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Chapter 209: I See, I Know

The terrifying “shell” with a diameter of several meters, concealing deadly poison and destructive power, was violently propelled by the special physique of the Nightmarish Executioner, rapidly rising to its limits in just a few breaths.

Immediately following, it plummeted towards Sacheno City, drawn by the earth’s gravity, transforming into a harbinger of catastrophe from the sky!

“Intercept!”

On the battlefield, things changed in an instant. Even the clever Saintess couldn’t prepare for everything in advance; at least for this first wave of bombing, she could only loudly issue an emergency response order.

“Light Slash!”

Edwina was the first to react. Despite recently executing a powerful combined attack, the holy aura surrounding the Holy Knight showed no signs of waning. The holy sword ignited with brilliant golden flames, extending into an astonishing light blade over ten meters long, slicing through the air!

“Boom!!!”

The soaring golden light blade cleaved through three falling stone spheres, sending massive shockwaves and sickly green mist flooding the skies. Other Holy Knights and Priests on the city walls, any with long-range attack capabilities, hurriedly followed suit, attempting to intercept like the Holy Knight.

“Holy Radiance Slash!”

“Holy Spear Strike!”

“Prismatic Spell!”

“Arrow of Light!”

In an instant, hundreds of golden beams of varying shapes erupted into the air. Though their accuracy and power were clearly inferior to Edwina’s previous assaults under divine blood enhancement, the sheer volume of attacks meant that even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.

“Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang bang bang!!!!”

The continuous explosions mingled with dense poison spread high above the city. Even though over ninety percent of the “shells” were blocked by the holy practitioners using faith-based magic, a few rogue shells managed to break through the firepower blockade and landed within Sacheno City.

“Boom boom boom boom boom!!!!!!!”

Like a compressed gas suddenly exploding, once the toxic shells landed, they unleashed an even more violent roar and destructive force than before.

The buildings surrounding the impact zone were quickly consumed by the shockwave, collapsing as the toxic green mist spread indiscriminately towards every living being in the city.

At this moment, the earlier act of the mysterious figure, likely the self-proclaimed Min Chen, taking over a hundred thousand residents from Sacheno City proved crucial.

After all, over ninety-nine percent of the Temple Knights sent by the Holy Empire, be they Holy Knights or Priests, were adept in using various faith-based magic.

For such basic poisons, as long as precautions were taken and the shockwaves from the “shells” didn’t hit directly, they wouldn’t be in danger for the time being.

But the civilians couldn’t manage that level of defense. If Min Chen hadn’t evacuated them, the residents left in the city would have surely faced great casualties and panic, likely causing considerable trouble for the city defenders as well.

In addition to the poisonous payloads that landed inside the city, one or two shells had struck the southern city wall of Sacheno, obliterating at least a dozen Temple Knights at the core amid the terrifying explosions.

Not even able to utter a sound, they disappeared completely from this world.

The surrounding dozen or so soldiers were also violently sent flying, blood spewing from their mouths, their exposed skin now covered with a layer of visible, writhing sickly green glow.

Without a doubt, these individuals had been infected by the “unclean” poison.

Without needing Yuna to speak up, other Temple Knights who had taken protective measures, primarily the Priests, rushed forward to perform emergency treatment for the injured and take them down from the city walls.

No matter if they could cure the poison on these individuals, they were effectively out of this fight.

“Is this still acceptable…”

Though nearly a hundred casualties arose with the first attack, after scanning the situation atop the city walls, a certain blonde girl commander silently nodded.

Her quiet contemplation and actions were noted by Miss Vilyric.

Though she was the strongest present, aside from a certain Miss White Fox, the Saintess hadn’t intervened when the toxic shells were being intercepted.

Perhaps she believed that as the commander of the entire Expeditionary Army, maintaining a clear mind at all times was more important than individual strength… So observation became more critical than entering the fray.

Even in the face of her subordinates’ injuries, she didn’t display much urgency or anger; instead, she calmly weighed the gains and losses of this round of attack and defense…

It was the correct action, but… too correct.

Vilyric understood in her heart that she could empathize with Yuna’s actions because, as a divine race, she innately felt indifferent to the trivial and the passage of life, leaning more toward rational thinking. But as a normal human, there should be some emotional response.

Just like Edwina, who was now frowning and gripping the hilt of her holy sword tightly.

Yuna… was this really her first time on the battlefield?

With her gaze drifting toward the Nightmarish Executioner loading up its second round of “shells,” then looking down at the raging sea of magical beasts closing in on the city walls, the Saintess’ expression remained unchanged as she once again turned to the High Priest behind her.

“How long until the barrier is charged?”

“We’re pouring in energy at full capacity, but at least… ten minutes.”

“Hah… forcing us to the limit right from the start is tough when those Demon Lords team up. Five kilometers… never mind, that’s totally not worth it…”

“Your Highness, should we call in the Inquisition…”

“No, it’s not their time to appear yet. Don’t forget, this is only one side of the four city walls.”

Dismissing her subordinate’s suggestion, Yuna continued issuing commands.

“Patch up the wall gaps, instruct the troops to avoid incoming attacks from above, and prepare for large-scale siege. As soon as the barrier is charged, activate it immediately… Oh, and send a team to protect the barrier nexus in the city temple.”

“Understood!”

It seems she planned to tough it out.

A certain Miss White Fox thought to herself as she continued to observe.

Although it looked somewhat unfeeling, Yuna’s decision was correct; this war had just begun, and the real brutal carnage was yet to unfold. If they threw all their cards on the table just to minimize losses right from the start, it would only lead to failure and even worse outcomes.

Damage was unavoidable, especially after the Holy Nation’s defeat at the Holy City of St. Bergen. They couldn’t afford to nitpick over losses anymore.

Another round of poisonous “shells” whistled in, and after being intercepted as much as possible, they fell into the city, casting a faint green mist over the entire area.

Simultaneously, a multitude of magical beasts arrived at the foot of the city, using their sharp claws and dwindling wings to clamber up. Most were shot down by faith-based magic and rolling boulders, but a few surged onto the walls, engaging in fierce close combat with the Temple Knights.

The sounds of battle, shouts, and the horrifying crunch of blades meeting flesh filled the air, trying to stir some ripple in Miss White Fox’s calm heart.

Standing in a heavily guarded safe zone near the Saintess, Vilyric suddenly felt a wave of déjà vu.

It was a familiar scene; the last time she had experienced something like this up close was two years ago when she first arrived in this world.

Life decayed in the onslaught of iron and blood, but this was a struggle imbued with strong will, a kind of racial contention known as a Holy War, not the massacre or destruction found at the foot of St. Bergen Mountain.

Yuna didn’t seek her aid, and the warriors hadn’t lost their spirit, dropping their weapons to kneel in prayer for divine salvation, so the girl didn’t intervene.

Yet, the sense of alienation still lingered in her heart, just like two years ago, because Vilyric was too powerful, powerful enough to easily rewrite the outcome of this war, so her battlefield should not be here, so…

No, something feels off.

She sensed it acutely.

Compared to back then, things were different now.

If the previous reason for not intervening in the war was “unnecessary, too troublesome,” now it was…

Edwina’s pre-battle words suddenly surfaced in her mind.

“To witness…?”

That seemed pretty nice.

In the moment of realization, a familiar voice came from behind.

“Miss Xī, aren’t we going to intervene?”

“Huh?”

She turned around and saw a white-feathered girl looking in her direction, then glancing at the catapults spewing forth vile poison, slightly furrowing her brow.

Underneath her mask, a barely noticeable gentle smile emerged, and she nodded slightly.

“It’s okay, just do what you believe is right.”