Search & Destroy(2)

Sebastian and Midnight Kairos' group was the first to depart. Meanwhile, Sherene, Moo, and the others stayed behind for a bit longer.

The reason? there was something Moo needed to ask.

"Why?"

Noticing his glare, Sherene smiled charmingly and tilted her head, "What is it, Mister Barrus? I don't understand your question."

"Cut the crap, nun. Don't play dumb with us," Moo coldly said, "No matter how I see it, I can't think of a reason you helped us before."

Sherne looked at Moo briefly and giggled, "Mistet Barrus, you are not used to receiving others' goodwill, right? Don't worry, I'm not going to ask anything of you. However, there is something I want to tell you."

"...Do tell."

"If one day you and your friends become strong enough to influence the fate of the world, don't forget you are now part of this world now."

Moo fell silent and thought about Sherene's words. A few seconds later, he nodded, "We'll think about it." Then, he left, riding the Banana Bus alongside with his friends.

Samars, who was standing behind Sherene, spoke at that moment, "Your majesty, are you sure about this?"

Sherene sighed, "These groups of 30 year old men. Despite their vulgar behavior, they are filled with potential. The Owl Leader, the Man Behind the Mask, the Wise Fool, the Savage Pig Brute, the Intelligible Night Man, the Sane Beast Tamer and... the Metal Demon. If they have time to develop their abilities, maybe they can become another beacon of hope for this world, the next Seven Monarchs just like the other seven before them. Moreover... I fear that if fate has other things with the seven, the final result will be a tragedy.

"A tragedy? Do you mean, either of them will die?"

Sherene shrugged her shoulders, "Who knows? But I have the feeling it will be something worse."

——————————————————————

Right now, the scene shows Team 6 were riding the Banana Bus at full speed in the streets of the city, Fast and the Furious style.

In the driver seat, Wildcat kept screaming, running over, killing, and shit talking any members of the Church of Carnage in his way while Nogla on top of the bus was dealing with killing other members with a machine gun mounted on top of the bus.

Their group was formed by eight people. Vanoss, Delirious, Basically, Moo, Nogla, Wildcat, Terroriser and Julian, who chose to support Team 6 instead of going with Midnight Order.

To be honest, the group was the smallest of the three. Matilda even suggested having some of the forces of Midnight Order go with them, but Vanoss rejected the suggestion. In fact, he would not have brought Julian with him if not by the insistence of the latter.

Julian only understood his intentions when he experienced the Banana Bus' speed.

"...I see. Certainly, this metal wagon of yours is very fast, and the number of people it can carry is more than any land transport we have except for Airships."

"Exactly! The horsepower and most importantly the engine can make this baby go up to a speed of 200km/h!" Wildcat stated.

Basically added, "Yeah! The most important part of tonight's operation is speed. If we finish our part quickly, we can go to support Sherene's and the others."

"I understand!"

Even though they went at such speed, the city is still huge, it is like freely roaming around the whole city of New York with a race car.

Few minutes had passed, and the group had arrived at their destination.

"Halt!" A city guard stood in front of the bus with his sword unsheathed. Several other city guards were standing behind him. "Identify yourself! This is a restricted area!"

Seeing someone blocking their way, Wildcat couldn't help but feel pissed about it. The node of the magic circle was behind these guards, however, the place was completely surrounded!

Moreover, he was not sure if the guards were involved in this plot or were simply being fooled by the duke.

Fortunately, he and his friends did not need to fight them.

"Brian! Do it quickly."

"Alrighty!" The Irish terminator nodded. Without hesitation, he pulled out Jackal and shot the ceiling of the bus, creating a hole to Wildcat's dismay and Nogla's yelping, he then activated his thrusters and floated in the air.

Seeing someone come out unexpectedly, the city guard's expression changed, "You... You must be one of the villains destroying the city. Men, attack!"

Instantly, tens of magic arrows were released from the city guards. However, it was completely useless in front of Terroriser. With an excited expression, he pulls out a Minigun-Bazooka hybrid weapon from the addon system he purchased and crafted himself.

[IMAGES]

When the city guard saw that, he kicked the ground and charged towards him

"I won't let you!"

A sword slash cuts through the air, flying towards Terroriser which he has no time to react to.

But Julian moved at that moment. With a twirl of his daggers, he stopped the Rank 8 city guard's attack.

"Apologies, comrades, but we need to destroy this place."

While Julian was speaking, Terroriser immediately pulled the trigger!

[GIF]

Soon after, dozens upon dozens of destructive missiles were shot towards the node.

BOOOMMMM!!!

The powerful explosion shook the surroundings, however, the missiles Terroriser just used were designed to penetrate and destroy. Despite its immense power, it did not hurt any of the guards nearby.

Unfortunately, it did not destroy the node. A barrier of light in front of the beam, stopping it momentarily.

The shield of light was quickly destroyed, but then, another thicker and stronger barrier appeared behind it. This time, it was a woman who created it.

"Gah! Bloody Demigods!" Terroriser yelled in annoyance.

