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***
The former capital of the Empire, 2nd castle of Hairan.
The great fracture was not only present in Drakka but had opened up in all the major strongholds of major factions. Currently, Luna and Luntia were filling Dante's vacant position.
"Fortunately, we were able to put an end to it before civilian casualties increased, unnie."
Luntia said while looking up at the sky.
Just a few minutes ago, the True Demon World's fractures had filled the sky. However, the two of them had already completely destroyed all the fractures before demons could be summoned in earnest.
The traces of Crimson Sword aura and brotherly star were visible at the locations where the fractures had opened. Especially the crimson aura was still burning as intensely as it did in the beginning and engulfing the area with demonic energy and the corpses of demons.
"Unnie, you're not overdoing it, are you? You used to get tired when you used a lot of crimson aura in a short time before because of the limit."
Luntia said as she examined Luna's expression. In fact, there was no sign of exhaustion, but her demeanor was strangely heavy.
"No, I'm not tired."
"Then?"
"...I have a bad feeling"
Luna's pupils narrowed. She had been engulfed in an ominous premonition throughout the battle.
"Is it because of the youngest?"
"Yeah... This time, it seems like our youngest is facing an opponent he can't overcome."
In fact, Luna could vaguely sense Paellito's power. Just as Elona had read his power.
That power was infinitely dark and immense, much like the kings of the Black Sea she had encountered during her expedition.
"If you're saying that, unnie, then you must have sensed something. Alright, leave that to me, and you go to the Holy Queendom."
Luntia pointed to the new great fractures opening in the distant sky. However, Luna shook her head.
"No, I will continue to handle this. You go."
Her voice was resolute.
Of course, Luna was more concerned about Jin than anyone else. She wanted to rush to help her youngest brother immediately.
However, the young patriarch had given her the command to protect the Empire.
So, even if reinforcements were sent, it was right for Luna to stay in the Empire, as she was undoubtedly the one who could better fulfill that command on her own.
Luntia didn't insist further. There was no way the flagbearers did not know the laws of Runcandel.
"Alright. I'll return to the main force immediately and coordinate with the young patriarch. I'll also select someone to take my place and send them here."
Luna raised Krantel high. The crimson sword aura in the sky began to swirl and gather around Krantel's blade.
"Alright, Luntia, I'm counting on you. I'll come over as soon as things are settled on this side."
***
Holy Queen Palace.
A golden protective shield surrounded the palace. It was a shield formed by Lani and the saints by gathering the remnants of Ayula's energy that Paellito had destroyed.
"Ha, ha...!"
Holy Queen Lani knelt before the iron gate of the Eternal storage that is located at the lowest level of the Holy Queen Palace and he summoned divine power.
The pale yellow holy power and the chill of Myriad Ice radiating from Talaris filled the lowest level.
It was to block the energy of Zito trying to break through the lowest level. The purple demonic energy was oozing out through the gap in the iron gate, which originally couldn't even allow a single sheet of paper to pass through.
The source of this demonic energy was Zito's eye which was sealed in the deepest part of the Eternal storage.
'...I can't hold out alone. Did that monster's eye wait for the moment when the master of the hidden palace left...'
Talaris had left for the outside as soon as Paellito began his invasion. At first, she had tried to hinder Paellito's advance by deploying the Great Ice Shield, and now she had to stop Videluce.
Boom...! There was a sudden deafening explosion and vibration from outside the palace. It meant that the enemies had already breached the palace's protective shield. A drop of blood trickled from between his lips as she clenched her teeth.
'Already!? No, it's too fast!'
The vibrations were rapidly intensifying. The gap in the iron gate widened due to the shaking ground, and demonic energy surged through it.
The situation was much worse outside than what Lani was currently sensing.
"Oh my, oh my, look at these kids. Did you really think you could gather the remnants of Ayula's shield to stop this Videluce? Dream big, dream big."
Chiaaaak-!
A thick purple beam shot from Videluce's hand. Every time she casually extended her hand, a massive crack appeared in the Holy Queen Palace's protective shield.
Videluce, the Destructor.
In the True Demon World, she was a symbol of destruction itself. Videluce paid no attention even to her subordinates rushing through the broken parts of the shield and kept firing the beams.
The demon army continued to breach the protective shield without hesitation, even as they watched their comrades die in Videluce's hands.
There was no sign of the Holy subjects on the streets. They had all evacuated to the underground shelters or inside the Holy Queen Palace in advance.
The Holy Knights formed a barricade around the palace and acted as human walls. In the midst of it all, Talaris stared down Videluce.
Talaris showed no sign of composure on her face. She had already expended too much energy while defending against Zito's power and deployed the Great Ice Shield, and now facing Videluce.
"There, you must be the master of the hidden palace, right? Well, it's good timing. I was only planning to recover Lord Zito's eye, but I can take care of Myriad Ice as well."
"You seem quite confident. But, demon, let me tell you something. My hidden palace and the Vamel Alliance have never faltered in moments like this. It would be best if you show some caution."
"Ahaha, really? It seems like you have faith in the kids fighting against our Paellito, but they will die soon. The battle is practically over. Let's see... yes, that spot over there should be good."
