Wizard Lord:I can Extract Anything

Explosions, roars, screams, prayers...

The cacophony of the battlefield blended into a hellish symphony.

The white wizards' alchemical magic stone cannons fired fireballs at a rate of thirty per minute. This number might seem insignificant, but when thousands of cannons roared in unison, the fireballs transformed into a rain of destruction.

Tens of thousands of fireballs pummeled the insect swarm like raindrops. Wizards didn't even need to aim; every fireball found its mark.

Following command orders, every four cannons covered a sector, concentrating fire to intercept as many insects as possible.

Yet, for every insect slain, two more stepped up to take its place. Should those two fall, even more surged forward.

The wizards' magic stones were constantly consumed, while the insect swarm seemed endless.

Moreover, the insects weren't without strategic weapons.

The small Mother God cannons mounted on transport insects continuously launched deadly arc acid spheres. While a single sphere wasn't much, in the thousands, even a third-circle wizard had to avoid them.

"Activate magic barriers!" commanded the white wizard leaders through the mental network.

When constructing the residential area, the white wizards had planned for its conversion into a fortress. Under each house lay a complete magic array foundation. When needed, these foundations could be quickly adapted to provide essential fortress functions.

Such as: strategic-level magic barriers.

Barriers shimmered over the houses, absorbing the impact of the arc acid spheres in ripples.

Though these barriers weren't as refined as those of a war fortress, they were the only option for the white wizards now.

On the ground, this was the situation. In the sky, the battle was far more intense.

The last batch of retreating wizards didn't come alone; the war airships had also returned. Severely damaged airships landed for repairs, while those with lighter damage continued fighting.

The reduced number of airships didn't mean reduced firepower.

In the Floating City Fortress, countless alchemical weapons were activated. Under the logistics wizards' control, these weapons unleashed deadly anti-air fire, shredding countless moth swarms.

The white wizards held the line, the frontmost guardians grimly maintaining magic barriers. They had honed their barrier skills since apprenticeship, and after years of study, their barriers endured far more than those of typical wizards.

They were the solid shield of the evocation wizards behind them. Whether against insects or arc acid spheres, even if the attacks were lethal, even if the spheres could dissolve their bodies, they would not retreat.

One fell, another stepped up. As long as there were reserves, their line would not break.

Above this sky battlefield lay another battlefield.

Two colossal entities waged a cataclysmic battle there.

The massive Mother Insect God floated quietly, its holy light bolstering the swarm, a light screen blocking all of the Grand Wizard's spells. Not hurried to confront the Black Tower High Mage, the Mother Insect God had learned from past battles. Compared to battle experience, having only fought the Great Mushroom, it was far less seasoned than the black-robed wizard.

Thus, it chose a different strategy—remain constant amid change.

The Mother Insect God's golden light greatly enhanced the swarm's combat strength, while the Black Tower High Mage lacked any mass empowerment abilities.

According to fragments of wizard souls, this steel city was extremely costly. Even such a powerful wizard only rented it, not owning it.

As long as the swarm could overcome the wizards and enter the steel city, the Mother Insect God wouldn't need to fight the black-robed wizard; he would retreat on his own.

The war's outcome was decided before it began.

The Black Tower High Mage eyed the Mother Insect God warily. Though his staff unleashed terrifying spells with calm precision, doubt stirred within him.

This insect's power exceeded his expectations. Typical world dominators of micro worlds weren't as troublesome as the Mother Insect God.

The Mother Insect God utilized its innate abilities and faith power perfectly, also aided by the world's power. More crucially, this insect had intelligence.

Its tactics were solid. Without a wildcard, the battle's outcome was predestined.

After much deliberation, the Black Tower High Mage made his decision. He sighed, sending a mental message to his prized disciple, Suzanna.

"Suzanna, have logistics prepare to open the portal."

...

Whoosh—Bang!

A staff swung with a gust of wind, smashing an insect's head to pulp.

Richard, covered in black scales, leaned against a wall, gasping for air.

Around him, a dozen insect corpses lay—some with shattered skulls, some severed at the waist, all with gruesome deaths.

Boom!

A purple fireball flew over Richard, obliterating a warrior insect attempting to ambush him. Sticky green mucus splattered, leaving mottled marks on the wall.

