Chapter 136: The Poet of Boundless Love is Very Happy

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting ripples of golden light across the ancient castle's walls, the tolling of the bell commenced.

Clang, clang~

Peals of sound cascaded from the belfry atop the tower, shattering the silence. Yet, this did not disturb the sanctuary's peace. Instead, it imbued the atmosphere with a heightened sense of sanctity and solemnity.

However, unnoticed by the others, amid a scattering of orange, luminous feathers, a maiden, ethereal as a fairy born of blossoms, alighted within the sanctuary. It was a moment that felt as though eternity itself had descended.

Her crimson dress cascaded like rose petals as she moved with graceful fluidity, trailing a faint floral fragrance. Her eyes held a shimmering smile, reminiscent of a starlit lake. Those nearby found their gazes drawn to this "demon" who had appeared in the sanctuary. They stared in astonishment at her angelic visage, too stunned to react.

The Poet of Boundless Love’s joyful voice resounded like a sudden, explosive hum, and it set time in motion once more, echoing throughout the hall. "Show me your love!"

Instantly, the once-serene sanctuary brewed with an unimaginable, tumultuous storm. The boundary between dream and reality was about to be upended. Other than Lance, whose expression remained as leisurely as ever, and Hyperion, who was already on the highest state of alert, everyone else began to succumb to a state of frenzied madness.

Most notably, the expressions of two particular individuals twisted, revealing an indescribable, hideous hatred!

Within the Krati Empire's group, which was composed of a warrior, a mage, and a cleric, the petite cleric was no longer a shy, demure girl. She had transformed, casting aside all reason and warning, and abandoning every rational thought as she unleashed a Dark Judgment spell upon Lance, driven by a murderous, berserk rage.

Like a violent surge of waves rising suddenly on a moonless night, pitch-black lightning flashed and tore through the sanctuary with a deafening roar. The raw, savage magical power instantly scorched the floor tiles black.

Unfortunately, this spell was cast by someone who had lost their sanity, so it lacked precision. Lance simply sidestepped twice, moving with the casual ease of a leisurely stroll, and dodged it effortlessly.

He turned his head to look at the cleric with a gentle smile, as if to say, "You really can't keep your cool, can you?"

"Lance!!!" The cleric screamed in a fit of impotent rage, her eyes wide with fury as she frantically hurled her few remaining offensive spells at Lance. She had completely forgotten that her true role was that of a support caster, meant to fight in coordination with her allies.

Meanwhile, the tall, dashing female knight watched as the situation took a sudden, disastrous turn. Her expression grew incredibly grim as she gripped her trembling wrist, struggling to maintain a composure that was on the verge of shattering.

However, she soon realized that her mind had been corroded by an irresistible form of Mental magic. No matter how strong her self-control, her facial expression had undoubtedly betrayed her true state.

"Heh heh heh... Lance Wilford, you piece of trash. If I don't kill you, then I am unworthy of my title as the Saintess of Destruction!"

She abandoned all resistance, or perhaps, finally unleashed her true self. Her aura underwent a radical transformation. She was immediately wreathed in pitch-black armor and broke into a brazen, savage grin. She advanced, brandishing a longsword where a golden beast's eye, encircled by searing red flames, sat between the hilt and the blade.

The temperature within the sanctuary seemed to spike by several degrees! She did not rashly charge at Lance. Instead, she took a moment to observe and steady her breathing.

Having exposed her identity and committed to battle, she no longer held back. Maintaining a calm, focused state of mind was all that mattered now. Even from a distance, the other challengers could feel the scorching waves of heat stinging their skin.

The sheer pressure she exuded was far beyond that of a Rank 5 combatant. The female knight no longer concealed her true power. The magical energy rising from her like a blazing inferno was easily on par with that of a Rank 6 mage.

Hyperion watched the female knight with extreme vigilance. Knowing that she was no match for such an opponent, she could only position herself in front of Lance to shield him.

Within the Church of Resurrection, alongside the cardinals, there also existed saints and saintesses. They were young prodigies personally selected and groomed by the cardinals, poised to succeed them in the future.

