Technomancer: Genesis Chapter 70: Retreat

It was too late when Orst noticed Rycharde, he tried to evade the spell but half of his body was already charred. He had been using magic too augment his body and try to dampen the pain, this was a taxing ordeal. He had consumed much of his magic already with his spells he was down to only a third of his magic capacity.

Orst stepped back, looking at the Ezra and crew. His orders commanded him to help the party and not dispose of any particular target. True, running away now was humiliating but at least he could preserve his life an extended melee would not be favourable for him.

With 3rd-degree burns all over his body, and his exhausting supply of magic. He stepped back turned and leapt toward the nearest building retreating to tend his wounds.

There were loud cheers from the Anticourt Guard cheered at the flight of Orst. Rycharde had spent his mana already and only a tithe remained. He was pulled back by Phobos. Deimos tried to endure his broken ribs as the party huddled.

The bandits who were actually troops of Duke Terros were disheartened at Orst's retreat. They did not fall back themselves but their morale was terribly low. Ezra, however, was wary, something was off. Orst was damage gravely, but from his calculations, he knew that Orst could still fight.

As everyone scrambled on their feet. The ice cracked suddenly and a boulder shot at the administrative building. It was around 3 meters in diameter. Out of the corner of Ezra's eyes, he noticed the mass was travelling at around 150 m/s. It collided with the fourth floor of the building knocking out a corner. The support that was supposed to hold the roof collapsed and a portion of the building were now destroyed.

Some archers fell to their deaths while some died at the impact of the boulder. The roof was now only partially secure a big hole was created in the defences of the archers. The attack surprised many, they thought that Orst would attack again. But he did not appear anymore. This was his parting gift.

The archers' formation was breached and there was a significant area where they could not fire their fire arrows. The bandits once again were invigorated as they charged through. Ezra now contemplated on what to do next. Rycharde was not in a position to command, with the depletion of his magic and his leg injuries he was sent to the building.

Only Phobos, Evan, and Oswyn were uninjured and Evered had depleted his magic reserves when he used his spell to barricade Ezra and crew. The Shadow Walkers seized the opportunity they gathered to where arrows could not touch them.

Again chaos ensued. A flurry of spells were flying everywhere. An attempt at establishing a formation did not bear fruit. The bandits and shadow walkers just charged in and a melee resulted. Archers could not target foes without the chance of friendly fire anymore. Galwell decided to abandon the rooftops to aid the men on the ground.

Phobos and Deimos did not command the troops anymore. They just ran to the nearest shadow walker to try to kill them, Oswyn also came trying to aid them but with the two pyromancers inside the building. The two had a hard time picking fights with the Shadow Walkers. A Knight of Anticourt who could cast [Fireball] followed them but his skills were lacking compared to the Blackfyre Guard.

Evan remained at Ezra's side.

"Evan, let's get back inside. They are likely here for you," said Ezra.

"Yes, milord."

But as they were about to head back some bandits surrounded them. Evan, quick to react kicked the bandit nearest to him launching 10 meters away. Ezra was also attacked by another but his small frame easily dodged the blow. He ran swiftly in between another bandits legs, unseen by him and he hit him between his legs with his magic augmented fist.

The soldiers' face immediately lost colour and he hollered after which he fainted. Evan observed and tried to refrain from his laughter as they raced toward the building. More bandits appeared to block their path.

Evan smote a bandit to his right and hit him squarely on his cheek, with his ability to enhance specific parts of his body the blow smashed the man's head giving him a concussion and ending his life instantly. Even though Evan had a tenth of his magic capacity he was still effective in battle.

The two raced on evading and counter-attacking they faring well against their opponents just as Phobos' party was. They now downed two more Shadow Walkers, with the help of their Anticourt escort. Oswyn did what he could in helping the Demon Hunters but he was not as effective as the pyromancer.

Ezra looked back at the disorder, though he could lead people against a single powerful opponent, with this many people, he still found it hard to command them in battle against another army of the same size. He could point out their weaknesses, yes. But he could not go around the whole army trying to dictate each and every blow they should be doing to their opponent.

These people were not the beasts he had encountered in Irriton, yes they were organized, but soldiers in the army were not like beasts who could only charge and use their instincts. Animals could only use simple wave tactics. Each soldier in the army could pursue and retreat and their moves were more complex as well as their range of movement.

But still, Ezra tried to plan.

'Is it too late? But it seems with our numbers we can overcome the invaders. Especially that we still have a lot of knights on our side. Still, I might be able to lessen the casualties,' Ezra thought as he evaded a kick from another soldier.

He jumped up swiftly to around the height of his head an used a stone he was holding smash the bandit's head. The recoil launched his body at another bandit who was caught unaware. He kicked away and landed on the ground dashing again toward the soldier. Ezra delivered a swift blow to the soldier in between his legs. The soldier grunted and involuntarily closed his legs and fainted on the spot.

Ezra noticed Evan who was fighting beside him. His moves were slothful, he was breathing heavily. It had just recently occurred to him that among the knights Evan had not had any rest, the others had some sleep.

"Come Evan, let's go inside the building," Ezra bellowed as he kept running.

"Yes, Lord Ezra, I'm on my way." Evan kicked his opponent propelling him next to the toddler. They were 10 meters away from the entrance. Two shadows unexpectedly emerged apparently out of nowhere.

Evan was quick to react and picked up a dislodged torch. He smashed it toward the shadow. A body was seen and he stabbed with his sword. The boy relinquished his magic at the unexpected thrust. Ezra followed suit with another torch. The shadow backed away.

Arrows fire from the entrance toward the shadow. It did not expect it. Galwell's archers had already come down from their place on the roof. The fire arrows tore away at the darkness dropping the shadow walker.

Evan and Ezra sighed in relief.

"That's it I need to do something," Ezra said out loud.

Ezra focused and heightened all of his senses. He observed the battlefield AMP was popping up numbers here and there as the white lines calculated the speed and direction of projectiles and movements of soldiers.

Ezra began to sweat, it was too much for him there were a lot of data that he was picking up. For a moment there was an apparent distortion out of the corner of his eye. Like a mirror moving. A blade appeared from what it appeared was thin air. It was targeting him, but his magic was too focused on AMP, he could not react in time to dodge.

But Evan noticed. He noticed the blade as it appeared out of thin air. He dove toward Ezra to protect him. The blade was stabbing toward the toddler's trunk but he rushed towards the blade. He brushed Ezra away to receive the blow in his stead. The dagger met his chest.

Evan's flesh met the cold steel as it sank deeper and deeper, the man twisted the knife and Evan gave of a guttural choke, but he did not scream. He did not let his opponent relish in his anguish. He could feel his heart beating slowly as the knife inched toward it. The split second seemed like an hour as the swift edge impaled his heart. Thump . . . thump . . . thump, then it beat no more.

"Contract fulfilled," a raspy voice resounded as Ezra's spine tingled in shock.

Chapter end