Chapter 47: The Burden Bearer
As Xu Bai spoke, Glaimond recovered slightly from his shock.
Yes, he still had the Authority!
Even if she was a demon, she was just a juvenile… no match for the power of Authority!
He hadn’t fought Lin Yan with his full strength, knowing her enhanced state wouldn’t last, her body eventually succumbing to the strain.
But this gray-haired demon “Bai” was different. Even as a juvenile, her demonic physique was far superior to a human’s; [Bloodfire Ascension] wouldn’t be a significant burden for her.
And it wouldn’t enhance her power much either. The real threat was her unknown Demonic Rune abilities…
Now, he could finally unleash the full power of the Authority!
However, Xu Bai showed no sign of using her Demonic Runes. Instead, she raised her dagger and performed a flawless knight’s salute.
“…” Glaimond’s breath hitched, a terrifying possibility taking root in his mind.
If she was a demon, why would she adhere to the etiquette of a knightly duel?
He quickly composed himself, returning the salute.
“Your opponent is Glaimond, of the North Empire.”
He didn’t use his title of Commander, instead invoking the name of the North Empire, placing Xu Bai firmly on the opposite side, as an enemy of humanity.
Without further ado, they clashed, blurs of motion, their blades flashing in the dimly lit hall.
“City Breaker!”
Glaimond unleashed the full power of the Authority fragment. Those nearby felt a crushing pressure, as if struck by an invisible hammer, and hairline cracks appeared on the surrounding walls.
His destructive power was even greater than before, during his fight with Lin Yan!
The Demon Hunters, having retreated to a safe distance, watched in horror as the cracks spread.
“If I’m not mistaken, this Clock Tower is made of Ironsteel…” one Demon Hunter murmured in disbelief.
Ironsteel, the strongest material known to humans, was cracking.
And this was just the residual energy from Glaimond’s attack, the majority of his power focused on Xu Bai. A fraction of his power had almost destroyed the entire Clock Tower.
This was the power of [City Breaker].
An overwhelmingly destructive force, a true weapon of war.
At full power, it could demolish entire city walls made of Ironsteel.
Its name was well-deserved.
If the mere aftershocks could do this to the Clock Tower walls, the full force of the attack, directed at Xu Bai, was unimaginable.
Unable to use her psychic circuits, and unwilling to use her Demonic Runes, Xu Bai took the full brunt of the attack.
Blood trickled from her eyes and nose, a bloody mist surrounding her, a strange, captivating fragrance filling the air.
…The scent of high-ranking demon blood.
A demon’s physique was indeed formidable. What would be a fatal blow to a human was merely a serious injury to Xu Bai.
And even then, her expression remained unchanged.
As if impervious to pain, she raised her dagger, swift slashes flashing through the air.
[Worldly Dust]
Her movements were graceful, ethereal, her attacks coming from impossible angles.
“Qin Su,” she uttered a name, soft yet clear, like a thunderclap in Glaimond’s ears.
Even as the dagger’s point approached, Glaimond froze, caught off guard, sent flying ten meters by the force of her attack.
“How… how is this possible?” he stammered in disbelief, using his sword to support himself. “Could it be… really…?”
Could it be… him?
Two families in the North Empire, the Qin and the Lin, were descended from the ancient empire.
The Lin family specialized in spear and lance combat, favoring heavy weapons on the battlefield.
But the Qin family was renowned for their swordsmanship.
Their most difficult technique, mastered by only a few in the current generation, was called—
[Worldly Dust]
Qin Su, the Qin family’s most talented swordswoman, held the record for single-handedly slaying 2,528 enemies, earning her the title of “Twin Jewel of the Empire,” alongside Lin Yan.
More importantly, she had also been a member of the Sharp Assault squad.
She had fallen on the third day of the Saint Noyes siege, sacrificing herself to unleash a devastating sword attack, taking down three peak Destruction Class demons with her.
“A ghost…” Glaimond, supporting himself with his sword, stared at the blood-soaked demon girl. “Are you… truly a ghost returned from Saint Noyes…?”
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing…
Xu Bai didn’t answer, her dagger flashing as she attacked again.
This time, her movements weren’t graceful, but swift and powerful, like thunder and lightning.
Although only a short dagger, in her hands, it carried the weight of a greatsword.
[Army Breaker]
The most basic sword technique of the Garrison Knights, known to almost every knight.
But only one person had mastered it to such an extent, turning a simple technique into an unstoppable force.
He had set an insurmountable record within the Knights, fighting continuously for over a hundred hours, the exact details lost to time.
“Rayne,” Xu Bai whispered, the image of a burly, kind-hearted man flashing through her mind.
A former mercenary who had joined the Garrison Knights by chance, serving under Xu Bai, his only hobby collecting heavy helmets.
He had fallen on the fifth day of the Saint Noyes siege, thankfully dying inside his beloved helmet.
Xu Bai didn’t mention her fallen comrades lightly, not because she didn’t remember them, or wanted to forget.
But because… she kept them locked away, deep within her memories, a precious, painful treasure.
As their captain, she carried the weight of their lives, their sacrifices.
She had to ensure that someone, somewhere, remembered their final moments at Saint Noyes.
Facing the aptly named “Army Breaker” attack, Glaimond forced himself to focus, raising his sword to block.
But cracks appeared on his blade, shattering instantly.
“No!” Glaimond cried out, discarding the broken fragments and desperately channeling the power of [City Breaker].
“…Even a ghost must die!”
He was truly afraid.
The Battle of Saint Noyes had been orchestrated by him and Lugner.
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