The Battle in Ruberios – The Unfolding Chaos

The projection shifted, the flickering image now displaying Ruberios—a city engulfed in turmoil. Sacred buildings stood shattered, divine energy clashing violently against foreign magic.

At the center of the chaos, Granbell Rosso stood, his once noble demeanor twisted into something sinister. He fought fiercely against Hinata Sakaguchi, their swords clashing with a ferocity that sent shockwaves through the cathedral.

But Granbell wasn't alone.

A small elite force of warriors had accompanied him, wreaking havoc within the grand halls of the Church of Luminous.

Among them, standing tall and emanating an overwhelming aura of power, was Razul, Granbell's right-hand man.

I narrowed my eyes.

"This isn't right…"

Based on Chloe's warnings, Mariabell should have made her move first, with Granbell following later.

Yet, the timeline had shifted.

Something had changed.

Still, it didn't matter. She would be dealt with soon enough.

A streak of silver light shot across the battlefield.

Luminous Valentine had arrived.

Her presence alone shifted the tides—her very aura freezing the chaos for a moment as all combatants felt an overwhelming pressure.

But she ignored the battle.

With unparalleled speed, she rushed underground, descending into the hidden sanctum beneath the cathedral. The place where Chloe's body was supposed to be.

The moment she reached the hidden chamber, she stopped.

Her crimson eyes widened in shock.

The body was gone.

For a second, the underground chamber was eerily silent. Then, a cold, murderous aura erupted from Luminous, shaking the very foundations of Ruberios.

Above ground, the chaos continued. Hinata fought desperately against Granbell, but he was stronger than expected.

Despite her immense skill, she was struggling.

Just as I was about to give the order for the Eminence in the Shadow to intervene—

Rimuru appeared.

A ripple in space, and there he was, floating above the battlefield, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a cold, calculating expression.

And he wasn't alone.

Diablo and the Eminence in the Shadow have arrived too.

The balance of power had shifted.

I immediately sent a Thought Communication to Diablo.

Me (coldly):

"Diablo. Razul is yours."

Diablo, who had been watching the chaos unfold with his signature unsettling grin, bowed his head slightly, eyes gleaming.

Diablo (chuckling): "Ah, how delightful. A new toy to break. Very well, my Lord. Consider it done."

With a snap of his fingers, Diablo vanished in a flash of black flames, reappearing in front of Razul.

The two locked eyes.

Razul (calmly): "Hmph. Another insect."

Diablo (smirking): "Oh, I assure you… this 'insect' is about to give you a lesson in despair."

Hinata's breath was ragged, her holy sword trembling in her grasp.

Granbell's relentless onslaught had left her battered, bruised, and pushed to her limits. His movements were precise, every attack landing with terrifying efficiency.

But it wasn't just him anymore.

From the shadows, more of Granbell's elite warriors emerged, surrounding Rimuru.

The Demon Lord barely had time to react before he was forced into battle, facing three powerful foes at once.

I watched the chaos unfold through my projection, my gaze sharpening.

Without hesitation, I sent a Thought Communication to the Eminence in the Shadow.

Me (firmly): "Leave the battle. Protect the civilians. Evacuate them to safety. Now."

The Eminence in the Shadow, hidden amongst the chaos, responded immediately.

"Understood. It will be done before they even realize we were here."

In an instant, they vanished into the darkness, their presence fading completely.

They had their mission—and now, I turned my focus back to the battle.

Granbell's lips curled into a smirk as he effortlessly parried another of Hinata's attacks.

Granbell (mocking): "This is pathetic, Hinata. Still clinging to your ideals? You've always been weak."

Hinata gritted her teeth, refusing to fall.

Hinata (growling): "Shut up. I am a Holy Knight of Luminous. I will not—"

Granbell (interrupting, scoffing): "A Holy Knight? Please. You were supposed to be so much more."

He dodged her next strike with a casual sidestep, his golden eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.

Granbell (mockingly): "You could have been a true Hero, Hinata. A real one. If you had only let me train you… perhaps you wouldn't be struggling like this."

Hinata's grip on her sword tightened, her rage burning.

Without hesitation, she channeled every ounce of magic into her blade, the air crackling with pure holy energy.

Hinata (roaring): "Shut up and DIE!"

She swung with everything she had, unleashing her ultimate attack—

[Disintegration – True Holy Blade]

A massive golden arc of divine energy erupted from her sword, cutting through the very air, aiming straight for Granbell.

The attack ripped through the battlefield, its radiance blinding everyone for a moment—

But then—

A loud, deafening CRASH.

Granbell stood untouched.

With a single hand, he had deflected the attack.

Effortlessly.

Granbell (smirking): "Oh, that attack? Please."

Hinata's eyes widened in horror.

Granbell (grinning): "I mastered that technique long before you were even born."

And then, in an instant—

Granbell vanished.

Before Hinata could react, a sharp burst of energy erupted behind her.

She whirled around—

Too late.

Granbell's blade pierced straight through her chest.

Time seemed to stop.

Hinata's body tensed, her sword slipping from her fingers.

Rimuru (shouting, eyes wide): "Hinata!"

But he couldn't help her.

Three warriors surrounded him, forcing him to fight tooth and nail. He gritted his teeth, trying to push through—

But he was too far.

Hinata gasped, blood spilling from her lips.

Granbell twisted the blade, making her let out a strangled cry.

Granbell (whispering in her ear): "You were never strong enough to begin with."

And then—

The ground shook violently.

A terrifying pressure spread across the battlefield, making even the strongest warriors freeze in place.

A suffocating aura of pure, unrelenting fury.

And then—

A voice rang out.

Luminous (cold, enraged):

"Granbell…"

Granbell slowly turned his head.

From the ruins of the underground sanctum, a glowing figure emerged.

Her crimson eyes burned with fury, her presence shaking the heavens themselves.

This was not the usual Luminous Valentine.

This was a Goddess of Absolute Wrath.

Luminous (voice trembling with rage): "How… dare you."

Granbell slowly pulled his sword from Hinata's body, letting her collapse to the ground.

And then—

Luminous moved.

Faster than anyone could see.

BOOM!

A shockwave erupted as Luminous slammed into Granbell, their clash sending debris flying in all directions.

Granbell barely managed to block her first strike, but the sheer force sent him skidding backward, his feet tearing into the stone.

Luminous was relentless.

She rained down a flurry of devastating attacks, each one faster, heavier, and more precise than the last.

Granbell struggled to parry, his smirk replaced with a grimace.

Granbell (gritting his teeth): "Tch. You're actually serious."

Luminous (snarling): "You stabbed Hinata. You will suffer."

She clenched her fist, the air around her twisting into a vortex of crimson energy.

With a single motion, she unleashed a point-blank explosion of pure divine magic.

[Crimson Judgment]

BOOOOOM!

The impact sent Granbell flying, smashing through three buildings before crashing into the cathedral wall.

He coughed, dust rising around him—

And grinned.

Granbell (chuckling, wiping blood from his lip): "Heh… now we're talking."

He stood up, magic surging around him.

Granbell (grinning wildly): "Show me more, Goddess of Night. Show me your TRUE power!"

And then—

They charged at each other again.

The battle had just begun.