Endless Debt-Chapter 962 - 56: Encounter Battle 3

"Looks like it," Church echoed Palmer’s words. "It’s hidden well enough and solid, no wonder they’ve been able to hide for so long."

The three moved forward silently, but just as they were about to leave the area, Church suddenly stopped and his voice rang out.

"You both should stay here. I’ll carry out what’s next on my own."

Bologue asked, "Are you sure?"

"I am sure," Church replied. "If you go with me, you’ll actually slow me down. It’s better to stick to the original plan, you stay here, ensure the passage remains clear, and help me retreat."

Bologue took a deep look at Church, knowing Church was hiding something from him... He was hiding things from everyone, and what he was concealing was likely related to his upcoming stealth operation.

Church was unwilling to let others witness how he operated in stealth, which made sense, given that he’s an information agent.

From this perspective, it’s understandable why Church was entrusted with this task. From Bologue’s viewpoint, Church’s professionalism even made Bologue feel inadequate in comparison.

"Alright."

Bologue agreed to what Church was about to do, while also advising, "Be careful, there are at least two Defenders here."

Two Defenders, a suffocating force arrangement, they were hiding inside this fortress within the Great Rift.

The Silent Ones counted as one Defender, and naturally, the other was the Third Seat.

Bologue had fought against the Silver Knight controlled by the Third Seat back when the timeline was chaotic. He was thus aware of the Third Seat’s presence and understood that they were currently occupying the same space.

His feelings were complex, part awe and caution, yet part eager to know if he could clinch a victory from the Third Seat.

"I’m heading off."

Church said to Bologue, then proceeded towards the shadows. Bologue tried to chase Church’s silhouette, but as soon as he merged with the shadows, Church’s presence completely vanished.

Just like at the Wind Source Highlands, Bologue still could not comprehend how Church managed to keep hidden during such battles, without even an Elder Defender detecting him.

The power helping Church stay hidden might be what he’s been concealing all along.

Church completely faded from view. Bologue and Palmer hid in the shadows, stationed at the tunnel entrance Bologue had carved out. They’d depend on this path for their escape later.

Palmer, being the restless type, said, "You seem tense, need me to tell a joke?"

"No need."

"Just smile and relax a bit."

Bologue cast a serious glance at Palmer, used to laughing whenever he saw Palmer in that bandit outfit, but this time he was unexpectedly earnest.

"This is my first time leading an operation. I don’t want to make any mistakes, Palmer."

Palmer felt the weight of Bologue’s words and nodded seriously with his smile retracted.

No one tried to joke this time. The two awaited Church’s return silently, as Palmer quietly unfolded Secret Energy, monitoring the changes in the surrounding airflow, while Bologue kept his hand pressed against the ground, ready to command at any moment.

In the tranquility, time felt infinitely prolonged, tempting alert nerves to relax. Then, at an unintended moment, Palmer sensed disturbances in the surrounding airflow, as if something was approaching rapidly.

"Bo..."

Before Palmer could warn Bologue, he had already detected it from the tremors in the ground.

"It’s an enemy!"

Bologue’s voice exploded in Palmer’s mind.

Through his command of the ground, he could sense the opponent’s speed of movement, not just a routine patrol, but moving quickly. As if the opponent knew Bologue’s location right from the start, surging directly towards him without pause.

Reflecting back from the start of the mission until now, Bologue could confirm he hadn’t made any mistakes, so how had he been discovered?

Church?

Bologue couldn’t figure it out, then he noticed his abdomen, once again extending a phantom dark umbilical cord, connecting into the depths of darkness, which then extinguished, only to reappear the next instant, flickering continuously. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

A thunderous sound erupted as the corridor wall suddenly collapsed on one side. The enemy hadn’t arrived through the hallway; instead, they slashed through the wall, intruding violently right before their eyes.

Amidst flying debris, Bologue saw that silver silhouette again - exactly as he remembered, exuding heavy murderous intent from its pure silver.

The Silver Knight raised a heavy lance with one hand to shatter the rock, while the other wielded a sword, as high-powered ether reactions swirled and rose around him. Bologue roared in anger, raising the black reverberating Blade to respond.

The two ether currents clashed, and the roaring air waves swept through the building, stirring up dust.