Each one was a formidable figure, possessing exceptional temperament, intellect, and power far surpassing their peers. The female knight standing before them, now stripped of her disguise, was none other than the Saintess of Destruction. She was a killing machine forged by Ivanos, the Cardinal of Destruction.

Just as Hyperion felt that Lance ought to be taking an opponent of this caliber seriously, she heard him sighing behind her. "Not bad. With a mindset like that, they could have achieved great things. It's a pity they went down the wrong path."

Lance's tone betrayed a clear sense of regret. "Such promising talents... Had they been sent to my Purgatory Corridor Academy sooner, they certainly wouldn't have ended up as cultists of the Church of Resurrection. That cult has committed every evil imaginable!"

Hyperion found herself absolutely dumbfounded. I think they are probably better off with the Church of Resurrection...

***

The information panel of the Shadow Realm immediately shifted to: [Mission Objective 1: Identify the traitors. (2/2)].

This meant the Shadow Realm challenge had abruptly entered its next phase. Inside the vast sanctuary, the influence of the Poet was causing varying degrees of mental alteration in the others present.

"Why... why... even you..."

The young noblewoman, who was a mage and the last member of the Kratian party, clutched her head and wept in despair. She could not bring herself to believe that the friend she trusted most was actually a member of the Church of Resurrection. Utterly devastated, she sank to her knees, unable to accept the reality unfolding before her.

Perhaps due to her unique status, the Saintess of Destruction had not chosen to take her hostage.

Meanwhile, the young master from Cambella was laughing maniacally, acting completely unhinged, utterly disregarding the fact that the situation in the sanctuary had escalated into a perilous all-out confrontation.

"Hahahaha! Let's keep the lesson going! Let the fun continue!" It was as if he had been brainwashed by some bizarre school. At this critical juncture, the thing he wanted most was to continue his studies. The afternoon's lesson had apparently brought him such genuine joy that he was still relishing the experience.

"That idiot..." His male bodyguard had immediately dragged the foolish young master behind him for protection, while the female bodyguard, usually stoic, radiated intense murderous intent as she kept a wary eye on the cultists. She was clearly ready to fight to the death should they dare threaten her silly young master.

Other than Lance and Hyperion, the handsome bodyguard was the least affected by the Poet among everyone present. Composed, calm, and formidable, he kept his gaze locked on the Saintess of Destruction as if he was facing his mortal enemy.

What truly shook him to the core was the terrifying, mind-consuming aura of Lance, who remained utterly unperturbed. The Lawyer possessed a chilling ability to perceive the subtlest details and manipulate the minds of others.

If Lance were the true member of the Church of Resurrection, the resulting nightmare would be unimaginable. By comparison, even a legendary Saintess of the Church of Resurrection didn't seem quite so terrifying. That was precisely why he could remain at ease, even while facing the Saintess of Destruction: because this Lawyer was a teammate on their side!

***

To varying degrees, the other challengers were all suffering from the negative side effects of the Poet's aura, which did not distinguish between friend or foe. However, there were three individuals who were experiencing something entirely different.

"Heretics! Kill, kill, kill!"

"As expected of a friend of the High Priest!"

"It is all a blessing from the Goddess!"

Inside the sanctuary, the three clergy from the Northern Continent acted as if they had imbibed a potion of madness. A fanatical devotion surged through their bloodstreams like a virus, making them feel as though their very blood was on fire.

Having spent the afternoon receiving anti-cult instruction from Lance, combined with the emotional overflow triggered by the Poet, these three clergy from the Northern Continent had effectively transformed into zealots. In the process, their combat prowess had surged sharply.

In their eyes, the two members of the Church of Resurrection, who had already revealed their murderous intent, were no longer human beings. Instead, they appeared as erroneous existences, sins demanding correction, or perhaps even massive bundles of spiritual merit waiting to be claimed!

Amid a chorus of shouts, a chaotic, all-out assault erupted within the sanctuary!