Chapter 278: Overwhelming Dominance

Chapter 278: Overwhelming Dominance



"Clang! Clang!"

The two women clashed in an intense battle, their weapons clashing with resounding force.

Lord Rain was momentarily taken aback by the scene before him. He couldn't help but notice that Aleksandra showed no signs of ferocity, and her strikes lacked the precision and power he expected. Instead, she wielded her hammer with a single hand, and the force behind each blow was astonishing.

Kraya, having recently advanced to the rank of Grand Knight, had also enhanced her Arcadia Sword Technique, allowing her to respond to Aleksandra's attacks without any signs of panic.

Lord Rain keenly observed that Kraya's Arcadia Sword Technique differed slightly from his own. Her sword angles seemed more intricate, and her strikes carried greater power.

Upon further reflection, Lord Rain attributed these differences to the fusion of the two sword techniques, with the Arcadia Sword Technique absorbing the strengths of the Giant Bear Sword Technique and undergoing improvements.

However, the difference in their techniques was not significant, only a minor variation.

"Blade Storm!"

Kraya spun like a top, creating a powerful whirlwind around her.

Lord Rain was surprised to see Kraya unleash the ultimate technique of the Arcadia Sword Technique, 'Blade Storm'!

"Clang!"

Aleksandra managed to block the attack with her shield, but the force of the blow sent her staggering back several steps.

Just as Lord Rain was considering whether to halt their sparring session, Kraya smiled and thanked Aleksandra for her guidance.

"As expected of Miss Kraya, a top student from the Imperial Royal Academy. You've only just become a Grand Knight, yet you've already mastered the ultimate technique." Aleksandra's expression was slightly unnatural.

Soon, the two women engaged in lively conversation, leaving Lord Rain bewildered by the dynamics between them. Women and their relationships were truly perplexing.

If Shadiya were here, she'd instantly understand my intentions. This is my way of asserting dominance and claiming ownership.

Suddenly, a peculiar vibration fills the air, a residual wave from some powerful energy surge.

Lord Rain's reaction catches my attention, and I sense a mysterious energy from the corner of my eye, I feel a strange vibrations in the air. It's as if some powerful energy surge has occurred.

I wonder if it's related to the Amber Seal or the Sea Giant.

I glance back, and Lord Rain's expression is one of curiosity and concern.

Perhaps he's thinking of the 'Earthshaker' Fang Bear Squad or the Vanguard Bear Cleft Squad.

But this energy is different, more powerful than any Wizard, Dark Magic, or Divine Technique I've encountered.

'Sea Piercer' Lurgatz is formidable, but compared to this energy, he's on a different level.

If this power were on my side, my previous mission would have been a success.

I hope the Sea Clan hasn't gained the upper hand.

It seems I must find a way to enhance my strength."

Before long, Langgel from the Blade Squad and Vice-Minister Aoleina arrive, seeking Lord Rain.

In less than half an hour, a Lion Knight descends into the garden, bringing news.

"Vice-Minister Aoleina, by the orders of General Fulibosi, the 'Earthshaker' Fang Bear Squad, which was previously on loan, is to be dispatched immediately to the frontlines at Lachmont Harbor."

"Has something happened on the frontlines?" Aoleina asks with concern.

The Grand Knight glances around, then responds, "I'm not at liberty to disclose details, but rest assured, our losses are minimal compared to the Sea Clan."

Though the Lion Knight doesn't elaborate, everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

After seeing off Aleksandra and the Fang Bear Squad, Aoleina apologizes, "My apologies, Lord Rain, Miss Kraya. This situation..."

Lord Rain waves his hand dismissively, "Don't worry, Vice-Minister Aoleina. The frontlines take priority."

However, this means adjustments to our plans are necessary.

---

Deep within the Eilim Mine, before the Ancient Temple.

"My lady, the Ancient Temple remains sealed. How should we break through this Amber Barrier?" A Black Flame Adept reports after investigating, her brow furrowed.

She had attempted several attacks, including Black Flame Fireballs and Amber Barrier Spells, but to no avail.

Freeman's sharp eyes scanned the amber wall, his mind racing as he contemplated a solution.

