Those time travelers that year

……

"Huh!" Standing on the rooftop, concealing himself with an invisibility spell, Charles paused for a moment, then turned his gaze to the garden in the distance. "How come they're so fast? These patrolling soldiers are such useless! And wasn't there supposed to be a mini-boss in the tower? How come they're done so quickly?!"

With Xia Er's strength, he naturally noticed immediately that the defensive magic that had been interfering with him had disappeared. In other words, teleportation spells, which were previously forbidden, were now usable. Not only that, but because the defensive mechanism was disabled, even the magic towers in the city used to defend against enemy attacks gradually lost their energy supply, one by one dimming. If before, he had been cautious to avoid being discovered and ganged up on because of this city-wide defensive mechanism, now he could completely let loose and have fun!

"Hey! Those two invaders did a great job!" Charles laughed. "Next, I bet the Radiant side will start 'airdropping' [Heroes]!"

"I wonder if the Nightshade side will be able to get back to defend this place in time..."

"Never mind! I'll find an opportunity to make my move later..."

I have to work overtime again tomorrow. I'll be working overtime for half of this month. Sigh!

There will only be one update on Saturday, but another book, "The Hunting Journey," will have a new chapter—a whopping 10,000 words...

119. The Descent of the Radiant [Hero]

Outside the city, near the banyan tree where Charles entered the underground black market a few days ago, a leaf-like mark carved into a tree began to emit a faint, emerald-green glow. If Charles were here now, he would recognize it as a small trick left behind by the two Radiant invaders from that day.

Of course, such a petty trick was fatal to this city, whose defensive magic had been shut down. The green light emanating from the leaf-like mark grew brighter and brighter, and then the tree bearing the mark began to grow taller and taller, becoming increasingly lush. With a whoosh, a crack appeared in the tree trunk, revealing a figure draped in clothing and a cloak woven from leaves, holding a long oak staff, and sporting two antler-like horns. However, his slightly pointed ears indicated that he was not human, but an elf.

The legendary chicken-killing maniac—[The Prophet]!

Ahem, sorry, I misspoke!

This is a hero of the Radiant, a powerful spellcaster named Prophet who wields the power of nature and is blessed by the tree goddess Verodesia. Once the interference shrouding the area dissipated, Prophet, this Radiant hero, used a teleportation spell to traverse most of the world in an instant, arriving directly from Radiant territory to the rear of the Dire's front lines.

"The call of nature!" The Radiant Hero emerged from the trees, gazing at the city whose defenses had been shut down. "Well done, those two children! Now, it's our turn, the work of our predecessors!" The Prophet planted his oak staff in the ground, instantly illuminating it with a vibrant green light. Countless branches sprouted from the staff, taking deep root in the soil and spreading outwards. Vibrant life force, carried by the Prophet's power, permeated every corner of the forest. Soon, the entire forest fell within the Prophet's perception; his every action and word became one with it.

"That's enough, old buddies!" the Prophet said softly. "I have absorbed the energy of this forest. It's time to teach those ambitious Nightshade a lesson!"

The next moment, as soon as the [Prophet] finished speaking, a teleportation magic circle appeared directly in front of him. It was the power of a teleportation scroll, which quickly locked onto this location after the [Prophet] provided the location. In the azure magical light, the neighing of a horse rang out, and an old mage riding a white horse and wearing a white robe appeared.

This hero, also from the Radiant faction—the Keeper of the Light who wields light magic—is also the mortal enemy of the Dire's Chaos Knight.

"It's been so long, [Prophet]!" The [Guardian of Light], emerging from the teleportation portal, expressed his gratitude to the [Prophet] with a kind expression.

"Old friend! Long time no see!" The Prophet nodded to the Keeper of Light and replied happily, "It's been almost ten years since we last fought together, buddy!"

"Yes! I'm getting older, while you still seem like a young person!"

"Stop with the compliments, let's wait for the other guys!"

Second, third, fourth... Just as the two were talking, three more magical beams of teleportation appeared in succession. Soon, three more Radiant Heroes arrived here via teleportation scrolls.

The hero appeared to be a decrepit old man, dressed in burlap, with a shoulder pad on his right shoulder, an animal skin glove on his left, and a claw on his right. This seemingly frail old man, judging from his pointed ears, was also an elf; he was the Radiant hero—a Druid. After arriving via teleportation, this hero summoned a blue light, within which a gigantic bear appeared beside him.

The other [hero] did not appear to be a living being of flesh and blood; it was a tree, a moving tree. Its size was enormous, yet its footsteps landed silently. Its branches were more abundant than many of the trees in the forest. When it appeared, a silent whisper echoed throughout the forest—the faint collective consciousness of all the trees, welcoming this embodiment of nature—the Radiant [Tree Spirit Guardian].

