In Neverwinter's arena, amid another thunderous roar of cheers from the spectators, the cage holding the evil Red Wizardess was finally lowered beneath the arena.
Almost at the same time, the strange Magic Rope binding the Red Wizardess shattered.
Then...
She had spotted Edgin and the dozen or so remaining contestants long ago. Seeing that they had already coordinated and taken up positions around her, the Red Wizardess didn't hesitate. She suddenly pulled a staff from who knew where and raised it. As she quickly chanted a spell, magical energy surged from her hands and rapidly enveloped her entire body.
Next, a shock wave thundered outward in every direction. The resulting gale blasted away several contestants who had been standing too close. Only then did she turn her attention to the two members of the "Rogue" team—Simon and the Druid Doric, the other spellcaster.
She saw the two of them standing together, shielded by a barbarian and a ranger. They seemed to be preparing some kind of magical attack against her.
"Sofina!"
"I never thought you'd end up here too..."
"What happened up there?"
"Where's Forge?"
"Did he abandon you?"
Edgin spoke up.
He still had no idea what had just happened, but he was a cunning man. The moment he opened his mouth, he needled her and tried to drive a wedge between her and Forge, hoping to get some useful information from her before the fight began.
Of course, while taunting and provoking her, Edgin also quietly directed his team and the other contestants to approach her again from all sides, slowly closing in to reach the best range for an attack.
"You foolish mortals!"
"You think these underhanded tricks will work against a wizard like me?"
"Don't be stupid!"
Unfortunately, Sofina had no intention of answering Edgin's