Otherworld Bone Dragon Operation Guide

Chapter 280 Gerus's Choice
On the other side of the dungeon, in a better-equipped cell, the patterns on the restraint rings around the necks of dozens of prisoners lit up simultaneously, and the runes that had been suppressing their power were rapidly dissipating.

Raswag pointed at Iser and the others: "The temple will reward you according to your merits for eliminating these heretics! Those who perform exceptionally well will be released from their punishments immediately!"

The surrounding jailers rushed to open the cell doors. These prisoners were all members of the Temple of Light, who had committed crimes such as robbery, rape, and murder.

The Temple of Light forbids secular law enforcement agencies from punishing clergy. Due to the Church's immense power, most countries and organizations are forced to comply.

Ultimately, those with connections were acquitted through various pretexts. The rest were imprisoned here, demonstrating the "fairness" of the Temple of Light.

The prisoners touched the gradually weakening restraint rings around their necks with suspicion and uncertainty. Some tentatively gathered magic power and actually managed to ignite a flame in their palms.

Raswag's roar echoed through the cold stone walls of the cell: "Get up! Anyone who dares to disobey orders will be labeled a heretic and never allowed to leave this place!"

Some hesitated, but a significant number picked up the scattered weapons and slowly approached Iser and the others.

These prisoners were in far better condition than the necromancers; they were not only exempt from hard labor but also maintained a basic level of decency. Many, once released from their constraints, immediately displayed considerable fighting prowess!
“Keep this Watcher girl alive!” Raswag grinned as he added another demand.

Iser's heart sank. Although these prisoners were individually far weaker than her, their sheer numbers posed a significant threat. If their stamina and fighting spirit were depleted, they would be vulnerable to the watchful Raswag.

Iser swiftly pulled out a crystal and activated it at his fingertip: 'Eternal Echo!'

[Mom, the guards have unleashed the prisoners, and we can't control them!]

As the crystal shards turned to dust, information ripples spread out, reflecting back and forth in the complex dungeon, and soon emerged from the dungeon, merging into the outside wind.

Deep underground, wireless communication and wind magic were severely hampered. However, the special method of communication between Iser and his mother, Catherine, remained unaffected.

Catherine quickly replied: [Hang in there a little longer, backup is on its way!]

****
On the ground battlefield of Shenwei Prison, the sounds of swords clashing with magic were incessant.

Catherine's spellbook floated before her, its pages moving without wind, emitting a soft blue light. Before her, Warden Sabina's warhammer priest armor was shattered, blood seeping from the dent in her breastplate, and she knelt on one knee, panting heavily.

She currently has the upper hand, but this is mainly due to her familiarity with Sabina's fighting style. Moreover, killing this warhammer priest will not be an easy task.

Sabina's strength was far greater than expected. Although her technique remained unchanged, her power and fighting spirit had improved significantly, as if she had undergone some kind of special transformation.

In particular, she is as cunning as ever. Her seemingly miserable appearance of impending defeat is only 40% genuine, with the other 60% being an act.

Catherine took a deep breath; the more crucial the moment, the less she could afford to panic. If she were to succumb to impatience, she might give her opponent a chance to turn the tables!

The distress call from "Eternal Echo" arrived, but her expression remained unchanged. She quickly replied, flicking away the crystal that had turned to dust. Catherine rapidly surveyed the entire battlefield. Although their side held the advantage, very few were capable of leading the reinforcements for the dungeon.

Catherine's gaze finally fell on the trio fighting the school principal Havel on the other side of the battlefield.

"What's wrong, my lady?" Gerus keenly noticed Catherine's gaze. "Iser's in trouble." Catherine made a decision. "Go and support her! Have Genndal and Silver Mask hold off Havel for now!"

Gerus immediately understood the gravity of the situation and grasped Catherine's tactical intentions—sending her, the healer, was to compensate for Iser's lack of stamina in the face of multiple enemies and to stabilize the situation on the dungeon battlefield.

"Gerndar, Silver Mask!" Gerus suddenly shouted, "You two go help Iser, leave this to me!"

Realizing the change in the dungeon, the two didn't hesitate. Gerndale forced Havel back with a powerful punch and turned to run towards the dungeon entrance.

Silverface moved even faster, taking care of the guards he encountered along the way, and gathering several Star Sand members to go together.

****
Gerus gracefully descended from mid-air, steadily blocking their path as she stared directly at Javier with a resolute look in her icy gaze.

[Gelus!] Catherine was surprised to find that Gerus had changed her plans. [Are you planning to use Shadow Form?]

"I know." Gerus pressed her slender fingers against the magic collar around her neck, beginning to gather all her magic power to fiercely resist the seal on the collar.

【But……】

"I will try my best... not to completely lose control!" Her voice trembled with pain.

The sealed magic coiled around the girl's body, and the pain of forcibly expelling it contorted Gerus's delicate face. She tilted her head back and couldn't help but let out a painful cry: "Ah—!"

Havel was not about to miss this opportunity. He lunged forward with all his might, the tip of his Staff of Heavenly Punishment crackling with blinding lightning.

"Thunder Pierces!"

The violent lightning magic struck Gerus directly, the explosive energy kicking up a cloud of dust. When the dust settled, Havel's staff was seen piercing Gerus's left shoulder.

Despite the excruciating pain, Gerus braced her left hand against Havel's staff, managing to deflect it from her vital chest.

Blood gushed from the wound like a fountain, quickly staining her white healer's robes crimson, spreading into shocking blood flowers on the fabric.

The sealing ring around her neck had been torn off. The girl's eyes were dull and lifeless, and her right hand was tightly gripping Havel's neck!
Javier released his staff and tried to pry the hand that was gripping his throat off, desperately trying to break free.

Gerus's light and dark magic immediately invaded through her hand. Once these two types of magic are simply activated, they become extremely volatile, constantly corrupting Havel and making it impossible for him to exert himself properly.

“…You!” Havel managed to squeeze out the words from his throat, “This…will result in mutual destruction!”

Indeed, Gerus was in a terrible state as well. The raging magic was also clashing chaotically within her, the forces of light and darkness tearing at each other, causing damage that might even be more severe than what Havel had suffered.

If she hadn't been choking him, numbing his throat and preventing Havel from using high-level spells that required incantations, he probably would have broken free long ago!
"Teacher, you failed your spellcasting test!" Gerus said expressionlessly, her long pink hair dancing wildly in the magical storm like burning flames.

(End of this chapter)