The Royal Guard Dragon Warriors were the elite troops of the Fire Lizard army, composed entirely of Fire Lizard nobles with awakened dragon blood. Each of these warriors had achieved tier-two strength due to their awakened bloodlines. Beyond their innate power, their combat skills were unmatched, with each capable of taking on ten opponents of the same level.
These rigorous selection criteria made them formidable combatants, their individual combat ability on par with that of veteran Grand Wizards.
And now, ten of these elite warriors had appeared.
The Royal Guard Dragon Warriors moved with ferocious speed. Their golden-masked faces were ghostly as they wielded their curved sabers with lethal precision.
*Whizz! Whizz! Whizz...*
Their slashes were relentless, with their strikes coming one after another, their coordination impeccable. The continuous barrage of attacks was like a tidal wave, quickly suppressing the White Wizard squad's second-circle wizards, rendering them unable to move.
The first-circle wizards had become the breakthrough point for the attackers.
*Bang! Bang!*
In an instant, the remaining two first-circle wizards had their magical shields shattered. One wizard's arm was severed, while another had his abdomen cut open.
"Combined magic, shield!"
The White Wizard squad leader issued the command through the psychic network. The squad quickly shifted into a new formation, placing the first-circle wizards in the center and linking the magical barriers of the second-circle wizards together to create a thicker and more resilient magical shield.
The immediate danger was momentarily averted.
"Impressive."
One of the Royal Guard Dragon Warriors, the tallest among them, spoke coldly.
The Dragon Warriors ceased their assault, slipping into the surrounding buildings. Once inside, they seemed to disappear, their presence vanishing from the wizards' psychic probes.
"Psychic camouflage, second-tier elite strength, they work seamlessly together."
The squad leader's face turned pale as he summarized the enemy's capabilities.
Even for him, defeating one of these Fire Lizards would be a hard fight, and if two attacked at once, escape would be his only option.
Now, ten of these powerful warriors had them surrounded.
A sense of hopelessness washed over the White Wizard squad leader.
Meanwhile, Richard was communicating mentally with Ulysses.
"These Fire Lizards can even evade psychic detection? Truly, the world is full of surprises," Richard marveled.
"Gah, that's nothing. There are plenty of creatures that can fool psychic probes. I've seen a strange species that could only be observed visually. The moment you look away, you forget they exist."
"And how did you win against them?" Richard asked curiously.
"Gah, I spent a lot of magic credits on a witch who specializes in curses. She placed a curse on them so they couldn't act unless seen. These creatures weren't strong in combat, and we beat them easily once we could see them. I remember the flavor of those creatures… it was quite delicious."
"…Let's focus on the present situation."
Richard patted the White Wizard squad leader, ready to say something when the leader turned to him, his face contorted with rage.
"What are you doing? You fool!"
"…Why are you yelling at me as soon as you see me?" Richard said, slightly displeased.
The squad leader glared, frustrated. Didn't Richard see they were surrounded by Fire Lizards?
"What do you think you're doing?" The squad leader hissed in a low, restrained tone.
He knew the Fire Lizards were watching them. If they were to detect internal discord, their situation would be disastrous.
The only chance of survival was to maintain the magical shield formation and make the Fire Lizards believe they were an unbreakable force, forcing them to leave.
"These Fire Lizards are valuable. I want to collect a specimen," Richard said calmly.
"Collect a specimen?!" The squad leader almost laughed in disbelief.
"Now?" he snapped. "Look at the three first-circle wizards nearly cut in half! And you want to collect specimens?"
"Yes, just move aside," Richard replied helplessly. "You're crowding me. I can't perform my magic properly like this."
The second-circle wizards around them glanced at each other in surprise.
Such arrogance.
Was he implying they were the burden?
"Perform properly? Fine, fine, fine!"
The squad leader sneered, mentally issuing an order.
"Move this idiot out of the way! I'll explain things to Master Vladimir later!"
Several wizards stepped aside, creating a gap in the magical barrier.
The Royal Guard Dragon Warriors watching from the buildings were momentarily confused.
"What's that wizard doing, coming out of the shield?"
"I don't know, but I smell the pheromones of the strongest wizard. Looks like there's some internal conflict."
"Internal conflict, huh? Interesting. Prepare to strike, deal with the one who came out first."
Richard stepped out of the shield and casually walked toward the buildings around him.
Suddenly, two dark figures burst from the building, charging at him from the left and right.
"Ulysses, take the one on the right. Don't let these White Wizards think I'm relying on my magical pet."
