Proof of Conviction
Sione Solenute and the capital guard pressed forward without hesitation. Wherever they passed, only the shattered remains of erosion beasts lay behind them. Especially when Sione swung her massive war hammer once, mid-level and low-level erosion beasts exploded outward like a tidal wave.
Nah Tes and Nadan Tes also displayed extraordinary skill, systematically dismantling the erosion beasts one by one. Before long, a massive barrier of wind came into view, continuously trembling. It seemed the situation inside was precarious.
The moment Sione saw it, she commanded the capital guard.
"Advance. The shaking barrier suggests things aren't good inside. Hurry into the Celioum Church."
"Understood!"
The main gate of the Celioum Church was just ahead. They quickened their pace, pulverizing every erosion beast in sight. The absence of any high-level erosion beasts made their advance smoother. If even one had appeared, their progress would have slowed dramatically.
Too easy. Is this all it takes to invade Solemnute? What the hell is their goal?
Sione had a sudden thought. Despite opening such a large-scale erosion rift, no Salvation Cult members were present, and no high-level erosion beasts had shown up. According to the capital guard, when the erosion first erupted, members of the guard, the Imperial Knights, and students from Solemnute Adem had stepped up to protect the citizens, minimizing civilian casualties.
So what was their objective? From the current situation, it just seemed like a waste of forces.
No. The information I have is limited. I heard the erosion opened near the Terra Church. With Terra's saintess there now... maybe the high-level erosion beasts and other reserves are concentrated there.
Even Sione couldn't fully grasp the Salvation Cult's intentions.
For now, focus on what's in front of me. Clear the erosion beasts around the Celioum Church, then head to aid Terra.
With her resolve firm, she mercilessly swung her hammer of light, mowing down the erosion beasts.
Soon, they reached the main gate.
"Sir Martin!"
Carmen called out Martin's name. He nodded back at her. According to Bishop Tania, the wind barrier would soon be lifted. That would be the knights' moment to act. The students had also geared up—Eden and Mion, Gawin's crew, Cletta, Philia, and even Leila.
"Ideally, you students won't need to step in... but if things go south, you'll protect the people. Think you can handle it?"
"Yes, sir!"
The students replied with tense expressions to Martin's words.
Thud.
Moments later, the trembling wind barrier began to dissipate. The Celioum priests, exhausted, started collapsing to their knees, and Bishop Tania informed the knights.
"The barrier's lifting! Get ready!"
"Barrier's down! Weapons up!"
At Martin's shout, everyone assumed positions and raised their swords. As the barrier fully vanished amid the tension—
Boom!
A thunderous roar echoed, and a brilliant light swept through the aerial erosion beasts circling overhead, annihilating them in one go.
"That was...!"
Everyone looked skyward at the sudden massive noise. The black swarm that had darkened the heavens was gone.
At the same time, a voice rang out from beyond the main gate.
"Open the gates! Crown Princess Sione has arrived!"
"That voice..."
"No way!"
Carmen and Martin exchanged puzzled glances, then their faces lit up with relief.
"Bishop Tania! It's Captain Aquila Ladern of the capital guard!"
They shouted to the bishop. Tania smiled as well.
"I saw it. The sacred law that cleared those sky beasts is unmistakably Her Highness's. Open the main gate!"
At the bishop's order, the church knights flung the gates wide.
And then... Sione entered the Celioum Church grounds at the head of the capital guard, majestic and unyielding.
"We pay respects to Your Highness!"
The Imperial Knights and everyone present bowed deeply.
Sione accepted their courtesy with a gesture, then addressed them.
"All Imperial Knights, join me from now on."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"And Captain Aquila."
"Yes, Your Highness. Your command?"
"Station a large contingent of the capital guard here. Especially those skilled in aerial sacred laws. That should secure the Celioum Church. Also, patrol outside periodically to check for civilians in danger. That enough for you, Bishop Tania?"
"Yes, more than enough."
"Understood!"
"Solemnute Adem students, stay at the Celioum Church. It's relatively safe here, and the capital guard will protect you."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The students nodded obediently, realizing this was an order from Sione as crown princess, not just their professor. They knew stepping out would only be a burden.