"Compared to you, the insects I kill die with some dignity," Richard quipped.

Not far behind him, Ellie leaned on her staff, her eyes crimson with rage, ethereal flames flickering at their corners.

This was a side effect of Ellie's bloodline at full throttle. Under her gaze, even Richard's cells shivered slightly.

He'd never asked what creature's bloodline Ellie had fused with.

"Dignity?" Ellie mocked. "Better to explode into bits than end up a specimen."

A shadow flowed from the corpses, forming into a black-robed wizard who addressed Richard and Ellie:

"Could you two lovebirds save it? More insects are coming!"

Despite the white wizards' barrage, some insects slipped through. Though few compared to the dead, with the swarm's massive numbers, those that got through were considerable.

And these infiltrators were often stronger than regular insects, posing tough challenges for black wizards.

Bodies of insects and wizards rained from the sky, with occasional war airship debris adding complexity to the residential area's terrain.

Richard and his companions navigated these obstacles, soon finding the insects harassing a white wizard cannon position. Behind them lay the shredded remains of a black wizard.

Boom!

A purple fireball, the size of a human head, roared past, exploding amid the insects.

The insects turned to retaliate, only to find shadows forming hands beneath them, pinning them in place.

Richard grinned menacingly, vanishing in an instant.

A swift whoosh followed, and the heads of six insects were mashed to pulp almost simultaneously.

Since incorporating orichalcum, Richard had grown fond of using his staff as a club.

Black flames ignited on the staff, incinerating the residual mucus to ash.

Richard greeted the wizard at the cannon.

"Ivan, how's it going?"

The harassed cannon was part of Ivan's squad.

Ivan waved at Richard. "Managing, apart from occasional insect harassment, but..."

Bang!

A loud explosion drew their attention. A blood-soaked wizard stumbled from a neighboring cannon, shouting:

"The magic stone cannon's melting down! Alchemist!"

Ivan's face fell, rushing to the adjacent cannon, with Richard, as an alchemist, following.

Inside, the alchemical magic stone cannon's operator's area was a bloody mess. The white wizard who had been there was reduced to two legs.

Ivan's face showed sorrow at the sight.

This cannon was also part of his squad, and the dead wizard was one of his team.

Ivan assessed the situation quickly: "The cannon's melting down. Needs spell components replaced, magic circuits rebuilt, and minor repairs."

He moved to find their squad's alchemist.

But then he froze.

"Ivan, what's wrong?" Richard noticed something amiss.

Ivan pointed blankly at the two legs. "If I recall, he was our squad's alchemist."

The air grew tense.

Without an alchemist, the cannon was effectively useless. With firepower so intense, allowing insects to approach was already risky. If the cannon failed, this position would become a breach in the line.

When defending the Third War Zone, they had cursed the neighboring squad for leaving a gap. Now, the tables had turned.

"Damn it!"

Ivan gripped the cannon, dizziness washing over him.

At this crucial moment, the line couldn't afford any issues. This wasn't the Third War Zone—they were defending the Floating City!

A breach here, and he might not even live to face command's judgment, dying in the impending swarm instead.

In the distance, a small protrusion in the swarm had formed due to the missing firepower, with thousands of insects eyeing the gap.

Within minutes, some would break through, infiltrating the interior.

"Richard, hold here. I'll find another squad's alchemist. If they come, there's still hope."

Ivan, despite his dizziness, made a swift decision. It was their only chance.

Though Ivan knew the odds were slim.

Rebuilding the magic circuits was time-consuming. Unless a top master was nearby, the cannon seemed beyond saving.

Yet, even a sliver of hope was worth seizing.

With Ivan gone, Ellie and Lawrence grew serious, using their communication crystal balls to call nearby black wizards for help, while Richard fiddled with the cannon.

"Richard, what are you doing?" Lawrence asked, puzzled. "You're an alchemist, but repairing these cannons requires professional training. Most can only swap parts."

Richard touched a silver-lined component, and information appeared before him.

[Material: Damaged Lavossier Type II Magic Stone Cannon Component]

[Extractable Skill: Rebuild Magic Circuits]

[Extraction Cost: 5 Mental Energy]

A smile played on Richard's lips.

"Not necessarily. This cannon's damage isn't too severe. I think I can fix it."