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330: Dwindling Defenses

Author: Random_writer Word Count: 6423 Updated: 2025-06-09 14:44:24

Dwindling Defenses

Glenin leaned forward onto his staff. Bright blue mana crackled, accentuating his wrinkled frown. "I ask once again, where is General Alexander Finlish?"0

The group's heads turned westwards. Even though the mess hall's wide balcony overlooked the valley, it was covered in transparent crystal. The rays of the setting sun outlined a blurry silhouette of the knight's academy. Under such conditions, they could not see the smoke that they all knew to be rising above the building.

Glenin waited a moment. No one responded. "General Marble, how about him?" The Head Mage asked in a less demanding demeanor. Again, silence. The tight grip around his staff loosened. "General Bernard Von Trike?"

The final, wordless blow made the Head Mage lean his crooked back against the enormous, looming statue of history's greatest hero. As expected of such an experienced individual, he set aside the flash of emotion and concentrated on the present circumstances. While contemplating, he turned his staff over several times while eying the empty hole at the top, looking like it had once carried a small gemstone. "I have been in charge of this academy for fifty three years, longer than any of you have been alive. The Generals have always been flaky but there are always knights at the ready. Why Lance, why did you remain here?"

"I wanted to," Lance stated simply. "It may be a childish reason but it's my reason."

Glenin eyed Lance up and down. "I saw Trenton's state as the student's carried him in. It would indeed be hard for a friend to overlook that however, I know my apprentice is not one to prioritize emotions. For example: you have been blaming yourself for Sozo's death only because you reasoned that if you ever stopped feeling that pain, then you never really cared for her. Your logic, no matter if it is right or wrong, overwrites your emotions. Am I wrong?"

Lance blinked twice. "You are right." he rubbed his forehead and looked off into space. "Unbelievable. You are perfectly right."

Glenin snapped his fingers and a green light shot from Lance's mouth, the color of the gemstone he had swallowed. A second light emanated from a small indentation in Draken's statue. It matched the tip of Glenin's staff. "The Head Mage makes the rules and the rules are always right. Therefore I am always right. You have disobeyed me, bringing the key to the vault here of all places."

"I have never questioned you or your orders master," Lance insisted. "Everything I do is aligning with the rules."

"Then why did you stay?"

Frey reached over, intending to cover Lance's mouth, but he was too late. Lance blurted out the truth: "No knights will arrive."

Glenin scrunched up his lips and pulled on his beard. "That was slow, much too slow. When I ask a question, you will answer it."

"I understand, master," Lance said. It was like hypnosis. His panicked expression morphed back into a calm mask. His posture straightened. He no longer stole glances at the wounded Trenton because his attention was drawn to only his master. There was only the master, room for no other.

Doors opened and closed. Instructors entered and left. Glenin leaned in closer so the rest wouldn't overhear. From the aghast expressions of the closest mages, Frey could tell the cat was already out of the bag. "No one?" The Head Mage repeated. "Not a single knight is coming, other than the three before me? Are you absolutely sure?"

Lance nodded. "I apologize, master."

"Apologies mean wrongdoing, and that leads me to believe you have no acceptable reason to return. Am I wrong?"

"No, you are never wrong, master. I will accept punishment when this is over."

Glenin flashed a faint smile, which eased Lance's tension. "Once this is over, huh?" The room quaked. He winced and clutched at his staff. Frey looked down to find that portions of the crystal had cracked. "Looks like I don't have a choice," Glenin muttered.

The Head Mage reached around his neck and pulled off a hexagonal necklace of familiar transparent crystal. He tossed it at Lance and sneered. "You certainly haven't earned this from today's actions but there is still time to prove me wrong. This artifact is one of three gifts that has been passed down from Head Mage to Head Mage, beginning with Eric Guildri.

"The second gift you are already familiar with..." Glenin pointed to the indentation in Maximus Draken's statue. "And third gift, sadly, I have not the time to teach you." He tapped his cane on the translucent crystal. "Now leave. You serve no purpose here."

Elero stood up before Lance could. Frey may have missed his chance to persuade the Head Mage but she was much more desperate. "If we lose today, there will be no one stopping the demons from breaking the vault open. You saw that spell which obliterated your roof. They can likely do it again." All heads within earshot turned upwards as if the spell would strike once more.

Glenin scowled. "Do as you will." He glared at Lance. "I cannot spare the effort to punish your insolence. Know that you have the blood of your peers on your hands and soon the students."

"No, you're right," Lance said as mana rose from his body. "I should leave. This battle isn't going to be won by my hand, if it can be won at all."

