Outside the barrier, the magician clutching the gem core that controlled the entire barrier's maintenance saw a companion stumble out, bloodied and burned. The injured magician pounded desperately on the inside of the barrier.
"Open it! Just open a little and let me out—we lost… we lost!"
The magician holding the gem sank to the ground, his grip faltering. The gem slipped onto his knees. The barrier trembled, threatening collapse. But just in time, he clenched the gem tight—hard enough to draw blood.
Instead of opening a door, the entire magic barrier only strengthened itself, new runes and elements weaving into its structure. Entrusted with controlling this crucial barrier in the ambush, the magician's mastery of barrier arts was profound.
As the barrier reinforced itself again and again, the injured magician kept striking the wall from inside. But this time, the barrier retaliated with a surge of electric current.
It was clear: the magician had no intention of letting those trapped inside escape alive.
"What are you trying to do?! Open the door! Let me out!" the injured magician shouted.
The magician holding the core shook his head. Despite his skill, he was still too young, too inexperienced. Opening even a small door now could risk the barrier's integrity. Their only hope was to maintain the barrier until those inside starved or perished.
Could anyone inside survive for a month without food or water?
In truth, such a being did exist—Melusineis. Not just a month, but even a hundred million years without sustenance was no problem for her.
Though doomed to fail, this was the only plan the magicians could cling to that offered a slim chance of victory.
The trapped magician, wounded and desperate, looked at his comrade. He wasn't sure whether to be angry or thankful—at least someone still aimed to fulfill their mission.
Then an expression of grim resolve crossed his face. He nodded, "Alright… then you do it. I hope you succeed."
With that, he raised his staff, pointed it at his chin, and channeled magic into it. Instead of burning alive in the flames, he chose a swift end—the best ending he could hope for.
Blood splattered on the barrier, charred instantly by the crackling electricity. Nothing remained.
Staring at the fallen body, the magician holding the gem knew he alone must complete their goal. Gritting his teeth, he ignored everything else.
So when Aslan and the others stepped out of the castle, this was the scene before them: a magician seated on the ground, clutching a blood-stained gem etched with special runes.
"As long as I'm here, you cannot get out! You're trapped in this castle to die!"
Morgan's virtual persona arched an eyebrow at the magician's defiance. The magic behind this barrier differed from the British Isles' systems, but Morgan was confident he could find a basic solution within days. This plan to trap them to death wouldn't work.
Still, it would be easier if the magician simply opened the door. But that seemed unlikely.
If cracking the barrier took days, there was always the risk that reinforcements or other complications might arrive.
Aslan studied the magician, considering negotiation. After all, this magician controlled the barrier and might influence its opening. Speaking to him couldn't hinder their efforts.
Aslan and his friends had other ways to break the barrier—like forcing Melusin to return to her original form and fire a shot that could destroy it and much of the surrounding land. But Aslan would never allow Melusin to transform before their contract ring was complete.
Since Melusin said she liked her current form, Yaslan would do everything to help her maintain it.
"Stop talking! I won't let you go! You're trapped here to die—for all we've sacrificed!"
Aslan raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes. There was something behind this magician.
Under the cover of night, a figure quietly approached step by step—unnoticed by the magician, who was focused on Aslan and the others. After all, so many magicians and soldiers had been eliminated, and even with the barrier, he had to stay vigilant.
"I will inherit the will of my fallen comrades! I will kindle the sparks to start a prairie fire!"
The magician's eyes burned with determination. Giving up now meant ostracism from the remaining magicians. It was better to fight with gritted teeth and see who would die first.
Regardless of today's outcome, these magicians would pass down the story of these events in the future.
As expected, tales of Morgan and his two servants had circulated since the Clock Tower was built. Over time, details faded, and Aslan's identity was distorted—he became just one of Morgan's knights.
Perhaps someday, a heroic figure like Kojiro Sasagi would arise during the Five Wars, remembered as a knight in this legend. After all, the legend Aslan shaped was not easily erased. His purpose had always been clear, and this was but a small episode in his larger story.
But those are tales for another time.