Blade Over Magic

Arrival

It did not take long for the stares to start.

Xander really tried to admire the exquisite double doors that served as the main entrance to the Palace of Defiance, but the number of intent lines aimed their way was getting annoying.

Granted, the moment everyone saw Xavier in his Archmage robe, most of the attention went to him as they instinctively parted for him and the rest of the group. It wasn’t odd, after all, one would instinctively make way if a nuclear bomb was passing their midst.

However, when they locked onto Xander and co, Xander noted how numerous lines of intent sharpened. Some showed curiosity, a few indifference, but quite a bit showed at least some form of hostility.

’Yeah... this place is not conducive to our existence at all. Especially you, Xander.’ Curtis said through the link. He may not have possessed the ability to see intent like Xander or process reality the way Aubrey did, but his senses were still much more potent than a normal human, so he caught quite a bit.

’Everyone, just stay close.’ Xander instructed simply as they passed the doors and entered a huge hall.

The arched ceilings were about 20 meters tall alone, and Falael had to comment.

’Are they reading giants in this place? For what reason do they need so much space?’ She wondered, and Mary actually provided an answer.

’There is a tactical answer to this. As most mages require range to effectively display their abilities, it’s so spacious to allow for the mages protecting the Palace to fight properly. That said, it also gives enemies a chance to fight properly. Bit in the first place, someone invading this place under the nose of an Archmage is an extreme stretch. Also according to rumors, this Palace is special, and any defenders that are recognized by it have themselves augmented significantly while attackers are are weakened.’ She gave a comprehensive answer which surprised the group, but on closer inspection, it made sense.

Saying the Palace of Defiance was the most secure place in Solvaren would not be a stretch at all. There’s no way they’d make such an obvious tactical blunder.

’Honesty, just the fact that this whole place is created by an Archmage and under their control makes attacking it pretty much impossible if you don’t have an Archmage helping you.’ Xander sighed in his heart and continued to look around, ignoring the gazes of the surrounding people as he caught sight of all sorts of decorations all over the place.

Eventually, though, they reached another opening, the large double doors having been opened as sounds of chatter and smooth music filled the air.

The sound of the music caused everyone to relax subconsciously, and Xander could see non-malicious intent lines moving around indiscriminately.

Then they entered the ballroom.

’... Whoa.’ Xander was genuinely amazed.

The inside was, unsurprisingly, spatially expanded, the ceilings were almost a hundred meters above the floor, and there was what seemed like an illusion which made it look like the night sky, showing off different constellations and distant nebulae.

The floor was made of a deep gold wood that, when Xander stepped on it, he felt any possible fatigue from his lower half get washed away.

Dozens of pillars as thick as trees rose up around the ballroom to support the massive ceiling, and on them, numerous murals changing scenes could be seen. The scenes shifting like a live image as one could stand and watch one of them for a long time.

By the side, tall windows made the outside visible, but the windows were by no means fragile.

The far side of the ballroom held a very long table holding all sorts of delicacies, and closer to the front was a bunch of chairs and tables where one would eat.

There was also a mezzanine floor which held what looked like numerous lounges.

And at the very front of the room, on a raised platform, an elegant golden throne sat, but no one was on it yet.

Now, with a ballroom so large, how could one expect to move around effectively without getting tired?

Well, Xander watched as one of the attendees took a step in the direction of someone more than a few paces away, and he watched as the space between the two seemed to shrink, cutting the distance down by quite a bit. Hence, when the former advanced, they only took a few steps before arriving at their destination.

’I don’t even wanna think about the complexities of the space magic at play in this dimension in general.’ He felt like he was having a headache just thinking about it.

Before he could dwell on this, thought, he felt his body freeze up.

His heart started pounding in his chest, and goosebumps rose all over his skin. The situation was similar to when the Hell Gate had opened up behind him, but this was somehow worse.

It felt like at any given moment, his entire existence would be completely and utterly eviscerated, with now chance of him resisting in any capacity.

Just as this feeling was about to become too much, though, he saw someone step behind him.

The broad back of Xavier blocked his vision, and the feeling of existential dread faded away, allowing Xander to catch his breath.

