Chapter 48: Fractured Reality

In a blink of an eye, the situation in front of me changed. At first, everything was going well according to plan, but suddenly, we were surrounded by an unknown group of people, which further complicated the situation. As I feared the situation would worsen, another group of people arrived, and things took yet another turn. Now, both of these groups were engaged in a fierce battle, and here I was, watching from the sidelines. The rapid development of the situation left me feeling disoriented and uncertain.

"Miss, are you okay?" I turned to see Captain Garz slowly approaching us from behind. Unlike his men who were actively involved in the fight, he remained by our side, observing the chaos.

"I'm fine, but are you sure you can handle this?" Sarah asked, her calm demeanor masking her underlying concern. Although the situation had stabilized for now, neither Sarah nor I could let our guard down.

"You don't have to worry, miss. Though they have become stronger than we expected, they are still within our handling range," Captain Garz replied confidently. His assurance stemmed from the fact that although most of the soldiers he had brought were 5-star mages, lower in rank than Mr. Black and his team, they were equipped with standard army weaponry and had been trained in coordinated combat formations. It was clear that the army had the upper hand.

Despite the apparent victory, something felt off. Sarah and I continued to watch the battle closely, trying to discern the cause of our uneasiness.

"Garz! We know we were in the wrong here, so how about you let us go, and we will let this matter go away right here," Mr. Black shouted desperately, attempting to negotiate with Captain Garz, realizing that the situation had turned against him and his team.

With a scoff, Captain Garz replied, "Huh! Right now, we could capture all of you in one strike, so why should we back off now?"

"Don't you fear the Dragma family? My young master won't let you off!" Mr. Black continued, his voice filled with a mix of defiance and panic.

"Then come. I'll be waiting," Sarah responded, her resolve unyielding.

"Hahaha! Then you leave us no choice." Mr. Black's tone shifted from arrogant to something more sinister, and a sense of impending danger washed over me.

Suddenly, the ground beneath me began to tremble, and for a moment, I thought an earthquake was imminent. But it wasn't a natural occurrence. Simultaneously, at the entrance of the secret vestige, a spell circle emerged, engulfing the entire opening. The spell circle emitted a blinding light, forcing me to shield my eyes.

"Men, secure them!" Mr. Black's voice rang out, and I could hear the urgency in Captain Garz's commands to his own men. He recognized the danger unfolding before us and was desperate to stop it.

"Hahaha! It's too late! Now, taste the gift I prepared for all of you!" Mr. Black's voice grew increasingly maniacal, revealing the depths of his desperation. And from the reactions of those around me, I understood that whatever was happening, it posed a significant threat.

In that moment, my mind sharpened, and my instincts kicked into overdrive. I scanned my surroundings in an instant and focused my gaze on the spell circle. I couldn't identify the exact spell, but by studying its pattern, I deduced that it was an explosive spell. Combined with the trembling ground, it became clear that Mr. Black intended to detonate the vestige, taking us all down with it.

"Sarah! Enter the vestige right now!" I had remained silent throughout this entire ordeal, but now I found my voice. When Sarah heard me, she, along with everyone else, turned to look at me. Most wore puzzled expressions, questioning my sudden outburst, but I didn't have time to explain.

Time was of the essence, and my instincts told me that our only chance of survival lay within the vestige.

"Sarah, can you ask them to create an opening for us?" Ignoring the confusion around us, I locked eyes with Sarah and spoke with conviction.

"Can I trust you on this?" Sarah asked, seeking reassurance.

"Trust me!" I replied firmly.

"Garz, blast that place!" Sarah decisively ordered Captain Garz.

Without hesitation, Captain Garz unleashed the full extent of his power, casting a spell at his highest cultivation level, a 7-star mage. A rank 7 spell materialized and waited to be unleashed.

As soon as it was ready, Captain Garz aimed the spell at the hidden vestige entrance. When the spell struck, a small explosion occurred, creating a narrow opening large enough for us to pass through.

"Everyone, enter now!" Without wasting a moment, I rushed into the vestige, followed closely by Sarah and the others.

As swiftly as we entered, I positioned myself in front of the entrance, brandishing my shield that I retrieved from my space ring. And then, in the next instant, an unimaginable explosion engulfed the area, shattering the world around us.