All MILFs are Mine Chapter 307: You have my attention

*Step-step-step-step-step*

Positioned a few kilometers from the entrance of Duran Mountain, the Royal Cavalry stood in formation.

At the front of the battalion, two royal mages were engaged in a conversation, their faces etched with perplexity.

"What is the matter?" Adwin questioned, observing the mages with a bewildered look.

"Your Majesty... This magical barrier is exceptionally resilient. I believe we must sacrifice artifacts to force a breakthrough," one of the mages answered with a flat tone.

"Indeed, Your Majesty," the second mage agreed, bowing low before Adwin.

"Then proceed with the sacrifice... Why the delay?" Adwin demanded, his expression becoming stern.

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty," the royal mages stammered. Looking hesitant, they quickly retreated from Adwin’s presence.

"You should be the one to sacrifice the locket."

"Why me? Your artifact is even weaker than mine... You should sacrifice yours."

"My locket is C-rank, and your ring is C-rank as well... Both our artifacts are of identical grade."

"My locket can summon a familiar, while your ring is merely a spatial—"

*Creeeeeeaaak*

Abruptly, three carriages came to a halt right beside Adwin’s steed.

*Click*

The doors swung open and Ruben stepped out, offering a slow bow as he greeted Adwin.

"Your Majesty."

"It appears we have arrived a bit late," Gris remarked with a grin. He followed Ruben out of the carriage and gave Adwin a slight bow.

"I greet my King."

"Hello, Gris... I was under the impression you were traveling with Dreulis? Where has he gone?" Adwin asked, looking confused as he peered into the empty carriage.

"Ah... He spotted a peculiar flower in the heart of the forest and vanished from the carriage," Gris explained nonchalantly.

"Well... That is the consequence of keeping him locked in that tower," Adwin replied, wearing a small smile.

"We couldn't restrain him even if we tried. He is free to depart whenever he pleases," Gris countered with a smirk.

"Umm... Your Majesty, why have we come to a stop here?" Ruben inquired, looking at Adwin with confusion.

"A powerful barrier encompasses the entire valley. The royal mages are currently determining how to shatter it," Adwin stated neutrally, gesturing toward the unseen wall.

"A barrier?" Gris asked, intrigued. He immediately approached the boundary and pressed his palm against the air.

His hand was halted in mid-air by a potent, invisible pressure pushing back against him.

"Hmm... It isn't weak, though it isn't insurmountable either. This barrier will require an artifact sacrifice and—" Before Gris could finish his thought, a skeletal hand rested on his shoulder.

"It won't..." As soon as that flat voice reached Gris's ears, a smile spread across his face.

"Did you finish inspecting that flower of yours?" Gris asked cheerfully, turning to see Dreulis standing right behind him.

"Yes, I did... It was merely a common Guonlud flower, nothing significant. However, this thing right here is quite beautiful," Dreulis replied. He stepped toward the barrier, touching it with his bony fingers. Suddenly, the blue flames flickering in his eye sockets intensified.

"What is your assessment?" Adwin asked from behind, dismounting his horse to join Dreulis.

"This barrier... it is undead magic. Another Lich is present here and cast this spell. Interesting, very interesting," Dreulis noted solemnly. He opened his skeletal hand and then began to clench it.

Before his fist could fully close, a staff manifested within his grasp.

The staff was large; its base was crafted from white wood, the center from brown wood, and the top was crowned with a black crystal sphere.

"Let us see... if I can reverse-engineer this barrier using the same incantation. Hehehehe..." Dreulis let out a creepy laugh as he pressed the tip of the crystal ball against the magical wall.

"HELIOS..."

Deep within the Valley,

Leon sat upon a tree stump, his expression hidden behind a neutral mask as he stared fixedly at the severed head of Melare.

Rees and Enid stood by his side. The group seemed to be waiting for someone or something to arrive.

Dusk lay lazily on the ground, scanning the surroundings.

Fruela was perched atop a tall tree, keeping a sharp lookout for any signs of movement.

"Are you certain he will show up?" Leon asked, casting a questioning look at Enid.

"I am quite sure he is likely on his way to—" Before Enid could finish, Rees cut him off.

"Master... something is wrong," he spoke in a grave tone, his eyes shifting upward.

"What is it?" Leon asked, his confusion growing.

"Someone is attempting to dismantle my barrier. It isn't a common mage, nor is it a Royal mage," Rees said, his grip tightening around his staff.

"Then what are we dealing with?" Leon stood up from the stump, his expression turning serious.

"An undead... A Lich like myself, though older and more experienced. He is completely reversing the spell, turning it into a nullification spell to dissolve the barrier. I can only maintain it for a few more minutes; after that, it will be impossible," Rees clarified as he channeled more mana into his staff.

"Let it go... Deactivate the barrier," Leon commanded in a neutral tone, a smirk forming on his lips.

"What!?" Enid exclaimed, looking shocked and confused.

"As you wish, Sir," Rees replied. He promptly lifted his wand from the ground, and the barrier vanished instantly.

"Why did you order the removal of the barrier, Master?" Dusk asked, looking at Leon with bewilderment.

"Your question will be answered very soon," Leon answered with a smile.

...

At the Valley’s entrance,

*SWISH*

"Hmm...? The barrier has broken," one of the Royal mages noted, raising his hand to confirm the path was clear.

"Your Majesty, the barrier has vanished."

"Well done, Dreulis. EVERYONE, MARCH FORWARD!" Adwin roared. Following his command, the soldiers immediately began their advance behind him.

"You weren't the one who broke it, were you?" Gris asked with a smile, walking over to Dreulis.

"No," Dreulis replied, his voice heavy.

"It seems whoever erected this barrier intended to keep something contained. Well, this promises to be entertaining," Gris remarked as he headed back toward the carriage.

"Very well... you have captured my interest," Dreulis whispered, the blue flames in his eyes flickering wildly.