All of Dekan’s companions had already arrived at the battlefield.
“I told you Dekan isn’t a thug from the Rebirth Church!”
“He’s the pride of our Kingdom!”
“Bishop of Pain! Send the Rebirth Church to its grave!”
Not only the people of various kingdoms who witnessed the scene from different locations, but also the skies above Filovent Capital echoed with the shouts of its residents.
Despite the scene still appearing desperate to the ordinary people.
Yet, a glimmer of hope arose in everyone’s hearts as if a ray of light had pierced through the darkness!
At this moment, Dekan has become, in everyone’s heart, a true Bishop of Pain, a Bishop-level powerhouse.
With him and Shien, this calamity over Filovent Capital, this near-fatal disaster for the Kingdom Union, might truly be miraculously reversed!
…
Amidst the smoke and tremors, Filovent Capital appeared as if shaken continuously.
Even though most of the public magic display screens on the streets were broken, occasionally fragmented sounds and images would still deliver key information to the Eighth-tier powerhouses fighting against the Bishops.
And with Shien controlling the city defense control center, she had already issued orders across the entire city.
All the Eighth-tier powerhouses capable of combat inside the city had been quickly and optimally dispatched by Shien to intercept the Bishops.
The streets of Filovent Capital under the night sky had become a wasteland.
Everywhere, one could see ruins; buildings that had been caught up in the Eighth-tier battles were half-collapsed, with only a few large ones still standing. There was no longer the previous bustling atmosphere of the festival in the streets.
On a pile of ruins just a few kilometers away from the stadium.
Judith fought the enemy in silver armor, while Chloix wielded his staff to provide continuous support.
After a brief clash, the two of them looked somewhat disheveled.
Frost, flames, and lightning spread under the feet of the enemy, forming a dreamlike path leading to Heaven.
Apart from them, there was no sign of the Ice Snow Princess.
The combination of the Ice Snow Princess and Judith might have been able to barely hold off a Bishop.
But with the addition of Chloix at Tier Seven,
Even a Bishop as powerful as the former Destruction Archbishop Evans could be countered by the three of them.
However, considering position, distance, manpower allocation, and battle synergy,
Shien assigned them to intercept one of the two strongest Bishops, the Illusory Bishop Carlos.
They finally understood why Illusion and Finality were called the strongest.
Not only were they unable to inflict any injuries on Carlos,
Just trying to resist Carlos, the illusionary technique “[Void Mirage]” was enough to put them in a losing position.
[Void Mirage]
[Category: Spell Card]
[Quality: Orange Epic]
[Rank: 8]
[Effect: Ignoring the rank, drag the target into a phantasm space forcibly, during which the target cannot escape. The target inside the phantasm cannot affect the user. The user can add mana to impose an infinite approximation of realism in the illusion, causing colossal damage with any suppressive attribute to the captives.]
[Note: Always suppressive attribute]
At this moment, inside the phantasm space constructed by Carlos,
Firestorms and magma kept swallowing the Ice Snow Princess. Even though the Ice Snow Princess used all her strength to resist with ice, it quickly melted.
Poison mists continued to seep through, gradually worsening her condition.
During the hunting of the Ice Snow Princess by the former Destruction Bishop, fire and poison were the hardest to handle for her.
This was also the spell that Dekan experienced being targeted by the Warden of the 8th Floor in the Demon King’s Tomb.
Only this spell, used by the Illusory Bishop, was even stronger.
Even though maintaining the phantasm consumed a great amount of mana,
It would be more than enough to kill the Ice Snow Princess soon!
And no matter how anxious Judith and Chloix were outside the illusionary barrier, they could not rescue the Ice Snow Princess.
In no time could they defeat the Illusory Bishop!
“Why are you coming to die?”
The Illusory Bishop muttered to himself, frowning.
Apparently he didn’t want to waste so much mana by being held up by these three people.
