Supreme Husband System! & Supreme Wife System!-Chapter 166: Against the Guardian of the Temple
After encountering the doppelgangers on their way to the center of the Forbidden Zone, the group did not encounter any beasts or doppelgangers.
As time passed, being constantly under the oppressive atmosphere of the Central Layer was a bit exhausting — not physically, but mentally.
The forest in the central area looked as empty and lifeless as the last time they were here.
Finally, a few hours later, the group came out into a small clearing that reminded them a little of the clearing where they had spent several days in the company of Geminia and a strange building made of many "Perfect Doppelgangers."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they entered the clearing. The pressure of the madness energy weakened, and the oppressive atmosphere disappeared. The cool air of the clearing, clear sky and bright sunlight created a peaceful atmosphere, which was a real breath of fresh air for the group.
The majestic white temple with a huge round dome attracted everyone's attention.
Strangely enough, the temple's gate was facing directly towards the place where the group had come from.
Not far from them, a stone road began, which led directly to the gates of the temple. About halfway along the road, the road crossed a circular area with graceful statues at the edges, resembling an arena. And in the center of this area, a lone figure in magnificent knight armor was waiting for them.
It was the Guardian of the Temple.
Esme and Sierra didn't know her, but Idan and the others who had visited the Forest of Doppelgangers in the previous iteration knew that Geminia, the Guardian of this Forbidden Zone, was hiding behind the magnificent armor of the knight.
Catching their breath, the group boldly stepped onto the road leading to the Temple and resolutely moved to the landing where the Guardian was waiting for them.
However, when they approached the border of the circular area, they were stopped by a barrier that suddenly appeared, preventing them from entering together.
"Only one person can pass at a time," Idan said, remembering Milica's words.
"That's the rule that applies here!" Arabel added.
Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do next or who should be the first. They had already reached a point that many had reached, but no one had yet been able to overcome this Guardian trial. Even Esma and Sierra, who hadn't shown much interest at first, were now eager to try their hand.
Idan and Arabel exchanged glances as well. Unlike the others, they both realized that as aliens from another world, they had no right to pass this test. Their role ended the moment they helped Nemo get to this point.
After walking all this way, Idan and Arabel couldn't help but wonder if they really needed to help Nemo overcome obstacles. After all, the trials of the Forbidden Zone require the subject's own strength.
It made me wonder, "Could Nemo have walked all the way on his own without their help?"
However, the couple did not have an answer to this question. At the moment, their main goal was to help their champion pass this test and complete the system's task. Besides, they hoped to get a clue on how to get out of this cursed world.
The Guardian stood motionless in the center of the area, silently waiting for their choice and the first candidate.
"I'll go!" said Eulalia decisively, being the first to express her desire. Being the eldest among Milica's disciples, she felt the need to show herself and scout the situation.
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"Watch carefully!" she warned before stepping inside the barrier.
Eulalia was a little afraid, and her hands and feet were shaking with fear. However, after taking a few steps, she stopped, closed her eyes, took a deep breath and exhaled, clenched her hands into fists and, opening her eyes, with firm determination stepped towards the Guardian of the Temple.
At that moment, all her fear disappeared.
As an older disciple, Eulalia couldn't afford to show weakness in front of her juniors. She had to prove her confidence and determination to them, even if her own potential wasn't as great as her three younger companions.
Everyone else was watching Eulalia in silence and intently.
When they were about ten meters away from the Guardian, Eulalia stopped.
She peered at the Guardian, trying to understand her opponent.
"We meet again, Elf! I'm so glad to see you again!" the Guardian's voice rang out, echoing from beneath the magnificent armor.
"Lady Geminia?" Eulalia asked the Guardian.
"Didn't your younger ones tell you about me?" — instead of answering, the Guardian asked a counter question.
"I am also very glad to see you again, Lady Geminia!" without a shadow of a doubt, as her younger ones claimed, Geminia turned out to be a Guardian.
"Well..." Without saying another word, the knight's appearance began to change, becoming identical to Eulalia herself. "Let's get started?" she suggested.
Eulalia swallowed hard when she saw Geminia in her form.
Fighting the "Perfect Doppelganger" had already been difficult for her, but now she was faced with a being who surpassed even these "Perfect Doppelgangers."
The result was not long in coming.
No matter how hard Eulalia tried, Geminia, assuming her form, easily parried all her attacks, as if she knew all her actions and movements in advance. It seemed that Geminia could see the future and predict what kind of attack would follow.
After allowing Eulalia to prove herself, Geminia bombarded her with quick attacks of "her" spells.
Eulalia, who was already pretty tired and had used up most of her strength, could not resist this onslaught and lost miserably.
An invisible force picked up Eulalia, who lost consciousness at that moment, and carried her out of the zone, right in front of the waiting group.
Arabel hurried over to her, began checking on her condition, and was relieved to see that there were no serious wounds. Everyone understood that the Guardian had shown leniency towards Eulalia.
After making sure that Eulalia was okay, Nemo wanted to speak next, but he was suddenly stopped by the voice of the Guardian.
"Not you!" the Guardian said, and Nemo froze.
"Let the other candidates come out first!" said Geminia, pointing at Sierra and Esma.
The Valkyries, hearing the Guardian's words, exchanged glances.
"Heh!" — Esma grunted and, without saying a word, stepped forward to meet the Guardian.
At that moment, Idan and Arabel frowned and looked at each other, thinking:
"Why did Geminia stop Nemo and decide to test the others first?"
"Was there any reason for this?" they asked each other.
