The fight continued, the sheer force of their clash making the surrounding air feel heavy and oppressive. Walls cracked and crumbled under the shockwaves of their attacks, debris scattering across the hall.
Angrar smirked, glancing at the two of them with a mocking glint in his eyes. "I thought being vice leader would make you strong... but looks like I was wrong, huh?"
He glanced at Karue while effortlessly deflecting her swing, his stance relaxed as he parried and blocked their combined attacks.
"And you, Karue? I wonder how you became the leader among all thirteen summoned heroes under your Goddess Maekaria. If this is leader-level strength, then even your other members must be complete weaklings."
The other party members under Karue erupted in rage. All eleven of them unsheathed their weapons and charged toward Angrar in a coordinated surge.
Angrar parried and dodged as best he could, but even with his skill, fighting so many at once was overwhelming. A kick landed on his ribs, sending him flying into the wall with a heavy crash. The stone cracked around him, dust and debris settling over his shoulders.
He casually walked out of the rubble, rolling his shoulder and preparing for another counterattack.
Vane smirked, crossing his arms. "Well, well, well... looks like the mighty Angrar isnāt so untouchable after all. All that talk, and youāre already getting tossed around like a ragdoll. What happened to all that confidence?"
Karue chuckled darkly, her crystal sword still crackling with lightning. "Not so tough now, huh, Mr. Calm and Collected? Seems like your mouth writes checks your body canāt cash."
Three of Angrarās members unsheathed their weapons and charged toward Karueās group, only to be intercepted and engaged by Vaneās members, turning the hall into a chaotic, multi-sided brawl.
The fight continued, the strain beginning to show on Angrar and his members as they fought against overwhelming numbers. Cuts and bruises accumulated, their movements growing heavier with each passing moment.
Vane and Karue smirked when they saw Angrar panting, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he parried another strike.
"Looks like youāre going to die today, Angrar," Vane said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
"Yeah. Besides, we donāt need a weakling from a weak, lowly goddess," Karue added, her tone sharp and mocking.
"True. Even without you and your members, weāre pretty sure we could complete the main mission," Vane said arrogantly. "We have plenty of chosen people, not to mention the best knights and soldiers for the task."
"Next time, Angrar," Karue sneered, "know your place as a weakling with only a handful of members. Learn to listen and follow orders instead of running your mouth."
Vane smirked again, his aura flaring as he channeled his full power. "Itās time for you to die, Angrar."
"Next time, prepare your own coffin before you come to a meeting," Karue added, her lightning aura crackling violently.
Angrar chuckled darkly, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "Do you think just because you all ganged up on us, youāll be able to kill me?"
He let out a dark laugh as his aura flared. His scimitars grew larger, engulfed in roaring flames. "Who said I was using my full power yet?"
Karue laughed. "Do you think Iāve used my full power either? In your dreams!" Her lightning aura exploded outward, crackling with deadly intensity.
"Let me show you what happens when I get serious, Angrar," Vane said, his aura surging as he prepared to strike.
Just as they were all about to charge and kill Angrar and his members, everyone froze mid-motion. Those who had already leaped found themselves suspended in mid-air, unable to move. Others felt their weapons grow heavy, their limbs refusing to obey.
A cold shiver ran down their spines. An overwhelming, intimidating presence pressed down on them, making it impossible to lift their weapons or even breathe freely.
"What are you all doing?"
A calm, steady voice echoed through the hall.
Vaneās sweat turned cold, his body frozen in place as an invisible force held him suspended mid-air. His members, scattered around the hall, were equally paralyzed, their faces twisted in terror as they struggled helplessly.
Karue tried her best to move, her muscles straining, but she remained locked in place, her lightning aura flickering weakly around her blade.
Angrar, still panting heavily, forced himself to calm down. He turned his head toward the source of the voice.
"Why do you always interfere when Iām about to kill your members, Julius?"
Julius smiled, calm and pure, walking forward with an effortless grace. He wore a full suit of gleaming golden plate armor, adorned with intricate divine engravings and crimson stripes running along the edges. A massive golden tower shield was strapped to his back, and a colossal golden divine sword rested across his shoulders, too large to be worn at the waist.
"Aw~ Donāt be like that, Angrar. Weāre all on the same team, right?" Julius said, his voice warm and friendly, his smile genuine and disarming.
"Who said weāre a team?" Angrar unsheathed his sword, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
Karue and Vane, along with the others, widened their eyes. Despite Juliusās overwhelming presence, Angrar was still able to move, though visibly straining.
"Uuu~ Donāt be like that. Hey, hey~" Julius walked over and casually draped his arm over Angrarās shoulder like an old friend, despite being taller and broader. "Donāt be so cold."
"Get your hand off my shoulder." Angrar lifted his hand, trying to push Juliusās arm away, but Juliusās hand remained firmly in place.
"Aw~ Donāt sulk like that. Hey, next time weāll go drink together, okay? My treat." Julius said with a teasing smile, poking Angrarās cheek with his finger.
"Ugh! Donāt touch me like that. Itās disgusting."
"Aw~ Donāt be that mad, Angrar."
"If you donāt remove your hand from my shoulder, Iāll kill you here, Julius."
"Uuu~ So cold~" Julius pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes at Angrar before finally releasing his hand from Angrarās shoulder. He turned, facing everyone with a calm, genuine smile.
"Alright, partyās over. Everyone, take a seat." His voice was light, but the weight of his presence pressed down on them. "And please~ put away your weapons."
The moment he released his skill, everyone collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, their bodies trembling with exhaustion and fear. Some clutched their chests, others leaned on their weapons for support, their faces pale and drenched in cold sweat.
Julius glanced over his shoulder at Angrar. "You too, Angrar. Take a seat. The meeting is about to start."
"No. Iām not in the mood for a meeting." Angrar was about to move toward the door but paused when he noticed something.
Julius snapped his fingers.
Hundreds of knights in gleaming golden armor materialized around the hall, blocking every door and surrounding the perimeter. Each knight wore full plate golden armor, a golden sword at their waist and a shield strapped to their back, standing motionless like statues of divine judgment.
Angrar glared at Julius. "Do you think just because you summoned your knights, youāll be able to stop me?"
Julius just smiled, calm and charming. "Now, now~ Letās have the meeting first, shall we? They wonāt bite."
He walked calmly toward the head of the table but paused, glancing over his shoulder.
"No one should skip an important meeting like this. Besides..." He smiled, his gaze sweeping across everyone in the room. "We have new information about our enemy."
He continued walking toward the head of the table, taking his seat. He touched the cracked surface of the table, and in an instant, every crack, every chip, every broken piece restored itself to perfect condition.
He glanced at Angrar, Vane, and Karue with a calm, knowing smile.
"And you know... even one of them is on par with the combined power of the three of you."
( End Of Chapter )