Videluce licked her lips and looked down at the distant land on the left of Talaris. Below that land was one of the underground shelters.
Then, Talaris leaped and fired a pure white blade of energy to block the purple beam descended toward the underground shelter. The blade intercepted the beam, but Videluce was already standing right in front of Talaris.
"Ugh!"
Videluce extended her fist and Talaris blocked it with Myriad Ice.
"Ha, I am a bit disappointed. Even if you hadn't tired beforehand, we could have had quite an entertaining fight. But now my taste has gone sour."
"Do you think souls who fell into hell and nether bastards can discuss taste? Cut the nonsense and wipe the blood off your cheek."
Videluce was shocked as she wiped her right cheek. Blood chilled by the cold was flowing from her right cheek.
"Oh... when did that happen!? I didn't feel anything at all. I heard that you were one of the strongest on the surface in the previous era. Turns out it wasn't an empty rumor, huh?"
The wound quickly healed once she wiped away the blood. At that moment, the land where Videluce had aimed the beam exploded.
"But you didn't protect the humans hiding down there either. A little less than a thousand humans seem to have died with this explosion, right?"
Talaris' eyes twitched because Videluce had already identified the locations of all the underground shelters.
Talaris made a quick decision.
"Holy Knights, all of you enter the palace and protect the Holy Queen."
It was impossible for Talaris to fight while protecting the civilians, and the Holy Knights posed no threat to Videluce. They would only be a hindrance.
"...Lady Ayula will be with you, master of the hidden palace."
-Even if you witness the deaths of the subjects right in front of you, follow the orders of the master of the hidden palace. There is no one among us who can assess the situation more calmly than she can.
The Holy Knights entered the Holy Castle remembering Lani's orders. The situation was so incredibly tragic that they had to turn a blind eye to the deaths of the subjects, but they had no other choice. All they could do now was pray while protecting Lani.
Meanwhile, Videluce had casually destroyed two more underground shelters while pressuring Talaris.
"To be honest, killing humans isn't that enjoyable, but watching your face as you pretend to fight without showing any emotions is quite exhilarating. So, show me more of these expressions, it's thrilling!"
Every time Talaris blocked Videluce's punches, it felt like her injuries would burst open. Talaris was exhausted and clearly inferior in almost every aspect, until...
Whoooom...!
Murakan arrived.
"Tch, you followed me already?"
Videluce hastily erected a protective shield after she sensed the sudden darkness enveloping everything. The shadow force of True Manifestation of Shadows surged like a tsunami and crashed down upon Videluce.
[Talaris, are you okay?]
"I'm still fine."
[I'm a bit late because I was dealing with those demon underlings.]
"What about Jin and the Sword Emperor?"
Murakan didn't respond. Talaris knew how heavy it was for him to come here to save others while his contractor was in dire straits. It was the most dreadful resolve a Guardian Dragon could make.
[You felt it too, right? The demons are closing in from all sides. I'll cover you, so focus on attacking. Find a way to break through and finish them.]
Talaris nodded. Even with Murakan's arrival, it was her responsibility to kill Videluce.
Videluce narrowly escaped the True Manifestation of Shadows and began firing the beam again.
And Murakan had to roar and release his shadow force to the maximum as the purple beam left her palm.
Kaaaaaah-!
True Manifestation of Shadows expanded rapidly and started blocking the demonic energy rushing into the palace. A deafening sound created as two immense powers, shadow force and demonic energy, pushed against each other.
The current force pounding the True Manifestation of Shadows wasn't Videluce's beam.
'Paellito's sword energy reached here...!'
The third Heavenly Destruction Slash, Paellito's sword technique.
Paellito pushed Jin and Dante out of the Belliam Great Plain after Murakan began chasing Videluce, and getting closer to the Holy Queen Palace.
Of course, "closer" didn't mean they were within attack range, but doesn't apply to the Genesis knight.
A moment later, the shockwaves from the two forces subsided. Murakan and Talaris turned their gazes beyond the crack in the True Manifestation of Shadows.
There was a hemisphere formed similar to the wall of death that Sakiel had used in the past. Inside it, Jin and Dante stood against Paellito.
"Where are you looking, kids? Even though the Heavenly Destruction Slash might be impressive, you shouldn't ignore me like this."
Videluce showed her discomfort and clenched her fist.
"As much as the destructive power goes, I'm not far behind from Sword Demon. I'm upset, so let's just finish this quickly."
In an instant, Videluce's strike pierced through the layered shadow force curtains and struck directly at the Holy Queen Palace.
The buildings of the palace were reduced to mere particles by this strike. If Lani hadn't been in the Eternal storage on the lowest floor, she would undoubtedly have met her death.
Every single Holy Knight that had entered the palace to protect her died.
Murakan and Talaris turned to look back.
It wasn't because of the shock of the Holy Queen Palace collapsing or the Holy Knights being wiped out. It would be suicidal to turn their backs on formidable foes like Videluce.
However, they turned around because of the rapidly surging energy of Zito that was rising from beneath the collapsing Holy Queen Palace.
It was the moment when the eye that Zito had been searching for so long was finally unsealed.
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