Chapter 930

## Chapter 930

***

The former capital of the Empire, 2nd Hairan Castle.

The great fracture was not only present in Drakka but had opened in all the major strongholds of the major factions. Currently, Luna and Luntia were filling Dante’s vacant position.

“Luckily, we were able to put an end to it before civilian casualties increased, unnie,” Luntia said as she looked at the sky.

Just minutes ago, the True Demon World’s fractures had filled the sky. However, the two had already completely destroyed all fractures before the demons could be seriously summoned.

The traces of the Crimson Sword aura and the fraternal star were visible in the places where the fractures had opened. Especially, the crimson aura was still burning with the same intensity as before, enveloping the area with demonic energy and the corpses of the demons.

“Unnie, you’re not overdoing it, are you? You used to get tired when you used a lot of crimson aura in a short time because of the limit,” Luntia commented, examining Luna’s expression. In fact, there were no signs of exhaustion, but her countenance was strangely heavy.

“No, I’m not tired.”

“Then?”

“…I have a bad feeling.”

Luna’s pupils narrowed. She had been enveloped in an ominous premonition throughout the battle.

“Is it because of the younger one?”

“Yes… This time, it seems that our younger one is facing an opponent he can’t overcome.”

In fact, Luna could vaguely perceive Paellito’s power. Just as Elona had read his strength.

That power was infinitely dark and immense, like the kings of the Black Sea she had encountered during her expedition.

“If you put it that way, unnie, then you must have perceived something. Alright, leave this to me, and you go to the Holy Kingdom.”

Luntia pointed to the new large fractures opening in the distant sky. However, Luna shook her head.

“No, I will continue to handle this. You go.”

Her voice was resolute.

Of course, Luna was more worried about Jin than anyone else. She wanted to rush to help her younger brother immediately.

However, the young patriarch had ordered her to protect the Empire.

So, even if reinforcements were sent, it was right for Luna to stay in the Empire, as she was undoubtedly the one who could best fulfill that order on her own.

Luntia didn’t insist further. There was no way for the flagbearers to ignore the laws of Runcandel.

“Alright. I will return to the main force immediately and coordinate with the young patriarch. I will also select someone to take my place and send them here.”

Luna raised Krantel high. The crimson sword aura in the sky began to swirl and gather around Krantel’s blade.

“Alright, Luntia, I’m counting on you. I’ll go as soon as everything is resolved on this side.”

***

**Holy Queen’s Palace.**

A golden protective barrier surrounded the palace. It was a shield formed by Lani and the saints, gathering the remnants of Ayula’s energy that Paellito had destroyed.

“Ha, ha…!”

The Holy Queen Lani knelt before the iron gate of the Eternal Storage, located on the lowest level of the Holy Queen’s Palace, and summoned divine power.

The pale yellow sacred power and the coldness of the Full Ice radiating from Talaris filled the lower level.

It was to block Zito’s energy, which was trying to break through the lowest level. The purple demonic energy oozed through the crack in the iron gate, which originally didn’t even allow a single sheet of paper to pass.

The source of this demonic energy was Zito’s eye, sealed in the deepest part of the Eternal Storage.

‘…I can’t hold on alone. Did that monster’s eye wait for the moment when the Hidden Palace mistress left…?’

Talaris had gone outside as soon as Paellito initiated his invasion. At first, she had tried to hinder Paellito’s advance by deploying the Great Ice Shield, and now she had to stop Videluce.

Boom…!

A sudden, deafening explosion occurred, and a vibration on the outside of the palace. This meant that the enemies had already broken through the palace’s protective barrier. A drop of blood slipped between her lips as she gritted her teeth.

‘Already!? No, it’s too fast!’

The vibrations were intensifying rapidly. The crack in the iron gate widened due to the shaking ground, and the demonic energy rushed through it.

The situation was much worse outside than what Lani was perceiving.

“Oh, wow, oh, wow, look at these kids. Did you really think you could gather the remnants of Ayula’s shield to stop this Videluce? Dream big, dream big.”

**Chiaaaak-!**

A thick purple lightning bolt shot out from Videluce’s hand. Every time he extended his hand lightly, a huge crack appeared in the Holy Queen’s Palace’s protective barrier.

Videluce, the Destroyer.

In the True Demon World, she was a symbol of destruction. Videluce didn’t even pay attention to her subordinates who were rushing through the broken parts of the shield and continued to fire the lightning bolts.

The demonic army continued to break into the protective barrier without hesitation, even as they watched their comrades die at the hands of Videluce.

There was no trace of the holy subjects on the streets. They had all previously evacuated to underground shelters or inside the Holy Queen’s Palace.

The Holy Knights formed a barricade around the palace, acting as human walls. In the midst of it all, Talaris stared intently at Videluce.

Talaris showed no signs of composure on her face. She had already spent too much energy defending against Zito’s power and deploying the Great Ice Shield, and now she was facing Videluce.

“There, you must be the Hidden Palace mistress, right? Well, it’s a good time. I only intended to retrieve Lord Zito’s eye, but I can also take care of the Full Ice.”

“It seems you’re quite confident. But, demon, let me tell you something. My Hidden Palace and the Vamel Alliance have never faltered in moments like this. You’d be better off showing some caution.”

“Ahaha, seriously! It seems you have faith in the boys fighting our Paellito, but they will die soon. The battle is practically over. Let’s see… yes, that place over there should be good.”

