### Chapter 171: The Battlefield That Can’t Be Late (Part 2)
“Phew, phew…”
Theo’s eyes were bloodshot, his steps unsteady, his body slightly swaying, almost toppling over, his right hand trembling violently, feeling as if he could barely hold onto the scythe.
After fighting this long, he was completely spent. His lungs sounded like a broken bellows, gasping for air. It was just pure grit that kept him going, the thought of taking out a few more enemies before he bit the dust—it was a promise he made to the Duke, vowing to hold the square with the remaining thousand Lion Hunters to buy him some time.
But the square was already lost…
He had retreated with as many Hunters as he could muster, to this last line of defense, a bustling market just west of the square, and if they went further west, they would be right on the Duke’s heels.
So, I can’t fall back any further…
I can still take a few more down…
I can still—
With sheer willpower, Theo forced his weary body forward, wrapping a bandage around the deep cut on his right arm to secure the scythe, then he raised his weapon and clashed with the incoming Knight, slicing through the Knight’s sword, and with a heavy swing, the blade came crashing down on the Knight’s shoulder, pulling sharply!
“Ugh—”
The Knight let out a bl**d-curdling scream, armor and shoulder torn apart, bl**d gushing out like a busted fountain. But the onslaught didn’t stop. Theo yanked the scythe back, gears grinding, and with a swift motion, transformed the scythe into a spear, zipping toward the Knight’s throat.
Thunk!
The thrust pierced straight through the Knight’s neck.
The man’s mouth and eyes widened in shock, instinctively reaching for the fountain of bl**d but collapsing before he could even finish his motion.
Meanwhile, two other Knights, witnessing their comrade’s grim fate, their eyes turned crimson with rage, roaring as they charged at Theo. The man barely caught his breath before yanking out his scythe, diving back into the fray, his blade swirling with deadly grace, an avatar of carnage as Knights continued to drop around him.
A bunch of scrubs…
He thought.
If that Nun weren’t here, you guys wouldn’t stand a chance…
Boom—!!!!
Suddenly, an explosion rang out in his ears.
Theo felt a jolt of pain in his ears, his head buzzing. Before he could even register what was happening, the world around him began to spin, his body was thrown high into the air by an intense blast, twirling about like a ragdoll, alongside the corpses of the Knights beneath him, they all went soaring…
He had no idea how high or how far he flew, and then, with a thud, he crashed to the ground, neck almost bent at a crazy angle. He heard a crack—an echo that felt surreal—then his ears went completely deaf, and the world around him flickered between black and white. He couldn’t get up for what felt like an eternity—though he didn’t feel much pain, it seemed like his left leg might be broken, and his neck didn’t seem to be doing much better.
Not dead yet…
He thought hazily, and somehow, mustering strength from who-knows-where, he managed to drag himself up on a broken leg.
His vision was askew…
But it’s okay, the scythe is still tied to my hand, so I can fight on.
Just then, as Theo attempted to turn back to the battlefield, he spotted a middle-aged Nun standing not far from him, the golden light around her gradually fading.
Ordinary-looking…
With a physique like a farmwoman.
That was the first thing that popped into his head, and it dawned on him who stood before him; he had never been so close to this terrifying enemy.
He saw that the Nun was holding the head of another Lion Hunter captain he recognized.
“Beastmen, unknowingly steeped in sin… you are a scourge.”
The farm-woman-like Nun regarded him, not immediately striking, but just her presence alone radiated an overwhelming pressure that left Theo feeling breathless; he knew d*ath was close.
The man couldn’t make out what the Nun was saying, and he struggled to lift his left hand to try and straighten his head—at least he wanted to face her properly before he died, to look her in the eyes.
But it felt like his head wouldn’t budge…
His vision was turning completely black.
“Your mother…”
Theo cursed with whatever consciousness remained, a grim smile spreading across his bloodied face—before the smile fully formed and the curse could finish, the Nun suddenly raised her hand, casually as if swatting a fly—golden light flickered, and Theo didn’t hear the blast as his consciousness faded completely.
…………
Boom!
A stunning explosion erupted with golden light, flattening the ground in a dozen-meter radius around the market in an instant. The defiant figure that was at the center of the blast was soon reduced to a bloody mist, not even a corpse left behind.
“Thank God for mercy, letting you escape the noose.”
Sister Kaimilante’s gaze was calm, her pure white robe now stained with some bl**d and dust. She withdrew her right hand, lightly flicking her sleeve, ignoring the bones and flesh raining down around her as her gaze returned to the road that wound into the distance.
From there, a tall figure clad in a black trench coat was slowly approaching, a murderous aura thick around them.
“… It’s you again.”
The Nun immediately recognized the figure.
It seemed to be a well-known general from the Beastmen, who had recently fallen to her… what was their name again? She couldn’t recall.
Beastly vermin, scourge to the people, not worth remembering their name.
“Since you’re here, it means divine punishment is not far from the rebel leader, right?”
Clang!
Bella moved toward the Nun amid the shockwaves of the explosion, her coat billowing. She split her enigmatic double-headed sword, sparks flying as in her hands she gripped a blade and a sword, her eyes glinting with bloodlust, aimed straight at the Nun’s face.
“What, are you all alone?”
The Nun paid no heed to the murderous intent, asking in a calm voice.
“Your subordinates, and the rebel leader, have they all abandoned you again and made a run for it… how fitting for beasts to act on instinct.”
“Enough with the chatter.”
Suddenly, Bella activated Moon Step: “To deal with you, I alone am enough.”
An incredible battle was about to erupt.
As the strongest of the Workshop Hunters, Bella never dragged her feet in combat. In a flash, she disappeared behind the Nun. With a blade and a sword ignited in ferocious flames, she aimed to take the Nun’s head off, only to see that the Nun remained unfazed, golden light shimmering around her as she vanished with a hum.
Bella immediately pulled back her offensive, using Moon Step to swiftly retreat.
After steadying herself, she scanned her surroundings alertly and suddenly seemed to sense something, lifting her head sharply.
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz—
Amidst the sound that seemed to vibrate the very air, Bella saw the Nun had somehow taken a position high above in the ruins, looking down at her. The blinding golden light around her coalesced into three small, sun-like orbs, without a flicker of expression, the Nun waved her right hand, and one of the light orbs shot towards Bella at breakneck speed.
It was too fast to react.
Boom!!!!
Another tremendous explosion echoed throughout the town, the unprecedented force nearly obliterating half of the market, flames erupting. The shockwave instantly hurled countless Hunters and Knights embroiled in battle into the air.
As the debris settled, Bella’s somewhat disheveled figure emerged from the outskirts of the explosion—she was half sitting on the ground, her ears ringing, struggling to get back on her feet.
In the next instant, with a hum, the Nun appeared right in front of her again.
“You really are audacious.”
That sturdy hand, more like a man’s than a woman’s, wrapped in golden light, swung down toward her head.
