705 - 713

Chapter 705: Terrifying Obliteration

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

"Positron Cannon?"

Mecantron was slightly shocked. Although he had been paying attention to the Congress of Magic's studies in the microscopic domain, his main focus lay in the domain of astrology and quantum superposition. He only had a basic understanding about antimatter and positrons. Therefore, he had no idea what the magic was about.

More importantly, since the quantum field theory hadn't been developed and the notion of 'vacuum fluctuation' had been proposed, nobody had thought of the collision of positive and negative electrons. Even the vision of the vacuum ocean of negative energy hadn't been described by any arcanist. Therefore, the arcanists other than Lucien only knew that antimatter could barely exist in the main material world because it would offset the ordinary matter. They were unaware of the terrible obliteration that antimatter might cause. They did not know that the energy release efficiency of the reaction was higher than fusion, or that they could destroy a whole world when a tiny amount was gathered!

Since even the arcanists other than Lucien hadn't figured out much about positrons, how could Mecantron know it?

In the dangerous moment, he knew that he had been tricked by the substitution puppet, and that he had only one chance to react. Therefore, he opened his arms without any hesitation, and his pure bright wings embraced the ivory holy light from the projection of the seven-floored Mountain Paradise!

"Blessed Realm!"

If he were to use God's Guard, he wouldn't be able to move for a while. Then, having already obtained the Time Plate, Lucien Evans could leave the abyss at ease with Natasha now that the Demogorgon of Darkness still hadn't got rid of the Lady of Snow and the Lord of Death. That useless guy Clement was still being suppressed by Natasha and couldn't stop them from leaving at all!

Therefore, he chose to perform 'Blessed Realm' to maintain his attack abilities in order to stall and suppress Lucien until Gonheim defeated the two Demon Lords and joined him. Twenty seconds had already passed, and Gonheim should be able to turn things around soon.

Ivory light descended and stood around Mecantron like the pillars of a temple. The light blossomed, transforming the cosmos around into an ocean of light. Together with the distant, delightful hymns from the projection of Mountain Paradise, Mecantron seemed to be inside the Paradise on Earth.

"Positron Cannon!"

Outside of Lucien's left hand, a dark magnetic field was appearing and twisting under restraint, which resulted in the uncanny waves in the space.

Countless indescribable things were gathered. They were no longer silver electric currents but those which looked like fire. Entangling each other, they turned into a long electric snake enveloped in fire, which darted out like a thick laser light.

If the Angel King hadn't arrived so weirdly, and if his preparations hadn't prevented the Demogorgon of Darkness and the firelord from stalling him for long, he might have not sensed any danger in the hasty situation just now when two top legends were intentionally covering it, and he might have not used a substitution puppet to take it at all.

Therefore, in the vacuum, Lucien used 'Positron Cannon' without any hesitation!

The gigantic pillar of light where illusionary fire was surging out bombarded Mecantron overwhelmingly. Under the restraint of the magnetic field, it did not raise any change in the Chaotic Cosmos, as if it were just a regular blast of fire.

At this moment, Mecantron's 'Blessed Realm' was just constructed. He was sheltered by the 'temple' perfectly!

The angelic wings on his back were closed, and the spots of holy light floated and gathered into a delicate horn before him. He was going to perform the real 'Light of Paradise' as the deputy of paradise. Now that his plan didn't work out, he would still achieve his purpose with his own strength!

The flashing and flowing pillar of electricity, with the glow of fire, hit the Blessed Realm brutally.

Then, disbelief beamed out of Mecantron's gold eyes. In the point of impact, the brilliance as dazzling as a rising sun burst out. Not only did the Blessed Realm fail to offer any defense, but it also exploded itself as the light glittered.

Boom!

The terrible explosion couldn't be heard in the vacuum, but after only one brief moment, everything around was enshrouded in the world-destroying obliteration. Mecantron did not have any time to react before the energy storm raised by the Blessed Realm consumed him.

"What's this spell?"

"Why is the effect so weird and terrifying?"

"It seems unstoppable!"

At this moment, Mecantron suddenly sensed that the world would be destroyed, and that if the spell was further improved, it would be even more powerful than 'God's Arrival' for destructive purposes!

However, the sudden epiphany couldn't extricate him from the ocean of energy that surrounded him. Little time was left for him to perform 'God's Guard', too!

"NOOOOOOOO!"

Roaring from the bottom of his heart, Mecantron felt that he was being destroyed irreversibly from the inside out and from outside in. His gold eyes were filled with intense disbelief and fear, and terrible explosions broke out in both his body and his soul, creating an unimaginable energy storm!

The face that was beautiful as a girl and the thirty-six pure wings were obliterated at the same time!

Clement gradually stabilized himself against Natasha's crazy attacks. When he was ready to counterattack, he suddenly felt that the pressure was gone. Natasha had fled away without bothering anymore. Cutting the cosmos with the Sword of Truth, she appeared in a different direction very quickly!

"Why is she running?"

"Is she scared?"

"She's not stopping me from taking the Time Plate anymore?"

The subconscious idea had only just occurred to him, when he 'heard' the weird and overwhelming spell that Lucien cast from Lucien's vibrating and leaking spiritual power.

"Positron Cannon!"

Then, he saw the pillar of fiery electric light that was different from regular electric currents hit the Blessed Realm, sensed the outburst of the sun before his eyes, and felt the pure destruction!

"Why?"

"How did it happen?"

"Even the Blessed Realm joined the explosion reaction?"

"The defense itself added to the power of the spell!"

"This spell is too unbelievable!"

Similar ideas had just popped up in Clement's heart, when he was grasped by unprecedented desperation!

Because he was too close to the 'paradise' created by the Blessed Realm, and nothing was in between to block the attack, the energy storm swept over at him, not giving him a chance to escape with divine power at all!

"No wonder Natasha Violet escaped like a bunny that has been shot by an arrow…"

He finally understood why Natasha suddenly abandoned the attack and ran away without caring about anything!

It was a pity that his understanding came too late!

Lucien had informed Natasha through the telepathic bond when he got the Time Plate and was ready to perform 'Positron Cannon'. Having heard the effect of the magic from Lucien previously, she naturally fled as early and far away as possible. Although the space-time defense provided by the Shield of Truth could protect her from the obliteration when matter and antimatter collided, the Shield of Truth might be broken in the energy storm that was more powerful than 'Eternal Blaze' after the obliteration appeared.

Watching the scorching light and the pure energy storm, Clement was somewhat in a trance. There was no way that the defense he cast upon himself could resist them, could it?

Right when he was desperate, the void behind him was suddenly opened, and a hand with green scales, with black thorns that emitted coldness from the knuckles, reached in.

With the air of transcendence and condescension, the hand 'grabbed' Clement and pulled him into the space gap!

The terrifying energy storm swept over but could not cross the boundary of spaces!

"The Lord of Hell?" Lucien felt that the hand was particularly familiar. It was exactly from his old friend Maltimus, the Lord of Hell. It never occurred to Lucien that he had been paying attention to this thing all the time! It was truly as expected of the Lord of Hell!

After Clement 'dodged' the attack, there was nothing but vacuum left, and the obliteration reaction came to an end.

At this moment, the Chaotic Cosmos suddenly shook. The boundless darkness became even darker, and angry roars echoed from all directions:

"Goddamn devils! Go to hell!"

"The Will of Abyss?" Lucien and Natasha were no strangers to the voice, either.

Demons and devils always despised each other. The former thought that the latter were brainless, and the latter felt that the former were too weak and couldn't achieve anything without tricks and ploys. Also, since the abyss and the hell were connected on one level, wars often burst out between them. The bloody feud had been accumulated for hundreds of thousands of years.

That was why the Will of Abyss was so angry when the Lord of Hell arrived at the abyss and attacked despite his wounds!

Before the two parties collided, Lucien blinked to Natasha. The projection of the deep, fascinating Atomic Universe appeared behind them, illuminating a corner of the space with the colorful starlight.

Then, as the projection of the Atomic Universe was gone, Lucien and Natasha disappeared from the Chaotic Cosmos, too.

Now that they got the Time Plate, why would they stay here for the Will of Abyss to vent his fury on them? Also, the Demogorgon of Darkness might arrive at any point. Unless his magic caught the enemy unprepared, his overall abilities were still far away from the top legendary.

After all, 'Positron Cannon' could be both resisted by space-time defense and deviated by magnetic extraordinary powers because it carried electricity. Therefore, to deal with the enemy who had already learnt the features of 'Positron Cannon', Lucien had to create an opportunity where they could not resist 'Positron Cannon' with appropriate methods with other spells, and such spells were exactly the gap between Lucien and top legends!

Lucien had always known himself very well!

...

In the royal palace of the Holy Heilz Empire…

Rudolf II, who had been leaning against the chair, suddenly stood straight and vomited a mouthful of gold blood. He muttered somewhat in fear, "Thank god that I was behind him, otherwise…"

he was too prudent to finish the sentence. Closing his eyes again, he perceived the sacred seven-floored 'Mountain Paradise'. Then, a part of the boundless light on the seventh floor was separated and landed at the edge, turning into an angel who held a book. The thirty-six wings on his back were slowly closed, but the angel was so blurry that nobody could tell how long it would take before he was condensed.

Chapter 706: Calcate City

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Inside the Atomic Universe, the various-colored stars in the boundless space constituted a unique and colorful view.

Lucien and Natasha gradually appeared, cutting the space-time connection with the abyss.

"We got it in the end after all, or we would have to search for the special Silent Hell." Natasha was rather amazed by the beautiful, complicated patterns on the dark plate in Lucien's hands. They were protruding and glittering in turns like a ticking second hand. Also, every pattern was spreading the vague, dreamy sense of ripples. Not just ladies, even Lucien as a male felt that the Time Plate was a piece of delicate artwork.

"If the Demogorgon of Darkness and the Angel King hadn't conspired to kill me, this Time Plate would've become Gonheim's collection after he became the Prince of Demons. It would've been millions of times more difficult to get it." Touching the Time Plate with his right hand, Lucien sensed the flow of time in it.

