Both Raine and Gregory, along with others, immediately realized their positions had changed.

They bizarrely found themselves in the central garden area of the block-shaped administrative hall, directly beneath where Raine and Henry had previously landed with the Griffins.

Baron Olsen, Colonel Tessa, and others who should have been in the side wings were also now beside him.

Raine even noticed Henry, who should have been riding on the Griffin’s back, now appeared nearby.

At the same time,

a captain from the Black Fist Army, wearing a blood-red cape and clad in dark heavy armor, had them entirely surrounded.

However,

even though there were over a hundred elite Black Fist soldiers encircling them, Raine and his companions couldn’t afford to look closely.

Following Raine’s line of sight,

directly ahead stood a figure, hidden in a black hood and with hands folded in the sleeves of a black robe, accompanied by a beautiful woman in a red mage robe, standing quietly.

The figure seemed to have their head lowered, not looking directly at them.

But whether it was Raine, Henry, or Gregory, they all felt like they were being watched!

"Light and Shadow Envoy Siegfried!" Gregory’s face changed slightly, and he said each word distinctly.

"Damn it! Why is he here as well? Wasn’t it said..." Henry’s face also darkened as he spoke, "Everyone, regroup immediately!"

"Circle formation!"

Perhaps the only advantage after the relocation was that members of their four squads were now gathered together.

"The Realm of Light and Shadow shouldn’t be so powerful as to cover the entire administrative hall of Dorne City," Quasi-General Gregory quickly said to Henry.

"Then there’s only one explanation: the enemy used pre-placed energy crystals and an array to achieve this effect. And if that’s indeed the case, the enemy clearly anticipated our arrival."

"It’s not hard to guess; reclaiming Dorne City and the kingdom is inevitable. The enemy has two transcendent combatants, and so do we. It’s still uncertain who will prevail."

Despite saying this, Henry knew the enemy surely had an ace up their sleeve, and the situation had clearly taken a sharp turn for the worse.

Additionally, he thought of more——

If their side could encounter an unexpected event, does it mean that the kingdom’s offensive might be obstructed in other places, or end up in an ambush just like this?

If so....

It would spell trouble for the entire situation of the Soladin Kingdom!

Realm of Light and Shadow?

Beside him, Raine frowned slightly and muttered.

He had never heard of this spell.

Perhaps because this spell exceeded the Fifth Level, or maybe it was an obscure spell.

Dylan Crit, positioned next to Raine, quickly explained:

"It’s Siegfried’s exclusive Sixth Level Spell. Within the Realm of Light and Shadow, the power of light and shadow spells is increased by about thirty percent, while other types of spells are equally weakened."

"Furthermore, within the Realm of Light and Shadow, teleportation spells of the Sixth Level and below cannot be used."

"Simply put, if we can’t win, we can’t even escape."

"Can’t we break through this Realm of Light and Shadow?"

"A Seventh Level Spell or above might stand a chance! In reality, I’ve heard this spell is extremely difficult to break from the inside; comparatively, it’s easier to break from the outside."

Raine was just about to suggest that the Giant Blade Squad might have a chance to break through, when Dylan added: "If breaking from the outside, Sixth Level Spells or attacks of transcendent level have a chance."

This left Raine momentarily speechless.

"When the Realm of Light and Shadow activates, the caster can change the positions of everyone within its range."

"But why would the enemy gather us together? Logically, dividing and surrounding us would be a normal tactic."

Dylan murmured, although understanding the spell, still somewhat puzzled.

Hearing Dylan’s words, Raine quickly scanned around.

Seeing thirty-six Royal Guards, holding shields, forming a circle to protect him, Henry, Gregory, and others.

Indeed, as Dylan mentioned, it seemed peculiar.

Logically, if their positions could be adjusted, they should be completely separated and isolated, focusing superior forces to annihilate them one by one. Why would they...

Hmm?

As the doubt rose in his mind, Raine was suddenly attracted by a burst of light.

His gaze concentrated ahead.

Several dozen meters ahead, Siegfried, who had been standing with hands in wide sleeves, suddenly extended his hands.

And then two dazzling lights appeared, illuminating the previously blurry and obscure space.

But the opponent’s actions didn’t stop there.

The next moment, as Siegfried’s hands came together again, the two lights merged into one, releasing a brilliance like a miniature sun from his clasped hands.

It wasn’t the blinding brightness that moved Raine, but the immense light energy within.

The fluctuation of this energy far exceeded Fifth Level spells, and with Dylan’s earlier mention that light energy in the Realm of Light and Shadow would be amplified by thirty percent.

It’s conceivable that Siegfried’s next strike would be earth-shattering.

Raine instantly understood why the enemy had gathered them all together.

The power of such a strong Sixth Level Spell, even with the geographical advantage of the Realm of Light and Shadow, would undoubtedly consume significant spiritual power.

It’s conceivable that the number of times Siegfried could cast it would be quite limited, hence, gathering them together.