Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 539 - 493: Fire of Revenge

Shadows and blood collided; swords clanged against claws, blood splattered everywhere, only to flow back into their shattered shells the next moment.

After becoming ethereal, the Inquisitors had the upper hand in the clash of powers, but victory was still a far cry away.

Vampires are a troublesome breed, with blood control as their instinct. Before the former Holy Light Scholar’s skilled spellcasting, blood demonstrated a power beyond imagination.

The Fallen could ignore physical damage, their destroyed bodies were restored by disassociated blood, and this process didn’t even necessitate using a drop of their own blood, for they could extract it from their enemies.

With ultra-fast regeneration and uncanny blood magic draining the enemy’s blood, the Fallen were formidable spellcasters with exceptional resistance to blows.

Yet, they still couldn’t defeat the Inquisitors.

Dark Domain—Shadow Duplication, this was the power Angel of Fire George had granted the Inquisitors.

George Edmund was a controversial Paladin who, perhaps due to his own existence, began to doubt his faith in the Holy Light the moment he ascended to an angel. Once radiant with Holy Light, shadows now emerged within it, making the Angel of Fire the first to control both Holy Light and shadow, a divergent.

His understanding of the Holy Light diverged from the Church’s, and under Saint Raymond’s silence, he widely promoted his own view—that Holy Light was just a power, and that upholding justice lay in the will of the Paladin himself.

He regarded all powers equally and favored those that were more convenient.

The Dark Domain was a chaotic void crafted by Saint George out of his own shadows.

This strange and profound shadow power could simulate any form of power except that of the Holy Light.

With this shadow power, the Inquisitors became the natural enemy of all Spellcasters. They either transformed into powers that countered the enemy or became the very same breed as the enemy, wearing them down with the Paladin’s innate defenses. The latter scenario was rare since Inquisitors wielded high offensive power.

Their ethereal body contained not a drop of blood but was all shadow, with a corrosive power not weaker than strong acid. The Fallen couldn’t extract blood from the Inquisitors and had to beware of the void’s corrosion instead.

The void’s onslaught corrupted the already dark thoughts of the vampires, primarily manifesting in manic laughter from George echoing in their minds.

As their own powers drained away, the Fallen sought the key to breaking the deadlock, resorting to their old trade.

Influence, defection, or put simply, verbal subterfuge.

Bolvent, the leader of the Army of the Fallen, spread his wings; Algernon’s shadowy sword rain pierced several holes in his wings. Enduring the pain, he called out Algernon’s name as if awakening a friend who had lost his way.

"Algernon! I am not your enemy."

"Right, Bolvent, because you’re about to become a dead man."

"Have you gone mad! You actually allow the Inquisitor to follow that traitor’s orders—he killed our leader, he made the justice of the Holy Light falter." Bolvent pointed at the dark figure who was laughing maniacally while swinging his sword in the air. To be honest, Mr. Dark currently resembled some world-destroying demon lord quite closely, "We both suffered through Bronk’s disaster; we shared the same pain, Algernon. My leader has fallen, the Angel of Water has become the past. I understand you have strong feelings for Saint George, but look at him—is he still the same angel who sought quick retribution? He’s gone bad; he’s purging dissenters. As long as he kills us, he can cover up his own crimes. Inquisitors! There’s evil above your heads, yet you aim your swords at your brothers!"

Bolvent’s words indeed had a spectacular effect; a ferocious slash fell like a collapsing mountain, causing the first thunderous noise amidst the chaotic fight.

The shadow power on Algernon’s blade dissipated, and he walked out of the crater, his ethereal countenance rippling like water, clearly agitated.

"Do you know what rumors float within the Holy See, about the three major Holy Light legions of the Crusaders..."

Algernon condensed shadows, transforming his long sword into a terrifyingly huge battle-axe.

"Guardians are gays, keep away; Purifiers are madmen, don’t trust them."

"You priests who pray all day are but bears with honeyed mouths; listening to you is a step towards death."

"Furthermore..."

Algernon leaped into the sky, raising the battle-axe high and bringing it down with tremendous force.

"Who the hell would worship that bastard George!!! Adulators, die!!!"

The plan of the Fallen failed miserably, and when they appealed to the emotions of the Inquisitors, especially mentioning their attitude towards their leader Saint George, the Inquisitors exploded like ignited barrels of gunpowder, striking the Fallen with frenzy.

In the midst of the chaos, Inquisitor knights could still afford idle chit-chat; it was too easy for them, the angelic legions led by divine leaders beating the leaderless Army of the Fallen.

It was practically like a game— even in a moment of neglect, a dark shadowy strike from above would eliminate the enemy’s attack.

"Where did the commander hear those negative rumors about the three legions?"

"During a confession ceremony in Sanctuary, a few of the junior clergy were whispering in a corner of the corridor, and Legion Commander Algernon and a few of us overheard them."

"I’m very curious about what they said about us Inquisitors, those priests wouldn’t just leave us out, right?"

"It’s all groundless rumors, do you even want to listen to that?"

"Spit it out." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Guardians are queers, keep your distance; Purifiers are maniacs, don’t trust them; Inquisitors are dumbasses, unbelievably so."

"..."

"..."

"What about those junior clergy, you’ve set them straight, haven’t you?"

"No, we don’t bully the weak, especially our own kin."

The Inquisitor knight cocked his head, looking at his companion as though trying to see through the slits of the helmet to determine if there was a brain or a potato inside.

"We helped those few clergy fill in some applications for the Guardians, and the next day, the beaming, enthusiastic big brothers of the Guardians took them away. They will continue to shine on the path of the Holy Light."

"May the Holy Light protect them."

"May the Holy Light protect them."

The sudden proclamation interrupted the conversation of the Inquisitors. In the sky, the bloodied Grand Duke of Vampires was in a sorry state, and Mr. Dark ceased his attack.

A languid voice resonated across the entire battlefield.

"I’ve grown weary of this; let’s end this dull farce. After tonight, Loshutar will cease to exist."

Mr. Dark raised the Dimglow Sword in his hand, its faint light slowly growing intense, like a rekindled flame.

In the eyes of all, Mr. Dark thrust the Dimglow Sword into his own chest.

When it was pulled out again, the shadows entwined around it had dissipated; the Dimglow Sword, no, the Sword of Blazing Light, shone like a sun illuminating the darkness.

"Eight Locks, Leader’s Power."

"Fire of Revenge, enemy of vampires."

The weapons in the hands of the entire Inquisitor legion ignited with fierce flames, yet it was utterly different from an enchantment of fire.

Algernon immediately took command of the whole army.

"Inquisitors, abandon defense, attack with all your might!"