The battle between the Bellids and Karuwimans was fierce. Whenever the Karuwimans launched offensive attacks to cross the lake, the Bellids fiercely resisted. Due to the Bellidsâ adamant resistance, the Karuwimans werenât able to secure a bridge to cross the lake yet.Â
In this intense battle, Zichâs two servants were bravely fighting on. Hans was stationed on the frontlines, and he directly engaged with the Bellid knights. Even though he was lower-skilled than his opponentsâ, he maintained his ground. Zichâs sinister, almost perverted training was showing its full effect again.
âIn this area, I have toâ!â Hans found a small opening between the Karuwiman knights in front of him and moved his sword to stab a Bellid knight.Â
âUgh!â
Clash!
A Bellid knight quickly smacked Hans' cleverly positioned sword away. The force of the Bellid knightâs sword made Hansâ hands shake. However, Hans didnât let go of his sword and hurriedly backed away.
Clash!
âArgh!â
The Bellid, who lost his balance from Hansâ attack, was hit by a Karuwiman knight and fell down. Hans continued to look for more openings.
âMy body moved almost by instinct.â
The only time Hans experienced a large-scale battle like this was in the Dracul estate at Ospurin. However, since he was already in his second battle, his body skillfully moved along with his alliesâ movements. Even he surprised himself.Â
âSir Zichâs training really makes people speechless.â
Hans thought his competency in this battle was all thanks to Zichâs training. However, that was not the only reason. Previously, Zich remarked that Hansâ talent was comparable to Glen Zenard, one of the few people Zich approved of in strength alone; and through Zichâs extreme training, Hansâ talent was beginning to blossom in full display.
Likewise, Snoc also played a significant part in this battle. He stood on a stepping stone in the center of a lake and fired his power over the earth towards his enemies.
Bam! Bam!
Huge earth pillars sprouted out from the walls of the cave next to the Bellid knights. The Bellid knights crushed the earth pillars with their swords. Even though they didnât receive much damage from these attacks, the pillars continued to pop out and hamper their focus.
âIf I destroy the pathway that the frontline is standing on, I can attack them all at once.â Snoc felt regretful. However, in a situation where they had to increase more paths across the lake, he couldnât afford to destroy any pathways.
âIs it because Iâm still lacking in skill?â Even though Snoc was able to safely bring out Nowemâs strength, he couldnât bring out all of it. If he could, then the first thing he would have done was to break this caveâs ceiling and fill up the lake.
âAh, but would Sir Zich scold me because the entire cave might collapse?â
No, if he could completely bring out Nowemâs strength, he might be able to destroy everything that supported the cave and still hold up the entire cave with just his strength. Snoc glanced at Hans. Hans was his senior who joined Zichâs team earlier than him and had longer experience being Zichâs servant. Even though Hans didnât have a special existence like Nowem next to him, he was showing enormous skills using just his natural abilities.
âI should also work harder.â
Even though Hans was embarrassed by it, his efforts and goals (with Zichâs advice) to become a hero greatly inspired Snoc.Â
âIf I work hard like my senior, Hans, maybe I can alsoâŠâ If he worked hard, maybe his childhood dream he nervously told Sam might become a reality. Snoc blocked the Bellidâs attacks and used his earthly powers to support shaky bridges; simultaneously, he continued to attack the Bellids.Â
The battle went on. Without either side gaining a clear advantage, sacrifices were made with each passing minute. However, nothing went on forever. A change began to appear on the battlefield.
Crash!
âWhat!â
âHuh?â
In the center of the area protected by the barrier, a few Bellids were hit critically by the Karuwimansâ light attacks. Regardless of which side they were on, both the Karuwimans and Bellids were shocked. On the other hand, both of the leaders from these two sides were quick to adapt.
âThe barrier has weakened! Immediately attack those outside the barrier!â
âGet closer inside the barrier! Quickly!â
The two sides immediately followed their superiorsâ orders. The Bellids who were now outside the barrier quickly moved back; however, not all of them were able to avoid the Karuwimansâ speedy attacks.
âUgh!â
âArgh!â
The number of Bellid followers who died from the Karuwimansâ light attacks increased. The Karuwiman knights focused their utmost attention on the areas where the barrier had disappeared.
âGet your act together! Block them from coming closer!â
The Bellids also quickly responded and fought back. However, their efforts were fruitless. The barrier kept getting smaller, and the energy of Bellu that supported the Bellids also decreased substantially; soon enough, the entire barrier disappeared. When the Bellids felt all of Belluâs energy disappear, their faces became filled with despair. In contrast to their despair, the Karuwimans responded back with greater energy and shouted a loud outcry.
Weig tightly clenched his fists. The menacing pressure on his body was gone.
âIt seems like Zich was successful.â
* Â Â * Â Â *
âWhat happened?â Trislowa had been full of confidence after finally being able to capture Zich, but he was now hesitant and his expression froze. At the intense vibrations inside the cave, Trislowa looked up. The other knights were also surprised and looked around their surroundings.
Thud!
There was another shock, and then a large vibration. Some rock dust fell down from the ceiling. Even though sounds of an explosion could be heard every time the barrier blocked attacks from the Karuwiman, the sound this time sounded a bit different. Moreover, just the sound of an explosion would not be enough to shake the entire temple so that rock and debris dust would fall from the ceiling.
It felt ominous. Anxiety began to fill up the hearts of all the Bellid followers.
