The violet-black light did not condense into a beam and shoot at the group. Instead, it swept out from ahead of the stone bridge like ripples. Wherever the ripples passed, even the air turned violet-black. The diviners who recognized what it was almost simultaneously used the same thaumaturgy:
"Thaumaturgy—Death Prevention Barrier!"
A semi-transparent shield enveloped everyone just before the violet-black ripples reached them. When the ripples spreading from ahead struck the shield, wails like the final curses of the dying immediately rang in everyone's ears. But upon listening closely, those wails clearly formed a chilling melody.
Countless undead with lower bodies made of smoke seemed to be clawing ceaselessly at the outside of the shield. Though ripples spread across its surface, it thankfully held in the end.
"That is an ancient elf secret art—Undead Overture, commonly found in elf tombs or hidden sacred sites from the Third Epoch and earlier. If exposed to the range of this secret art without protection, one must undergo an Instant Death Check every six seconds, and each check becomes more difficult than the last. In theory, no one below the Thirteenth Ring can endure until the Seventh Round. We have not even done anything yet. Someone inside has activated the relic's defenses, but the interior of the relic must not be affected."
Miss Olanord's voice came from the center of the group, while Shade asked without looking back:
"How long can the Death Prevention Barrier last?"
The two diviners sent by the Seer Association were an elderly gentleman with a white beard and a middle-aged woman with a black flower tucked behind her ear. The latter was only at the Tenth Ring. Thus, although the three of them were casting together, the Twelfth Order Great Witch of Fate was clearly the main force:
"Five