The outskirts of the capital city.

The towering rock walls acted as a barrier, isolating the capital from the outside world.

Similarly, it also isolated countless mages who were waiting outside the capital.

Mages wearing badges of broken skulls surrounded the city walls, forming a massive human wall.

These mages numbered at least several thousand, forming a vast defensive line around the capital.

The capital city covers a vast area, with the east and west sides far apart, requiring half a day to reach even on foot.

Therefore, although the capital city was severely impacted, the edges of the city walls remained unusually calm and undisturbed.

Behind the mages surrounding the city walls were groups of civilians fleeing the capital.

They don't live in the central area, so there's no need for them to crowd into the central square.

After all, no matter how big the square is, it can't accommodate all the residents of the entire capital.

The residents who had escaped stood behind the monk, their faces filled with worry and unease.

A resident mustered his courage, approached a monk, and asked with a mixture of expectation and worry:

"Master mages..."

"Can we go home?"

Hearing the faint question from beside him, the mage slowly turned his head and his gaze fell on the commoner.

He didn't speak, but simply looked up and glanced behind him.

A large group of civilians, their faces filled with worry and their eyes with anticipation, stood on the land outside the capital, eagerly awaiting the mage's response.

Their home was not far away, but now they could only stand outside the capital and watch from afar.

The civilians' eyes were dim, and their somber and desperate state made them appear unusually calm, even strangely quiet.

As members of the Mage Council, their deep-seated sense of justice would not allow them to stand idly by while these innocent people suffered.

So, with unwavering resolve, he addressed the residents who were seeking hope:

"Don't worry, we will definitely ensure your safety."

As soon as the words were spoken, countless pale-colored magpies seemed to have received some message at the same time, and they all flew across the gloomy and chaotic sky.

Pale light cast dappled shadows through the thick, brownish-brown clouds, hanging high in the sky.

Seeing the birds flying everywhere, the leading mage quickly issued instructions to his companions:

"Everyone, immediately unleash your magic towards the location of the Natural Sparrow!"

At his command, the monks quickly entered a meditative state.

Their fingertips quickly gathered magic power, forming thick, chain-like magical ripples that swirled and poured towards the sky.

Countless colorful magical ripples traversed space, flying towards the pale-colored natural birds.

The birds were filled with this magnificent magic in the air, and their originally transparent bodies began to be painted with various colorful patterns.

A massive, colorful magical wave swept across the bodies of countless natural birds, then stretched from the sky to the ground.

A transparent barrier, flowing with iridescent light, connected heaven and earth, and a vast magical barrier began to gradually cover the entire capital.

Those natural birds that guide the magic in the air are like key nodes in weaving a giant net.

Looking down from above, the entire capital city seemed to be covered by a transparent net.

Meanwhile, standing on the city wall, Rachel stroked his white beard, watching as countless iridescent magical powers were absorbed by the Natural Sparrow.

The cane in his hand flickered slightly, guiding countless magical energies to spread in all directions, constructing a magical barrier of mixed colors.

Heim Horn, who had been building the magical barrier alongside Rachel, stood to the side, gazing at the crimson sunrise in the east, and slowly spoke:

"It's been a long time since we've had a group activity."

"indeed.

Rachel gave a succinct reply and continued to lay out a dense network of magic throughout the capital.

This task could only be completed by Rachel, who lived in the capital and was more familiar with its structure than anyone else.

"The mages are all in place, and the other councilors are ready as well."

As Heim Horn narrowed his eyes, a resolute determination gleaming in them, watching the terrifying storm and scorching heat waves raging around the central city.

This pre-planned collective action was for one purpose only.

"Today, we must keep the defectors here."

Heim Horn instantly became extremely serious, and several red lines, like spider silk, swept across his face, which had been shimmering with light, revealing a warning expression.

With a wave of his hand, he swiftly issued orders to the mages surrounding the capital:

"Notify all councilors and monks to take immediate action!"

...

To the west of the capital city, a dwarf councilor with a long beard responded to a natural sparrow perched on his shoulder.

He also heard the orders given by Haim Horn.

"receive."

Ryan Kent pulled a bottle of blue magic potion from his pocket, and with a gentle snap of his thumb, removed the cork.

"Fortunately, Councilor Victor prepared a potion that prevented the possibility of insufficient magic power."

He brought the bottle to his mouth, tilted his head back, and quickly poured the medicine into his stomach.

Feeling a surge of magic rush through him, Ryan Kent drew his wand, which had flowing mechanical joints.

Seeing that the councilor was ready, the mages who were on guard behind him also took out their potions and quickly drank them down.

Soon, they too gathered their magic at their fingertips and, together with Ryan, began to chant.

"Intense fantasies pour forth from mysterious illusions, profound bewilderment dispels sorrow, and victory is summoned by the messenger of man and descends upon the earth."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!