The Signal (9)

At Azier's words, Shepherd Andika's veins bulged.

The technique of disarming itself was impressive, but for those who could freely manipulate aura like them, retrieving their weapons from afar was a simple task.

No matter how skilled he was, to stand alone before the Shepherds…

"Can I kill him?"

Andika spoke in a seething voice.

"He's obstructing our path. You're not going to tell me to ignore him too, are you?"

"Of course not."

It was Beso who answered.

He, too, seemed to have his pride wounded, emanating a menacing aura towards Azier.

"He's a key force of the Empire. It's right to kill him here."

Satisfied with the response, Andika grinned.

"I was waiting for you to say that."

Andika infused his aura and shouted towards Azier.

"Hey, Azier! You overestimate your own strength!"

At that signal, the Shepherds leaped simultaneously. Even without weapons, they were plenty strong. If they attacked at the same time, even Azier wouldn't be able to handle it.

Above all, their primary objective was to retrieve their own weapons. Unless Azier had ten hands, he couldn't stop them all.

"I didn't overestimate my strength,"

Azier raised his spear high, its tip pointing straight towards the sky.

"I was disappointed."

Thud!

He lightly tapped the ground with the end of the spear shaft, and the scattered weapons around him rose into the air.

Clang!

He deflected them all and shot them towards the charging Shepherds. The Shepherds' eyes widened, and they each evaded the weapons that were swung at them like baseball bats.

"This, insolent bastard!"

The Manggot aura flared, and they decided to kill Azier before retrieving their weapons.

Boom!*

However, at that moment, from the left side, completely unrelated to Azier, magic bullets were fired towards them.

"Wh-What?!"

As if drawing a line between Azier and them, the magic bullets seemed to be fired recklessly, yet they accurately targeted the Shepherds. The Shepherds responded to the magic bullets in their own ways and retreated.

"There's a mage!"

"This guy, he's not alone!"

The Shepherds shouted one after another. Azier's cold gaze seemed to say, 'Isn't that obvious?'

"Mr. Azier, provocation is fine, but don't be too reckless."

From atop the building to the left, where Azier and the Shepherds were facing off, a woman appeared.

"Frondier was right. The Manggot Shepherds are weak in one-on-one combat."

With both hands outstretched, magic formulas embedded in each fingertip, Instructor Jane spoke.

Azier let out a sigh.

"I didn't expect them all to drop their weapons."

"Mr. Azier is still too strict with himself and others. Even a Zodiac wouldn't be able to handle that technique the first time they encountered it."

"That's impossible."

Azier shook his head as if it were absurd.

"It never worked on my father, not even once."

"..."

At those words, Jane's eyes darted to the side. Feeling fear towards the entire Roach family with just that one sentence, Jane wasn't the only one.

'The head of the Enfer family not entering the Zodiac might be a good thing for the Empire, in a way.'

Jane couldn't help but think that.

"Oh, there you are!"

And this time, from the right, a man appeared.

"The strategy of dispersing to appropriate locations in case we didn't know which way they would go worked!"

It was Pascal Schlitz, a palace knight and instructor.

His still youthful face was filled with excitement, whether it was playfulness or battle lust.

"That strategy was also suggested by Frondier."

Instructor Isamaya appeared, refuting his words. Appearing with a pointer in hand, she looked like a teacher in a classroom even amidst this battlefield.

And as if gradually gathering at this location, Constel instructors appeared from their respective directions.

The Shepherds, who had thought they were facing off against Azier, were now surrounded. Their numbers were already significantly smaller

"Each one of them is comparable to a Zodiac, right?"

"That's what the Headmaster said."

The instructors exchanged light conversation with each other, then turned towards the Shepherds, emanating palpable tension and murderous intent.

Jane's arms extended to both sides.

Around her, at ten points where her fingers extended, ten different spells unfolded simultaneously.

"It's time to prove the power of Constel."

One spell per finger.

Jane, who had once gained the position of Headmaster and knowledge due to Osprey's grand magic, had her level as a mage elevated even after Osprey's return, due to the lingering effects.

"Hmph, even if you lot try to overwhelm us with numbers, do you think you can stop us!"

Shepherd Andika shouted. Along with him, the other Shepherds also completed their battle stances.

"The citizens of the Empire that you so desperately want to protect, the Manggot's flames will burn them all!!"

Andika's words roared like a beast.

In response, a dark smile and immense murderous intent appeared on Jane's lips.

"We're not protecting the citizens of the Empire,"

Simultaneous Magic Casting

Tenfold Incantation

Jane Original

Butterfly Dream

Jane's completed ten spells spread out like wings, completely filling the space around her and emitting colorful lights.

Each one emanated a distinct, chilling aura that couldn't be taken lightly.

"We're protecting the children."

Finally, Jane's magic was unleashed, pouring down like a bombing.