Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

The sight caused Haifulian to tremble and scream, and even her fear became a source of energy for Liuxia! "You Lin Yong, you have time, you Lin Zaizai, are you not here...?"

"Ah~ It feels so good to have a power bank~ But holding it like this is still too much trouble~"

As the fear and resentment around her intensified once again, Ryuka finally realized the changes that had occurred within her. However, she felt neither fear nor rejection, but rather a sense of immense comfort.

Even the previous irritability was gone; I only felt an immense sense of peace within.

With a flick of Liu Xia's finger, countless black ice spikes sprouted from the ground, pointing jaggedly towards the sky like flagpoles. Then, demonic tentacles lifted those human pigs to the top of the ice spikes...

Pfft!!!

Hoo hoo hoo~~~~

The nobles, both men and women, were mutilated and dismembered, their bodies pierced through the back by ice spikes. Then, the demonic tentacles released them, transforming into shackles that bound them to the ice spikes, allowing their bodies to slowly slide down under gravity, being gradually pierced through!

"Whoa~~~ You're a genuine heretic demon, aren't you? What's your name?" Quaid watched all of this with great interest.

Heflian's legs began to tremble, but she still forced herself to hold up her spear in front of her subordinates. Her wide eyes and trembling lips betrayed her inner terror. Behind her, the knights and mages prayed incessantly for the goddess's protection, staring at the otherworldly scene before them.

"Ah~ This is much more convenient~" Ryuka felt the pain of the human pigs increasing again, which was turning into a continuous stream of magic power flowing into her body. Although it could not improve her original level, it provided ample energy for battle.

Ryūka controlled the demonic energy surrounding her body, condensing it into a tall figure clad in armor and a cloak, who smiled at Quaid:

"Hmm~ You're asking me? Let's just call me 'Piercing Master' for now~"

Chapter 21 Bran's Adaptability

[Heretical... Ability Corruption... Critical State Warning...]

Just as Ryuka had fully controlled the demonic transformation, an alarm suddenly sounded in her mind.

Inside the space of the [Proof of the Leader], all the stone walls were surrounded by a dark purple mist, and the stone walls themselves emitted a faint light as they resisted the demonized mist.

Under the influence of the "Witch's Corruption," strange patterns gradually appeared on the stone wall, with incomprehensible twisted characters on top of the patterns, but Ryuka could understand their meaning.

【Lord of Cruelty】

The stone wall itself seemed to be desperately resisting this title, so much so that the patterns and the words "Lord of Cruelty" kept appearing and disappearing.

"Is my consciousness returning to normal because the [Proof of Leadership] is helping me to bear the effects of demonization?"

With a glance, Ryūka saw the stone wall dispersing the corrosive demonic mist onto each of her followers. Even from a distance, Ryūka seemed to sense the changes in each person.

"Ugh, so annoying! Why did Ryuka have to take such a risk all by herself?!"

"Ugh!! Why hasn't the magical device I ordered arrived yet! Damn it! Damn it!"

"Tsk! I don't want to work today! Boss! I want to rest! What?! What do you mean I have to work overtime?! Does this old man have a death wish?!"

Countless resentments instantly entered Ryukatsu's consciousness.

"Is it the Linhu Territory? It seems this situation can't last long, or there will be big problems." Liu Xia estimated that she had to finish this quickly.

Opening his eyes, it seemed as if less than half a second had passed in reality. Quaid stared intently at him, assuming an attack stance:

"'The Piercing Duke'? Never heard of him, but I suppose you were invited by Earl Duke?"

"What count? I just like pretty girls~ It just so happens that there are plenty here~"

Without wasting words with Quaid, Ryuka instantly rushed in front of Quaid with his demonic body, and the huge black sword slammed down!

"Golden Vajra, Gale, Thunder..." Quaid chanted softly, several layers of magic swirling around him, further strengthening his body!

His lean figure was so fast it was hard to catch, and his punches and kicks were incredibly powerful, but they still couldn't keep up with Ryuu's surging strength! The two instantly became entangled in combat, while Hafulen and her subordinates also used various ranged methods, raining down attacks of battle aura, sword blades, and magic on Ryuu's massive body, but to no avail!

"Idiot! Attack the ice spikes behind him! And quickly call the clergy of the Holy See!"

Quaid shouted at Hefren. The shadows in front of him had become stronger because of those tormented and twisted human pigs. These were undoubtedly evil beings that drew power from suffering and pain!

"Dare to come and try..." Ryuu had already anticipated the actions of Hafren and the others. The demonic energy in his longsword surged, instantly cleaving a knight in half at the waist! At the same time, the sword energy of Lady Mara's guards came from behind. Ryuu swept his greatsword horizontally, forcing Hafren and the others far back while easily shattering the sword energy behind him!

"Such a massive body, yet so agile! What on earth is that?!"