In the Desperate World after the Frozen Fortress and the Abyssal Stomach were melted, Gonheim was close to a demigod. If he had left most of his power in the place, Lucien could've only suppressed him even if he had asked Douglas, Fernando and Hathaway to attack with him. In that case, Lucien would rather look for help to go to the Silent Hell.

Natasha also extended her right hand and touched the surface of the Time Plate curiously, enjoying the unique feeling. Then, she became more or less solemn. "You've really been targeted by the top legendary, and two of them, no less…"

She had always believed that even though Lucien did not compete for anything or walk on Viken's path, his arcana studies and his soaring magic abilities would still invite hostility and schemes. Now, her 'prophecy' had come true!

However, she did not look scared but only concerned. She was filled with intense determination and desire for battle. It was partly because she was very confident in Lucien and partly because she felt that it was a test for her who regarded protection as her knightly principle.

Lucien curled his finger and knocked the Time Plate, but there was no sound but only dull, spreading ripples. "In such an age, any expert who wants to rise higher cannot avoid the vortex of conflicts, unless they hide in the depths of the Boundless Ocean or a secretive alternate dimension to be abandoned by the age. However, as a result, it's possible that other legends would think of him first when they intend to transform their status. It's certainly most easy to deal with lone individuals."

"As long as the Congress continues the momentum of development, I believe that the final victory will definitely be ours."

"As for me, I'm ready to embrace the challenges and maliciousness."

Lucien spoke casually but determinedly.

Natasha chuckled. "You would've become a distinguished knight if you hadn't chosen to be a sorcerer. Right, has the Angel King completely perished? Your 'Positron Cannon' is truly a world-blighting spell!"

Having spent a long time together with Lucien, she had become rather creative in words, too.

"After the other antimatters are studied and manufactured, it wouldn't be a dream for a level-three legendary sorcerer to destroy the world individually. All they need is a boom." Lucien said half-jokingly. The power of the Positron Cannon could be further improved, depending on his own magic strength and the materials he prepared in advance. Such preparations, on the other hand, were much more terrifying than what was needed for 'Eternal Blaze'. Only a tiny amount of antimatter was enough to annihilate a star. But of course, antimatter couldn't be synthesized in the laboratory yet.

While talking, Lucien took out the crystal ball and chanted a spell:

"Mirror of Fate!"

In the dark universe, illusionary spots of light appeared. They were like butterflies, or the stars in the night sky. That was the cosmos of fate!

Those spots of light were gathered into a hazy, mysterious mirror. After the glittering crystal ball on Lucien's left hand flew in, the mirror began to shake violently, like a peaceful pond to which a stone had been thrown into. Ripples were spreading out.

Ripples died down, and the haze was gone. A crouching angel with thirty-six wings on the back appeared. Suddenly, infinite light glowed from the mirror and surged out like a torrent.

Natasha, who was observing nearby, realized it first. She dragged Lucien who was slightly stunned by the power and reached another corner of the Atomic Universe after a blink. Then, they saw that the Mirror of Fate was consumed by a cluster of pure, clean brilliance. The space around was also devoured, leaving a lifeless void. It was not until the 'universe' shook and the power nearby flowed over that the void gradually disappeared.

"That's the power of the God of Truth…" Natasha muttered with mixed feelings. Was it the true god that she used to worship? Also, even though faith had backed to the spiritual domain for her, that was still 'God of Truth'. So, she still felt complicated when she was faced with the 'god' who had lost rationality and had only power and rules left.

Recovering from the blast after the Mirror of Fate was destroyed by the power of the God of Truth, Lucien scratched his chin. "If you grasp the rules of Mountain Paradise and the God of Truth, would we be able to use his power at the critical moment? Also, why is the power so high? Is it a qualitative advancement or a quantitative accumulation?"

Natasha's lips curled as she watched Lucien to think. Her indifferent eyes became gentle, and she said with a smile, "Grand Arcanist, you are a real researcher."

"Ha. It's just my occupational disease…" Lucien replied humorously after he was back to himself. "It seems that Mecantron did not completely perish. There's no telling whether it was because he did not project all his power, or because he was connected to the God of Truth with a special bond. Is it possible that he will never really die as long as the God of Truth exists, and that he will surely be resurrected on the seventh floor of Mountain Paradise when he dies?"

Lucien speculated the reasons why Mecantron did not completely perish. While 'Positron Cannon' could not track the original body like the Sword of Truth, it contained the purest destruction. Lucien believed that if Mecantron had arrived with his full strength, he would've been obliterated whatever resurrection methods he had!

"I think it's the latter possibility. To deal with a grand arcanist who possesses a handful of top legendary spells in the abyss where the power of Mountain Paradise is greatly weakened, the Angel King would barely have any chance of success if he hadn't arrived with all his strength. I don't think he would underestimate his enemy." Scratching her chin, Natasha offered her opinion.

Under normal circumstances, Mecantron was among the top-tier experts and was as strong as a demigod near Mountain Paradise. However, in the abyss, even if he arrived in person, he would only be as strong as the weakest top legend under the affection of the abyss. If he did not try his best, he would only be in level three of legendary and on par with Lucien.

In that regard, sorcerers, with their unpredictable, miscellaneous spells, were much stronger. They were almost adapted to all battle environments and wouldn't be greatly weakened.

"That makes sense. His 'God's Guard' was as powerful as his performance in Rentato." However, even though he is the body of resurrection prepared by Thanos and an incarnation of the 'God of Truth', he is only a new-born angel right now. It will take at least five years before he resumes legendary strength."

Although the Mirror of Fate could determine if Mecantron was still alive, it could not state his status clearly. Therefore, Lucien could only make a vague prediction based on the signs.

Hearing Lucien's speculation, Natasha suddenly chuckled. She pointed at the planet of iron not far away and said, "I think we should discuss it after we are back home. Do you not feel that the cold and dark universe is not as comfortable as a warm, cozy room? There is also tea and music, and we are not far away from the door…"

Lucien replied, "Of course. I need to be prepared for the improvement of the Moon Timer, too."

...

Inside the Frozen Fortress, Gonheim, the Demogorgon of Darkness, returned to the dark throne. Wounds deep to the bone appeared on his right hand that was tapping the gems, but no blood was flowing out at all.

Blue, cold light emitted from the wounds, freezing everything inside. Even Gonheim's terrifying ability of recovery could not eliminate them any time soon.

There was also a scratch that carried the air of death on Gonheim's face. Although it was shallow, his face still cramped now and then.

Touching his face with his left hand, Gonheim mumbled to himself, his eyes whose colors changed all the time turning chaotic and cold, "Lucien Evans, Apsis, ice statue…"

As a cunning Prince of Demons, he had other preparations, so he beat the Lady of Snow and the Lord of Death after paying a certain prince. However, Lucien was even faster. He had already left with the Time Plate.

...

In the Month of Harvest (September), most places were still warm and full of the delight of harvest and festivals, but freezing wind was already blowing in the northern province of the Schachran Empire, making people feel that winter had come.

A team of mercenaries walked on the desolate plain, guarding a few business convoys. The Schachran Empire was most famous for its vast territory, abundant resources and copious magic creatures.

Amidst the mercenaries, Katrina had tied her gold long hair. She touched the bald figurine of a dwarf in her bock and thought absentmindedly, "Why did my teacher ask me to put this statue out in front of the temple in Dumute? Why is this statue unfinished?"

She was very curious about that.

"We're arriving at Calcate City!" The scout up ahead shouted. At the border of the plain and a forest, right next to a river, a magnificent but somewhat old city appeared before their eyes.

It was Calcate, the third largest city in the province, only second to Nanoki, the capital, and Kirf, where Marquis Furtado was at.

Katrina was back to herself. She moved her left hand out of the pocket and thought to herself. "The most important thing right now is the mandatory mission. I can work on my teacher's request later."

This place was the destination of her mandatory mission as well as her hometown.

Looking at the familiar architectural style and the unique view, she was somewhat fascinated.

Chapter 707: The Student of a Legendary Knight

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

A glistening wide river ran in the middle of the desolate plain and mountains. Glamorous ships that were fully loaded with cargo were sailing towards Calcate City. Whenever they reached the places where the waves were too turbulent for them to sail against the current, many stevedores would gather and pull the rope together, hauling the ships over the obstacles.

Despite the wind that would chill any normal person, those workers were all half naked, with vague steam rising from their skin.

"If I hadn't left home to be a mercenary, it's possible that I may have become one of them, a worker on the Niegening River…" Katrina was listening to the familiar work song, when she suddenly heard a coarse male voice.

The river was the 'main artery' for the Schachran Empire, which had bred many prosperous cities as their mother river. It originated from the snowy mountains that were controlled by the Vladimir family in the northwest province, flowing past the northern province, and meandering all the way to the southeast, until it entered the Schachran Empire at the border of the Schachran Empire and the northland.

Katrina turned around and looked at the young male next to her with a smile. "Everybody has a chance to change their fate. It depends on themselves whether or not they can seize it. It's obvious that you are an expert who defeated your weakness. If you hadn't made up your mind to press forward with waves, Yakov, you would never live beyond 35 like most of the workers."

Yakov was a mercenary with yellow, short hair. He wasn't thirty yet, but his beard made him look old. Tall and brawny, he was nicknamed by his fellows as 'Brown Bear'.

"Was it also your motivation to become a mercenary?" His eyes moving away, Yakov asked back.

Because the Schachran Empire was unpopulated and frequented by magic creatures and bandits, long trips could be dangerous, particularly in the north. Therefore, it was quite eye-catching for a beautiful girl to be on a trip by herself. By the same logic, she would receive a lot of attention if she joined a business team without any partner.

In order not to be suspected by the clerics of the North Church and the nobles, Katrina prudently chose to pretend to be a mercenary. With fake certificates, she joined a team that was to protect some businessmen on their way to Calcate City. Yakov was the leader of the team, a knight who had triggered the blood power of frost giants by himself.

Katrina was about to reply, when a pleasant female voice interjected, "Let me guess. Are you trying to run away from your marriage? A girl as gorgeous as you must be from a noble family. Has a powerful scoundrel got his eyes on you and forced you to marry him, and you had to flee as a mercenary?"

