The Divine Countenance (4-in-1)

"Something's wrong. Very wrong!"

The First Prince rode forward slowly, his brows unconsciously furrowing.

"It just feels different from usual!"

The Royal Palace was quiet and solemn. Before dawn, the dim light made the road nearly impossible to see.

The guards' figures were faint. Under the illumination of torches and magic crystal lamps, everything appeared normal at first glance. But upon closer inspection, they seemed somewhat tense, as though secretly anticipating something.

The First Prince quietly placed a hand on his sword hilt, tensed his muscles, and pulled on the reins to stop his horse.

Somehow, it was as if a voice were telling him: Don't go through the gate! Don't go through the gate!

Suddenly, the sound of something tearing through the air rang out!

"Your Highness, be careful!"

Dozens of sharp arrows shot out from the darkness, tearing through the air with shrill whistles.

They rapidly embedded themselves in the ground around them, their fletching trembling. Several people fell with cries of pain.

"Protect His Highness!"

The knights beside the First Prince reacted extremely quickly. They hurriedly formed a wall of bodies, each of them swinging their longswords to block the arrows.

The Apprentice Mage hidden among the attendants also tore open the Magic Scroll he had prepared beforehand. Using the technique of swift casting, he chanted briefly: "Arrow Protection!"

A translucent Magic Barrier unfolded around the First Prince and those beside him. The rain of arrows clanged against it, all of them deflected.

However, before they could breathe a sigh of relief, an even deadlier attack followed.

"Damn it, javelins!"

The heavy javelins pierced through the Magic Barrier with terrifying force. Several knights were nailed to the ground on the spot, blood gushing from their bodies.

The Apprentice Mage had no choice but to tear open another