Chapter 209: Wind Orchid City(2)

The explosions continued relentlessly. The surrounding soldiers’ eardrums throbbed from the shockwaves, and two small houses near the breach were blown apart by the aftershock.

"What terrifying power... Lady Alice has taken action."

In Alice’s hand, a mass of swirling orange-red flames churned, from which fiery butterflies continuously emerged.

"The Flame Divine Chosen... shouldn’t they have mostly perished along with the Purple Gold Empire?" Veronica sighed, glancing at Alice’s hair. "Judging by your hair color, you must be a refugee from the Purple Gold Empire. To betray your country so quickly and throw yourself into a new embrace... how amusing."

"I’ve always been a citizen of the Sacred Griffin Empire." Alice lowered her gaze.

That was true. She had been born in the Sacred Griffin Empire—her hair color simply set her apart from those around her.

Veronica brushed the dust off her body, looking surprised. "That was stronger than I expected. More damage than everything I took earlier combined."

Disliking pointless talk, Alice raised her hand. "Since you’ve dared to step into my territory, prepare to be reduced to ashes."

Within her own domain, a Divine Chosen’s recovery speed—both for injuries and divine power—was significantly enhanced. Alice had no fear.

"Hehe, I’ll let you experience the vast gap between Tier Two and Tier Three."

The spiral lance in Veronica’s hand erupted with crimson light as she thrust it straight toward Alice.

"Tier-Two Divine Skill—First Dance of Spirit Butterflies."

Forming hand seals, the fire butterflies around Alice rapidly traced out a magic array. Flames surged forth, engulfing her entire body.

The roaring flames were absorbed instantly. Alice’s originally ash-gray hair transformed into a brilliant wine-red, and her aura surged rapidly, reaching the peak of Tier Two—just a step away from Tier Three.

"Oh? You’ve forcibly raised your power."

Veronica let out a strange laugh. "Now this is interesting. Crushing you outright would be too boring."

With a light tap of her foot, the stone ground cracked.

Veronica shot forward like a massive cannonball, charging straight at Alice.

"Tier-Three Divine Skill—Bloodshadow Spiral."

"Tier-Two Divine Skill—Cinder-Star Blaze."

With a wave of her hand, countless fire butterflies surged forward in a killing swarm.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Flames and lance collided violently. Killing intent and fire intertwined, staining half the sky red. Fragments of their power scattered outward, raining down upon Wind Orchid City.

Some shredded innocent bystanders into pieces, others reduced buildings to ashes.

Chaos erupted among the citizens. Fortunately, knights and mages arriving as reinforcements managed to intercept part of the aftermath.

"You deserve to die!"

Seeing the destruction within her city, Alice flew into a rage. This was her domain—her advancement depended on Wind Orchid City. Watching it suffer hurt more than taking blows herself.

"You’re not bad. No wonder you dared to attack me with only Tier-Two strength."

"But it’s useless."

The glow of Veronica’s spiral lance intensified. Vast divine power surged into it, the artifact trembling faintly. Her eyes grew increasingly eerie, and even her skin began to seep blood.

"What a terrifying presence... What exactly is the so-called god of the Shadow World Sect?"

Alice’s expression changed slightly. She retreated rapidly, continuously generating fire butterflies to form a blazing net. She could feel the overwhelming power of her opponent—she couldn’t withstand it alone.

"Provide fire support for Lady Alice!"

The defending commander swallowed hard and ordered the soldiers to continue their assault.

"Damn cultist—don’t even think about succeeding!"

A domineering voice rang out. A man wielding a greatsword in one hand and a warhammer in the other descended like a streak of light, crashing down with overwhelming force. Tier-Five magic power erupted from him, radiating an unstoppable aura.

At the same level, magic power would be crushed by divine power—but two tiers higher, a Tier-Five knight could barely contend with Veronica.

With Alice assisting, it was enough to hold her in place.

At the same time, more knights rushed in from surrounding territories.

"Veronica, retreat immediately."

Her lord, cloaked in black, knew they couldn’t take Wind Orchid City and urged her at once. "If you don’t leave now, you’ll be surrounded and killed. The Ross family is not to be underestimated. If you delay any longer, you’ll die for sure."

"Guess this is it. What a shame." Veronica tilted her head and grinned. "It’s not that you’ve won—I just don’t feel like playing anymore."

With that, she gathered her immense divine power and hurled the spiral lance, smashing it into the thick granite wall.

Debris flew everywhere. The five-meter-thick wall was blasted open once more.

Right beside the previous breach—so that from afar, the two holes looked like a pair of nostrils.

"Bye-bye."

Veronica swaggered out. The soldiers around her were so terrified by a single glance that they nearly wet themselves, not daring to stop her.

Only after watching her leave did Adrian step out from the shadows, his body trembling with rage.

"Quirion! Why didn’t you go up and kill that woman? I’ve given you so many resources—what have you done?!"

Quirion removed his helmet, completely ignoring Adrian’s outburst. "My apologies, my lord. But I only serve your father—Count Kote."

Besides, fighting Veronica would likely leave him severely injured. There was no benefit in it.

"Good, very good."

Adrian nearly laughed from anger.

Though his father had granted him Wind Orchid City, he had taken away all the top-tier military forces.

Looking at the devastated city, Adrian’s expression darkened.

"My lord, I suggest repairing the walls immediately and forming defensive alliances with neighboring lords."

The military advisor hurried over, documents already prepared.

"You want me to lose face in front of them?" Adrian shot him a furious glare. "The rebels didn’t even breach the city—what’s the rush? Issue my order: search the city for suspicious individuals. Anyone suspicious—arrest them immediately and confiscate their property."

"But... stabilizing the people should be the priority—restoring their confidence—"

"Are you questioning me?"

Adrian’s gaze turned terrifying. "Also—find me some beautiful women."

"...Yes."

The advisor withdrew reluctantly.

"My lord, forming alliances with neighboring lords would be wiser." Alice had reverted to her normal state, her face slightly pale. "The Shadow World Sect clearly has an objective. They won’t stop until they achieve it."

Though fear churned within him, Adrian maintained a cold expression. "We have no choice. You’re simply too weak—otherwise, I wouldn’t have to humiliate myself by asking others for help."

"...Mm."

Alice lowered her head, hurt.

Meanwhile, Phield had arrived at the outskirts of Wind Orchid City. He immediately summoned Ashina.

"Take the cavalry and go pay our old friends a visit. See if there’s any gold in the merchants’ homes—or if cattle have somehow grown in their barns. Bring everything back. Also, gather some intelligence."