But he had to admit, these three combined were indeed a bit troublesome enough to threaten other Bishops.
Killing the most troublesome ice mage who possesses control spells.
Then imprisoning this paladin.
The remaining healer wouldn’t be able to stop him.
As the fierce combat continued, distant battle sounds came closer in a flash!
The next moment, the already dim sky seemed to be gradually covered like being draped by a curtain.
“Carlos, conserve your mana and help the Pope, leave them to me.”
Suddenly, darkness enveloped the entire street in an instant, spreading across the ground like a surging tide, then countless shadows emerged on it.
In the darkness, countless cold eyes stared at the crowd, gradually forming, as if they were the undead army from Hell.
At this moment, apart from the Illusory Bishop, the battlefield where two Eighth-tier powerhouses intercepted the Shadow Bishop also intersected.
The Shadow Bishop seemed to inherently possess the highest level of agility; with an endless variety of bizarre spells, two Eighth-tier were simply not enough to hold her back; they could only chase and impede her.
The goal of the Shadow Bishop was to provide support to the Illusory Bishop.
Once they switch opponents, she would handle Judith and her team, while her former opponent would be no match for the Illusory Bishop, thus allowing the Illusory Bishop to immediately be freed.
The Illusory Bishop hesitated slightly, but quickly nodded.
At a critical moment, sending any Bishop to help the Pope is not as reassuring as he himself going to assist the Pope.
Since the Shadow Bishop was willing to help him block the enemies, that was undoubtedly the best.
Suddenly, the Ice Snow Princess inside the Phantasm Jail felt a coolness, a chill enveloping her as the scenery shifted, and she returned to the reality of the ruined battlefield!
The fire and poison of the phantasm disappeared, her magic of the frost seemed to bring her back to life.
Though cold, it was real.
With difficulty, the Ice Snow Princess landed steadily on the ground, despite her poor physical condition, she immediately felt a sense of relief; control of her surroundings was finally back in her hands.
Not long after, Chloix’s familiar healing magic reached her.
“Don’t think about leaving!”
Seeing that the Illusory Bishop had already turned around to leave, Judith, who was still able to move, decisively rushed towards him.
“Hmph.”
Illusory Bishop coldly gave a humph, then took a step forward with his right foot…
With just this step, it seemed like scenery of the street distorted. Judith, who was almost about to slash at him, instantly had her distance pulled back.
When Judith attempted to pursue again, countless shadows transformed soldiers and monsters blocked her path.
Having just hacked through the shadows, they transformed into poison magic and constraint magic binding Judith.
“You three’s opponent is me now.”
The voice of the Shadow Bishop resonated around the area.
Her army was indeed suitable for intercepting the Ice Snow Princess, Judith, and Chloix.
Even though Chloix quickly removed the negative effects and controls from Judith, the Shadow Bishop conjured a black coffin that locked Judith in instantly, as if she were performing a magic trick.
“Can we not fight so desperately?”
The Shadow Bishop was like a ghost, or like someone hiding from a game of hide-and-seek, her voice continuously echoing around the three.
It seemed that she didn’t want to seriously fight the three either; she just wanted to hold them here.
Even the recovered Ice Snow Princess could not hit the Shadow Bishop no matter what spell she cast.
The Shadow Bishop’s real body might be hidden among them.
Or perhaps, each shadow was a part of the Shadow Bishop’s real body.
If the Shadow Bishop solely wanted to delay the enemies, she might be the hardest among the Bishops to handle!
“Damn it!”
Judith swung her sword, cutting through a shadow in front of her eyes.
Even though the previous move by the Shadow Bishop seemed like saving the Ice Snow Princess’s life,
Their interception plan had already failed.
And the Shadow Bishop had also slightly delayed the two opponents who were originally pursuing her.
Even though the two Eighth Tier powerhouses originally intercepting the Shadow Bishop had immediately understood the current situation and rushed towards the direction that Carlos, the Illusory Bishop, had left towards,
It was almost impossible for them to catch up with and stop Carlos.
