Chapter 193: 193
Chapter 193 Part 1 – The final moment (9)
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When Mephisto displayed his strength, Andesha immediately sought to subdue him by force .
Both were proud people who did not stand down .
Conjuring a Greater Plant Creature was a Druid’s spell of the Eighth Circle . The Tree Shepherd’s variation of this spell distorted its nature greatly, raising its power and size by ten times by overloading it with her Mana and her staff’s powers . The Greater Plant Wyrm was now as powerful as a Warrior who perfected his control over his Element Power .
As the Wyrm’s head reached for Mephisto, part of its body suddenly scattered into countless vines and formed a net to block off all of Mephisto’s escape routes, forcing him to face the monster head-on .
But the Sword Saint of Ashes did not panic and instead lowered his greatsword behind his back . He looked up at the wriggling vine tentacles of the Wyrm’s head, appearing as though it was opening a mouth .
The World of Ashes expanded—
He swung his greatsword .
Even though the distance between Brendel and the two girls were nearly a hundred meters apart from the fight, they could feel the whole world turning dark . The only thing visible was the path of the greatsword’s swing; a grey line that sundered the air and sucking everything into its vortex .
Then time stopped .
The picture of Mephisto and the Wyrm was neatly cut into two, and its upper half slid down for a second before an ear-shattering crackle assaulted everyone’s ears and caused them to hear ringing in their ears . Every single vine was spewing green liquid from its severed sections and the remains rained down from the air .
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Light returned and revealed the forest’s destruction; countless trees were cut down with an explosion of dust and soil filling in the vacuum of the severed space .
Visibility was once again limited .
Mephisto planted his greatsword into the ground and took in a deep breath . It was clear that he had used a significant amount of energy .
Andesha suffered just as much . Her spell was broken in a single instant, and Mephisto’s sword technique traveled through the vines and part of its power reached her . If she did not force an excessive amount of mana to sever the link between the Wyrm and herself, her body would have exploded .
She coughed out painfully glared at Mephisto below her as pain throbbed in her left hand; it was bleeding with green blood oozing out from her fingers . She had never suffered such a beating even when she fought against the Archmagi from the Silver Alliance . The Wizards were cautious and careful to make a move, but the crazy fool before her fought as though he did not want to keep his life . This mistake of assessing her opponent wrongly cost her .
“Hamir, you bastard, how much longer are you going to watch?” She finally roared: “Are you trying to reap the biggest advantage by standing on the sidelines until the last moment!”
[This woman has a helper? Even though I gained the advantage with that strike, I unleashed all the Grey Element that I have . It will take a while for me to recover my strength . I can’t even gather the scattered Element Power right now . ]
Mephisto was surprised to hear that . He took another deep breath and started surveying the surroundings, and he discovered a man with red robes that was meant for rituals walking out from the smoke .
“You’re one of the bishops from the Holy Cathedral of Fire?” Mephisto was able to see his face .
Brendel also managed to see the robed figure’s face as the latter had raised his head to study Mephisto .
Amman walked past the trio who were hiding under the invisibility cloak, though even if he were to collide straight into them, he would have simply passed through .
The youth could not help but feel stunned after confirming that the robed figure was indeed Amman . However, the bishop had such a pale face that it looked it had a layer of wax on it . His arms had patches of red on the skin, which was a sign of livor mortis . This was certainly not what a living person should look like, and he instead looked like an undead .
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[This seems like a particular spell to change a living person into an undead, and it’s famous because it changes the person instantly upon death . But casting this spell requires one to make preparations in advance, and the person who receives the spell needs to split part of their soul into a special container . ]
It was not a vase or box that Brendel was thinking about . The way to store a soul was to store it in a living person who did not have theirs, and the way to make a living person into a container was unspeakable . This dark magic was strictly forbidden by every holy religion . Only Madara’s undead necromancers and unholy sects would pursue this magic .
Brendel was absolutely certain that Amman was a spy, but the latter’s relationship with Andesha was strange . The bishop was probably not a Tree Shepherd, but since there were many evil cults around, Brendel was unsure which one Amman belonged to .
However, the youth soon discovered a conspicuous black ring on Amman’s finger and narrowed his eyes . It was the symbol of the Unifying Guild .
[Well, the Unifying Guild and the Tree Shepherds belong to the bigger cults in the continent . It’s not surprising to find them here drawn to the treasures within the Dark Forest . But it seems like Amman doesn’t intend to hide his identity anymore by displaying the ring so openly . ]
“It’s really him, Bishop Amman!” Faena tugged Brendel’s sleeves and mouthed .
