Chapter 268: The Power of the White Corrosive Flame Empress
5 days after the events of the Helmsley clan.
In the midst of the great civil war within Brawlmanica for the royal crown, the situation regarding the demonic beasts grew far worse. A massive beast tide led by numerous Mortal Lord demonic beasts erupted as they smashed through armies and walls, leaving everything in ruins. The state of Brawlmanica had once again reached the same imminent danger it faced five years ago.
By this time, no one was able to ignore the crisis any longer, as most were forced to focus on dealing with the situation at hand. There was one incredible saving grace that compelled the many powers of Brawlmanica to recognize, fear, respect, and remain wary of as they continued to move forward.
In one particular region, a sea of white flames scorched the land as it swallowed hundreds of demonic beasts without mercy. Roars of pain and agony echoed continuously atop waves of powerful attacks. Once the demonic beasts within the flames were annihilated, the fire rapidly congealed into a massive ball that floated into the skies. Lingering smoke blanketed the land, completely obscuring everyone's vision.
"Everyone prepare to march forward. We will begin another barrage of attacks in thirty seconds. Charge!" A woman's voice rang out from the skies.
The army below followed her orders without hesitation, charging through the debris-filled air. After roughly twenty seconds, the glowing ball of white flames shot forward like a fiery cannonball, tearing through the smoke before appearing directly in front of another army of demonic beasts.
A large Golden Lord demonic beast leapt forward with its maw wide open, emitting a massive suction that resembled a void. The moment the white sphere of flame neared it, the ball suddenly transformed into an intensely blinding light that generated an overwhelming wave of heat. The light lasted only a second, yet the glare instantly crippled the vision of every demonic beast in the area. The Golden Lord demonic beast managed to swallow a portion of the flames, but it was still heavily affected by the searing heat and light, growling in rage as it cursed internally.
The brilliant flash cut through much of the debris. Though it affected the army of experts slightly, it was nowhere near enough to halt them. By the time the thirty-second mark was reached, they were already unleashing waves of attacks, smashing into the demonic beasts that were still reeling from being blinded.
From the skies, an extremely rapid chant in the spirit language could barely be heard. The atmosphere began to fill with a subtle gloom as temperatures surged. A vast flaming cloud formed overhead, stretching toward the center of the demonic beast formation as flashes of white lightning rapidly coalesced within it. Mighty roars erupted as several Golden Lord demonic beasts soared into the skies, unleashing explosive attacks in every direction in an attempt to locate the caster.
It was all futile.
—White Flames and White Lightning of Soloman, cast my enemies into the violent seas of destruction. Corrode them to their demise. White Storm of Destruction—
The flaming clouds suddenly detonated, bursting apart as twenty massive bolts of flame-wreathed lightning struck down without obstruction. Every Golden Lord demonic beast in the air was mercilessly struck down. In the next instant, the remaining bolts slammed into the demonic beast army below, producing a thunderous explosion and a sea of white flames crackling with lightning.
The army of experts erupted into cheers as they pressed their assault, wiping out the remaining demonic beasts while carefully avoiding the lingering white flames. Even in victory, fear of being caught within those flames remained etched into their expressions.
From the skies, perched atop a rare Skycleaver Roc, sat Erica, having just unleashed that devastating torrent of magic. Behind her stood her parents, Bolland and Erin, their expressions still filled with shock despite having witnessed her magic many times before.
"Dear Erri, your control is truly incredible. Even while using such terrifying spells, your precision is flawless. For an Early Stage Mortal Lord, this is nothing short of extraordinary," Erin praised as she gasped in awe.
Bolland could only nod in agreement.
"Yes. I have trained relentlessly to reach this level, yet I still feel it is not enough. Ah! My clone has found interesting prey. These forces should be able to handle the rest of the demonic beasts without me. Let's head in that direction!" Erica exclaimed eagerly.
With a sharp cry, the Skycleaver Roc shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
…
In a certain area covered in ruin, an army had begun its retreat amid a contingent of demonic beasts. Although the army had retreated, the demonic beasts in this area were not necessarily in the best shape either, with many roaring in agony. A portion of them were violently set ablaze by white flames.
In the midst of those demonic beasts, there was a beautiful woman ensnared by a binding spell beneath her feet. Her mage robes were torn in many places, and white flame-like liquids slightly poured from different parts of her body. The woman in question was none other than Erica, who stood with a calm expression despite being surrounded and bound.
