Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2752: 1510: Trap Within a Trap (Part 2)

Upon witnessing Leo Ray and his group approaching, the sentinel parasites offered no resistance and rapidly withdrew into the fortress's deeper regions.

"Effortless indeed!"

As the parasites scattered in panic, Moli lifted her pale cheeks, ready to rush at the active teleportation array, only for Leo Ray to yank her back.

"Boy from the human realm, what's that for?"

Moli massaged her slim arm, sulking toward Leo Ray.

"This feels wrong; their retreat was far too smooth."

Leo Ray furrowed his forehead, signaling his followers to avoid rushing toward the teleportation array rashly.

They had confined us within this fortress and performed an exhaustive sweep solely to wipe us out and block any support to Observation City.

Even after enduring severe casualties, they possess ample combat power remaining, sufficient at least to hold us up briefly.

Under these conditions, surrendering the location without a fight makes no sense.

"Human boy, do you mean they've laid ambushes near the teleportation array?"

Though somewhat reckless, Moli was no idiot and promptly grasped Leo Ray's worry.

"Your Majesty speaks true!"

The Grey Elder suddenly stepped out from the parade ground's shadows and approached the assembly.

Leo Ray initially deployed an extermination array scroll for identity check. Once verified, he questioned right away, "Elder, weren't you meant to head back to Observation City with the report? How come you're lingering here?"

"In response to Your Majesty, upon getting your command, this humble servant rushed to this spot to return to Observation City, yet ran into a band of mages installing magical snares, interspersed with parasites. My attempts to reach the teleportation array proved useless, forcing me into hiding as they sealed the entire zone, making it impossible to locate Your Majesty."

The Grey Elder sighed in frustration, dropping to his knees in shame: "Forgive me, Your Majesty; my failure has let you down."

"Elder, that's not the case; I misjudged how fully the foes had seized this fortress, placing you in grave danger."

Leo Ray assisted the Grey Elder to his feet, while his elite forces tackled the magical snares encircling the teleportation array.

Led by Moli and Sheila—both half-step to Seventh-order powerhouses—we uncovered many concealed magical traps and began dismantling them without delay.

"Ah, Your Majesty, I've spotted another oddity. The teleportation array functions properly, yet no backup forces have shown up."

The Grey Elder stated solemnly.

"I've observed this unusual matter too."

Leo Ray agreed, giving a faint nod.

From the moment we stepped into this fortress, an odd unease has lingered, accompanied by a series of troubles.

Though most issues got sorted, two mysteries persist unresolved.

Firstly, the manner in which "Corrosion" stealthily seized this fortress, and secondly, as the Grey Elder noted, why no aid from Observation City has materialized even with the teleportation array operational.

For starters, facing such peril, wouldn't someone from Observation City seek help or shut down the array? Closing one side would halt the other automatically.

But it keeps humming along, baffling everyone completely.

"Regardless, our priority now is getting back to Observation City."

With that thought, Leo Ray turned his focus back to the area around the teleportation array.

At that point, Moli, Sheila, and the rest had secured a clear route to the teleportation array, allowing safe access.

While Leo Ray moved ahead toward the array, Moli halted him now.

"Human boy, this teleportation array seems suspicious!"

Moli grabbed Leo Ray's sleeve and advanced cautiously.

Up close, Moli brandished her magic wand, rapidly drawing a highly intricate gray magic formation over the teleportation array, causing a portal to appear in front of them.

This array was unusual, filled not with the usual gray liquid but pure blackness, resembling a horrifying void mouth quietly luring them inside.

"This shows the destination of the teleportation array's far end, linking straight to the void's profound layers without any real-world outlet."

Moli explained, her eyebrows creased deeply.

"What?"

At those words, a chill swept over the group, and they exchanged alarmed glances.

Without question, venturing into it recklessly would trap us in the infinite void depths, a sure path to doom.

"A scheme layered on another—looks like this was the killing blow."

Leo Ray inhaled sharply, a shiver running through him; the adversaries' schemes were undeniably sly.

With growing unease, Leo Ray pressed Moli, "Can we restore the teleportation array's connection?"

"The sabotage runs deep; without active fixes from Observation City's end, I'd need a full day to link it again."

Moli shook her head, expression filled with regret: "That explains the lack of reinforcements; it's impossible for them to send any."

"A day is too long to linger."

Leo Ray wasted no time, firmly gazing toward the fortress walls.

The foes' forces diminished, the Absolute Imprisonment Barrier had just dissolved; unable to rely on the array, they'd dash straight to Observation City.

In this expansive subterranean realm, the gap exists, but at maximum velocity, it'd take only moments.

Still, Observation City likely faces encirclement by Corrosion's massive forces, posing extreme risk. It's a last-resort plan compared to the array.

Yet with options exhausted, hesitation won't help.

"Understood, fortunately I placed a space node by the fortress wall beforehand; despite disruptions, I can shift us there instantly!"

Moli got the idea, waved her wand through the air, and the group disappeared from sight.

Reappearing, they stood near the former wall spot, and with one more flicker, they exited the fortress.

"Move out!"

Leo Ray spearheaded the rush, aiming directly for Observation City.

Days prior, under Old Book's lead, Leo Ray had covertly journeyed the standard paths between the Underground Fortress and Observation City, just to handle surprises such as this.

"The old City Lord and I dismissed this as overkill; never thought it'd prove vital so soon."

While hurtling forward at top pace, Leo Ray narrowed his eyes at Observation City's bearing.

At such range, the massive walls and inner glows ought to shimmer into view.

Instead, darkness blanketed everything.

"How peculiar; even with lights doused for battle, the Corrosion troops' magic cannons and parasites' spell glows should light things up—why total blackness?"

Moli picked up on it as well, cocking her head in bewilderment across her light-skinned features.

At the same time, Leo Ray cast a night vision magic scroll on himself and kept scanning toward Observation City.

Before long, nearing it, Leo Ray's eyes bulged in shock.

The expansive zone meant for Observation City lay barren, devoid of any sign it ever existed.