Although they already suspected that something like this was likely to happen, seeing it in person made them realize how important this magic circle was for the duke.

Right now, they are facing a Transcendence Demigod. Luckily, this is her first time to be one, she only just breakthrough just two months ago, but that doesn't mean she is weak, she's still a monster in power.

"I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to destroy this place." The woman sighed. She then waved her hand, instantly creating tens of magic circles behind her, "It has been a long time since the last time I fought anybody ever since I first reached the Demigod realm! Why don't you show me what you are capable of!"

Watching the female demigod in front of him, instead of feeling nervousness, Terroriser felt excited as he grinned mischievously. Then, crimson energy began to surround his body completely.

"Unfortunately for you Miss, I just need to destroy it quickly because I want to have a nice little nap once this is done!"

When Terroriser finished speaking, his figure lit up and showed his new appearance. Then, an even greater amount of magic energy emitted his body greatly reaching beyond the peak of Rank 10.

He had use the [Armor of Zeldarein].

Seeing the new appearance and the amount of magic energy emitted from Terroriser skyrocketed more than what originally is. The demigod woman's expression changed. Instantly, she cast several shields around her and the node.

"USELESS!'

Then, half of his right arm was covered by golden particles, and in an instant, he materialize a very long weapon in it.

[IMAGES]

"What the-"

Before the Demigod woman knew, the magic Railgun lit up! Then, an even greater amount of magic energy gathered on it, almost at the same level as a Demigod!

And in the next instant...

BAM!!!!!!!!!!

The very loud and powerful large beam of magic energy was shot.

In just an instant, the large energy caliber penetrated several barriers, finally arriving in front of the rookie Demigod.

Without hesitation, the woman crossed her arms. Her mana surged, transforming into a powerful shield of energy. And this time, she resisted for several seconds.

But just like before...

Crash!

With a sound like glass breaking, the last shield shattered. Then, the large magical caliber pierced the Demigod's last defenses. One second later, an even more powerful explosion shook the city.

And this time, the node did not manage to survive.

*BOOM!!!*

The large attack pierced the mana barriers before hitting the node and destroying it.

In front of the destructive power of the weapon's attack, nothing managed to stand.

Terroriser could feel the magic circle in the city shaking slightly before recovering to normal. It was evident that destroying this node was effective, but the magic circle could be destroyed only if the three nodes were down.

At that moment, a figure came from the site of the explosion and rushed towards the skies at massively Hypersonic speed.

Seeing the Demigod escaping, Terroriser grinned and aimed the weapon again.

However, it's not working.

"Oh... I can use it only once. How unfortunate."

But it did not matter as he formed six truck-sized Miniguns made of magical energy floating around him, he was about to strike her down but one of his friends stopped him.

"Brian, let her go!"

"Why the hell not!?"

"Even if you can injure her, you will be unable to kill a demigod quickly if she is hellbent on escaping. Now, our priority is to destroy the other two nodes. Besides, I managed to get a look at her lost beauty and her injuries are very serious. She will not be a threat anymore."

Terroriser thought for a moment and nodded before returning to the Banana Bus, returning to his normal form to save some time limit of the use of his armor.

Before leaving, Wildcat who is at the driver seat glanced at the stunned city guards briefly before giving the middle finger at them then immediately kicked the engine before doing the donut first then drove away towards the City Hall at full speed.

"Later shitheeeaaaaaa.....!!"

———————————————————

When Sherene, Samara, and 20 other Golden Paladins of the Church of the Golden Dawn arrived at the city hall, they met with an army ready to fight them.

Moreover, in front of that army, a demigod was standing with a red spear on his hand, casted with Curse Magic.

"Yoga."

[IMAGES]

The rip-off Saber whispered with a grave expression. Yoga was the name of the strongest of the three Demigods serving in this Duchy. The rip-off Lancer is a spear user famous for his fierce and lightning-fast attacks, especially his infamous weapon, [Gáyÿy Bold], a cursed spear which is said to always hit the target.

Yoga heaved a sigh, "High Priestess, Miss Leviatine. I never expected to have you as my enemies."

"Yoga, why are you still defending the duke!?" Sherene yelled with an ice-cold look, "Can't you see the atrocities he is doing!?"

"Please, don't ask such a foolish thing. As a demigod, I will not change my mind easily. There is no use in trying to convince me of turning against my master."

"You are right." Samara said and took a step forward, her beautiful appearance and heavy armor creates an intimidating aura around her. "So, I think it's better to kill you. Your Majesty, I'll leave the node and the Duke to you."

"Be careful, Sam."

Samara nodded. She then unsheathed the greatsword on her back and narrowed her eyes.

The next second...

BOOOMMMM!!!

His greatsword clashed against the cursed spear of her opponent!

The battle between the two Demigods became fierce instantly. Both Samantha and Yoga clashed a hundred times within a split second before bringing their battle to the clouds to avoid affecting the people around them.

At the same time, the Paladins of the Church of the Golden Dawn surged forward like a wave, crashing against the men of the Duke in a bloody battle.