Unlike the sealed Earth Serpent, awakening the Earth Serpent would be akin to breaking through an amber barrier from within, nearly depleted of energy. This made the task considerably easier.

However, here, they needed to shatter the amber barrier from the outside, a far more challenging endeavor.

"Use the Force-Gathering Dark Magic Array."

"Yes, Lord Freeman!" Several Black Flame Adepts revealed their excitement, confident in their master's plan.

The Force-Gathering Dark Magic Array could channel the Black Flame power of the others into a single individual, significantly enhancing their attack power.

The adepts quickly cleared the area, then began drawing the array's patterns, placing items, and performing other necessary tasks.

After several minutes, five Black Flame Adepts, including Freeman, took their positions at the five points of the inverted pentagram array, with Freeman at the forefront, closest to the amber wall.

The next second, they chanted in unison.

Four Black Flame Adepts held their hands up, palms facing the sky, as a fist-sized black flame materialized between them.

Freeman raised his right hand, extending his index finger, and a black flame python, half a meter above his fingertip, grew larger and larger, swirling in mid-air!

In an instant, the black flame orbs at the four points rose into the air, and the black flame python devoured them one by one.

The python's body visibly expanded at a rapid pace, emitting a powerful surge of energy.

"Go!" Freeman commanded, pointing his right index finger at the amber wall.

The bucket-thick black flame python slammed into the amber wall with a thunderous crash.

"Boom!"

The semi-transparent amber wall shattered instantly, revealing a hole large enough for a person to pass through. The remaining amber around the hole continued to corrode, enlarging the opening.

The Black Flame Adepts, including Freeman, couldn't help but smile in anticipation as they rushed inside.

The vast temple hall was frozen in time, preserving the scene from ancient times when the amber barrier spell was cast.

Black Flame Adepts, panicked and desperate, were caught in various poses—running, screaming, or praying—all encased in amber.

Although their faces were lifelike, Freeman knew these individuals were beyond saving. Smashing the amber would instantly shatter them as well.

The only one with a chance of survival was the person inside the three-meter-wide blood-red oval-shaped egg-shaped dome on the altar.

After observing for a while, Freeman and the Black Flame Adepts focused their attention on the blood-red dome.

One of the adepts couldn't contain his excitement and asked, "Lord Freeman, is the ancient hero Monge inside this egg?"

"Yes," Freeman replied, recalling the divine whisper from the recent Black Flame Prayer Ceremony. The Hunting God had provided an extra piece of information, hinting at the resurrection of the ancient hero, the Earth Serpent.

The location of this event was likely within the Mingster Province, as the Hunting God wouldn't have shared this whisper with him otherwise.

Freeman had decided to spread the news of the legendary Earth Serpent to the Serpent Sect, fearing that breaking the amber barrier might awaken the creature.

He wasn't sure if they could defeat the legendary Earth Serpent, and if it went berserk, the neighboring ancient temple might suffer damage.

The blood ritual was far more complex than the previous array, and it took the Black Flame Adepts several hours to complete it. At each vertex of the pentagram, a bone staff over half a meter long was planted.

At the top of each staff was a blood-red, diamond-shaped crystal, each containing a thousand units of human blood essence, the result of Laksoor's recent blood sacrifices.

"The resting place of the ancient hero Monge, the great hunting god..."

As Freeman chanted softly, the five diamond-shaped crystals erupted in dazzling bloodlight. The next second, five blood-red pillars of light shot into the egg-shaped dome at the center of the ritual!

Soon, the originally wrinkled surface of the dome became smooth, and a strange sucking sound echoed in everyone's minds.

An overwhelming aura filled the air, and the sucking intensified. The five diamond-shaped crystals shattered, and the massive amount of bloodlight was instantly absorbed by the dome. A strong, rhythmic pulse emanated from within.

"Crack!"

An emaciated hand, like a corpse's, emerged from the dome.

The Black Flame Adepts around the dome were delighted by this sight. The ancient hero Monge, by modern standards, was a Title Knight-level warrior. His addition would significantly alter the church's situation.

"Blood (Ancient Common Tongue)," a voice that seemed to emanate from the chest cavity, spoke in a dull, monotonous tone from within the Blood Egg.

