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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 141
Whoosh—
At first, it was a small flicker of light. So faint and palm-sized that its presence could barely be noticed.
It was so small that it seemed like the surrounding darkness might swallow it whole at any moment. No one in the vicinity paid it any attention.
But that only lasted for an instant. As if enraged by being ignored—
Kwaaaa!!!
From the small sphere, a massive burst of flames erupted, expanding rapidly to an unimaginable scale.
Fwoosh!
The fiery orb, suspended in mid-air, burned fiercely, exuding overwhelming presence. It radiated intense heat as if it would engulf everything in its vicinity in a sea of fire.
The interior of the chapel was illuminated in an instant, and the cold, damp air turned scorching hot in no time.
[Flame Domain]
A unique technique system developed independently, unlike Bane of Evil. While it might lack in refinement, it was no less versatile or powerful.
It was created to overcome the sense of helplessness experienced at the Helrem Fortress.
[Manifestation of the Sun ]
The fiery sphere hovering in the middle of the chapel was the essence distilled from countless experiences and realizations.
It was also a declaration of intent to exert the influence of many, even when standing alone.
Chiiiiik!
The dust on the ground sizzled and evaporated, and the white cobwebs scattered around melted away.
The specters with physical forms were no exception.
Bane of Evil was a flame that burned the wicked. Its fundamental nature infused the heat, affecting all beings within a certain radius.
Screeeeech!
The specters nearby writhed and let out agonized cries.
At that moment, everyone, who had been momentarily frozen in shock, began to move as if in unison.
The fastest was Ian.
“Gawain.”
“Leave it to me.”
There was no need for lengthy words. Gawain was quick-witted and understood what had to be done.
Just as the Red Spear Knight manipulated flames, the Blue Blossom Knight used frost to protect the group from the sun's searing heat.
Crackle!
With a crisp sound, a wall of ice surged upward.
As Cyphry disappeared from his spot, Elarcia scowled and screamed furiously.
“Kill them!”
The murderous intent in her voice was sharp, completely unlike the calm, gentle tone she had used just moments ago.
The specters resembling ballistae on the second-floor balcony, who had been aiming at the group, released their loaded arrows simultaneously.
Everything happened all at once.
Thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip!
With the sound of strings being released, arrows flickering with green light shot forward.
They only needed to hold out for one moment. The sun Ian had manifested had turned the chapel into a harsh, unforgiving environment.
It was especially effective against the enemy but inevitably affected allies as well.
Sizzle—
This was particularly true for the ice wall Gawain had created.
Though it scattered a cooling chill, the heat caused its surface to melt and drip away.
And as the arrows sliced through the air, they embedded themselves into the ice like wedges.
Thud, thud, thud!
Three arrows struck the ice wall, creating cracks.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
A second volley of twelve arrows expanded the fractures.
Crack!
With a short delay, nine more arrows found their mark, slipping through the gaps.
Crash!
With a peculiar sound, the thick ice wall shattered into pieces.
Although a few more arrows flew, they were intercepted by the magical barrier Audrey had erected.
Still, there was no time to relax. At that very moment, the specters surrounding Elarcia began to move.
Grrrrrr!
A specter cloaked in a filthy robe and another with a grotesque appearance charged forward.
On the second floor, specters groaned in pain, contorting their bodies into bizarre postures as they drew their bows.
Their arms, doubling as bowstrings, bent backward, and the green light composing their bodies transformed into arrows.
If left unchecked, another volley would follow. They didn’t care about friend or foe. The specters would undoubtedly use their comrades as bait. The future seemed painfully clear.
“Ian!”
Audrey shouted as if asking what he would do.
The sun hovering in the chapel wasn’t just for show. Though unfamiliar and challenging to control in combat, Ian’s delay stemmed from inexperience, not incapability.
He hadn’t planned to use this technique at his current level. It was only possible because Elarcia’s attempts to persuade Cyphry had bought them time.
[Flame Realm , Crimson Star Arrow Scatter]
The sun-like orb of fire began to rotate, shooting arrow-shaped flames in all directions.
Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!
The specters stationed on the balcony couldn’t react in time.
They were mere puppets acting under orders, unable to defend themselves. While the flaming arrows lacked precision, their sheer number rendered accuracy irrelevant.
Like thousands of archers firing incessantly, the flame arrows poured out of the orb.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
The specters specializing in ranged attacks had no means of proper defense.
Even the specters stationed nearby as guards couldn’t improve the situation by swinging their blade-fused arms.
Grrrrraaaah!
A targeted specter was shredded. Its limbs scattered, and its body was riddled with dozens of holes.
No matter how much they defied the laws of physics, they couldn’t withstand this level of damage.
The green light that formed their bodies began to fade and dissipate.
They were utterly annihilated.
But Ian had no time to bask in victory.
Slice!