"Anna, you've heard too many tales from the bards…" Amused, Katrina looked at the female archer next to her who was wearing leather armor.

Anna was a mercenary no more than twenty. She had blond hair, green eyes and a pretty face. She was as convivial as Heidi, so Katrina made friends with her easily after they met. She was also very curious about Katrina who was tall and elegant. Having grown up in the tales of the bards, she instinctively believed that Katrina must have a complicated past.

Little did she know that it was also the speculation of most mercenaries in the team. Although Katrina was good at swords, and some female mercenaries were as beautiful as her, she was very graceful and emanated the obscure air of knowledge when she considered questions. That was rare for mercenaries.

Yakov had once worked with an official sorcerer best known for his insights, but he did not feel such a vibe from the guy.

Anna chuckled. Looking at Calcate City that was getting close, she asked expectantly, "Sister Katrina, we will settle in this place with Boss Yakov. What about you, are you going to leave?"

Yakov had activated his blood power in an adventure earlier. He had returned to be knighted. After that, he would be given a manor and a fief on the desolate plain. Those in his team who were willing to stay would become his squires or butlers.

For most mercenaries, such an opportunity was not easy to come by. Naturally, they agreed to stay without any hesitation. With the support of a noble, it would be easier for them to activate their blood power.

Yakov and the few mercenaries pricked their ears as they waited for Katrina's answer.

Katrina smiled and rubbed Anna's gold hair. "I've come to Calcate City for fortune. Maybe, I will get what I want in a few months. After that, I will return to the place I belong to, where my family and my friends live. I will always cherish the memory of my adventure with you."

Many resources and magic creatures were hidden in the forest and the desert near Calcate City. That's why so many business teams and mercenaries were active here.

Many adventurers had come in search of gold mines or other undiscovered treasures to be rich overnight. Most of them left in disappointment or lay forever in the depths of the forest, but there were still lucky dogs who returned with trophies. They motivated more and more adventurers to come.

Many local specialties were important for sorcerers' studies and alchemy. That's why the official sorcerer came to explore. However, he was involved in a demon worship case and killed in Calcate City. if he hadn't come with partners, the Congress wouldn't have known that such a sorcerer went missing at all, much less sending investigators.

"Family… friends…" Anna muttered gloomily, "Sister Katrina, you must come to see me often while you are still in Calcate City."

Yakov said in a low voice, "Katrina, whenever you need help, don't hesitate to find me. We're partners."

Katrina nodded. Seeing that the atmosphere was turning heavy, she hurried to change the topic by asking Anna about Calcate City. She was only ten when she left this place and only had a vague memory about it.

In the middle of discussion, the business convoy reached the city gate. At this moment, a team of cavalrymen rode out of the city fast and neatly. They had obviously been trained for a long time.

Those cavalrymen were in black, full armor, their faces covered by the masks of their helmets. They looked as cold and cruel as if they were from a bloodstained battlefield.

Their left arm had a blood red emblem, in which a red bear was holding a head with its left paw.

"Count Vladimir's Blood Bear Legion…" In an extremely low voice, Yakov introduced them to Katrina.

Katrina was actually no stranger to them. Although the Vladimir's family was based in the northwest province, they had certain influence on the neighboring north province, too. For example, Calcate City was the hereditary dominion of the Vladimir family, whose liege was known as 'Count Calcate'. The emblem of blood bear that represented strength and honor was their unique sigil.

Anna said enviously, "The Blood Bear Legion? They must be going to welcome Viscount Andree!"

"Viscount Andree?" Katrina did not know what the name represented, although he did sound like the next Count Calcate.

"Yes, Viscount Andree became an official knight at twenty, a grand knight at twenty-five, and a top grand knight two months ago. He was recruited by the legendary knight 'Nicolle' as his student! He will certainly become a radiant knight and the strongest Count Calcate!" Anna spoke as if he were the prince charming for her.

Nicolle, the Storm of Death? Katrina was more or less surprised. This level-one legendary knight was the current leader of the Furtado family and the de facto governor of the north province. However, wasn't the Furtado family in disagreement with the Vladimir family and dissatisfied with them meddling in the affairs of the north province?

If Andree Vladimir did need a legendary knight as his teacher, Vladimir had their own. Thom Vladimir, the Ice Age, was already old, but he was still alive and he was a legendary knight who had the hope to reach level three of legendary!

Are there any secrets? Is the information important for the Congress? Thought Katrina in confusion.

Seeing her apparent shock, Anna appeared even more envious. "It's very fortuitous to be the student of a legendary knight even for radiant knights, not to mention the grand knights. Viscount Andree must have something special about him!"

"Not just legendary knights, I would be satisfied if a radiant knight agrees to be my teacher, but it will never happen without the grace of the Lord." Yakov sighed bitterly and hopefully.

The other mercenaries said in self-mockery. "We would like to go to Mountain Paradise in advance if we can be given a grand knight, or an official knight, as our teacher."

In their conversation, they entered the city with the business convoy and checked in at a hotel.

While Yakov went to register in the city hall, Katrina went to a tavern nearby with Anna.

The moment she stepped in, Katrina was immediately 'welcomed' by the mercenaries and adventures with whistles, who made dirty jokes nonstop.

Anna glared at them and drew her dagger. Without being shy, Katrina also raised her longsword and glanced around indifferently.

On such occasions, the weaker they behaved, the more they would be bullied.

As expected, their toughness intimidated the drunkards, and they managed to reach the bar.

"Hi, young Anna, welcome come. Who is this beautiful lady?" The owner of the tavern was a lecherous-looking middle-aged man.

Anna chuckled. "Uncle Gulf, do you plan to enjoy the thugs of brown bears? Right, has anything important happened in the past few months?"

"You certainly know the most important thing. Viscount Andree became the student of His Excellency the Storm of Death. As for the lesser incidents, a demon worship case happened in the district of nobles, and dozens were killed uncannily." Gulf's smile was gone.

"A demon worship case?" Asked Anna curiously.

Katrina was more or less relieved. It was indeed easier to investigate with a local mercenary as a partner, and it would not raise any suspicion. Otherwise, somebody would've noticed her if she had asked about the case recklessly as a 'foreigner'.

Chapter 708: A Weird Case

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

"A demon worship case?" Anna was very curious when she asked the question. Other than killers and perverts who craved blood all the time, only the real lunatics would worship the chaotic demons!

If they had any wish, they might as well worship the Demon Dukes, who were at least much more 'trustworthy'. Therefore, while it was not strange that several individuals might worship demons, it was rather creepy that so many people died in the incident at the same time.

Katrina had the same opinion. The Congress of Magic issued the mandatory mission exactly because of 'demon worship', too. If the victims had died in an accident during their ritual to worship devils, the Congress wouldn't have paid as much attention to the case.

Few powerful demons had ever attempted to develop religions that worshiped themselves. They might have considered it, but they soon dropped the ideas because of their natural chaos and lust for slaughter and blood. Therefore, such a massive demon worship case was itself weird and inexplicable.

Gulf, the boss of the tavern, wiped the cups before him carefully with a piece of clean cloth, not leaving any dirt out. He smiled, "It's indeed a demon worship case, or it's at least what the Church says after thorough investigation."

"But the Church might've covered the truth to avoid panic. It happened before, didn't it?" Anna was rather dissatisfied with Gulf's answer. It had been a couple years since she became a mercenary, and she had seen and been through a lot. She knew better than to accept the conclusion of the Church's investigation without any suspicion.

As a ten-year mercenary and eight-year tavern manager, Gulf was willing to believe the conclusion only because his own secret sources could confirm it.

Seeing that the two girls were looking at him with their eyes that were as green as lake water, Gulf knocked the table softly. "This piece of intelligence has a price, but…"

He paused and looked at the mercenaries who were flooding in his tavern. "But you two ladies seem to have boosted the business of my tavern. So, this is on the house."

Anna looked back and smiled. "You have to thank Sister Katrina. I've been a regular customer at your place, but I never saw so many 'wild wolves'."

"So, your name is Katrina. That's a common female name in Calcate City. Are you also a local?" Asked Gulf with a smile.

Before Katrina replied, Anna said in advance, "No, she is not. Sister Katrina is from a noble family in another province."

"From a noble family? That explains your rare elegance among mercenaries." Gulf was in deep thought. "As a matter of fact, I do feel that you look familiar, Katrina. I think I saw you somewhere before…"

Katrina looked more or less gloomy. Her family had been passed on for three hundred years. As their bloodline, she must've inherited part of the looks of her ancestors. She thought to herself, "After the Congress controls the Schachran Empire, and when remote communication and discuss are easier, I will establish my magic tower in this place…"

"Uncle Gulf, every beautiful lady is familiar to you. Tell me the intelligence!" Anna pointed out the truth straightforwardly.

Gulf put down the cloth and rubbed his forehead, before he said in a low voice. "The incident was first discovered by one Ivan, who was the servant of the villa. He saw a hall of blood and bodies when he went for cleaning. There were nobles, knights, ordinary people, artists, and even… a sorcerer…"

In honor of Saint Ivan, the most common name in the Schachran Empire was Ivan.

"A sorcerer?" Anna exclaimed. Official sorcerers were hard to come by in the Schachran Empire.

Katrina moved her eyes back and focused her attention.

"Yes. According to Ivan, the sorcerer was wearing a level-one arcana badge and a second-circle magic badge. I've asked other people about him with his appearance. It hadn't been long since he came to Calcate City, and he had been searching for and purchasing the materials that sorcerers needed." Gulf described the look of the sorcerer, mentioning that he had a black mole next to his left eye.

Katrina nodded in her heart. It was indeed the sorcerer who died.

Gulf continued. "It's already weird enough that dozens of people of different identities died in the same hall, but what was even more weird was that there was an altar at the center of the hall. Although nothing was left on the altar, the vibe of slaughter and destruction could be sensed."

"How did those people die? Was it suicide or homicide?" Katrina carefully asked a question that befitted her current identity, one which a curious and experienced female mercenary should ask. She could tell that Anna meant to ask the question, too.

