Holy Kingdom – Crossroads (2)

“Follow me quickly.”

“W-wait a moment!”

I hurriedly followed Ian who was confidently striding outside.

“Don’t panic and maintain formation as prepared! Priests in the rear, prepare to support with Holy Spells when combat begins!”

-Click. Click. Click.

Dozens of Holy Knights and priests moved with perfect synchronization at the commander’s order.

The hallway was already completely sealed without any gaps.

Amidst the tense atmosphere, the commander took several steps forward.

-Thud. Thud.

“Ian-nim, are you truly refusing cooperation and intending to fight us?”

“I should be asking you. By what right do you intend to arrest me?”

“We’ve received intelligence that you’ve maintained contact with spies of the demon tribe. And…”

-Click.

The commander pointed his sword at me.

“The fact that you’re currently with this criminal is irrefutable evidence.”

“Hmm… I was merely interrogating the criminal regarding some curious aspects of this case. Of course, this falls under the Magic Tower’s separate investigation, so there’s no need to cooperate with the Holy Kingdom.”

“That requires requesting cooperation from our Holy Kingdom. Unauthorized intrusion into restricted areas cannot be tolerated. If you refuse to cooperate, we’ll proceed with forced execution.”

“I’m afraid I have no intention of being captured quietly either.”

As expected, negotiations broke down.

Since they’d even deployed a Barrier, they clearly came prepared to use force.

‘Breaking through this encirclement doesn’t look easy…’

The hallway was wider than I’d thought.

Meaning we’d have to face numerous opponents at once with no room to maneuver.

“Priests, prepare Holy Spells!”

“Oh Goddess, bestow sacred power upon your servants.”

“Grant us strength to protect against all evil!”

Priests continued their prayers while enveloping Holy Knights with sacred gestures.

-Saaa.

The Goddess’s blessing began enveloping the Holy Knights.

Their shields and armor took on a white glow while their weapons shone with reinforced divine power.

“The opponent is a 7-Star Mage. But the Barrier should prevent full power usage. If subduing proves difficult, buy time until reinforcements arrive.”

The tension was palpable, combat likely to erupt any moment.

Just before fighting broke out, I approached Ian and whispered:

“Ian, can you hold out with your mana suppressed by the Barrier?”

“Just complete the spell before mana disperses. Remember our goal is buying time. Ten minutes is enough. And…”

Ian gripped my shoulder forcefully.

-Crunch.

“Agh…!”

“Don’t try any tricks. I won’t hesitate if you do.”

“…Understood.”

So much for showing concern.

I rubbed my stinging shoulder while grumbling internally.

He must be worried I might betray him. At least he recognizes how serious his actions were.

‘Let’s see how this plays out first.’

I was curious about Ian’s true capabilities.

The Barrier currently limited me to about 5-Star level at best.

Meanwhile, the Holy Knights were naturally at 4~5-Star level with massive priest support.

Though seemingly disadvantageous…

We actually held an ‘overwhelming’ advantage.

A 7-Star Mage.

Even with a Barrier, those who reach this level aren’t opponents ordinary Holy Knights can stop.

They literally exist in the realm of ‘superhumans’ who manipulate mana freely.

“How long will you just stand there? Didn’t you say you’d take me immediately?”

“……”

The opposition knew this too, hence their cautious hesitation despite Ian’s provocation.

Moreover, time favored us significantly.

“Advance slowly from this point.”

-Step. Step. Step.

Finally, Holy Knights began approaching us.

Ian immediately raised his hand upon seeing this.

“[Bind them.]”

“Ugh?!”

The ground shook violently, nearly making me lose balance.

Even after steadying myself, the entire hallway continued trembling until-

-Kugugugung!

Stone hands burst from the floor instantaneously.

Dozens of massive hands rapidly advanced toward the Holy Knights.

“Incoming! Everyone prepare!”

-Slash. Slash. Slash.

The hands were instantly severed by blessed swords,

-Kwachijik! Boom!

Shattered moments later by Holy Spells.

