Tarthocas: Chronicles of the Transmigrating Scribe Chapter 52: Introduction [2]

Read chapter 52 of Tarthocas: Chronicles of the Transmigrating Scribe by Bigmachine on NovelPedia.

BANG! The ground shuddered as Akarius Morth was flung backwards, crashing into the dirt. His once-imposing armor was now riddled with gaping holes, as if gnawed by some ravenous beast. Clutched in his hand was a mace wreathed in flames, crackling defiantly despite its bearer's battered state. "This is the fourth time this month," Akarius muttered through gritted teeth, his voice a mix of frustration and resignation. Breaches in the barrier weren't uncommon, but this level of threat was rare and terrifying. "What kind of power have you even reached?" he bellowed, despair and anger twisting his features as he faced his relentless opponent. Thanks to his quick thinking, the rest of the stronghold's defenders had been evacuated upon identifying the intruder. If they had stayed out of pride or bravado, they would have been slaughtered without mercy. Yet the enemy remained unfazed, advancing steadily with its spear in hand. Just as they were about to clash again, an overwhelming pressure bore down on Akarius. "This! I recognize this aura!" he exclaimed, his mind racing. Saints, having cultivated their minds to such a degree, could often identify others based on their mental signatures alone. From high above, something plummeted toward them. Before either combatant could react, the object crashed directly onto the spear-wielding intruder. BOOM! Wilfordlanded like a meteor, the impact force sending the stone-armored warrior skidding backward. "Damn, my shoulder is killing me," Wilford muttered, rubbing the spot. Then, noticing Akarius, he broke into a grin. "Oi, Akarius! Long time no see!" Akarius's lips twitched, his forced smile barely holding. "Yes, indeed, Wilford ," he managed to say. But before Wilford could continue, Akarius pointed toward the enemy, still recovering from the impact. "I think you should deal with the problem first." Wilford turned, his gaze locking onto the armored figure. At first glance, it reminded him of a character from a video game. The armor looked as though it had been sculpted from solid rock, each piece meticulously carved to fit the figure's form. The helmet, with its angular design and pronounced crest, resembled a crown chiseled from granite. Broad, jagged pauldrons extended like the peaks of a mountain range, while the chest plate was adorned with deep, deliberate carvings, as though gouged by an immense force. The greaves and gauntlets were similarly robust, appearing to have been hewn from the very bedrock, providing an almost impenetrable defense. Despite its massive weight, the armor seemed to move fluidly with the warrior, its joints and articulations seamlessly integrated. In its hand, the warrior wielded a massive stone spear, the shaft as thick and sturdy as a pillar. The spearhead, a sharp, angular slab of rock, bore the marks of battle—chipped and cracked at the edges, but still undeniably lethal. The helmet the enemy wore resembled a wolf's closed jaws, with a strip of crimson cloth trailing from its back. Wilford's grin widened. "Looks like we've got ourselves a 'Dragonslayer'!" As he sifted through Wilford 's memories, the enemy's true identity crystallized. This was no ordinary foe. 54th General of The Sovereign—The GreatKnight of Stone! The Sovereign was a name used to describe the Renegade Deity sealed beyond the lands. Among its followers, the 72 Generals were infamous for being the only ones capable of breaching the barrier that separated them from the world. Over time, the Divine Alliance had compiled an extensive database on these formidable enemies, and Wilfordunsurprisingly had access to that information. The GreatKnight of Stone, as described in the records, was an entity whose power fluctuated but always remained within the Saint Stage. Its abilities were tied to Earth Elemental Energy, making it a resilient and tenacious adversary. "Guess that's why the Grand Commander wanted me to handle this," Wilford mused, surveying the armored figure. Stone fell within Earth and had