****(POV)

Another group?

I slowly get closer to see what is happening. Sneakily making my way next to the barrier. Iron Hammer is heading their way directly.

"Psst! Wait! What are you doing?"

"Getting outside to beat them up so they stop making a ruckus. Also, you don't have to hide they can't see through the barrier from their side."

"Ah! Let them be, I want to see what they are up to."

He looks at me puzzled.

"Aren't you usually an advocate of simply blasting them with acid and be done with it?"

"Well, yes but don't you find it weird that suddenly two groups are here while it usually is empty? Also, look how loud they are. They are more likely to reveal all information by mistake."

"*Grumble* Sure, I'll wait."

So I and the dwarf await what will happen next. We can clearly see the first group. They look like…

"These guys are mercenaries for sure." A villager murmurs nearby.

Yes, they seem like warriors while lacking the group cohesion of an army or the clear seniority of a sect. Leather armors, standard swords, they look pretty poor. Now the new group coming on the horizon looks slightly different.

Yep, these guys are in a sect for sure. They have a few dedicated mages, they all have the same sect emblem, one I do not even know. Must be nobodies. My guess is these guys are either a newly formed sect or what we call a sub-sect.

Basically, a sub-sect is what strong sects call their servants. This way it sounds fancier. But really, they are mostly grooming death warriors in these.

The mercenary group's leader shouts.

"Identify yourselves and state your business! We were here first in any case!"

What a bold first line for a guy that doesn't look especially strong. He hasn't figured out that antagonizing people can be really bad. Anyway, unsurprisingly…

"We have no name to give mere mercenaries. Just know that we are on our sect's official business. Now don't disturb us and move aside!"

"I see, you're after our target in this village too, eh? Well, I've got bad news! We are here and staying!"

The mercenaries start stomping the ground rhythmically. They seem to be trying to intimidate their opponents. Except that besides making them look like fools, I doubt it's actually accomplishing anything.

It doesn't help that dust starts rising and now they themselves are beginning to cough from it. That's when the sect on the other side snidely remarks "amateurs".

Right at that exact moment, I'm very glad to be watching.

"Show these sect guys that we are proud mercenaries!"

"Seriously?! Whatever, men show these mercenaries our strength!"

*Screams*

*Insults*

They charge at each other. The sect has more mages. Right at the beginning, they send a deadly magical volley killing a few mercenaries directly.

To put things into perspective there are around 40 mercenaries and 30 sect members. These few casualties are already significant. But the mercenaries instead of cowering simply go even faster!

Before long, the two groups crash into each other.

*Slash*

*Screams of the injured*

I'd like to say this fight is exciting but it's not. It reminds me of newly entered recruits. The ones that die the first day of training. The ones that are cannon fodder to fuel the growth of the others. They are barely drawing blood and yet the cries of agony are thundering.

There is even one guy that faints almost as soon as the clash begins. A few seconds later someone walks on his junk by mistake providing him a rude awakening. He gets up and resumes fighting as if nothing happened.

A few actually notice it but they are too busy trying to kill each other. Both leaders are not even participating in the combat, standing in the back barking orders that their men barely can follow.

Let's just say that they are all pretty bad. The mages looked half-decent but apparently only knew how to launch long-range attacks and are now panicking.

After a dozen minutes, the death toll is about equal for each side, only a few individuals. Ah, it seems like the troops are not really going all out and each trying to make sure they survive the confrontation.

Then both leaders eventually decide to call it a stop.

"How about a truce? You guys are worthy opponents! It would be a shame if we were all to die here!"

"Agreed, it would be quite ridiculous. Now what?"

Worthy opponents? If these guys are worthy, then my left nut sack is heroic! Talk about ridiculous!

I can't help but wonder what they will do. Will they all start smashing the barrier in harmony? I still doubt they can breach it. Both groups are just standing in front of it with the few remaining mages carefully examining the blue wall. They concert with each other before declaring:

"This thing is a remnant of the past. It has clearly been laid out a few centuries ago. There are few wonders to be found. This place could be worth a fortune in the right hands."

"Seriously?!"

"Well, yes. It is lost magic after all. There is clearly no one nowadays able to do something like that, otherwise, we would have heard of them for sure."

"Makes sense!"

I can't help but chuckle looking at Iron Hammer right next to me. He did use the foundation that was already set to speed up the work, but he still just set it up. Talk about a load of bullshit. How naïve can one be? They are ignorant and are not even aware of it haha!

All of us are just watching them clown around. Meanwhile, they have no idea we are there. They keep going without a care in the world.

"So, how do we take this down?"

"*Proud* Hehe, I actually know the answer to that."

"You do?!"

"Yes, indeed. This barrier is clearly very old, and its power source is most likely almost depleted. All we need to do is attack it all at once at the same spot. Then it should be enough to allow us passage.

I look at the dwarf, but he just shakes his head in denial. Figures, it can't have such a glaring flaw if it's meant to resist Abyss Devourers. Actually, maybe it could work for someone way stronger than these guys.

That's when something else happens.

"G-guys! Look there! Is that …a merchant caravan?!"