"What an interesting girl. To be so calm and collected even while bound. Such a mighty Golden Lord aura as well. It's too bad that you were caught by this Mortal Lord." A proud black-faced creature with large muscles and black wings snarled as he inspected Erica with interest.
"Trash. I would leave now or face annihilation if I were you." Erica sneered in reply to the creature.
"Grawhawhaw! Funny girl." After a short laugh, he signaled one of the surrounding demonic beasts with his hand.
A snake-like demonic beast shot forward, sinking its fangs into one of Erica's arms, which immediately began emitting blazing white flames before swelling and changing colors. The snake demonic beast leapt back in agony as its face was set ablaze, the flames corroding it no matter what it tried until it finally dispersed.
"Such a terrifying magic, but even still your arm has entered a critical state after being poisoned, and soon enough it will travel throughout your bloodstream. Gawhawhaw! I can save you if you submit yourself to me and become one of this Mortal Lord's sows." The black-faced demonic beast said with a disgusting sneer.
"Hah… What kind of sick joke is that supposed to be? Just go die somewhere, trash." Erica replied with extreme disgust as her body trembled.
"Regardless of what you say, you will still live as a sow, at least for your remaining life!" The black-faced creature roared as it licked its disgusting lips, its dark slimy member appearing from a slit between its legs.
"What the hell?! That's disgusting! Don't come near me with that nasty thing." Erica paled, looking as if she were on the brink of vomiting.
"You bitch! You won't be saying that for long! I'm digging in." The black-faced creature charged toward Erica, pressing her shoulders to the ground while she was still bound, a disgusting expression plastered across its face as it reached to rip through her clothes.
It was at this moment that it happened.
A towering, suffocating pressure filled with intense heat flooded the area as a massive flaming hand appeared in the skies in the distance.
-White Flame Giant Palms of Soloman: INCINERATE-
The massive outstretched flaming white hand shot forward like a streak of lightning, pressing down upon nearly the entire army of demonic beasts with the black-faced demonic beast at its center.
The black-faced demonic beast leapt up from atop Erica, paling in complete fright as it channeled as much power as it could muster throughout its body to defend against the might of the hand.
A massive collision erupted as a thunderous explosion rocked the land. Flashes of roaring white flames surged like a raging sea as a huge crater in the form of a flaming handprint appeared, debris swallowing the surroundings. A figure rapidly darted down as the Skycleaver Roc descended closer to the ground. Bolland Soloman, with an extremely enraged expression, unleashed his towering Mortal Lord aura as he slaughtered every living demonic beast he could find.
Erica and Erin, still atop the Skycleaver Roc, flew toward the area where the black-faced demonic beast lay amid the debris. The 'Erica' that had initially been bound was revealed to be a clone, having utilized a spell that drew upon much of Erica's flames from the massive palm attack to bind the black-faced demonic beast as she became one with the flames themselves.
"How can this be?! Who are you?!" The black-faced demonic beast roared in agony and fear as it was corroded by the flames imprisoning him.
Erica gave him a blank look of disgust before pointing a short distance behind him. Her staff floated forward and fired, a bolt of lightning striking out to kill a gravely injured Golden Lord demonic beast that had been attempting to sneak away with a magical orb in its hands. Erin coldly leapt off the Skycleaver Roc to retrieve the orb.
"No! Please spare me!" The black-faced demonic beast wailed as despair filled his face.
With her expression still blank with disgust, Erica pointed once more and chanted softly. The area between the black-faced demonic beast's legs ignited in a violent explosion of flames, eliciting a horrifying scream of pain and suffering.
"The gall to actually try to assault my clone in such a manner. Killing you will not satisfy me. How about this? I will make you a slave to train my magics on. You even possess a rare Life Orb, which will make you very suitable even if things go awry. Ah, this is not me suggesting it. This is your fate for trying to sully El Onyem's property…"
Erin returned to the Skycleaver Roc, and upon hearing Erica's final words, she could not help but lose her cold expression and chuckle.
…
The White Corrosive Flame Empress.
Arch-Guardian of the White Star Radiance Sect. Mortal Lord expert of the Soloman clan. A powerful mage whose strength eclipsed the Early Stage of the Mortal Shedding Realm, changing the trajectory of the battlefield surrounding Brawlmanica.
She became more than a simple hero to many, but also a growing deterrent feared by enemies and allies alike. This, unfortunately, made her a target for certain forces and individuals. Like flies to a trap, some of those forces took the risk of exposing themselves, only to find they were facing a far more horrific opponent. Ironically, that particular opponent was far more wanted in the first place, yet their appearance on the battlefield always marked the beginning of a calamity.