Videluce licked his lips and looked towards the distant land, to Talaris’ left. Beneath that land was one of the underground shelters.

Then, Talaris jumped and fired a pure white blade of energy to block the purple lightning bolt descending towards the underground shelter. The blade intercepted the lightning bolt, but Videluce was already right in front of Talaris.

“Ugh!”

Videluce extended his fist, and Talaris blocked it with Full Ice.

“Ha, I’m somewhat disappointed. Even if you hadn’t gotten tired before, we could have had a pretty entertaining fight. But now my taste has turned bitter.”

“Do you think that souls that have fallen to hell and those bastards from the underworld can talk about taste? Stop the nonsense and wipe the blood off your cheek.”

Videluce was taken aback as he wiped his right cheek. The blood, cooled by the cold, was flowing down it.

“Oh… when did that happen? I didn’t even feel it! I heard you were one of the strongest on the surface in the previous era. Turns out it wasn’t an unfounded rumor, huh?”

The wound quickly healed once the blood was wiped away. At that moment, the land where Videluce had aimed the lightning bolt exploded.

“But you didn’t protect the humans hiding down there either. It seems almost a thousand humans have died with this explosion, right?”

Talaris’ eyes contracted, as Videluce had already identified the location of all the underground shelters.

Talaris made a quick decision.

“Holy Knights, all enter the palace and protect the Holy Queen.”

It was impossible for Talaris to fight while protecting the civilians, and the Holy Knights posed no threat to Videluce; they would only be a hindrance.

“…Lady Ayula will be with you, Hidden Palace mistress.”

“Even if they witness the death of the subjects right in front of them, follow the orders of the Hidden Palace mistress. There is no one among us who can assess the situation more calmly than her.”

The Holy Knights entered the Holy Castle, remembering Lani’s orders. The situation was so tragic that they had to turn a blind eye to the death of the subjects, but they had no other choice. All they could do now was pray while protecting Lani.

Meanwhile, Videluce had casually destroyed two more underground shelters while pressing Talaris.

“To be honest, killing humans isn’t that enjoyable, but seeing your face while you pretend to fight without showing emotions is quite exciting. So, show me more of those expressions, it’s stimulating!”

Every time Talaris blocked Videluce’s punches, it felt like his wounds were going to burst. Talaris was exhausted and clearly at a disadvantage in almost every aspect, until…

**Whoooom…!**

Murakan arrived.

“Tch, you followed me already?”

Videluce hastily erected a protective shield after sensing the sudden darkness that enveloped everything. The Shadow Energy of the True Manifestation of Shadows surged like a tsunami and crashed down on Videluce.

[Talaris, are you alright?]

“I’m still fine.”

[I arrived a little late because I was dealing with those demonic underlings.]

“What about Jin and the Emperor of Swords?”

Murakan didn’t respond. Talaris knew how hard it was for him to come here to save others while his contractor was in trouble. It was the most horrifying resolution a Guardian Dragon could make.

[You felt it too, right? The demons are approaching from all sides. I’ll cover them, so focus on attacking. Find a way to open a path and finish them off.]

Talaris nodded. Even with Murakan’s arrival, it was her responsibility to kill Videluce.

Videluce narrowly escaped the True Manifestation of Shadows and began firing the lightning bolt again.

And Murakan had to roar and release his Shadow Energy to the fullest as the purple lightning bolt shot out of his palm.

**Kaaaaaah-!**

The True Manifestation of Shadows rapidly expanded and began to block the demonic energy rushing towards the palace. A deafening sound was generated as two immense powers clashed: the Shadow Energy and the demonic energy.

The force hitting the True Manifestation of Shadows at that moment wasn’t Videluce’s lightning bolt.

“Paellito’s sword energy reached this far…!”

The third Heavenly Destruction Slash, Paellito’s sword technique.

Paellito had pushed Jin and Dante out of the Great Belliam Plain, after Murakan started chasing Videluce, approaching the Holy Queen’s Palace.

Of course, “approaching” didn’t mean they were within striking distance, but that didn’t apply to the Genesis Knight.

A moment later, the shockwaves of both forces subsided. Murakan and Talaris directed their gaze beyond the crack in the True Manifestation of Shadows.

A hemisphere similar to the wall of death that Sakiel had used in the past had formed. Inside it, Jin and Dante were standing in front of Paellito.

“What are you looking at, kids? Even though the Heavenly Destruction Slash may be impressive, you shouldn’t ignore me like this.”

Videluce showed his displeasure and clenched his fist.

“As destructive as it is, I’m not far behind the Demon of the Sword. I’m annoyed, so let’s finish this quickly.”

In an instant, Videluce’s blow pierced through the layered curtains of Shadow Energy and directly hit the Holy Queen’s Palace.

The palace buildings were reduced to mere particles with that blow. If Lani hadn’t been in the Eternal Storage on the lowest level, she would undoubtedly have lost her life.

Every Holy Knight who had entered the palace to protect her died.

Murakan and Talaris turned to look at each other.

It wasn’t because of the shock of seeing the Holy Queen’s Palace collapse or the Holy Knights being annihilated. It would be suicidal to turn their backs on formidable enemies like Videluce.

However, they turned around as they noticed Zito’s energy rapidly increasing and rising from beneath the collapsed palace.

It was the moment when the eye that Zito had sought for so long finally unsealed.