Chapter 183
Although I dismiss these guys as cultists who worship Demons, that doesn't mean I completely disregard every single person within their ranks.
As a Manifestor they once tried to recruit, I've had my fair share of conversations with them.
And one thing I learned from those interactions was that just because people belong to the same group doesn't mean they're all of the same kind.
Just as ten thousand people seeing the Sea will each perceive ten thousand different Seas, those who joined Lemegeton all have their own reasons.
Some might be criminals who simply don't want to follow the law.
Others, like Nikki, might have been ostracized by everyone else and had no choice.
Then there are those like Sephiroth, who were suddenly swayed by doomsday prophecies and joined.
Or even Livia, who stumbled in because someone there saved her.
In this way, even within the same group, their intentions aren't all identical.
Just like how I'm idly lost in thought during a battle. I scratched my head as I watched the two clashing factions.
'Seriously...'
They're guys I've clashed with a lot, but seeing them move with the intent to completely eradicate themselves, I couldn't help but feel a strange thought.
“Hey, it's a fucking Man!” “Whoa, look at his body... Let's get him first.”
Of course, I had no intention of lingering in such sentiments. I wasn't a particularly emotional person to begin with. I wasn't going to stand by and watch the enemy, thinking, “They must have parents too...”
Let's capture him and secretly tie him up in the back. Then, if we win... hehe, we can enjoy ourselves slowly.
Just then, some unsavory-looking individuals appeared before me. They seemed to be Gaians who didn't engage in much outdoor activity, as they didn't recognize me.
So, I picked up my spear, ready to cut them down.
The Cleanup/Resolution didn't take long.
*
“Block them! Don't let them through!” “Damn it! Ditch those cumbersome greatshields! They're no help in breaking through!”
A little time passed. The battle was more evenly matched than expected.
Although our numbers were greater, and our Forces had the advantage with three Knight Commanders, the enemies were fighting quite well.
No, “aggressively” would be a more accurate description.
There's a certain momentum to battle. Even if one side is slightly outmatched in strength, if its morale is high, it can turn the tide.
And surprisingly, the morale of those cultists was even higher this time. As if knowing this was their last stand, their attacks carried a hint of desperation.
Not everyone in the Extermination Squad was of one mind and purpose. With Adventurers participating solely for the reward, it wasn't easy to subdue Lemegeton, who was fighting with their lives on the line.
Still, as the battle raged, some good news arrived.
*Swoosh—!*
Vivian, who had been constantly on the move, landed a blow on 2nd Branch Leader Isolde.
“Ugh!”
Her thigh split open, and red blood gushed out.
She hastily opened a Warp Portal, but unfortunately, Vivian wasn't caught by it. For Vivian, who moved swiftly with light footwork, Isolde's Teleportation Attack was quite avoidable.
Simply put, their compatibility was poor. Isolde's special ability might be fearsome, but her Rapier Skill was honestly mediocre.
*Whoosh!* In the end, Isolde hastily used her ability to Teleport to the rear. Honestly, it wasn't a fatal wound, but the fact that she was injured seemed to genuinely annoy her. She scowled fiercely and muttered.
Damn those fucking Knight Order bitches... those goddamn World bastards...
*'Hmm?'*
Hearing that, I couldn't help but be momentarily surprised. She seemed quite calm the last time I met her... Perhaps the urgent situation had made her a bit emotional. It was a rather unfamiliar sight, in any case.
'Well, I only met her once, so I couldn’t have fully grasped her personality.'
Anyway, it looked like they were winning over there, so I moved on. I then surveyed other areas.
Surprisingly, Livia held a slight advantage against the 4th Knight Commander. Fireworks exploded all around, pressing the Knights.
They wanted to break through, but the light and heat emanating from the sparks seemed to prevent them from easily approaching. Her Magic Skill seemed even more exceptional than I had imagined.
Although she was on the enemy team... I figured I didn't need to worry about that area yet.
I then shifted my gaze elsewhere.
The battle between Eve and Jurgen was quite evenly matched. A rootless Adventurer was holding his own against the Empire's First Sword.
Eve pressed with Orthodox Swordsmanship, and Jurgen countered with Unconventional Swordsmanship.
I could roughly understand why Jurgen was called *Drunken Sword*.
I don't know if he was actually drinking, but Jurgen's movements in a real fight were almost like those of a drunkard.
He staggered and swayed, looking precarious. He seemed like he could collapse at any moment..., but that made his actions incredibly difficult to predict.
