Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 34: Chaos in the Holy Kingdom, part 4
Situated on the sideline side of the kingdom, Ephron City is commonly seen as the most vulnerable city to attack. In the south they were indeed still the Dwarf Kingdom that became a living shield for Ephron. However, the access space to attack was very open from both different sides; the enemy did not have to pass through the Dwarf Kingdom's barrier to attack. In fact, there has been no predicted attack came ‒ Pope Genea has not said anything about the attack.
Therefore, after waiting for more than six hours since Order 6 received a letter of assistance from Order 9, Eighth Saint Maviera Veil Heravastya decided to mobilize his troops into the Dwarf Kingdom. Of course not all; the Maviera only brought half of the total number of troops. After all, he could not leave the city's defenses empty. Even though Pope Genea hasn't said anything about a potential attack, they still have a responsibility.
Thus, after dividing his army in two, Maviera directly led half the army to help Saint Petra and his order.
But that desire was not realized. Yet Maviera and his army passed through the city gate, a dimensional portal appearing right at the gate. Out of it came a beautiful gray-haired vampire. His body is also strong and sturdy. If he's human, Maviera wouldn't refuse if he came to propose to her. Unfortunately, it was only if; the man was a pure— vampire and was unbelievably strong.
“Ah, sorry for entering this city without permission, but I cannot refuse the order. So, as proof of my apology, run. That way I won't have to finish you off. I want to conquer this city as peacefully as possible. The fewer victims, the better.”
The majority of people would think the vampire was arrogant after hearing those words—sama as his soldiers absorbed.
However, the Maviera can tell which ones are arrogant and which ones are not. And the vampire was not arrogant at all. It's a form of high self-confidence. Indeed, arrogant and confident are somewhat similar. But distinguishing is not difficult.
Arrogance is exalting oneself and degrading others. Confidence means knowing and believing in your own strength without degrading others.
“...Are you a vampire named Crow Lucardia who killed Saint Marcus?” maviera asked, trying to confirm her suspicions.
“Oh, Genea told you my name. Rather surprising. But, yes, I'm Crow. Saint Marcus Vehelmi Vandiesell was a knight who upheld loyalty. Too bad we were on the opposite road. We might be good friends if he was born a vampire. So, are you guys going to escape?”
Confirmed already, the inner Maviera while gesturing one of his soldiers to get closer. “Tell the other half of the troops to evacuate the population to the safe places in the city,” the order. “We will indeed try to force him to fight outside the city, but we will not be able to ensure the city will remain safe.”
“Good, Dame Maviera, I do it immediately!”
Maviera immediately put on a protective head and pulled out his sword after the soldier left. “You all!” exclaim Maviera loud. “I'll attack him. You guys follow me to fill it. We'll wipe him out together!”
A loud shout flashed filled the air in response, and the Maviera immediately shot towards the vampire's ‒ armor and his sword had been enveloped in a blue blaze (he seemed to have become a living blue flame).
Maviera slashed his sword at full power, trying his best to slash at the vampire.
However, widening Maviera's eyes, Crow stopped his attack easily. His powerful and sharp slash was held back. Crow caught the sword blade of the Maviera with the forefinger and thumb of the right hand. He did the thing that made Maviera's eyes widen it without being pushed even if it was just a inch. Not even the blue fire touched the vampire's skin at all.
“You won't be able to touch me with an attack like this,” Crow said as he pushed the sword he captured with two fingers—which instantly made Maviera jump back.
“You are also the same,” Crow added with eyes glancing to left—the words were aimed at the dozens of soldiers who attacked simultaneously. “You won't be able to touch me with such an attack.”
Maviera scrunched her forehead. Crow did not shy away from the slashes of the sword and the spear thrusts of dozens of soldiers. However, let alone give scratches, just touch the weapons are not able to. It was as if there was an invisible wall blocking the speed of all weapons. What is clear is that the ‒ Maviera barrier does not feel the energy around Crow.
“To be able to hit me, you must use an attack that can penetrate the dimensions.” Continue speaking Crow while returning the view to Maviera. “This is the last warning. Run, and you'll be safe.”
“...All of you, prepare the strongest attack!” maviera's command while sticking his sword in the blue-bata—api road in high intensity overflowed into the air. It made all the soldiers prepare for their strongest attack. Including the dozens of soldiers who had just attacked. They retreated quickly and created color-different magic circles. “If we attack it together, there is a possibility that the dimensional wall collapsed.”
“So, yes. Then what can I do.”
“Destroy in the firelight, Ethereal Fire Blaster!”
Explosion after explosion continued, only to subside after three minutes passed.
…And, Maviera just frowned seeing the vampire still standing without the slightest injury ‒ their combined attack really made him useless.
“You all brave knights. Even though we are enemies, I admit it. So die in pride. Grand Lightning Emergence.”
The Maviera had prepared to receive an attack with a raised sword, a wall of fire had also surrounded half of its body.
However, the incoming attack was not something that Maviera expected. To be more precise, he could expect nothing because the incoming attack was completely invisible. Maviera's eyes could only widen to see thousands of soldiers charred to ashes. Not just the soldiers. Brick roads, gates, and everything around Crow suffered the same fate. And it continued to expand eliminating more soldiers and objects, its nature was exactly like the ripples of water.
“Saint Maviera, retreat!”
Maviera gasped at the screams of one of the soldiers, instantly leaping backwards quickly. He also called for others to step down. But confusion makes them slow to react; only a few manage to get away.
The effect of the attack from the invisible spell only stopped after they were a hundred meters away from the Lucardia Crow.
Together with the Maviera, the total remaining soldiers were no more than ten thousand. More than half of its soldiers were killed, and it still did not count civilians!
“You can feel the attack?” maviera shouted at one of his soldiers, eyes looking at the soldier demanding an answer. “If you can feel—!”
Maviera's eyes widened. His voice was stuck in his throat. Not because he was too surprised to be unable to finish, but because his neck was already in Crow's grip. Maviera was no longer in front of her soldiers; she was suddenly in the presence of the vampire. And he was pretty sure no forced teleportation hit his body!
“Killing you will probably convince them to escape,” Crow murmured seriously, the lightning spear was already embedded in his free left hand. “Death proudly to the life chances of your soldiers.”
Maviera tried his hardest to break away, but the lightning spear swung unstoppably. Maviera's eyes can only widen in horror behind her head protector, and—
“…”
—Maviera suddenly found herself a dozen meters in front of Crow. He has fallen. And behind him was the presence of a familiar person.
“Good work for keeping alive, Saint Maviera. Now go back to your soldiers and reveal the citizens. Crow Lucardia..let me handle it myself.”.
The owner of the voice stepped elegantly past the fallen Maviera. He could only look at his back clad in a white robe.
“...Pope Genea..long time no see. I just thought you were scared to death and ignored my presence here.”
“Crow, our fight this time will end differently. I'll make sure this time I destroy you so you don't feel left. My past defeats have given me a way to overcome your maddening magic. Let's go out; we don't want them all to die.”
The vampire's lips curled. “It would be disappointing if you lose the same way again,” he said then turned around and walked away. Pope Genea followed the vampire.
Maviera does not believe in seeing it, .but they are like old friends who are hostile to each other because of different principles, idealism, or goals. They respect and respect each other.
…Is it possible that Pope Genea doesn't hate vampires?