Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2416  Exodus

The exodus from Citadel City had begun. The atmosphere was tense as the first batch of over 200,000 civilians gathered at the southern gate. Soldiers and officers worked tirelessly to maintain order, while the air was heavy with the murmurs of people preparing to leave behind everything they had ever known. Of the ten chosen squads assigned to the operation, five were tasked with clearing and securing the paths ahead, while the remaining five stayed behind to ensure the safety of the subsequent groups. Emery and his 50 acolytes were among the first to move out, their responsibility clear—to pave the way for the others and protect the civilians on this perilous journey. As he prepared his group for departure, Emery couldn't help but observe the heartbreaking scene around him. Families were torn apart by the exodus. With one-third of the city's population composed of warriors, the separation of loved ones was inevitable. Parents embraced their children, tears streaming down their faces. Husbands and wives exchanged what could be their final goodbyes. Brothers clasped hands with their sisters in solemn silence. Among the crowd, a grizzled veteran warrior approached Emery. His armor bore the marks of countless battles, but his face was etched with worry. "Lieutenant," the man said, his voice trembling. "I entrust my family to you. Please... keep them safe." Emery felt the weight of the request. The man's gaze spoke of years of sacrifice and the desperate hope that his loved ones would survive. It was an emotional moment, one that further reinforced the gravity of their mission.

Amid the sea of civilians, Emery's eyes landed on Princess Miriel. Despite the advice from her many advisors, the princess had decided to stay behind and protect the city. As she walked through the crowd, her presence was unmistakable—her regal bearing and calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the chaos around her. She had come to bid farewell to her people, offering them her blessings for their safe travels.

When her eyes met Emery's, she walked toward him, her graceful steps purposeful. Her face bore the weight of responsibility, yet there was a warmth in her gaze.

"Magus Emery," she began, her voice soft but sincere. "Once again, I offer my deepest gratitude for saving my life and for helping my people through this crisis."

Without hesitation, the female Grand Magus lowered herself, an elegant gesture of respect, though a slight hint of shame crossed her face. She seemed to regret that she had nothing of great value to offer in return. Knowing Emery's position as an academy instructor, she extended a tome toward him—a collection of spells special to the Valaryn faction.

Emery took the book and gave it a quick scan with his divine sense. Realizing that the spells contained within were low to mid-grade, that wouldn't be of much use to him, Emery was about to politely decline when Klea, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward.

With a bright smile, Klea accepted the book with enthusiasm, her voice lighthearted. "Thank you, Princess. Your kindness is truly appreciated."

However, a mental message from Klea cut through the moment, sending a wave of contrasting energy toward Emery.

<HUH… why would you reject a free gift... are you flirting with her?>

Emery couldn't help but chuckle, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Let's get moving, everyone," Emery called out

Among the five squads tasked with leading the exodus, Emery's group stood out. Unlike the other squads, which consisted of elite 10-magus teams led by experienced full-moon magus, Emery commanded a unique force: his 50 acolytes, most of whom were still unproven in large-scale operations. The leadership of this mission was bolstered by two Grand Magus assigned to oversee the operation. The first was a fierce combatant from the military—a female Grand Magus named Shahi, whose reputation for decisiveness and raw power was well-known among the Citadel forces. Her piercing eyes and the way she carried her ornate spear exuded confidence and authority. The second was a Valaryn local, a shaman known as Agave. His face bore intricate tattoos that shimmered faintly with energy, marking him as a practitioner of ancient spells tied to the planet's unique energies. Unlike Shahi, Agave seemed calm and reflective, his demeanor providing a stark contrast to her fiery intensity. Despite Emery and his acolytes being relatively new additions to the Citadel's forces, they had already earned a solid reputation. Their actions in previous missions had not gone unnoticed, and both Grand Magus had received glowing reports about Emery from their respective commanders. This respect was evident in how the two included him in their strategic discussions—a rare honor for someone of his rank. As the final checks were completed and the group prepared to move, Grand Magus Shahi raised her spear high into the air, its tip gleaming in the dim light. Her voice rang out like a battle cry. "Forward!" she shouted, her tone carrying the weight of her authority. All squads began moving with discipline; civilians followed closely behind.

The first few miles beyond the safety of the Citadel walls were a tense and fearful endeavor. Civilians marched in uneasy silence, their gazes darting nervously toward the horizon. The oppressive heat of the desert added to the discomfort, and the sheer scale of the exodus—200,000 people stretched out in a seemingly endless column—amplified the weight of the situation. Emery's 50 acolytes, spread out in carefully coordinated formations, worked alongside the 40 magus in the squad to provide a strong perimeter defense. Their presence, coupled with their vigilance, offered a sense of assurance to the anxious civilians. The young acolytes remained alert, their hands hovering near their weapons, ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of danger. Transport was scarce and prioritized for the most vulnerable—the elderly, the injured, and the very young. For the majority, the journey was a grueling march across the scorching desert sands, step by painstaking step. Despite the hardships, Valaryn's resilience shone through. Most adults, with their Earth-realm physical strength, were accustomed to harsh conditions and pressed forward without complaint. By the time the group had covered 100 miles, the desert landscape had become more treacherous, marked by the presence of enemy scouts. Orcs and dark elf recon teams began to appear on the fringes of the caravan's path. Emery's divine senses proved invaluable. His sharp detection capabilities allowed him to pinpoint threats long before they could approach the main column. Working in tandem with Grand Magus Shahi and Shaman Agave, they quickly neutralized any enemy scouts before they could report back to their main forces. The advance group faced their most critical challenge yet: breaking through the enemy forces encircling the path. The elven forces had set up fortified positions, supported by massive hordes of orcs, to choke any attempt at passage. Clearing this obstruction was essential for the safety of the exodus, and the magus wasted no time in engaging.

Emery's team worked in harmony with the other squads. His acolytes were tasked with defending the civilians, ensuring their safety, while the Grand Magus and Magus realm warriors decisively cleared out the enemy forces.

Grand Magus Shahi's ferocity was unmatched; her spear became a blur of deadly strikes, each blow releasing arcs of crackling energy that felled dozens of enemies. Meanwhile, Shaman Agave's mastery of earth spells created towering sand walls to divide the enemy, cutting their reinforcements off from the main battlefield. Emery himself anchored the effort, using his nature and spatial magic to trap enemies and ensure none escaped the battle.

Multiple skirmishes followed, with dozens of elves and thousands of orcs falling under the combined assault. The advance group finally broke through the encirclement, carving a path for the incoming batches to follow safely.

The group continued their march, determined to reach the first checkpoint. After eighteen grueling hours of combat and travel, the group arrived at their destination—a lightly fortified elven outpost situated 400 hundred miles from the Citadel. The magus stormed the post, quickly neutralizing the defenders and securing the area. The first checkpoint was theirs. The civilians, exhausted from their journey, finally got a moment of respite. Makeshift camps were established around the outpost, with healers tending to the wounded and distributing rations. Children clung to their parents, while others simply collapsed in relief, knowing they were safe, at least for now. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Meanwhile, the magus remained vigilant. Scouts were sent out immediately to survey the surrounding terrain and monitor for enemy reinforcements. Emery ensured his acolytes maintained their readiness, knowing full well that the enemy would not remain idle for long. A report was swiftly sent back to the Citadel, signaling the successful completion of the first phase of the mission. With confirmation received, the second batch of civilians was prepared to begin their journey. At the same time, the first batch began organizing for their next 400-mile march toward the second checkpoint. To maintain the safety of the route, one squad was left behind to fortify the captured outpost and safeguard the passage.