The sudden emergence of the monster threw the girls resting in the courtyard into brief chaos, but the enforcer witches of the Holy See quickly regained their composure and began organizing a counterattack.
The white monster dodged attacks, darting left and right through the courtyard. Its bone spikes lashed out at the surrounding crowd, reducing the garden to ruins.
Mu Lin evaded a barrage of ice blades and leaped into the air once more. A sweeping spike shattered another fountain; the witches near it scattered. One bespectacled witch reacted a moment too slowly and was knocked down by flying debris. The monster's follow-up was instantaneous—razor-sharp spikes plunged straight toward her from above. With no way to evade, the glasses-wearing girl threw up her arms in despair, shielding her eyes.
Suddenly, a golden light shield flared around her, hurling Mu Lin backward. Black chains materialized in midair, snaking like serpents to bind the monster tightly, rendering it immobile.
"Is everyone all right?" A golden-haired man in high-ranking high priest robes stood with holy light glowing from his hands. Behind him, on the wall, a slender black-clad witch balanced lightly, her pale-golden hair streaming in the wind.
"Degenerating the moment she arrives—talk about bad luck," the witch murmured. Cold killing intent glinted in her pale-purple eyes as black mist began coalescing in her palms.
"Elysia, hold your attack!" Noyes rushed up from behind and stopped the witch poised to strike.
He leaped toward Mu Lin, golden light exploding around him. Dazzling blades of light severed the black chains and bone spikes in a single slash.
He slammed into her, pinning the monster and driving it hard into the ground. The courtyard's bluestone tiles cracked in a web beneath the impact of its armored body; the force momentarily stunned it.
Noyes sliced his palm and pressed it to Mu Lin's chest. Blood seeped instantly into her skin, tracing an intricate pattern over her collarbone.
More priests gathered, drawn by the commotion. Seeing the familiar crimson design, murmurs rose: "That's… a curse seal?"
When the pattern was complete, Noyes intoned the incantation. The monster beneath him unleashed an inhuman shriek that pierced eardrums. A golden shield rose again, protecting the newcomers clutching their ears in pain.
Mu Lin's body thrashed violently. Noyes summoned chains of holy light, pinning the monster beneath him and locking every movement. The curse seal assaulted the demonic energy within while simultaneously ravaging every cell of the girl's body; bone-deep agony tore screams from her throat.
The demonic energy surged in furious retaliation, striving to break the seal's bonds, clashing against the silver-haired priest's holy power. Noyes poured more strength into it; pure golden radiance enveloped the girl entirely. Mu Lin felt her body being torn apart inch by inch, skin melting and shifting uncontrollably, convulsions wracking her frame.
At last, the golden beast pupils glaring at the high priest with hatred and defiance dimmed. The bony claws retracted, limbs reverting to human shape. The light faded, leaving only the unconscious human girl lying on the ground.
"That actually worked?" Gasps of astonishment rippled through the onlookers.
"Incredible… she recovered even after degenerating," the golden-haired priest said, disbelief plain on his face.
The black-clad witch beside him—who had stood with arms folded since her attack was interrupted—gave a soft, enigmatic chuckle. "Interesting." She lost interest in what followed, smoothed her hair, and turned to leave.
Noyes removed his outer coat, wrapped it around the girl's naked body, and lifted her into his arms.
"I'll leave the rest to you," he said to the golden-haired priest, who nodded in silent understanding.
The girl in his arms frowned, her breathing growing rapid again. Noyes sighed faintly and carried her toward his residence.