The Alpha's Regret: Return Of The Betrayed Luna

Chapter 479: Chapter 479 Kill The Locust Swarm

She understood how demanding the task was, but she also knew it wasn’t impossible.

With the proper amplifiers, artifacts that enhanced mana flow, sensitivity, or control, the barrier could be sustained even at a distance. It would push the mages to their limits, but this was precisely why she had entrusted the task to Archmage Elric and his disciples.

Archmage Elric, usually amiable and easygoing, was now as serious as Addison had ever seen him. When he adopted that expression, he exuded an authority she had never witnessed before. Still, she wasn’t afraid. She knew he was carefully calculating the risks involved and weighing the feasibility of her request.

The fact that he didn’t reject it outright was already telling. Even Archmage Elric understood that what she was proposing was possible, doable, even, but not without cost. There would be consequences: backlash, strain, or some other form of pain from pushing themselves beyond their limits.

That was why Addison had offered compensation if private treasures or specialized mediums had to be used to complete the mission. It was not merely an incentive, but a means of easing the mages’ concerns, after all, such artifacts were neither easy to acquire nor simple to create.

”We understand, Princess. Please leave it to us,” Archmage Elric said solemnly. ”We will do our utmost to complete this mission. However, we ask that you remind us when to stop channeling mana into the barrier. Once we begin, all of our focus will be devoted to sustaining the flow, continuous spellcasting that demands intense concentration.”

As he spoke, Archmage Elric cast his disciples a cursory glance, silently ensuring that no one wavered. He needed every ounce of their support, for as the lead mage, the greatest burden would fall upon him.

”Thank you, Archmage Elric. I really appreciate it...” Addison smiled gently, her eyes drooping slightly as if she were about to drift off. But a quiet tension was building beneath her calm exterior, and no one noticed the small detail. Around her, everyone exchanged subtle smiles, aware that the path ahead would not be easy.

”All right! We have only five minutes to prepare. The hot air balloons will be soaring soon...” Addison reminded them, trying to infuse cheer into her voice. The effort, however, lacked its usual energy and vitality. Still, no one noticed her fatigue; they were already watching the balloons.

Most of the balloons were filled with hot air now, as they slowly lifted into the sky. This was the moment the mages had been waiting for: the chance to begin their preparations before Addison gave the signal for the warriors to take their formation and sprint out of the area.

”All right. The remaining guards running with us will stay close behind Levi. I need you to maintain communication with the guards in the sky, relay my orders to them, or carry theirs back to us when necessary. Behind you will be the line of warriors pulling the ropes connected to the hot air balloons.”

”The next line in the formation will be the warriors carrying the mages, and the final line will consist of warriors not carrying anything. Your primary task there is to keep smaller animals or any other obstacles out of the way. If someone stumbles or falls, it could create a domino effect for those behind you.”

She paused, scanning the group. ”We’ll be running in a tight formation. Everyone must keep up, no slowing down, no matter what you see or hear. Stay focused.”

At her words, the warriors atop the hot air balloons and all the people around her all turned to look at her. Their expressions were serious, each face reflecting a glint of obedience and unwavering resolve.

”Understood!” everyone responded, and even those in their wolf forms gave a firm nod of agreement. Addison smiled slightly in satisfaction at the display of discipline, then turned her attention to the mages, waiting for them to be ready. Above, the hot air balloons continued their steady ascent, rising higher and higher into the sky.

Addison and the others waited with bated breath as the hot air balloon neared its calculated height. When it finally rose a few hundred meters into the sky, Addison gave the command.

”Now, run!”

Levi burst forward at once, followed by the guards and the wolves pulling the ropes. There was still plenty of slack left, the remaining length of rope coiled below the balloon as the group began to move.

From above, the guards stationed in the hot air balloon watched Addison’s team sprint away. Only then did true nervousness set in. The mission had begun, and from this point on, every action had to follow the princess’s instructions precisely. One mistake, one missed cue, could cause everything to collapse. All of Addison’s calculations and preparations could be rendered meaningless, and at worst, they might lose their lives.

Their hearts pounded as they gripped the basket tightly, the rush of blood in their ears drowning out even the howl of the wind whipping past them.

Although the guards aboard the hot air balloon were beginning to feel the fear of the height, it was quickly overshadowed by the greater fear of their task and the heavy responsibility it carried.

’We need to stay sharp,’ one of the guards transmitted through the mind link, addressing the others. ’We must confirm that the princess and the team reach the exact distance before preparing the biochemical agent. Once that’s done, we wait for the barrier to open precisely at the designated drop points.’

There were only a few of them up there, and every one of them understood, timing and precision would decide whether the mission succeeded or ended in disaster.

’Right. Stay focused,’ the captain responded through the mind link. ’We can’t all watch the same thing. Each balloon has multiple people, so we’ll split the duties.’

’One of you will track the princess and measure the distance. Another will watch below for the designated drop points to open. The rest will prepare the biochemical agents. Once the signal is given, the last person will release the first three agents, while the other two assist with the remaining drops.’

’We have only a brief window. This division ensures we don’t waste a single second.’

’Understood, Captain,’ the others replied through the mind link. They quickly assigned themselves to their respective roles, moving with practiced efficiency.

The captain focused his attention on the ground below, tracking Addison and the others as the distance between them steadily grew. He calculated carefully, quietly murmuring the numbers under his breath.

”They’re almost there...” he reminded the team, his tone low but steady.

”The barrier is opening, just a little. Prepare the biochemical agents!” the guard beside the captain shouted.

Similar calls echoed from the nearby hot air balloons, barely audible through the shrill whistling of the wind. The guard assigned to the drop hurried to the edge of the basket, clutching the biochemical agents tightly. Beside him, the one monitoring the barrier leaned forward as well.

Below them, the barrier slowly parted.

A vast red swirl churned beneath their feet, like a current of flowing blood. The sight sent a chill through them. A lump lodged in their throats as their hearts pounded violently, fear gnawing at them like countless ants. They sucked in sharp breaths, frozen in place, waiting for the signal.

”I–It’s fully open... D–drop it now!” the guard monitoring the barrier stammered, his voice tight with panic as he urged the one responsible for releasing the first biochemical agent.

The same dread rippled through the guards in the other hot air balloons. Fear gripped them all, as if a swarm of locusts were about to spill from the opening below, their gluttonous, terrifying eyes poised to devour everything in their path.

While the others prepared to release the biochemical agents, the captain, still tracking Addison and the team, noticed something else. From the edge of the territory, a massive midnight-black wolf burst forth, moving like lightning, and it turned nothing more than a blur of shadow.

From his vantage point, he saw it all unfold. The wolf shifted mid-stride, transforming into a human, Alpha Zion. He looked stunned, confused even. But Addison and the others didn’t stop.

Then, frantic shouts erupted from the guards in the basket behind him.

”Hurry! Drop it, drop it now! They’re about to fly out!”

”Fuck, I see it! Stop shouting!” another guard yelled back as he shoved the first biochemical agent out of the hot air balloon. Even as it fell, the next agent was already in his hands.

The same sequence played out across the other hot air balloons, one after another.

The moment the first biochemical agent was released, the captain moved to help with the rest. Together, they quickly dropped the remaining containers. When it was done, all of them leaned over the basket, eyes fixed on the barrier below.

The opening began to close.

The first agents shattered on impact, glass breaking apart as a pale mist immediately spread across the ground. What they saw next was far more horrifying.