Chapter 71
CLANG—
The black sword collided directly against the Lord's ceremonial blade.
A violent shockwave exploded across the sanctuary.
Crimson flames twisted wildly through the chamber as the Commander pushed forward despite the blood running down his body.
Commander: "…Move away from her."
The Lord's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then—
CLANG.
With a single movement—
he forced the Commander backward effortlessly.
The Commander slid across the glowing floor before finally stopping himself.
Black flames flickered violently around John's sword.
The Lord slowly lowered his blade.
His expression remained calm.
But his eyes—
were no longer smiling.
Lord: "…You really brought that sword here."
The Commander tightened his grip silently.
Behind him—
Justice Worshippers flooded through the shattered barrier with glowing holy weapons in hand.
Golden light illuminated the sanctuary walls.
And instantly—
the hooded guards moved.
SHING—
Blades were drawn from every direction.
The sanctuary erupted into chaos.
CLANG!
SLASH!
BOOM—
Holy magic exploded against crimson flames.
Several Justice Worshippers rushed toward the ritual platform—
only for hooded guards to intercept them immediately.
Steel screamed against steel throughout the chamber.
The Lord never once looked away from the Commander.
Lord: "…Protect the ritual."
At his command—
more hooded guards charged toward the glowing platform surrounding the Princess.
Meanwhile—
Chris grabbed one of the approaching guards and slammed him directly into the stone floor.
THUD.
Guinevere spun beside him—
SLASH—
Her blade sliced cleanly across another guard's shoulder.
Chris immediately rushed toward the Princess.
Chris: "…Princess!"
The Princess quickly stood up, her eyes darting across the battlefield.
Princess: "…What's going on…? And now who are they?"
But before anyone could answer—
KRAAAAAASH—
A massive explosion of holy magic shook the entire sanctuary.
Golden light burst across the chamber.
The Princess flinched instantly.
Then—
more figures rushed through the broken barrier.
Justice Worshippers.
Holy magic surrounded their weapons while hooded guards immediately moved to intercept them.
CLANG!
SLASH!
BOOM—
The battle descended further into chaos.
The Princess stared in confusion.
Chris frowned slightly.
Chris: "…That's not our group… but they're helping."
Guinevere's eyes narrowed toward the incoming fighters.
Another Justice Worshipper slammed a hooded guard into the ground nearby.
THUD.
Then suddenly—
three Justice Worshippers rushed directly toward the ritual platform.
One of them—
a blonde-haired woman with sharp blue eyes—
raised her glowing sword calmly.
A holy barrier expanded outward around the group.
FWOOOOOSH—
Flaming attacks slammed repeatedly against the barrier.
Chris instantly stepped in front of the Princess.
His sword raised.
But the worshippers immediately stopped.
One of them slowly lowered his weapon.
The blonde woman never flinched.
Princess: "…Who even are you people?"
The blonde woman looked toward her briefly.
Woman: "…My name is Vendetta."
Another guard crashed against the holy barrier.
BOOM—
Vendetta continued calmly.
Vendetta: "…We're here to protect the Princess."
The Princess blinked.
Princess: "…Protect me… why?"
Another hooded guard slammed against the barrier again.
BOOM—
Vendetta's eyes remained focused on the battlefield.
Vendetta: "We serve under Lord Dev."
The two Justice Worshippers beside her nodded immediately.
Vendetta scanned the sanctuary rapidly.
Analyzing.
Calculating.
Vendetta: "…Our objective is simple."
SLASH—
One of the other worshippers stabbed a charging guard directly through the shoulder.
Vendetta: "…Get the Princess out alive."
Chris frowned slightly.
Chris: "…And if we refuse to trust you?"
Vendetta looked directly at him.
Vendetta: "…Then all of us die here together."
Silence.
Another violent explosion erupted across the sanctuary.
CRAAAAASH—
Black flames swallowed part of the chamber again as the Commander and the Lord clashed once more.
The Princess instinctively looked toward them.
