As time passed, the battle gradually evolved into a simple war of attrition centered on Midir. Although the sheer number of insects outside was suffocating—appearing as if they could never be exhausted—only a small portion could surge into the range of the walls at any given time due to the restrictions of the defense array. This allowed the defenders to concentrate their efforts and deliver precise, effective strikes against each incoming wave.
The few Void Demons that occasionally slipped through were quickly intercepted and killed on the spot by the surrounding guards. Although the hideous appearance of the Void Demons struck fear into the hearts of soldiers who had never seen such creatures, the combat power of a single locust-type Void Demon was not as formidable as imagined. As long as they avoided the powerful hind legs and mouthparts, even ordinary soldiers could kill their targets in a short amount of time.
Due to the massive size of Iron Man No. 23, Ronald was completely unable to join the battle at this time. He simply set to work on the side, beginning to study the minerals brought to him by the soldiers.
While the fierce battle raged on the walls, Aila and Rosal piloted Kiteclaw, streaking across the sky above everyone. They crushed the Void Demons that attempted to bypass the wall's defenses or launch surprise attacks from above.
Behind them, the griffin knights belonging to the Azure City-State also swept in atop their griffins, forming a powerful aerial combat unit.
In the air, the griffins displayed their astonishing speed and strength. They flapped their massive wings, weaving through the sky with agility. Using their superior flight skills, they precisely locked onto the Void Demons that had slipped through the net and delivered fatal blows.
Under the leadership of Aila and Rosal, the griffin knights wove a tight aerial defense net above the fortress.
But the reprieve was short-lived. Soon, a group of Void Demons broke off and swarmed the griffins in the air. Under their fierce assault, the griffins were bitten until they were covered in wounds, and large drops of hot blood fell continuously from the sky.
As the high-intensity combat continued, the mindset of the soldiers quietly shifted. Their initial optimism and resolve gradually turned into anxiety and panic. They began to realize that this battle was far more difficult than they had imagined.
Despite their best efforts to constantly clear the Void Demons surging onto the walls, the pitch-black ocean outside the light barrier seemed endless.
No matter how hard they fought, the number of Void Demons showed no sign of decreasing; instead, they continued to pour in like a relentless tide. This sense of powerlessness and despair spread quietly among the soldiers, dealing an unprecedented blow to their morale.
Even with Midir’s monstrous physical constitution and mana reserves, he began to feel fatigued after an hour of continuous offense. The mages assisting his attacks had long since been rotated out in shifts to rest.
Even the barrels of the four hundred magic crystal cannons along the edge of the wall had become scalding hot from the incessant firing, showing signs of imminent overheating.
Seeing their offensive starting to falter and more Void Demons rushing into the city, Blake hurriedly commanded the soldiers controlling the defense array to re-open the barriers in those two sectors.
At the instant the light barrier regenerated, the Void Demons that had just charged in were instantly torn in half mid-air. The remnants were turned into a flurry of ice shards by Midir’s freezing magic.
It wasn't until the sky was once again covered by the array that those who had been fighting finally had a chance to breathe. Even Midir’s legs went weak, and he leaned against the side for support.
“Just how many of those things did we kill... huff... Aila, did you keep count?” Midir asked, wiping sweat from his forehead and panting as the two women landed.
“Are you joking? How could I possibly count that! But based on the waves alone, there must have been over a hundred. Even if we let in ten or twenty thousand at a time, we must have killed hundreds of millions! Why does it feel like the swarm outside hasn't thinned at all?”
Aila stood atop the wall, her gaze fixed on the black mass in the sky. Her brow was furrowed, her face a mask of worry and helplessness.
Beside her, Rosal carefully wiped the black liquid from her blade while looking around, answering in a low voice.
“The numbers are indeed beyond counting, Mr. Midir. However, I feel that if we keep fighting like this, everyone will reach their limit!”
The two followed her gaze. Even though the fighting had paused, the wall was still a scene of frantic activity. Severed black limbs of Void Demons were everywhere, mixed with the blood of the defending soldiers.
People were busy all over. Wounded soldiers were being transported down from the battlements, while batches of supplies were being brought up—not just cannon shells, but also numerous weapons and suits of armor.
During the battle with the Void Demons, many weapons and pieces of equipment had been torn or even bitten through by those terrifying mouthparts. By the later stages, many soldiers were forced to fight with broken swords or knives.
A heavy veil of exhaustion hung over everyone’s faces. A short rest was not enough for them to return to peak condition, yet the array overhead could not protect them forever.
Just then, Ronald, who had been out of sight, came running over carrying a cylindrical transparent container. Inside, a green powdery substance could be seen.
He shouted to the group as he ran, “Come look! I just made this. It should be useful!”
“What is this now? I have to say, it looks quite nice.”
Seeing the container in his arms, Aila leaned down curiously to inspect it. The emerald-like powder inside emitted a beautiful glow under the light of the array overhead.
“This is a mineral I extracted from the ores the soldiers provided. According to them, most insects are terrified of the scent this substance gives off. Just a tiny amount can achieve a powerful insect-repelling effect. This jar in my hand is a super-concentrated version I refined.”
Ronald patted the jar, explaining it to the others.
“So you mean if the Void Demons still retain their habits from before they were transformed, they’ll definitely be afraid of this too, right?” Rosal also crouched down to look at the jar, asking curiously.
Ronald nodded excitedly and said to them.
“Exactly! I can try to launch it and detonate it. If we can drive some of them away, it will effectively reduce the pressure on the defense array. But the problem now is how to launch it and detonate it in the right spot...”
“Don't worry about that. Just tell me the general direction, and I’ll clear the path for you. Blake, please go and invite the Priests of the Church of Light. Have them assist me.”
Midir patted his shoulder, telling him not to worry, then turned to look at Blake.
Upon hearing Midir’s request, Blake nodded immediately and turned to issue orders to his subordinates to summon the priests.
Soon, the ten or so white-robed priests belonging to the Church of Light arrived hurriedly at their side, looking with confusion at the silver-haired mage before them.
Midir’s dazzling performance at the center of the battlefield had undoubtedly been witnessed by them; he was the absolute core of their strength.
However, the priests did not yet understand the purpose of summoning them. Just as they were wondering, Midir spoke.
“In a moment, we will re-open the fortress’s defense array. I want to blast a breakthrough in the swarm. I’ll need you all to help me condense the light element. Just leave the control to me.”
“Sir Archmage, do you intend to use light element to pierce through the swarm? But we’ve been enchanting the cannon shells this whole time, and the power we can mobilize now is nearly exhausted. I don't think it's likely to succeed,” the leading priest said after a moment of deliberation, voicing his concerns.
“It’s fine. I’ve already assessed my own strength. If it's just piercing a single point, it won't be a big problem. Besides, I only need you to assist me. I will be responsible for the primary means of attack.”
Midir’s words carried an undeniable confidence. He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze steady and profound.
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