This opponent switch was fatal for the Kingdom Union.
“Sorry, Dekan… we couldn’t help stop Carlos for you! It’s all on you again…”
Chloix muttered through clenched teeth.
…
Since the capital could be subject to random battles between Bishops and Eighth-tiers at any time, wandering out on the streets could be more dangerous.
So Cornelia was still with Alice in the mansion protected by magical barriers, not daring to leave.
Just hoping that no Bishops or Eighth-tiers fighters would approach this side.
Even if they did come here, Cornelia and Mia still had the power to face them.
Inside the mansion,
“May everyone be protected…”
Cornelia just held Teacher Cat shivering and prayed silently for her friends in battle.
After receiving the amulet of the Sun God’s church and having that dream, Cornelia would sometimes devoutly pray to the Goddess.
Nearby,
“Mia…”
Alice sat on the sofa holding onto Mia’s arm, her body trembling uncontrollably.
She had never experienced such a situation.
Even on the magic airship heading to Tristin City last time, she had not felt danger.
After all, the crisis was handled by the Seventh-tier guard.
The enemies were only Fifth-tier, and Dekan could easily deal with them.
But this time, almost the entire core force of the Rebirth Church had swept through Filovent Capital.
Even though she was a Princess, in this crisis, she was no different from an ant, easy to be crushed.
“Hmm? I’m here.”
Hearing Alice’s whisper, Mia seemed to snap out of it after freezing for a second and replied,
“Alice, don’t be scared. I promise you’ll be safe today.”
Mia smiled and gently stroked Alice’s hair.
“…”
Alice bit her lips, looking at Mia. She felt like Mia was probably not as calm as she appeared.
Maybe the always steady Mia was also feeling anxious inside.
Ever since this morning, Mia had always seemed somewhat distracted.
It was as if she was focusing on something else.
But that was impossible.
At a time like this, how could someone be daydreaming?
Even though Alice was still scared and clutched Mia’s hand tighter, she said like she had mustered up her courage:
“Mia, Cornelia, if danger does come, you and Flora should leave together. Don’t worry about me holding you back!”
Alice felt that as a princess, she couldn’t be cowardly at this time.
She had to learn how to stay calm like others.
At least Flora, as a Fourth Tier Knight, could move faster than her, a Fourth Tier Card Maker.
During a real escape, Alice knew she would surely hinder everyone.
If they left her behind, the survival rate of the rest of them would be much higher.
“Relax, Alice. Things aren’t that bad! My brother has come too. He’ll help Dekan at a critical moment!”
Flora displayed no nervousness, her tone as casual as usual.
She seemed to be the one with the best state of mind.
“Morion has come too?”
Cornelia looked slightly surprised at Flora and asked.
Though Dekan had instructed her and Chloix to keep an eye on Morion several days prior, she had not been able to track him down.
“Yep…When I was performing, I noticed someone in the audience who felt a lot like my brother. Though he constantly changes his appearance every day… I think it’s him!”
Flora nodded confidently with a smile.
Despite her reasoning sounding unreliable,
But considering Flora’s innate strong insight,
Even if Morion disguises himself with [Contact Morph], Flora can most likely still recognize her brother.
Cornelia believed Flora’s judgment would not be wrong.
Morion who frequently challenges the Shadow World could be nearing Tier Six by now. After accidentally entering the Seventh-tier Shadow World, Morion must surely be at Tier Six by now.
Though Morion, as a merchant and swindler, had no great combat strength,
His excellent supportive coordination with Dekan meant that his presence would certainly bring immense support to Dekan.
“Dekan, Chloix, Morion… all must return safe and sound… meow…”
Teacher Cat in Cornelia’s arms emitted a soft sound.
“Don’t worry, everyone will surely reunite and celebrate like we did at the end of the last Shadow World…”
Cornelia gently stroked the curled up Teacher Cat and whispered.
