Chapter 398 - Real Motive

Julian was still aware of the fightings in his surroundings while he's casting his spell. However, he was unable to do anything and could only watch his subordinates struggle.

He can feel that they are already weakening as they started kneeling on the ground due to their mana being depleted.

If that happens, they would have no choice but to use their country's Secret Art that allows them to manipulate their life force in exchange for obtaining a temporary burst of power.

But if that happens, they would most likely die in the process…

'Faster!'

Julian's body was still not in perfect condition even after resting for a while. His Soul Grip has taken a lot of toll on his body than he expected.

Nevertheless, he decided to push his limits and hasten his final forbidden art.

"Forbidden Secret Art: Soul Explosion!"

As soon as he released the skill, the acc.u.mulating soul energy around his body started spreading… It was like white smoke spreading everywhere…

However, this energy seems to possess intelligence as it ignored the other moving enemies and allies and targeted the black energy that the Khrusams are controlling, especially the Corpse Furnaces where the concentrated Death Energy is coming from.

The Khrusams and Mech Frames realized that they are not the target of the attack but noticed something happening on the Death Energy…

They are slowly retreating as if afraid of the foggy aura released by the one native…

As the Khrusams controlled their Death Energy to fight back, they realized that the aura was actually a dangerous ability!

They wanted to use their Third Eye's power but it was too late!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

They quickly jumped away from their Corpse Furnace!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A series of explosions occurred as the Furnaces started exploding! 

Apparently, any Death Energy that the aura would pass through would somehow become isolated and the Khrusams were unable to control it!

Boom! Boom!

Another set of explosions occurred as the Mech Frames near them were also hit by the blast!

The Soul Explosion Art was effective against the alien's mysterious power!

Julian saw the explosion as he smirked for a bit… He then lost his consciousness due to exhaustion…

"Guh!"

"Aargh!"

"Commander Kyle! Take Sir Julian away! We can't hold on!"

Kyle heard the other three sages as he didn't waste his time to save the Royal Court Magicians. If he delayed any longer, the sacrifice of the three would be wasted.

The three had actually defended their group using their life force… Apparently, they were included within the Soul Explosion Art that was released. It is due to the existence of the Death Energy surrounding them. 

If they were not prepared for this, they would've definitely died together with some of the aliens that were caught within the explosions.

"Haaa!"

Commander Kyle shouted as he carried the unconscious Julian… He covered their bodies with a powerful Mana Shell after the three created an opening for them.

Bam!

As soon as they got out… The barriers of the three sages collapsed as they were burned alive together with the Khrusam's Death Energy.

He then saw a group of automatons and magicians approaching them. They are here to rescue the two…

At this point, even Commander Kyle could no longer take the exhaustion of his body as he collapsed on the ground. He couldn't remember what happened after but he knows that the people from Maja saved him

***

"They actually succeeded…"

Folco muttered as he saw the successful explosion of the Corpse Furnace killing numerous Khrusams that are unable to react quickly.

Multiple Mech Frames were also affected as they are near to some Death Energy being controlled by the gold skin aliens to fight the magicians and automatons.

"Hmm… That Julian is better than we expected, Sir…"

"That's right… Is he already dead?"

"I think that he's still breathing… It was reported by one of the Magicians assigned to tail them. What should we do, Sir Folco?"

One of the vice commanders asked. If they didn't heal him quickly, the court magician will die.

Folco didn't answer quickly as he looks at the Black Sovereign…

Apparently, before the spaceship was affected by the explosion, it emitted a powerful aura that protected itself from being damaged. 

Whom~

Then they suddenly heard the engine of the Black Sovereign become active!

A few more Khrusams appeared and took the remains of the Corpse Furnace scattered near the spaceship.

Other armored aliens had also arrived as they helped the wounded Khrusams and taken care of the corpses…

It seems that they are being careful of living their traces behind.

Nevertheless, even if they wanted to interrupt them, the cannons pointing at them stopped them from their advance. 

Now that the Mech Frames and Khrusams are retreating, they would no longer hesitate to fire their missiles and cannons at them.

It didn't take long before they saw the spaceship flew above and vanished from the sky…

"Avalon, have you seen where it's going?" Folco asked.

[ It's going in the direction of Guwain where the Imperial Flagship is located. ] 

"Understood. Thank you, Avalon."

After Folco replied, he turned off the device that they are using to communicate with Avalon.

He then faced his vice-commanders and gave orders…

"What do you think is the best thing we should do to him?" He asked while looking in the direction where the Black Sovereign left.

He's referring to Julian.

His vice commanders looked at each other before giving their thoughts.

"I think we should just kill that Julian, Sir Folco. Now that their forces are pretty much useless, they won't be able to help us in the upcoming war."  As soon as one of them voiced their thoughts, the others immediately followed.

"That's right. It's better if we take all their resources here and help us supply our soldiers."

"Hmm... Wait... We can also bring Julian to our secret facility and get the secrets of his Forbidden Art… Let's just report for now that he died in the war. We can slowly take control of this country once we send more of our soldiers. In the meantime, we will first take command of their remaining military forces. I can work on that, Sir Folco."

Everyone nodded at the suggestion of the youngest vice commander. They might as well learn the Soul Explosion Art as some of their magicians might be able to learn it for them and help them in the war.

"Very well, take custody of that court magician… Don't let him die yet. Kazimir, I order you to take control of this land's remaining military forces. I believe in you."

Folco then gave his instructions and let the man who gave the last suggestion take responsibility.