"Gah, isn't that what you are? Hahaha!"
Ulysses cackled as he flew toward the left Royal Guard Dragon Warrior, his jet-black claws flashing like lightning.
Meanwhile, Richard didn't dodge. He didn't even activate his magical barrier, allowing the Dragon Warrior's curved saber to strike him directly.
*Sizzle…*
The saber collided with Richard's armor, sparks flying.
He smiled at the Dragon Warrior. "Your curved saber can't break my armor."
Then, with one mighty punch—
*Bang!*
The Dragon Warrior stared at the dented spot on his chest, then collapsed backward.
With Dragon Force glands and the Rock Crushing Fist, the punch was delivered with a terrifying 1,400 energy levels of power.
Meanwhile, Ulysses, his claws locked around the head and part of the spine of another Royal Guard Dragon Warrior, appeared beside Richard.
Silence fell.
Both the White Wizards and the Fire Lizards froze.
Then, in an instant, both sides reacted.
"Kill that wizard!"
"Cast spells to cover the advisor!"
The sound of magic crackled in Richard's ears as the White Wizards' spells briefly delayed the Royal Guard Dragon Warriors' assault.
Richard laughed, stretching his body, then twisting with fluid precision.
*Bang!*
Another Dragon Warrior fell.
Three more Royal Guard Dragon Warriors attacked, launching their curved sabers like falling moonlight, but with the brightness of the sun.
As the sabers swung, they melted and deformed, turning into bone blossoms just before they reached Richard.
*Whoosh!*
The bone blossom missed its target.
Richard's figure disappeared in an instant, reappearing at a nearby building.
"Ulysses, take care of the rest."
"Gah, I've had enough of this."
Ulysses cackled again, shooting like black lightning over the heads of the remaining Dragon Warriors.
When he returned to Richard's side, the heads of the four Dragon Warriors who had attacked were torn off. The three who hadn't attacked in time were already fleeing behind the cover of the buildings.
"What a shame, three got away."
Richard looked at the fleeing Dragon Warriors with regret but didn't instruct Ulysses to pursue.
"But these will do."
With that, Richard turned back to the White Wizard squad, raising his hands in a shrug.
"You see? I told you I don't need protection.
Why didn't you believe me?"
---
"This was entirely my fault. I couldn't see the advisor's strength. I apologize for my previous offenses. Please forgive me," the White Wizard squad leader said respectfully, bowing his head.
Who would have thought that this three-hundred-year-old second-circle wizard would be so powerful? Even his magical pet seemed stronger than him.
Richard waved it off nonchalantly. He wasn't one to hold grudges, and the situation wasn't too significant.
"It's no big deal. Let's move forward, captain."
The squad leader lifted his head, relieved. Typically, wizards from noble families were petty.
But this time, he had encountered a magnanimous one.
"Thank you for your generosity. It seems your family will have another important figure soon," the White Wizard squad leader sighed.
Richard raised an eyebrow. "You're still talking about my family? I told you, I don't have a family. You should have recognized me. I worked with Master Vladimir on repairing several magic stone cannons. Didn't I fix some for you?"
"Ah, it's really you, Master Richard!" a first-circle wizard, who had been receiving treatment, exclaimed in surprise. "I knew I wasn't mistaken."
For wizards undergoing spiritual evolution, as long as their bodies were still functioning, it didn't matter how severe the injuries were. The wounds caused by the Dragon Warriors earlier looked terrifying, but after a bit of healing, they would be fine.
Richard shrugged. It seemed his role as a battlefield repairman hadn't gone unnoticed.
The White Wizard squad leader's face flushed. Experience could sometimes mislead one's judgment.
"Ah, I've offended you again."
With that, the squad leader pulled a black-gold curved saber from his pocket. The blade was exquisitely crafted, with golden tree-like patterns that looked like the finest of its kind.
He handed it to Richard, awkwardly smiling. "Please, accept this. My head's been clouded. I don't know what came over me."
Having offended Richard twice, even the calmest person would lose their temper. If Richard decided to leave the battlefield in anger, their squad would be in serious trouble.
Richard wasn't on a mission to attack the city.
The White Wizard squad leader wiped the sweat from his forehead and waited for Richard's response in silence.
Looking at the squad leader's awkward smile, Richard suddenly understood his intentions. He accepted the sword graciously.
"Since you're so generous, I'll take it."
The squad leader sighed in relief. "Thank you for your generosity."
With that, he signaled the squad to adjust their formation and continue clearing the city.
**(End of Chapter 217)**