"First is the Magic Array, you need to inscribe it around the Magic Crystal like this..."
Lira was originally going to explain how to draw the Magic Array to them. But on second thought, time was short, so she simply spoke as she drew it out.
"Next is the method to activate the Magic Array, and the Spell everyone needs to chant together..."
Lira murmured a long string of words.
Natsu complained, "It's so hard to pronounce, how are we supposed to memorize this?"
Lira said, "Because it's in Periaven, although it's tongue-twisting, everyone must remember it."
"Oh, I remember back then they also needed a lot of people to perform it together." Lucy recalled the scene, so many people forming a circle and chanting, it was like a cult ritual.
Lira said, "In Aslan, one person could do it, but here, to simultaneously guide the power of 9 moons, at least 9 people are needed to chant the Spell together."
"9 people?" Lucy was surprised, "What if we don't have enough people?"
"Not enough?" Lira tilted her head, "Without counting me, aren't there just enough people?"
"Huh?"
Rhode, Natsu, Lisana, Lucy, Wendy, Carla, Hapi, plus Hapi's parents Raki and Mar, making a perfect nine.
Apart from Lucy, the others were also a bit stunned. They had come this far, working to save their companions, and unknowingly their group had grown.
Lucy added, "But Natsu and Wendy can't use Magic."
Lira replied, "As long as you have Magic Power and can speak, it will work."
Natsu and Wendy both breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they might hold everyone back this time.
Rhode wanted to find Hapi, but paused, "Natsu, could you ask Hapi's family to help?"
"I'll do it right away!"
True to his word, Natsu sprinted like the wind and gathered up the three cats, then sprinted back to put them down, "Here they are!"
Rhode slapped his forehead and quickly apologized to Raki and Mar, then explained the situation to them.
Of course, Hapi was willing to help, and he would also ask his parents, "Aye! Dad, Mom, can you help us?"
"Aye!" Raki instinctively said the same catchphrase as Hapi, his old face blushing before he became serious, "Ugh! What a son, never giving us peace!"
Mar laughed, "Of course Mom will help."
"Thank you all!" everyone thanked in unison.
"Alright! Now continue memorizing the Spell!" Lira corrected their pronunciation syllable by syllable.
By the time everyone memorized the Spell, 8 moons had already risen.
Everyone took their positions, surrounding the Flying Ship.
Seeing the 9th moon appear, Lira shouted, "Prepare! Moon's Drop, commence!"
The Magic Array around the Flying Ship lit up, and nine people from different directions began to chant the Spell:
"Jelram... Sem... Diouru Na... Kupela... Kulaka... Kupela... Kulaka..."
With a heavy tone and deep chanting, the inscribed Magic Array on the ground projected into midair.
The surrounding moonlight seemed to dim slightly, as beams of light from the nine moons converged from different directions like tangible particles into the midair Magic Array.
The bright moonlight gathered and filtered through the Magic Array turned into an eerie purple, forming a beam of light enveloping the massive Magic Crystal below.
"Jelram... Sem... Diouru Na..."
Still chanting, everyone watched as the Magic Array above slowly rotated, continuously gathering moonlight, transforming it into a special magic projected onto the Magic Crystal.
What once appeared ominous to Natsu, Lucy, and the others, the purple light beam now surprisingly became a beacon of hope for everyone.
The purple light grew brighter until it reached an eye-catching level when viewed up close—and in this moment, powered fully by the nine moons' energy, the Moon's Drop initiated.
However, Rhode frowned.
It was too conspicuous.
In the dark night, such a noticeable beam of light must have been seen by countless people.
He should be thankful they were in Extalia, where Lidoras Kingdom's army would probably assume it was some Magic being cast by the Transcenders and not dare to approach recklessly.
So if any enemy comes to disrupt, it would likely be the Transcenders.
According to Raki, the Transcenders' military strength comprises a Guard Corps of over 100 Transcenders.
Rhode imagined 100 Hapis wielding knives attacking him... it seemed like quite a hassle.
Though small in stature, the Transcenders were not necessarily weak in strength. On any other day, Rhode wouldn't be afraid, but now any disturbance would be the most fearsome thing to happen.
With anxious hearts, everyone chanted the Spell for ten more minutes, visibly feeling the Magic Crystal shrink and change shape.
The Moon's Drop was effective!
Lira, having ensured the Magic was fine, returned to the Star Spirit Realm to conserve a bit of Lucy's Magic Power.
Usually, Lucy didn't worry much about the Silver Key's consumption.
"Kupela... Kulaka..."
Time ticked by, the Magic Crystal grew smaller, and gradually protrusions resembling two heads began to appear.
To the group, it felt less like casting Magic and more like sculpting a large ice sculpture.
It probably wouldn't take long to finish.
But then, the thing Rhode feared the most happened.
Extalia discovered the commotion here, and a squad of ten was flying towards them.
From a distance, Rhode could see the ten small black dots, and he never stopped chanting the Spell.
Could six Ghosts defeat ten Transcenders?
Rhode wasn't sure, so he signaled to let the Ghosts drop lower and prepare to assist the Shadow Wolf in a surprise attack.
But as the Transcender squad approached, Rhode's heart sank, realizing something was off about these Transcenders' size.
Their size seemed close to ordinary humans, even more robust!
"We are the first squadron of the Guard Corps. Who are you? What are you doing here? What's that?" shouted the leading big cat.
Perhaps due to the angle, they initially saw Hapi's family and Carla's backs, thinking they were similar beings doing something dangerous in this remote place.
Such a purple light, although unknown what magic it was, looked ominous.
But, seeing Natsu and Lucy as they flew closer, their expression turned stern immediately, "Humans! Who let you enter here? Leave Extalia at once!"
As planned, everyone continued chanting the Spell without responding, while Lisana and Wendy beside Rhode anxiously looked at him.
Rhode gently shook his head, signaling them not to worry and just watch how things unfold.
The big cats felt insulted, angrily yelling, "How arrogant of mere humans, arrest them at once!"
They dove down, abandoning their aerial advantage to land and charge with weapons drawn at Natsu, intending to capture each one in turn.
Rhode was stunned for a moment, how could this be an opportunity?
What were they thinking?