Captain Sarguan swung his sword heavily, unleashing an energy blade that cleaved through the golem's body.

The golem split in two, crashing into the nearby building with a resounding bang.

As the dust settled, the golem began to slowly rise, its body already beginning to regenerate.

"Run! I'll take care of this golem first. I'll make it quick!

" Captain Sarguan instructed Amanda and Princess Iris before leaping onto the adjacent building.

Princess Iris nodded, turning to Amanda.

"Let's go. Captain has it under control.

"

"Okay,

" Amanda agreed, stealing a quick glance at Captain Sarguan before following Princess Iris.

Swoosh!

Captain Sarguan materialized in front of the golem, his energy surging before a field expanded, covering a fifteen-meter radius.

Slow World!

Within the field, time seemed to decelerate, even slowing the golem's regeneration.

"Die!

"

Captain Sarguan moved with lightning speed, slashing his sword several times in a mere second. The golem failed to react in time as its body crumbled. With precision, he sliced apart its core, extinguishing the golem's energy source.

As the field dissipated and he sheathed his sword, Captain Sarguan surveyed the fallen golem's remains.

"This golem is formidable... Only an expert of the Fourth Shackle Realm or higher could have vanquished it.

"

The golems proved formidable, their numbers overwhelming. Captain Sarguan couldn't help but envision the horrors unfolding in other regions of the Walpurgis Night. Ordinary people, lacking the strength to resist, would be massacred like helpless prey.

He pivoted and trailed after Amanda and Princess Iris. Despite their slight lead, Captain Sarguan's speed ensured he'd catch up within moments.

Swoosh!

Captain Sarguan soared through the air, spotting the pair ahead. Accelerating, he swiftly closed the distance and landed behind them.

"Is it done, Captain?

" Princess Iris inquired.

"Yeah, that golem was quite formidable,

" Captain Sarguan replied, his gaze flicking to the ground where other golems engaged in combat with remaining survivors. He longed to aid them, but finding the prince remained his priority.

"Hmm...?

" Captain Sarguan scanned his surroundings, detecting others trailing behind them.

Amanda and Princess Iris also noticed the newcomers. They appeared non-hostile, likely seeking refuge from the golems.

Despite their apparent innocence, Captain Sarguan remained cautious. He had no knowledge of these individuals.

The strangers exchanged glances with Captain Sarguan before continuing onward, recognizing the safety in numbers strategy amidst the golem threat.

Swoosh!!

A powerful surge of energy erupted, causing everyone to momentarily freeze.

"What's happening?

" Captain Sarguan's eyes narrowed as he turned to see a figure hurtling toward them.

Instinctively, he positioned himself in front of Princess Iris, sensing the approaching individual's malevolent intent.

"All these people have attracted that person's attention,

" Amanda observed, scanning their surroundings. She surmised that the newcomer was drawn by the large gathering of individuals, each one a target in their eyes.

"Get ready!

" Captain Sarguan shouted, swiftly erecting a barrier.

A colossal whip lashed out, unleashing a torrent of energy.

Bang!!

The whip's energy effortlessly cut through the weaker individuals nearby, their bodies rent in two as blood cascaded to the ground like rain.

Captain Sarguan gritted his teeth as he shielded Princess Iris and Amanda from the onslaught.

"Ugh... It's so heavy...

" Amanda gasped, feeling as though a colossal weight bore down on her.

Captain Sarguan noted Amanda's struggle before addressing Princess Iris with determination.

"Princess, you must escape. Leave this to me.

"

"No one leaves without my say,

" a commanding voice interrupted.

The survivors, still reeling from the attack, felt the oppressive aura emanating from the woman suspended in the air before them.

She was none other than Poisonous Vine, a formidable expert of the Sixth Shackle Realm. Poisonous Vine surveyed the survivors with a calculating gaze before speaking, her voice laced with menace.

"Eleven... Eleven people survived my assault. Impressive.

"

Princess Iris and Amanda exchanged uneasy glances, feeling the oppressive weight of Poisonous Vine's unleashed energy. Their own strength, at Two and One Shackle respectively, paled in comparison to her overwhelming power.

"Perish!

" Poisonous Vine's command preceded a swift lash of her whip.

Captain Sarguan channeled his energy, erecting a barrier to shield Princess Iris and Amanda. Despite his efforts, the three of them were swiftly overpowered, sent hurtling away in an instant. The remaining survivors met a grim fate, mercilessly cut down by Poisonous Vine's attack.

Bang!!

The trio crashed into a nearby building, its structure collapsing with their impact.

"It's rather exhilarating,

" Poisonous Vine remarked, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction as she observed the whip in her hand.

It had been quite some time since she had last unleashed such devastation. It wasn't a reflection of her weakness, but rather a testament to the formidable strength of the top experts who partic I in the battles of Selnes Country. Their prowess often overshadowed her own, giving the impression that she was merely an ordinary expert at the Sixth Shackle

Realm.

