The Legendary Mage (Alavin)
Chapter 202

Though individually stronger, the bandits were quickly overwhelmed by the black-clothed figures. The black men's exquisite teamwork purely focused on slaughter, and even formed battle formations. With one rotation, more than thirty bandits fell dead on the spot.

Oda and the others watched in terror, huddling close together. They felt as fragile as leaves in a storm.

"Fear not, I am a friend of Alavin," the portly man approached them.

"My brother?" Oda's mouth hung open in surprise.

"He should be here soon as well."

"What... what's happening?" Helna asked, shocked by the chaotic scene.

At that moment, a 'bandit' burst through the lines, leaping skywards a hundred meters with a cry, swooping down with his right leg smashing heavily upon the ground. "Earth Fiend! The Great Splitting Stomp!" A powerful energy ripple emanated from the point of impact, sweeping across hundreds of meters. Following it, a blast of air surged, knocking over a dozen black-clad figures who spat blood in midair. Their hearts shattered, and they were dead before they hit the ground-meanwhile, a web of deep cracks spread violently as if rending the earth itself.

"Ah!" The women screamed as the blast and cracks hurtled towards them. The wind covered the sky, and the fissures fractured the ground, leaving them nowhere to run.

Dozens of shadows raced forward, intent on rescue.

In the nick of time, a formidable figure descended from above, crashing down in front of them with a roar. Flames burst forth as he swung his great sword, slicing a trench into the earth a few dozen meters ahead, halting the advancing cracks. His powerful aura stood firm against the oncoming blast.

"Lucan!!" The women cried out, tears streaming down their faces in relief. Their trust in Lucan ran deep in their hearts.

"And who might you be?" Lucan rose to his feet, glaring at the portly man before him with fury in his eyes. The scene before him was a stark provocation, the kind of disaster he had wished to avoid at all costs. If something befell the Mallister family under his watch, how could he face the deceased lord, and how could he face Alavin?

"Uncle Lucan, he... he's here to save us," Oda said softly.

"Are you Lucan? I am a friend of Alavin," said the plump fellow, who was none other than Balder. He gazed in surprise at the towering giant before him, a man standing two meters tall with flames billowing around him, his presence majestic like a beast of fire exuding an overwhelming force. This formidable figure was the captain of the Mallister family's guard, mentioned by Alavin-a man whose aura suggested he was at least a Master Mage at Stage VIII.

Lucan's three-hundred-strong guards rushed to the scene, stunned by the chaos. Was this an attack by bandits? Could bandits possess such a fearsome aura and Combat Magic?

"They are Protégés from Cobalt Strike, ordered to assassinate the people of the Mallister family." Balder was now somewhat in awe of Alavin, who had predicted that the Grand Elder would not let the Mallister family off easily and would resort to foul play. Fortunately, Alavin had been prepared, or else, given the current situation, the Mallister family might have faced annihilation.

"Why?" Lucan turned to look at those 'bandits.' Was Cobalt Strike so intent on destroying the Mallister family that they would disguise themselves as bandits to assassinate them? Why not simply execute them? Why did they go through all this trouble?

"To cut a long story short, Alavin participated in The Clash of Eight Orders and secured a top five position among the Eight Orders. He made a deal with the Commander of Cobalt Strike, granting pardon to the Mallister family and absolving Stormcast of all punishments. The Grand Elder couldn't bear it and thus sought to deal with the Mallister family before the pardon could reach Azure Mountain."

"What??" Lucan was shocked, as were his guards, Oda, and the others.

The Clash of Eight Orders? A top five spot? A pardon for the Mallister family?

"Alavin should be arriving soon. He'll explain then. For now, should we...?" Balder gestured towards the battlefield.

Lucan could hardly fathom it, but the chaos was intensifying. Protecting the Mallister family was paramount. He assigned two hundred Protégés to guard them closely, while he led a hundred men into the fray of battle.