290 Unyielding Spiri (1/2)

Although the Merit Stele allowed them to summon who they could afford to, it was both a lengthy and uncertain process.

Lengthy because the summoning wasn't automatic, its speed depending on the number of sacrifices provided. Uncertain because the summoning was by itself the reward. Nothing guaranteed that whoever was summoned would fulfill the summoners' wishes. On the contrary, if summoned without warning, Higher Realm Devas and Demons were very likely to obliterate the summoners.

For that reason, using a substantial amount of merit, Anatol first spent several years to establish a dialogue with his chosen houses, and negotiate their support. Only after receiving their agreement did he start the ritual.

But following the first confrontation, even he was starting to doubt their ability to endure until the reinforcements' arrivals.

Led by Krann and the ten Quasi-Paramount Knights, as if bound by one mind, the infernal battalion battered the giant from left to right, not leaving it any room for a proper counterattack.

*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*

The collision between the two forces rent the atmosphere, forming dozens of space cracks all around, and threatening to rip out a space vortex to swallow them all.

The Quasi-Paramount Knights released a succession of irresistible strikes on the Celestial Giant, sending it flying backward, and causing Anatol and his elders to spurt large mouthfuls of blood. At this rate, to say nothing of the forty-five minutes they needed, they wouldn't even be able to endure five!

An abysmal gap stood between the two forces, and for the first time in tens of thousands of years, Anatol didn't doubt that no road to victory lied ahead. And if even he thought this way, there was no need to mention the elders.

”Hateful…”

He cursed while struggling to maintain balance. Since an offensive stance could yield no result, Anatol led the Celestial Giant back into the barrier, using it as a nucleus to power the defensive formation and enhance the barrier's resilience.

Seeing this, Krann shook his head.

”Quasi-Paramount Knightsand Knight Generals, combine your laws in one strike. Knight Commanders, support them with the full depth of your infernal energies!”

Krann ordered. The laws he mentioned were nothing more than seventh circle spells, or divine laws as most usually referred to them. Be it fire, water, nature, light, or any other, each attribute only had one seventh circle spell called: The Law.

It didn't exist on any parchment or grimoire but stemmed from the spellcaster's understanding of the attribute. By comprehending at least ten percent of the attribute's underlying principles, one could unleash its Law, and release it under any chosen form.

Fire Laws, Lightning Laws, Darkness and Blood Laws rose into the sky alongside dozens of magical circles. Guided by Krann's chakram and the Infernal Knight cooperation, those incompatible laws overlapped in an organic whole, becoming a transcendent force that threatened to obliterate all that stood in its way.

Witnessing this amalgam of laws empowered by large reserves of infernal forces, the church elders were scared witless. And feeling their floundering hearts, Krann decided to strike.

”Our Lord isn't asking for your lives. He merely requests your surrender. As long as you abandon this foolish resistance, all will be spared!

But if you persist in seeking damnation, you can't blame us for your gruesome fate!”

Krann exclaimed, his words filled the elders with complicated thoughts. Among them, the sun spirits were the most passionate and less practical. Paragon, dream and moon spirits were, in general, clear-headed individuals that wouldn't court destruction for a last show of splendor.

Faced with an opportunity to survive, why would they seek death? And as their hesitation rose, the Celestial Giant weakened. Sensing this, Krann sneered while Anatol despaired. Perhaps before the blow descended, those death-dreading wastes would turn coat and waste all previous efforts.

”Everyone don't be confused b-…”

Anatol began, but before he could finish his words, the amalgam of laws turned into a multicolor scythe that descended upon them all!

As it did, it tore a large space gash that would have certainly swallowed any non-Sage that stood in the vicinity!

The barrier collapsed, and seeing death approach at such a rapid pace, the paragon, dream and moon spirit elders all chose the road to survival and broke their connection to the Celestial Giant! Thus, leaving the sun spirits alone to shoulder the blow!

”We surrender, we surrender!”

They proclaimed at such a rapid pace that Krann wondered if their buttocks weren't being roasted by a hidden fire!

”Traitorous scum!”

Anatol spat, but before he could make a move, the scythe struck the Celestial Giant, splitting it into two halves that soon vanished in light particles.

With the giant's collapse, the Wirth elders all experienced massive backlash and flew backward with blood erupting from all their orifices!

And seeing the pathetic display of this so-called supreme force, Krann sighed.

”How unsightly. To think that this motley crew even dares look down on the secular world. Pathetic. Feeding master's soul is their only worth.

Begin the collection!”