Idle Mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer
chapter-317

As Ardan gave orders to his generals to split the army, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He had always been wary of Eolande and Tathariel, and their sudden alliance with Calanthor seemed too convenient.

As the armies separated, Ardan led a contingent towards Calanthor's forces, while his other generals led the rest to face Eolande and Tathariel's army. The battlefield was chaotic, with magic and weapons clashing in a deadly dance.

Ardan and Calanthor met in the middle of the battlefield, their eyes locked in a fierce gaze. They charged toward each other, their weapons clanging as they clashed. Ardan knew he was the better fighter, but Calanthor was a master strategist, and he had planned for this battle for months.

Meanwhile, As Ardan's generals were struggling against Eolande and Tathariel's combined forces, they were outnumbered and outmatched, and it seemed like the battle was lost. Just as they were about to be overrun, a new force appeared on the horizon. It was Prince Faeril's own army, led by his loyal generals and soldiers.

They had secretly aligned with Eolande and Tathariel, who in turn was helping Calanthor's army, waiting for the opportune moment to turn the tide of the battle. With their powerful magic and deadly weapons, they attacked Ardan's forces from behind, catching them off guard. Ardan realized too late that he had been outmaneuvered.

As chaos ensued on the battlefield, Ardan and his generals fought valiantly, but it was clear that they were outnumbered and outmatched. Ardan knew he had to act fast if he wanted to save his army and win the Battle for the Throne.

'Damn, what a mess.' Ashton commented inwardly as he watch the chaos ensues.

It's clear that there have been some elaborate schemes that have been laid down here. None of it truly concerns him but as he and his team were here to act as...well, referees practically, these surprising developments are making it more difficult for them to do their jobs properly.

But that doesn't mean that it's not entertaining. If he were to be honest, Ashton was greatly amused by these events.

Back at the center of the battlefield, Ardan was struggling against Calanthor. He knew he couldn't defeat him in a straight fight, so he had to resort to his wits. He feigned a misstep, and as Calanthor moved in for the kill, Ardan struck him with a powerful spell. Calanthor was thrown back, his body writhing in pain.

Ardan realized that he had been outplayed. His enemies had planned this all along, using his mistrust of Eolande and Tathariel to their advantage. He knew he had to act fast if he wanted to save his army and win the Battle for the Throne.

He was about to deliver the final blow to Calanthor when he heard a scream from the other side of the battlefield. He turned around to see that his army was in trouble again. He then saw what was happening and let out a string of curses.

'God damn it, Faeril! Why did you have to appear now!?' Ardan cursed angrily inside his head.

As the battle raged on, Ardan realized that he had to act fast if he wanted to turn the tide of the war in his favor. With his back against the wall, he took out a piece of jade that he had been carrying with him since the start of the battle.

The Demon Slaying Squad saw that and started communicating with each other. Ashton, as the leader of his team, relayed words for them:

'Don't interfere. Prince Ardan didn't break the rules. He had jade registered when I and the Council inspected him earlier. It's fair game still.'

Ashton's words were enough to pacify the rest of the Demon Slaying Squad. And when they checked the Fey King's Council who was watching from a distance, they didn't see them panicking or looking overly concerned, meaning that they indeed knew about the Crown Prince's move.

This piece of jade was a precious treasure that had been passed down through generations of Fey rulers. It was said that whoever possessed it could summon the blessings of the Ancient Fey, gaining immense power and strength.

Ardan had never planned on using the jade, as he knew it was too valuable to risk losing in battle. But as he looked around and saw his army being pushed back by the combined forces of Faeril, Eolande, and Tathariel, he knew that he had no choice.

With a deep breath, Ardan raised the jade above his head and called out to the Ancient Fey for their aid. A bright light enveloped him and his army, and suddenly they felt their strength and power surge.

'Hoh...interesting.' Ashton mused inwardly.

He was no stranger to artifacts like this. And with his expertise in magic, Ashton could tell everything he needed to know about this relic.

'Is it going to be enough though? I guess we'll see as the battle continues...'

The combined forces of Faeril, Eolande, and Tathariel were taken aback by this sudden surge of power, and for a moment, they faltered. Ardan and his army seized the opportunity and launched a counter-attack, pushing back their enemies with renewed strength and vigor.

As the battle continued, it became clear that Ardan's decision to use the jade had been a game-changer. With their newfound strength, his army fought with renewed determination, slowly but surely gaining the upper hand.

Now that his forces gained a significant boost in strength, Ardan's worries lessened. He managed to buy time for himself. But before he could join his generals, he of course had to deal with the Third Prince first.

Ardan approached Calanthor, he could see that the third prince was gravely injured, bloodied, and barely able to stand. Ardan raised his sword, ready to deliver the final blow and eliminate Calanthor from the Battle for the Throne completely.

But as he looked into Calanthor's eyes, he saw something there that he had not expected. There was a look of resignation, almost acceptance, that Ardan could recognize all too well.

"Why are you fighting so hard for the throne?" Ardan asked, his voice laced with confusion. "Is it worth all this bloodshed and death?"

Calanthor looked up at him, his eyes full of pain and sorrow. "You don't understand, Ardan," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is all we have ever known. Our entire lives have been devoted to this struggle for power. To give it up now, to walk away...it is not so simple."

Ardan felt a pang of sympathy for Calanthor, even as he knew that he had to deliver the final blow. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do.

But then, he remembered all that had been sacrificed for this moment. All the blood, sweat, and tears shed by his army, his family, and himself. The burden of the crown was heavy, but it was one that he had to bear.

With a heavy heart, Ardan raised his sword and delivered the final blow, ending Calanthor's bid for the throne once and for all. As Calanthor fell to the ground, Ardan couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret, knowing that this victory had come at a great cost.

"Farewell, Dear Brother. I'll cherish the memories we share together." Ardan whispered in the air along with Calanthor's dying breath.

***

As Ardan and his army secured their position, they could see that the combined forces of Eolande, Tathariel, and Faeril were rallying for another assault. They could hear the sound of their war drums and the howls of their battle cries in the distance.

Ardan knew that he had to act quickly if they were to have any chance of winning this battle. He rallied his generals and ordered them to gather what was left of their forces and prepare for a counterattack.

"Together, we are stronger than any of them alone," Ardan said, his voice steady and commanding. "We will fight for our people, for our land, and for our right to rule. We will not let them take that away from us."

With that, Ardan and his army charged toward the enemy lines, their swords, and shields at the ready. They clashed with Eoland's, Tathariel's, and Faeril's forces, exchanging blows and blocking attacks.

But even with the blessings of Ancient Fey, Ardan knew that they were outnumbered and outmatched. They were slowly being pushed back, losing ground with each passing moment.

Just when all seemed lost, Ardan saw a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The army of Prince Faeril, who had been holding back until now, suddenly did an expected move, attacking Eoland's and Tathariel's forces from the rear.

The sudden turn of events caught Eoland, Tathariel, and their forces off guard. They were unable to mount a proper defense, and within minutes, the combined forces of Ardan and Faeril managed to gain the upper hand.

'Oh, damn! Damn! What a sinister kid!'

Ashton wanted to laugh really. Prince Faeril continued to surprise him with his cunning and sinister strategies.

Prince Faeril might be the youngest but he certainly had the fangs of a venomous snake. He's leveling out the playing field by using his cards correctly and honestly, Ashton respects his hustle...