Chapter 99 : Holy Sword Judgement

Holy Sword Judgement

Addis slashed, but Serea intercepted her dagger with a short blade. Taking advantage of Addis's lack of preparation, Serea twisted her wrist, forcing Addis's defending dagger away, and seamlessly spun around to deliver a side kick.

The kick landed perfectly on Addis's waist. With her full-attribute stats, Serea wasn't just for show—Addis staggered from the impact and couldn't regain her balance. With some distance gained, Serea had already produced a throwing knife.

This was a knife she had previously "borrowed" from the "Assassination Star", and now it served its purpose perfectly.

Serea threw the blade. Addis hurriedly dodged, but the dagger still slashed her neck, drawing blood. Unfortunately, after so many days, whatever poison had been on the throwing knife had already dissipated, so the attack only ended up wounding Addis.

"Damn it, damn it!"

Addis was beside herself with rage—when had she ever been bullied like this?

But before she could say another word, a stream of blood suddenly poured forth—Addis's blood was gathering in Serea's hand. It was Blood Absorption!

Seeing this, Addis quickly pressed her wound and leapt back to increase the distance.

The Blood Absorption was forcibly interrupted, but Serea had still managed to draw some blood power from her foe—this became her source of strength to keep fighting.

While the two mages fought fiercely in close combat, Clark on the other front was desperately holding off the Skeleton Abomination.

But at that very moment, a sudden mental transmission broke the stalemate.

"Clear the way."

It was Celia's voice. Hearing the mental link transmitted through Dogsius, Serea immediately stepped backwards a few paces.

Celia, at that instant, was radiating golden light, so bright it was impossible to look at directly. Golden particles swirled around her body—all of this drew Addis's alarm.

By the heavens, that powerful force of holy light! Has a Cardinal of the Church descended in person?!

"No, I haven't fully revived yet—I can't take this head-on!"

Detecting Celia as a threat, Addis frantically redirected all available resources to deal with her.

The Skeleton Archers, who had been struggling solely against Little Black, now ignored his deadly attacks. One after another, they aimed their arrows at Celia.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Blood Control!

Serea, seeing this, used what little blood power she had left to raise a Blood Shield for Celia—blocking every arrow shot at her.

"Sovereign of Blades, let your sanctity flow by my hand and wash over this tainted land!"

Buzz!

One of the Judgement Cross Church's greatest relics, the Judgement Holy Cross Sword, resonated with Celia. All the holy light released by Celia began converging into that blade.

In an instant, the silver cross sword transformed into a golden sword of light. Only the Cardinals of each generation—the Holy Sword Bearers—could wield such a blade.

Holy Sword Judgement!

"Stop her!"

Sensing the massive power, Addis retreated frantically. At the same time, Lola and Serea acted together.

Blood Spring!

Revitalize!

Vines and a blood fountain burst forth at Addis's feet, ensnaring her and making her unable to move or break free.

"Quick, stop her! Stop her now!"

Addis screamed like mad. Following her order, the Skeleton Warriors hurled themselves at Celia without hesitation.

But the light radiating from the Holy Sword was so dazzling—being the bane of Death magic— that any skeleton that approached Celia was instantly purified, the soul fire in their eyes snuffed out in a flash.

"Damn it, hurry! HURRY!"

Seeing the Holy Sword take form in Celia's grip, Addis screamed in desperation. Under her control, Betimia immediately shifted aim and attacked Celia.

Psionic Scream!

The attack targeted Celia directly.

Little Black reached for her quiver, only to find it empty. She quickly grabbed arrows from Vina's quiver.

Power Shot, Armor-Piercing Arrow!

The arrow whistled through the air, puncturing Betimia's chest and piercing straight through, interrupting her spell!

"Hungry!"

Elsewhere, the Skeleton Abomination, who had long been prepared for a wide-area attack, finally acted.

Its butcher blade batted Clark's spear aside. Knocked back, Clark saw that the Skeleton Abomination was about to attack Celia at range. Regardless of the cost, he unleashed his strongest move.

Burning Ray!

"You're not getting through that easily!"

The Burning Ray fired, just as the Abomination's Plague Breath completed.

A thick green mist mixed with pus spewed from its jaws, but Clark's Burning Ray struck the abomination's skull.

Boom!

The Burning Ray exploded the skull, but the green mist and pus were already ejected.

Seeing this, Clark blocked with his body.

Sizzle!

Clark's stone body was corroded, craters opening up everywhere—magical circuits inside became exposed—yet even so, a wave of mist and pus still surged toward Celia.

"Celia!"

"It's alright."

Celia's voice came through. Serea would not listen—she tried to use Blood Spring to shield Celia, but as she summoned her blood power, Serea realized her Blood Spring was severely depleted, and Clark was about to collapse.

Revitalize!

Vines erupted, but were of little use. Plague Breath still hit Celia, and for a moment, she was swallowed by the green fog—her fate unknown.

"Hahaha, what can you do now?! You—"

Whoosh!

Before Addis could celebrate, a burst of light scattered the green mist—in the face of holy light, which purified all negative effects, plagues and decay meant nothing!

"Your end has come!"

The Holy Sword rose over Celia's head, its blade extending forth in light, and she swung down with all her might.

Holy Sword Judgement!

"No! Block it for me!"

At the last moment, Addis used her final life-saving trump card. Waves of death energy—the Death Curse—rushed toward Celia. But before the curse reached her, Celia's sword fell.

Boom!

Holy light bathed the altar, its radiant energy surging toward Addis, seeking to purify her. Addis's Death Curse countered, crashing violently against the holy light.

Both forces clashed and canceled each other out. Addis's curse was rapidly spent, while the holy light dimmed little by little.

"Now's your chance!"

Celia mentally signaled Serea. Serea looked at the immobilized Addis—all of her death energy was focused on survival, leaving her helpless to resist!

Now was their chance!

Serea immediately charged forward, while Addis, consumed by desperation, could think of nothing else but to eliminate Celia!

"Betimia, KILL HER FOR ME!"

Addis shouted. Betimia struggled briefly, but in the end, her vacant eyes settled on Celia.

Soul-Seizing Sacrifice!

Once cast, a mentalist would be unable to fight further. But now, under Addis's control, Betimia was forced to use the move.

At equal cost, this strike annihilated the soul. If it struck true, the target's spirit would be utterly shredded.

Celia sensed the danger and turned slightly, seeing Betimia primed for attack. Little Black's and Vina's last arrows had just been spent.

If she dodged, Serea and the others would die. If she stayed, she would perish.

So she made her choice—

Hold the line to the last moment, for the path of knighthood was to protect!

Facing Betimia's deadly attack, Celia paid no attention. She chose to ignore it and continued channeling holy light.

But at this crucial moment, something small, hiding within Celia's body, seemed to smell food...

(To be continued...)

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Oh yeah, Dogsius is a parasite demon specializing in psychic attacks...