A rain of icicles that froze everything it touched. It was a powerful technique. Viers had no idea if it was an Arte by a Level 5 or the product of many people joining their powers, or the mechanism of the flying fortress. What was the deal with that fortress in the first place anyway? A super-sized magic item or just a castle on top of a flying glacier?

At any rate, it was Tinade who shielded them from the deadly salvo. She was an official for the Grand Prix. The fact that she was acting to intercept was proof this was no longer the time or place for Pathseeker games.

Currently, the gang was flying. They were levitating around ten meters above ground at a speed that was similar to modern trains. This was also thanks to Tinade who opened a bottle containing a great power related to wind. Viers guessed it was a consumable that was good for one use only. A great pity since this was very convenient.

The Level 4 peak Pathseeker vassal of Valentine Duchy had used a magical item so they could travel to their destination in haste. The experienced Pathseeker was competent and resourceful. Her muscular physique mismatched with a prim maid outfit didn't change her competence.

The flying fortress went towards Gryphon’s Reach, the ancestral home of House Valentine. The duchy sprung from that city. That meant they were heading to a battlefield. If it hadn't begun already, it would soon. Thus, their need for speed.

Their unique way of travel amazingly didn't cause the wind to strike them, protected by an invisible bubble. The gang used their time to prepare in their own way, preparing mentally or whatnot.

“...What weird circumstances for a homecoming,” Ciel said grimly. “As if the Grand Prix added with yesterday isn't puzzling already. Now there’s even an invasion.”

“And how did this happen anyway? Why can the Harkelans invade Latias Kingdom like this? Where’s our detections, our defenses, our armies? Flying fortress or not, your countries are enemies are they not? I read you have seasonal wars with them, so why can they saunter in and rain death upon your towns with impunity? Are the border guards all sleeping or something? It doesn't make sense is what I'm saying,” Viers scoffed.

“Valentine and Lucan Duchies are located in the kingdom’s eastern area. There are many lesser lord’s territories between the two and the Empire’s border but the two dukedoms have duties to oversee the defenses against the Empire who never conceded to this country’s founding and independence. Since the passing of the previous king five years ago, the border has been strengthened to keep Harkelan in check. During the Grand Prix, House Valentine reinforced the border security even more,” Tinade explained.

Croix’s group listened intently, except for Falmerion. The dragon was more interested in seeing the scenery. He felt it was an unusual experience being in a levitating bubble moving with great speed, of flying without using his wings.

“As for your question, Avel,” Tinade spoke to him directly. “I ask the same questions. I have several theories though. The Empire destroyed the border defenses so utterly and completely that they weren't able to even send a warning, or the Empire's new methods blindsided us. I can say that the flying fortress and its camouflage ability are indeed new.”

“The Latias Kingdom has been distracted by its internal problems for too long. It has been mismanaged since the reign of Prince Croix’s father. If this attack is not a product of a moment of opportunity, that means the other side has been planning and preparing for this moment for a long time. We’ll be in much more trouble if it is the latter, which I assume it is.” Boram analyzed it from another angle.

“Always assume the worst, I agree.” Viers nodded with approval that his teaching was absorbed and not gone out of the other ear. “One hell of a camouflage though. My eyes can't see where the fortress was then or now.”

Euryale Sight was an investigative Arte from the Lamia race that had lived in the Age of the Gods and only reserved for royalties according to Clarissa so it was very powerful. Viers experienced how great the Arte was for scouting purposes, investigation, illusion-breaking, and battle. Since his sight was unable to see through the camouflage of the flying fortress that resembled the Helicarrier from the Avengers movie, it must mean whoever was behind it was more powerful than him.

“...Truth is, Freya sort of warned me.”

All eyes were on Ciel.

“At the Emerith Grand Ball, she told me the Church picked up strange movements from the Empire. Not only that, Bishop Josephine, who is responsible for the Church in the Empire, cannot be contacted. Freya and her team were sent to investigate. She should be on their soil by now.”

Ciel had a pained look.

“Because of all that happened with Father, I forgot to mention it to him... The responsibility of this blunder is mine.”

“If you’re at fault the sin is not yours alone, from the lowest soldier and official to the Chancellor himself, the government body that allows this sort of outrage to happen is guilty... myself included,” Croix gritted his teeth.

This tale has been pilfered from NovelBin. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Viers resisted the urge to roll his eyes. These good and righteous types always liked to shoulder the sins and burdens of others like how he liked to hoard loot.

“The blame game will get us nowhere. Better to put your mind toward something more productive. At any rate, if they are to block the Church’s communication, the information lockdown in the Empire must be extraordinary,” Viers said.

