Chapter 72
GONGGGGGGG—
The massive bell continued echoing throughout the underground territory.
The entire structure trembled from the sound alone.
Dust rained from the ancient ceiling while the stone corridors shook violently beneath countless footsteps and explosions.
Captain Bochy pushed forward immediately.
The remaining soldiers followed close behind him with tense expressions.
Marco ran beside them while gripping one of the stolen swords tightly.
Esabell stumbled after everyone nervously— still clutching the tiny hammer against her chest.
Then—
the corridor suddenly opened.
And everyone froze.
CLANG!
SLASH!
BOOOOOOM—
The sanctuary had descended into complete chaos.
Holy magic exploded violently throughout the enormous chamber while crimson flames twisted across the battlefield like a raging storm.
Justice Worshippers dressed in white-and-gold robes fought desperately against endless waves of hooded guards.
Massive holy barriers shimmered constantly across the sanctuary.
Glowing healing symbols appeared repeatedly behind the front lines as support mages restored wounded fighters almost instantly.
The entire sanctuary looked like a battlefield from a nightmare.
Captain Bochy's eyes widened slightly.
Marco immediately analyzed the battlefield silently.
Esabell looked completely overwhelmed.
Esabell: "…What… is happening here…?"
CRAAAAASH—
Another explosion shook the sanctuary violently.
Farther ahead—
the Commander clashed against the Lord once again.
Black flames collided against crimson light.
The pressure from their battle alone shook the entire chamber.
Stone pillars cracked apart.
The glowing floor shattered beneath them.
Marco's eyes quickly scanned the battlefield.
Positions.
Movement patterns.
Escape routes.
Possible allies.
Possible enemies.
Then suddenly—
his gaze locked onto the Princess.
Several white-and-gold robed fighters surrounded her protectively behind a massive holy barrier.
Vendetta stood calmly at the front.
Chris guarded the left side while Guinevere defended the right.
Marco narrowed his eyes immediately.
Marco thinking:
…The people in white and gold clothes are fighting the Monesa Worshippers.
…And they're protecting the Princess.
…Which means they aren't our enemies right now.
Then—
one of the hooded guards suddenly noticed Bochy's group.
Guard: "…INTRUDERS!"
Several guards immediately rushed toward them.
Captain Bochy stepped forward instantly—
but Marco suddenly raised his arm.
Marco: "…Wait."
Bochy glanced toward him.
Marco pointed toward the battlefield calmly despite the chaos around them.
Marco: "…Look carefully."
Another explosion erupted nearby.
BOOOOM—
Marco continued quickly.
Marco: "…This battlefield is divided into layers."
The soldiers stared at him in confusion.
Marco's eyes remained sharp.
Marco: "…That other man and the Lord are destroying everything near the center."
Marco pointed again.
Marco: "…The white-and-gold fighters are controlling defensive zones around the Princess."
Then toward the incoming guards.
Marco: "…And the guards are trying to isolate anyone entering the sanctuary."
Captain Bochy frowned slightly.
Marco: "…If we rush in blindly, we'll die before reaching the Princess."
Another guard charged toward them.
SLASH—
Marco instantly stepped forward and cut the guard down before he could even swing properly.
Marco: "…Avoid getting surrounded."
The soldiers immediately tightened formation.
Marco turned toward Bochy.
Marco: "…Captain. Take Esabell and move toward the Princess."
Esabell blinked nervously.
Esabell: "…A-Are we gonna die…?"
Marco ignored the question completely.
Marco: "…Figure out who those white-and-gold fighters are while I clear the path."
Captain Bochy immediately understood.
Bochy: "…Move!"
He grabbed Esabell's wrist and pushed forward through the battlefield.
The soldiers followed closely behind.
Meanwhile—
near the Princess—
Guinevere suddenly noticed them.
Her eyes widened instantly.
Guinevere: "…Captain Bochy?!"
Chris turned slightly.
The moment he saw Marco and the others entering the sanctuary—
his expression immediately sharpened.
Chris: "…Good."
Another guard crashed against the holy barrier behind him.
Chris calmly sliced the man down without even turning fully.
Chris: "…Everyone made it here."
Marco forced another guard backward while moving closer.
Chris remained completely focused.
His eyes constantly moved between enemy positions, collapsing structures, and escape routes.
