Archmage Albeck's pupils contracted.
"Destroy the catapults!"
The mages raised their Staffs. Spells lit up the underground cavern and rained down on the newly appeared catapults.
The catapults were destroyed before they could be brought into position. The Ratfolk carrying Felstones nearby were caught in the blasts, and the stones set off a chain of explosions.
The explosions of the Felstones brought down a swath of the cavern's edge, briefly blocking the Rat Tide. It would not last, but it gave the Blackwatch Legion, battered by one attack after another, a moment to regroup.
Bang—
Another boulder was knocked aside. Its altered course sent it crashing into the swarm, crushing Ratfolk by the dozens.
The Legendary Mage frowned. "Why haven't reinforcements arrived?"
Nearly five minutes had passed since the attack. The other legions were no more than a few dozen li away. They should have noticed by now, unless...
"They can't get here. The Ratfolk have them pinned down."
Archmage Albeck took in everything around him, information pouring through his mind like a waterfall.
No Ratfolk Priests. Are they trying to delay us, or are we the main target? A sudden tremor broke his train of thought.
"Watch your feet!"
Three twenty-meter Burrowing Hellbugs burst from the ground. Rings of sharp teeth inside their maws instantly ground several soldiers who failed to dodge in time into pulp, armor and all.
The Blackwatch Legion began taking casualties.
That they had held out this long without losing anyone spoke to their astonishing strength and resolve. But it also meant something grim: the Ratfolk Trap had become a real threat to the Blackwatch Legion.
The Burrowing Hellbugs slammed down and were hacked to death by soldiers rushing in from all sides. Their hard bodies, built to tunnel underground, forced the soldiers apart even