Alistair’s sleeves fluttered, transforming into sharp blades. Wherever they passed, screams filled the air.
Several heavy blows landed as seven martial kings finally found an opening and struck viciously against his protective energy.
Although no blood was spilled, Alistair still felt an unbearable heaviness crush against his chest. He silently cursed, ‘Damn it!‘
If this kept up, he would eventually be worn down and killed.
For the first time, panic flickered in Alistair’s heart. No matter how strong he was, facing this many martial artists at once left him helpless. The more powerless he felt, the deeper his hatred for Andrew grew.
That brat was nothing more than a filthy, unyielding troublemaker. Because of him, the Crimson Flame Cult’s entire plan had been ruined.
“Your Eminence, forgive me.”
At that moment, a man appeared in the distance, sword in hand. He charged forward and unleashed a massive blade of energy straight at Alistair.
“If everyone else is fighting, then my family will not stand aside. Better that the saintess falls into our hands than someone else’s!”
With a loud laugh, Nicholas‘ sword energy smashed into Alistair, sending him flying back. His frail figure tumbled through the air before he finally landed on his feet, barely steadying himself.
A mouthful of blood rose to his throat, ready to burst out.
However, Alistair was still the only martial emperor present, the sovereign of martial power. Forcing the blood back down, he swallowed it hard, suppressing the boiling pain in his chest.
“Nicholas, how dare you!” he snarled, grinding his teeth.
The one who had just struck was none other than Nicholas, the head of the McDaniel family. Only moments ago, they had been allies of the Crimson Flame Cult. But now that everything was in chaos and battle had erupted, the McDaniels saw that the Crimson Flame Cult was finished and immediately kicked them while they were down, joining the scramble.
Nicholas held his sword with righteous indignation and declared, “Everyone, follow me in executing this evil villain! The Crimson Flame Cult is an Auqanian cult that threatens Holtrien’s martial world! Compared to seizing the saintess, killing this monster is the greater cause!”
Following his rallying cry, the surrounding fighters‘ blood boiled, and they all responded enthusiastically.
1/2
Chapter 2103
+15 BONUS
Then, following Nicholas, they once again besieged Alistair.
He might have been a speaker, a manipulator, a trickster. However, Nicholas was something worse; he was righteous on the surface, beastly at heart. Everyone knew he was after Shiloh, yet he dressed it up in the name of honor, claiming it was for Holtrien’s martial world.
Finally, Alistair let out a muffled grunt and lost his footing. Shiloh, who had been clutched in his hand all along, also slipped free and flew out.
It was the perfect opportunity!
Nicholas, Henry, and Grace moved instantly. They abandoned their attacks on Alistair and leapt toward Shiloh at the same time, each of their faces twisted with greed.
But just then, a figure shot forward faster than all three of them, faster than anyone expected.
It was Andrew!
No one even noticed when he had slipped so close to the battlefield, but now his body blurred through the air like a phantom. Then, in one motion, he swept Shiloh into his arms and landed.
“Andrew, you bastard!”
“Put her down right now, or we’ll reduce you to ashes!”
“Hand her over, or die!”
Instantly, all eyes turned toward Andrew. Then came angry accusations and furious roars!
Andrew could not care less about these impotently raging fools. Ignoring everything, he held Shiloh and charged straight toward the exit of the McDaniel family estate.
In just a few moves, he darted away and disappeared into the darkness outside.
Nicholas and the others were livid with rage. “Chase him! Even if we have to pursue him to the ends of the earth, we’ll tear him to pieces! He tricked us into fighting desperately, shedding blood and sweat, while he reaped the benefits! Kill him! We must dismember that son of a bitch!”
The crowd was in an uproar, everyone wailing in frustration, enraged by the humiliation.