The last hero to emerge from the teleportation light was a tall and robust man. He wore full armor and a horned helmet, the visor of which obscured his face. This hero wielded a massive greatsword, so enormous that its weight alone could crush a person, yet in his hands it seemed weightless—he was the Wandering Swordsman.

Five Radiant heroes appeared one after another outside this unsuspecting city.

"Prophet, Druid, and Treant Protector, thank you for your help!" The Wandering Swordsman bowed to the three heroes after emerging from the teleportation portal.

"It's alright, child! Let's hurry!" The Druid shook his head, then patted the giant bear beside him. "Over on the Dire side, if things go wrong, a Hero will teleport over to reinforce us immediately. We need to be quick..."

"Then the commander can come and thank us! That girl, all she does is boss people around!" [The Prophet] chuckled, saying nonchalantly, "Next, I will revitalize the trees in this forest to attack that city, but revitalizing an entire forest requires too much power for me, and I'm afraid I won't be able to provide assistance for a while!"

“No problem! Old friend!” said the [Light Mage]. “You have the [Tree Spirit Guardian] to protect you. By the way, don’t overexert yourself.”

"Hahaha, even an old dog can bite!" The Prophet laughed loudly. Immediately afterward, emerald green magical light surged from his body, spreading throughout the entire forest along his staff, which had grown branches and connected to the earth.

A rumbling sound rang out, and in the distance, the tall trees shone with the same emerald green light as the [Prophet]. Soon, these trees, imbued with the [Prophet's] magic, began to uproot their branches from the ground. A vast forest came to life with dozens, even hundreds, of gigantic tree-men, and this number continued to increase.

"Leave the rest to us!" Seeing the Prophet begin to act, the Wandering Swordsman solemnly bowed to him, holding his massive sword, and marched towards the city of the Nightmare together with the animated giant treants.

The Druid and his giant bear companion joined the Wandering Swordsman, while the Keeper of Light gave the Prophet a look that said "safety first," before pulling on the reins and riding off towards the city.

"Thank you for your help, Guardian of the Holy Land!" Watching his colleagues leave one after another, the Prophet turned his gaze to the Treant Guardian, who had been standing silently to the side.

The Tree Spirit Guardian bowed, its massive wooden arms waving, and a magical power descended, causing leaves to flutter and obscure the Prophet and its figures. Once all the leaves had fallen, the two heroes vanished into the forest.

120. Christmas should indeed be a time for holy war (Part 1)

"Hmm!?" Standing atop a building, concealed beneath the night sky, watching the two intruders, Xia Er suddenly sensed a massive energy surge rising from the direction outside the city. Turning his gaze towards the city's outskirts, he saw emerald green light rising from the earth into the dark sky. One—no, five in total—a force no less powerful than Gadin, whom Xia Er had previously concealed and killed, appeared outside the city, and were advancing towards it. Clearly, their intentions were hostile.

At least the faint, trembling sensation of heavy objects moving forward could be felt. Judging from the situation, at least five Radiant heroes had crossed the long battle line and parachuted into the city's rear after the city's defenses were deactivated. Their intentions were clearly obvious.

"The Radiant's [Heroes]?!" Turning his gaze away, Sharl looked at the two retreating invaders below and thought, "Looks like they're using teleportation to directly airdrop and flank the backline! But with only five [Heroes], if the Dire reacts, they're going to collapse!"

"But now it seems like the Dire's high ground is being stolen!"

However, this was none of his concern. No matter how chaotic the battles between these heroes were, it only created opportunities for him to launch surprise attacks. Besides, most of the heroes he wanted to hunt were on the Dire side. If these Radiant heroes could help, that would be ideal. Although he didn't know who the Dire heroes arriving as reinforcements would be, they probably wouldn't be a match for the Radiant side, who were poised to attack, for the time being.

"Looks like I should give those Radiant heroes some motivation!" Charles cast a malicious glance at the two below. "Without motivation, I reckon those Radiant heroes are mostly just after this strategically important city..."

"In that case, I'll... add a little something extra!" Charles grinned maliciously at the two unlucky souls who had no idea where he was.

……

Ovina, who was retreating with Nag, suddenly stopped...

"What's wrong?!" Seeing his female companion stop, Nag turned around and asked, "What happened? Is it because of Ovina before...?"

“No, I’m fine…” Ovina paused, then said hesitantly, “I think, I think I feel something watching us!”

"Spying!" Nag exclaimed in surprise, scanning his surroundings warily. The strange events outside the city had already caused panic among the city's defenders. Several Radiant heroes, making no attempt to conceal their identities, were putting immense pressure on the Dire army defending the city. This was especially true given that their defensive magic had been completely destroyed and their own heroes were not present.

