The Golem Mage

The group of Blade clansmen's had become completely consumed by the pleasure of destroying the Blaze Clan's mine deposit.

Initially, they had scoffed at the idea of resorting to petty theft for just a few Mid Rank Nature Power Stones, but the influence of Fridall's elder had managed to instill a sense of righteousness in their actions that they were doing it all because of there clan.

Now, they had already decimated five deposits with their remarkable speed in looting and obliterating the remaining reserves.

In fact, they could almost be considered seasoned bandits at this point, just a little bit away from being seen as master bandits.

With the completion of their fifth mine thievery, the Fridall clan elder opened another portal, leading them to their next target for thievery.

As they cheerfully passed through the portal, reveling in their spoils from the Blaze Clan, they couldn't help but wonder why none of the elders had thought of this strategy before.

It seemed like the most fool proof plan, as the mages guarding these mines were all of Mid Tier level, mages, a testament to the Blaze Clan's confidence that no sane force would dare to steal from them.

Unless, of course, they wished to incite war.

And the number of clans in the northern kingdom that desired a conflict with the Blaze Clan could be counted on one hand.

And that's why the Fridall clan's elder had decided to exploit this vulnerability, striking precisely where it would hurt the most.

"Why don't we target the High Rank Mine that the Blaze Clan possesses instead of attacking these Mid-Rank Mines?, I am sure that if we steal from there, it will exponentially anger the Blaze Clan and temporarily impede their progress."

" That mine is vital for supplying the main warriors of their clan," suggested the Blade clansman with dual blades as they emerged from the portal, In response to this, the Fridall's clan elder snorted dismissively.

"Do you think we can't do it?"

Questioned the one wielding the Great Sword, picking up on the Fridall elder's disdain towards his comrade.

"It's not that I think you can't do it. It's that I know you can't do it at all, Where is your sense of reason? You want to attack the only high-rank mine of the Blaze Clan."

" Though it may not be a nature mine and has a limited yield, but it is integral to their clan's strength," the Fridall elder retorted with a tinge of frustration.

"as its used by all their impressive younger generations who have just reached the High Mage Realm, and you want to choose to rob there?, If you're all ready to die, don't include me in this, because I can assure you that outpost will be the most heavily guarded,"

The Fridall's clan elder explained as they approached the sixth mine deposit they planned to rob.

However, as they neared the mine, they realized that someone was sitting at the gates.

With a glass of wine in one hand and a large piece of meat in the other, he ate without a care for his image.

To the Blade clansmen's surprise, he was the only one stationed at the gates, unlike the other mines they had raided where there were numerous guards on duty.

They deduced that this mine must have weaker security, which explained the nonchalant guard.

However, the Fridall's sixth elder didn't share their assumptions.

The moment he spotted the man sitting at the gate, he had a feeling that the Ancient Blaze Clan had finally taken action.

"So, they finally sent someone to stop the raids!"

The Fridall clan sixth elder exclaimed from a distance, causing the Blade clansmen's to grow serious.

If the Blaze Clan had dispatched someone, it meant they were capable of defending themselves.

Nevertheless, the Blade clansmen's had no intention of retreating.

They had come to the Northern Kingdom with the sole purpose of inflicting damage on the Blaze Clan.

The mage sitting at the city gates finally turned his gaze towards them, gulping down his wine to clear the meat stuck in his mouth.

"Ah, it seems I'm the lucky one, as you've chosen the outpost I was assigned to guard, Please, tell me your names,"

The mage said as he stood up, his wild and unrestrained red hair flowing. His chiselled muscles were exposed as he slowly removed the fur cloak from his back.

"Oh, it's the first time someone from your clan has actually asked for my name. Usually, they just call me by my title."

" I wonder what has caused this improvement. Is it because I've made a plan to steal from your clan until you noticed me, or is it because you're the black sheep and curious?" the Fridall elder asked, to which the mage shrugged his shoulders.

"The inner branch doesn't care about your names at all. All they want is for you guys to be dead or taken care of so that other foolish mages don't get the idea that they can steal from our clan and get away with it," he said.

"Well, I am Robert... Robert Lanzt, sixth elder of the Lanzt clan, and these are..." Robert was about to introduce the Blade clansmen, but they interrupted and introduced themselves.

"I am Blade 1. This is Blade 2, 3, and 4."

The Blade clansman carrying the Great sword stepped forward to speak, which surprised Robert Lanzt. He never thought there was a leader among them. He didn't try to understand why they called themselves by numbers but decided to play along.

"Oh, I know you people. You are from the Blade clan. I've heard how you all discard your names when you go on a mission, with the strongest one being called the 1st Blade."

" Well, my name is Ignis, Blaze Ignis, and it's nice to meet you all. Now, if you wouldn't mind, I would appreciate it if you all surrender easily so that I don't have to take the hard way,"

Ignis said, making Robert Lanzt wonder who this Mage was that introduced himself.

However, when he saw the expressions on the faces of the Blade clansmen's he was sure Ignis was not a nobody.

"To think we would encounter you... part of our mission has been to kill Ignis if a chance ever presented itself. Though I don't know why the clan holds you in high regard, as you are definitely someone our clan does not want reaching the Tier 9 realm,"

" even if you are just a member of the inner branch, So show me just how strong you are to make the clan think you're more dangerous than even Aurora, the Princess of your clan."

The Blade clansmen dashed towards Ignis, determination etched on their faces, and Ignis sighed in resignation.

"Why does everything always have to end in fighting?, Well, let's get this over with. I have somewhere else to be," Ignis said as he leaped down from the gates with a sense of urgency.

As he landed, Ignis let out a powerful roar,

[> High Tier Spell – Flame Variant – Eternal Dawn <].

A mini explosion erupted around him, and even the energy from the sun above seemed to be drawn into the spell, intensifying its power.

As a colossal solar firestorm engulfed everything in its path, reducing anything unfortunate enough to stand in its way to ashes.

The four mages who had dashed forward were swiftly flung away, their bodies tumbling through the air.

Even the Sixth Elder of the Fridall clan writhed in agony, as his body was consumed by searing pain.

But all Ignis did was steal a quick glance at the gates behind him, that was now in ruins from the unleashed power.

"Oh, shit. I'm definitely going to have to answer for that. What a hassle. Guarding duties were never meant for me, anyway," Ignis muttered to himself, regret evident in his voice.