Chapter 287
The Bishops attempted a simultaneous invasion.
Among them, the Bishops leading the Priest-level members joined forces and charged in, while Trisena and the Heroes were engaged in combat with them at the North Gate.
“……”
Meanwhile, Alicia, who was tasked with protecting the Church, heightened her sensitivity to Mana and prepared herself.
She climbed onto the roof of the church, ready to react no matter when or where the enemies would rush in.
—Kuwung Kuwung!
—Kreeeeeek!
The echoes of war reached from afar.
Although the Church was quite a distance from the North Gate, Alicia could sense it as if she were witnessing the scene firsthand.
“There aren’t any top-tier Bishops. Just a bunch of mediocre ones piling up.”
It was a situation that didn’t require additional reinforcements.
Alicia just needed to focus on her mission.
“……”
As she shifted her gaze, searching every nook and cranny of Rose, her eyes suddenly locked onto one spot.
‘That place…’
A Luxury Inn, beautifully adorned to boast its title as the city of culture.
Other buildings were well-structured too, but that particular one stood out for its high level of completion.
Alicia had spent the night there before.
Back then, her swordsmanship master, Bram, had accompanied her.
Paula, who was serving a probation at the Academia, was there too.
And Vargan, whom she served, was with them.
They practiced during the day and shared deep conversations with Vargan while braving the winter winds at night.
“……”
She touched the collarbone marked with the curse’s pattern.
This place seemed to have been completely wiped clean, as if nothing had ever existed here.
Lost in thought, Alicia slowly lowered her hand and refocused on her mission.
Just then.
Kwahhh—!
Out of nowhere, something fell in a corner of the city.
A massive shock and thunderous noise erupted, as if a meteor had struck.
Alicia’s eyes widened as she realized where it had landed.
‘How did they know about that spot?!’
Jumping down from the church, Alicia moved at high speed.
She hastily relayed the situation through her Familiar.
—The Holy King has been ambushed!
In fact, the Holy King of Rose was not at the church but was hiding.
Alicia had been guarding the church as a strategy to lure the enemies.
However, somehow the enemies had penetrated that strategy and launched an assault on the hideout.
It seems that information has leaked; the enemy has accurately penetrated the strategy and even launched an assault on the refuge.
Though the Holy King is under guard, the situation is far from reassuring.
Alicia swiftly issued new orders to each hero’s team member.
To prevent the bishops from taking advantage of the current chaos and further plunging the city into disorder, all to save the Holy King.
After giving suitable instructions,
Alicia arrived in front of a housing unit that had been bombed.
Sssss…
The building lay in ruins, as if hit by a missile.
She had moved so quickly that the dust still lingered in the air.
Using wind magic, Alicia blew the dust away.
Then, two bishops appeared.
“Siklamen—! How dare this coward deceive us? We won’t let this slide!”
“Calm down. He was acting on the orders of ‘that guy.’ He probably intended to lure us in from the start.”
The bishops, seething with rage, were in a state of incomplete power release.
Alicia quickly identified their identities and searched for the Holy King.
‘Not top-tier bishops… two above average. As for the Holy King…’
“……!”
Upon seeing the sprawled corpses, Alicia’s breath caught in her throat.
Without a doubt, the Holy King of Rose lay decapitated, bleeding on the ground.
Beside him were three heroes, who were supposed to be guarding him, now reduced to pieces.
They had failed their mission.
“Accepting a human as an archbishop is what’s led to this! Especially one harboring a massive serpent within…!”
“We were foolish. We should have considered that they might have used our powers and then bolted with the Holy King… More importantly, it seems they were also anticipating that white-haired hero’s arrival.”
“Hahaha! So they’ve used us to the bone and now plan to kill us! Sorry, but you’ve underestimated us!”
Engulfed in rage, the bishops unleashed their purple mana.
With an intense hatred for someone, they directed their glares at Alicia.
Alicia found their conversation bothersome but quickly pushed it out of her mind.
The Holy King of Rose was dead.
That was an irreversible reality.
So, Alicia had to ensure that these Altifes would not cause any further damage.
It was time to kill the enemy.
* * *
As the situation escalated, Liam and his group became increasingly alert.
Arha felt disgruntled by the fact that they had been deceived about the Holy King’s location and actively channeled her mana.
The bishops could run wild now that chaos reigned.
Remaining calm while surveying the surroundings, they didn’t stray beyond a certain radius.
Since Alicia hadn’t called for backup while rushing directly to the Holy King’s refuge, they had to prepare for the worst.
“…Hey, they’re coming this way.”
Arha spoke first.
Liam also felt the pressure and gripped his sword tightly.
The bishop moved at an incredible speed. With this level of pressure, they wouldn’t lose out to the archbishop.
‘This… is a top-tier power release. Was it Siklamen? There’s still much we don’t know about this bishop… Seeing them come here directly, it seems the destruction of the city is not the goal—Emily is the target.’
“This is… the ultimate power release. Was it Cyclamen? Still a bishop with many unknowns… Seeing them come here directly, it looks like Emily is the real target, not the city’s destruction.”
Liam turned to look at Emily.
“Emily, don’t be tense.”
“Uh…?”
“We’re not weak. No one is going to die. No matter how strong they are, we can definitely take them down.”
