Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 247 Air Combat
The black dot grew larger over time, and judging by its momentum, it was clearly heading straight for the Canaanite group who were driving in the air!

The mage with the Angel's Eye was the first to notice something was wrong, but he was too far away to make out that the other party was a large flock of birds and raptors.

Fortunately, if magic isn't enough, technology will make up for it—like nesting dolls between two hands...

Zhang Yuan, having pulled out a pair of binoculars, finally saw the true nature of the newcomer—the Despair Bird.

These uninvited guests looked somewhat similar to ordinary storks, only much larger, with gray, brownish-yellow, or grayish-white feathers covering their bodies, while the feathers on their necks were glossy black.

They have narrow heads with long, shiny black, needle-like beaks. As they get closer, the Canaan team members can already hear a coordinated, even rhythmic, call that consists of a series of bird calls, whistles, and calls coming from deep in their throats.

This even makes one wonder if these birds have their own language.

“These beasts are Despair Birds; they’ve probably got their eyes on us.” Zhang Yuan put down his binoculars and handed them to Talinda, who was standing nearby.

Equally envious of the novel telescope, Kegan had to suppress his curiosity, inwardly cursing himself for prioritizing romance over friendship, while asking, "What the hell are these things? Aren't they afraid of our dragons?"

"Despairbirds are different from ordinary birds of prey. They possess considerable intelligence, enough to support their own unique language system. Also, be careful of their magical abilities." As he spoke, Zhang Yuan also cast a Roc Feather Angel's Eye on the female elf.
"Wait until these guys get a little closer, then unleash your arrows, especially on the leader!"

Tallinda nodded as she returned the telescope, drew her bow and arrow, tilted her head slightly, and her usually innocent face suddenly turned cold and stern.

She took her first opportunity to perform in the team very seriously.

As for the other teammates who were also trying to see the approaching enemy clearly, they were more curious and expectant than fearful and worried.

Everyone has witnessed the power of a mage's summoned creatures. Even if they can't compare to a true dragon, they're not something that just some feathered beast can mess with.

Kegan and Münster, along with a few other melee fighters, were still observing, while Lawrence climbed over the back of the carriage as cover, set up his rapid crossbow, and stood ready for battle.

Before long, the opponent closed in to a distance where its outline could be clearly seen with the naked eye, and Talinda, who had been waiting for the right moment, drew her bow like a full moon.

swoosh~
The arrow pierced the sky, carrying a mournful whistle as it flew straight toward the leader of the Despair Birds, which was clearly a size larger and had a thicker waist.

That wasn't all; the female elf, without stopping, drew another arrow and repeated the same trick.

One, two, three, four, let's do it again!
The double shot, with two arrows in succession, almost locked onto the opponent's figure and movement trajectory; this arrow was bound to draw blood!

MISS!

MISS!

Despite resembling a fat stork, the leader of the birds moved with surprising agility, dodging the attack by shifting left and right.

This was a bit awkward. Not only was the female elf herself wide-eyed, but even Master Zhang's eyes widened in surprise.

Good heavens, the spirit who was praised to the heavens in his past life was an excellent archer who never missed a shot!

But on second thought, this was, after all, in the sky, on a high-speed dragon chariot, and the opponent was a highly mobile flying unit. Add to that the interference from air currents, and Tylinda's archery skills were actually quite superb. "It's alright. I suppose you've never shot in the air before. Try again, take it down," the mage reassured the somewhat unwilling elf.

Just as Talinda gritted her teeth, preparing to teach that ringleader a lesson, the change in circumstances left her dumbfounded.
.

The leader of the birds flapped its wings and let out a clear cry. The bird became blurry all over, as if it had been pixelated or filtered through frosted glass.

Obscuring magic, second-level illusion magic.

This big, fat cuckoo really does have magical abilities!
Just as Talinda was about to forcefully release the arrow, and the bowstring was already drawn, Zhang Yuan raised his hand to signal her to postpone the attack.

Under the somewhat puzzled gaze of the female elf, the elf dragon Pak, who had been diligently pulling the cart like an old ox, suddenly raised his head and turned towards the direction from which the Despair Birds were flying, opening his mouth.

boo~
A dazzling orb, radiating iridescent light, shot from his mouth, trailing a shimmering path towards the flock of birds.

The speed of this magic orb is similar to that of an arrow, except that it deals area-of-effect damage!

Illusion Orb, a piece skill that can damage enemies in its path, has had the crucial movement skill "Swift Wings" removed, but it retains a decent amount of damage and also has a blinding effect.

The moment the magic orb was released, it attracted the attention of his teammates. "So you're the only one who can use magic? See? Even we cart drivers can show off a few tricks!"

The Despair Birds on the other side couldn't just stand by and watch the spell hit them. As soon as the magic orb was halfway through its flight, they made an evasive maneuver, narrowly avoiding the imminent attack of the illusionary magic orb, which had expanded to a diameter of more than two meters. Only one clumsy unlucky bird was hit squarely.

Just as everyone was feeling a bit sorry that this spell was being wasted, a series of mournful cries came from afar.

The flock of desperate birds was in complete chaos, their flight postures erratic, and their blood and feathers danced in the air.

It turns out that it wasn't just the stupid bird that got run over by the magic orb that was unlucky; several other birds that thought they were safe didn't fare any better either. They were hit by the spell that seemed to have just brushed past them, and they were coughing up blood and staggering so far that they almost fell headfirst into freefall.

It turns out that the clown is actually me?
Little did these thieving birds know that this illusionary orb was so despicable. Two meters in diameter was already quite large, but who would have thought it would also have a radiation range and blinding effect?

This is the truth about area damage. The effect range of the illusion orb is not just the orb itself; including its aura fluctuations, it is probably more than five meters in diameter.

"Now, do it!"

Upon hearing the captain's order, Talinda didn't think twice, drew her bow, and shot an arrow.

Swish, swish, swish, three shots in quick succession, killing two birds with one stone!

Two arrows were given to the leader, and one arrow was given to a henchman next to him, which can be considered as distributing the spoils equally.

Now the Despair Birds had no way to dodge, and they were hit right in the bullseye!

Having gotten excited, Zhang Yuan didn't bother letting the dragons continue fighting. He took the crossbow from Lawrence, then used a Killer Machine on himself, temporarily acting as a crossbowman.

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(End of this chapter)