Nine black figures, like flashes of black lightning, charged toward Lucas from all directions to kill him.
Indeed.
Just as they said.
Their primary target on this trip was Lucas himself. As for these Infected, they were probably just incidental, to be dealt with depending on their mood.
"In your dreams!!"
FrostNova saw these despicable Emperor's Blades trying to bypass her and attack her father together.
Instantly.
The Originium energy in her body churned, and a torrent of ice power gushed out. The snow-covered ground instantly froze into a thick layer of ice under FrostNova's power, trying to restrain the Emperor's Blades. However, the Emperor's Blades were incredibly powerful. This ice, which was enough to immobilize ordinary people, began to turn into filthy black mire under the unique 'power' of the Emperor's Blades' bodies when it was still half a meter away.
Seeing that these Emperor's Blades were about to escape her control.
FrostNova gritted her teeth and then waved a hand.
An incredibly thick ice wall blocked the path of two of the Emperor's Blades. Cold, sharp ice thorns rained down from the sky, directly attacking them. And the Yeti Squadron, led by FrostNova, coordinated with her ability and charged directly at these two Emperor's Blades.
"Hmph... a petty trick..."
The two Emperor's Blades snorted coldly. A red light flashed from within their metal respirators, and the black longswords at their waists were instantly drawn. The power of fear coating the blades slashed out, instantly melting the thorns about to strike from above. Then, the [Domain] was released. With one Emperor's Blade at the center, the surrounding light seemed to be absorbed by him. Though it was broad daylight, in people's vision, the light was constantly dimming.
The snow on the ground was constantly turning into black mire. The sky gradually began to snow black flakes.
[Collapsing Fear]
Instantly.
With the two Emperor's Blades at the center, the power of fear erupted like a bomb. FrostNova, not to be outdone, also unleashed the power of frost from her body at the same time.
[Frost Burst!]
The two completely different, powerful forces collided, and arcs of light even overlapped at the center of the impact. However... they were two Emperor's Blades, after all. How could FrostNova be their opponent? She only managed to hold on for a moment before falling into a disadvantage.
However.
FrostNova was not alone.
The Yeti Squadron took this opportunity to charge forward. In the palms of the Yeti casters, blueish ice magic continuously gathered and shot towards the Emperor's Blades.
On the other side.
Talulah, wielding her longsword, joined forces with a small squad of Shieldguards to block another Emperor's Blade.
The talents of both Talulah and FrostNova were ridiculously strong. At least in Lucas's opinion, the two of them were among the most talented people he had ever met, even stronger than Ceobe to some extent. With professional training, Ceobe could reach the pinnacle of human potential, but these two could surpass the limits of humanity, given enough time to grow.
Searing hot flames spewed out as she fought alongside the Shieldguards.
As for the remaining Infected and Alina, they were not the Emperor's Blades' targets for the time being and were being protected by a portion of the Shieldguards.
Alina, however, looked towards Patriot and the others with great worry...
Despite the obstruction from FrostNova and Talulah.
There were still six Emperor's Blades remaining.
These six transformed into black streaks of light and instantly arrived in front of Patriot.
Patriot, in response, operated his Originium power at a super-spec level. The surface of his heavy shield, emblazoned with the Ursus national flag, emitted a faint crimson glow. Since the Shieldguards had all gone to help Talulah and protect the ordinary Infected, Patriot had to block these six Emperor's Blades alone.
The black streaks of light crashed into Patriot's greatshield.
In an instant.
The earth shook and the mountains swayed.
Patriot was continuously pushed back, and the ground under his feet cracked under the immense pressure.
*Screeeech...*
The sound of metal grinding against metal was continuous.
Patriot's eyes flashed with a red light, and the flood-like Originium energy in his body burst forth as he tried to break through his current limits to withstand these Emperor's Blades.
However...
Even Patriot in his prime couldn't block six Emperor's Blades at once, let alone now, when his strength had declined slightly after contracting Oripathy.
With one clash.
Patriot was at a disadvantage.
The hearts of everyone around clenched instantly.
