Chapter 82: False Absolute Defense
Benson was the most honest and straightforward member of the Hero Squad.
He too wished to resurrect Jie Luo and wouldn’t refuse Loseweisse’s request, especially because he was deeply in love with her, even though he knew her heart belonged to Jie Luo.
Love was a powerful, often irrational force.
He didn’t care that their relationship would become strained after Jie Luo’s return. As long as she was happy, he was content.
For her happiness, he would endure anything. He was prepared to swallow his pride, to even befriend the Second Hero, despite his disgust, if it meant ensuring her happiness.
But how had Lomond known his route? The Demon Prince had clearly been waiting for him, his ambush carefully planned.
Was there a traitor in the capital?
Only Loseweisse knew his travel plans, but she would never betray him. He trusted her implicitly. Perhaps she had inadvertently revealed his route to someone else, and that person was the true traitor.
Damn them, using Loseweisse like this!
His anger flared. He would tell her about this, expose the traitor.
Distraction during battle was a fatal mistake.
Lomond, though not the sharpest tool in the shed, possessed exceptional combat instincts. He seized upon Benson’s momentary lapse in concentration, his massive hand shooting out, dark mist swirling around it.
“Crushing Grip!”
Benson felt a sudden weight pressing down on him, his body as if burdened by a thousand times its normal gravity. His feet sank into the ground.
He grunted, struggling to maintain his footing, but the pressure intensified, a mountain crushing him, forcing him to his knees.
His bones creaked, his joints grinding painfully.
Lomond, his crimson face contorted in a cruel grin, appeared before him, his fist, as large as Benson’s entire body, slamming into his shield.
The impact reverberated through the air, a deafening clang echoing through the mountains.
Dust billowed as Benson was thrown back, his body crashing into the mountainside, the stone cracking and splintering under the force of the blow.
The entire mountain seemed to tremble, rocks tumbling down its slopes.
Even his shield, forged from Gordel Steel, one of the strongest metals in the Heavenly Continent, couldn’t withstand the Demon Prince’s might. A network of fine cracks spread across its surface.
Lomond raised his arm, dark energy swirling around his hand, coalescing into a jagged, black spear, its form grotesque and menacing.
This was a power only a high-ranking Demon could wield, a force bordering on a Super-tier spell.
“Dark Judgment!”
He hurled the spear, its black form a blur as it tore through the air, its shriek piercing, its trajectory aimed at Benson’s heart.
The speed was incredible, the spear leaving a trail of afterimages, a black line connecting Lomond to his target.
A golden barrier, shimmering with light, suddenly enveloped Benson.
The spear slammed into the barrier.
The impact was explosive, the ground trembling, the mountain groaning in protest. Even the Demons, hundreds of meters away, were thrown off their feet, the shockwave carving a cave into the mountainside.
They scrambled to their feet, their eyes, grotesque and varied, fixed on the scene, eager to witness Benson’s demise.
But they were disappointed.
Benson was unharmed. The barrier, its golden light unwavering, had deflected the attack.
False Absolute Defense!
His Ability.
A high-ranking Ability, its power said to rival a Super-tier Ability.
While active, he was practically invulnerable, his stamina and Battle Qi rapidly regenerating. It could last for up to an hour.
But it had a weakness: he couldn’t move. Any movement would break the barrier.
Damn it!
Lomond roared, his frustration evident. He had expected his attack to obliterate Benson, but that damn Ability had thwarted him. It was cheating!
Of course, he conveniently forgot that his own tactic, a coordinated attack involving a horde of Demons, wasn’t exactly… honorable…
Benson gasped, his face pale, sweat dripping from his brow, stinging his eyes.
He had been careless, his momentary distraction almost costing him his life. Lomond’s attack had been swift, relentless. If his Ability hadn’t activated in time, he would have been pinned to the mountainside, a lifeless trophy.
Lomond, despite his reputation as a dullard, was a formidable warrior.
His Ability had saved him, but his situation remained precarious. He couldn’t rely on it indefinitely.
He could only activate it three times per day, nine times per month.
He wasn’t sure how long he could hold out. He glanced at the approaching Demons, his heart sinking. He needed Loseweisse and Ekaterina.
My dearest comrades… they must be on their way…
…
Loseweisse’s nails dug into her palms, her teeth grinding audibly. Ekaterina could even hear the sound.
Angelica’s taunts had enraged her.