*Shukak—!* Moreover, the Sword Strikes he occasionally unleashed were incredibly swift, so despite his comical movements, one couldn't let one's guard down at all.
Jurgen's sword was even wreathed in Sword Qi. Fortunately, Eve was also a Sword Qi user. I hadn't seen it when she was slaughtering Imps, but it seemed she had been saving it for a serious fight.
*Clang—! Clang—!*
The clash of the two Sword Qi was incredibly menacing and spectacular.
Perhaps because the swords contained formidable energy, the surrounding air vibrated with each collision.
Even I found myself momentarily mesmerized. As I watched the battle, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
*'Can't I use Sword Qi too...?'*
It would be quite useful if I could. Of course, I could probably counter with something like Blood Power Art, but seeing such a higher realm right before my eyes, I couldn't help but feel a bit ambitious.
So, I decided to test if I could improve my Technique here for a moment. I wiped away the thin layer of blood coating my spear tip and slowly drew up mana.
Through numerous battles, I had become more accustomed to Sword Aura. Now, I could wield Sword Aura as well as any Knight Commander.
Hwaaak!
But the Sword Aura only flared up fiercely.
It wouldn't condense into a single point or form a solid shape.
“Just as I thought.”
I extinguished the Sword Aura without much regret. Indeed, if I could immediately replicate it just by seeing it a few times, I'd be a genius. Unfortunately, I'm not that talented.
Still, it wasn't a complete waste. The enemies around me momentarily flinched at the fiercely flaring Sword Aura.
“W-what is that?!”
“Watch out for him! I heard he's the one who repelled the Knight Order! Don't approach recklessly!”
At the same time, a surge of vitality instantly coursed through my body. My bewilderment lasted only a moment before I realized this was due to the bracelet I obtained during the Beled Extermination.
Its ability was to gain power proportional to the fear of the opponent. This was my first time using the item... but it felt good.
“Not bad.”
Of course, I had no intention of actively pushing forward with this. So, I just casually hunted the Minions near Livia.
The battle continued after that. Despite being a cult, they fought surprisingly well, but as time passed, the Extermination Squad gradually gained the upper hand.
No matter how high the enemy's morale, the numerical difference was simply too great to overcome with just that.
It was only natural. This Extermination Squad had gathered an especially large number of Personnel, and the enemies were, after all, just a cult. There was a limit to how many people they could gather, no matter how skilled they were.
Still, there was something I considered fortunate.
'It's a good thing Sephiroth and Harold are out of the picture...'
The Branch Leaders' level was higher than expected. It was a relief that Harold was dead and Sephiroth had fled. If those two had also participated in the battle, I felt it would have been quite arduous.
Even the Knight Commanders were having a tough time as it was. Nevertheless, a change occurred as time passed.
Swoosh—!
Vivian, who had been relentlessly pressing Isolde, finally succeeded in cutting her down.
Kuk...!
She groaned and hastily retreated. Unlike the wound on her thigh, this one looked quite critical. Her side was deeply gashed.
It didn't seem to have reached her organs, but it was a deep enough wound that her intestines might spill out if she moved too violently.
She was effectively out of the fight.
And in this precarious battle, a Branch Leader withdrawing was tantamount to a large hole opening up in their front line.
“That's the weak point! Break through!” “As soon as you get up there, deal with all those bitches on the Altar!”
*Waaaaah!* Instantly, people swarmed towards the spot where Isolde had disappeared. The faces of the Lemegeton members, who had been desperately holding the front line, were etched with dismay.
But then.
*Whoooosh!
A massive *Blazing Wind* erupted from the front.
It was a *Blazing Wind* that suddenly burst forth from within the Altar. That alone was astonishing, but its power was equally incredible.
Several people who were leading the charge were blown backward.
Aargh!
Not only that, but even those who weren't blown away were forced to hastily retreat due to the heat mixed with the wind. Vivian, who had been at the very front, even suffered burns on her skin.
“Good heavens.”
It was astonishing magic. I naturally turned my gaze to where the magic had originated.
There, a man was walking forward. He was an old man with a hunched back and completely white hair. However, his presence was extraordinary; the mana emanating from his body pierced through the surrounding air and pulsed.
In his tired-looking eyes, an undeniable brilliance shone through.
Isolde, who had retreated, cried out.
“Chairman!”
“You're quite hurt... It can't be helped. I'll take over from here.”
“...I apologize.”
“It's all right. You've worked hard, so rest in the back.”
Tension naturally arose in the eyes of the Extermination Squad. Kyle Venegert, the Cult Leader, had finally appeared before them.