This caused Freeman to furrow his brows!

Is 5,000 units of Blood Essence not enough?

Or is it that most of it is ordinary people's blood, and the quality is too low?

In an instant, he turned to look at a Black Flame Cultivator and said, "Blanchard, go and check it out."

"Yes, sir!" Blanchard, the Black Flame Cultivator, was excited and didn't think much, and directly walked forward.

As he got closer and closer, the next second!

The withered arm suddenly stretched out nearly twice its length, and with a speed that was too fast to react, it pierced through Blanchard's heart.

"Save me, Freeman sir!"

Before he could finish saying the last 'me,' Blanchard, who was like a formal knight, died!

And within just a few seconds, Blanchard's youthful face had become withered and dry, and his entire body was like a corpse!

On the withered arm, dozens of blood lines appeared, sending Blanchard's entire body's Blood Essence into his torso!

This scene naturally shocked the other Black Flame Cultivators, who quickly took a few steps back!

"Monge sir, we are not enemies, we are also believers of the Great Hunting God!" Freeman, on the other hand, spoke in Ancient Common Tongue, quickly shouting.

The withered arm paused for a moment, and after a while, a figure over two meters and five tall emerged from the egg!

The person's face was covered by a metal mask, and his face couldn't be seen clearly, his limbs were withered, and his skin revealed taut, powerful muscles and tendons.

What was striking was that he held a huge warhammer in his hand.

The hammer head was square and regular, and the left and right sides were blue, and the hammer handle also had complex blue and white stripes.

"Is this the Sky-Shattering Hammer?" Freeman muttered to himself, looking at the hammer.

-

Meanwhile, at the end of the newly dug tunnel.

Laksoor had gathered nearly twenty Black Flame Cultivators and about ten Black Flame Guardians, and said:

"Viscount, it seems the speed is faster than we expected!"

"Yes, it's estimated that before two o'clock in the afternoon, we can arrive at the predetermined position, which is nearly twelve hours faster than previously estimated."

Viscount was also surprised by the strong digging ability of the Earthshaker, which was even faster than he had expected.

At this time, a Black Flame Cultivator hurriedly came to report, saying, "Bloodburner sir! The spy and insider in Myester County Town have both sent news."

"Hmm, how's the situation investigation going?"

"The spy says that the Imperial Griffon Squadron patrols the county town's airspace every hour."

"The insider says that currently, Count Habsburg's Manor is the opponent's defensive focus, and together with Rain, there are nine High Knights concentrated, and they all seem to be from the Imperial Special Department."

"But because the opponent deliberately conceals it, it's impossible to judge their origins."

After hearing the news, Laksoor nodded and said:

"So, if we choose the right time, when we attack the Count's Manor, the opponent's fastest support will need an hour to arrive?"

"Yes, sir."

Both of them naturally ignored the peacekeepers, night watchmen, and city guards, because these were really too weak.

At this time, the nearby Serpent Sect High Priest said with enjoyment, "As long as there's no Title Knight-level power, in front of the Earthshaker, a Legendary Species, numbers don't have much meaning."

"Since it's like this, perhaps we can slightly change the arrangement." Laksoor seemed to have thought of something, and his eyes flashed.

He continued to say:

"For example, let's pick noon, and in front of everyone's eyes, let's wipe out this group of Imperial high-end power in Count Habsburg's Manor!"

"Like this, perhaps, we can also use this to harvest quite a few nobles and commoners, for our faith!" Laksoor smiled and said.

"I don't have any problems on my side." Viscount was a little surprised, he didn't expect the other party to propose such a plan.

But for him, there wasn't much difference.

And attacking earlier could also avoid accidents, just in case Holand was executed in the afternoon, and he attacked at night, that would be really regrettable.

At this time, the Black Flame Cultivator who had just left and returned said, "Bloodburner sir, five High Knights have left the Count's Manor, and seem to be heading towards Flashgold Town."

"It seems the Imperial front line pressure is big, and these five were dispatched for support."

"Hmm?" Laksoor didn't expect such a change to happen.

"It's a pity! They escaped a calamity." Viscount regretted.