"I forgot. That monstrous bastard is here. I don't understand why he's still in the fourth stage, but at this moment, everyone treats him as if he's in the fifth stage. He's closer to the fifth stage than the peak fourth stage close to him,

" Poisonous Vine muttered, casting a glance at the boundary of the region with a furrow in her brow.

The Blood Lightning Monster.

The Only One.

A being that left an indelible mark on all who participated in the conflicts of Selnes Country.

While gazing at the boundary of the region, she noticed something peculiar. The dense dream power was gradually shifting to a shade of purple, emitting sparks in every direction.

"What's happening?

" Poisonous Vine muttered, her voice tinged with concern.

Suddenly, a powerful beam struck her from above, sending her body hurtling down like a stream of light, crashing onto the ground.

"Ugh!

" Poisonous Vine groaned, spitting out a mouthful of blood as she glanced upward. There, she saw a figure emerging from the thick dream power in the sky. It was a woman clad

in a dark robe, wielding a crimson-colored saber.

"Y-You!

" Poisonous Vine's eyes widened in recognition.

The woman who descended was an elder of the Walpurgis Night known as Elder Uiny.

Elder Uiny scanned the area and declared,

"This place will be sacrificed to the greater will. Everyone should accept their fate.

"

"What in the world are you saying?

" Poisonous Vine gritted her teeth as she rose to her feet. She unleashed her energy and propelled herself toward the elder.

"Persistent,

" Elder Uiny remarked, casting a cold gaze down at Poisonous Vine.

Bang!!

The air trembled as the two powerful experts clashed.

Captain Sarguan, Princess Iris, and Amanda emerged from the rubble, their eyes fixed on the

battle unfolding above.

Turning to the two women, Captain Sarguan inquired,

"Did either of you sustain any

injuries?

"

Princess Iris waved her hand dismissively, replying,

"I'm unharmed, thanks to you, Captain.

"

Both Princess Iris and Amanda emerged unscathed, thanks to Captain Sarguan's protective presence. As the Captain of the Royal Guard of the Palleo Kingdom, his strength was

formidable.

"The individual who arrived... She's an elder, but her words suggest she's an opponent. Can you take her on, Captain?

" Princess Iris turned to Captain Sarguan with concern in her eyes.

Captain Sarguan shook his head solemnly.

"I can engage in combat, but victory seems unlikely. The elders of the Walpurgis Night surpass me by far. Their combat techniques and

spells are of a caliber beyond mine.

"

Boom! Boom!!

In the sky above, Poisonous Vine and Elder Uiny clashed with ferocity. Their movements were lightning-fast, each exchange unleashing devastating force. The surrounding terrain suffered under the shockwaves of their confrontation.

"Damn...

" Poisonous Vine staggered backward, gritting her teeth as she wiped blood from the

corner of her mouth.

"Are you finished? If so, then allow me...

" Elder Uiny materialized in front of Poisonous Vine, her elemental power surging like a tidal wave as she swung her saber with deadly precision.

Trinity Elemental Drive: Earth, Fire, and Wind Integration!!

The entire terrain transformed as towering volcanoes erupted, spewing molten rocks into the air. The wind carried waves of heat throughout the area, intensifying the chaos. Poisonous Vine plummeted to the ground like a meteor, attempting to shield herself with her Elemental Drive, yet she was still tossed about as if she were made of paper.

"Argh... Where's that Red Mist? She wanted to take down the elders, didn't she? Well, here's

one,

" Poisonous Vine growled through gritted teeth, realizing her inferiority against the

elders of the Walpurgis Night.

Elder Uiny peered down and declared,

"You cannot thwart me. All those present here will be sacrificed for the greater will. Every region in this land will undergo this fate.

"

"What do you mean?

" Poisonous Vine demanded as she struggled to her feet.

"You're aware of a being who seeks to exterminate all life in this land, aren't you? Have you

heard the name Purity?

" Elder Uiny inquired.

Poisonous Vine's eyes widened in shock.

"The Purity... One of the Ten Commandments of

God's Will...

"

"Indeed. There will be no exceptions. Everything in this land will perish, and the entirety of

the Walpurgis Night will be obliterated,

" Elder Uiny stated coldly.

"Aren't you a witch?

" Poisonous Vine asked.

"Yes, but I have come to realize the greatness of the higher power. The truth must remain

buried here, as the time for its revelation has not yet arrived. No one shall see beyond, lest 'she' awaken prematurely,

" Elder Uiny explained.

"It appears I've uncovered a traitor among the witches. If you claim there are no exceptions, then I must confront you. If you had simply destroyed this place without involving me, I might have overlooked it. But by including me, you've essentially challenged me to a duel,

" Poisonous Vine declared, her grip tightening on the whip in her hand, a sinister grin spreading across her face.

"I won't go down without claiming at least one or two of your limbs.

"