He looked up and saw Xavier looking annoyed in a certain direction, and halfway across the Ballroom, another figure in the same attire as him could be seen standing.

His figure was slightly hunched, and in his hand was a wand that looked like it had been gotten directly from the root of an ancient tree, a shimmering crystal embedded on the top.

A stern, wrinkled face was under the hood, but it wasn’t unpleasant to look at, and one could guess that he had probably been quite handsome when he was younger. He was clean shaven, and he had messy gray hair.

An unsuspecting person may look at him and think it was just an unassuming old man, but having spent months in the presence of an Archmage, Xander and co had gotten a bit better at ascertaining the presence of one, and right now... the guy was barely restraining his presence.

He wasn’t even trying to hide his glare aimed at Xander, and he finally understood what Xavier meant when he said that Bellion would erase him the instant he got a chance. But this was more than that.

Xander inferred this from the reactions of those around Bellion. The different mages from the Mage Tower just outside this space. When they say Xander and co moving with Xavier, they displayed varying levels of shock, anger, and disbelief. Their expressions were calm, but their intent lines were telling.

It would seem that this threw quite a wrench in their plans.

Xavier and Bellion then met gazes, and the air in the room seemed to freeze and everyone subconsciously held their breaths, and for one terrifying second, it seemed like these two might actually come to blows!

No one wanted to consider what would happen if such a terrifying reality unfolded.

But, thankfully, Bellion finally looked away, and his figure vanished, appearing in one of the lounges of the mezzanine.

’Good luck y’all. I’ve done my part.’ Xavier’s voice entered their heads as he walked off to a group of what looked like merchants, his personal guards in two.

Theresa and Claire glanced at the group before also breaking off with their maids.

And just like that, the group was alone.

The number of gazes Xander felt on them genuinely made his skin crawl.

’Okay, this is far more nerve-wracking than I thought.’ Falael barely restrained a grimace.

’Just keep your cool, and ensure to actually talk. If we only communicate telepathically, who knows the bs they will call when they notice? Just be careful.’ Aubrey said before saying aloud.

"As expected of the Palace of Defiance. Using something as valuable as Millennium Wyrmwood for the floors of a Ballroom. How extravagant." Her tone was casual and level, like she was commenting on a particularly interesting piece of jewelry rather than a wood that a single piece could set up a commoner family for life.

’We have incoming.’ She added through the link, and shortly after.

"I’m quite surprised you were able to recognize such a valuable material." A polite voice with a condescending implication sounded as someone stepped near them.

It was an older man with grey sideburns and yellow eyes. He had a thin face a somewhat lanky build. Trailing behind him were two mage guards and attendants.

He... entirely ignored the rest of the group as he focused solely on Aubrey, his face displaying a pleasant smile.

Seeing him, Aubrey gave a light curtsy and spoke with a practiced smile.

"Viscount Freecs, I’m honored to be greeted by you personally." Aubrey said respectfully while she continued to convey information to the rest of the group.

’There are three other people coming, each within thirty seconds of each other. Falael will be approached first, then Xander and Curtis, finally Mary.’ The information was rapidly fired, but in reality, only a moment had passed in reality as Viscount Freecs chuckled calmly at Aubrey’s respectful gesture.

"No need to be so polite. I was just surprised that someone such as you could recognize Millennium Wyrmwood. Despite being a commoner, you are as well learned as they say, Mrs Aubrey." Aubrey showed no reaction at the subtle jab at all as she simply smiled at the man.

"I find reading to be quite an enjoyable hobby. Do you read much, sir?" She kept her tone pleasant as she actively engaged in the conversation, much to the delight of Freecs. However, he would soon come to regret this.

Because in truth, Aubrey was probably one of the absolute worst people to engage in asymmetrical warfare with. After all, she had gotten 6 months of uninterrupted access to the Lowell family’s library.

On top of this, it only took her a bit over a week to create 50 Information Clones, 6 months more, just how many did she truly have? Just how expansive was her library now? Just how much information did she now have access to by herself?

It went without saying, but the horror she represented... was something else entirely.

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