"Reinforcements are coming," Thomas interjected, standing alongside Elero. "You don't have to run. Fight alongside us. Doevm wants that map...in capable human hands."

Glenin fiddled with his cane, growing less patient by the moment. "Yes, I have seen the students you lot have thrown into the fire."

"Not them. Our reinforcements are coming from the third story," Thomas pointed towards the northern, sealed doors. "They will be here so stop wasting your men on protecting this place."

With a collective bang the doors opened. The shift was handed over, and this time only four doors had opened. The other two were sealed shut. Glenin breathed hard. "The demons intend to carve away at our resources. How can you be certain that these reinforcements will come?"

"I've never been certain about him," Frey said, standing alongside the rest of his friends. "It's hard not to distrust an individual wrapped in so many layers of secrets. For all that he's still been my friend, the best one I have. I owe him my trust. He's coming. He would never miss a chance to fight."

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Catalog (467)
1: Prologue 2: Pawn 3: Abuse 4: Rose Thorn 5: A Mother Worries 6: War Monk 7: Virility Mansion 8: Coming war 9: Cleaning books 10: Frey 11: Strength vs. Skill 12: A day in Jameson's Shoes 13: Investigation 14: Lava Boar (Part 1) 15: Lava Boar (part 2) 16: Lava Boar (part 3) 17: Analysis 18: The Past 19: Frey's Challenge 20: Life Essence Training 21: Unhappy Birthday 22: The Truth 23: Leaving 24: Numbskull and Goon 25: Emma 26: Double Date 27: Blacksmith 28: Double Date (Part 2) 29: Mummified Arm 30: Prophecy 31: A Single Cut 32: Inheritance 33: Blasphemy 34: The Rat 35: Twisted Bone 36: Old Addiction 37: Caught 38: Interrogation 39: Welcome to Squad Six 40: Friendly Spar With Squad Six 41: Throwing Knives 42: Calm Before the Storm 43: Manticore 44: Aftermath of The First Battle 45: Promotion 46: New Rivalry 47: Light and Healing Magic 48: Second Mission 49: Wade's Bad Call 50: Outnumbered and Isolated 151: Divine Intervention 152: Final Push 153: Reaper 154: Report 155: Light at the End of the Tunnel 156: Rest 157: Letter 158: Shopping (Part 1/2) 159: Shopping (Part 2/2) 160: Initiation 161: Group of Four 162: Amphiboards 163: The Paddle 164: Start! 165: Bullfrog 166: Noble 167: Underwater 168: Tongue 169: Distant Gaze 170: Trak 171: Doubt 172: Liar 173: Fang 174: Cerberus 175: Teamwork 176: Tired 177: Spear Throwing 178: Breakdown 179: Team 180: Payback 181: Civil Discussion 182: Chains and Anger 183: Mistakes 184: Slight tug 185: Growing pain 186: The Winning Plan 187: Corpse 188: Miss Vessa 189: Old Ways 190: Infectious Determination 191: Numbed Pain 192: Hues 193: Inexperienced (Part 1/2) 194: Inexperienced (Part 2/2) 195: Maddening Rage (Part 1) 196: Maddening Rage (Part 2) 197: The Other Half 198: Lich Talk 199: Demonic Weapon 200: Worst of the Worst 251: Piece of an Origin Story 252: Regret 253: Decisions Decisions 254: Sparring Session 255: Overwhelming Defeat 256: Discovery 257: Suspicion 258: The Broken Statue 259: Gossip 260: The Reach 261: Elero's Return 262: Mr. Lich's true identity 263: Breaking a Habit 264: The Notemaker 265: Beatings, Deadlines, and a Voice in Her Head 266: Unfinished Product 267: The "Jet" Property 268: Inspiration 269: Rough First Day 270: Frustrating Stagnation 271: Visitor 272: Price of Resurrection 273: Becoming Doevm 274: Room of Jars 275: Familiar Smile 276: Dark Magic and Shadows 277: Red and Blue 278: Punishment 279: Sneaking Out 280: The Old Puppet 281: Shattered 282: Assembling the Pieces 283: Timeline 284: Sticks and Stones 285: Initiative, Insults, and Interrogation 286: Thomas and Elero discover the power and the secret then they go and discover the ruins. Man how long can these titles be? I 287: Regret 288: Revamped Story and a Crowded Room 