Chapter 190: Heir
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
There was no doubt that Thaas was a mighty opponent. His rich repository of battle experiences had allowed him to immediately identify Baiyi as a mage. That was why he had wisely avoided engaging in battles of magic. He decided to overwhelm Baiyi using his advantage in speed and strength without any fancy tricks, and he did not give Baiyi the chance to start chanting. Ruthlessness was his primary strategy in dominating the fight.
This was a very rudimentary and uncouth strategy, but it worked wonders against sorcerers. There was no other battle tactic that was better than this to prevent them from using spells.
Of course, Thaas did not get everything right. Baiyi was not just a sorcerer. Specialised Encasement Shaping Spell had made him as fast and tough as his opponent. He only looked like he was at a disadvantage because his power output was limited.
In fact, Baiyi's apparent passivity was superficial. After a few more rounds of melee combat, he could already hear the soft sounds of bones cracking. Thaas' body was not what it used to be because the body he was currently using had belonged to a mortal man. Even if that body had been specially enhanced, its resilience and strength did not meet the requirement of a demanding battle like this.
How can the lackluster body of a mortal man possibly be enough to compete with the body fortified by the Void Energy itself?
Thaas himself knew that. After another round of fists clashing, he put more distance between them and looked at the burning black flames on his shield. "This power is very interesting," he said to Baiyi. "It's a metaphysical power that could rival even my own Abyss Energy. Perhaps it's even stronger. It's unfortunate that your own power is a bit too weak. You even spent most of them on this bizarre physique of yours."
It all sounded like idle chatter, but he was actually taking advantage of the time to repair the damages on his body using the Abyss Energy. The internal damage he suffered was more than Baiyi had imagined.
"I'm very interested in your power. I shall destroy your physical body and interrogate your soul!" Thaas cried out in severity, wisely dismissing the idea of engaging in close-quarter combat with Baiyi. Instead, a few demonic runes materialized behind him. It was obvious that he was planning to bombard Baiyi with far-ranged attacks as he switched his tactic into fighting using his more superior power output.
"Die!" Thaas bellowed before his mouth spat out a torrent of green energy straight at Baiyi.
Spewing was a common demonic power. However, with the aid of the Abyss Energy, it was even more damaging than common Sinister Power. Every part of the land that had been touched by the sweeping energy turned black as if it had been defiled.
Tsk, this fellow is quite sly, Baiyi cursed quietly as he teleported out of the range of Thaas' Spew. Several black spell formations began to form at his back, and it shot out quick bursts of black light towards Thaas.
These were Void Laser. It was different from normal laser spells that simply shoot out rays to attack. Void Laser, however, were made from continuous compression of Void Energy into very fine threads. The damage was therefore concentrated into very small points — forsaking the large area of attack in exchange for unparalleled penetrative power.
Baiyi had always thought of this technique as completely useless. Void Energy on its own was strong enough for almost every situation, so there would rarely come a time when one would require it to be even better at penetration. Naturally, he could not predict that he would one day use this technique.
"AAaarrrgghhhhhh!" A primal shriek ripped through the air as Thaas was hit by the laser. The Void Lasers were like needles pricking on a piece of paper. They easily pierced through his protective shields straight through his body and the shield behind him before it was stopped by the earth below him. It left only a small hole the size of a pinky finger.
"You despicable maggot! You lamentable mortal! You dare defile my body! I'll make you pay… the heaviest price possible! I want your soul to be forever scorched by the inferno of the Abyss. You'll suffer the cruelest of all suffering for all eternity!" Thaas screamed in anger and agony as he covered one of his eyes.
It seemed that one of the laser beams had accurately pierced through his eye.
His voice was so loud that the students could hear him from where they were. They shivered at the unnerving cries of the Abyss Lord.
Little Mia was comparatively calmer than the rest of them. Perhaps it was more accurate to say that she was no longer listening to the hubbub. Although Void Lasers managed to deal substantial damage to Thaas, it took a toll on her energy because it was no longer a low-output friendly technique. At this moment, she was already sweating profusely, and her lips were bleeding from her bite as she held on purely through sheer will.
The hammerhead shark hovering next to her panicked. Even with his Sage-Emperor of the Magi title, he could not do anything. He could not help replenish her Psychic Energy directly, all he could do was wipe the sweat off the little girl's forehead with his fin.