Then a calm voice spoke from somewhere, âItâs nothing important, so donât worry about it.â
The Bellid followers looked towards the direction of the voice. They didnât need to look any further.
The person who spoke was Zich.
âWhat is that fucking bastard scheming again?â Trislowa thought and said, ââŠWhat do you mean?â
âExactly what I said. That sound is nothing important.â Zich looked completely different. It was difficult to imagine that he had been running away while gasping for breath a few moments ago. The wound on his side was still pouring out blood, but Zich had his back straight unlike before.Â
And with a carefree attitude, he told the Bellid followers shocking news. âItâs just that the barrier protecting the temple disappeared, so the Karuwimans are attacking the temple. Thatâs all.â
â!!!â
Every single follower was astonished. For the Bellids who were at a disadvantage to the Karuwiman in terms of both numbers and quality, the barrier had been crucial in defending their temple. But if that barrier disappearedâŠ
âDid youâŠ!â Trislowa finally realized that Zich hadnât run to escape but to lure him and the remaining guards out of the ritual room.Â
Then, Zich helped erase all of Trislowaâs doubts. âYes, thatâs right. I lured you guys out.â
Zich moved his body from side to side; he was mocking Trislowa and the knights, showing that his wound didnât debilitate him at all. For Zich, moving with this kind of injury was nothing.
âYou, bastardâŠ! Did other intrudersâŠ!â What Trislow had prayed to not happen occurred. However, the situation was a bit different from his expectations.
âNo, Iâm the only intruder. Even in this place, there are people who are willing to take my side.â
âWhat bullshit! No one among the Bellid followers who faithfully worship Bellu will cooperate with Karuwimanâs dog like you!â
âI also donât want to join hands with you Bellid bastards. The people who joined my side are from a completely different group.â
Zich pointed below him with his fingers. âThe people who used to be down there.â
ââŠThe sacrifices?â Trislowa hadnât even thought of the sacrifices as a possibility, so he became speechless for a moment. But soon, rage overtook him. âSoâŠour brothersâŠdied fromâŠthe sacrificesâŠout of all things?â
If the Karuwimans were their mortal enemies, the sacrifices were livestock or toys at best. He couldnât believe that the high priests who maintained the barrier died from such low-class things.
âItâs too bad. I will send you my condolences.â
âYooooou bastard!â Trislowa was enraged countless times today. His eyes became so bloodshot that it looked like tears of blood would pour down any moment now.
âYour grace! We have to go to the ritual room immediately!â One of the knights said to Trislwowa, but Trislowa shook his head.
âItâs too late. If the Karuwimans have attacked the temple, it means the barrier is gone now. In other words, all the priests in the ritual room have left to join Belluâs side.â
âKuh!â The knight tried to calm his fury.
âFocus on the enemy in front of you. We have to take back the sacred object that guy stole. Thatâs our top priority.â
âWow, you are a terrible boss. Shouldnât you try to comfort the feelings of those saddened by their comradesâ deaths? For what reason are you all working for a boss like that?â Zich continued to annoy Trislowa.
âKill him.â Trislowa clenched his teeth and gave his command. The knights moved with the strong conviction to not let Zich die an easy death once they caught him.
âCome on, I was saying that for your own good. Fine, since Iâm in a good mood, I will personally lead you all to the ritual room!â Zich suddenly sank to his knees and touched the ground with his hands. Trislowa couldnât understand Zichâs behavior and attacked. With impressive control, holy power brushed past the running knights. The knights were shocked as the attack closely passed by them, but Trislowa didnât care. Attacking Zich was much more important than caring about his shocked knights.
Zich quickly took off his hand from the floor and jumped. Trislowaâs holy power missed Zich and struck the ground.
Bam!
It didnât even make a loud sound. Trislowaâs attack made a clean dent on the templeâs floor.
âDo you think I will let you escape through the secret passageway again?!â Trislowa already knew that Zich could use another secret passageway he wasnât aware of and prepared for such a scenario. Thus, as soon as Zich looked like he was trying to escape, Trislowa immediately blasted the surface that Zich was standing on top of.
âYou can no longer use that secret passâ!â Trislowa trailed off.
Although Zich looked like he had jumped to escape the attack, he was using the templeâs high ceiling to move behind them while kicking the walls.
âWhat are you guys doing!? Chaseâ!â Trislowa stopped in the middle of his command.
The knights, who had been confident while cornering Zich, were now faltering. Their balance had been shaken from Trislowaâs sudden attack, and it took them a moment to get into position again.
Thump!
Zich leisurely stepped down behind them. Then, he twirled around with one foot.
Clap!
And with those raised feet, he clapped his feet together.
âA secret passageway? There was something like that?â Zich asked calmly, and Trislowa staredâno, glared at the place he had attacked. In the place where he attacked, there was only a large hole and nothing that resembled a secret passageway. Trislowa had been played again.
âHeh, I didnât know that you knew of a passageway that even I didnât know of. As expected of Bellidâs Honorary Cardinal. The information you have is on another levelâ!â
Pop!
Zich easily evaded Trislowâs angry attack.
âKiiiiiiill him!â Trislowaâs voice sounded desperate now. The knights passed Trislowa and chased after Zich again.
âYou want to chase me again? Iâm all for it. But letâs decide on a destination this time.â Zich turned his back and said calmly. He didnât have to act like he was cornered anymore and healed his wounds by drinking potions.
âI told you guys that I would take you to the ritual room, right? We should go together. Letâs see what state the priests are in. I am curious too.â Zich led the Bellid knights and began to run.
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