Chapter 396 - Forbidden Art

Miya blinked her eyes after realizing that she's about to see the Khrusam's third eye…

Since she's actually feeling the presence of mysterious energy from the corpses, she's imagining that these aliens have some sort of Beast Core within their bodies.

"Miss Chamber… I know that Wallace wanted to learn how their energy works. However, can we really do this? Though we know the Soul Art, we've never tried using it study corpses." Miya asked.

"You're correct. However, since we can still feel their remnant energy… We will be experimenting with their behavior if we put them together with our Soul Energy. Since you have such a high sensitivity, it would be a lot easier for us… Right, there will also be some Arcanists that will be studying the Corpse Furnace later. They will help a little to find the traces of the Death Energy and we will be needed there as well…"

Miss Chamber explained their plans for the day. 

The earlier they could get the secret of the Death Energy, the faster they could provide it to Wallace and help him strategize against the aliens.

***

Folco listened to Julian's plan. 

The latter can use the Soul Art so he let him create the plan. Nevertheless, if it's true that the Aliens are indeed using another form of the same art, then Julian might be on something. 

They have suffered a lot during the short time they've descended here and they couldn't attain any form of victory at all. This is why they have to find something new in dealing with these aliens. 

"Soul Explosion Art… We will be at a huge risk if that art isn't powerful enough, Julian." Folco commented after hearing the plan.

"Do not worry about it… The stronger the concentration of energy, the larger the explosion." Julian explained after hearing Folco's concern. 

Julian doesn't have his army anymore and he has to rely on Folco to supply him with the forces he needed to execute the plan.

Luckily, their automatons are already quite capable. 

Though they might not be as intelligent as the one that Wallace was using, these automatons were still capable of executing complicated instructions and will be able to do Julian's plan easily. Anyway, what's important is the timing of their attack.

"Alright… I guess we'll have to take a risk. I hope that we can win this, Julian."

Folco reached his hands as the two shake their hands to finalize their plans. He realized that with Julian's help, their loss might just be about 2000 automatons and they will be able to destroy the enemy!

If this worked, he would finally have a good report to be sent back to his country!

"Let's start preparing then…" Julian said as he's the one who needed to take a rest as well. After all, casting a forbidden art is not easy at all.

Fifteen minutes had passed after this as the Black Sovereign remained on the site they landed. 

Perhaps they thought that the natives would no longer attack, as they sent out some androids to the nearest Memory Crystal Mines to start taking their resources.

"Hmmph… They're taking us too lightly…" One of Folcos' vice commanders commented after seeing the enemy's actions.

"Isn't that fine? We will be able to catch them off guard."

Julian is now ready for their plans. 

He can see that none of the imperial soldiers was sent out yet. Based on the reports they received from Avalon, the enemy is composed of multiple alien races.

The golden-skinned Aliens were just one of them…

"I guess Avalon is right again. The imperial soldiers were still incapable of handling the Mana on this planet. Only the Khrusams and androids are capable of moving out their spacesh.i.p.s. Ahh… There's also those Mech Frames and Marauder Gears."

"That's correct… This is a chance for us."

Julian looks at the 30 or so Khrusams guarding the spaceship. They are all looking around but with their small number, they shouldn't be able to stop him fast enough.

Boom! 

An explosion occurred not too far from the Black Sovereign. 

This explosion was an attack meant to destroy a batch of androids that was just sent out. 

Boom! Boom!

It was then followed by other explosions as the automatons started clearing up all the androids.

Of course, the Khrusams didn't just watch as they brought their Corpse Furnace and targeted the moving Automatons!

Then, the automatons made of enhanced materials were melted by corrosive black energy that just suddenly appeared from where they stand.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Just like that, the fifty-five automatons who ambushed the androids were destroyed.

Nevertheless, Julian's plan was successful. The attack was just a diversion for him and his small group to get near the Aliens.

They have used stealth and other mana spells to hide their presence but they are worried that they will still be detected if the aliens aren't dealing with something.

This is where Folco and his team come in…

Their group has to take the Black Sovereign and the Khrusam's attention to allow the Royal Court Magician to cast his Forbidden Art.

Apparently, the Soul Explosion Art can only be cast in a short distance and its casting time would take about 15 seconds to complete!

Once Julian Esmeria started casting his spell near the spaceship, he will definitely be detected by the enemies and will be attacked from all sides.

This is why the four strongest sages of this country are together with him and ready to sacrifice their lives to protect him at all costs.

It might be cruel to let them die in this mission… but once Julian's attack became successful, their country would be the first one to defeat the aliens! 

'Let's stop… We'll wait for the second diversion…' One of the sages ordered. They can't rush with their movement as they will get easily noticed.

Though it would be slow, as long as they reached their target, everything will be worth it.

Then, another group of 100 attacked the mines where the androids had already started entering.

In the end, the spaceship decided to release their remaining Mech Frames. 

Earlier, during the Mech Frames' fight with the first batch of Magicians, Steel Knights, and Mage Towers, a lot of these Mech Frames were destroyed or heavily damaged.

They are a strong force of the aliens and it requires 20 and above Adept Mages to at least hold down a single Mech. 

Seeing some of them being sent out worried Julian and the others a little.

'Mhmm… Some of them are still damaged. I guess they don't have enough time to repair most of them. It should still buy us some time.'

'Alright, let's continue our move. Sir Julian, stay in our midst. We'll protect you at all cost.'

'Yes, Commander Kyle. I trust you. But make sure to stay alive. I just need fifteen seconds, I need you to protect me with everything you got but do not think of sacrificing your life!'

'Of course. Just focus on your Forbidden Art, Sir Julian…'

Unlike the Cryptic Mages who were baptized by Mana using the Cryptic Link Serum, Julian was just a normal magician with tons of experience backing him.

It means that he doesn't have the perk where he can ignore the backlash caused by casting a Forbidden Art. Nevertheless, the Court Magician is not afraid of using them multiple times for his country.

He might be permanently injured in the process, but it would be worth the price as long as he takes down these aliens.

***

The Celestial Being returned to the bottom of the sea and arrived at the city made by the Deep Sea Creatures.

"You're back, Lord Celestial…"

The head of the city bowed his octopus head after seeing the Celestial arrive.

It will also be noticed that the whole city became extremely silent afraid of offending the being.

"Hmm. I guess you've already arranged the treasures."

"Yes, of course… Please follow me."

The head then walked to the room filled with precious items… All of them are types of rocks and gems with a very powerful aura like they are pulsating out of it. 

The Celestial Being glanced at them and waved his hands…

The stones were suddenly pulverized as they scattered in the air before gathering in front of the Celestial!

Just like that, the treasures they are taking care of for many generations had disappeared within a matter of seconds.

However, the head of the city didn't make any noise as he let the Celestial do as he, please.

"I think you have a visitor…"

The Celestial suddenly talked to his mind. 

He quickly checked the surroundings but he didn't find any of his subordinates… Then, he heard the sound of an alarm coming from the guards of the city!