Ravier immediately conjured a black shield and stepped back, but Ghislain's sword was faster.
Slash!
"Ugh!"
A long wound opened across Ravier's chest, blood spurting out. Though his body wasn't fully cleaved in two, the injury was severe enough that bone was visible.
Ravier staggered back, pain etched across his face. Only after putting some distance between them did he shout.
"How is this possible?!"
The attack he had unleashed burned through the Crusaders' life force and was reinforced by his own power. Any ordinary knight should have been reduced to ashes instantly. Even a Master should have sustained critical injuries.
Ghislain's body was far from unscathed.
Sizzle!
His entire body was covered in blistered burns, and his hair was scorched as if seared by intense flames. Through the tatters of his clothing, parts of his body were laid bare, some wounds exposing bone where flesh had been seared away.
Despite this, Ghislain grinned fiercely, his teeth gleaming white.
Seeing Ghislain's state, Ravier placed a hand on his own chest, a bitter smile forming on his face.
"You're still smiling? Bluffing, I see. Do you really think you can fight me in that condition?"
Hiss...
Black energy seeped from Ravier's body, knitting the wound on his chest closed. It resembled holy power in its regenerative effect. However, even with the healing, traces of Ghislain's energy lingered within the wound, disrupting its complete closure.
Ravier clicked his tongue and finished his treatment, then spoke again.
"To survive that attack and still maintain this much energy… I see now why they call you a Master. But with that body, how do you plan to fight?"
Ghislain's injuries were horrifying. In all his battles, he had never sustained such grievous wounds. Ravier's attack had been that devastating.
"C-Count Fenris!"
Forisco, pale with fear, rushed forward. Though often cowardly, he was quick-witted enough to understand that if Ghislain died, his own life would be in jeopardy.
"I-I will heal you!"
Forisco poured every ounce of his holy power into Ghislain. It was the most desperate effort he had ever made to use his abilities.
Sizzle!
But Ghislain's body showed no signs of recovery. Forisco's holy power was feeble, more suited to political maneuvering than true healing. Still, holy power was holy power—some level of healing should have occurred. Yet, Ghislain's wounds resisted.
"Why… why isn't it working?!"
"Ha… hahaha…"
It was as though his body rejected the holy power, much like the "Eternal Punishment" that once afflicted Gillian's daughter, Rachel.
Ravier sneered at Forisco's confusion, confident that without extraordinary holy power, his attacks couldn't be easily healed. Nor did he care to pay attention to Forisco—Ghislain's wounds were too severe for him to recover on his own.
"I need to finish this before others arrive."
With the commotion in the capital, reinforcements would surely come soon. Ravier gathered black energy in his hand, preparing for the final blow.
Meanwhile, Ghislain took a deep breath and stepped forward.
Step.
His gait was uneven, his steps labored. Seeing Ghislain approach, Ravier laughed.
"You're persistent. Do you really think you can fight me in that condition?"
Rumble.
Even as he spoke, Ravier continued to gather his power. He wasn't taking any chances this time—Ghislain had already survived one devastating attack.
Step.
Ghislain continued his slow, deliberate approach, limping from his injuries.
"With all that power, what are you so afraid of? Why ally with the Duchy and move in the shadows?"
At Ghislain's question, Ravier smirked.
"The time simply hasn't come yet."
"And what exactly is this 'time' you keep referring to?"
"Do I owe you an explanation?"
Ghislain paused, scrutinizing Ravier with a piercing gaze. Something clicked in his mind.
"So it was you."
"What are you talking about?"
"You're the ones spreading those strange monsters across the continent, driving people to despair. Is that what your 'time' is about?"
"…Who are you?"
Ravier's face hardened. Even those hunting them didn't know this. How could a mere northern lord know about one of their grand plans?
This wasn't something he could ignore. He had to find out where the leak was.
"How do you know this?"
"Who knows…"
Ghislain gave no clear answer, taking another step forward.
'It was them after all.'
His intuition and ability to connect clues left no room for doubt now. The Church of Salvation was behind the Tribulation.
The fact that the Tribulation seemed imminent only confirmed that they had completed most of their preparations.
"I have a lot more work to do sooner than I thought."
