### Chapter 27: The Demise of the Makeup Artist
The Group Leader had barely stepped away when the Holy Knight Jian Ji’an strolled up to the vicinity of the old, abandoned theater.
Following him were four other Holy Knights, all plucked straight from the church.
“Jian Ji’an, is this the place you mentioned?” a Holy Knight asked.
Jian Ji’an nodded lightly.
“Yes, a Graced One is here who can immobilize people’s bodies. That’s all I know as of now. To avoid any mishaps, I’ve brought you all here.”
“It seems interesting.”
Then the five Holy Knights walked into the theater.
Their arrival piqued the interest of the theater members who hadn’t yet gone to sleep.
“Holy Knights!?”
Upon hearing this, the troupe members quickly gathered and positioned themselves in front of the Makeup Artist.
The Enthusiastic Singer yelled at the top of his lungs, “What brings you here? Are you here again just to take our Makeup Artist?!”
Jian Ji’an ignored his question and scanned the area instead.
“Where did the Group Leader go? Isn’t he here?”
“He went out just now…” replied Mirrors Night Sakura in a whisper.
Jian Ji’an caught every word.
“So that’s how it is. Too bad, but it’s not a big deal.”
Jian Ji’an said something cryptic before extending his hand toward the Makeup Artist.
“Lady, I’ll offer you one more chance to come back with me to the church. It’s your best bet.”
“Impossible. Please leave.”
A troupe member spoke on behalf of Night Sakura Mirrors.
Ignoring him, Jian Ji’an continued to stare at Mirrors Night Sakura, awaiting her direct response.
Night Sakura Mirrors stood defiantly from behind the troupe members, saying firmly, “I’m sorry, but I won’t be going with you. My theater is my home, and no matter what happens, I won’t leave.”
On hearing these words, Jian Ji’an lowered his hand disappointedly and sighed quietly.
“Do you think bringing four Holy Knights over means we’d simply leave if you refuse?”
“Huh?”
Mirrors Night Sakura looked somewhat puzzled.
Then, a golden glow began to emit from Jian Ji’an’s hands, growing increasingly radiant.
After a few seconds, a long beam of light resembling a spear was now in his grip.
“Since you can’t join the Church’s forces, then perish.”
Monopoly plan of divine powers.
This was how the Holy Church treated the Graced Ones outside.
Uncontrollable Graced Ones often faced only d*ath to prevent them from forming alliances that could threaten the Church’s dominion.
With a ruthless expression on his face, Jian Ji’an hurled the beam of light forward.
Swoosh!
Thwoop!
…
Meanwhile.
The Group Leader, on his way to the church, suddenly sensed something.
“Oh no!”
Recognizing the abnormal fluctuation coming from a familiar direction, the Group Leader hurriedly retraced his steps, heading back to the theater as fast as possible.
Across the street, Night Star Lan, who had just lain down, abruptly opened her eyes, sensing something unusual.
“Star force?”
Yes, Night Star Lan detected a burst of star power.
Though distant, she could still feel it, almost like an illusion.
Instead of lying down to rest, Night Star Lan got up and made the Night Lan and Night Star put on clothes and step out of the room.
She had to check it out!
Because she felt a foreboding sense lurking ahead.
A moment later.
With the help of their incredible speed B ability, Night Lan and Night Star reached the area where the star force was emanating—yes, the familiar theater.
The two girls panted heavily, apparently having pushed themselves hard to get there.
Halfway through, she sensed something amiss.
Upon arriving, she confirmed her suspicions.
“It’s the theater. What’s going on here?”
Just as Night Star Lan pondered this, an urgent rush of footsteps echoed behind her.
Night Star Lan swiftly hid and watched.
A tall figure dashed past quickly.
Night Star Lan recognized him.
It was the Group Leader!
“The Group Leader? He just returned? Then who caused that star power surge earlier? Could it have been Mirrors Night Sakura? But that force was so strong; even if she awakened her stars, it wouldn’t be that intense…”
Realizing this, Night Star Lan concealed herself and followed the troupe, entering the theater.
When she entered, she saw the scene before her.
“Wait a minute?”
Five bulky men clad in white-gold armor stood nearby, exuding a menacing aura.
Night Star Lan knew them—they were the Holy Knights!
There were five of them this time?
Amazed, Night Star Lan shifted her gaze to see the troupe members huddled on the ground around an unconscious girl, bl**d clearly visible on the ground.
The fallen girl was…Mirrors Night Sakura!
Before Night Star Lan could react, the Group Leader bellowed, “What are you doing!?’
Jian Ji’an glanced around casually.
Behind him, the four other Holy Knights sprang into action, swiftly rushing to restrain the Group Leader who lay motionless under their grasp.
Crash!
“Behave.”
Crushed by four Holy Knights, the Group Leader couldn’t move, nor use his abilities, helplessly watching the ongoing chaos.
Seeing the Group Leader subdued, Jian Ji’an looked back at the fallen girl with pity in his eyes.
“Pity you can’t become a Holy Knight. You couldn’t awaken divine powers and will be eliminated soon. Perhaps you never earned God’s blessing; maybe your lack of power is due to your failings.”
Hearing this, the Enthusiastic Singer sprang up, enraged. “Do you understand what you’ve done?! Why commit such cruelty?! Why harm this innocent lady?! Do you take life so lightly? Is this what a Holy Knight does? Absolutely inexcusable!”
About to charge at Jian Ji’an, a beam of light shot up before him, stopping him in his tracks.
Jian Ji’an held the beam aloft, his eyes cold as ice.
“What would you know? This is divine will. Those who defy it must be cleansed. We Holy Knights serve God; can a little mortal truly stand in judgment? Move aside. We don’t want a massacre. Hand over the lady’s body; we’ll handle it, or else the devil might possess her.”
“It’s getting too much…”
Though furious, the troupe members stayed silent and ready to charge despite the danger.
The Makeup Artist’s heartbeat stopped, slain by the blonde man before their very eyes.
A quick and shocking turn of events.
Right as they were about to retaliate, an eerie aura started to form around them.
Dark energy emerged from the Makeup Artist’s body, ominous and unsettling.
Seeing this, Jian Ji’an widened his eyes.
“Demon!”
Night Star Lan, in disbelief, whispered under her breath,
“Star Eclipses…”
