Theus soon established the rough limits of Richard's ability. It could penetrate obstacles such as rock layers and let him observe things from any angle, but the vision itself was nothing exceptional, only slightly better than the naked eye. Its real advantage was the freedom to adjust the viewing angle.
In other words, looking into dimly lit places meant losing a great deal of detail. It could not match the Banshees' ability to see in the dark, and the image became less clear after passing through solid objects. When he tried examining the grain inside a thick slab of stone, the results were barely better than an ultrasound.
Nor could this vision penetrate seawater. The ocean appeared utterly black to Theus. If it had allowed him to track enemies underwater, it would have been a truly godlike skill.
Ash looked in surprise at the images Theus sent him. From these extraordinarily clever angles, every Fishman's position had been marked out. Had he not been on a battlefield, he would have dearly liked to ask what was going on.
"Focus on fighting. I'll support you."
"All right."
Ash steadied himself, signaled to the Banshees behind him, and led the charge.
Only five Banshees charged with him this time, including Nini, who carried no weapons at all.
With the viewing angles Richard provided, Theus could watch the battlefield directly. The Banshees attacked from the Fishmen's blind spots. Ash's charge sliced through them like a hot knife through butter, splitting their ranks in two in an instant.
Theus shifted his viewpoint, following Ash's long blade as it cut through one Fishman after another, watching their expressions turn from bewilderment to terror.
Just as in every previous battle, they cut straight through the Fishmen's formation in an instant. Then Ash and the others withdrew