Ch.75Labyrinth

“Sacred Domain Proclamation!”

With that cry, the dark night sky emitted a bright light, creating the illusion that day had arrived.

The light instantly purified the ground where Khan and the Doom Knight stood.

*Hissss—!!*

Along with the stench of rotting corpses, purple smoke began to purify the land of the dead.

Under that intense light, the skeletons were cleansed and returned to the earth, leaving only the Doom Knight and the Bone Drake.

*Thunk—!!*

The Doom Knight’s killing blow also lost half its power due to the Saintess’s sudden Sacred Domain Proclamation. Instead of completely shattering Khan’s arm, it merely pierced through it.

“Grrrgh—!!”

The Doom Knight tried to retreat and regroup. However…

*Whirrr—!!*

*Craaack—*

The tail that had been holding open the Bone Drake’s jaw now bound the Doom Knight’s body.

The Doom Knight’s armor, weakened by the Sacred Domain Proclamation, cracked and screamed.

“Grrrgh—! You stupid fool! Those are people who came to capture us! Instead of fighting each other, we should join forces—!”

*Crunch—*

As if finding the words distasteful, Khan tightened his tail, splitting the Doom Knight in two, then crushed him completely with a lightning-charged stomp.

[Participant Doom Knight, eliminated…]

Khan ignored the system’s useless notification and looked at the woman dressed in white.

Since she had proclaimed a Sacred Domain, she must be a high-ranking figure.

While he was contemplating whether to fight or not, the Order’s forces gradually appeared.

The Holy Hammer Corps: 1,500 strong, showing formidable power against undead monsters like skeletons and zombies.

The Holy Knight Order: 3,000 strong, the Order’s most representative military force, always at the forefront against heretics and the undead.

The Holy Incantation Corps: 500 magic users who support the Knight Order and Hammer Corps with various holy and support magic.

The Choir: The Order’s most powerful support group. Though only 300 in number, when their songs echo across the battlefield, they strengthen all who follow the God of Light.

Knights of God: Only 10 in number, but their power approaches that of Masters. With support from the Choir and Holy Incantation Corps, they can become even stronger than Masters.

And now, the First Star Party of orichalcon adventurers who had been wandering in search of a new home since the Empire’s disappearance, plus the Saintess, one of the two pillars leading the Order.

Despite the recent major war with the Doom Knight, the Order had committed its full strength, mobilizing orichalcon adventurers, Knights of God, and even the Saintess.

All to deal with Wrath before it grew stronger.

But what they witnessed upon arrival was Wrath completely destroying the Doom Knight.

“Wrath has done the job we came to do. We’ll deal with the remaining Wrath slowly through attrition. The First Star Party will finish it off.”

“Yes. Thank you for trusting us with this task.”

“I believe in the strength that elevated your party to orichalcon in just six years. All forces, advance.”

As the sacred ground was purified by the Saintess’s Sacred Domain Proclamation, the Holy Knight Order was the first to step in.

* * * * *

Khan stared blankly at the white waves. They had occupied all four sides, making him feel like Xiang Yu of the Chu state.

He briefly admired how they had positioned themselves to force him to fight no matter which direction he chose.

Now it was time to make a decision.

Should he face them, or should he flee? Facing them would be simple, but he thought that if some of them joined forces, even he might be in danger.

The white cockroaches were approaching gradually. And powerful enemies were hiding everywhere.

Khan made his decision.

*BOOM——!!!*

When Khan stomped the ground with all his might, the earth began to shake. While the Order’s personnel were confused by the earthquake-like tremors…

*Rumble—*

Massive stone walls rose up, dividing the Order’s forces into sections.

“What is this…!! There were no reports that Wrath could control the earth…!”

The Saintess was shocked by this sight, while the leader of the First Star Party watched with an intrigued expression. The leader’s face turned toward the sky.

In the night sky where starlight had disappeared, all that could be seen was the bright light of Uldur shining down. Yet he stared intently at one spot as if seeing something.

“Choir! Holy Incantation Corps! If you can hear me, respond! What’s happening right now?”