…
Filovent Arena.
Although the Pope still suppressed the four of them, his mindset had changed somewhat.
The Pope, who shouldn’t have felt emotions like anger, felt really bothered by Dekan.
Little Pope?
Dekan didn’t appear to be deliberately provoking.
It was more like he was addressing the Pope like a leader calling a subordinate by their first name, a seemingly friendly tone but with a hint of condescension in it.
The Pope had never encountered any inferior human who dared to look down on him from the heart.
Even the Frenzied Bishop wouldn’t dare to be so audacious, right?
Meanwhile, Dekan, who was focusing on destabilizing the Pope’s mindset, had also understood the Pope’s reaction.
He quickly covered his mouth.
Pretending to be surprised to realize he had made a slip of the tongue.
“Teacher Pope, guess how many internal traitors we can catch today? I’m kind of worried that your heart won’t be able to take it.”
The Pope “?”
Although Dekan changed the way he addressed him, no longer calling him ‘Young Pope’.
But no matter how the Pope listened, the term ‘Teacher Pope’ was still a way for Dekan to mock him.
What did Dekan’s words mean?
There were more traitors within the Rebirth Church apart from Dekan, the known one?!
The Pope quickly started brainstorming.
It was known that there was a money-grabbing traitor.
And this traitor was likely the one who helped Dekan during the Seventh Tier evaluation in the Randir Kingdom…
However, considering Shien’s reaction and Dekan’s behavior…
Shien seemed to be unrelated to the traitor, otherwise, she wouldn’t have hesitated for that brief moment.
Dekan’s attitude seemed like he knew a traitor the Pope hasn’t detected.
It couldn’t possibly that the money-grabbing traitor and the one secretly aiding Dekan were two different people, right?
Could there be other traitors?
After all, the more traitors there are,
The enemy would add one Bishop-level power for each traitor.
Not only would the Pope lose a Bishop-level power, but more importantly, compared to Dekan, who is an open traitor, the hidden traitors were fatal because they would betray them at crucial moments and disrupt everything!
If there were really a number of traitors beyond his imagination, the Pope began to doubt the originally secure situation.
The more he thought, the more he found it bizarre and even began doubting himself.
But suddenly, the Pope realized,
This simple question was a trap set by Dekan.
The only thing the Pope worried about now was traitors.
Capturing traitors was also one of the goals of this operation of the Pope.
Dekan precisely seized this point and was trying to shake the Pope’s mind!
When the Pope came to his senses, he realized that he had indeed been distracted by Dekan’s question.
The Pope glared at Dekan, this Bishop of Pain was really bothersome!
While taking advantage of the brief moment the Pope was distracted,
Dekan had already picked up the [Bachelor Despair Sword] and swung it with a wailing sound, while activating [Three Corpse Frenzy], summoning [Captain De’Erkan] and [Spectral Captain De’Erkan]！
After the Pope’s mental resistance to spirit spells was weakened by the [Bachelor Despair Sword],
And then suffered from [Three Corpse Frenzy] exciting desires and [Captain De’Erkan] provoking him,
The fiery rage in the Pope’s heart instantly became uncontrollable like blazing wildfire!
Finally,
Even though [Spectral Captain De’Erkan] had been instantly killed by the Pope’s Life Stripping,
Its mocking effect still briefly worked on the Pope.
“Good job!”
Shien was waiting for precisely this moment of Dekan’s strongest control being imposed on the Pope!
Shien took a step forward, and suddenly the arena seemed to freeze like twisted time and space.
From the gigantic magical apparatus placed at the back of the arena, mysterious and enchanting lights began to flash.
This apparatus looked spectacular, it was exactly the Man-made Shadow World Activation Device!
The next second, two Void Gates swallowed Shien and the motionless Pope at the same time.
The broadcast switched, showing not only the battle in the arena but also the Phantom Canyon.
