"Everyone, protect Fron!!!!!"
---------------------------
There was no need for Asfi to give the order, the members of the [Hermes Familia] had already realized it.
Several vanguards raised their enormous tower shields, firmly protecting Fron behind them!
"Even if we die, we won't let you suffer the slightest harm! Please, we beg you to save our comrades!"
Fron was chanting an incantation, so he only lowered his chin to the others and conveyed through his eyes the conviction of "leave it to me."
Then, both sides, with Fron as their target, erupted into fierce battle!
Because of their companions' injuries and the earlier lesson from Fron, the adventurers responded with extreme caution. They absolutely refused to let the enemy entangle them, using evasive hit-and-run maneuvers.
The average level of the [Hermes Familia] party was Lv.3. As long as they put their minds to it, against these lunatics of Lv.2 or even Lv.1, they would never get bogged down.
"[In the name of all that is holy - I heal you]"
At that moment, Fron completed the chant of his massive wide-area healing magic.
Pure, holy, warm, and comforting radiance poured down from the dome above, wrapping around the adventurers!
Going all-out, Fron didn't hold back his mind at all. In addition to detoxification and curse removal, he unleashed every restorative effect he had.
Group wound healing, group stamina recovery , the overwhelming effects produced by his surging mana even surpassed those of the [Dea Saintess] herself.
"Recovered , we've recovered! This effect is stronger than an Elixir!"
Their wounds rapidly closed, especially those core members on the brink of death from enemy self-destructs.
The burns on Lulune, Suicia, and Falgar from the explosions visibly healed, leaving not even a scar. Their stamina returned as well, letting them rejoin the fight!
But in stark contrast to the elated adventurers were the members of the [Evilus Faction]!
Seeing adventurers who had lost all combat ability and become burdens suddenly stand up lively again under that hateful man's magic, rejoining the battle against them, every last one of them gnashed their teeth in hatred, their eyes bloodshot with fury. They wished they could tear that man to pieces and feed him to the Violas!
"Damn it! He actually used it…!"
"Don't forget our vow! Death is nothing to fear! 'That One' promised us , as long as we offer our loyalty, then our deaths are nothing but the beginning of rebirth!"
"Come, comrades! We will return to His embrace! Do not pity your lives , forward!!!!!!"
"Ahhhhhh, kill them!!!"
The crazed leader knew that dragging it out meant certain death, so… he chose something even more extreme!
"Please bless your foolish children!"
"Only after death comes our true wish! To our divine god, we offer our loyalty!!"
BOOM,
"Forgive the mistakes I've made before, my beloved Neni!"
BOOM BOOM,
"My darling Fosrei, with my death, with my sacrifice, I will atone for my sins, I wish you happiness!!!"
BOOM BOOM BOOM,
"Ahhhhhh, Lord Yulius!!"
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM,
As he ignited his own [Flame Stone], the rest of the [Evilus Faction] followed his lead. With fanatical, devout eyes, they shouted words of confession or farewell as they stepped into his footsteps!
Explosions and blazing flames lit up everyone's faces , all the adventurers were struck dumb.
Asfi, looking at these fanatics was dumbstruck for a second.
'Julius? Does that name carry some meaning? These lunatics… "death is but a new beginning." A god related to death , it must be Him.'
Standing in place, feet planted on a massive white magic circle, staff in hand and arms spread wide as he continued healing adventurers, Fron' golden eyes flickered faintly. He seemed to understand what deity these [Evilus Faction] members belonged to.
"Madmen, madmen, all of them are madmen! To sacrifice themselves like this just to…!"
The adventurers were driven nearly to despair by these fanatics, their fighting spirit waned.
Thankfully, that man behind them was steadying the battle. Asfi even thought: if instead of the Flame Demon it had been the Sword Princess here, how would things have turned out?
The thought was chilling, sending shivers down her spine.
"Fools deceived by a false god… this play is utterly pathetic."
At the deepest part of the Cavern, beside a gigantic crystal quartz pillar guarding the "Great Flower Seedbed," stood Olivas, wearing a special refined white robe and a ram-skull mask.
He sneered at his [former comrades] making clowns of themselves. It was too hilarious, he could barely contain himself.
"Since you're all finished, it's my turn. I knew you useless trash couldn't be relied on."
With that, he raised his arm and pointed at the adventurers.
"My dear Violas!"
The Violas entrenched in the cavern, at his command, suddenly broke their long silence. In unison they stirred, blooming.
Then, as if directed by a commander, they violently smashed apart their massive cages and charged madly forth.
"Not good, the Violas have awakened!"
The beast-human Falgar shouted, warning the others.
As the monsters surged like a green flood, Asfi's mind jolted like struck by lightning. She snapped her gaze toward the white-robed man in the distance, and seeing his actions, her eyes widened as she cried out instinctively:
"Th-That guy, he's a tamer! He's controlling them!"
"Damn it… don't tell me the Violas that ambushed us in the tunnels before were also…"
The elf Suicia, having nearly recovered, forced herself up with a twisted expression.
"Damn it all, this never ends."
At this point, Fron had finished his magic and rejoined them, his eyes heavy as he studied the monsters before them. He seemed to notice… these Violas were different from before.
"A misfortune, but also a blessing. If that guy had attacked us together with the remaining [Evilus Faction] earlier, then…"
Hissss,
At that terrifying thought, everyone shivered.
But then… the next scene shattered their understanding of the world!
Splurt, splurt, splurt…
Before the [Evilus Faction] remnants could even carry out their self-sacrifice, right before everyone's eyes, they were crushed and devoured by the Violas!
Literally, the flowers weren't just attacking the adventurers, they were targeting all life in their path.
Their horrifying vine-like tentacles lashed out at anyone they saw, even binding people and shoving them into their buds, leaving only legs kicking outside as screams echoed.
Scarlet human blood sprayed through the air, the scene was utter chaos.
But… the [Evilus Faction] themselves hadn't expected that bastard to be so dishonorable, killing them along with the adventurers.
Then madness consumed them once more.
The moment they were bound by the flowers, those lunatics detonated the [Flame Stones] on their bodies, taking the monsters with them into ashes.
The battlefield was thrown into further chaos, leaving many adventurers with strange expressions.
There was no chance to intervene, on one side were Violas attacking indiscriminately, on the other were fanatics blowing themselves up.
If they stepped in, they'd be caught in the blasts… all they could do was stand and watch helplessly.