Slay the Enemy

As the last vine was consumed by the fiercely aggressive flames.

A flicker of surprise crossed Master Ali's face. Those vines were creations of his magic, extensions of his limbs in a sense, so he could clearly sense the terror of Lothar's flames and the edge of that female swordswoman.

"Looks like that Duke Lothar has made his move."

"Master, should we withdraw for now?"

Surrounded by dozens of armored cavalrymen, Governor Majid wore a worried expression. He was no self-important madman who would capture one castle and start shouting about taking Lothar alive and reclaiming the Holy Land.

Even Master Shemiel, the highest-ranking member of Saladin's advisory council, had suffered repeated defeats at the hands of Duke Lothar. Governor Adil and King Saladin each commanded armies stronger than his, yet they had all been thwarted by him.

He had taken the vanguard to earn merit and make a name for himself, not to add another achievement to his opponent's already illustrious record.

Master Ali pondered for a moment. "Only two of them came."

Though he had not personally attended the battle at Rashid, he had heard of the strength of these hostile spellcasters. Still, he was not entirely convinced.

"They all say Shemiel is the advisory council's strongest spellcaster, but I don't see it that way."

Master Ali's face showed a trace of disdain. "If he hadn't gotten there first and acquired that set of ancient Babylonian cuneiform tablets from the Alexandria Library, a spellcaster of his caliber wouldn't even be worth my notice."

Governor Majid smiled ingratiatingly. "You're right, Master. He was merely lucky. Would you like to show them your power?"

Master Ali fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "Forget it."

Majid stared blankly. What the hell? After all that boasting, he had thought