As for the Three Great Academies, their original base lay in the forest outside the city. Though once fighting began, the entire Vesta Woodland would likely become part of the Ancient One's power, the academy professors had decided to leave the High-Ring Arcanists of the Three Great Academies outside the city in order to relieve as much pressure on the city as possible.
Without the entire city serving as the ritual's foundation, acting rashly outside the city was naturally extremely dangerous. But over the past month, the academies had not gained nothing in the woods. They had basically pieced together the general structure of the ancient Sealing Ritual centered around the countless ancient temples and altars in the forest.
Although that ancient seal could no longer be restarted in this age after the departure of the Old Gods, the academies could use some of the restored temple ruins as ritual cores and draw upon the seal's final remnants of power.
At that time, the Three Great Academies would rely on those ancient temples and, together with the Old God Cults willing to remain and help, open up a second battlefield outside the city. Besides easing the pressure on the city, this would also prepare support for the God Summoner's advance into the depths of the forest after dealing with matters in the city.
The Church and the academies had quite a few allies. Besides the dragons of Dragon Island coming to join the battle, small Ring Arcanist groups such as the Hermits of the Forest would also provide assistance.
More importantly, on friday afternoon, the forces assembled by the modern Nine Great Elf Clans had also arrived in the woodland. Forest terrain was already highly favorable to elves, and their arrival would be enormously helpful.
"There are Thirteenth Ring elves