In an even lower voice, Gulf said, "That's the third weird part. Those people brutalized each other to death. Also, it was not a one-versus-one battle but a chaotic gang slaughter. Many victims had fatal wounds on every side of their body."

"A sorcerer was killed by ordinary people and artists?" Even Anna found it unacceptable. "Did you mention knights?"

"There was a knight, but he was also killed." Gulf was apparently scared when he described it. "There was no sign that the knight used his blood power, or residue of any magic. It suggests… It suggests that they held a 'festival of killing' as ordinary people, and… and based on the position of bodies, none of them attempted to escape."

That was much more detailed than the information the Congress of Magic gave to Katrina. Considering for a moment, she asked, "Could they have been affected by illusion? I'm told that the altars of certain cults may influence the mind and make the believers do the most unbelievable things."

"You are truly a noble lady. You know cults rather well." Gulf's fear was gone and said with a smile, "That's a possibility, which is why the case is described as demon worship. At least, devils wouldn't let their believers attack each other. Even though they were to gather the pure power of faith through slaughter, they wouldn't have chosen their followers as the targets. Of course, I don't know how the Church ascertained that the victims were all demon believers. Perhaps, they were just 'ordinary people'…"

"It sounds really weird and much more terrible than the bards' stories." Anna patted her chest. "Uncle Gulf, is there anything else that is strange?"

"Strange?" Gulf recalled carefully. "The victims all looked peaceful after their death, as if they were freed but not killed by each other. Right, Ivan felt cold when he entered the hall, but it was still warm in May."

Anna's curiosity was fully activated. She kept asking for more details, but that was as much as Gulf knew. He couldn't help but sigh, "There may have been anomalies, but Ivan was too horrified to notice them. After the Church's investigation, the villa was cleansed by holy light for fear that the demonic air would affect Calcate City. So, we'll never know the anomalies even if there were any."

"The Church cleansed the villa with holy light…" Katrina repeated it. That was a major setback for her investigation. It meant that few valuable traces could be found on the spot.

Then, pretending to be curious, she asked, "Did Ivan remember anything else later? It's been several months."

"That's right. Did he?" Anna nodded. She was upset by the 'broken' story.

Gulf tried to put on a smile, but the smile only gave away his panic and fear. "Ivan had nightmares every day from witnessing the bloody scene. Also, the Church gave him a huge reward. So, he came to my place to drink every day, and he could only go to sleep when he was too drunk to remember anything. However, one week after the case, he accidentally fell into the river when he was drunk, and he drowned."

"Well…" Anna felt coldness surging into her heart, and she did not dare ask any further.

Katrina felt more or less the same, but she was more wary and frustrated than scared. Although the mission would be considered accomplished if she brought back the files she collected so far now that all the leads were gone, she still wanted to investigate more as an excellent arcanist who had intense curiosity and desire of exploration. "Do I need to sneak into the inquisition in Calcate City and peep at their files of investigation?"

She was not very confident about that, because such a major city must've been under the watch of a red robe.

Having been scared by the demon worship case, Anna had a few cups of wine to suppress her shock, before she returned to the hotel with Katrina. At this moment, Yakov, who reported the activation of his blood power to the city hall, had come back.

He was sharing the news that he would be officially knighted one week later with other mercenaries in ecstasy, when he saw that Anna and Katrina walked in pale. His smile was gone, and he asked concernedly, "What's wrong?"

Seeing no strangers around, Anna told him the intelligence they obtained from the tavern.

"An official sorcerer… What did he look like?" After hearing her introduction attentively, Yakov asked after a brief hesitation.

Anna pointed at her eye. "He had a black mole next to his left eye."

"A black mole…" Yakov repeated and did not say anything more.

Katrina looked at him and went back to her room, claiming that she was tired.

When the night was dark and quiet, a shadow flashed out of Katrina's room like a cold window and snuck towards the district of nobles.

Before her journey, she had exchanged for a bottle of potion that could activate her blood power, considering that it might be inconvenient to perform magic in the Schachran Empire. After the long-time modifications of the Congress of Magic, the power triggered by the potion was already as good as the power triggered by oneself. However, its effect was still limited, and the receiver could not reach the level of grand knights.

In the hustling wind, Katrina, who had activated the blood power of 'Snowstorm', seemed to have been melted into the environment. Although the Church had cleansed the villa with holy light, she was still going to investigate it in person. This was similar to experiments. One could only believe it after they confirmed it personally. Furthermore, it was highly unreasonable that an official sorcerer would worship a demon soon after he came to Calcate City.

Chapter 709: Unexpected Encounter

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

In a corner of the district of nobles, the blowing wind swept the evergreens.

Under the cover of the trees was a two-floored villa with a round dome. It had the characteristic style of the Schachran Empire, but the villa looked particularly creepy in the darkness for some reason, as if a monster was looming in the place.

Observing the villa from far away, Katrina could not tell whether it was a real premonition of her Host Star of Destiny, or it was merely her psychological effect. Her figure that seemed to have melted into the wind grew more and more vague until it completely disappeared.

Although a few months had passed and the defense should've been canceled after the villa was cleansed with holy light, Katrina dared not be careless. She still used spells such as 'Advanced Stealth' to sneak in instead using only the blood power. She trusted and loved magic more than blood power!

The silver moon, not covered by the clouds, illuminated the ground with watery light, leaving long shadows that looked like twisted monsters behind the trees. At such a bright knight, Katrina approached the villa without a sound. The effect of 'Advanced Stealth' prevented her from leaving any trace behind. Even though a wagon rode past her, nobody sensed that a lady was walking right next to them.

Katrina walked into the villa easily. Then, she vaporized her form to get into the hall, before she performed a thorough examination on the 'crime scene'.

The hall had a floor of stone bricks which had smooth surfaces. They were enormous and consistent with the Schachran Empire's style. One of them was as huge as five of the same bricks in Allyn.

Looking at the reflection of the ceiling on the bricks, Katrina had a feeling that mirrors had been embedded on the floor. She thought to herself, "Even the floor in Count Calcate's residence wouldn't be so smooth. This serves no purpose other than tripping over the guests and making it easy to see what is inside the ladies' skirts. Did the owner of the villa design it for that? Or was it for something else?"

The nobles of the Schachran Empire were always more extravagant than their 'peers' in the south. Katrina would not rule out such a possibility just yet.

Under Advanced Stealth, her body was revealed every time she cast a spell, but she was invisible again after it was done. Therefore, Katrina's appearance that had been changed blinked on the floor all the time. Her long blond hair and her green eyes were all clear.

"It's been a few months since this place was cleansed by holy light. Even the most weird magical spell seems useless…" Katrina performed all the investigation magic she could think of but to little avail.

Of course, her efforts were not entirely in vain. At least, she could tell from the marks on the floor that nobody performed any extraordinary power back then, or the marks wouldn't have been as shallow.

"No usage of extraordinary power suggests only two possibilities: the official sorcerer was completely controlled by demons, or his power was sealed in advance. If the former is true, he would have used the most destructive magic when he was grasped by the desire of slaughter. Therefore, his power must've been sealed whether or not he worshiped demons." Katrina reached a conclusion.

If the sorcerer joined the killing festival for his own purpose and prevented himself from using magic, any purpose wouldn't have been more important than his life at the critical moment. He would've used magic subconsciously.

"That is to say, I can understand how the sorcerer's magic was sealed from his body…" Katrina thought of a clue but waved her hand regretfully. "However, the Church has blamed the demon worship on him and burnt his body. Bloody Church."

She cursed despite her usual manners. The North Church certainly needed a scapegoat to appease the nobles and the people, and nobody suited it better than a wicked sorcerer who died on the spot.

The hall was empty because the furniture and altar had been cleansed. Katrina paced for a while and thought of something else. "Gulf mentioned that a knight was also killed there. His blood power was obviously sealed, too. While his body couldn't be placed in his family graveyard, it should be in an advanced public graveyard. After all, nobles must not be disgraced…"

She was refreshed after seizing the clue. Examining the upper floor and the basement, she found nothing of value. When she was about to leave, she sensed that her alarm spell was triggered, so she looked at the window in the garden.

Then, Katrina noticed that the will of a familiar knight spread in through the window gap, investigating the situation inside coldly and carefully.

When the will reached Katrina, her 'Advanced Stealth' produced ripples and feigned her nonexistence perfectly.

Crack, crack, crack. The window was slowly opened by a piece of thin ice, and the 'criminal' who opened the window disappeared.

A shadow crawled in. He was tall and brawny, with snowflake patterns appearing on his hands.

"Yakov, he's really here…" Standing at the center of the hall, Katrina watched the stranger walk around and check. It was easy for her to tell who he was from the familiar air.

However, she was not surprised at Yakov's arrival. His reaction was weird when Anna mentioned the dead sorcerer.

Yakov was relieved after confirming that there were no items or suspicious traces, but he never noticed Katrina who stood behind him all the time so openly.

"I was considering how to interrogate him. Now that we've met, I should seize the opportunity…" Katrina made a decision.

Yakov stood straight and was going to check the upstairs, when he suddenly sensed uneasiness. Without any delay, his body began huge and was covered in frost, while he thought to himself, "Am I being ambushed?"

Hardly had the idea occurred to him when his head hummed and everything became blurry.

"I have a question for you." Then, he heard an unpredictable, genderless voice.

Although the voice sounded weird, Yakov felt that the voice was so familiar and soft that it sounded both from the Lord he worshiped and the girl he secretly loved. Therefore, without any resistance, he replied in adulation, "What question?"

"What's your relationship with the sorcerer who died here? Why did you investigate this place?" The voice came again.

Yakov subconsciously wanted to refuse to answer, but the uncanny state of submission and admiration made him admit frankly, "In may, I happened upon an official sorcerer and cooperated with him for a while."

"I provided intelligence for him and led him to search for resources, and he offered me files about blood power in return. Thanks to those files, I corrected my mistakes and found the way to become a knight. Then, I went to the frozen land on another mission. When I returned, I was told that the sorcerer was involved in demon worship."