Brendel nodded: “The Unifying Guild is everywhere in the human world . ”
Amman smiled at Mephisto: “You have a discerning eye, but that is merely one of my identities . ”
“A bishop becoming a member of the evil cults . The people of Kirrlutz have fallen beyond imagination . ” Mephisto’s tone was condescending as he eyed him .
“Count Mephisto, I have to disagree with this statement . Bishop Amman is an extreme example of a deeply hidden spy, and he’s not a citizen of the Empire too . How can you lump the Empire’s citizens and him together?”
Another voice suddenly came from within the forest’s smoke and dust .
Brendel raised his eyebrow .
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[Veronica? Wait, what’s crazier is the fact that Mephisto didn’t turn her into chopped liver . They definitely met and came here together . But why? Isn’t he chop-happy with his sword?]
His thoughts about how he received unfair treatment from Mephisto were suddenly interrupted as he noticed a green light from the forest .
Amman had raised his hand like he was about to cast a spell to attack the stationary Mephisto, but there were noises of urgent flapping of wings that caused him to falter . In the next moment, green birds broke through from the trailing smoke and flew straight for the bishop .
The translucent birds seemed like they were made out of light and the youth took a moment to admire their colors and shapes . However, it was a different story for Amman, as he knew what kind of danger was behind these stunning creatures; each of their feathers was sharper than a real sword .
These birds were made out of Veronica’s Sword Energy .
“It’s Lady Veronica!” Faena could not help but whisper when she saw a familiar sight .
Amman promptly took a few steps back . Eight Runes appeared at his side and a huge six-sided wall was constructed in front of him . Ripples could be seen flashing across the wall as the birds smashed against it, but they eventually faded .
It was one of the strongest defensive spells within the Holy Cathedral of Fire . It was capable of defending any types of attack, but the effect was greatly weakened when Amman cast it . After he had become an undead, the compatibility of casting the Holy Spells went down significantly .
It would not be long before Amman’s flesh started to rot, and once it happened, he would lose his ability to cast the Holy Spells permanently . But he was currently still a powerful bishop of the Holy Cathedral of Fire .
Veronica finally appeared from the forest . Amman took one more step back, looking warily at the newcomer . Brendel tilted his head slightly and stared at Veronica’s wielded longsword with a strange expression .
If he was not wrong, that was Mephisto’s spare weapon .
[Erm, when did this two have such a good relationship? He even allowed her to use his backup weapon? His hatred for the people of Kirrlutz is a lie? …… Or did Veronica seduce him? But she’s over a hundred years old . Yes, sure, she looks like she’s just slightly older than thirty…… No freaking way, you can’t be serious right? Wait, that dude isn’t that young either . I think he’s pretty close to her age . ]
Brendel thought that it was a strong possibility . Veronica might appear to be attractive to Mephisto, and perhaps he fell within love with her when she was in her weakened state? Maybe it was a fine line between hatred and love?
“Hey, Faena,” he could not help but ask, “why are those two together? Did Lady Veronica seduce him?”
“W-w-what the hell are you talking about! Lady Veronica would never do something like that!” But Faena was looking incredibly shocked as well and her words were not convincing .
Brendel suddenly felt worried in his mind . He glanced around, hoping that Scarlett did not come . But the outcome disappointed him, as he quickly spotted the red-haired girl emerging behind Veronica .
He sighed .
[Damn it, you’re giving me trouble, Lady Veronica . ]
“Let’s meet up with Lady Veronica,” Faena suggested .
But Brendel immediately grabbed her arm: “Wait, we should take a look at the situation first . ”
“What do you mean by looking at the situation . Even your little lover is here, are you going to make her wait?” She looked at him from the corners of her eyes .
Brendel faked a soundless cough when he heard her words: “Tsk . Are you really an aristocrat? The way how you form your words is just nasty . Also, stupid girl, we’re completely hidden and the enemies are out in the open . We will lose our chance to strike their backs if we reveal ourselves . ”
Faena took a moment to get what Brendel was planning, but she suddenly realized that she indeed sounded unrefined and blushed: “O-of course I’m one . And I’m not as despicable as you, trying to stab people in the back all the time . Are you even a noble?”
“Are you serious? Stabbing people in the back, poisoning, assassinating, these are all the specialties of the Kirrlutz’s nobles . I think I actually fit your Empire’s values pretty well . ”
Faena was at a loss for words and glared at him with clenched teeth .