The unrest in the city was escalating. The chaotic footsteps, shouts, and noises rose and fell, spreading to every corner of the city. Ordinary residents fearfully locked their doors, though these locks would be useless once the war began. Some of the soldiers stationed within the city were urgently deployed to the front lines to defend against the invading enemy. While these newly recruited soldiers were essentially cannon fodder to [Heroes], they should at least delay the advance. It seemed the city's leadership intended to buy time through the sacrifice of these cannon fodder.

On one hand, the [hero] who was supposed to delay them had just arrived to provide reinforcements; on the other hand, they were probably planning to deal with the defensive magic that had been deactivated. If they could restart the defense mechanism, they would have weathered this storm. With enough soldiers, they should be able to delay the approaching [hero] to some extent… right?

Of course, if the city's higher-ups knew that one of the attackers happened to be the "Wandering Swordsman," they probably wouldn't have done something so suicidal. Well, even if they did know, it probably wouldn't have made a difference.

“There shouldn’t be any Nightshade soldiers here right now.” After cautiously surveying the surroundings, Nag said cautiously, “We’ve already deactivated our defensive magic. The enemy will probably rush back to try and restart the defenses, and they’re unlikely to waste their time on us.”

"but……"

"The five [Heroes] have already begun their attack on this city!" Nag interrupted Ovina, stating decisively, "Moreover, one of the heroes who came is the [Wandering Swordsman]. Do you think a few newly promoted soldiers can possibly stop the [Wandering Swordsman]?!"

"Unless they intend to abandon the city outright, the only option is to use human lives to delay the [Heroes] while repairing and activating the defensive magic and awaiting the arrival of the Nightmare [Heroes] for reinforcements."

"Hmm...you're right, I was just overthinking it!"

“Let’s hurry!” Nag said to Ovina. “Before the Nightmare [Heroes] arrive, we have to…”

"Clap clap clap clap!!!" Just then, a series of clapping sounds suddenly rang out on the previously deserted street. Upon hearing this clapping, Nag and Ovina both froze, cold sweat involuntarily pouring down their backs.

"That deduction just now, well, it wasn't exactly brilliant, but considering you two had the courage to venture into the lion's den, I can still give you credit!" A young man in a black cloak with dark gold eyes appeared before Nag and Ovina. This visitor, wearing a clearly malicious smile, clapped his hands as he slowly walked from the shadows to the two of them.

when!?

Somehow, fear welled up in Nag and Ovina's hearts. With their temporary strength as "quasi-heroes," they hadn't even noticed the person so close to them. Clearly, this unexpected arrival was someone they couldn't handle.

"Who are you?!" After taking a deep breath, Nag stared at the hostile-looking person in front of him and asked.

“Hmm, just call me Sharl!” His dark golden eyes fixed on the two wary intruders, who were now staring at him nervously. Nag's hands, gripping two serrated blades, were taut, his legs slightly bent, poised to strike at any moment. Ovina, the woman, conjured a cluster of light blades in the air with her hands. Simultaneously, several translucent light screens reflecting strange radiance surrounded her, equally wary of the person who posed such a significant threat.

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous!" Charles smiled amicably. "In a sense, I'm just like you for now, an enemy of Nightmare."

"By the way! Your heroes probably only want to conquer this city, right? Even if Nightshade heroes come to support you, they'll probably just drive them away a bit more. I'd like to ask under what circumstances your heroes would fight to the death with the Nightshade side?"

"Go!!" Nag suddenly shouted, and his figure disappeared from the spot in an instant. The next moment, he appeared behind Sharl, and the two serrated blades fell directly towards Sharl's back.

After Nag shouted, Ovina immediately turned and retreated without hesitation. Nag, who still possessed the Heroic power of the Bounty Hunter, could use Shadowstep, giving her a much higher chance of delaying or escaping. Although the Templar Assassin's power was not weak, when facing an invincible enemy, Refraction, while able to withstand some enemy attacks, was not omnipotent.

“Shadow Step plus Ninjutsu?!” Charles said without turning his head. “Not bad, but too bad! If it really were that Radiant Hero—the Bounty Hunter—this attack would have caught me off guard, but you're far too weak…”

Clang! ~!! !!

From the darkness, a greatsword swept across, easily blocking Nag's powerful attack combining Shadow Step and Ninjutsu. Before Nag's horrified eyes, a knight wearing a strange horned helmet and full-body armor suddenly appeared, wielding a greatsword in one hand and intercepting his attack.

"It's dark now, close the gate and unleash the dogs!" Charles ignored those behind him, watching the other intruder leave, and snapped his fingers. A black shadow suddenly darted out from beneath Charles's feet; a giant black wolf transformed into a streak and chased after Ovina.

"You!" Nag rushed forward in alarm, but was slashed away by the knight's horizontal sword.

"Well! Don't mind it!" Charles turned back to look at Nag, who had been slashed away, and said, "I actually had Red-Eyes deal with you personally..."