-Saintess, this is Incantation Corps Team 1. Massive stone walls have appeared before us, separating us from the Holy Knight Order and Hammer Corps in front of us. The stone walls form what appears to be a maze.

-Team 2 here. We’re also separated from the Holy Knight Order and Hammer Corps. We can’t properly determine our position… AAAAGH—!!!!

“Team 2! What’s happening, Team 2!”

Despite the Saintess’s demand for confirmation after Team 2’s terrible scream, communication with Team 2 was not reestablished.

“Sigh… First Star Party, please enter and clear a path to rescue the others. It seems Wrath has either been hiding its ability to manipulate earth until now, or has eliminated all witnesses.”

“Hmm… This will cost extra. Is that acceptable, Saintess?”

The leader of the First Star Party, William, said with a grin. At this, the Saintess showed her anger for the first time.

“Don’t be foolish, William. Your party’s contract was to participate in the Order’s holy war and eliminate the Minotaur. Clearing paths and rescuing Order personnel falls under participating in the holy war. I didn’t expect such stupid words from someone who formed a party after five years and made it into an orichalcon party.”

Despite the Saintess’s harsh words, William continued to grin, though veins bulged on his forehead in anger.

“Hahaha! That’s right, of course. I apologize. I just… Let’s go, everyone!”

“Yes! Leave the vanguard to me, William! I’ll block everything!”

“Leave the rear to me. I will eliminate anything that blocks William’s path.”

“Leave healing to me. Even if something gets severed, I can reattach it quickly as long as the cut is clean!”

“I’ll clear the path! Crescent Wind!”

While the First Star Party entered the battlefield and cleared a path, the Order’s personnel trembled in fear before the massive Minotaur blocking their way.

* * * * *

“O Uldur, God of Light, please shine your light upon us to give us courage and power to destroy evil… As one who walks the path of light, I earnestly pray to Uldur…”

*CRASH——!!*

Before the holy knight could finish his prayer, a stone Minotaur—a Stone Golem—leaped out from the wall and pounced on the praying cleric.

The holy knight died without even being able to scream, and when a member of the Hammer Corps attacked the Stone Golem…

*Thud—*

The Hammer Corps member’s attack merely cut through empty air.

“Damn it. I know I shouldn’t use such language, but this place is truly hellish. That monster jumps out from the stone walls without making any sound, and the walls are too high to climb…”

“As Amper said, it’s exactly right. Even if we break the walls, they keep regenerating, and they strike precisely at our blind spots… We frontliners can fight back to some extent, but if the Holy Incantation Corps or Choir at the very back got caught…”

“The Incantation Corps has Holy Golems, so they’re somewhat okay. The problem is the Choir. How frightening it must be for our brothers and sisters who support us with their singing from the rear to be separated from everyone.”

At these words, the holy knight shuddered at the terrible thought, and Amper of the Hammer Corps did the same.

It seemed like only an hour had passed since they were trapped by the stone walls, but already five people had died.

Currently, there were twenty Hammer Corps members and eighty Holy Knight Order members here, so five deaths meant about 5% of their fighting force was gone.

The most frightening thing was that since arriving here, they had been helplessly overwhelmed without even being able to fight properly.

They had certainly come here expecting an honorable battle to begin, but Wrath did not move according to their expectations.

As everyone’s expressions showed fear of meeting Uldur without even having fought a proper battle…

*Thud… Thud… Thud…*

Heavy footsteps and vibrations approached from afar. At that sound, they felt that the time had finally come.

Only a Holy Golem, a Stone Golem, or Wrath—the target of their holy war—could make such footsteps and vibrations.

But it couldn’t be a Holy Golem since no holy power of the God of Light could be felt, and Stone Golems had been continuously jumping out from the walls…

“It’s Wrath. Everyone prepare for battle. This battlefield is being watched by Uldur. Stay sharp, all of you.”

As Amper encouraged everyone and determined the path they should take, the members of the Holy Knight Order and Hammer Corps prepared themselves for battle through prayers and resolve.

*Boom—! Boom—! Boom—!*

The vibrations grew closer. The Holy Knight Order and Hammer Corps used simple support skills at their disposal.

“Everyone, let’s go.”

Those who had finished preparing moved forward with determined expressions, and those who had been praying in the back also stood up and advanced.