289: Attack 290: Changing Nightmare 291: Another Crack in the Seal 292: Physical descriptions are important 293: Backyard 294: Pale complexion 295: Costly Resurrection 296: Rabbid Rabbit Thomas 297: Cramped Coffin 298: Advanced Spellcraft 299: Gradual Return 300: Larque's Warning 51: Elven Techniques 52: Hopi's Rage 53: Bottled Slimes 54: Three Men of the Von Trike Household 55: Hooks and Vines 56: The Nest 57: Ancient Ruins 58: Legacy (Part 1) 59: Legacy (Part 2) 60: Easter Egg Hunt: Ghoul Edition 61: Regrouping 62: Carnage 63: Reckless and Stupid 64: Self Doubt 65: DID YOU WANT ME TO BE QUIET!? 66: Meeting With Marcus 67: New Men 68: Internal Battle 69: The Plan 70: "Honorable" Duel (Part 1) 71: "Honorable" Duel (Part 2) 72: You're Invited 73: Praise the Goddess 74: A Lich That Hates Magic 75: Ten Months Later 76: Doevm vs. Oliver 77: A Weird Lich 78: Final Battle (Part 1) 79: Final Battle (Part 2) 80: Final Battle (Part 3) 81: General 82: Aftermath 83: No Longer Human. No Longer Lich. 84: Blinded By Greed 85: The Spider 86: Back On Track! 87: Dark World 88: Return to the Virility Household 89: Old Man's Story 90: Meeting The Family 91: Dummy Brigade 92: Weak 93: New Weapons 94: First Mission 95: Sheltered Boy 96: No Graves 97: Severed Head 98: Specimen No. 12 99: Storm Brewing 100: Departure 201: Distrust 202: Spear and Shield 203: Winner 204: Karma 205: Training Complete 206: Ruined Church 207: The Scene of Slaughter 208: Giant's Rage 209: Bottled Emotions 210: Gregen's Blade 211: Inhumane 212: Just My Luck 213: The Demon's Prey 214: Fallen (Part 1/2) 215: Fallen (Part 2/2) 216: Losing Control 217: Nightmare 218: Lich 219: Final Secrets Revealed 220: Twisted Mind 221: Glossary, NOT A CHAPTER 222: Coming to A Close 223: Jackal's Deal 224: Swaying the Crowd 225: Away With You 226: New Recruit 227: Jar of Memories 228: Two Blue Flames 229: Cerlius 230: The Knight's Academy 231: Meeting (1/3) 232: Meeting (2/3) 233: Meeting (3/3) 234: Entering the Academy (1/4) 235: Entering the Academy (2/4) 236: Entering the Academy (3/4) 237: Entering the Academy (4/4) 238: Cerlius's First Day of School 239: Three Concepts of Magic 240: Picking up the Pieces 241: Third Concept 242: Fish Slap 243: My name is Cerlius! 244: Thomas's Natural Charisma 245: New Disciples 246: Consequences of Strength 247: Old Wheelchair 248: Judgement 249: Natural Evil Cannot Be Forgotten 250: Deal with a Demon 101: Scrap City (Part 1) 102: Scrap City (Part 2) 103: Curiosity Killed the Cat 104: Draken Capital 105: Flash of Light 106: Separation 107: Slow Recovery 108: Jackal Von Trike 109: Alexander Finlish 110: Place Your Bets 111: Catch 112: Kill Him 113: Fear 114: Depths of the Capital 115: Missing 116: Meeting of the Nobles 117: Creature (Part 1) 118: Creature (Part 2) 119: Creature (Part 3) 120: Later 121: Braces 122: Abandoned Food 123: Elero Mech 124: Masochist 125: Poisonous 126: Halfbreed 127: Jackal vs. Daniel (Part 1) 128: Jackal vs Daniel (Part 2) 129: March 130: Lord Brandon Von Trike 131: Raid (Part 1) 132: Raid (Part 2) 133: Raid (Part 3) 134: Raid (Part 4) 135: Raid (Part 5) 136: Raid (Part 6) 137: Sore Loser 138: Human Suffering 139: Broken (Part 1) 140: Broken (Part 2) 141: Dark Magician 142: The Plan 143: Unmoving 144: Action Reaction 145: Going Deeper 146: Unknown Voice 147: Gunshots 148: Illusion Spell 149: A Girl 150: Anger Management Issues 301: Alliance 302: Shattered Jar 303: Tricks up the Tyrant's Sleeve 304: Battlefield 305: Deep Scars 306: Pull 307: Tormentor 308: Heretic 309: Incoming Storm Cloud 310: Ominous Birth 311: To Take on an Army 312: Green Gemstone 313: Place of Origin 314: Birth of the Lich 315: You Either Die a Hero or... 316: Tired of Hiding 317: Demon King's Power 318: Different Magics 319: Guidance 320: Birth of a Berserker 321: Targets 322: The Survivors 323: Long Awaited Contact 324: The Final