"It seems our little Angel knows quite a lot," Bardel said, looking at Vivian behind the nun. A faint expression of admiration appeared on his face.
"Since you're already aware of us demons…"
He grinned widely, exposing rows of sharp teeth, but the smile was unsettlingly friendly.
"How about it, little Angel? Do you wish to join under our Lord and become a mighty Fallen Angel? Even the weakest Fallen Angel can easily contend with two Angels of equal rank.
Unlike Angels who grow stronger through faith, a Fallen Angel simply follows their own heart to grow rapidly.
Think carefully, little Angel. You have only two choices: willingly join our Lord's ranks, or we'll force you into the Blood of Corruption to make you follow Him."
"I have nothing to discuss with you demons," Vivian said firmly.
Slowly, she drew her staff from beneath her robes.
A pre-prepared Holy Light spell shot unexpectedly toward a nearby demon behind her.
The ambush caught everyone off guard.
The demon hadn't even drawn its shield yet before being blown far away.
Their puppet horse, as if already following orders, turned and dashed toward the gap in the encirclement.
"Think you can escape?"
Bardel raised his dagger and stomped the ground, launching himself like an arrow in pursuit of the two.
As a Sixth-Tier powerhouse, his flight speed was no slower than the Fifth-Tier puppet horse — perhaps even slightly faster.
A streak of light flashed; the dagger was about to pierce Vivian's back — when suddenly, a fiery slash shot from a nearby spot in the encirclement toward Bardel.
Bardel immediately swung his dagger, turning to block the fire strike.
A loud bang erupted, sparks flying everywhere.
At that moment, the old king struggled to stand. His sword still glimmered with scattered sparks of fire.
"You old fool… you're persistent," Bardel growled, glaring at him.
The old king's face was pale. He spat out a mouthful of foul, bloody saliva, hands gripping his sword to keep himself upright.
But it was futile.
Bardel's lethal strikes, combined with the dagger's potent poison, were eroding his life force.
The king could barely manage to unleash that one strike.
Once the elemental energy in his body erupted into the slash, he completely exhausted himself.
With a clatter, the sword slipped from his hands.
The old king fell backward, lifeless.
Even in his final moments, he shouted with all his remaining strength:
"May the Lord of Holy Light protect you, Angel! Run!"
"May the Lord of Holy Light welcome you back into His embrace."
Vivian clutched the nun's waist tightly, whispering prayers for the old king and the other four fallen souls.
This was the first sacrifice on her journey to the Empire, but it would not be the last.
She knew she could not betray these sacrifices; she had to reach the imperial capital safely.
But the demons, having dared to set an ambush here, would not make it so easy.
Suddenly, along their path, thick purple-black mist rose.
It solidified into pitch-black tentacles, surging toward the two of them.
Supreme Holy Light Technique: Divine Judgment
The nun roared, opening her sacred tome that never left her side.
Flames infused with intense sanctity engulfed the entire book.
Her body radiated dazzling holy light.
A massive Holy Light sword formed faintly above her head.
The moment it materialized, it fell swiftly, crushing the encroaching tentacles.
The closest tentacles were incinerated instantly.
The remaining ones quickly withered under the radiant energy.
Vivian, bathed in the Holy Light, felt even more invigorated.
But the respite was short-lived.
Purple-black corruption energy continuously twisted around the Holy Light sword.
For a moment, Holy Light and corruption clashed and merged, vanishing entirely from the world.
Soon, the nun's Holy Light aura thinned dangerously.
Seeing her most powerful technique neutralized in an instant, her expression grew more serious.
She glanced at Vivian's worried face, offering a reassuring smile.
"Angel, I have one more move.
Once I use it, the rest of the journey will be up to you."
"You—"
"Please, Angel, take care.
Our duty is to ensure your safe arrival in the imperial capital, at any cost."
With that, the nun rose from her horse, lifting her staff high.
Her magical energy surged into the staff.
Life elements raced through it, activating the alchemical runes inscribed within.
Supreme Life Magic: Wrath of Nature
In an instant, countless emerald-green vines shot up from the ground.
They entangled the corrupted tentacles and demons alike.
The grassland transformed into a vast, boundless thicket of vines.
The vines slowly parted in front of Vivian, forming a path.
The puppet horse trotted across them, reaching the top of the thicket in just a few strides.
One more leap, and she and the horse would be free from the immediate danger.
But at that moment, a chain shot from behind, wrapping around the horse's hind leg.
A massive force yanked them back.
The horse and Vivian struggled to their feet.
Nearby, Bardel held the nun by the neck, looming above Vivian.
A mocking smirk curled his lips.
"Think you can escape, little Angel?"