‘As expected of a well-trained unit.’

The Holy Knights were holding up better than I’d anticipated.

The Barrier reduced spell durability, but they defended remarkably well regardless.

But this way… the outcome became obvious.

The hands kept emerging endlessly despite being destroyed.

I could see Holy Knights panicking before this relentless onslaught.

“Deputy Commander! They’re endless!”

“We’ll reach our limit soon at this rate!”

“I’ll break through to disrupt the magic! Hold out!”

So he’s the Deputy Commander.

Assessing the situation, the Deputy Commander seemed ready to spearhead a breakthrough.

Breaking formation, he charged forward and began madly slashing through the hands.

-Slash. Slash. Slash.

‘Not bad.’

In this state, it might be a close fight. Though the difference in skill meant he’d lose regardless.

“Everyone support Deputy Commander’s breakthrough!”

With rear support, the Deputy Commander advanced through the wave, gradually nearing Ian.

But it seemed too late already…

“Don’t let them through! Block everything!”

“The flank is breached!”

“Evade!”

As predicted, the rear Holy Knights collapsed faster.

Unblocked spells reached the Holy Knights.

-Screech.

Protective Holy Spells momentarily held, but-

More hands overwhelmed them.

-Kwachik!

The protective spells shattered as frontline Holy Knights were captured.

Remaining hands immediately redirected toward the Deputy Commander.

The commander hastily retreated upon noticing.

“Damn it!”

-Thud!

Barely avoiding capture, the commander looked visibly shocked.

“H-how can you cast magic of this level despite the Barrier…?”

“Did you really think this pathetic Barrier could stop me?”

Ian continued pouring out magic expressionlessly as if it were nothing.

‘His talent is exceptional.’

An ordinary 7-Star Mage would struggle with mana usage here.

Take Sara, the Academy Dean, for example.

She had too many shortcomings to be considered a true 7-Star Mage.

But Ian, being a genius, quickly analyzed the Barrier and circumvented it.

By firing spells before mana dispersed, or efficiently utilizing surrounding resources.

He was even subtly using mana stored in magic stones.

Recognizing the gap, the Deputy Commander laughed hollowly.

“Ha… ha… So this is the difference…”

“[Block them.]”

-Kugugugung!

A stone wall now completely separated us from the opposition.

‘He’s handling this well alone.’

Subduing took time, but killing them would’ve ended quickly.

Ian maintained the barrier with one hand while preparing a magic stone with the other.

“Rena, I’ll focus on the magic stone. Alert me if anything changes over there.”

“Got it. Once we solve the magic sto-“

-Kwaaaaang!

A spear pierced through the rock like tofu, entering my vision.

“!!”

‘What a flashy entrance.’

I feigned surprise while lightly stepping back.

-Pang!

A spear wrapped in divine power grazed past my eyes.

“Ian!”

-Kiiiiing!

The spear collided with a blue barrier Ian instantly created, producing friction sparks.

“Kuh!”

The spear ultimately failed to penetrate and fell powerless to the ground.

But suddenly, the spear floated up and began returning to its origin.

Someone swiftly approached from behind the Holy Knights.

“Everyone fall back!”

A man landed smoothly before us, spun his spear once, then planted it on the ground.

Swish- Thud!

He solemnly called Ian’s name.

“Ian Orden. First time seeing you since the Papal Chamber. You’ve been busy with interesting affairs.”

“…I expected you’d come.”

“Is that so? And beside you… the spy who colluded with demons and attempted to assassinate His Holiness the Pope.”

“Ugh…”

A chilling sensation ran through me from the man’s overwhelming aura.

‘Even Ian might be in danger here.’

Though unfamiliar, his power felt comparable to or exceeding Cardinal Antonio’s.

Among Holy Kingdom’s renowned spear users… only one name came to mind.

Cardinal Daniel.

Famed as the Pope’s Spear, with glorious achievements exterminating demon remnants. I’d always wanted to meet him.

Never imagined encountering him as an enemy.