“Yes. I think so,” Dunesther replied in a low voice but it was crystal clear in the silence.

  The Silver Legion was frazzled at what they heard.

  It was during times like this when there were attacks around the kingdom that they needed wizards the most. This could be one of the worst. And yet, all of them were being summoned back?

  Then, what of all the people who were possibly injured right now?

  Who would heal them? Many of the potion shops were burned to the ground by the attackers.

  Those unbought were wasted. Only those which were in extremely secured areas were saved. Even stockpiled resources and food reserves were damaged or looted these recent weeks.

  Just judging from the extent of destruction in Faliamber, the healing clans would not be enough.

  They needed the wizards right now.

  So why were they being summoned back to the orb?

  The Divine Archmages were there. And just from Cera alone, they could tell she was immensely powerful and did not need help at all.

  If the other high-ranking wizards were already there, why would they summon all the wizards now? Couldn’t they schedule it another time?

  A lot of people in the kingdom need the wizards the most right now.

  The Silver Legion was fine with doing the fighting, but they needed the wizards to undo spells, curses, or give healing.

  Without them, what would happen if they encountered such? Especially now that they heard Callona was attacked with magic.

  The people there needed the wizards.

  One of the high-ranking soldiers in the Silver Legion could no longer hold back his frustration since his whole family was in Callona. He had kids and his wife was pregnant.

  He was already worried a lot even with the wizards present and yet, now everyone was being summoned. What would he do if his wife or kids were injured? What about the people of Callona? Are they just going to be abandoned?

  After all, with their experience in the battlefield, the Silver Legion had figured by now, something was amiss. They had a nagging feeling that something was not right. That they must hurry as fast as they could to Callona.

  This was exactly why they had been silent this whole time and had been heading straight to Callona in haste.

  And now, the wizards the king had asked to join them were suddenly backing out.

  The Silver Legion felt by instinct that they needed these two in Callona. The King must have felt the same which was why he asked these two to accompany them.

  Further, the wizards had more magical powers and could detect dark energy usually emitted by the attackers who came to their kingdom.

  Another soldier added, “Indeed. Shouldn’t you go with us to Callona where people are likely waiting for your help? Are you just going to abandon them and run away to safety? Isn’t that too selfish and-”

  The soldier was interrupted while speaking.

  “WE. ARE. NOT. RUNNING. AWAY! We were summoned because something even more urgent had happened,” Dunesther gave a death glare to the soldier, his magical powers dangerously rising.

  Jenna was irked as well and said, “Mind your words!

  You know not even a fraction of our efforts!

  We, wizards have always been the vanguard of this kingdom since ancient times.

  We always deal with the strongest enemies before they even step to the inner Auroras, where you Divine Armies guard!

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  It is because of us that you Divine Armies, Silver Legion, usually do not even return with injuries.

  Why?

  Well, we’ve handled the strongest foes!

  Have you seen the faces of the knights outside this kingdom?

  Have you even fought with their best sorcerers and elite squads?

  I have been recently born, but I have already fought and learned a lot these past 210 years.

  And what of you who had been alive for merely a few years?!”

  The two wizards knew they were in a very alarming situation, because the Divine Archmages have summoned the apprentice wizards, especially the weaker ones inside the Floating Orb to be kept safe inside it. This was the place where their powers were the strongest.

  Likewise, they knew there was another reason. The holes in the Auroras had gotten worse. They needed more hands to deal with it.

  The troops became defensive against the wizards, upon seeing them radiating with hostile magic power and pointed their weapons at them, until General Vaelros signaled them to stand down.

  “Let’s all calm down. This is not the time to fight among ourselves. The intruders are our enemies,” Vaelros said.

  “But General, she just said we are-” the high-ranking soldier was about to say something more, but froze and prepared for a fight when he saw Jenna about to cast a spell.

  “Stop! Jenna, don’t bother, they would never understand since they rarely go outside to witness the creepiness of their fellow humans,” Dunesther reminded her.

  He uttered this since the humans of Livingrings could not mingle with the humans outside who were already tainted with so much greed and lust for control.

  There were times when few were allowed, but for learning or trade purposes. Those who visited outside were so dismayed when they returned.

  The outer kingdoms were not what they expected. The kingdoms lay shrouded in despair, their lands plagued by crushing poverty and unspeakable acts of darkness.

  The deeds so vile and unnatural had taken root, and weaved their shadows where even the boldest dreams of Livingrings could not fathom such horrors. The very atmosphere in the kingdoms seemed to tremble with the weight of a corruption that defied mortal comprehension.

  It was like the wicked abominations and abuses they had seen, were only those for horrifying fantasy manuscripts about unknown lands imagined by their elder storytellers.

  The soul-crushing destitution and transgressions in these kingdoms were published in their tales, and were turned into lessons and short tales to be taught early to the children.

  After all, the Seal of Gaxinar was a living seal, able to detect the souls and hearts of those around it. Goodness was a virtue everyone in Livingrings were told to practice. With these, even the beasts in Livingrings’ seas were peaceful.

  It was maintained as is by the wizards since time immemorial.

  Thus, it was unlike the others filled with thousands of monsters taking over the villages near the seas; making those kingdoms afraid to venture even to their own seas.

  “I just hate it when these ignorant humans badmouth us and act as if they’re so strong and mighty to deserve all the praise being showered unto them.

  Why don’t we just abandon them to fend for themselves?! The truth is…” With a sharp glint in her eyes, Jenna uttered the incantation for Silent Steps.

  The spell wove through the air like an unseen serpent, binding the offending soldiers in place. They faltered, unable to move or even draw breath.

  Their defiance was reduced to stillness by the Rune Masters’ spell. Jenna’s lips curled with faint satisfaction.

  She intended to prolong their torment, but the distant echo of an approaching Celestial Drake interrupted her thoughts.

  Someone was coming…

  “General Vaelros!” Sergeant Demoir called out; his voice carried a mixture of urgency.

  “I wish to accompany you. After we deal with these petty intruders, I’ll resume training Calek, Donvar, and the others.” Sergeant Demoir added. He was 22 years old at this time.

  Demoir was the son of General Hovereth.

  He had undergone a grueling upbringing under the stern guidance of his father, and the seasoned warriors under him, who had forged Demoir through exclusive grounding and relentless discipline.

  Though he lacked the hardened scars of battlefield generals, Demoir had proven himself time and time again.

  His cunning and resilience had earned him the respect of his peers.

  Now, he took pride in passing on his knowledge, preparing young trainees like Calek and Donvar for the trials that awaited them in the Auroras.

  His mission was clear: to shape them into warriors strong enough to endure the challenges of that unforgiving realm.

  Though he bore the title of Sergeant, Demoir carried a gentler spirit than his father.

  General Hovereth had a stern demeanor and was seldom seen smiling.

  Where General Hovereth inspired discipline through unyielding authority, Demoir earned loyalty through compassion and understanding.

  Many saw the contrasts and often whispered of his soft-hearted nature, contrasting him with his iron-willed father.

  They did not doubt Demoir's resolve, because he was up to the tasks when the moment called for strength.

  *Sergeant Demoir - son of General Hovereth

  *Silent Steps - power of Jenna