The maid squad is too strong, what use is there for me, the Demon King?

If it were a fight to the death, he might still be able to rely on his ninth-tier foundation to unleash a devastating power at a crucial moment, striving for a sliver of hope, or at least die a heroic death.

But to be captured alive... and fall into the hands of the Demon King, becoming a bargaining chip to threaten the kingdom and coerce the princess? That ending would probably be even more humiliating and terrifying than dying on the battlefield!

He could almost imagine how the other side would use them to force Philippa to comply.

We must not let them succeed!

Phoenix's eyes became incredibly sharp, and the previously slightly clouded gaze was rekindled with a resolute flame.

The magic power within him was like a pool of water about to run dry; every time he cast spatial magic, he could clearly feel the gradually approaching limit of depletion.

'I can't delay any longer...' he thought to himself. He had to use his last trump card before his magic power was depleted to the point where he couldn't sustain the spell!

That was his trump card for survival—an extremely dangerous spatial technique that placed a huge burden on himself, yet could potentially tear open a path to life in dire straits.

Once he casts it, regardless of success or failure, he will fall into a prolonged state of weakness, which may even damage the foundation of his spatial magic. But at this moment, he has no other choice.

While maintaining his defense, he secretly began to mobilize the little magic power he had left, constructing an extremely complex spatial rune sequence around his body in an extremely discreet and slow manner.

This preparation process takes time and cannot be subject to strong interference, otherwise all previous efforts will be in vain.

He glanced at the weak Sophia and the seriously injured Tarik beside him, a hint of apology flashing in his eyes, but more so an unwavering determination.

He had to take this gamble, for the sake of the princess, and for their possible future.

"Tarik, Sophia, get ready." Phoenix's voice reached their ears through subtle spatial vibrations, carrying an unprecedented gravity. "Wait for my signal. Break through to the southeast exit, no matter what!"

He didn't explain exactly what he was going to do, but his do-or-die spirit made Tariq and Sofia instantly understand the gravity of the situation.

Phoenix no longer hesitated and devoted all his attention to the construction of the hidden runes.

The attacks around him continued to rain down, but the men in black robes seemed unaware of the storm brewing within him.

However, the soul fire beneath the mask of the sword-wielding leader (Alpha) seemed to flicker slightly, and the momentum of her sword seemed to increase even more, as if she was applying final pressure.

The battle continued, with the grey-robed servants executing Alpha's tactics like precision instruments, constantly draining Phoenix's magic.

On the surface, everything seemed to be under control, and the ninth-level space master appeared to be forced into a passive defensive position, with defeat already inevitable.

However, in this seemingly peaceful war of attrition, Ipsilon, who had been calmly observing and analyzing battlefield data from the rear, issued a calm and clear warning to all her sisters through the mental link maintained by Kappa:

"Note that His Majesty Phoenix's condition is abnormal. As a renowned ninth-tier spatial mage and the chief mage of the Olmec Kingdom, his methods cannot be limited to what we have seen so far. The restriction on spatial teleportation certainly limits his greatest advantage, but he must have other trump cards for survival or counterattack. Such a long period of passive defense is inconsistent with his status and strength. He is likely secretly preparing some kind of powerful spell unknown to us, and we need to be highly vigilant."

Ipsilon's warning was like cold water poured onto hot oil, instantly putting all the waiters to their senses. They trusted Ipsilon's judgment, and among those present, she was the one who knew Phoenix, the ninth-tier space mage, best.

A ninth-tier professional is not to be underestimated!

Alpha reacted the fastest; her sword stance almost instantly underwent a subtle change, shifting from a highly oppressive series of slashes to a more defensive and probing parrying posture. Simultaneously, cold and decisive commands were transmitted to each attendant via the mental network:

"Attention everyone! As Ipsilon said, immediately halt your offensive and switch to a defensive posture! Prioritize your own safety!"

"Beta, send arrows to cover the exit area and establish a warning blockade!"

"Ipsilon, West Tower, switch spells to Area Disruption and Blockade to restrict its possible movement paths, especially to the southeast!"

"Delta, use blood magic to create a barrier and seal off the side passage!"

"Aita, Zeta, retreat and coordinate to block the main exit. If the target attempts to force their way through, stop them at all costs!" (Alpha automatically filtered out the steps of explaining complex tactics to Zeta and directly issued the clearest action order.)

"Kappa, increase the intensity of your mental interference. Attempt to disrupt any covert spells he may be casting!"

The moment the order was given, the previously relentless offensive suddenly changed.

The ranged magic and arrows were no longer focused on attacking Phoenix himself, but instead poured more into the space around him and the various possible escape routes, weaving a tighter net of light and a zone of energy turbulence.

Alpha, who was engaged in close combat, and Aita and Zeta, who were retreating, also adopted a defensive posture, locking their presence on the exit.

The atmosphere in the entire hall instantly shifted from "hunting and attrition" to "a state of high alert and lockdown".

The ten shadow servants demonstrated exceptional tactical acumen and execution, showing no hesitation or delay.

They knew that any carelessness could have unpredictable consequences when facing a ninth-tier expert whose strength was unknown.

His Majesty's request is to intercept them, preferably capture them alive, but only if the mission is completed and no significant losses are incurred.

The soul fire beneath the Alpha mask burned even more calmly. She gripped her longsword tightly, fully opening her senses to carefully detect any unusual energy fluctuations around Phoenix.

She wanted to see what kind of trump cards this ninth-level space master, who had been driven to the brink of despair, still had up his sleeve.

Under no circumstances should we allow him to break through with those two people and disrupt the crucial conversation between Lord Shadow and the Hero.

Almost at the same time Phoenix secretly began to construct the spatial arcane runes, he keenly sensed that the attacks of the gray-robed men around him had undergone an extremely obvious and rapid change!

The fierce sword strike, which had been like a persistent, invasive disease, suddenly subsided, turning into a steady defensive stance.

The dense elemental magic and dark rays no longer focused on bombarding his defensive barrier, but instead, as if they were alive, precisely covered and blocked all possible escape routes around him, and—especially—the path leading to the southeast exit.

The cunning arrows changed their target, hovering and circling over key points like a swarm of vigilant bees.

Even the two black-robed men, known for their fierce close-combat style, quickly retreated, joining the others to form a tight blockade of the exit.