The footsteps grew louder and the vibrations shook the ground to welcome them…

“UWAAAAAH!!!!”

With Amper’s roar, they charged forward. Nearly 90 people rushed ahead, and what greeted them was a 5-meter stone Minotaur.

“Damn it! Is this a deception tactic now? Everyone, be careful and destroy the golem!”

The Stone Golem rushed at the Order members as soon as it saw them and swung its arm.

“Scatter!”

*Crash—!*

Following Amper’s command, those at the front avoided the attack, but the golem’s strength was overwhelming.

The golem’s arm struck the ground, sending fragments flying, and one unfortunate person’s eye was pierced, blinding them.

“ARGH—!!”

“Don’t just stand there like idiots! The enemy is a golem! Even if it’s not Wrath itself, it’s an evil being born from Wrath’s power! Attack!”

Amper was the first. He took out his beloved hammer and shield, charged forward, and swung his hammer infused with holy power.

*Crack—!!*

With a single blow, the hammer created a crack in the Stone Golem’s leg. The golem, modeled after a Minotaur, had thinner legs than other Stone Golems, so that was enough to collapse one leg.

“High attack power but low defense! Use heavy weapons, brothers! Holy Knight Order, defend with shields as much as possible!”

Following Amper, the Hammer Corps and Holy Knight Order charged.

They thrust forward their hammers, flails, morning stars, and other heavy weapons, smashing the golem’s body.

Its legs collapsed instantly, and three holy knights rushed to block the golem’s swinging arms with shields infused with holy power.

The Hammer Corps smashed its head attacks with their hammers, and the Stone Golem’s lower body was completely destroyed by the power of the Hammer Corps and Holy Knight Order.

With the power of the Hammer Corps and Holy Knight Order, the golem disappeared without putting up a proper fight, leaving only a pile of stones.

“We won—!!!”

“YAAAAAY!!!!”

The followers of the God of Light savored their victory over the golem with triumphant cheers.

It could have been a battle with significant casualties, but to win so easily!

They were savoring the joy of victory, but their joy did not last long.

*Crunch—*

The sound of something being chewed came from behind. At that sound, those at the front line turned their gaze backward.

There stood a massive Minotaur, putting a person in its mouth and chewing.

It was hard to believe that something so huge had killed their brothers and sisters without making any sound, but they had only one thing to do.

“UWAAAAAH——!!”

The Holy Knight Order and Hammer Corps rushed at Khan without hesitation. They might die here, but if they could inflict even a little damage, their brothers and sisters would kill this monster.

*Thud—!*

“Kuhak!”

As they rushed toward Khan, a golem that jumped out from the wall swung its fist, turning three people into pulp, and slid along the ground to chase after them.

“Don’t look back, brothers! Our target is only the main body ahead! Uldur is with us!”

*WAAAAH—!!*

The Holy Knight Order and Hammer Corps pressed forward, regardless of what was happening behind them.

With the sacrifice of those at the rear, they finally managed to approach Khan, and Amper, reaching him first, swung his hammer.

“Hup—!!”

His hammer swung with a battle cry. The hammer, containing pure white energy and incredibly holy, advanced toward the crimson Minotaur Khan.

The belief that this hammer could damage the creature, and the absolute faith in the holy power given by Uldur.

Due to these two factors, the holy power emitted an even brighter light as it was swung at Khan.

*Thud—!*

And the hammer was swung more cleanly than any attack Amper had ever made, hitting Khan’s leg.

The hammer swung toward the leg hit exactly where there was no fur on the leg, and Amper smiled with satisfaction at the sight.

But…

*Boom!*

Khan lightly lifted his leg and stomped down. Amper disappeared, trampled under Khan’s foot. As the others who had been rushing forward mourned the death of Amper who had led them, and charged even more vigorously…

*Crash—! Crash—!*

As if explosives were detonating, three more golems emerged from the walls and attacked the holy knights and Hammer Corps from both sides and behind.

The blood of the Holy Knight Order and Hammer Corps soaked the ground, disappearing like red flowers, and such flowers bloomed throughout the labyrinth, displaying their beauty.