Chapter 47: Desperate Stand

Looking at our surroundings, no way out could be found except by defeating the men in black. Doubt lingered in my mind regarding our ability to overpower them. My instinct told me that they were clearly stronger than the combined strength of our team.

"Miss Sarah, as you can see, the situation doesn't look good for you, so why not follow us obediently? This will make things easier for both of us," Mr. Black said, wearing a smile that indicated his complete control over the situation.

"If we refuse?" Sarah challenged, her voice laced with determination.

"Then, you would have to experience the consequences," Mr. Black responded, his cultivation aura erupting at the level of a 6-star mage. Simultaneously, the rest of the men in black released their auras, all of them at the 5-star mage level.

Sweat began to drip from my forehead as I witnessed the situation growing increasingly dire. Anna and Thomas were both 3-star mages, and although they could potentially defeat a Rank 5 monster when fighting together, the current circumstances were vastly different. We were now surrounded by a group of 5-star mages led by a 6-star mage. Even if Anna and Thomas were prodigies, they wouldn't be able to handle this level of attack.

Assessing the situation, I tried to anticipate how Sarah would handle this predicament. We were trapped, far from the army base. Even if we tried to send a magical flare for help, they would surely prevent us. There was no easy escape from this situation.

"It seems like he has gone too far," Sarah stated with a stern voice, her expression showing a side of her that I had seen more frequently as of late. In just this day alone, she had displayed this side several times.

"Mr. Black, I would advise you to step back and take your men away. This is my last warning!" Sarah declared firmly, her voice filled with authority.

"Hahaha! Step back? Why would I do that? We hold the advantage here, Miss. Don't think you can pressure me with your background. As long as Young Master Jonathan is behind us, there is nothing we need to be afraid of," Mr. Black arrogantly responded.

"Then, I guess it can't be helped," Sarah murmured, shaking her head. Suddenly, sounds of people approaching reached our ears.

Just as quickly, figures emerged from the depths of the forest, encircling us.

"Who's there?" Mr. Black demanded.

"It's me!" a voice called out.

A person emerged from behind a tree, and to my surprise, it was Captain Garz. The last time I saw him, Sarah had ordered him to stay at the army checkpoint while our team proceeded towards the hidden vestige. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect Captain Garz to appear here.

"You! How can you be here?" Mr. Black's face displayed disbelief, clearly caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events.

"Why can't I?" Captain Garz replied, smiling and shrugging off the question easily. Judging by his demeanor, it seemed that he had anticipated such a turn of events, as he wasn't alone and had arrived with a group of soldiers.

Observing Captain Garz's calm attitude, Mr. Black regained his composure. "So, this was your plan all along, huh? I thought I did a good job of hiding my presence, but I never thought I would be played by a kid," he said, his resentment clearly directed towards Sarah.

"Of course. It wasn't that hard, to begin with. The moment all of you realized that I was targeting this place, every single one of you started to move, especially Jonathan. Knowing that, you can't expect me to do nothing and wait for all of you to come and get me, right?" Sarah replied calmly, her words reflecting her lack of fear towards Mr. Black.

"Well, it seems like this isn't going to end well then," Mr. Black concluded, his aura changing as his strength surged to a 7-star mage level. His subordinates also underwent a similar transformation, their strengths rising to 6-star mage levels.

There was no doubt that they were utilizing forbidden spells. Forbidden spells were highly guarded and not easily accessible unless obtained through proper channels. They were named "forbidden" due to the significant side effects they imposed on their users, despite their incredible abilities.

The forbidden spells employed by Mr. Black and his men provided an unbelievable boost in strength but came at the cost of consuming their life force. Usually reserved for desperate situations, it was clear that this was such an occasion for the men in black.

"Why must it be like this? Can't you quietly surrender and end this faster?" Sarah's face displayed a complex expression as she voiced her lament, as if she had already expected things to unfold this way.

Seeing Mr. Black's silence in response, Sarah shook her head helplessly and issued a command. "Attack!"

With a single order, the two forces swiftly clashed, locked in a fierce battle.