Calculating everything.
Guinevere clicked her tongue.
Guinevere: "Tch… they're all here now?!"
Without hesitation—
she rushed toward them.
SLASH—
Her blade instantly cut down a hooded guard blocking the path.
Then she reached Bochy directly.
Guinevere: "…Don't come any farther!"
Captain Bochy frowned.
Guinevere quickly pointed toward the battlefield.
Guinevere: "…Take everyone and leave this place immediately!"
CRAAAAASH—
Another violent shockwave exploded across the sanctuary.
The Commander smashed through a massive stone pillar before stopping himself mid-slide.
The Lord calmly walked through the destruction without slowing down even slightly.
His crimson eyes showed absolutely no mercy.
Black flames erupted violently around the Commander once more.
Guinevere glanced back toward the battle briefly.
Then toward Bochy again.
Guinevere: "…This place is turning into a full-scale war."
Esabell looked around nervously.
More hooded guards continued flooding into the sanctuary endlessly.
Holy magic and crimson fire swallowed almost every direction.
There was barely any safe path left.
Esabell whispered quietly.
Esabell: "…How are we even supposed to get out of here…?"
Several soldiers behind them looked equally terrified.
One swallowed nervously.
Soldier: "…The underground corridors are probably blocked already…"
BOOOOM—
Another explosion erupted nearby.
Marco finally reached them after forcing back several guards alone.
His breathing remained steady despite the chaos.
Marco: "…I know a way out."
Everyone immediately looked toward him.
Captain Bochy frowned.
Bochy: "…What?"
Marco pointed toward the upper sanctuary halls.
Marco: "…The emergency exit connected to the Lord's chamber."
Esabell blinked.
Marco nodded immediately.
Marco: "…When we got trapped there earlier, I searched the room."
Guinevere narrowed her eyes slightly.
Chris immediately focused on him seriously.
Marco: "…I found traces of airflow inside the hidden room."
Chris's eyes sharpened instantly.
Marco: "…Which means there's an external exit route connected somewhere above ground."
Captain Bochy stared at him.
Bochy: "…You figured that out from airflow alone?"
Marco answered calmly.
Marco: "…A sealed room underground shouldn't have moving air."
Chris crossed his arms slightly.
Chris: "…Right..."
Then—
the Princess suddenly stepped forward.
The holy barrier glowed around her softly while the battlefield raged behind her.
Princess: "…What happened?"
Guinevere immediately answered.
Guinevere: "…Marco says he found an emergency exit inside the Lord's chamber."
Vendetta slowly stepped forward beside the Princess.
Her eyes met Marco's directly.
For a brief second—
Marco froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
A faint redness appeared across his cheeks.
But he immediately hid it by looking away.
Marco: "…B-But who exactly are you people?"
Chris stepped forward calmly.
Chris: "…Not our enemies."
Marco narrowed his eyes slightly.
Even now—
he remained cautious.
Another massive explosion erupted across the sanctuary.
BOOOOOOM—
Far away—
the Commander slammed into the corner wall while the Lord slowly approached him again without mercy.
The Princess saw it immediately.
Her expression tightened slightly.
Then she looked toward Marco.
Princess: "…Marco."
Marco immediately looked at her.
Princess: "…I trust them."
The battlefield trembled again.
Princess: "…So have faith for now."
She stepped closer calmly despite the chaos surrounding them.
Princess: "…We'll explain everything after we escape this place."
Marco stared at her silently for a moment.
Then immediately nodded.
Marco: "…Understood."
The Princess turned toward everyone.
Princess: "…Lead the way."
At that exact moment—
Vendetta suddenly raised one hand.
FWOOOOOSH—
The massive holy barrier expanded outward instantly.
Golden light surrounded the entire group like a moving fortress.
The incoming guards immediately crashed against the barrier and were thrown backward violently.
Chris drew his blade again.
Guinevere moved beside the Princess protectively.
Captain Bochy signaled the soldiers.
Marco stepped toward the front.
His eyes locked onto the distant upper halls leading toward the Lord's chamber.
Marco: "…Stay inside the barrier."
Another explosion shook the sanctuary violently behind them.
Marco tightened his grip on the sword.
Marco: "…We move now."
...CHAPTER 72ENDS...