"No time to dawdle. The Terra Church might be in dire straits right now. We're moving out immediately. Nadan Tes, Nah Tes—what's your plan?"
Nah and Nadan exchanged a glance and nodded.
"We'll follow Your Highness. We can offer some help, however small."
"Good. Let's go."
Sione turned and exited the Celioum grounds. Time was of the essence. They had to reach Terra fast—especially for her sister Ashytara's safety. The capital guard, scouring Solemnute everywhere but Terra Church to rescue citizens, hadn't spotted her. Terra was the last place left.
Ashytara. Hang on a little longer. I'm coming.
Jepita couldn't believe the situation. His shoulder pierced through, Ludenberg Lavante's skill exploding in an instant.
Even without a shred of divine power, the overwhelming force in that sword relentlessly battered Jepita's greatsword without respite.
What the hell was happening? Just a big-framed boy. How could he have this kind of power?
Gritting his teeth, Jepita blocked Ludenberg's assault, then created some distance to regroup. Despite the hole in his left shoulder, he steadied his shaken mind, drew up his divine power, and resumed his ironclad stance.
Clang!
Liberra and Jepita's greatsword clashed fiercely, the impact alone making the surrounding air quiver. The greatsword's fluid barrage was highly threatening, but Ludenberg was no pushover. His eyes pierced Jepita's swordsmanship, and his body, brimming with strange vitality, began intercepting the greatsword's paths.
The swordsmanship awakened in the trial world began unfolding from his hands, bit by bit. Techniques he couldn't have used before, now possible with this eerie vitality coursing through him. Savage strikes, designed to slaughter foes, began gnawing at Jepita's greatsword with ferocious momentum.
But Jepita no longer panicked. He'd already deemed Ludenberg a serious threat with some hidden power aiding him. Pinned on the defensive, Jepita remained unshaken and admitted that pure swordplay couldn't land effective hits on Ludenberg.
"I acknowledge it. Whatever bizarre event transpired is beyond my meager insight... but your swordsmanship has reached a profound realm. In terms of technique alone, you're superior to me. However..."
In that instant, a prayer infused with conviction flowed from Jepita's lips. Several black hands extended from his greatsword, wrapping around Liberra.
Not just that—the dark aura blanketing the area began clinging to his greatsword, amplifying its power.
"I have the grace bestowed by our lord. You, who cannot call upon a god, cannot defeat me."
"True. I have no divine power. But..."
Ludenberg violently shook Liberra, severing the black hands, then held his sword upright.
"I don't need it. I advance solely on my own strength."
"Impressive."
Jepita was genuinely awed.
"Such firm conviction. A pity. It would have been better if you weren't an enemy I must kill. But... we are foes. We must prove our beliefs right by slaying one another."
With that, Jepita raised his greatsword and continued.
"I believe in my lord. That He walks with me on my path, bestows grace upon me, and guides me. That is my conviction—the polar opposite of yours. So prove yours, strong boy who forges ahead alone."
In that moment, Jepita's divine power amplified. Intense faith granted him overflowing strength, and his god, the evil deity Prisper, blessed him. All the dark aura enveloping the area was sucked into his greatsword, and the shadowy veil blanketing everything vanished in an instant.
As Jepita's greatsword began glowing with a dark purple hue...
He raised it high and brought it crashing down toward Ludenberg.
That's dangerous.
Ludenberg sensed it was Jepita's full power. He poured every ounce of the strange vitality into his grip on Liberra and stepped forward.
Boom!
As the ground cratered, Ludenberg unleashed his most ideal strike yet, swinging at the oncoming dark tidal wave.
Roooar—
The jet-black sword cleaved through the purple wave, pressing onward. Ludenberg didn't stop, advancing relentlessly. He sliced through the ferocious, malevolent surge that weakened his body and finally reached Jepita's face.
Jepita... shuddered at the sight.
Here was a human, unafraid of divine might, standing against it with his mortal body.
And in that moment, Jepita realized he had lost.
"You win."
With those words, the jet-black sword that parted the wave severed Jepita's wounded left shoulder entirely.