Step.
As Ghislain limped forward, Ravier's mind raced.
'How does he know about us?'
'Where did the information leak?'
'Should I capture him?'
Unaware that Ghislain was a regressor, Ravier couldn't piece together the truth. He resolved to capture Ghislain, even if it meant incapacitating him first.
Even if he was a Master, looking at his current physical condition, it seemed like he could easily catch him.
'I'll render him completely helpless…'
Ravier's gaze remained fixed on Ghislain, his thoughts swirling.
'Wait…'
Something seemed off.
Sizzle.
From Ghislain's wounds, dark red steam began to rise. Despite the severity of his injuries, he approached with a calm smile. Ravier's unease deepened.
Ghislain, who had been limping, was suddenly walking steadily.
Step.
Ghislain took another step.
Sizzle.
Ravier's eyes widened.
Step.
Each step seemed to erase Ghislain's injuries. Fresh skin grew over torn flesh, and even his burnt hair was replaced by new strands, flowing smoothly once again.
"W-what…?"
Ravier's expression twisted in disbelief. Ghislain wasn't just enduring—he was recovering. And rapidly.
Ghislain's recovery was beyond comprehension, even with Ravier's energy lingering in the wounds. No one had mentioned Count Fenris possessing such an ability.
Step, step, step.
Ghislain's pace quickened. His body visibly healed as he walked.
With his mana overflowing thanks to Dark, as long as he didn't die instantly, recovery was a simple matter.
"What… what are you?!"
Ravier screamed, extending his hand.
Boom!
Black lightning erupted from Ravier, but Ghislain's sword flared with Aura Blade in response.
Slice!
Boom!
Ghislain swung his sword, splitting the lightning in two. The resulting shockwave pulverized nearby buildings.
Ravier hesitated, startled, trying to prepare another attack. But before he could, Ghislain closed the distance between them in an instant.
"You still don't know how to fight properly."
What was the point of power if one didn't know how to wield it?
Before Ravier could react, Ghislain smiled grimly and swung his sword.
Slash!
"Argh!"
Ravier barely managed to unleash holy energy and twist his body, but he couldn't avoid the attack entirely.
Stumbling back, he clutched a grievous wound, his face contorted in pain. His other arm lay severed, fallen to the ground.
"Ugh…"
Ravier channeled holy power into his severed wound, but it refused to heal. The energy from Ghislain's attack was not just lingering—it was growing more rampant, as though trying to burrow deeper into his body.
To expel the energy and properly heal would require considerable time.
"So… this is your true power…"
Ravier, his face now even paler than before, muttered under his breath.
As a wielder of power rivaling a 7th-circle mage, Ravier held a significant position within the Church. His holy power, especially potent against enemies, provided remarkable healing and defense, making him difficult to take down.
But against Ghislain, who could recover on his own, those advantages seemed meaningless.
'Should I use more power…?'
He stared at Ghislain with heavy eyes. Using more power would be dangerous. Yet without it, he might die here. While Ghislain remained poised, Ravier had to act before that confidence turned into a decisive strike.
Ghislain tilted his sword lazily, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Surrender and spill everything, or die right here."
"Kuh… heh, hehe…"
With a bitter laugh, Ravier's gaze hardened.
Rumble.
Suddenly, purple light flared from his eyes. Black, flame-like wings sprouted from his back, and his claws extended, crackling with lightning-like black energy.
The black energy coursed over his body, wrapping around him and twisting his appearance into something truly demonic.
Seeing this, Forisco collapsed again.
"A demon! A demon has appeared! Oh, goddess!"
Ghislain, however, remained utterly unfazed, as though he had anticipated this transformation.
Ravier bared his teeth at Ghislain and growled.
"That arrogance of yours… I find it infuriating."
Boom!
Ravier surged forward like a bolt of lightning. In an instant, he was upon Ghislain, swinging his clawed hand.
Clang!
Ghislain raised his sword to block, but the impact sent him skidding backward. Before he could fully regain his footing, Ravier lunged again, now faster and stronger than before.
"Die!"
Ravier swung with a euphoric grin, confident that this overwhelming power would crush the young upstart.
Whoosh.
