Chapter 946 Battle at the Selnes Country: Earth Drill Centipede I

Chapter 946 Battle at the Selnes Country: Earth Drill Centipede I

The warriors, including Alice and Eilish, gazed upward at the figure hovering in the air.

"He had grown stronger once again..." Eilish murmured.

"Keeping up with him is becoming increasingly difficult," Alice remarked with a wry smile.

"I hoped for some rest, but it looks like we'll have to wait until Souta and Kessa finish off that monster," Eilish said, settling against the wall and clenching her fist. She looked downward, determination etched on her face. "I must become stronger too. Breaking the Third Shackle isn't enough... Not for my brother or for him..."

Alice briefly glanced at Eilish, her eyes reflecting a mixed of emotions, before returning her attention to the radiant figure in the sky.

...

Souta remained composed, observing the clash between the two fifth-stage monsters before him.

An unfamiliar emotion swirled within him—sadness. This feeling was unlike the usual volatile emotions that spurred his desire for retribution.

Huffing out a dark smoke, Souta directed his gaze back to the intense confrontation unfolding.

Raising his hand slowly, a deep resonance filled the air.

Ohm!

The ground quivered as masses of blood floated into the air.

[Twilight Zone]!

The blood amalgamated and expanded, engulfing the entire area in a deep crimson hue. The barrier's edge was now adorned with a thick layer of blood, its acrid scent permeating the surroundings.

Amidst the chaos, a colossal tree stood at the city's center, while two monstrous entities battled nearby. At the barrier's edge rested a small red sphere, reminiscent of a miniature sun.

Souta felt a surge in his strength as a result of this. [Twilight Zone] was an ability enabling him to create a field akin to twilight, yet distinctly different, enhancing all Crimson Twilight species in the vicinity.

Bending his knees slightly, he propelled himself forward toward the Earth Drill Centipede.

Swoosh!

The centipede swiftly detected Souta's approach, maneuvering its massive body while launching hundreds of beams toward the Nine-Headed Hydra. Simultaneously, it directed another beam at Souta.

Souta evaded the beam, but noticed it altered its trajectory, homing in on him.

"A homing attack...?" Souta narrowed his eyes, spinning in the air and wielding the vajra sword. Swiftly, he slashed the air multiple times, releasing energy blades that intercepted the homing beams.

Boom! Boom!

Meanwhile, Kessa absorbed the beams directed at her with her nine heads sprawled out. She retaliated by unleashing [Bestrou] simultaneously.

Boom!

Adel and Shen Yao, observing from the air, wore grave expressions.

"This is dire..." Adel muttered with a sense of gloom.

"Yeah, the energy levels are escalating rapidly. If it spreads across the entire country, countless lives will be lost," Shen Yao said grimly.

The energy radiation emitted by a fifth-stage monster posed a terrifyingly lethal threat to living beings. Once it reached a certain intensity, it had the potential to annihilate nearly everything in its path. Perhaps, only a handful of survivors would remain across the entire country if such an event occurred.

"We have to ensure the safety of the civilians," Shen Yao affirmed with a determined expression.

"You're right. But where's that damned exorcist? She vanished after sending her shinigami," Adel remarked, scanning the battlefield for any sign of Naruse. Her absence in this crucial moment only added to their burden. It seemed odd that she would disappear during such a critical situation, leaving them to face the threat alone.

Realizing Naruse's absence, Shen Yao contemplated if she had another motive for being in the country besides aiding them in battle.

"Let's create a protective barrier to reduce the impact of the energy on the civilians," Shen Yao suggested, her focus on the immediate task at hand.

Adel nodded in agreement, and together, they swiftly moved to create a shielding field to safeguard the citizens from the escalating energy pressure.

In another part of the area...

Erkigal observed the ongoing battle and made a decision. "It's time for me to act. I need to initiate the final phase of our plan."

Vashno turned to her, inquiring, "For Clan Leader Hoei?"

"Yes, he has a task to fulfill. It's the only way to lift the curse and liberate the people in this country. If Hoei doesn't succeed, we'll be trapped in the midst of powerful organizations' conflicts. We won't be able to leave," Erkigal explained, a grave determination in her eyes.

"Do you believe he can accomplish it?" Eztein asked, a hint of doubt in his tone.

"He must succeed. Many of our comrades have sacrificed themselves in this war. Failure isn't an option," Erkigal asserted firmly, her fists clenched in resolve.

Franklin interjected, "Staying in this situation isn't so bad, in my opinion."

"That's because you're eager for a fight," Eztein replied to Franklin. "But consider this: the battle's scale will shift drastically after this confrontation. Heroes and even fifth-stage monsters are engaging both inside and outside the country. Were it not for the All-Filter Barrier Formation, the consequences would be far worse than what we're witnessing now."

"Assist the other civilians. I'll handle this." Erkigal instructed her comrades before vanishing in a swift motion.

Swoosh!

Within moments, Erkigal materialized in a dimly lit chamber, adorned with a complex magic circle etched into the floor, surrounded by flickering candles.

Inhaling deeply, Erkigal strode into the center of the magical sigil, lighting all the candles around it with a deliberate motion.

Ohm!

The ambiance shifted, and the magic circle began to radiate a faint luminescence.

"Our Lord, guide us and grant us your blessing to survive this catastrophe," Erkigal murmured softly, pressing her palm against the floor. This was the pivotal stage of their plan. Despite the unexpected emergence of the colossal tree, she remained resolute, determined to proceed and ensure that Hoei fulfilled his task. This ritual could potentially ease their path if executed successfully.