"Fearing that I might be involved, and since this is a critical moment of my knighthood, I came here to search, hoping to destroy all the clues that may still exist."

Katrina was stunned. "Why would you be involved? Was he alone when he worked with you?"

The sorcerer was already dead, and he certainly did not have Yakov's items, or Yakov would be interrogated the moment he was back. What was he concerned about?

"Yes, he was alone." Yakov replied honestly as if she were his liege whom he pledged loyalty to.

Alone? He came to Calcate City with a few partners, but he left them and worked with Yakov… Katrina crossed her arms and asked, "What about the other question?"

"Because… Because our cooperation was facilitated by Duke Duda. Before I went to the frozen land, that sorcerer gladly told me that Duke Duda invited him for a private party, and that it was a great chance for him to join their circle." After a brief hesitation, Yakov admitted honestly, "I don't know what circle it is exactly, but Duke Duda has always been strong and mysterious as the master of Calcate City's underworld. I fear that the sorcerer's death was related to him…"

"If the Church found out about him, the mercenaries who were in touch with the sorcerer like me would certainly be killed. I happen to know that the sorcerer had the habit of leaving secret marks. So, I came and planned to destroy the marks."

Pondering for a moment, Katrina asked, "Is Duke Duda still alive?"

"Yes, as alive as ever. I saw him in the city hall this morning." Yakov said, his body trembling, as if he was very scared of this Duke Duda.

Katrina inquired again but didn't get any other valuable information. Therefore, she asked Yakov to tell her the secret marks of the sorcerer. Then, she vaporized her body and left the hall, returning to the hotel.

In the hall, Yakov 'accepted' Katrina's order and stood there in a daze, until a chilly wind from the wind shivered him and woke him up. He felt that he just had a dream in which he told someone else his deepest secrets.

"This… This is terrifying… Was it the fifth-circle spell, 'Dominate Humans'?" Yakov speculated what happened to him. "Has the Congress of Magic sent investigators?"

"Thankfully, the powerful sorcerer only needed clues and did not want to kill anyone. Otherwise…" Yakov thought in fear. His life could've been taken away easily.

"I thought that I was finally an expert after I activated my blood power and became a knight. I didn't know until right now that knighthood is just the beginning. There are too many dangerous people above me. The fifth-circle sorcerer just now was already way stronger than me, not to mention those sorcerers and radiant knights…"

Calming himself time, Yakov hurried to leave. Under the freezing wind, he realized that his clothes had been wet by the cold sweat on his back.

...

On the second day, Yakov, pretending to be normal, went to the guild of adventurers for his business, and Katrina asked about the dead knight and the place where he was buried with Anna.

When the night fell, Katrina entered the clean but creepy graveyard according to her intelligence and found the tomb of the dead knight.

Right when she was about to open the tomb with magic, a magnetic male laughed from the crown of the tree on her back. "An investigator from the Congress of Magic?"

"Who is it?" Katrina turned around warily. She didn't notice anything wrong when she checked the surroundings just now, which suggested that the man was better at hiding than she was.

A gold-haired handsome man, wearing a black shirt and a red coat, stood on the top of the tree. Holding a cup of wine that did not quite agree with the atmosphere, he greeted, "Good evening, beautiful lady. You may call me Viscount Carendia."

"Viscount Carendia? You're Mr. Rhine's grandson?" Katrina associated the male before him with the vampire viscount that her teacher described before.

"Huh?" Viscount Carendia rubbed his face and appeared rather surprised. "Am I a celebrity now? Who's your teacher?"

"My teacher is Mr. Atom Controller." Katrina was more or less relieved since it was someone she knew.

"That monster… No, I mean…" Viscount Carendia blurted out. Chuckling to cover himself, he said, "Your teacher is a real genius that I admire very much. Right, I'm here to investigate the unusual death of my descendants. I believe that we share the same purpose."

Chapter 710: Stalkers

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

"One of your descendants died in the demon worship case, too? Why didn't the Church say anything about it?" Asked Katrina in surprise.

Vampires were as 'evil' as sorcerers. The Church could've totally blamed the whole thing on them, too.

Viscount Carendia shook the wine cup in his hands. "He was a descendant that I had from one of my trips to the Schachran Empire before. He was a distinguished noble. Therefore, after his identity as a vampire was confirmed with his body, the nobles pressured the Church to hide it in case the image of nobles was tarnished. After all, there were 'evil' sorcerers who could take the blame."

"That explains a lot. Then, have you found any leads, Mr. Viscount?" Katrina nodded and asked expectantly, hoping that the vampire viscount who had also located the graveyard could provide more clues.

Leaning against the tree lazily, Viscount Carendia did not seem to care as much about his personal image as other vampires would. "Although I can sense the death of a descendant remotely, I cannot confirm who it is exactly. So, by the time I came here with enough intelligence, most of the valuable clues were already gone. Chances are that I don't even know as much as you do."

"Have you checked the knight's body? What sealed his blood power?" Asking, Katrina opened the tomb with magic, not entirely letting go of her wariness. Just because the guy was an 'old acquaintance' didn't mean that he was not dangerous.

"It's true that I'm good at identifying the marks on bodies." Viscount Carendia hinted that Katrina had asked the right person, but then he shook his head. "But you've got to have a body that I can examine."

Katrina was stunned. "Are you suggesting that there are no bodies in the tomb?"

The coffin was pulled out by magic after the tomb was opened. Then, when the cover was moved away, the coffin revealed nothing but clothes and an urn.

"If we know that something must be wrong with the body, how could the people who organized the demon worship party have neglected it? According to what I learnt, the nobles dare not be careless about this vampire plus demon worshiper, so they cleansed the body with fire before they buried him." Viscount Carendia looked rather gloomy under the silver moonlight.

Vampire plus demon worshiper? It seems that this knight is Viscount Carendia's descendant… Katrina thought to herself.

"I investigated his family and found nothing suspicious. His close friends are also in the circle of nobles. It's not easy for us to investigate each and every one of them. We might as well sneak into the inquisition for the Church files." Said Viscount Carendia with a bitter plan.

It's very similar to my 'plan', Katrina thought to herself. "I can apply to the Congress for the aid of senior-rank sorcerers."

And you can ask your father to come to help. They should be powerful vampires in the level of duke or count.

"He was my descendant. Until real danger emerges, I have to find out the criminal myself as his 'parent'." Viscount Carendia said with unusual solemnity.

Parent… Looking at Viscount Carendia's handsome face and charming gold hair, Katrina suddenly had a feeling of absurdity. Such a long-life species could see the grandsons of the grandsons of the grandsons of their grandsons if nothing went wrong, which was impossible for her to imagine.

"I've investigated the sorcerer who died and looked for the people he was in touch with, but nobody ever saw him except during the deals. They do not know whom he acted with. He must've changed his appearance. Do you have any leads about that?" Viscount Carendia revealed his purpose.

Katrina thought for a moment. She was alone in this place. There were plenty of experts in Carendia City, which was the third largest city in the north province. It would be safer for her if she had someone to help her. Therefore, she informed Viscount Carendia of the intelligence she obtained from Yakov.

"Duke Duda was one of my descendants close associates. It seems that he is truly a suspect." Viscount Carendia said that with the rhythm of a poem. The laziness on his face was gone, and his gold eyes were glittering.

Most importantly, this Duke Duda was rather mysterious, and Viscount Carendia suspected him in the first place.

"Most of the leads are broken right now, but the existing ones all point at Duke Duda. Perhaps, we should 'visit' him sometime. Katrina, would you like to come with me?" Viscount Carendia called Katrina by her name as if they were close friends.

With a vague smile, Katrina said, "I was going to invite you, Mr. Viscount. However, Duke Duda lives in the district nobles right now. I fear that we have to wait for other opportunities."

"He has to go out of the city at some point." Viscount Carendia drank up his wine and unfolded the black cape on his back. "I'll come to you when the day comes."

He seemed to have been melted into the darkness, leaving a chuckle and a humorous remark, "He thinks that some big shot is backing him up, but do we not have one as well? Perhaps, ours is even bigger and more monstrous…"

"More monstrous…" Katrina subconsciously repeated. Then, she looked around and patted her chest. "I almost described my teacher as a monster just like him. Thank god my teacher is not here…"

Time flew. Both worried and expectant, Yakov was knighted and given a manor out of the city. So, he packed up his stuff and led his subordinates to his fief.

"Sister Katrina, are you really not coming with us?" Anna seemed to be sobbing, unwilling to be separated from her sister-like friend. Her mother had died when she was little, and she always yearned for the caring of older females.

Yakov coughed and stammered, "As a matter of fact, you always need a place to live in, and hotels are costly."

Katrina shook her head with a smile. "I've found a few partners to go to the desert with me, so I'll act with them. I appreciate your kindness. I'll visit you after the adventure is over."

Then, it was the official farewell.

"Sister Katrina, you've found new partners? How come I didn't know?" Asked Anna in confusion.

"You've been as busy as a bee recently. How could you know?" Katrina and Layria were both patient and meticulous. That was why they distinguished themselves in material studies.

"Actually, with your conditions, Sister Katrina, you don't have to make a fortune through adventures; plenty of people are willing to offer it to you." Said Anna half-jokingly.

Katrina rubbed her gold hair with a smile, "That is an easy way but not the way I want. Only the things that you truly grasp belong to you. They are more steady and can help you walk further."

She subtly rejected the hint in Anna's words with the attitude of arcana studies.

"Sister Katrina, you sound so philosophical…" Anna sniffed.

You don't know the first thing about philosophy… Katrina had mixed feelings when she recalled the Evans field equation and the unknown features of the microscopic particles. Even her teacher said that he was often puzzled. Whoever was not confused by the microscopic domain and quantum mechanics hadn't really studied them at all.

Thinking about that, she suddenly sensed a deep chasm between her and her friends. She cannot join their life, and they cannot understand anything she worked on.

Seeing Yakov, Anna and the rest of them off, Katrina packed up and checked out, melting into the crowd on the street.

