Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 649: Revenge Raid II

CH649 Revenge Raid II

***

Given the notoriety the Lost Heathens had cultivated over the years, a mere handful of groups dared to confront them anywhere within the Hollowcrest Wildlands—let alone at a location situated so near to their primary supply point.

Consequently, the bulk of the guards assigned to the outpost existed within the Bronze to Silver ranks. Gold-ranked individuals were a rarity, and Combat Masters were virtually nonexistent.

Such high-caliber combatants were far more valuable when deployed elsewhere, rather than being squandered on guarding a base that, under ordinary circumstances, no one would ever think to attack.

While this approach might initially seem negligent, the reality was rooted in pragmatism.

Any force possessing the audacity to assault the base would either wield overwhelming power or have meticulously executed their preparations to such a degree that the presence of higher-ranked defenders would have minimal impact.

Therefore, despite its strategic importance, the base's defenses were considerably less robust than one might anticipate.

The Fury Knights made their way through the enemy ranks with relative ease.

With Kavakan, Mogal, and Havel wreaking havoc within the base, the Gold-ranked and more formidable Silver-ranked adversaries had been drawn away, leaving behind only the weaker Silver-ranked and Bronze-ranked fighters to engage the Fury Knights.

Considering that each Fury Knight operated at the Late Intermediate level—effectively equating to Peak Silver strength—there was little among the remaining opposition capable of impeding their relentless advance.

“Although our soldiers are individually superior to these brigands, they are still outnumbered,” Alex contemplated. “It’s best to take precautions.”

"[Link]!"

The instant Alex initiated the spell, the members of the Fortuna Company felt an immediate and profound connection solidify among them.

Defensive capabilities and energy began to circulate and harmonize throughout the group, subtly bolstering each individual through their shared link.

Alex then indicated Eleanore, designating her as the central anchor for the spell’s effects.

“I’ll entrust their safety to you,” he stated.

“Rest assured, I will keep them alive this time,” she responded with a quiet certainty.

Alex observed her for a moment, as if assessing the conviction in her words, but ultimately offered no further comment.

“Perish!”

Without the slightest forewarning, an enemy combatant emerged from a concealed position, charging directly towards Alex and his wives, who—along with Sugud and Kron Belloc—maintained their position at the rear of the raiding party.

Sugud and Kron Belloc flinched at the sudden war cry, taken aback by the ambush. In stark contrast, Alex and his wives remained completely unfazed. They were already privy to the inevitable outcome.

Someone else would undoubtedly handle the threat.

Ice Breath!

Before the Gold-ranked assailant could advance more than a few paces, a chilling torrent erupted from the shadows.

Fen, who had been trailing the group with protective intent, unleashed a blast of frigid breath that directly struck the attacker.

The man’s golden aura, which had enveloped him, froze instantly—and then fractured under the abrupt thermal shock.

His eyes widened in sheer astonishment as the protective layer he relied upon crumbled before his very sight.

Although he sustained no physical injury from the onslaught, this marked the first time he had encountered a creature below the Fourth Circle that possessed the ability to freeze one’s aura coating—an aspect inherently tied to Combat energy.

Fen moved forward, positioning himself a short distance ahead of the assailant, effectively barring his path towards Alex’s contingent.

“Awoooo!!!”

Fen emitted a long, resonant howl.

The hostile hesitated to advance, observing the peculiar beast—one capable of freezing energy itself—with extreme wariness.

However—

“That was a critical miscalculation,” Alex thought, noting the man’s reaction peripherally.

“Awooo!!!”

Responding howls immediately echoed from the encompassing mountains and elevated terrain surrounding the base.

The hostile sensed it instantly—multiple predatory gazes converging upon him from beyond the perimeter walls.

Recognizing the perilous situation, he impulsively lunged towards Fen in a desperate bid to neutralize the perceived threat. Nevertheless, the ashen-furred wolf moved with remarkable agility, effortlessly evading each of his lunging attacks.

