Benjamin could only give up the pursuit.
He flew through the air, with Koester behind him. As their only stronghold within the Kingdom, this city contained civilians, soldiers, mages... densely packed districts stretching all the way to the harbor, countless people gathered here. At this moment, they all raised their heads and looked, as one, at the dozens of white lights tearing across the night sky.
Not everyone had time to flee, much less did everyone want to flee.
Once the bombardment fell, at least two-thirds of the buildings would be razed to the ground, and over a hundred thousand lives would be reduced to ashes. No one had expected The Church to strike so ruthlessly—if they could not have it, they would destroy it. And judging by their swift actions, this was undoubtedly a contingency plan they had prepared long ago.
"Quick! Evacuate the civilians! Run as far as you can!" With what little time remained, Benjamin suddenly shouted to the mages behind him.
With that, he flew straight upward, placing himself in the path of the Holy Light Cannon Shells.
—There was no helping it. The northern city gate had been breached, and the two mages maintaining the Rune Defense Array had been caught up in the battle and forced to join the fighting. They had not managed to repair the array yet. Relying on a large-scale barrier to withstand the bombardment had become an impossible dream. He could only rely on himself.
No matter what, he could not let Koester be destroyed beneath the cannon fire.
Benjamin instantly activated Descent of Water, summoned the Water Elemental Sprite, and deftly traced that string of runes with his fingers.
"Elemental Command: Defense!"
The Holy Light Cannon Shells did not fly quickly, but for a city on the brink of