"Wendigo..."
The Emperor's Blades did not press their advantage, but stopped.
"We respect you. You are a great warrior, the indomitable embodiment of Ursus, the strongest backbone of the Ursus Empire. Our predecessors respected you, and our generation, influenced by them, still respects you. Do not resist futilely, Patriot..."
"Our purpose is one: to kill this 'evil god' remnant soul and these Infected. We are future comrades-in-arms and should fight side-by-side, not turn our blades on each other here for an 'evil god'. Besides... Mr. Patriot, you are certainly no match for the six of us..."
"..."
Patriot spoke slowly, his tone incomparably firm.
"I am Infected, and I will fight for the Infected. As for the 'evil god' you speak of... we have benefited from him many times. I, Buldrokkas'tee, am not one to forget a kindness!"
As he spoke these words.
Patriot's power broke through its own limits.
Crimson Originium energy enveloped his entire body. The red light in his eyes was incredibly dazzling. On the surface of his body, a red glow covered every inch of skin. An incredibly violent power was released. Even the Emperor's Blades couldn't help but admire him. A Buldrokkas'tee like this, even three Emperor's Blades would probably have no answer for.
"Our primary objective is to eliminate any potential threat to the Empire. Buldrokkas'tee... if you continue to be so stubborn, we don't mind killing you. Your honor will also vanish with your death."
"Come!"
Patriot roared.
The crimson Originium energy on his body transformed into crimson Originium flames. Patriot's physical functions were enhanced to the extreme at this moment. He took the initiative and charged out. Since there was no one left to protect, Patriot's marching state was deactivated, and the Patriot who only ever appeared on the battlefield was completely unleashed.
The Patriot that terrified enemies called his Destruction Stance, Buldrokkas'tee!
He threw his spear, the crimson flames on its tip burning brightly.
This spear pierced through everything, instantly arriving in front of an Emperor's Blade. But he knew that this strike could not be taken head-on. With a dodge, he barely avoided the attack. The next second, Patriot had already rushed forward, his giant palm slapping towards the Emperor's Blade. In an instant, the Emperor's Blade was sent flying like a cannonball.
However.
As Patriot successfully sent one Emperor's Blade flying, the other five also charged over.
The [Domain] spread. Although this kind of attack, which was like hell for ordinary people, couldn't cause any damage to Patriot, it still had some effect.
Do not fear...
Do not panic...
The power of the Emperor's Blades will be greatly diminished...
Their power comes from the power of fear.
Five longswords glowing with a black light hacked at Patriot's body.
*Clang, clang...*
Several low metallic sounds rang out. These five longswords, forged with the highest craftsmanship of Ursus, successfully cut through Patriot's old, weathered power armor. The blades easily sliced into Patriot's flesh, and crimson blood instantly flowed out.
Patriot roared again, trying to grab these Emperor's Blades.
However...
These Emperor's Blades were as nimble as loaches and instantly dodged. Then, [Collapsing Fear] was continuously released, bombarding Patriot's body. These attacks were very powerful. Patriot's power armor even began to show cracks. It was too old and could no longer provide much defense.
*Huuu...*
*Huuu...*
Patriot panted heavily.
His strength was constantly draining. These Emperor's Blades were incredibly powerful. Perhaps the dreaded [Domain] power didn't have much of an effect on Patriot, but the Emperor's Blades' strength was still at the peak of what humans could achieve.
One Emperor's Blade, Patriot could kill on the spot.
Two Emperor's Blades, Patriot could kill one and severely injure the other.
Three Emperor's Blades, Patriot could withstand and severely injure two.
....
Six...
Patriot was no match at all..
After a period of fighting.
Even Patriot was tired, his body slightly stooped. He gasped for breath. On his body, the wounds cut by the blades were unable to heal under the influence of the [Domain], and the Wendigo's blood oozed from the wounds, looking extremely miserable.
"Give up, Lord Patriot. We don't want to kill you. Follow us back, serve the Empire. You don't belong with the Infected, you belong to the entire Empire..."