"Yeah, this is a bit uninteresting, it's a crushing situation." Laksoor also regretted.

-

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Hubert Duke Manor.

Suddenly, Spirit Hound 'Cookie' abruptly opened his eyes, stood upright, and began barking fiercely.

Cookie's barks naturally startled those in the training room, including Lord Rain.

Without delay, Lord Rain dashed out, taking position at the entrance of the manor's main building.

Soon, he felt the entire building tremble slightly, and the vibrations intensified by the moment.

Through the door, Lord Rain witnessed a seven to eight-meter-wide bulge rising from the garden, and within moments, dozens of guards swiftly encircled it with swords and shields.

But in the next second—

"Boom!!!"

A deafening blast followed as tons of soil erupted, and a worm-like creature, hundreds of times larger than its original size, burst forth. Its maw gaped, and the surrounding guards were swept away like a mudslide, either flying through the air or buried beneath the soil.

The windows of the three-story main building shattered from the force of the powerful gust.

Lord Rain extended his left hand, and his Tempered Steel Tower Shield transformed, blocking the dirt and debris.

As the dust settled, a four to five-meter-wide hole gaped in the ground, and the creature had retreated, shrinking back into the earth.

Emerging from the underground passage were dozens of black-robed adepts.

Seizing the moment before the guards could react, the adepts launched their attack.

The Black Flame Adepts were at least of Knight rank, and they cast Black Flame Fireballs. In the ensuing battle, only the most capable guards could withstand a blow or two, while most were swiftly overwhelmed.

Lord Rain's gaze fixed on two individuals among them.

One held a serpent staff, and a metal serpent ring adorned their lips, clearly identifying them as a High Priest of the Serpent Sect. This was likely the High Priest, Canon.

The other bore a blood-colored flame mark on their forehead, indicating a high probability of being the Black Flame Cult's Bloodburner, Laksoor.

The other Black Flame Adepts showed respect to these two, and their positioning suggested they were both core members.

As Lord Rain had anticipated, the two evil cults had indeed joined forces.

Laksoor had intended for Canon to control the Earth Serpent and emerge from beneath the manor's main building, but Canon refused.

After all, Holand was likely being held captive in the main building, and Canon wanted to rescue him.

The commotion naturally alerted everyone within the manor. Kraya and the Blade Squad's trio, according to their prior arrangement with Lord Rain, swiftly guarded the door to Count Habsburg's room.

"That was..." Flei was still in shock, recalling the colossal creature.

"I thought they were extinct. How can there still be such a thing?" Aleks seemed to know about the Earth Serpent and expressed his astonishment.

"Perhaps we should focus on those two first," Roland said in a low voice.

Whether it was Canon or Laksoor, they both assessed their identities and refrained from immediate action.

Additionally, they wanted to observe the combat prowess of Lord Rain's group to avoid any unforeseen setbacks.

Among the Black Flame Adepts, there were also Grand Knights who, upon seeing Lord Rain at the manor's entrance, immediately charged forward, launching several Black Flame Fireballs.

Lord Rain, in response, unleashed a sonic attack, accompanied by a white energy wave, which enveloped the area within a twenty to thirty-meter radius.

The four Grand Knights, stunned by this turn of events, froze in their tracks, and their half-uttered spells were interrupted.

The force of the sonic attack deformed their faces, ruptured their eardrums, and felt like a hammer blow to their heads.

"Crack!"

Before they could react, they lost consciousness.

Kraya and the others witnessed the entire scene clearly.

After the sonic attack, Lord Rain rushed towards the four Grand Knights and, within seconds, crushed their skulls with his warhammer.

On the field.

Nearly transparent humanoid phantoms emerged from the fallen Grand Knights' bodies, their faces contorted in agony.

Then, four transparent phantoms, like rivers flowing into the sea, dragged long, transparent phantom tails, struggling as they circled Lord Rain several times before merging into the white, shrunken skull of his warhammer.

This bizarre scene left both sides bewildered.

"I thought he was a Metal Wizard. How does he use Necromancy?"

The eerie sight of the souls swirling around the warhammer momentarily distracted Kraya and Aleks.

"This..." Laksoor was silent for a moment.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end