Moments later, the man’s growing dread materialized into reality.

Dozens of wolves—varying in strength and species—stormed into the fortified area.

At least five Class 2 wolves surged towards him in near-perfect synchronized action.

One attacked low, targeting his legs. As he shifted to counter the lunge, another wolf raked his back with its sharp claws.

“Argh!” he groaned.

Ice Bolt!

He spun around to retaliate, but a perfectly timed ice bolt from Fen struck his weapon, dislodging the sword from his grasp while simultaneously freezing his hand in place.

Another wolf leaped onto his back, its jaws snapping menacingly towards his neck. The man reacted swiftly, driving a powerful punch into its skull, sending it tumbling to the ground.

Yet, the relentless assault did not cease.

A wolf darted forward and collided with the back of his knees, destabilizing him. Almost immediately, another slammed into him from the side, causing him to fall completely to the ground.

The five wolves encircled the fallen man, looming over his prone form.

They quickly and relentlessly finished their grim task upon him.

"Awooo!!!"

A victorious howl erupted from the wolves, directed towards their Alpha.

"Awooo!!!"

Fen answered with his own commanding cry.

"Awooo!!!"

Additional wolves converged on the scene, their howls merging into a harmonious chorus.

Without hesitation, Fen spearheaded the pack's advance, plunging deeper into the enemy base. Their arrival served to reinforce the Fortuna Company's ranks, substantially mitigating their disadvantage in numbers.

Meanwhile, elsewhere within the settlement, an enemy operative moved with stealth—or rather, cowardice—amidst the unfolding chaos.

He navigated through the skirmishes, clearly displaying his fear, narrowly dodging the clashes until he finally reached a structure akin to a dovecote, which housed various species of messenger birds.

With hands that trembled, the man hastily affixed strips of red cloth to several of the birds before releasing them into the darkened sky.

The avian messengers took to the air, their initial flight paths leading away from the settlement...

"Scree!!!"

A sharp, majestic avian shriek pierced the night.

Senu, who had been engaged in swooping attacks and suppressing enemy positions—softening them up for the Fortuna Company—halted her aerial maneuvers.

The instant she observed the messenger birds attempting to escape the settlement, she let out a piercing yell.

Upon hearing the cry, the messenger birds shuddered intensely, their flight becoming erratic. Some even ceased flapping their wings altogether, plummeting ungracefully from the sky.

Regal Aura!

"Scree!!!"

Queen Senu issued another cry, this time imbued with her Regal Aura. The authority contained within it was undeniable.

As if governed by an invisible force, the birds immediately began their descent from the heavens.

These were mere common creatures of Class 0, possibly with a handful of weak Class 1s interspersed at best.

None dared to defy the authority of a true sovereign of the skies. Faced with such overwhelming pressure, not a single bird attempted to continue its flight.

The cowardly man gazed upward, frozen in stunned disbelief.

He had mustered every iota of courage he possessed to dispatch those birds, harboring the hope of alerting their leader, Brock Peyton, to the ongoing raid on their base.

Yet, that fragile display of bravery... had been utterly annihilated in a single moment.

Overcome by panic, he turned to flee the dovecote.

Bang!

Unfortunately for him, a Fury Knight had already stealthily approached from behind.

Before the man could even turn around, the knight executed a swift, precise backhand strike—driving the pommel of his sword into the side of the man's head.

The man collapsed instantly, his consciousness extinguished.

Without any delay, the Fury Knight bound the unconscious man, securing him in a corner of the dovecote before continuing his mission.

Individuals entrusted with the management of vital facilities—such as this dovecote—were considered valuable sources for obtaining intelligence.

Furthermore, given that they were frequently non-combatants, the Fury Knights, and the Fortuna Company as a whole, harbored no particular inclination to eliminate them, even during a retaliatory operation.

Alex raised his gaze towards the sky, observing Senu's movements, before glancing back at Fen positioned behind him.

A subtle smile graced his features.

***