"No!"
"Mr. Patriot..."
Lucas's voice sounded.
"....."
"Do you trust me?"
"....."
Patriot remained silent. Under the wind and snow, only his heavy breathing could be heard.
"Open your mind. This time... we unite...."
Patriot remained silent, and Lucas didn't press further. In one breath, he poured the ten thousand-plus Prayer Power he had accumulated in Ursus into his own soul, using all of it to strengthen his current soul. This soul of his was too weak. Even if he united with Patriot, he wouldn't be able to repel the Emperor's Blades. The only way was... to make himself stronger...
With the infusion of over ten thousand points of Prayer Power.
Lucas's soul instantly became incomparably powerful.
The bracelet in Patriot's pocket bloomed with a dazzling and brilliant light, and then... with a *bang*.
The bracelet actually couldn't withstand it and shattered.
At the same time.
Everyone present, including the Infected and the Emperor's Blades, could see it.
A male soul with black hair and black eyes appeared in front of Patriot.
"Mr. Patriot, this time we fight side-by-side.."
Lucas smiled slightly and extended his fist towards Patriot.
After a moment of silence, Patriot grunted and slowly raised his own giant fist to meet Lucas's.
"Could it be!!"
The expressions of the Emperor's Blades became slightly grave. They had a bad feeling in their hearts.
When the two fists met.
A dazzling light, bright enough to be blinding, burst forth between Patriot and Lucas.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Lucas gradually merged into Patriot's body.
An incomparably powerful spiritual force disintegrated, a portion of it fusing into Patriot's body.
In an instant.
A touch of divinity was added to the depths of Patriot's soul.
The wounds on his body from the blades gradually healed, and his slightly stooped body stood tall like a mountain peak once more. A terrifying aura, like that of a ferocious beast about to awaken from its slumber, emanated from him. Of his two eyes, one glowed with a red light, while the other was as deep as a black abyss, yet within that abyss, there was a glimmer of golden light.
Lucas didn't directly occupy Patriot's body.
In their current state, their souls had partially merged, sharing the entire body.
One body, two souls!
"What a powerful physical body...."
Lucas sighed from the bottom of his heart.
Patriot's physical body was nearly the strongest Lucas had ever seen, truly as hard as steel, as firm as a rock.
However.
Oripathy had become this body's fatal weakness.
Oripathy was like a sharp scythe, constantly eroding this invincible body. Only after truly merging with Patriot's body did Lucas understand just how great Patriot was, how tough his soul was.
His Oripathy was already incredibly severe. Many parts of his body had completely turned into Originium, and his body was constantly sending out pain akin to death by a thousand cuts. But Patriot was able to endure this pain 24 hours a day, even without showing any expression.
*Huuu...*
Lucas activated his abilities, trying to slightly alleviate the activity of this Originium.
And as the Oripathy subsided, Patriot's body entered its true peak state. Furthermore, after merging with Lucas's spiritual power, this "Patriot" truly reached an invincible state that he had never reached even in his prime.
Having merged with Lucas's spiritual power.
Every inch of muscle, every cell in Patriot's body was filled with power.
"Thank you..."
Patriot finally said a word.
But Lucas's lips curved up slightly.
"So... Mr. Patriot, shall we go together and crush these arrogant Emperor's Blades!!"
"Naturally!!"
Patriot threw aside the tattered shield in his hand, tore off the power armor on his chest and tossed it to the ground, revealing the Wendigo's almost freakish physique. He grabbed the long spear beside him and stabbed it hard into the ground. Instantly, a small crater cracked open in the ground.
In an instant...
An overwhelming amount of Originium energy was released from the tall Patriot's body.
This power far surpassed Patriot's own, even making him suspect for a moment that his current strength was comparable to those of the Royal Court...
And his opponents, the six Emperor's Blades, couldn't help but look grave.
Because...
At this moment.
Even with all six of them combined, they couldn't help but feel a sense of mortal danger.
The voices of Lucas and Patriot merged together.
Lucas & Patriot: "Come! Emperor's Blade!"