This time, the Phantom Canyon was not the sunny hill like during the previous competitions.
Rather, it was a boundless icy wasteland with the howling wind and snow full of cold menace!
Compared with the dark night sky in Filovent Arena,
In the Phantom Canyon, the sun was rising and its light reflected on the glaciers, creating circles of magnificent and symbolically victorious light arcs.
Shien activated his management rights just now, bringing himself and the Pope into the Kingdom Union’s highest scientific achievement – the Man-made Shadow World!
Aloft in the icy wasteland,
Shien floated like a god,
Looking down on the Pope from above.
“Our roles have reversed in this Kingdom-owned Shadow World.”
Shien said coldly.
This was Shien’s preparation.
There was no doubt that Filovent Capital was the Kingdom Union’s home arena. Whether it was energy or magic devices, all the core resources of the Kingdom Union could be utilized.
The Rebirth Church had its space teleportation portals; the Kingdom Union had its Man-made Shadow World!
Now it was time to test the ultimate achievements of magical engineering.
This latest version and top-spec Man-made Shadow World Activation Device in Filovent Capital was not only for competitions. Under the control of the manager, it could also be a Ninth Tier magical barrier itself!
Its energy was backed by the entire Filovent Kingdom, making Shien here worthy to be considered the final boss of a Ninth-tier Shadow World.
“Agamemnon, I have divined the method to defeat you. The answer was barriers. Even the most powerful you have powers that you are powerless against, this is the only way to defeat you. Phantom Canyon was born for this reason.”
Shien seemed to mutter,
But yet, every word fell into the Pope’s ears like a heavy hammer!
As if prophesying his inevitable doom.
Towards the end, it even felt like one word weighed a thousand catties, and an invisible sound wave surged from before the Pope!
The original distance between Shien and the Pope was only about tens of meters, but the ice surface was suddenly visible to the naked eye where strange sound waves were sweeping towards the Pope, resembling sea waves and huge tides!
The Pope immediately retreated far back to increase distance, and did not dare to use [Chaos Protection] to directly counter all attacks like he would outside.
He clearly knew that Shien, who now controlled the barriers of Phantom Canyon and was supported by the energy center of the entire Filovent Kingdom, was no longer the previous auxiliary with no attack power!
But rather, truly a divine being capable of threatening him in this Shadow World!
As if the space was completely mastered by Shien, the more the Pope tried to retreat, the more distance he was unable to increase between him and Shien.
Shien pointed a finger directly at the Pope from afar, and slowly said, “Show me your true abilities, let me see how powerful you guys, who act as if you’re gods, actually are.”
The Pope’s abilities that he had presented thus far were similar to those of a human.
If their assumptions were correct,
The Pope might yet have other abilities not yet shown, or even powers that couldn’t be revealed in the presence of the people of this era!
When Shien flicked his finger,
Silently, all the sceneries in between her and the Pope lit up.
What was originally a vast and flat icy wasteland suddenly became luminously bright, as if all plunged into Shien’s attack!
“You don’t think those Eighth-tiers can hold off Finality and Illusion, right?!”
The Pope shouted darkly.
The moment the Pope sensed Shien’s lethal move aiming at himself, he gritted his teeth and did not bother to answer Shien’s taunt.
As long as the End or Illusion reached the arena, and destroyed the Man-made Shadow World Activation Device from the outside, the Pope would naturally be free!
Countless icy light beams shot out like spears, sharp and cold, falling entirely on the Pope’s magical barrier.
Instantly, the barrier shattered like an eggshell!
“Eight-tier? You underestimate the Fifth-tier Bishop of Pain?”
Shien coldly chuckled, already preparing for the next round of attacks.
Meanwhile, the Pope darkly reallocated mana, recondensing the barriers.
“…Just wait for this Man-made Shadow World Activation Device to be destroyed, and then you’ll see the Bishop of Pain die horribly!!”