A specter swinging its blade was cleaved in two and vanished. The sheer number of enemies was overwhelming.
The knight-class specters mixed among the soldiers were particularly troublesome.
Unlike the monsters fought earlier, these beings had no concept of camaraderie. The specters formed of green light were nothing but bait and shields.
Whether allies stood in their way or not, the specter knights swung their massive swords without hesitation, thrusting their blades into blind spots.
Hrrrrrr!
A sudden, unexpected strike. Even with extensive battle experience, such an attack could catch one off guard.
However, to Ian, who had awakened his foresight, these irregular strikes posed no threat.
He read every movement and responded accordingly.
Clang, clang, clang!
Ian deflected all incoming strikes from every direction. The silver flash of his holy sword cut down a nearby wraith.
In that brief moment, Ian saw far more than others and executed even more actions. His body, as though testing its limits, unleashed explosive power, enduring the strain it caused.
“Hrrrrgh!”
Two wraith knights swung their greatswords at Ian from opposite directions.
Though their movements were slow, the oppressive weight of their presence filled the space, pressing toward him. It felt as though evasion were possible, yet his reactions strangely lagged.
However, having reawakened his Simaeon —an intuitive foresight he temporarily gained and lost in the ruins of Eyar—there was no room for confusion.
If they were slow, then he could match their speed. Or better yet, disrupt their rhythm one step ahead.
Clang!
The greatswords veered off course.
Clang! Clang!
The two greatswords meant for Ian became entangled with one another. Ian didn’t miss this chance and swiftly adjusted his stance.
[Bane of Evil, Fifth Form: Execution – Beheading]
As he whispered the name of the technique internally, he simultaneously visualized it while channeling mana into his blade.
The holy sword accelerated. Before the wraith knights could register the attack, their torsos were severed cleanly.
Their massive bodies wavered and collapsed, unbalanced by the slight movement. They let out agonizing screams.
“Kreeeaaagh!”
The wraiths’ bodies disintegrated, but the black mana spilling from their forms began to saturate the surroundings, enhancing the other wraiths.
Even the flames of the Bane of Evil couldn’t extinguish it. Instead, the black mana clung to them unnervingly.
This energy was a curse for the living and a blessing for the dead.
Groooan...
The outer gate at the far end of the chapel emitted mechanical grinding sounds as a mist-like mana surged in response.
The wraith knight, which Ian thought had been destroyed, was standing up again. To buy time, the wraith soldiers with green luminous bodies threw themselves forward.
They harbored no fear of annihilation. Lacking any self-awareness, they moved purely on orders, no different from puppets.
Ian glanced behind him.
“They’re holding out well.”
However, unlike Ian’s flames, Gawain’s ice wasn’t as effective against the wraiths. While it could temporarily slow their movements, its effect was fleeting.
But with Rease’s blessing, the situation changed. The divine light enveloping Gawain’s greatsword proved fatal to the wraiths.
Audrey’s golems were also performing admirably. Though there were only two, their training with Dior and the Red Spear Knight had made them adept at facing multiple foes. Their intricate mechanisms allowed them to smoothly alternate between shielding and striking.
Diem was keeping the wraith knights in check with a calm, calculated demeanor. Unlike the others, whose options were limited once their arrows were depleted, Diem focused entirely on support.
Judging that a brief absence wouldn’t cause significant issues, Ian turned his gaze forward and raised his blade.
[Bane of Evil, Fifth Form: Execution – Chariot Form]
Flames erupted from the tip of the blade, forming a blazing wheel that spun rapidly in place.
Crack-crack-crack-crack!
The fiery wheel surged forward, crushing and obliterating the wraiths in its path. It carved a way through, and Ian followed close behind, dashing toward the outer gate.
Whizz!
“...!”
Ian narrowly dodged a green arrow. Some enemy remained standing, it seemed.
His gaze shifted to the source, where the flames from the hovering fireball above the chapel ceiling belatedly rained down, eliminating the threat.
Thwack-thwack-thwack!
The sound of arrows striking the stone floor echoed as Ian continued, unwavering.
The wraiths didn’t seem to understand his intent, yet they moved to block his path, reaching for him from all sides.
Arrows of fire rained down on the wraiths, piercing them. Though the fiery orb grew smaller with each shot, it maintained its form through constant internal explosions.
The remaining distance to the outer gate wasn’t far.
“You dare!”
Elarcia’s voice cut through the chapel, resounding with fury. Ian instinctively knew who her anger was directed at.
“It’s me.”
Boom!
A deafening crash echoed, something smashing into a wall—or perhaps the floor. The source was undoubtedly Cyphry.
For all her boasting about confronting the traitor here, she hadn’t even managed to restrain her.
Crack!
A green flash shattered the blazing wheel. Through the scattering flames, Elarcia emerged with a twisted expression, her eyes filled with a sinister glare.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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