"So try to struggle a little longer..."

121. Christmas should indeed be a time for holy war (Part 2)

The greatsword unleashed a frenzied barrage of strikes, the swordsman displaying unimaginable agility and exaggerated movements, like a wildly expressive dance. Yet, this seemingly nonsensical attack completely suppressed the two swung serrated blades. If the swung greatsword was a raging hurricane, then the dagger in his other hand was like a nimble and treacherous viper, always striking the enemy's vitals from the most unexpected angles amidst the sword's flashes.

Faced with increasingly rapid attacks, Nag found it harder and harder to parry. The dagger had already left several wounds on his body, and the increasing blood loss was causing his condition to deteriorate rapidly. Nag was almost unable to withstand the onslaught of attacks. He had originally intended to use Shadowstep to escape the battlefield. Unfortunately, this plan vanished after Sharl produced a jade-green gem. It was the True Sight Gem, a powerful weapon against all stealth skills and spells. With this gem present, he had no way to continue his stealth escape.

However, under the onslaught of the storm, Nag is only barely holding on!

"You've held on for so long, that's impressive!" Looking at Nag struggling against the red-eyed man's attacks, Sharl clapped his hands with an expression of appreciation, then said, "Unfortunately, it was all for naught!"

"Your struggles are futile, your beliefs are worthless, do you think you can fight against an enemy you cannot defeat?! Insect! Even if you now possess the power of a [Hero], you are still just a mortal."

“Or perhaps…?” A disturbing smile crept across Charles’s face. “Are you worried about your companion? A lady, let me think… are you…”

"You!" Nag, who was struggling to defend against the attack, was shocked by the words. Then the knight seized the opportunity to slash a long wound on his chest with his dagger, and then he was sent flying by the greatsword.

"You don't need to worry about your partner anymore! Because..." A dark shadow rushed in from outside. It was a huge black wolf, the 'dog' that Charles had just sent out to chase down another lady named Ovina! This black wolf, which had once put a Warlock with two divine gears in a tough fight and even tricked him in the end, was simply not something a high-level professional who only possessed the power of a 'quasi-hero' through external forces could handle.

At that moment, the black wolf was carrying a figure covered in blood in its mouth; if nothing unexpected, it was Ovina, who had just escaped. However, this "quasi-hero," who had temporarily gained the power of the Templar Assassin during the infiltration mission with Nag, was now completely lifeless, showing no signs of life whatsoever.

"Ovina, no!" Nag roared in anguish upon seeing this. Then, completely ignoring the knights attacking him, he defiantly charged at Charles, his back torn open by the dagger, like a desperate beast making a final, desperate attack.

“It’s no use!” Looking at Nag, who was desperately lunging at him, Sharl said calmly, “If I wanted to, you wouldn’t even have a chance to get close to me…”

Pfft!!!

Two greatswords extended from the left and right sides, one deflecting the two serrated blades in Nag's hands, while the other pierced directly through Nag's chest from the front. In the darkness, two other knights, dressed exactly like the ones who had fought Nag earlier, appeared.

His lips twitched, leaving trails of bright red blood. Nag looked at the still calm Charles with despair, wanting to do something, but his arm fell limp halfway up, and he died.

Even the two Radiant infiltrators, who, with the help of external forces, surpassed high-level professionals and gained the power of [Hero], were still vulnerable against a serious Sharl. In this world, unless a true [Hero] intervenes, other professionals would only face one-sided slaughter when facing Sharl.

"So, while the titles of 'zoo director' and 'kindergarten director' aren't good for warlocks and hunters, why waste time personally dealing with enemies your pet can take care of!" Looking at the row of Farron knights standing awaiting orders, and the black wolf sitting obediently on the ground—created from the soul of that unfortunate demon from the main world—Charle finally felt like a bully, oh wait, a villain. Like those big villain bosses, wouldn't it be low-class to do everything yourself?! No wonder the protagonist has time to grow; if the big boss had to handle everything, what would be the point of having underlings?! Just to freeload?!

"So, to be a boss who won't be overpowered by the hero, you have to stay hidden behind the scenes and remain undiscovered!" Looking at the two already defeated, Charles waved his hand, and twisted black sludge appeared on the ground. Instantly, a rampant mental pollution and curse began to spread, and under the influence of the abyss, the surrounding environment was maliciously distorted. "Speaking of which, what if I let the abyss spread and infect this world?"

"Well! It's probably about the same as the Burning Legion coming to demolish our homes!"

Suddenly, several black arms emerged from the black sludge on the ground, grabbing Nag and Ovina's corpses and dragging them into the sludge, swallowing them whole. Then, the black sludge on the ground began to boil, as if something was rolling inside.

In fact, something was rolling around inside. After a while, black silt on the ground surged up, and two figures emerged from the silt, kneeling down in front of Charles.