Anti-Magic Pillars

The ball continued, and more bureaucrats and nobles arrived.

Time flew by and it was already eight o'clock in the evening. The Emperor, escorted by the Imperial Mage Corps, arrived in full regalia.

He strode onto the platform, wearing a magnificent crown, a dark black military uniform with tassels fluttering on his shoulders, and a dark gold woven sash across his chest.

The dancers on the dance floor stopped dancing at the same time, took off their hats and bowed, and the crowd parted to make way for them.

The emperor walked down the red carpet, ascended the high platform, and delivered a speech to the public, recalling the glorious years of the empire, commemorating the martyrs, and talking about the bright future.

"Clap clap!"

The speech ended, and the audience erupted in continuous applause.

The emperor bowed slightly, stepped down from the high platform, and, led by his attendants, met with various nobles and feudal lords.

"He's quite busy."

Frieren looked at the emperor, who was so busy he didn't even have time to drink a sip of water, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"It's almost midnight, the time when the prophecy in my dream foretold my death..."

Serie looked around, feeling slightly nervous.

In the past, when faced with danger, she would instantly recall more than seven spells that could crush her enemies.

Now, having founded the Continental Magic Association, she prioritizes granting highly practical magic to her students as a privilege...

When Serie was in danger, the first magic she thought of was the Divine Heavenly Might Magic, but it had been given away and couldn't be used.

The second spell, Eye of the Grim Reaper, well! I gave that away too.

The third spell, Stopped Time and Space, well, I gave it away too.

The fourth spell, Sacred Sword, emmm, has several steps, and I got confused with the other spells I'd already given away, so it's unusable.

When facing an enemy, it would take her a very long time just to think through all the spells she could think of and determine whether they were usable.

However, in a life-or-death Duel, when survival is at stake, the enemy will not care about martial ethics.

A single second—no, even a moment of carelessness or hesitation—would have been enough to cost her dearly.

For her own safety, Serie could leave the ball directly, but she also had a reason to stay: the assassins had taken Serie's students hostage.

If she doesn't attend the ball today, her lovely students will be assassinated one by one.

Therefore, for the sake of her students and to find the enemy, Serie must be present today.

At eleven o'clock that night, the emperor, surrounded by nobles, walked up to Serie.

"By the way, what are we going to talk about?"

The emperor sat down in the chair, looking tired, and glanced at his secretary behind him.

"Regarding leadership in magical affairs, mutual licensing of magical inventions, and joint research and development of magic..."

The secretary smiled politely and casually raised a whole host of troublesome issues.

"In that case, let's have a good talk!"

Serie put down her knife and fork, wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth, and looked intently at the Emperor.

The two engaged in a heated debate on a series of important issues concerning the Empire and the Continental Magic Association.

Their subordinates also joined the game.

Time flies, and it's almost midnight.

Deep underground, behind the underground passage of the Silver Maple Autumn Palace, a magnificent underground palace suddenly unfolds.

Seven thick, Anti-Magic Ore pillars stand in a neat row, rooted in thick rock layers, reaching straight to the dome. The mine bodies emanate a cold, dark blue light, majestic and solemn.

Varos, fully armed in armor, carrying a spear, and wearing a helmet, approached a demon-sealing pillar and gently tapped it.

"It's so heavy! There's no way I could possibly throw this demon-sealing pillar into the ball."

Kleis, dressed in a tight-fitting assassin's outfit, his blond hair standing on end, and carrying a broadsword on his back, walked to the mechanism button.

"Stop lamenting, quickly check the mechanism. We need to ensure that all seven Anti-Magic Ore Pillars are simultaneously launched by the mechanism and land at the ball, completely sealing the magic of Serie, Frieren, Dugu Qing, and the others."

The two inspected the seven huge cranes and found nothing unusual. They checked the time and realized it was already 11:52.

The two waited a while longer, until 11:59, then walked to the switch and gently pressed it.

"Click-clack!"

The gears hummed, and the entire machine operated steadily.

More than a dozen thick, massive metal arms slowly extended, firmly gripping the Anti-Magic Ore Pillar, continuously increasing pressure and accumulating power.

The next moment, the giant arm exerted its strength, and the heavy ore pillar was hurled out, rushing through the narrow underground palace passage with a whooshing sound like thunder, heading straight for the main hall.

"Boom!"

Inside the palace, a deafening roar suddenly erupted.

Seven Anti-Magic Ore pillars burst forth from the ground one after another, shattering rock layers and shaking heaven and earth. They stretched across the main hall, tearing apart the empire's illusion of prosperity.

Serie's pupils constricted, her hair stood on end, and she realized that she had been completely cut off from the immense magical power and had turned into an innocent little girl.

She suddenly stood up, took a step, and walked towards Dugu Qing, the most powerful warrior present.

"Assassin! There's an assassin!"

"How dare they cause trouble at the National Day Ball! Where is the Imperial Mage Corps?! Come and protect us!"

"Your Majesty, please leave here as soon as possible."

"Who on earth dares to oppose the Empire? They have an audacity beyond belief!"

The main hall was filled with a cacophony of voices and noise, completely out of control.

The Shadow Warriors, led by Kelaimatisi, brazenly marched through the crowd and charged toward Serie.

"Outrageous! The Shadow Warriors have gone too far! And Fuleisi, what is she trying to do?! They actually had the Shadow Warriors prepare so many Anti-Magic Ore! Even if they can kill Serie, can they stop the Continental Magic Association's counterattack?!"

The emperor clenched his fists, his face grim, wishing he could strangle all the troublemakers.

"Dugu Qing, the task of protecting Lady Serie can only be entrusted to you."

Jian Ze looked at Dugu Qing and pushed Fern and Frieren into Dugu Qing's arms all at once.

Serie, Frieren, Fern, having lost their magic, were pale and boneless, looking expectantly at Dugu Qing.

Facing the expectant gazes of the women, Dugu Qing put on her gloves, her face slightly flushed.

"Don't worry! I'll protect everyone."

The members of the Imperial Mage Corps exchanged glances, then tacitly raised their hands, grabbed the emperor's arm, and walked towards the main gate.

"Your Majesty, please retreat with us."

The emperor was particularly disgusted by the brutal and unconsidered actions.

"What are you trying to do! I am the emperor! Where is Fuleisi? Bring Fuleisi here!"

The emperor suppressed his anger, growling softly, trying his best to maintain the last vestiges of dignity for the empire.

The members of the Imperial Mage Corps, expressionless, carried the emperor and rushed out of the crowd.

"Your Majesty, the Shadow Warriors are causing chaos. The palace is no longer safe. Please come with us to the Imperial Mage Corps headquarters for refuge! Lady Fuleisi will arrange everything."

The emperor gritted his teeth, then smiled knowingly, realizing why Fuleisi had allowed the Shadow Warriors to run rampant.

"Well, well said, 'If you want to take something, you must first give something. 'Fuleisi is using the Shadow Warriors as a weapon!"

Seven or eight members of the Imperial Mage Corps, "protecting" the emperor, disappeared from the palace with lightning speed before anyone could react.

In the center of the hall, Kelaimatisi, Shurit, Lutine, Gazelle, Nadal... finally came before Serie.

Disguised as nobles and hidden in the shadows, the Shadow Warriors also revealed themselves, brandishing their sharp blades and surrounding Serie, Frilian, Frieren, Dugu Qing Fern, and the others.