The heavens shook.
Each Heavenly Sphere carried dreadful might, and the further its order, the more devastating its force — with mana costs multiplying tenfold. None could be wasted.
Three spheres roared toward Shen Ji.Two streaked for the giant-headed warrior.One plunged upon the Alliance elites.The last hurtled straight toward Mammon's hidden trio.
Seven Spheres. Seven craters waiting to be carved into the world.
Had Ecbert misfired, his direction twisted?No — the truth was more chilling.He had discovered them.
"Mammon…" Naruto whispered, face paling.
Mammon's crimson eyes narrowed. There was no point in hiding anymore.
Naruto lifted a delicate golden bell.Jingle—
The clear tone rippled, and in the blink of an eye, the three vanished from their position.
A heartbeat later, the Sevenfold Heaven fell.
The sky split with blinding radiance. Sight itself was devoured by white. Eardrums quaked beneath the roar as all matter—stone, soil, wood, flesh—was ground into annihilation. Buildings, streets, lives—gone.
Time lost meaning. A moment stretched into eternity.
Then, silence.
The light thinned, revealing desolation. The land was nothing but seven vast craters gouged into the earth, the ground itself abandoned by creation.
From the wasteland's edge, Mammon and his companions reappeared. His boots crunched against ash. His scarlet eyes, usually amused, flickered with caution.
Ecbert turned, his gaze ancient, unyielding, fixed upon Mammon."You chose this city. You would protect it?"
Mammon's lips curved in a faint, mocking smile. "You mistake me, old man. This city was never yours to guard."
Despite unleashing Heavenly Magic, Ecbert's breath was steady. No tremor, no fatigue. Even in his frailty, his composure was terrifying.
The priest in holy robes — once the very picture of gentleness — now radiated the oppressive majesty of a saint-king.
"Guarding…" Ecbert murmured, staff resting lightly in his palm. "Peace must sometimes be kept through strength. Though our faith teaches kindness, the world leaves us little choice but to make… harsh ones."
His voice carried no anger, no fire. Only the weariness of one who had lived too long.
Mammon's smile widened into derision. "Beautiful words. A world filled with light and hope… you dress it up as salvation, yet it's nothing more than hypocrisy. You were invaders to begin with. For invaders to speak of 'hope' is laughable."
For the first time, Ecbert frowned faintly, eyes narrowing. Mammon's words rang unpleasantly true, though he would never concede them.
Then Ecbert's gaze sharpened. "On you… I sense Chantwell's breath."
The atmosphere froze.
Mammon chuckled, spreading one pale hand. Holy light flared from his palm, unnatural against his demonic frame."Oh? You mean this?"
"Xuan Guang… Six Heavens!"
The sky convulsed. A vast array spiraled above, six blinding orbs of Heavenly Magic forming in its crown.
Ecbert's eyes narrowed sharply. "Impossible…"
Heavenly Magic — wielded by a creature not of Light. The contradiction was an affront to the very order of the realms. Unless—
"You devoured Chantwell."
The words left his lips as a growl. It was the only explanation. This being had consumed the Redeemer's essence, stolen his magic, desecrated his very existence.
Mammon laughed softly. "Bright for an old man. Yes. I took him. I swallowed him whole. I inherited his strength, his memories… his faith. All of it."
Ecbert's chest rose and fell, rage trembling beneath his stoic shell. Yet his face remained solemn, his voice cold as he raised his staff."Evil. Unforgivable."
Mammon tilted his head, mocking. "Then purify me."
But even as he spoke, a shadow flickered behind Ecbert.
Steel whispered through the air — Shen Ji's long knife, glowing with the Five Rays, slashed downward with killing intent.
Her ambush was perfect. Even the holy light trembled before its edge.
Yet as her blade struck, a translucent barrier of light blossomed instantly around Ecbert.
Clang!
The long knife screeched against the divine shield, its momentum halted.
"You thought I had not noticed?" Ecbert's voice remained steady, his gaze never leaving Mammon's. "Your distraction was clever… but wasted. My eyes do not close to evil."
Shen Ji's jaw tightened. Mammon only chuckled.
As expected — Ecbert was no Chantwell. His heart was a fortress.