“True,” Tinade agreed. “Whatever the case, Gryphon's Reach is a formidable city. The duke and the duchess are both Level 5 and present, not to mention the city defense which has been improved over the generations. Its wall has never fallen to any monster or man. Even if there’s a Level 5 in the flying fortress he won't breach the city.”

“...Who’s to say there’s only one Level 5... or the fortress is their only one.”

Boram painted a grim outlook that created only silence.

“Whatever the case, we’ll meet them in battle and kick their butts.”

Viers didn't like complicated things. There were enemies to fight so they would fight them, simple. Intentionally or not, his words raised the party’s morale.

But what he didn't say was, since he was going to a battlefield where Level 5 battles, he was making preparations to bail when things got bad. It was not cowardice but a contingency plan, what the wise would do.

But still... War, huh?

If the Harkelan invasion was a real thing and not just a simple raid, he got a feeling the Grand Prix was going to be suspended. The Latias Kingdom had to mobilize for war despite the governmental instability and schism. He knew big tournament arcs like the Grand Prix wouldn't be simple. They could be but they could also be a jumping point for another arc. It seemed he was in the latter.

What did this mean for Viers?

War meant battle. Battle meant death. Death meant Viers would be eating good.

I better organize my soul prison for a lot of new arrivals.

As the wind carried the party in a comfortable embrace, Gryphon’s Reach came closer by the second. They went past several towns and villages, all of which had been turned into ice along with their residents.

Then, they felt it.

“The battle has already started,” Tinade said in a flat tone.

After a few minutes of experiencing sporadic energy pulses from mighty powers clashing, their destination came into view.

Gryphon’s Reach was under siege by three flying fortresses.

Above the three structures, two Level 5s were locked in battle. The visage of their Palladion Icons was in full display. One had the phantom of a gigantic brown bear draped in silver cloth and armor, the other had the icon of a metallic gryphon of similar size.

“Father...” Ciel muttered as she looked at the gryphon’s phantom. The duke’s main body was too small to be seen clearly. The two Level 5s chose to battle so high up in the sky to prevent casualties from their sides.

The three flying fortresses were a hundred meters under those two and about seventy meters above the city. Each fortress was raining hails not unlike what the group encountered earlier. The city was protected by a barrier in the shape of a dome. Viers felt the presence of another Level 5 in the city.

“Mother’s hands are tied to protect the city,” Ciel clenched her fists. This city was her home. “She can't move from her position.”

“...Communications are still down,” the magic circle on Tinade's ear gave only static sounds. “It’s the ice.”

Not only the ice hail, but the fortresses also warped the surrounding weather. A blizzard had started forming and even so far out the party felt the chill in the air.

The forces of Latias weren't all hiding behind the barrier. There were a few dozen gryphon riders attacking one of the fortresses. The flying nature of the enemy made it difficult to assault. Only Level 5 had the power of flight, Level 4 and below had to make do with a flying mount or other magical items but those were rare and expensive. Whoever commanded the knights knew that too so they focused their forces on one of the fortresses instead of all three. However, it showed no signs of falling anytime soon.

“So is the situation in a stalemate?” Boram asked. At the moment, it looked like it was.

“At this point in time, that seems to be the case. Let’s see if there’s another fortress joining in the siege or reinforcements relieve the city before that,” Croix assessed the situation.

“The drop in temperature worries me. I feel it’s not so simple. I think the longer it goes on, the stronger the Harkelans get,” Viers said.

“So it’s still a race against time... We need to find a way up there,” Boram looked up.

“I’ll cut them down. With Bright Sky, I should be able to do so. One, even all three if I have the right angle,” Ciel said with determination.

“And what would be the price of using that power that was beyond even Level 5?” Viers shook his head. “No.”

“But!”

“There’s no need for you to stake your life just yet, young miss. The battle has only just begun,” Tinade placed her hand on Ciel’s shoulder.

“We can help and we will help,” Croix said. “We’ll do it another way.”

“Then let’s go. How do we get up there?” With Master, Falmerion, and Tinade, Boram had no doubt one of them had the means to get to the levitating battlefield.

“Let’s not be hasty. We’re not the only ones thinking the same thing.”

Croix pointed to a group of people in the distance, they were the other Grand Prix teams. There were sixteen teams left that were in Round 3, including Croix’s.

“We might be rivals but I dare say none of them like what the Harkelans are doing on Latias soil. Shall we?” Croix had a savage smile, almost draconic.

“Heheheh,” Viers slapped his own thigh. “Perfect! Let’s assemble our Avengers and bring down their castles. Good ol’ payback is overdue. Let the Harkelan Empire know how the Latias Kingdom welcomes invaders!”

It was time for a star-casted team-up!

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Chapter 468 - Assemble