Heflian's teeth were chattering. Although she had witnessed the powerful abilities of Heavenly Rank beings, they were completely different from the shadow before her! Just seeing the monster in front of her filled her with an indescribable fear and unease!

"Miss..."

The knight, severed at the waist, was still breathing… his unfocused pupils stared in their direction. But Heflian couldn't intervene in time; a tentacle instantly swept him away, binding the knight, now only his upper body, to ice spikes…

"Being cut in half is very painful, you know~ It's all your fault that your subordinate ended up like this~ Hefren~"

"Damn it!!!" Heflian roared and tried to rush forward, but was held back by her remaining subordinates.

Ryūka, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoys the pleasure of being a 'villain'; every bit of pain and scream from his enemies becomes an inexhaustible source of magic for him...

Inside the upper levels of Sochi Castle, David had already been brought in through a secret passage, and Tavis was holding his unconscious son, weeping anxiously.

Clemmer, standing to the side, did not look at the touching scene of the father and son's reunion. He glanced at the smoke outside the window and turned his gaze to his master, Earl Duke.

“Ah, I know…” Count Duke also came to the window. “This is quite unexpected. It seems that our family is not the only one involved with heresy… The clergy of the Holy See are probably already on their way. Clemens, you should go too, at least to make an appearance for them.”

"Me? Don't worry, they've already gotten what they wanted. There's no need for them to attack me anymore; that would only cause them more trouble..."

Earl Duke looked at David in Tavis's arms; there was a noticeable needle mark on the boy's drooping arm...

It was still too late. The old man lowered his eyes and looked at his old friend beside him.

“Go ahead and create some opportunities for that kid… Bran, you go too, I don’t need to teach you what to do.”

Kramer nodded, his body transforming into a shadow as he flashed towards the remains of the Night Pearl. Meanwhile, Bran, who had remained silent in the corner of the room, also turned and left…

Kramer nodded, his body transforming into a shadow as he flashed towards the remains of the Night Pearl. Meanwhile, Bran, who had remained silent in the corner of the room, also turned and left…

The count looked away from his grandson and gazed out the window. On the platform at the other end of the castle, his wife Mara also looked at him.

Their eyes met, the emotions between them impossible to define, but in the end, the count turned away first...

"Goddess above! What blasphemy!"

The Vatican's reinforcements have arrived, and several clergy members have taken on the roles of attacking, amplifying attacks, and healing the wounded. Meanwhile, the bishop of Sochi, witnessing the enormous monster that has appeared in his diocese, is drenched in sweat…

The holy energy of the clergy was clearly more effective than that of the mages and knights. The monster before them was undoubtedly a heretic, but the evil aura emanating from it seemed to have a stronger influence on the clergy's spirit as well.

The interplay and mutual restraint between light and darkness has been a constant since ancient times.

"This power! It's just like the monsters described in the ancient texts... from a thousand years ago! Where is the lord?! Where is the count?!"

The bishop cried out in surprise, and a horn sounded in response from not far away.

Bran Duke led a band of knights, carrying the Duke family banner high, as they marched against the flow of fleeing residents.

But the Duke family knights stopped behind Hefren and the others, drew their bows at a distance, and unleashed a barrage of arrows at the demonized Ryusha, while the mages also launched ranged attacks.

"Are you kidding me! This won't work on that guy at all!"

Heflian immediately saw through Bran and the others' half-hearted efforts. After all, she knew that this monster was most likely an outside helper brought in by Earl Duke, and Bran's current actions were just to whitewash his family in front of the world!

But Bran suddenly seemed to remember something, a smile playing on his lips, and he rode his horse along the outskirts of the battlefield, loudly announcing the evacuation order:

"Residents of Sochi! Quickly take your families to the castle for refuge! The Earl and the warriors of the Duke family will be there to protect you!!!"

"Thank God! Thank you, Master Bran! Thank you, Lord Ronald!!!"

Quaid, who was engaged in battle with Ryusha, couldn't pay attention to this, but Hafren was so angry that she was about to vomit blood!

This monster clearly only attacks its own people! The damage it causes to the town is limited to nearby buildings!

But this didn't stop half the residents of the upper town from panicking! If a large number of residents rushed into the castle for refuge, their blockade of the castle would be broken!

This is fucking ridiculous! It's a charade!!!

Chapter 22 The Knight of Lady Mara

Wow, not bad, that jerk Bran's move!

Ryūsha, who was fighting Quaid, heard Bran's voice from afar and was surprised that he would pull such a move at this time.

Quaid's eyes also narrowed.

Although he had already given the blood sample taken from David to Hayden to be sent to the capital for testing, once the Duke family's dark elf bloodline was exposed, with just a little manipulation, the Third Prince could petition the Emperor and the Papacy to strip the Duke family of their status.

