Chapter 87: A Three-way battle 2
The sounds of continued slaughter echoed through the rapidly burning forest, punctuated by desperate explosions as bodies slammed against trees and plants. Shayleaf, channeling her Royal Elven Magic, swiftly chanted incantations, causing the newly conjured forest to fight back with an awakened ferocity: leaves transformed into razor-sharp blades, vines became binding whips, and tree branches swung like heavy clubs.
Ramiro suddenly materialized behind one of the Church members, the tall plants perfectly concealing his approach, and his spear pierced like lightning. The Church member barely managed to dodge, suffering a severe injury and a stinging, burning sensation that coursed through his body from the bloody hole near his right chest cavity. He attempted to flee, but Ramiro relentlessly pursued him, even as both became entangled by the continuously appearing demon alliance reinforcements.
Erica was currently immersed in a very long, complex magical incantation. Christy and Joe-Pine constantly defended her against three tenacious Church members, who were also under assault from Shayleaf's vengeful forest and random demon alliance warriors that appeared. With each passing moment, the battle grew more gruesome.
On Zoro's side, a brutal three-way battle raged, now including three powerful demon alliance experts. Every combatant there, including Zoro himself, had suffered at least a slight injury. The desperate yells of experts being slain could still be heard throughout the forest, causing worry among all sides, as visibility was now severely obstructed in the partially burning chaos.
"You thing! You will be dragged back to the Church whether alive or dead!" shouted the Gold Tier 3 Church member, his voice strained. Zoro merely grunted in response, defending against another combined attack from both sides.
"Hah! I don't care what you all are going on about, but you will all die here tonight!" roared a demon whose strength matched theirs, also at Gold Tier 3.
After another four minutes, the magical forest was almost completely destroyed, with many combatants injured. Finally, Erica completed her spell.
The stronger experts all sensed a profound shift, a chill running down their spines as they bellowed warnings to their comrades.
"Look out!"
"Get down!"
"Retreat now!"
"Damn it!"
—Oh, ye ancestors of the Soloman Bloodline. Wash away my filthed enemies in white burning flames! White Flame Tides!—
Suddenly, colossal, scorching white flames flooded the entire area, washing away the remnants of the forest and those trapped within. Joe-Pine instinctively grabbed Christy, then shot over to Ramiro, pulling them all into a concealed underground spot created by Shayleaf's Nature Magic. Shayleaf herself, exhausted, was already in a safe zone next to Erica.
—Two Sword Style: Black Spiraling Cutter!—
Like a black flash of light, as if unafraid of the inferno produced by Erica, Zoro launched a tornado-like spinning attack that smashed into all five of his enemies.
"Yooouu!!! Do you have a death wish!?!? Arrghhhh!!" a demon shrieked.
"DAMN YOU ZOROOOOOOO!!!" shouted the Gold Tier 3 Church expert.
And just like that, they were all swallowed by the devastating flames, receiving shocking damage from Zoro, who was also engulfed by the inferno. Like a heroic savior, Elton appeared, hovering above Zoro atop his Blue Heavenly Star Destroyer, grabbed him, and darted off into the distance, using Royal Elven Magic to open another secret hole Shayleaf had created. The flames rapidly spread far into the distance, leaving many of the demons and the remaining Church members burning in agony, with mass casualties an inevitable conclusion and the survivors left with critical injuries.
The fire magic subsided after about thirty seconds, and Erica collapsed to her knees in exhaustion. Shayleaf, equally drained, helped her stand.
"Are you alright, Erica?" Shayleaf asked, her voice laced with worry.
"Hahaha, don't worry too much about me. I'll be alright. Just make sure you have no issues that concern you," Erica replied with a tired but reassuring smile. Christy, Ramiro, and Joe-Pine swiftly emerged from their underground pit and scanned the surroundings. Christy then began to issue precise orders.
"Quickly! We must take care of these guys! Ramiro, head over there! Joe-Pine, deal with them in that area. I will take care of this area right there. Big Brother Elton, hurry and finish that guy over there! Shayleaf, grab Zoro from Elton and recover some of his wounds. Erica, remove your lingering magic from his body."
And like clockwork, everyone followed Christy's instructions swiftly.
The "guy" Elton was to finish was unexpectedly another Gold Tier 3 demon expert who had attempted to hide himself earlier for a surprise attack but was caught up in Erica's flame magic, suffering heavy burns even through his desperate barrier. Further in the distance, the ominous sound of more reinforcements from the demon alliance approached.
"Hawhawhaw! You are all dead, you hear me! Graaahh!!! You will pay for this!" the demon roared, defiance in his voice.
Elton ignored the demon's words, focusing on their clash. His Blue Heavenly Star Destroyer Sword met the demon's Gold-ranked Sword and Shield in a furious exchange.
—Sword Aura Transformation!—
Elton activated that skill, and suddenly, his sword seemed to subtly transform, an incredibly sharp Sword Aura flickering around it.
—White Lightning Ignition!—
On top of the Sword Aura, a powerful, burning lightning magical essence enveloped his blade.
The demon utilized his own Ki techniques to strengthen his body and launch projectiles as they both once again clashed explosively, their clashing auras causing the very terrain to quake.
After twelve rapid exchanges, the demon's shield suddenly shattered to his shock.
"H-How can this be!?" he screamed.
Elton relentlessly pressured the demon, his mounting wounds worsening. The burning lightning essence bit deeper into his flesh, layering on top of Erica's remnant burning flame magic already within the demon's body. After a few more clashes, the demon's sword also broke, shocking him even further, his face paling as he even tried to plead for Elton's forgiveness.
"P-Please, sir! You have won this battle, I—"
Before he could finish his words, a red beam of light blasted through his neck, killing him instantly. Christy lowered her hand, shaking her head. Elton could only offer a wry smile. He then told them to leave, promising he would catch up after doing something.
"Ehhh?! No, Brother Elly, there is no way!" Shayleaf cried, unwilling to leave him behind.
"That's right, El Onyem! What are you trying to pull all of a sudden?!" Erica snapped, full of unwillingness.
Ramiro looked at Elton's calm, resolute expression before letting out a heroic laugh. "Let's go, ladies! Can't you see that you being here will be troublesome? If Elton says he will catch up, then he will catch up."
Zoro nodded his head, his voice firm. "Oi, he is the leader, and it is in all of our best interests to follow the leader's commands. Let's move now."
The two girls hesitated, then looked at Christy, whose eyes never left Elton. Her gaze, a mixture of wavering concern and unwavering faith, eventually softened into a smile. "Zoro is right. Let's follow orders."
Joe-Pine nodded, laughing, telling Elton to hurry and catch up as he and the others departed.
Elton stood alone as a wave of demon reinforcements began to appear, their numbers swelling rapidly. The burned, destroyed, and bloody corpses around him formed a scene straight out of a nightmare. Elton looked into the distance, his eyes sharp, as he began chanting a certain magic for the first time. Due to the Inner Voice, he had sensed a far more powerful expert among the demon ranks in the distance—a Gold Tier 4! And the likelihood of them catching up to the worn-out White Star Radiance group was not low, given the circumstances, even with the magical vehicle.