The Conquerors Path Chapter 978 - 976-Reckoning Has Arrived.

"What the hell is this!?"

The young human male let out a scream as he stared at the barrier. Confusion clouded his eyes while he desperately lashed out with attacks, yet he failed to leave even a single scratch upon its surface.

"Young Master, this is no ordinary thing."

The Imperial stepped forward, his voice trembling as he observed the shimmering wall before him. It defied logic that any defensive measure could withstand the sheer might of an Imperial’s power. If such a feat were possible, why would anyone strive to reach the Imperial rank when a mere device could nullify their entire Cultivation?

"This is a formidable barrier. Even from my perspective, the way it functions is beyond my ability to perceive..."

As he spoke, the man began manifesting his domain around the structure to launch an assault. The barrier remained tall and imposing, yet to the naked eye, it appeared to be waning, its energy reserves depleting bit by bit. At this sight, the tension in the young men's eyes relaxed slightly, but the older men only grew more solemn.

Once a barrier of this magnitude was triggered, it was a certainty that some form of alert or signal had been dispatched to others.

"Young Master, I am going to exert the majority of my power. We must shatter this before any unwanted attention shifts back toward us. Speed is of the essence."

The Imperial's warning weighed heavily on the two young men. The circumstances had evolved into something far more dangerous than they had anticipated. They had prepared for every variable, even going so far as to forcibly suppress the surrounding mana, yet a protective artefact had still manifested, defying the logic they had established.

"Tillian, it appears something has gone awry," the lion beastman remarked.

Tillian, the young human student, merely offered a smirk in response.

"So what? No signal can penetrate this isolation, and even if one did, we would have wiped away every trace and vanished long before anyone could arrive."

"This situation has already deviated from our original plan. We must remain cautious," Imin, the lion beastman, cautioned.

In response to Imin's words, Tillian turned his gaze toward the shimmering veil protecting Elda. As they spoke, the shield was visibly shrinking and losing its luster.

"Do you truly wish to abandon this? Think of the taste of it. Think of the absolute power we will wield once she is ours, especially now that we are so close."

Hearing Tillian’s words, Imin looked at Elda, his eyes igniting with the same lust and greed. Her extreme beauty, unlike anything he had ever beheld, was impossible to let go of. However, beyond mere desire, a much darker motive drove their kidnapping attempt. Her bloodline represented the key to elevating their faction’s power beyond all imagination.

This scheme had been set in motion long ago, ever since they confirmed the potential of fairy blood and the vast influence it could grant. They had waited for the perfect moment to execute it; now, with the entire academy reeling and buzzing with the excitement of the recent battle, the time was right.

It was the ideal window, while everyone’s focus was diverted. The heat, the adrenaline, and the blood-pumping chaos provided a flawless opportunity where mistakes were overlooked and attention was scattered. Furthermore, the enigmatic Austin Lionheart had just been lured away.

With a moment of clarity, the plan was initiated. Failure was not an option, as the repercussions would be too catastrophic for any of them to survive. This was a ride-or-die gamble. Imin understood this grim reality as he stared at Elda within her sanctuary. Nearby, the two teachers, Kovick and Mansi, watched the scene with eyes full of anxiety and dread.

They had gambled everything on this single moment. Both had been planted by the powerful families backing Imin and Tillian, making this a life-or-death turning point for them as well. If they failed to cover their tracks as planned, death would be the most merciful outcome they could hope for.

Tension gripped the room, yet it began to dissipate as they watched the Imperial’s relentless attacks melt away the golden barrier. The Imperial named Obion wore a faint frown, focusing his domain power to erode the shield.

"I never imagined a barrier existed that could endure a sustained assault from an Imperial for this long. This deserves study."

Obion’s remark caused the teachers' eyes to light up with greed as they scrutinized the hairpin atop Elda’s head. Its design was modest and minimalist, yet the power it contained surpassed their wildest dreams.

"I suspect it belongs to the ancient era. According to our intelligence, Austin Lionheart traveled the world extensively. One can only guess what treasures he managed to scavenge."

The thirst for knowledge and greed was plain on Kovick’s face, though he hid a deep-seated fear of the student who had arrived at the academy like a shooting star. Austin had risen from an obscure name to the world's center stage with a meteoric speed that even the hidden Elders of the War Council—those who read the stars and worship fate—had failed to foresee.

He was a disturbance so immense that the very laws of the world seemed to coalesce around him. His strength and background were not to be trifled with. Yet, as their excitement surged and the tension ebbed, they watched Elda come within their reach. Only a few moments remained before their trap would snap shut...

Suddenly, the world froze.

To those in the room, it felt as though time itself had come to a standstill. It was that peculiar sensation when adrenaline is at its peak, and everything around you suddenly slows down. However, this time, the sensation was accompanied by an overwhelming sense of primal dread.

It felt as if a predator of unfathomable horror had locked its gaze upon them. That suffocating pressure radiated through the air. Their bodies locked up, their domains crumbled, and they found themselves unable to twitch a single muscle. It was as if the very fabric of space had been torn asunder. A majestic figure, shimmering with golden tattoos, appeared beside Elda, hovering a few inches above the floor.

No one dared to draw a breath; they had forgotten how. For the conspirators, it felt like the end of the world, but for Elda, it felt like the most comforting embrace imaginable. Only one person could make her feel this way. Despite the tattoos and the overwhelming aura surrounding Austin, Elda knew instantly who had come to save her.

"Brother..."

Elda’s whisper cut through the absolute silence like a thunderclap. In that heartbeat, the blood of every person in the room ran cold. The Imperial Obion and the half-step Imperial Quax felt it most acutely. They could practically feel the cold grip of death tightening around their throats, dragging them toward the abyss.

"Ho—How...?"

Only that single, trembling word managed to escape Obion’s lips as his entire frame shook. He was paralyzed. Time seemed to warp as Austin turned to Elda, a soft smile gracing his features as the golden barrier finally dissolved. Floating beside her, he checked her over to ensure she was unharmed.

"Are you alright?"

"Um..."

Elda gave a shy nod, her fears vanishing instantly. Seeing her safety, Austin smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"I really can't leave you alone for even a second, can I?"

He playfully booped her nose. Elda shyly swatted his hand away, and with that, Austin’s gaze shifted to the others in the room. His time was limited. In a matter of seconds, the terrifying aura he projected would diminish. Furthermore, a wave of reinforcements would soon descend upon the location, as he had violently shattered the spatial locks to arrive so quickly.

Every authority figure now knew that a being of supreme power had breached the restrictions. Backup was imminent. However, those few remaining seconds were all Austin required.

Then, Austin moved. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, he had returned to his original spot. To a keen observer, he had merely flickered for a fraction of a second before standing once more at Elda’s side. Yet, the consequences of his movements began to unfold like clockwork.