Chapter 15: The Blazing Incineration Prison

At the start of the journey, only Elara and Hilvyn’s casual chatter filled the air. It wasn’t until noon, when Horton, the butler, distributed food among the three, that a proper conversation began.

Elara also learned that Cole had come to Wind Chant City to gain experience and hone his skills. He was now being brought back to participate in the election for a station master.

The Golden Road Trading Post belonged to the Merchant Republic of “Silver Bay.”

They established trading houses in the capitals of various nations, with branches—known as trading posts—in secondary cities.

Cole was campaigning for the position of station master at the Shepherd’s Wind City trading post.

“The young master works incredibly hard; his election is sure to be a resounding success,” the butler boasted, a hint of pride in his voice.

After finishing their sausages, smoked meat, and jam bread, the four continued their journey.

Elara kept her [Spatial Perception] active throughout the journey. Fortunately, this low-tier spell consumed very little mana.

By two in the afternoon, the sun was relentlessly scorching. The horses pulling the carriage showed obvious signs of fatigue, looking as though they might collapse at any moment.

Cole invited Elara and Hilvyn into the carriage to escape the heat. Elara politely declined, instead ensuring Hilvyn boarded the carriage.

Hilvyn conjured several chunks of ice to cool the carriage, then shared some with the butler and Elara, even tying a few to the three horses.

Under the blazing sun, the ice magic consumed significantly more mana to operate. Luckily, Hilvyn possessed an immense reserve of magical power.

“Big Sister, do you want more ice?” Hilvyn poked her head out, waving freshly produced ice in her hand.

“No, thank you. The ice I have hasn’t even melted yet.” Elara gazed ahead, where the road’s end was obscured by a stretch of forest.

‘It’s so hot.’

The very air around them seemed to shimmer and pulsate with the heat. Cole was growing drowsy, while the butler, who looked young but was nearing eighty, chattered away with Hilvyn.

Even Elara felt a touch of weariness.

Their spirits only lifted slightly once they entered the shade of the trees.

Then…

A surge of intensely fierce heat entered her perception range.

‘What could that be?’ Elara wondered. ‘No, something’s wrong!’

“Hilvyn!” Elara bellowed.

The abnormal heat intensified, distorting the very space around it.

“To the left! Ice wall!”

No sooner had she spoken than a chilling ice wall erupted beside the left side of the carriage. The next moment, a flash of fire exploded against the ice wall, startling Cole awake and sending the horses into a frenzied dash.

Horton desperately gripped the reins, looking at Elara in a panic. “What should I do!?”

Elara swung off her horse, while Hilvyn leaped from the carriage, both of them warily eyeing the trees lining the road.

“Take Cole and go!” Without hesitation, Horton immediately spurred the horses forward.

From inside the carriage, Cole shouted, his voice laced with alarm, “Both of you, be careful!”

The enemy had yet to reveal themselves, but the heat continued to roil from that direction.

“Hilvyn, the carriage!”

A second fireball flew out, heading directly for the carriage. However, it was once again intercepted by Hilvyn’s ice wall.

“Big Sister, where is he?” Hilvyn’s brow furrowed. “[Wind’s Whisper] only gives a general location.”

Elara couldn’t pinpoint their exact position either; the opponent must have been carrying a magic artifact that blocked perception. Another fireball, badly aimed, struck a large tree in front of the carriage.

The tree instantly burst into flames, crackling loudly before crashing down onto the road, blocking the carriage’s path. The carriage, having not gone far, was forced to a halt.

Then, a figure emerged from amidst the trees and bushes. Elara gripped her twin blades, her gaze fixed warily on him. “Who are you?”

The man had a benevolent face, bald with large ears, and a bare torso revealing solid muscle. Elara’s first impression was that of a “Lohan.”

The man offered no reply. From his feet, a semi-circular field instantly materialized, encompassing all four of them. The surrounding temperature soared in an instant.

Elara’s brow twitched. ‘Appraisal.’

[Magic Name: Sea of Heat (High-tier)]

[Effect: Creates a sea of heat, increasing the power and casting speed of fire magic.]

‘A field magic, no less. This indicates the assassin’s strength must be A-rank, and a formidable one at that.’