The pressure from their battle alone distorted the air.
The Lord moved calmly through the destruction.
Almost effortlessly.
Meanwhile—
the Commander's breathing had become noticeably heavier.
Blood continued dripping from beneath his damaged armor.
Yet he kept attacking.
Again.
And again.
CLANG!
The black sword collided against crimson steel once more.
The Lord's eyes narrowed slightly.
Lord: "…Where is John?"
Commander: "…Maybe lying dead outside."
BOOOOM—
Dark flames exploded outward violently.
Several nearby pillars cracked apart instantly.
Chunks of stone crashed across the sanctuary floor.
Farther behind the battle—
more hooded guards continued flooding into the chamber.
The sanctuary seemed endless.
Justice Worshippers formed defensive circles while holy magic reinforced their barriers repeatedly.
Golden light flickered desperately against the overwhelming pressure.
One wounded worshipper fell to one knee.
Immediately—
a hooded guard rushed forward with burning crimson symbols glowing across his blade.
But before the strike could land—
SLASH—
Guinevere appeared beside him instantly.
The guard collapsed.
Chris looked toward Vendetta.
Chris: "…Can your people hold this place?"
Vendetta answered immediately.
Vendetta: "…No."
Chris blinked.
Vendetta: "…Which is why we leave now. Quickly."
The Princess tightened her fists slightly.
She looked around the battlefield.
Crimson flames.
Holy magic.
Guards everywhere.
No clear escape route.
Princess thinking: …Tch. I don't have many options.
Princess: "…Fine. But my people come with me."
Vendetta nodded once.
Vendetta: "…Fine. But stay close to us. If we don't leave quickly, none of us are escaping this sanctuary alive."
The Princess slowly nodded.
Vendetta raised her sword again.
A larger holy barrier expanded around their group.
Vendetta: "Move!"
The group immediately began forcing their way through the battlefield.
CLANG!
SLASH!
Holy swords collided against burning crimson blades as they pushed toward the sanctuary exit.
Then suddenly—
one of the hooded guards looked toward the far wall.
His eyes widened.
Guard: "…Stop them!"
The guard immediately rushed toward a massive bronze bell hanging near the sanctuary entrance.
Vendetta's expression changed instantly.
Vendetta: "…Tch— quickly!"
GONGGGGGGG—
The bell rang across the entire underground territory.
A massive metallic sound echoed endlessly through the corridors.
The Princess froze instantly.
Princess: "…Stop! My soldiers are underground! I won't leave without them!"
Vendetta immediately looked toward her.
Vendetta: "…This isn't the time!"
The Princess's expression hardened.
Princess: "…Then we stay and fight until I rescue them."
Another bell echo thundered through the underground halls.
GONGGGGGGG—
The sanctuary trembled violently.
And deep underground—
far away from the battlefield—
Captain Bochy suddenly froze mid-step.
The soldiers around him looked upward immediately.
Marco blinked.
Marco: "…What's going on? Did they discover we escaped?"
Esabell tightened her grip around the tiny hammer nervously.
Another bell echo rumbled through the underground corridors.
GONGGGGGGG—
Captain Bochy's expression hardened instantly.
Captain Bochy: "…Maybe they know we're here. Everyone, hurry!"
Without hesitation—
everyone immediately rushed toward the direction of the sanctuary.
The distant sounds of battle had already begun echoing through the tunnels.
Marco swallowed slightly.
Marco: "…Everyone stay alert. Pick up the unconscious guards' swords too. Better to stay prepared."
Several soldiers immediately grabbed extra weapons from the fallen guards.
Captain Bochy moved to the front instantly.
Marco followed beside him without hesitation.
The soldiers rushed after them.
Esabell ran beside Marco while gripping the tiny hammer tightly.
Far ahead—
the sounds of war continued growing louder.
And beneath the collapsing sanctuary—
every path was slowly leading toward the same battlefield.
...CHAPTER 71 ENDS...