?447 Targeting Varahan Mansion
"May I know who you are?" A Royal approached Inala when the latter circled the crumbling Karuta Hill and arrived in his proximity.
"I'm Dhakha, a refugee who became a citizen just recently." Inala introduced himself.
"For someone who became a citizen just recently, you've shown a lot of bravery and concern for our Empire." The Royal said and shook hands with Inala, "I'm impressed by your strength and commitment."
"I was mostly frustrated, you see." Inala smiled wryly, "I heard about Karuta Hill back home so many times that I was fed up. And after so long, I managed to arrive here by braving countless life-and-death situations. But shit! I had just begun to admire the place when that bastard had to…ugh!"
"I understand your frustration." The Royal patted Inala's back to calm him down, saying in a hurry upon seeing the latter cough, "You sustained a lot of injuries while fighting Loot. You must get some rest now."
"Besides, we all saw what you did back there." He smiled, "You kept him engaged long enough for us to arrive. The Empire will reward your bravery."
"I'm grateful," Inala bowed in response, "It was difficult to act strong when I'm weak."
"You have Silver Grade strength. You're not weak in the slightest." The Royal patted him and walked away, "Your ability isn't strong, but you're able to use it to a ridiculous extent. That's sheer talent in itself."
"Once Loot is captured, someone will contact you. Come receive your reward then. You've earned it."
"It's my honour to serve the Empire!" Inala bowed as he observed the Royal walk away and take position at a comfortable spot. He was the one who controlled the Spirit Weapon carrying the group of Royals who were attacking Virala.
He was more than six kilometres from the battleground and adjusted his position as and when necessary.
Inala observed and noticed that more and more Royals were converging upon the place to form a net. They hadn't attacked yet and were just ready to intercept when necessary. Upon seeing their numbers, Inala smiled wryly, 'Just how many Royals were hiding in Fentan City alone?'
Many part of the wealthy class lived in Fentan City. Therefore, the number of Royals living here was a tad higher than in other cities. But even then, a casual observation netted more than thirty Royals in his location alone.
'Most are at the Body Stage.' He observed their presence and concluded, 'They're here as the final layer of defence.'
'With his current abilities, he could still make an escape. But for that, he should use the Nature Weapon of Eddy.' Inala thought, 'Virala won't be using it unless his life's at risk due to the severe Prana consumption.'
Expert Iron Grade Pranic Beast—Bludder!
This rotating creature of death would accumulate 300 Prana while spinning and activate its Primary Nature. Without spinning rapidly, it wouldn't be able to accumulate Prana fast enough to attack. This was at the Iron Grade.
Currently, its Nature of Eddy Blade stored in the Nature Weapon of Eddy was at the Mystic Grade. Meaning, the Prana consumed for a single attack would be in the thousands.
Whether in human or Empyrean Tusk form, Virala couldn't spin as fast as a Bludder. Therefore, he would have to manually accumulate as much Prana required for the Nature to activate, which would mean placing a severe strain on his Spirit Container.
Based on Virala's training attempts, Inala judged that Virala would be able to unleash two Eddy Blades in succession before his Spirit Container would shatter.
Even just unleashing one Eddy Blade would put enough strain that for a few days, he wouldn't be able to use Prana and would have to focus on recovery alone. Even using a Prana detection means would cause him intense heartaches.
Hence, unless Virala was prepared for such a situation, he wouldn't use the Nature Weapon of Eddy. Only when there was a clear route for escape would he use it.
Had he still retained the Nature Weapons of Leech and Tunnel, Virala would have been able to escape without issues. That was why he had been arrogant all along. Because with Leech, he could absorb the blood of anyone in his Spirit Weapon range.
And with Tunnel, he could flee easily and transform the tunnel into a maze for any pursuers. It was damn easy. But now, he had no realistic means to escape without risking it all. After all, as time passed, more and more Royals began to show up.
The team of three Royals transporting the two Nature Weapon replicas was already out of Virala's sight, frustrating him. He wasn't able to break free from the Fentan City Lord who kept him rooted to the region surrounding Karuta Hill.
'Seems I messed up.' Virala cooled down upon realising that whether in human form or Empyrean Tusk form, he couldn't break free of the encirclement. His opponents were able to tank his artillery strikes without issues, having more than enough disposable Spirit Weapons.
He observed many Royals carrying a bag of Spirit Weapons that they supplied to the ones fighting him from time to time. Not just Spirit Weapons. They were also supplying medicines, Parute Fruits, etc.
With their extended Spirit Weapon range, they could casually take on such an approach. And though Virala was fighting with his all, none of the Royals had been injured until now. Forget being injured, they were staying just too damn far.
As a result, even when he unleashed an artillery strike, the travel distance meant more than enough time for the Brimgan Royals to calmly evade. In their Kinesis Deity forms, the Brimgan Royals were able to casually see high-speed movements.
Their bodies weren't fast, but their Spirit Weapons were, which was their primary means of fighting. Even if Virala tried something that took them by surprise, he couldn't cover five to ten kilometres in a few seconds.
The Spirit Weapons would keep bombarding him long enough for the Royals to catch up slowly. 'There's not much choice.'
For a moment, he stared in the direction of Fentan City, 'In my Empyrean Tusk form, if I were to unleash an artillery strike, I can accurately aim for Varahan Mansion. If some of them were to die, the Boar King would be forced to reveal himself. He'll become mad with rage and slaughter everyone. These Royals will be forced to intercept him and prevent Fentan City from getting destroyed.'
'I only need to get close to someone. Once I enter their Nature Slot, I can sneak away.' Virala smirked as turbulent winds were generated when he took on his Empyrean Tusk form.
Guuong!
A thunderclap resounded due to the sheer force with which he inhaled the surrounding air, alarming the Royals who erected defensive measures.
Nature Weapon—Tusk!
Nature Weapon—Artillery!
Virala activated them simultaneously and condensed thousands of spikes in his trunk, propped by Internal Inertial Gravity. He raised their density, making each spike weigh two hundred kilograms, thinking, 'This should be enough to destroy Varahan Mansion.'
"This madman!" Inala cursed in shock upon seeing Virala's aim. But it was too late already, as by the time Inala moved to take action, Virala's Empyrean Tusk form poised its trunk towards the sky and unleashed its artillery strike that penetrated the clouds in a matter of seconds.
"Shit! If he does that as an Empyrean Tusk, it'll only bring down the Boar King's wrath on the Mammoth Clan further!" Inala's face was twisted in frustration, "Even an idiot won't do this. Does this fucker not care if the Mammoth Clan is destroyed?"
Though he raced at his top speed, watching golden flashes speed past him as the Royals too took action, knowing where Virala was aiming, it was all for naught. Everyone unanimously raised their heads to see burning spikes resembling meteors rain down from the clouds, making a beeline toward Varahan Mansion.
And then…they touched the ground, vaporising Varahan Mansion.