Sherene also moved at that moment. She cast an unknown spell and her presence was concealed from the battle, allowing her to move through the battlefield and enter the city hall without being noticed by anyone.

Perhaps, the Demigod Yoga would have noticed her if he was still here, but nobody else in this battlefield were A-ranks, which none of them could feel her presence.

As soon as she entered the city hall, though, she felt a chill on her spine.

"...How unlucky." A deep voice echoed in Sherene's ears, "To think that despite all my preparations and after masking the fate of this city we still ended up attracting the dogs of the Goddess Genesis."

"Duke Orazvil." Sherene muttered angrily towards a man in the spatial room.

Unlike outside, the room is extremely dense with mana, drawn on the ground was a magic circle, and floating above this magic circle was a bluestone bigger than a volleyball. This bluestone kept spinning, and when one looked closely, one could see a small blue gas-like substance coming out of it and getting drawn into the magic circle on the ground.

This blue spinning circle stone is one of the Nodes, the core of the giant magic circle above Orazvil city. Destroying one of its means reduces its progress.

"Your majesty, or should I call you Saintess Sherene? Who knows, maybe I should call you the Golden Bitch's dog instead. Hm?" The Duke returned the greeting with a mocking grin and turned towards her, showing Sherene his current state.

His back was straight, as though protecting the node behind him, and he emitted an air of nobility. Despite his 115 years old age, the Duke still appeared dignified and filled with wisdom, like a sage instead of the madmen behind the holocaust in this city.

Around him, several chains of mana filled the city hall. The chains glowed with multiple colors, and a slight bloody light showed itself occasionally. When Sherene observed more closely, she realized that the end of the chains was connected to each of the Duke's limbs and his chest.

"Beautiful, right?" The Duke said, "This magic circle gathers the souls of the people that had died in this city tonight before sending them to the chains that are connected to my body. A true artwork. I'm even impressed by its design."

"I find it repugnant, instead." Sherene sneered, "I can't believe someone I once thought was a virtuous person is doing such a repulsive act like devouring the souls of others... What is your purpose? I don't think you are doing this on a whim.

The Duke stared at Sherene briefly before smirking, "You don't understand, your Majesty. What I'm doing is for the greater good. You see, since I started to govern this Duchy, since I first create this city when that dungeon first appeared 80 years ago, the lives of the people have improved, there are almost no poor people, many Adventurers' dreams has come true, banditry has fallen to the lowest level in history, and other races could live freely without worrying about xenophobic people and race discriminations unlike the three superpowers who doesn't do shit! This Duchy I made was transformed from the trash it was once to the paradise it's today!

...but, there is too much I need to do yet. I need to build more roads, to create schools, to train a powerful army, and do for the Kingdom of Floral. There are still many things the Duchy still needs. Unfortunately, I'm too old, my inner magic is still not enough to keep me alive for long, I can feel my life is about to end soon slowly, your Majesty."

Sherene frowned, but then, a look of realization appeared on her face, "You... You don't mean!"

"It looks like you realized it, huh. You are right. These souls are being used to increase my lifespan!" The Duke smiled wickedly. Then, under the stunned gaze of Sherene, he took off his robe, revealing his chest with a strange-looking dark creature twisting inside it.

"A year ago, someone came and brought it to me. This creature can absorb the mana in its surroundings and everything to grow stronger, and when it's inserted on my chest, that strength is transferred to me!

...unfortunately, it is still not enough as the magic is not too strong enough no matter how many times I absorb more mana! However... that's where I learn from the same person that gave and that's where I've learned the most perfect way to increase my strength significantly."

"Souls... souls are the most effective of all that made me grow stronger greatly!

…do you know, your Majesty? I have been stuck at the peak of Rank 10 for 60 years! 60 FUCKING YEARS! My cultivation has not taken a single step forward for a fucking inch for the past 60 years! I just need a step, a single tiny step to become a Demigod and transcend humanity! A step to increase my lifespan! A step that gives me 1000 years more to live!

...although this creature can absorb souls to become stronger, even it can't help me to break through my limits so easily. Thus, I needed souls. A LOT of souls. Millions or Billions of souls take that step! And now... Now I'm very close! I can feel my strength growing! Soon... soon I'll become a Demigod! I could even possibly become beyond Sainthood level if I absorb enough souls. Hm, interesting, thinking about it, I think it will be my new goal, to become the strongest in the world!"

Hearing his words, Sherene's face turned ugly, "You are crazy! You even dared to use the Blight! Don't you know the monster in your chest can bring destruction to the world!?"

"You don't need to worry about that, your Majesty. Everything is under my control." The Duke chuckled.

But at that moment, the Node in the City Hall shook. The Duke was stunned. Immediately after, though, he was enraged.

"The Node!"

Sherene, who noticed this, smirked, "Everything is under your control, huh. But you are right, I don't need to worry about that. I only need to eliminate you." She said, Then, her face took on a chilling semblance.

Looking up at the sky, Sherene joined her hands and prayed.

"[Deity's Blessing]"

Instantly, her aura exploded powerfully, filling the whole City Hall and a few yards around it with a sacred presence.