If you can't fight in close combat, what kind of magician are you?

The Flower Mage, pausing her steps, lightly tapped her staff on the ground the moment she reunited with Samael and Anna. A pink ripple spread outwards.

Thick silver chains crisscrossed and smashed into the ground, shredding the three figures instantly.

But in the next moment, the remains transformed into petals scattered across the sky.

Then, these beautiful pink and white objects spread out, forming dancing butterflies that obscured the vision of the pursuers and the horde of magical beasts.

When the beautiful, androgynous green-haired individual waved away the light-shaped butterflies surrounding her, and the view cleared, a large number of magical beasts around them lay on the ground, drowsily asleep.

"Useless!"

The pursuer snorted and bent down, placing a hand on the ground. A green aura spread out in circles, and with keen sensory perception, the three figures a few kilometers away were quickly locked onto again.

While top-tier illusions could deceive for a time, as long as one remembered their essential life rhythms, everything would be exposed under this perception favored by the earth.

However, just as the androgynous green-haired beauty pinpointed their location and prepared to continue the pursuit, her heart violently throbbed, and a frantic roar echoed in her mind.

Mother has awakened?

Tsk, her condition is still unstable. I can't just leave her unattended all day, can I? You're lucky!

The green-haired beauty glanced with slight unwillingness at the reed marsh enveloped in darkness. Magic surged from the soles of her feet, and the ground trembled violently.

The magical beasts around them, previously rendered unconscious by the illusion, awoke one after another, flipping over and leaping up.

"Remember the scent of those three rats and keep chasing!"

As long as her mother's safety was ensured, there would be no shortage of these degraded magical beasts.

Bringing them back on the return journey would be a burden. Let these idiots wreak havoc in the heartland of Mesopotamia, expending their last bit of energy for Mother's great cause.

Under the green-haired beauty's cold snort and command, she flew high into the sky, heading back towards the cedar forest beyond the Babylonian defense line.

Hundreds of magical beasts, like hounds released from their leashes, excitedly sniffed the lingering traces and stampeded towards the reed marsh.

Wrapped in petals and transported tens of miles away, the three individuals hadn't even caught their breath when rustling sounds came incessantly from within the verdant wild grass.

Under the faint moonlight, dozens of tracks crisscrossed, and violent growls erupted one after another.

The three, now surrounded and cut off, placed their backs together, forming a triangular formation, each on guard.

Samael, who had been amazed by Merlin earlier, looked at the Great Sage, rumored to have the qualifications of a Crown Mage.

"Don't look at me. After that large-scale illusion and teleportation just now, your understanding big brother has been completely drained."

"You two, considering the situation just now, you must protect me."

The white-haired con artist spread his hands and shrugged helplessly. His face, habitually adorned with a frivolous smile, showed no hint of tension, making it impossible to discern the truth of his words.

"Tsk, Merlin is so useless!"

Anna, her complexion restored to normal, let out a disdainful snort, gripping her scythe blades with both hands and assuming a ready stance.

"Do you expect me to fight these beasts bare-handed? I should at least have a weapon!"

Seeing the incubus truly step back with clasped hands, looking like he was shirking responsibility, Samael's expression darkened.

"That's easy!"

Merlin unhesitatingly drew a magnificent longsword from the inside of his staff and handed it to the Sumerian traveler with a smile.

"You're a mage, aren't you?"

Samael's expression stiffened slightly as he looked at the ice-cold sword in his hand.

Did that staff of his really function as a scabbard?

"I'm not good at magic to begin with. If I chant spells too quickly, I'll bite my tongue."

"Besides, it's perfectly reasonable for a mage with little close-combat defense to carry a sword for self-preservation, right?"

The incubus blinked, his expression stating the obvious.

Then what kind of mage are you? And you're of Crown caliber? This is it?

As far as he knew, there were roughly three mages in history who possessed Crown-level qualifications.

They were King of Wisdom Gilgamesh, King of Mages Solomon, and Great Sage Merlin.

One pioneered, one carried on the brilliance, and one was the afterglow of a setting sun.

But strangely, these three who spanned the entire history of magecraft were basically not the type to cast spells and chant incantations properly; they were more adept at close combat than magic.

Therefore, these three were given "elegant titles" that overshadowed the mages of their time, based on their different preferences for close combat awakened during their magic casting.

One was the Axe King of Uruk...

One was the Israel Fist Emperor...

One was the Sword Saint of Avalon...

Look at this, these mages with Crown qualifications, they really don't take their talent seriously, do they? What kind of people are they!

Samael, finding himself in a difficult situation, felt jealous and bitter.

But there was no time for sadness as the Ancient Snake saw seven or eight magical beasts emerge from the gaps in the wild grass and trot towards them.

He could only recall the trials he underwent in the underworld, using Anna as the tip of his spear, adjusting his stance, channeling his magic, and striking unexpectedly.

"Mm-hmm, the combat techniques are common in Uruk, and while they're a bit rusty, they're decent enough."

"Go, little brother!"

The incubus, watching from the sidelines, stroked his smooth chin and offered a sincere critique, along with some cheerful encouragement.

At this moment, Samael, who had gradually stabilized his footing, found himself once again grateful to Ereshkigal, his demanding master.

It was thanks to the round after round of Garuda Spirit training sessions in the underworld, as well as the combat techniques and insights left behind by General Tarle, that Samael was able to integrate into his Sumerian human identity.

"This sword strike is off, aim a little higher…"

"Watch your right, don't miss that swamp over there…"

"Anna, your movements are too aggressive. Conserve some energy. There are so many demonic beasts tonight; this is going to be a tough attrition battle…"

However, Merlin, who was watching from the rear, wouldn't stop chiming in, greatly irritating the two who were fighting with all their might.

"If you're so good, you do it!"

"Uh, my magic hasn't recovered yet. Wait a bit more…"

"Then shut up!"

"If you can't do it, don't just blab!"

Anna and Samael, fighting while retreating, turned their heads and roared in unison, their gazes practically murderous.

The incubus, with a look of relaxed ease, shrunk his neck and shook his head helplessly.

Meanwhile, in secret, the great sage, who remained constantly vigilant, quietly breathed a sigh of relief, a flicker of fortune flashing in his eyes.

The divine construct hadn't seized the opportunity to strike when the opening was presented. It seemed she wasn't pursuing them any further and had already returned to the Temple of Blood.

But it was truly a shame.

Even though there would be risks along the way, if he had successfully lured her back to Uruk.

Then she wouldn't just be facing me and Anna, but also a certain Heroic King who had been waiting for a long time.

This fellow had already used Enkidu's name to capture several cities in succession.

The destruction caused by her alone surpassed even the demonic beasts outside of Babylonia.

If this divine construct could be kept here, the morale of the demonic beast goddess's side would undoubtedly suffer a severe blow, making this journey incredibly profitable.

Well, never mind, one can't force things, and besides, it wasn't without gains.

Not only did he find Anna in the fir forest, but this new traveler who joined them on the road might also bring him new surprises.

The cunning incubus smiled as he looked at Samael, who was battling the demonic beasts, his lips curling slightly.