Cliffhanger (part 1/2) 325: The Final Cliffhanger (part 1.5/2) Yes, I know I f***ed up 326: Final Final Cliffhanger, an apology 327: Quiet Arrival 328: Wizard Kick 329: Dead Silence 330: Dwindling Defenses 331: Positions Everyone, for the Show Begins 332: Imminent demise 333: Dud Part 1/2 (but let's be real here it'll probably be out of 3 because I underestimate stuff) 334: Dud Part 2 (Thanks to Logician for the suggestion) 335: Dud Part 3 336: Refusal to Submit 337: Hungry for a Fight 338: Lich Unleashed Part 1 339: Lich Unleashed Part 2 340: Lich Unleashed Part 3 341: The Western Hallway: Part 1 342: The Western Hallway: Part 2 343: The Mess Hall: Part 1 344: The Forbidden One's Arrival 345: Two Kings, a Rook, a Queen, a Priest, and a Whole lot of Pawns 346: Exception to the Rule 347: Fellow Pawn 348: Divine Savior 349: The Aftermath 350: The Shadox's Lament 351: Elero's Operation 352: Fall Down Seven Times. Get Up Eight Times. 353: PMI: Passive Magical Income 354: Hurried Goodbye 355: Graduation 356: Undead Shambling Through the Streets 357: Can I come with you? 358: Graduation 359: Sparring Session 360: Liar Liar 361: Washed Up Demi 362: Just a corpse 363: Into the Ruin 364: A Hero's Hesitation 365: Losing Control 366: Paying the Price 367: To Rely on Oneself 368: Kin 369: Deal 370: Come With Me 371: When It's Painful, Cry, Then Get Back Up. 372: Thomas's Choice 373: Bloodtrail 374: Plan B 375: Fighting to Die 376: Past the Breaking Point 377: Captain Fisher 378: Prologue 379: Prologue (Part 2) 380: Prologue (Part 3) 381: Prologue (Part 4) 382: Prologue (Part 5) 383: Last Day in a Long Journey 384: Frowning Frey 385: Mercenaries 386: Distracted 387: Lord Jameson 388: Disarming Sincerity 389: Search For Arte 390: Friendly Fire 391: Anger and Gentleness of a Giant 392: Safe Haven 393: The legend of Arthur Botoman 394: Old Foe 395: Wear and Tear 396: Compliments to the Chef (Part 1) 397: Compliments to the Chef (Part 2) 398: My Only Family (Part 1) 399: My Only Family (Part 2) 400: Wake up! 401: Whispers Underground 402: Why a chef? 403: Hostage Situation 404: Radiant Burst 405: Left Alive? 406: The Slap 407: The Right Choice (Part 1/2) 408: The Right Choice (Part 2/2) 409: Report from the Capital 410: Owen's Warning 411: Patron 412: Goodbye Petal Town 413: Old Friend in the Bloodwood 414: Boiling Toad 415: Full Alert 416: Relying on Magic 417: Gutless Cur 418: Doevm's paranoia 419: A Letter From Elero 420: Takeoff 421: Destination: Polyglint Mines 422: Good Old Reverse Psychology 423: Got any better ideas? 424: Blending in 425: Sir Wilhelm 426: Passing on a Message 427: Let's Play a Game 428: Kilot's Infectious Laughter 429: Descent into the Darkest Darkness...which is Dark (Part 1/2) 430: Descent into the Darkest Darkness...which is Dark (Part 2/2) 431: EEEWWWWWWWWWWWW 432: Firing up the Forge 433: The Second Legacy 434: Hit the Books 435: Welcome to the Game, Doevm 436: The Players 437: The Hollow Stone 438: The Lich's Blessing 439: Stupid Frey 440: Dragon Hoard 441: The Source of the Mana and the Unconscious Ally 442: The Classic Old Dwarvish Bait 443: Chronomancy, an Assassin, and a Theory 444: The Assassin's Execution 445: Jumping at Shadows 446: Whole again 447: An Old Dwarf has his Tricks 448: Food, Shelter, and Privacy 449: Maker's Punishment 450: New Image 451: The Troop's Morale 452: Divide and Conquer 453: Custom Order Tool 454: The Beginning of the Last Crucade 455: Recurring Dream or Nightmare? 456: Instigating a Fight 457: The Arrogance of the Strong 458: The Hunt Begins 459: Edgy Tendencies and a Pure-Hearted Smile 460: Reward: Ascention 461: Multi-layered Trap 462: Percieved Threat 463: Rise of the False Hope 464: Questionable Alliance 465: A Reason to Fight 466: When an Unstoppable Force Meets an Unmovable Object 467: Lesson One Complete
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