If he could take control of the Duke family in the castle before then, he could launch a protest and rebellion in the name of the Earl! Then, by fanning the flames in the capital, he could use the pretext of suppressing the rebellion to wage war and control the eastern frontier. Whatever the Thirteenth Princess wanted to do here would be futile!

But now all of that has been destroyed by the monster that appeared before us! A top-tier Grandmaster-level combatant! How did he suddenly appear in Sochi City?!

"Hey, the rhythm's off now~"

Ruka seized the moment Quaid was distracted and used [Charm]!

The familiar feeling came over him, and Quaid instantly realized it was the illusion from before.

He's thinking about that disappearing move again... all I have to do is retreat! Hmm?!

In Quaid's eyes, Ryuka's demonized body suddenly split into three, attacking him from all sides!

Only one is real! Is it the back? Or the sides?

Boom!!! In Quaid's blind spot, Ryuka's true form instantly drew her sword! The demonized sword energy pierced through Quaid's body in an instant!

All three are fake?! Quaid was knocked aside. Although his injuries were not serious, his magical enhancements were being eroded by demonic energy! Hafulen and her minions instantly shielded Quaid, and the priests quickly began treating his injuries.

After Liuxia succeeded in her attack, she watched as Quaid, who was clutching his wound and retreating to the side to seek treatment, and involuntarily began to twist her body.

"This move is called 'Shadow Master's Three Clones Have a Fourth, It's Common Sense'! Woohoo! If you still love me..."

Huh? Am I being a little too optimistic? Shouldn't I press my advantage now?

Liu Xia realized that, with the demonic corruption, she was now like someone who had drunk fake alcohol! Looking into her consciousness, she saw that the stone wall had almost been completely eroded by the demonic energy!

We need to find a way to leave. It seems the pressure on Earl Duke's side has been relieved.

Although we've only completed the Earl's first task, let's stop here for today.

"Miss Heflint, let's have some fun next time when this grumpy-faced old man isn't around~ Bye-bye~"

"Damn it... Piercing Duke! You are despicable and shameless!!!"

Even when a beauty is angry, she has a unique charm. Liu Xia even had the urge to take Hai Fulian away and bring her back for all sorts of reasons, but considering that she had a Heavenly Rank expert behind her, she decided to put that idea aside for the time being.

But just as Liuxia turned around to rush out of Sochi City, a burning pain suddenly came from her back!

*Thud!* A huge wound split open on the back of the demonic body! Countless demonic energies were dissipating! Although it didn't harm Ryuka's true form inside, this attack instantly made Ryuka feel like she was being pricked by thorns!

Before he could react, his leg was struck again! His massive body instantly collapsed to his knees!

Bang! Bang!

The sound of metal striking the ground rang out, and a masked knight, whose entire body was covered in armor except for his eyes, slowly walked in!

Lady Mara's guards?! When?! I was clearly paying attention to the movements of the castle in the distance!

"Tsk! Did it realize that Kramer is no longer in the castle?! Mother's loyal hound is as sharp as ever!"

Bran, who was far away, saw it all clearly. In just a few blinks, the masked knight rushed onto the battlefield, and he couldn't even see when those two sword strikes were made!

"Where's Klemperer? He should have arrived long ago!"

The moment Ryuka knelt down, countless demonic tentacles shot out from her body, launching harassing attacks at the masked knight!

Swoosh! ...

Tsk! Has the most troublesome enemy finally left? What should we do? This situation can't last much longer!

Ryuka felt her strength draining away. She knew that in another minute or two, she would revert to her original form, and her identity would be exposed.

Just as Ryuka was relentlessly harassing the masked knight and slowing his approach, a familiar voice suddenly rang in her mind.

"Kid, what are you going to do? Just communicate with me using your mind."

Kramer?! Ryuga instantly realized that the knight had only left Lady Mara's side because Kramer had left the castle.

"Kira's grandfather... your absence is the greatest help you can give..." Ryuka gathered her consciousness to speak with Kramer, whose whereabouts were unknown.

"Kira's grandfather... your absence is the greatest help you can give..." Ryuka gathered her consciousness to speak with Kramer, whose whereabouts were unknown.

"I had no choice. Lord Ronald wanted me to make an appearance here so that I could distance myself from you in public. But I hadn't chosen the right time to appear. I didn't expect this guy to react so quickly. No wonder he's been my old rival for decades."

"Now is not the time for you to lament about 'friendship'! Does he have any weaknesses?"

"It has no weaknesses. If I had to say, it would just be unremarkable..."

Nothing special?! As Ryuga watched the knight approach step by step, whether it was sword energy, black ice spikes, or demonic tentacles, they were all broken by the masked knight's skillless battle aura slashes.

A true knight! Pure stats!

Even charm has no effect on him! Is his willpower really that strong?!