As she walked on, Katrina suddenly combed her hair and zigzagged in the alleys of Calcate in a hurry.

When she attempted to pass an empty alley, a crazy-looking man suddenly appeared before her and cackled, "You are very keen, but it is not enough to get rid of us!"

His nose sniffed, and he said lasciviously, "Your perfume betrayed you."

At this moment, another brawny man approached Katrina from behind, blocking her way of escape. "My lady, are you luring us by choosing this empty alley?"

"Why did you stalk me?" Asked Katrina, her voice 'shivering'.

"Because you hung around with them…" The man before her suddenly stopped and laughed. "Do it. We have plenty of time to get to know this beautiful lady."

Hardly had he concluded his sentence when he saw Katrina raising her head. Her blue eyes were ripping and captivating, like the clearest lake in a forest.

The man behind her grabbed Katrina's neck, but suddenly, his face hurt and his teeth flew out as he was entirely blown back into the wall.

Looking at his partner who attacked him, he asked in shock, "What are you doing?"

A green light glittered, and his eyes also lost vigor. He stood there in a daze.

Clap, clap, clap. Somebody applauded. A gold-haired male appeared at the corner of the alley and smiled, "Sometimes, magic is truly a time-saver."

"Mr. Viscount, I didn't expect to run into you here." Katrina bowed courteously.

"No, I came specifically to meet you, because Duke Duda left the city for his manor." Viscount Carendia went to Katrina.

When he passed the brawny men, his nose suddenly twitched, and he said in disgust, "What a filthy smell. They are savage werewolves. Damn it. They are involved in this, too?"

"Werewolves?" Looking at the two brawny men who had grey hair, Katrina identified them with magic.

…

The night was dark.

Yakov suddenly woke up from a nightmare, only to discover that his body did not have the slightest strength. He looked around in shock and saw Anna and the other mercenaries who were also kept in the prison.

"This is…" It was not until then that he remembered that the previous battle was not a nightmare but what happened in reality. It was impossible for him to resist the grand knight, so he was knocked out.

"Boss…" Anna's tearful voice echoed. She did not understand why they were ambushed in the manor by a bunch of enemies that they could not resist when they had already got rid of the dangerous mercenary life! She was chilled and horrified just thinking about it.

Would they be killed this time?

Taking a deep breath, Yakov held back his fear with his knightly willpower. He pacified his partners, "Don't worry. Since they didn't directly kill us, it means that we are still useful. There's still a chance."

"Hehe. You were not killed only because the ritual demands living creatures." A creepy voice came from out of the prison cell.

Yakov's pupils constricted. "Duke Duda!"

Chapter 711: Demon Worship Ritual

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The voice which sounded like cold wind chuckled. "Is there any point in recognizing me? You will eventually die here. I was going to kill you to eliminate all the leads, but you went to the frozen land on a mission and could not be localized. That's why it has been postponed to this moment."

Before Yakov replied, he burst into laughter. "You should hate your Boss Yakov instead of me. If he hadn't got involved in this, you would be enjoying your life, but right now, even if you don't know anything, I will not let you go. Cry, tremble, and be devastated while you enjoy the last episode of your life!"

After the cocky laughter, the prison cell fell into utter silence again. Yakov's curses, mockery and begging had no replies at all.

"…I will escape out of this place. I will tear your heads off and feed them to bears!" Yakov did not stutter at all at this moment, but gradually, his was the only voice in the whole prison cell. The mercenaries who cursed with him became quiet.

Under their weird eyes, Yakov stopped 'taunting' and looked around at the mercenaries, only to see their indifferent if not hateful faces.

Chilled, his voice became low. "Do you hate me for involving you in Duke Duda's matter?"

"We didn't do anything, but we've been caught and may be killed any moment. Boss Yakov, do you not think we should be angry? You should at least let us know what it's about?" Hack, Yakov's right-hand man, asked bitterly.

"Why didn't you mention that you pissed off Duke Duda? I wouldn't have stayed if you said that!"

"Ass*ole, you should answer for what you did alone!"

"Enough! That's enough!" Anna suddenly shrieked in fury. "What did you say when Boss Yakov became knight? Boss Yakov never wanted to get us involved. It's only because Duda is too vicious a villain!"

In tears of anger, she could not accept that the peaceful and happy team became this!

"Is Sister Katrina right that one's real personalities will never be revealed until the most dangerous and desperate moment?" She somehow recalled something that Katrina said to her earlier.

Anna's shriek and accusation silenced the prison cell. Then, Yakov's dull voice echoed again. "It's alright if you resent me, but are you going to abandon the hope of survival by fighting amongst ourselves?"

"But there's a grand knight…"

"Duke Duda hasn't taken action yet. He must be even more horrifying!"

"It's hopeless!"

Yakov said calmly but firmly, "Only after you try will you know if there's a chance of escape. Duke Duda said that obviously to stoke discord. As far as I know, he revels in the pain and desperation of other people. So, I wouldn't let him get what he wants even if I die. What about you? Are you going to die being mocked?"

"Well said!" Somebody applauded outside. Duke Duda said with a smile, "Yakov, I remember that there was a very beautiful lady in your team. She was more gorgeous than most noble ladies, and you seem to like her very much, don't you?"

"What do you want?" Yakov clutched the bars.

Anna shouted in anger and fear, "It has nothing to do with Sister Katrina! She joined us halfway and doesn't know anything!"

"I love destroying what people like bit by bit in front of them while I enjoy their countenance and reactions. That reason is good enough." Duda laughed even more crazily. "Two adult werewolves have been sent to capture her. They are both very strong. Maybe, she wouldn't be able to bear them. Hahaha."

"Ass*ole!" Yakov shook the iron cage hard, his eyes bloodshot.

Anna shook her head in horror. "You are a demon! A real demon!"

In tales, demons loved slaughter and destruction most.

"That's the greatest compliment for me." Duda was not infuriated at all but laughed in satisfaction. "Right, I'm in a good mood, but I've decided to advance your time of death to right now. In such a way, you will never have the chance to escape."

Hearing that, the mercenaries all lost their momentum. The morale that was just boosted by Yakov turned into desperation.

…

Thanks to the sparse population of the Schachran Empire, the manors here were much larger than Rentato's, and the quiet manor before them was even more so.

"This is Duke Duda's manor." On an evergreen, Viscount Carendia stood on the end of a branch as if he were weightless, his black cape shivering with the twigs.

Katrina floated next to him without saying a word. She summoned her spiritual power, and a black-and-white eye appeared before her. It looked mysterious and creepy.

She followed the sorcerers' code of conduct and tried to avoid unprepared battles.

"Secret Eye?" Viscount raised his head and looked at it. A few illusionary bats flew out of his body and snuck into the manor with the Secret Eye.

A moment later, most of the view in the manor was unfolded in their 'eyes'. The open and secret sentries, the traps, the number of enemies, their distribution, and their average ability were all manifested.

"Several places are protected by mysterious powers. We have to approach them for reconnaissance." Katrina had always been concise in battles. Then, her body turned transparent, and she disappeared into the night sky.

"The patrols and guards outside cannot discover us at all…" Viscount Carendia said lazily and casually, his body melting into the darkness. "Right, take care of the savage werewolves' senses."

The defenders and traps in the manor were knights and reverends at most, nothing worth mentioning for the two experts. It was actually the few wandering werewolves that called for wariness.

They soon entered the manor. As if they were walking among a bunch of puppets, they reached the main hall of the manor!

Feeble waves flashed, and Katrina performed the Secret Eye again, letting it enter the main house through the gap.

…

An altar made of unknown materials appeared before the mercenaries, while swords, daggers and other weapons were placed randomly on the ground.

The altar was completely black, engraved with hideous faces in all directions. They had horns on their head and twisted faces. From their protruding teeth, red blood was dripping nonstop.

After the blood reached the complicated runes at the bottom of the altar, a vague bloody mist was raised, spreading a stinky but sweet smile.

At the center of the altar, a fuzzy human-shaped statue was placed, but it had two pointy demon horns on the forehead.

Its crimson eyes were extremely creepy in the darkness. One glimpse at it was enough to fill a person with the desire to destroy everything in disgust.

Yakov, Anna and the other mercenaries were shoved to the empty ground before the altar. They were more or less agitated after seeing the statue and smelling the scent.

Duda, who appeared gloomy and arrogant even with his beard, put on a cruel smile. "Those are your weapons, and your partners are your foes. Whoever survives in the end will be set free."

"Who will believe you? You are a demon-worshiping lunatic!" Anna sniffed, but she did step on a short sword. After all, they needed weapons to escape.

Duda patted his hands, and werewolves and knights walked out of the corner.

He chuckled. "You are free to not believe me, but as a result, your opponents will be them, twelve knight-level experts. Right, one of them is a grand knight. Do you think it is more hopeful to beat them?"

Looking at the strong man who had a giant sword in both hands, Yakov felt that his heart was heavy. That was the grand knight who captured him alive. They both had the blood power of frost giants, but he was completely overpowered.

Was it possible to defeat them? Now that even Yakov and Anna were somewhat desperate, the other mercenaries were even worse. Somebody shouted, "Duke Duda, Yakov is a knight. We can't defeat him even if we are combined!"

"Hank!" Anna stared at the deputy of the mercenary team angrily.

Yakov looked pale. Was one of his brothers going to kill him for a chance of survival?

"Rest assured. Yakov's blood power has been confined." Duda smiled.

The vague mist became more and more intense, and many mercenaries' eyes were bloodshot. Yes, Yakov was the one who got them into this. They would be freed as soon as he was killed!

"Yakov, this is all your fault. If you feel guilty, don't resist, and give the hope of survival to us." Breathing heavily, Hank took up a long sword.

with clinks, the other mercenaries picked up their weapons.

"No!" Anna shrieked desperately at their ugliness.

Looking at the mercenaries who stood on their opposite side, Yakov fell into awkward silence.

"Yakov, don't try to be a good guy. If you are killed, I'll give your Ms. Katrina to my werewolf friends. They like pretty girls best." Said Duda.

His noise making obscure noises, Yakov struggled to pick up a longsword.