Ghislain, feigning a stumble, spun his body to narrowly evade the attack. At the same time, his sword arced down toward Ravier's head.
"Ugh!"
Clang!
Ravier managed to block the strike with lightning reflexes, but Ghislain didn't stop.
Clang, clang, clang!
In an instant, dozens of slashes rained down on Ravier.
Ravier deflected them all, but every counterattack he attempted missed. His strikes only cleaved empty air, or met Ghislain's blade before reaching their target.
Ravier grew increasingly anxious.
'What is this? Why can't I hit him?'
He knew his strength and speed outmatched Ghislain's. It was undeniable.
Ghislain's blows, though skillful, weren't overwhelming. Any direction they came from, Ravier's enhanced senses and physical capabilities allowed him to block or dodge with ease.
Yet, Ghislain's movements baffled him. Every time he counterattacked, the young Master had already slipped from his sight.
'Kuh… even with this strength, I can't overwhelm him!'
Ravier had always underestimated the continent's Masters. He believed his power eclipsed theirs.
But now, for the first time, he felt the weight of what it meant to be a Master.
'The gap in skill is enormous!'
A Master wasn't merely someone with immense power. They were those who had climbed to the pinnacle through relentless self-discipline and refinement.
Their technique, honed to perfection, was something sheer strength alone couldn't surpass.
As a priest and not a combat specialist, Ravier had never paid much attention to the intricacies of battle. His holy power had always been enough to overcome most opponents.
But against someone who had transcended human limits, his power wasn't enough.
Boom, boom, boom!
The two moved so fast they were barely visible, each clash sending shockwaves through the area, reducing buildings to rubble. Despite the destruction, neither could land a decisive blow.
Ravier had the upper hand in power and speed, but he couldn't keep up with Ghislain's technique.
Crawling away on his hands and knees, Forisco trembled and muttered.
"A-a demon like that appearing in the capital… It's the end times. The apocalypse is upon us…"
At least the Count was a Master, Forisco thought. Otherwise, they'd have been wiped out the moment this demon attacked.
"But that demon… it looks familiar… like something from the scriptures…"
The holy texts described countless demonic forms. As he racked his brain, Forisco felt a chilling recognition.
"C-could it be…"
Before Forisco could fully recall the scripture, a large number of knights and soldiers arrived.
"We're saved! Help! There's a demon here!"
The verse fled Forisco's mind as panic took over. He cared little for prophecy—only for his own survival. He allowed a few knights to help him retreat.
At the same time, Toleo, knight commander of the Branford family, shouted orders.
"Surround the area! Take down that monster!"
Boom!
Ghislain and Ravier clashed again, the force of their collision hurling them apart. Toleo seized the opening to attack.
"Hyah!"
His sword, imbued with intense blue mana, sliced through the air toward Ravier.
Clang!
Ravier barely managed to block, but the other knights didn't waste the chance. They attacked in unison.
"Kuh! You pests!"
Though Ravier's combat skills were amateurish at best, his sheer strength compensated for the gap.
Boom!
Releasing a pulse of translucent black energy, Ravier sent the knights flying. Even Toleo was momentarily forced back by the surge.
Ghislain, however, didn't let the opportunity slip. He dashed forward, his blade flashing.
Boom!
Ravier blocked the strike just in time, using the force to propel himself backward.
Flap!
The black wings on Ravier's back unfurled as he rose into the air, glaring at Ghislain.
"This time, I'll retreat… But next time, I'll sever your head and offer it to the altar…"
Had he been given more time, Ravier believed he could have killed Count Fenris. But it was too dangerous now.
Too many had seen him. His powers and identity were fully exposed.
And no matter how strong Ravier was, he couldn't take on Ghislain and the capital's elite knights at once.
Flap!
Ravier ascended higher, deflecting mana-infused projectiles from the knights below. Soon, he disappeared at incredible speed.
Even as Ravier vanished, Ghislain stood still, seemingly uninterested in pursuing him.
He focused his mind instead, exchanging brief words with the presence within him.
'Stay close, Dark.'
Ghislain had no intention of letting Ravier escape so easily.
[T/L: Please support me and read 385 extra chapters: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]