valuable training ti and likely frustrate the eager acolytes.
However, his priorities shifted after gathering more intelligence from the elven captives. The situation on the planet was much graver than he had anticipated.
Despite the Magus Alliance's efforts, it was clear that they were slowly losing their foothold here. The elven forces, relentless in their strategy, had been deploying waves of orc troops in an exhaustive war of attrition. The constant attacks had depleted the Alliance's forces, and the condition of the citadel itself showed signs of a prolonged and grueling siege. The walls were scarred with battle damage, supplies were stretched thin, and signs of exhaustion were evident on every soldier they passed.
For weeks now, the burden of fighting had fallen on the orc armies, allowing the elves to conserve their strength, presumably for a massive final assault. This tactic left the defenders physically drained, and though the citadel held strong, it was likely a matter of ti before it faltered.
Given the dire circumstances, Ery concluded that staying on the planet might only expose his acolytes to unnecessary danger, with no guarantee of strategic advantage. He shared his thoughts with Klea and she nodded in agreent.
"We should leave the city as soon as the siege is over."
As dawn broke over the battered citadel, the fires on the distant battlegrounds began to smolder. The intense overnight fighting had finally ceased, granting the weary defenders a brief reprieve. In the aftermath, Ery prepared his acolytes, gathering them ready to slip away from the fortress.
However, just as they reached the outer gate, a patrol of armored soldiers intercepted them. The captain delivered a ssage with crisp authority.
"Lieutenant Ery, the commander has requested your presence,"
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