Duda smiled in satisfaction, and the statue on the altar seemed clearer.

…

"As a matter of fact, I don't think the brainless werewolves really appreciate beauty. For them, females are the same." Viscount Carendia refuted Duda's words casually.

Katrina cast Mechanized Mind upon herself to hold back her fury. Indifferently, she said, "It seems that Duda is the host of the demon worship ritual. We'll have leads after we capture him."

"Yes. There are no other experts around except two grand knights." Viscount Carendia sorted his bow tie as if he were going to a dinner.

…

In tears of pain of desperation, Anna held her short sword and intended to fight until death.

Her head was dizzy because of the stink of blood, and she seemed unable to control her hate. She hoped to kill all the hideous fellows.

Duda stepped back and stopped before a gate that had weird patterns. Then, he raised his hands and announced, "Let the feast of slaughter and betrayal begin!"

Bloody light arose, and the mercenaries' lost strength was back.

Raising her short sword, Anna slashed it at Hank painfully.

No. We cannot brutalize each other!

Kill him! He is a wicked traitor!

No, no!

While she struggled in desperation, she heard a deafening explosion and sensed the scorching heat. The gate of the hall was broken by an enormous fireball!

"Lucien's Fireball?" Everyone's eyes were frozen.

Due to the explosion, the mercenaries stopped the battle that hadn't started yet. They saw a handsome man walking into the hall from the dark night outside, followed by a gorgeous lady who had blond hair and green eyes. They roamed so casually as if they were joining a ball.

"Sister Katrina?" Thought Anna in her dizziness.

Yakov and the other mercenaries could not believe their eyes, either.

At this moment, dark shadows of wolves charged at the two intruders. The werewolves were the first to be back to themselves and performed 'Unholy Blight', because they smelled the disgusting scent of vampires!

The 'Unholy Blight' hit Viscount Carendia and Katrina, but they broke like mirrors.

"Hehe." A chuckle echoed, and the broken shadows turned into illusionary black bats that carried the intense air of sleep!

"Crap!"

"It's a trap!"

Their eyelids turning heavy, the werewolves collapsed one after another.

Chapter 712: Dazzling Magic

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

The illusions were broken, and countless black bats spluttered out, filling the whole hall. All the knights and werewolves felt so tired that they simply wanted to lie down and have a good sleep. Those illusionary bats were mostly gathered around the grand knight with the blood power of frost giants and Duda Duda.

Right when Katrina broke the gate with 'Lucien's Fireball', Duda's body started to change. His brawny body that was almost 1.9 meters tall was further stretched, and his muscles bulged out with black scales. His eyes turned entirely bloodshot, as if he had lost all his sanity and had the purest dire of slaughter and destruction left.

"Demon bloodline!" Enshrouded in the intense bloody mist from the altar, Yakov, Anna and the other mercenaries saw the scene in their dizziness. Alarmed, they were more or less refreshed.

The bloody air around Duda blocked the illusionary bats. Two wounds that reached the bones appeared on his back, from which a pair of black wings grew out. As the wings flapped, he ascended from the ground and looked down at the hall and the altar.

That was exactly the advantages of the demon and devil bloodlines. They could fly and claim the commanding heights even though they were mere grand knights!

Suddenly, a crazy wind was blown at the intense bloody mist and soon cleared it up. The mercenaries felt that their heads were clear, as if they were never woken up from the nightmare until right now. They couldn't have been more afraid by the feelings of slaughter and hate they had just now. If it had continued, they would've turned into demons who killed their partners!

"Sister Katrina!" Anna exclaimed in shock, because it was exactly Katrina who was confronting Duda in the hall. She stood in midair on nothing, and her long gold hair danced crazily in the wind. She was also holding a staff with translucent gems in her right hand, from which a vague fog was spreading out.

The fog quickly spread out, unaffected by the wind.

After seeing the incredible scene, Anna felt that she was still in a dream, which had been visited by the powerful sorcerers in the bards' tales. They could fly with nothing, they could control the weather, and they could create fire and ice. They were the mysterious and horrifying sorcerers!

As the fog spread out, except for where the mercenaries were, the hall was soon drowned in the haze.

The werewolves and knights who lunged at Katrina were stunned. Their eyes lost color, and they let out meaningless syllables, while they drooled beyond their control.

They seemed to have been deprived of the ability to think, and they only had a shell left.

The horrifying werewolves and knights in her eyes had been reduced into idiots by nothing but the fog. Anna raised her head and looked at the ceiling in shock, "Sister Katrina is a sorcerer? And a very powerful one?"

Katrina's current appearance fit her imagination of sorcerers, except that she was not as cunning and vicious.

"Mind Mist? A middle-rank sorcerer… Katrina was the terrifying sorcerer I met the other night…" As an experienced mercenary, Yakov had learnt many things about magic through various channels. After he became an official knight, he also received more files from Count Calcate, which gave him a new, more detailed understanding about sorcery. Furthermore, he had collaborated with an official sorcerer before, so he was able to tell what the magic was based on its performance. But of course, his knowledge was limited to the common spells.

Looking at Katrina's gold hair in midair, the transparent magic runes that surrounded and protected her, and the black fireballs launched by Duke Duda to be absorbed by the runes instead of causing explosions, Yakov felt that his head was completely blank. He was both shocked and frustrated, and he could barely sense anything.

Hooooooo!

The grand knight who had the blood power of frost giants expanded. Surrounded by snowflakes, a frigid halo spread out and exiled the 'Mind Mist' around. However, a shadow emerged behind his back, who had a pair of fair and long hands as well as coldly-glittering fingernails. Then, as if he were playing the heptachord, the shadow extended the hand and cut the throat of the 'frost giant'.

Vague black air flashed, and the thick ice at the throat of the 'frost giant' melted without a sound.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

The 'frost giant' screamed in pain, and blood poured out of his throat. He waved his giant swords back, only to break an illusion. Viscount Carendia had appeared in another direction. He licked his right hand and said, "The blood tastes not bad at all, and it is not toxic."

Such perverted behavior was performed so gracefully and naturally as if he were really tasting the cuisines that the host treated him with.

The frost giants had terrifying strength and were good at ice spells, but those were only useful if they could hit the enemy. Faced with Viscount Carendia whose speed and agility far exceeded level-five grand knights, he was like a helpless kid who got scratched now and then. Viscount Carendia even had the time to take down the werewolves who had been stunned, because he truly detested their smiles.

Looking at the handsome, strong man below and Katrina who was casting the most brilliant spells up above, Anna thought to herself, her fear and concerns gone, "Sorcerers and vampires truly deserve to be the eternal combination of villains in the bards' tales. They are so awesome!"

"Thank god Sister Katrina is here, otherwise…"

She patted her chest, feeling lucky. She also admired Katrina's performance.

While Duda was a level-five grand knight and had demon blood power, he was unable to carry out his strength at all in front of a well-prepared sorcerer. He was affected by the spells and closer and closer to failure. His every attack was either deviated by illusions or blocked by Douglas's Absorbing Wall and Stone Skin, achieving no results.

"This cannot go on…" Because he only had the demon blood power, Duda managed to keep the ability of thought in the battle. Seeing that the frost giant was about to be taken down by the vampire, he began to consider ways to get out of the situation.

Anna, who was slightly relieved, Yakov, who had complicated feelings, and the other mercenaries, who did not know what was going on, observed the battle. Suddenly, they saw that Duda snatched his left arm with his right hand, tearing it off and roaring astoundingly.

"What's he doing?"

"Demons' special ability?"

In their shock, they saw that Duda's left arm exploded into splashing flesh and blood, which neutralized the vague mist and dispersed them.

The Mind Mist was gone, and the remaining werewolves and knights were back to normal. Some of them attacked Katrina with bows or semi-spells, and some charged at the mercenaries with swords, hammers and sticks, hoping to distract Katrina and Viscount Carendia.

The mercenaries were horrified by the ferocious werewolves and knights. They could barely hold their weapons tightly.

While Duda had no time to bother with him, Yakov managed to recover part of his knightly strength. He stood before everyone, holding his longsword, while he calmed the other mercenaries who were panicked. "Don't be nervous. I'll block them. As long as we can persist for one minute, Katrina will finish the battle."

"Boss, I'll help you." Said Anna, even though her legs were shaking.

Right then, a photon of light appeared before her eyes. It seemed to be made of freezing ice, and the werewolves and knights in its range were all transformed into ice sculptures.

"How powerful…" Anna complimented in a low voice.

Yakov felt similarly, but his abundant experience stopped him from standing still. Instead, he jumped out and hit the ice sculptures.

Crack, crack, crack. The few knights and werewolves were broken into glittering pieces that looked like diamonds on the ground!

"Be careful!" Anna suddenly saw that a werewolf approached Katrina stealthily and leaped, trying to catch Katrina's ankle. She reminded her anxiously.

Her voice was still echoing when the werewolf's shadow moved. It suddenly hugged the werewolf and dragged the werewolf into a dark well that appeared out of nowhere. Then, the werewolf was nowhere to be seen.

"What a marvelous spell…" Anna was so fascinated by the view that she almost began to worship magic.

Duda who was in midair took the chance to flap his wings and flew downwards. His target was the door which had weird patterns.

The door was right next to him, when he suddenly felt that his guts were rolling and his blood was surging into his head. From dizziness, he hit the ground.

"Professor's Infrasound Resonance?" He thought in panic.

Then, before he realized what was going on, the scales and armor that covered his body, after Katrina pointed her finger, turned into red, white, black and gold items, some solid, some gaseous and some yeti!

"Elemental Order?"

"Why can she cast spells so quickly? Does she not need to cool down at all?"

In disbelief, Duda watched his armor and his natural scales vanish into thin air. He knew that it was a unique spell of Lucien 'Atom Controller' Evans, and it was not strange that his student was capable of it. What was strange was that there was no cooldown between the two spells at all. There was no way that he could've avoided it!

What escaped his attention was that the beautiful and cold badge of silver moon on Katrina's left chest flashed as if it were electric.

Having no time to think any further, he crashed the gate behind him, his body shivering.