However, Murphy's Law was clearly in action. As the Abyss Lord growled, all the demons in the city felt his rage and confusion. These demons had been fairly restrained as they gathered to attack key locations like the mayor's house, the Church, and the transporting portal. Some headed to the Academy because they deemed those people as worthless common folks. However, they were now clearly affected by Thaas as they had all descended into madness, and they attacked everything on sight.
In just a second, Arfin City had fallen into a hell of its own. The whole city was ablaze. The atmosphere was perforated with cries of women and children as if they were submerged in a sea of flames.
A herd of demons scrambled towards the students.
"Battle station! Eradicate them all!" The Principal cried. He led the Academy's defense force as they actively faced their enemies.
Laeticia, who had been staying by Mia's side, noticed the girl's furrowed eyebrows. She thought the girl was worried about her own safety so she whispered to her reassuringly, "Don't worry, I'll protect you… and everyone else!"
Although Laeticia did not correctly address Mia's issue, the girl nonetheless felt warm in her heart. To be able to find someone who had the same ideal as herself even in a perilous situation like this could still be considered as a fortunate thing, no?
If it's possible, maybe we can be friends? The thought rose naturally within Mia's mind as she watched Laeticia's hold her spear and approach the demons.
Laeticia watched the students that were engaged in heated battles with the demons, and her heart swelled with grief. She closed her eyes lightly. She lifted the spear before her and began to quietly chant the prayers Baiyi had taught her, "Alone, I walk the path where light cannot reach, where God cannot see, where evil dwells…"
As she was chanting, several students already fell victims to the demons' blades. One of them even had one of his arm severed and could only howl in agony as he hugged the severed arm.
"Help--! Someone…Help me! " His screams pierced Laeticia's ears. Her eyebrows furrowed. This entire scene — was it not like what Saint Noel had gone through?
The desolation in the air allowed her to truly feel what Saint Noel had gone through. However, she did not open her eyes as she continued to chant her prayer.
"This land deserves light. This land deserves a sacrifice. This land deserves to be delivered…"
"—Hold on! Keep holding on! Where are the magic-stream students? … Juniors, I need all of you too! We'll kill the enemy's spellcaster first!" The Principle cried out
Even the juniors were forced to participate in the battle. The situation was so bleak that Laeticia could feel it without even opening her eyes. She persisted with her eyes closed. She was suffering, but her prayers did not stop, "Alone, I walk the land God had forgotten. In the darkness, I walk among evil to search for those who cry out for deliverance…"
"Sharkie, watch Little Mia okay? I'm going in!" Tisdale's voice entered her ears. She had delegated Mia's safety to a mere plushie.
At the same time, a loud explosion could be heard from afar. Mr. Hope was still battling with all his might with that large demon.
He needed help, anyone's help. Even if it was just someone to help cover his back.
She had reached the end of her prayer.
"I pledge to carry out the duty of my Lord. I will be the Lord's light. I will rule and deliver this land from evil…"
She opened her eyes when she was done. Fortitude and grit were reflected in her eyes. It was similar to how the saint had looked back then. She lifted the spear high in the air like how the Cleric had lifted his Scripture...
Two silhouettes separated by thousands of years seemed to have merged into one as Laeticia cried out the last line of her prayer, "My Lord has arrived!"
A pillar of bright light pierced through the sky that was thick with black clouds and smog. It shone on Laeticia's body, and a pair of transparent wings formed from light appeared on her back.
That was the symbol of God's agent. It was the symbol of an Angel.
At that moment, everyone had their sights set on the pillar of light. Father Weasel, who was busy healing every injured theurgy, stopped mid-work as he looked at the direction of the light. "A... An angel has arrived? Did my Lord hear our cries?"
His head was wrapped in a bandage, and there was blood on the linen. He was obviously too busy to even take care of himself. However, at this moment, he was holding onto his own Scripture as he muttered some sort of prayer.
The students were just as surprised. Their eyes took in Laeticia's beauty and piety, and more importantly, the meaning of the wings behind her back. They immediately gave a loud and hearty cheer that shook the demons a few steps back.
Finally, even Baiyi and Thaas stopped in mid-battle as their eyes were drawn to the light.
"Looks like the Cleric found his heiress, huh," Baiyi exclaimed casually.
However, the Abyss Lord was immediately enraged. "That bloody cleric…" He cursed under his breath. "I should have ground his soul into dust!"
Previously, Thass had wanted a taste of Saint Noel's soul. However, Saint Noel had blew himself, and consequently, Thass had suffered from the explosion as well. He would not be in this state if was not for that.