‘The affinity requirements for field magic are considerably high. His high affinity also means that any damage Hilvyn and I inflict upon him will be significantly reduced.’

Sweat trickled down Elara’s forehead, then rapidly evaporated on the ground. “Hilvyn, this is trouble.”

This was the most formidable enemy she had encountered since transmigrating.

“Big Sister…” Hilvyn had no experience in direct combat against others.

Before the two could exchange further words, the enemy moved. He conjured several fireballs, launching them at both of them and the carriage. It was the mid-tier spell, [Fireball].

Before Elara could issue a command, Hilvyn quickly manifested two ice walls to block the assault, though the mana consumption was noticeably slower.

Seeing this, the assassin grumbled softly, then decided to deal with the troublesome duo first. As the lingering flames dissipated, the ice walls bore several large craters where the fireballs had melted them.

The assassin’s fist, wreathed in fire, shattered the ice wall before them. A wave of intense heat washed over Elara, aiming directly for her face. “Dodge!”

Elara’s eyes sharpened. Activating [Shadow Concealment], she narrowly evaded the strike, swiftly widening the distance. The assassin’s punch missed, and he turned to swing at Hilvyn.

However, Hilvyn had already cast [Wind’s Swiftness] the moment Elara spoke, also putting distance between herself and the assassin. The two now stood one in front and one behind, forming a pincer-like formation.

As soon as Elara found her footing, she immediately used [Shadow Silk Bind]. Dark hands erupted around the assassin, temporarily restraining him.

Elara moved. Hilvyn, understanding her intent, cast [Swiftness Infusion], making Elara’s body feel light. Elara sprinted before the assassin, her twin blades flashing.

Suddenly, she felt a burst of heat from the ground beneath her feet. Elara’s heart sank, and she sharply retreated. The next instant, a wall of fire erupted from the earth.

‘…How disgusting.’

Ordinary beings instinctively feared fire. Elara’s head throbbed; even a mid-tier defensive spell like a fire wall could scald skin.

Hilvyn gave Elara a look. Her long-prepared [Ice Spike Prison] instantly enveloped the assassin. She then controlled the inner walls to continuously extend ice spikes, stabbing the enemy from every angle.

However, the [Sea of Heat] spell remained active. Elara didn’t hesitate, conjuring two [Dark Arrows] and aiming them at the center of the prison, awaiting the assassin’s breakout.

One second, two seconds…

The prison’s exterior was relentlessly scorched by the scorching air, releasing plumes of white mist. Three seconds.

“Crack—!” The prison developed fissures. ‘Now!’

Elara didn’t hesitate. Two dark arrows shot forth, striking the assassin just as he broke free. The assassin’s body was now wreathed in fire, resembling a man engulfed in flames.

Elara’s appraisal revealed this to be the mid-tier defensive spell, [Blaze Armor]. Fortunately, the two dark arrows struck the assassin’s left abdomen and right shoulder respectively. Unfortunately, weakened by [Blaze Armor], the wounds did not fully pierce through.

His arms also bore many small wounds, likely inflicted by the [Ice Spike Prison]. A hint of irritation flickered across the man’s benevolent face.

Flames erupted from his fingertips as he ran them over the two wounds caused by the dark arrows, searing the flesh and blood with a sizzling sound. Elara’s scalp prickled.

‘That method of stopping blood is truly…’ Currently, neither of them was injured, yet the pressure only intensified. If Elara were to be incapacitated, Hilvyn and Cole would be utterly defenseless.

Elara’s mind raced, searching for a way to win. Hilvyn’s ice magic was weakened by the [Sea of Heat], and her wind magic would be ineffective. As for herself…

‘Why hasn’t he moved?’

‘No, wait. Appraisal!’

[Magic Name: Blazing Incineration Prison (Exceptional)]

[Effect: Locks onto a target and incinerates them, with the target as the center of the circle.]

‘An Exceptional spell? Locked on?!’

Elara glanced around. Indeed, a hemispherical area centered on her was already covered in vivid red magic runes. The next moment, Hilvyn’s eyes widened in horror. “Big Sister—!!!”