In Anna's eyes, Katrina's hair stopped moving after the wind died down. She extended her right hand, and a fireball that was much larger and hotter than usual flew out, hitting Duda in his back.

BOOM!

Duda was almost blown into pieces, but he did manage to open the gate. On the other side, Viscount Carendia wiped his hands with a white handkerchief. The frost giant had collapsed before him, with the eyes still widened.

After the gate was opened, an identical altar appeared, except that the statue in the new altar was clearer. It was a human-shaped handsome demon with dark skin.

Right below the demon stood a young man who appeared rather flabbergasted. He had all the distinctive features of the Vladimir family.

"Viscount Andree?" Anna blurted out, sensing strong horror.

Andree shook his head, as if he were devastated. "You shouldn't have come in. You forced me to do this. You forced me…"

"We've caught the culprit behind the curtain so quickly?" Viscount Carendia tossed the dirtied handkerchief to the ground and said to Katrina in amusement.

Chapter 713: The Old After The Young

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

"Viscount Andree…" Anna repeated the name in a low voice, with uncontrollable fear in her voice.

The young man standing before the altar was exactly Viscount Andree, their future liege. He had a chiseled face, which looked tough and gloomy. Just like the other members of the Vladimir family, he had gold hair, blue eyes and a unique strongman style. It's a pity that his eyes were brimming with indescribable panic at this moment. There was no telling whether it was because Duda and the knight failed so easily, or it was because he was caught on the spot of demon worship.

However, Anna did not notice Viscount Andree's face. Her mind was full of the intelligence, tales and legends of the guy: a talented knight, the future Count Calcate, a member of the Vladimir family, a grand knight at such a young age, and a student of a legendary knight…

Any one of those feats would've scared a common mercenary like Anna. After they were combined, even though Viscount Andree hadn't attacked yet, and even though a powerful sorcerer and a vampire were floating next to her, she felt that her heart was trembling.

"There must be something unique about him. He's certainly one of the most distinguished level-five grand knights, or he wouldn't have been picked by a legendary knight…"

"He's the future Count Calcate. If our battle is discovered, the radiant knights to come will certainly kill us to keep our mouths shut…"

"Also… Also, he is a legendary knight's student. There's no telling if Nicolle, the Storm of Death, has given him any senior-rank items and special abilities… Would Sister Katrina be hunted by legendary knights if she kills him?"

Too many ideas occurred to Anna. Putting the question whether or not Sister Katrina and the handsome vampire could beat Viscount Andree, his identity was enough to stop them from trying their best. Nicolle would feel that somebody slapped him in the face if Andree was killed two months after becoming his student. Who could escape from the hunting of a legendary knight?

The same fear spread among the mercenaries, and Yakov was no exception. But he soon calmed down. This was Viscount Andree trying to kill them. If they did not resist, they would die now; if they resisted, they might survive. After all, for a legendary knight and Count Calcate, they were just ants. If they ran away, it was possible that those people would be too lazy to chase them.

So, it was not difficult to choose!

"You shouldn't have come in. You forced me to do this. You forced me…" Before the altar, Andree simply repeated his words, and the bloody mist spreading from the altar got more and more intense.

"What's wrong with him?" Viscount Carendia always considered himself knowledgeable, but he could not understand Andree's current status, so he asked through the telepathic bond.

Katrina looked at the abnormal Viscount Andree indifferently and concluded, "He was probably corrupted by the power of demons and is in temporary derangement because we disrupted the ritual. Let's seize the chance to take him down."

While she talked, pure, brilliant colors glowed on her body, releasing dazzling light like fireworks towards the mist, the statue and the altar.

When she performed 'Arcana Light', she seemed to be wearing a feathered cloak of light and looked fabulous and sacred. For Anna and Yakov, she was like an angel walking on the earth. Such spells had been created by the Congress of Magic referring to divine power. They looked very similar except for the lack of special waves of the divine power.

As the light hit the bloody mist, dazzling brilliance burst out. However, the bloody mist around this altar was apparently more powerful. It was only less heavy after being hit by Arcana Light.

Katrina's 'Arcana Light', on the other hand, woke up Viscount Andree. The fear in his eyes gone, he said gloomily, "Like I said, you forced me to do this!"

With his words and his gesture, dark lines glittered on the floor. They spread over from all directions and crawled into the altar, forming a cubic magic circle. Dark fog surged out of the altar, turning the statue hazy and cold.

"Hurry up! The ritual is almost finished!" Katrina attacked the altar and Viscount Andree with 'Lucien's Fireball' and other spells while she urged Viscount Carendia to attack.

She sensed great danger when the ritual was activated. This ritual had almost been completed and was only waiting for the last trigger!

Viscount Carendia sniffed. "And I thought that things were going well…"

The cape behind him flapped and turned into the deepest darkness, enshrouding both himself and the altar and corroding the magic patterns.

Protected by the magic circle, Viscount Andree watched the collapse of the bloody mist and shook his head brutally, "You forced me to do this!"

He took out a dark dagger from his storage bag. It was ivory but carried the intense air of death.

"This is 'Nicolle's Invitation', a senior-rank dagger that my teacher gave me. Now, I'm going to use it as the sacrifice for the ritual. It will turn into the purest and most complete death storm that will consume all of you!" Andree laughed crazily and threw 'Nicolle's Invitation' into the altar.

"You are the master of darkness and the embodiment of desperation. You will freeze the world in the doomsday…" Andree chanted more like a cultist priest than a knight.

"It's Gonheim that they worship!" Having heard a lot about the Demogorgon of Darkness, Katrina was no stranger to him. She reminded Viscount Carendia.

Darkness surged out of the altar and froze the environment in frost. Suddenly, there was an earthquake, a deep, devastating air mass popped up. Anna felt that she was on the verge of death again the moment she saw it.

All the mercenaries including Yakov were attracted by the air mass. They felt that their souls were fighting their fight beyond their control.

After a collision, the darkness out of the altar was raised by the air mass. Many black bats were blown into the wall and died.

"Death storm…" Viscount Carendia reached Katrina, paler than before. He grimaced, "I hate the battles where senior-rank items are involved most…"

As he talked, he took out a frame from his pocket. Inside the frame was a painting of the silver-haired and silver-eyed Rhine. He looked more formal in the painting than he actually was.

Sensing the near-death feeling, Anna thought in desperation and fear, "Is this the power of legends? A senior-rank item that only contains a slice of the air of a legendary knight is already so powerful?"

She struggled to turn to Katrina, trying to ask her to flee. However, under the deterrence of death, she couldn't make a sound after she opened her mouth!

"Huh. What's Sister Katrina doing…" When her head was almost black, Anna saw Katrina pressing a silver badge on which there were all kinds of mysterious symbols with her left hand.

"Haha. You will taste the death storm very soon." Not caring about the shivering mist and magic circle, Andree laughed crazily.

Anna closed her eyes in pain. The pressure of death was so insufferable. However, she heard the high and distant voice of Katrina that was different from the way she usually talked.

"The roars from space summons the Atomic Universe…"

In shock, Anna saw a boundless cosmos surfacing behind Katrina. It was deep and dark, and the stars were releasing various colors.

"Space arrival?"

"Cosmos arrival?"

All the mercenaries had similar questions.

Then, they sensed the profundity of the cosmos and the subtlety of stars, as if endless mysteries were contained inside.

The feeling of boundlessness immediately eased their mind that was pressured by death. They could no longer sense any desperation or pain.

"What… What is this power?"

"Is it the legend level, too?"

In their widened eyes, a gaseous form changed into the all-freezing blue, and Katrina tossed out of a tube of colorless liquids.

Enhanced by 'Atomic Universe', the tube was broken without any spell, and the liquids hit the collapsing magic circle after being condensed into a weird ray.

The steam was frozen, the mist was frozen, the air was frozen, and so was the bursting black storm of death, which was turned into black snowflakes.

Amidst them, Viscount Andree was frozen, too. His items were broken, and his blood became solid. His shock was frozen on his face.

Then, the coldness was gone, and everything began to melt, turning into drops of water.

Looking at the incredible scene, Anna and the other mercenaries felt that they were still in a dream.

"Had I known that you prepared the ritual, I wouldn't have brought out the frame…" Viscount Carendia put Rhine's painting back. "Evans' Freezing Ray?"

"Yes." Katrina looked rather pale. "It seems that Andree held the ritual to worship 'Demogorgon of Darkness' to increase his strength and potential."

"That's probably right. It explains why he became the student of 'Storm of Death' soon after the ritual. Also, the Demogorgon of Darkness is the most devil-like Demon Lord. It's perfectly normal for him to develop believers." Said Viscount Carendia, deep in thought.

…

Inside a castle, a mirror-like screen manifested everything that happened in Duda's manor.

"Master, you could've killed them easily." A beautiful and sexy woman was kneeling next to a young man and feeding wine to him with her own mouth. She had a pair of cute horns on her forehead.

The young man touched the woman's hair and moved his eyes away from the screen. He had the exact face of Viscount Andree's!

"Hehe. Even if I did, so what? One of them is a grand arcanist's student, and the other is a vampire prince's close descendant. Do you think that things will stop?" 'Andree' smiled. "If it were other sorcerers and vampires, I could've killed them and blamed it on somebody else. The Congress of Magic and the vampires wouldn't pay much attention to it. However, since they were the ones who came, I could only give them an 'answer'. After all, our plan has worked out, and the identity of Andree is no longer useful."

The sexy woman nodded. "Yes. If the Congress of Magic and the vampires keep investigating, our future operations will be a lot more troublesome. However, how did you know that the Congress of Magic would send Katrina, the Atom Controller's student? Otherwise, Duda would've killed Yakov and the other mercenaries while they were on their way."

"Andree' smiled but did not give a straight answer. "All in all, this is the end of everything. I do not want anything to happen to them, or Lucien Evans and Rhine might come in person. I hate the old who settle scores for the young after the young are defeated…"

Most importantly of all, he was unable to defeat the old yet…

He stood up. His facial muscles twisted, and his height reduced. He turned into an indifferent-looking, black-haired, middle-aged man.