“…Yeah. You’re right, Liam.”
Emily, whose body had stiffened with tension, felt a bit relaxed by Liam’s words.
With just 5 seconds until they encountered the enemy.
4… 3… 2… 1.
Crackling—!
Liam pinpointed Altife’s location precisely.
Bursting with red electricity, he stepped towards the enemy first.
Then, just as he was about to strike with his sword, the opponent’s figure was revealed by the light of the electricity.
A young man sporting ram’s horns.
His curly hair, resembling wool, caught the eye first.
His tearful eyes suggested he was notably frightened by Liam’s charge.
His mouth moved uncertainly, then he yelled out.
“I’m scared….”
His massive shout echoed.
“I’m soooooo scared—!”
Zzzziing—!
As Cyclamen screamed, Liam’s body cried out in pain as if it were being ripped apart.
Feeling danger, he quickly backed away before he could swing his sword.
His whole body ached, and it felt as though tiny needles were piercing his skin, wrapping it thinly.
‘A power that uses sound waves!’
Liam instantly grasped the type of power being employed.
It seemed that guy could use sound as a weapon.
“Liam…! That…!”
Emily shouted in shock.
Soon, Liam gritted his teeth upon seeing something Cyclamen was holding.
“Did you harm the Holy King…?”
The head of the Holy King, eyes closed. The severed neck was dripping with blood.
The terrifying object held like a doll by the bishop. As Arha attempted to use magic, Cyclamen, voice trembling, stopped her.
“Wait, wait! Let’s try to solve this with a conversation instead of fighting!”
The bishop’s sudden proposal.
However, no hero took it seriously.
Arha unleashed various elemental magics.
Erlich summoned spirits to amplify their firepower.
Gathering in one place, they unleashed intense energy.
——!
Yet, the scene that should be filled with explosive noise was eerily silent.
Although the elemental magic had struck and flames erupted, the bishop stood unharmed, as if some barrier were shielding him.
“Ha, what an interesting ability? Can you absorb some energy for defense?”
Arha laughed.
It seemed similar to her reflective magic but appeared to have even broader applications.
Cyclamen shook her head hastily and pleaded again.
“Please, please don’t use magic because I’m scared! We can resolve this through conversation, okay?”
“What nonsense are you spouting while holding the Holy King’s head? You made the situation worse all by yourself! What are you going to resolve?”
Arha retorted coldly, causing Cyclamen’s spirit to deflate.
Sickly responding, Cyclamen shrank in spirit.
“B-but… fighting hurts… and dying is scary…! It’s the same for humans and Altife, right…? Ah, ah…!”
Just as Cyclamen tried to continue speaking, Martial Artist Gaba lunged forward.
His jab seemed like it could pierce through the opponent.
Whoosh—!
In an instant, Cyclamen dodged and disappeared.
Gaba’s fist swung uselessly through the air.
Cyclamen’s speed completely outmaneuvered Gaba.
“Well, if words won’t work… I’ll just finish this up quickly and leave. Because it’s scary….”
Thought to be vanished, Cyclamen suddenly stood in front of Emily.
Unlike his words, his actions were ruthless and unhesitating.
With that, he aimed to slice Emily’s throat with his hand blade.
It collided with Liam, who rushed in to stop him.
Zzzzzt—!
A sword suffused with red electricity clashed against Cyclamen’s hand blade.
Liam grappled with the Bishop. Even a slight slip could mean death for both him and Emily.
“Ah, aaahhh, it hurts!”
The red electricity from Liam began to gnaw away at the transparent shield Cyclamen formed.
Even without contact, Cyclamen screamed in agony.
“It hurtttt—!!”
Sizzle!
Another jolt resonated through his entire body.
Liam distanced himself to protect Emily.
With a touch like a baton, Arha stepped in.
“Hey, you monster! Stealing energy is my specialty!”
Arha pooled her power to the maximum of her reflective magic.
Like a spring, she sprang off the ground and released all her energy into Cyclamen’s face.
Bang—!
Finally, a solid hit landed.
Cyclamen couldn’t even scream and rolled on the ground like a rag doll.
Seizing that moment,
“Hah… hah….”
Liam gasped for breath.
He had exerted a lot to close the distance quickly to save Emily.
“I’m s-sorry, Liam! Because of me!”
Liam shook his head in response.
“It’s just that this opponent is particularly targeting you. Just stick to our roles as you have until now.”
Emily’s role was to support everyone.
Liam’s role was to protect his teammates and engage in close combat.
“Gradually. We just need to proceed gradually. Be careful not to get emotional….”
“Liam…. Your… blood…!”
Drip—.
Blood flowed from Liam’s ears, eyes, nose, and mouth.
His vision swayed momentarily, and it felt like something was wrong with his organs.
That was because he had heard Cyclamen’s screams up close, twice in a row.
Even in such a situation, Liam did not back down and steadied himself against the wall where Cyclamen had slammed.
Cyclamen was sobbing, clutching his puffed cheeks.
“Ah, I really want to go back. I hate being in pain….”
Displaying such a weak side, Cyclamen still…
Despite that short bout of chaos, all the Heroes present knew.
The liberation of Cyclamen’s power was still unstable, though he was a Bishop, and it was complete.
“B-but… I hate things that hurt me way more.”