But she wouldn’t lose control. Not in front of the Hero. Angelica had probably been badmouthing her, but he wouldn’t necessarily believe her. She had to maintain her image, her facade of composure.
After a few seconds, she calmed down, her anger replaced by a bright, cheerful smile. “Oh my, Lady Natia, you have feelings for the Hero? I’m sure many young noblemen will be heartbroken…”
“The Hero and the Sage… what a perfect match…”
“But it seems Lady Natia’s… desires… are unrequited.” She glanced at Angelica, deliberately fanning the flames.
The Hero’s… popularity… was annoying, but Angelica’s insolence was infuriating. She had to deal with her first. If Angelica objected… how dare a mere maid interfere in her master’s romantic affairs? Her actions would surely lower her standing in Qin Chu’s eyes. And if she agreed, it would dilute Angelica’s importance, her special position by his side.
“I’m just a maid. My master’s decisions are his own. It has nothing to do with me,” Angelica said cheerfully. “But if you must know… I wouldn’t object.”
Natia tilted her head, confusion clouding her blue eyes. “Wouldn’t you be… upset? Or… angry?”
“Well, I might be a little jealous, but if it’s Lady Natia… I wouldn’t mind,” Angelica said, her smile unwavering.
Natia frowned. “But don’t you… love… him?”
“Of course I do!”
She didn’t understand. Louisa had said that love was possessive, that one wouldn’t want anyone else near their beloved.
“Because I love him, I welcome Lady Natia.” She clasped her hands behind her back, her gaze, though directed at Natia, filled with adoration for Qin Chu. “Lady Natia is strong, far stronger than I am. She can do things I can’t. She can protect him in ways I can’t.”
“He’s… special… Many want him dead. I believe Lady Natia, by his side, can keep him safe.”
“I don’t like the idea of him having… other women… but his safety is my priority.”
This was Angelica. She might seem naive, but she was smarter than she appeared. Her seemingly impulsive actions, her words, had been carefully calculated. She had marked her territory, declaring her claim on him.
But his safety, his well-being, would always be her primary concern. Nothing could change that.
Even Ekaterina nodded in approval.
Loseweisse, who had intended to sow discord, to undermine Angelica’s position, was frustrated. That little bitch had somehow managed to gain even more favor with Qin Chu. How cunning!
As silence descended upon them once more, Qin Chu, his expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation, glanced at Loseweisse. Holy Maiden, had you forgotten something?
Benson was running out of time!
Even if she didn’t care about his fate, he did. He cleared his throat, drawing their attention. He patted Angelica’s head affectionately, then turned to Natia, his voice polite. “Lady Natia, I’m… honored… by your proposal…”
“But as you can see, I already have someone… special… in my life…”
“So, I must… decline… your offer.”
Natia nodded, accepting his rejection. This was her first… proposal… and it had been rejected. It was… strange…
But she wasn’t heartbroken. This puzzled her.
Qin Chu, having dealt with Natia, turned to Loseweisse and Ekaterina. “Are you two here for breakfast? Or is there something else?”
Loseweisse gasped.
Angelica’s antics had distracted her, her true purpose momentarily forgotten.
She had no time to waste.
She took a deep breath, composing herself. “Ekaterina and I have been discussing your progress, Hero-sama. We believe it’s time for you to experience… actual combat… against the Demons.”
“Of course, we’ll be with you. Your safety is our priority.”
Finally, they were getting to the point. Qin Chu smiled, his eagerness evident. “Of course, I’d love to.”
“I’m going too!” Angelica declared.
Even though he had instructed her to stay behind, she had to maintain her facade, to avoid suspicion. In the end, he overruled her, his tone firm, his decision final.
His immediate agreement surprised Loseweisse, but considering Benson’s situation, she didn’t dwell on it. She and Ekaterina, with Qin Chu in tow, quickly left the bakery.
Natia, her thoughts unreadable, followed them.
Loseweisse, though annoyed by her presence, couldn’t exactly force her to leave.
Nikles, his face pale, hurried towards the Imperial Palace. He couldn’t prevent them from taking the Hero on a “training exercise,” but he had to inform Wadsworth immediately.
Candice, observing them from a distance, smiled. She had relayed the information to Lomond, as instructed.
Her smile was cruel, her excitement growing. This was the Hero, the man who stood as Horus’s equal. He might be considered weak, newly arrived in this world, but she, having witnessed his power, knowing of his battles against the entities within the Void, understood his true strength.
She couldn’t wait to see… the bloodshed…
…
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