Legacy of the Dark Sage

The attack happened so fast that Veles and the others were momentarily shocked. However, because of their years of experience, they recovered their wits immediately and acted accordingly.

Celestine turned his attention to the projector while reestablishing his Divine Sense. Prior to the explosion, he and the rest of the war room representatives had not seen any noticeable change in the enemies' movement. It was for this reason that they were surprised at the sudden attack. In any case, even if there had been no movement change from the enemy side, that did not mean they were not doing anything.

Just like how the enemies attacked the Military District, even with the Dragon Clan's array formation in place, Celestine, or even Ducal, had not sensed anything amiss. Considering this, the enemies might have a way to ignore or bypass some of the array formation's defensive formulas and hide their presence.

This in itself was already problematic. However, what was even more concerning was that Ducal, known as the most knowledgeable in Array in the Dragon Clan, was unable to predict or sense the enemy as they slipped into their plane's array formation.

It reminded Celestine of when the Solis Clan was previously attacked. Though few, some mages managed to slip into the array formation's gaps and enter the plane. Fortunately, Ducal had no trouble locating the intruders and took care of them immediately.

Nevertheless, that incident gave them an idea not to be complacent just because their array formation was considered one of the best in the Higher Realm. Thus, Ducal, with Aillos, Kyran, and Rae, reviewed the plane's array formation and worked on enhancing it.

In the end, Rae was the only one who enhanced the formation by adding all those specialized formulas. Ducal could only watch and assist with providing the materials needed. As for the rest of the enhancements on the formation, they planned to do it after Kyran returned.

Alas. Kyran, who was expected to return after finishing his business in the Crepuscule Clan, got delayed and even met with The Emperor. News of the Crepuscule Auction House's destruction followed, and after that, they had not heard anything from Kyran.

They knew more or less that Kyran could not send a regular message to the Dragon Clan, even if it was coded to avoid leaving traces. The Ogen Clan, especially Leif, who accompanied him to the Crepuscule Auction House, could also not send a message because the Dragon Clan had supposedly 'closed off' their doors. It would raise suspicions if someone learned that the Dragon Clan and the Ogen Clan were in correspondence even during their 'closed door' days.

Putting the matter of enhancing the Dragon Plane's Array Formation, Celestine wracked his brain, figuring out how their enemy managed to sneak in and attack without their detection. They suspected their levels to exceed theirs, but having a high level did not guarantee an advantage over sneak attacks.

Moreover, dragons were innately sensitive. Their naturally keen senses acted like a sixth sense, allowing them to react highly to threats— especially those with killing intentions.

'...!'

Celestine's eyes widened as realization hit, and he immediately shared his thoughts with the others.

<The enemies may be capable of hiding not only their aura but also their killing intent. Be careful!>

Veles and the rest of the Aides connected to the backup communication channel narrowed their eyes at Celestine's warning.

Like Celestine, Veles and the others had thoughts of their own and came to the same conclusion.

But realizing it now did not change their current situation. With that in mind, they had to focus on things they could do.

Nithe, Nothum, and Veles did not leave their post and instead sent one company each to Aella's side. After all, the explosion might be part of the enemy's plan to agitate them. In any case, they believed in Aella. The explosion looked dangerous, but they were all dragons.

Nithe, Nothum, and Veles only hoped that the core at Aella's side could survive even longer.

Boom! Booom! Booom!

Successive explosions could be heard from a distance. From this, it was not hard for Veles and the the others to guess that Aella and her group was fending against the enemies' attacks.

<The number of the Sentinels detected was still the same. However, there may be a couple or three that can conceal themselves, as well as their killing intentions, who managed to slip through the array formation.>

Celestine's report came throught he communication device.

<It's also better to think that they are aware of the four cores in the array formation and decided to deal with it first.>

Even without him telling this, Veles and the others already suspected it. This was the reason they did not leave their post and only sent a company to check and support Aella's side.

<Be careful—>

Crackle.

"!"

BOOM!

Veles first sensed his connection to the backup communication channel getting cut, and a second later, an invisible attack dropped from above. The impact caused a massive explosion that would have destroyed any normal human.

A cloud of smoke covered a large area of the surroundings after the impact, lowering the visibility.

"Hm? Strange. I did not expect you to react so fast."

An unfamiliar voice.

Veles's eyes flashed viciously as he looked up.
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As if nature resonated with his emotions, a fierce gust of wind flowed in the surroundings and instantly removed the cloud of smoke.

The moment the surroundings were cleared, a translucent black dome was revealed, and Veles and his group could be seen inside.

A few meters above the translucent black dome was a white figure in silver and white armor. From the voice that spoke just then and the shape of the figure's armor, the latter could be easily mistaken as a man.

However, as far as Veles was concerned, Sentinels were genderless. In fact, some beings in the Higher Realm were like that.

The Sentinel looked at Veles while tilting his head.

As Celestine guessed, the Sentinel did not exude any aura or have killing intent.

If Veles had to compare him to someone, he was similar to Kyran. However, it was also different.

Kyran's presence was reminiscent of being nothing. However, the Sentinel before Veles was there, but somehow, his presence and emotions were missing, as if the Sentinel was not real.

It wasn't very clear. But that was how Veles sensed it. And though the Sentinel appeared unreal, he was physically there.

The members of the Veles's group looked at the Sentinel warily. They could not react when the latter attacked, but they did sense something and braced themselves for impact. If Veles did not release his barrier, they would have been injured. It was not to the point that they would be rendered immobile, but it would have been disadvantageous to Veles, mainly if the Sentinel chose to attack them first.

"Such a fierce glare. You do not have to be so—"

Whoosh!

The Sentinel retreated almost in an instant as it sensed an incoming threat.

"Hm?" he tilted his head and looked as if he was confused. He looked at the spot where he had been a second ago and found Veles, whose body resembled a black obsidian dragon, albeit in human form.

Veles's arm was outstretched as if he had just tried to swipe at something. Obviously, he intended to attack the Sentinel, but the latter managed to retreat before his claws could dig into his flesh.

Trickle.

The Sentinel's eyes widened as he felt something wet drop down on his shoulders. Using the corner of his eyes, he found the reason. His left shoulder was injured, and gold blood tricked down from it. Judging from the shape of the injury, Veles's claws managed to hit after all.

"Tsk," Veles clicked his tongue. He wanted to rip off the Sentinel's arm but failed because he did not anticipate the latter's speed. It seemed he had to increase his speed more.

"..."

The Sentinel's expression immediately turned cold as he looked at Veles again.

"To think that you have the audacity to—"

Whoosh! Whip!

Veles disappeared and appeared before the Sentinel. His claws aimed at the latter's chest.

Slash!

"!"

The Sentinel managed to dodge Veles's claws. However, the latter still left a deep slash in his armor.

Veles frowned inwardly. He sensed it earlier but thought he might be wrong. But seeing the Sentinel's armor slashed by his claws confirmed his suspicion.

'He doesn't have a defensive magic?'

But Veles did not have time to contemplate as the Sentinel's body emitted a blinding light.

Dragon Step!

Veles disappeared and appeared back inside the translucent black dome because he sensed the Sentinel's move was not simple. He would have evaded it usually, but he had an inkling that if he did, his members would suffer.

All dragons inside the translucent black dome also sensed something different from the Sentinel and immediately released their energy to reinforce the surroundings.

There was a reason the Sentinel attacked that spot and a reason the dragons did not leave. The core was there. The Sentinel would be free to aim at the core if they chose to dodge.