The Golem Mage Chapter 1130: First Invasion 3.

“Am I the only one perceptive enough to witness this, or can the remainder of you observe this formidable stone wall too?” a High Orc General, his back adorned with a colossal greatsword, inquired aloud as their cavalcade advanced.

“You are not alone in your observation. My sole query is how, with such astonishing speed, they devised and erected this barrier, all without the slightest inkling reaching our scouts or any subsequent reports.”

“While its construction may not possess the solidity of our own fortifications, this obstruction will undoubtedly impede our invasion significantly. Scaling these walls could prove exceptionally disadvantageous, especially considering we are unequipped with any siege weaponry,” the sole female High Orc General among them commented.

However, the third general responded with unrestrained, booming laughter.

“Cease your tedious lecture. Grand Marshal Orga is not present to endure your drivel. We shall charge headlong, shatter their gates, extinguish their king, and claim all for ourselves.

“Even if they’ve erected gates, I refuse to believe every soul within that city has transformed into superheroes overnight. They remain the same feeble humans who haven’t produced a single mid-tier mage in years, primarily because no lord has ever committed to remaining and cultivating the land properly. Therefore, believe it or not, this will be a straightforward victory.”

After delivering that barb towards the female High Orc General, the third general extended his hand forward and commanded the advance. The Orcish units behind him seemed instantly electrified, their momentum surging as they charged onward with even greater ferocity.

_ _

Merely moments later, subsequent to Brandon receiving Alec’s communication asserting the dispatch of aid, he perceived a substantial object descending just beyond his castle’s perimeter.

The resounding thud caused him to involuntarily close his eyes, his senses expanding. He channeled both his earth element and mental prowess, attempting to ascertain the nature of the impact, as he remained unable to rise from his seated position.

Directly outside the castle, viewed from a specific vantage point, an entity materialized that bore an uncanny resemblance to a Space Axis, yet demonstrably more advanced in design.

The instant its formation was complete, a portal flickered to life within it. As the portal began to churn, Butcher emerged first, his formidable Thunder Battle Axe gripped firmly in his hand. Oni followed closely behind him, with Hunter not far behind.

The very moment they materialized, all three turned their gazes towards the city’s main gate.

“They have arrived. I shall proceed to the front gate immediately to serve as the vanguard. The two of you may determine amongst yourselves who will enter to inform Master’s brother that we are here and will be assisting him in defending this city until all threats are neutralized,” Butcher stated with haste.

Before either of his companions could offer a response, he channeled power into his legs, transforming into a streak of lightning and hurtling through the air towards the gate.

Both Oni and Hunter exhibited signs of irritation, as neither relished the prospect of acting as a mere babysitter. Although Butcher had framed it as a choice for only one of them to inform Brandon, the directive Alec had assigned them was unequivocal: they were to collectively decide who would remain to safeguard Brandon while the synchronization process continued.

Significantly, even the primary golems accompanying Alec were dispatching their most elite captain-rank golems to the other six regions, tasked with maintaining vigilance over the lords situated there.

The rationale behind Alec’s insistence on leaving one of his core golems to ensure Brandon’s protection stemmed from his suspicion that, should the Orcs perceive their offensive faltering, they might target the City Heart directly. This action, if successful, would dislodge the token intrinsically linked to it, thereby stripping the lord of his title and revoking all access to the network afforded by his position.

Although this outcome was no longer entirely possible for Brandon in his current capacity as a sub-lord, his city heart could still be temporarily seized. However, due to implemented restrictions, complete control could not be established. To achieve that, their focus would necessarily shift to the main City Heart, which, coincidentally, belonged to Alec.

Nevertheless, Alec remained unwilling to leave anything to chance, fearing they might still attempt to storm the throne room and, out of sheer frustration, inflict harm upon Brandon.

This precise concern was the impetus for his decision to station a Tier 7 Golem Mage behind.

“I shall proceed. You are aware that my units are ill-suited for defensive engagements—they excel in dominating the open field,” Oni declared before ascending into the air like a malevolent specter, swiftly departing the scene.

“The fu—” Hunter exclaimed, witnessing Oni’s shameless abandonment, leaving him as well. He found himself questioning the relevance of summoned units to the task of protecting an individual in the first place.

Nevertheless, deeming himself the unfortunate recipient of the short straw in this particular instance, tasked with protection duty, he resolved to undertake the responsibility with utmost seriousness.

He extended his hand outward, projecting a magic circle into the atmosphere. From this foundational circle, smaller, interconnected circles bloomed, expanded, and propagated outward. Soon, ten grim-visaged iron golems materialized, each meticulously crafted to resemble a fully armored knight of imposing stature.

“Spread out and take your positions. Anyone who approaches with suspicious intentions, restrain them. If they resist, kill them. I’ll be heading inside,” Hunter commanded his minion golems before making his way toward the throne room with his towering frame.

Butcher was the first to reach the city gate, and upon his arrival, his lightning-travel form disintegrated, reconstructing back into his true body.

When the inhabitants observed him emerging from the direction of the city lord’s castle, they immediately erupted in celebration, convinced their ruling lord had dispatched a defender for them.

Merely seconds later, Oni materialized beside Butcher, who turned to face him.

“Why do I get the feeling you are no different from me?” Butcher inquired, a grin stretching across his face.

“Let’s simply eliminate these intruders and return to our master’s side,” Oni responded, his masked visage revealing little to no emotion. With that, the pair shot out from the city gates, hurtling toward the advancing Orc army, intent on intercepting them long before they could reach the walls.

“Halt!!!”

The thunderous command of the High Orc General, wielding his greatsword, echoed as the Orcs behind him halted their advance, all eyes fixed upon the two figures who had materialized before them.

“Who is the master of you paltry magical constructs to dare obstruct the path of the Orc lord’s army?” the leading High Orc, the one who had issued the command, demanded.

The instant those words were uttered, both golems were already seething.

“Who in the blazes does your lord consider himself to be, claiming dominion over lands that will soon be my master’s?” Butcher retorted fiercely.

“You see, my subordinate here enjoys talking a bit too much, so I’ll simplify things for all of you,” Oni stated, drawing forth his colossal dark scythe.

“Precisely how do you all wish to meet your demise for trespassing?”

Concurrently, Butcher casually rested his axe upon his shoulder as they both gazed at the Orcs before them with undisguised contempt.