Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 276 - 252: The Demise of the Holy Light Boss

Even amidst the brilliance of the Holy Light, the crimson of the flames still stood out starkly. Frey took a step forward, and the ground, which had already turned to char in the first conflagration, once more sparkled with red embers.

"We are the last sacrifices." The voice that whispered out carried the heat of a hot wind, hoarse and deep.

The conjoined entity of two Witch Mothers looked at the monster before them, and as Mystics, it was the Holy Light that revealed to them even higher levels of strange power. Biting their lips, they felt the skin at the corners crack with dryness; the high temperature was affecting all of us.

The Guardians reformed into a whole; they were unharmed by the flames and even healed their wounds amid the fire, regaining their vigor. The blazing fire that adorned their war hammer and armor had given the battling witches a taste of immolation.

Fourth Tier, Mystics could borrow the power of their kin.

Fifth Tier, Mystics become powerful individuals, with the qualities to lead.

Sixth Tier, spread one’s power out to form a "Domain," creating a favorable battlefield for one’s own race, becoming the ruler of their own domain.

The initial onslaught of the flames, an instant completion of a collective consciousness network, healing wounds, armed combustion, and interference from high temperatures, this still was not the full extent of Fire Bath’s powers.

"Land of Purification."

As the twelve Fire Baths fully unleashed their talents, the air twisted, the soil and air made a hissing sound of combustion, but without the shadow of a flame.

A few witches close by suddenly screamed; under their sisters’ horrified gaze, their skin started to rupture, with flames spurting from within their bodies. They were ignited and turned into howling torches.

"It’s flame, an invisible flame; we need protection." The clever witch cast a spell on herself to resist the scorching flames. Frey looked at them and shook his head. The flames of the Holy Light were like a festering wound; seizing the opportunity when the witches wielded their power, it infiltrated their energy, igniting the witchcraft within. Thus, everyone saw that the witches within the range of the Land of Purification, who used their powers, began to swell up slowly and finally exploded under the radiance, leaving nothing behind.

They were turned into bombs by the Holy Light.

"Land of Purification. In my domain, using other powers is a blasphemy against the Holy Light. Accept your execution, witch! This way, at least you can leave behind... a pile of ashes."

Spellcasters who used other powers within the Domain became living bombs. Through this method, Fire Baths gained the effect of Demon Seal, although it was not particularly evident on higher-tier Ability Users. Higher-tier Spellcasters could mostly restrain this power. The question was, how many beings above the Sixth Tier existed in the outside world?

"You’ve already lost, witches. By the rules of the Guardians, I sentence you to death by fire."

Just as Frey had said, all resistance seemed in vain. The arms of the Witch Mother dropped naturally, as if she had already given up hope and awaited destruction.

"Your talent is not invincible..." Shadows began to climb upon the Witch Mother, "Your domain targets only abnormal energies, spells, charms, and even the potions acting within our bodies. But it does not include our innate talents, because they are not anomalies."

Exposed, was it?

"So what if it is? Do you think you can defeat the fully formed us with your limited talents?"

"We cannot, but it is enough to run. Vengeance Witch, use the talent of the Shadow Beast." The witches transformed into racing shadows, carrying away their sisters who scattered like birds. With swift speed, the short-legged Guardians hadn’t even run ten steps when the witches had already vanished from their sight.

"The cooked duck has flown away." Frey retracted the spreading flames back into his body, irritated, "Why doesn’t the Domain have the ability to imprison space? Now that they’ve run, we can’t even catch up."

The Fire Bath standing next to him comforted, "Our inherent duty isn’t to pursue. We are protectors, not inquisitors. Hunting witches is fundamentally the job of heretic judges. Lokarot is now safe."

"Commander Frey, are we still going up? The greatest threat hasn’t been eliminated." The Guardian pointed to the dark pillar of light on the mountain peak.

"No more, we will return to defend Lokarot." Frey looked at the sky as a dazzling ray of light, dragging twinkling stars, slid across, "His Excellency Raphael has gone over, the crisis is resolved."

Frey’s armor reformed around him, and as the helmet shaped like a dragon fruit solidified over his head, he turned to look at the assembled Guardians.

"If you want to organize a mountaineering activity, you can ask for leave from me. After all, there should be nothing amiss in the Holy City. By the way, remind Lord Raphael at the summit not to be late for the evening’s ceremonial event."

Lyle’s situation had reached a balance. When Veraliz began whispering at the altar, Lyle felt something in the shadows dragging him, initially causing a prickling pain. The Shadow was digesting him, Nia immediately covered his body’s surface, resisting the erosion of the Shadow. Unable to break free, and Nia also couldn’t activate the Andrei sigil. Maybe it was the bite from the insect-like shadows that hurt, but the ever-defiant Lady Nia decided to bite back. Surprisingly, the taste of the Shadow was not bad.

And so, Lyle lay helplessly within the Shadow, mentally processing the chewing sounds being transmitted by Nia, who had already begun to feast. He couldn’t move his body, any other power would be instantly devoured by the Shadow, and there was no way to save himself except to remain under Nia’s protection.

"Who is there!" Veraliz suddenly roared, interrupting her spellcasting and turning to the figure that had appeared within the shadow barrier, a presence the Shadow’s detection had completely failed to notice until he stepped into her territory, triggering her beastly senses.

Veraliz’s anger turned to confusion, then to surprise. She could hardly believe the man in the gray and white attire standing before her. "Avonreiter, it’s you, isn’t it?" Veraliz looked joyfully at her long-lost kin, who, like herself, had chosen to possess others to gain power.

"It’s me, Veraliz."

However, the Witch Mother wasn’t the only one shocked. Lyle screamed at the top of his lungs for his savior.

"Mister Gentleman!"

Mister Gentleman rotated his wrist and easily took control of the Shadow, the swirling darkness spitting Lyle and the reluctant Nia out. "It’s me, Plague Doctor, I’ve come to save you, there has been a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?!" Veraliz looked at the comrade who suddenly rescued her sacrificial offering, "You actually interrupted my vengeance ritual for a human!" The fury of betrayal shattered the joy of reunion.

The gentleman made an apologetic gesture, dodging the swipe of Veraliz’s claw. Although she looked like she was throwing a tantrum, she could definitely scatter a gentleman’s bones with one slap. "I can explain! The Plague Doctor is my friend! We are colleagues from Andrei Academy."

"You mean, you let me suffer the pain of losing you alone! You went off to some damned academy to play with others! And now, you show up in front of me just because your Plague Doctor is in danger?! Avonreiter, I will kill you!"

"Calm down, Veraliz. I came here for you. You don’t understand what kind of power you’re challenging. It’s too..." Mister Gentleman suddenly stiffened, then immediately used the Shadow to encase Veraliz and Lyle in a cocoon.

"He’s here."

Like breaking through an eggshell, a divine glow shattered the towering black pillar of light, and Raphael, with wings spread, descended from the clouds, the broken clouds bringing light to the mountaintop.

Raphael kept a cool expression, with flames burning in his pupils, nodding to the divine and the sins of the past.

"I sensed a familiar presence, so I came. It was you causing mischief, wasn’t it."

"Rat."