Provocation

Did the Rune Defense Array have any weaknesses?

If one meant something like an Achilles' heel, then no such flaw existed anywhere in the barrier. The elements flowed evenly through every corner of the array; no matter which direction came under attack, it could swiftly defend against it. But... that did not mean Benjamin could tolerate the enemy army probing the barrier however they pleased.

The Church had likely researched runes as well. Forget about cracking it—what if they worked out the principles behind the Rune Defense Array and stole the technology? That was absolutely intolerable!

"You lot, take some men and wipe them all out." Thus, Benjamin gave the order without hesitation.

The soldiers beside him froze, still not even understanding the other side's intentions. However, due to Benjamin's lofty reputation, the mages defending the city all nodded, leaping into the air and swiftly flying downward.

Benjamin also came to where the array was controlled and opened a small gap in the barrier, just enough for those dozen or so mages to fly out.

"What... what are you doing?"

Amid streaks of flying fire, the hundred-man squad from the Hori Kingdom had no time to react before nearly half of them were burned to death. Seeing this, the rest could only abandon their attempt to probe the Rune Defense Array, tossing aside helmets and armor as they fled in panic toward their camp.

—Those people were a suicide squad trading their lives for intelligence. They had little combat strength to begin with, so there was no way they could face Ikor's mages head-on.

At this point, they could only save whoever could run.

Seeing this, the mages who had flown out accelerated, instinctively preparing to chase after them. Benjamin quickly called them back.

"Don't chase them! There are too