Lucas realized what the enemy was planning to do, and his face changed as well.
To massacre thirty thousand innocent people right under his nose—this was a heinous crime.
He knew every world had its dark side. Even in the so-called civilized era of his past life, genocides occurred from time to time.
But he never expected to witness such a horrific event with his own eyes.
"The Purification Ritual begins now!!!"
The masked man on the platform announced loudly.
"Ooooooh!!"
All the Dark Magic Cultists excitedly raised their weapons, ready to begin the slaughter.
The surrounded civilians were terrified, and many children cried loudly.
"STOP IT————!!!"
Seeing the bloody massacre about to unfold before her eyes, Erza could no longer hold back and shouted to stop them.
Erza's voice exposed their position.
"Kill them!"
The masked man gave the order, seemingly uninterested in knowing who Lucas and Erza were.
Many cultists raised their magic wands and fired Magic Missiles at Lucas and Erza.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!!!
The Magic Missiles bombarded Lucas and Erza's location.
Explosions erupted continuously.
"Hmph! Just two brats daring to interfere with the Dark Magic Cult's business? You're seeking death."
"Heaven's Wheel: Blumenblatt!"
Suddenly, Erza's voice rang out from the smoke.
Swish, swish, swish!!!
Numerous steel swords shot out from the smoke, piercing toward the cultists.
Squish, squish!!
"Arghhhhh!"
"Waaahhhhh!"
...
Facing the Dark Magic Cult, Erza showed no mercy. These people were even more despicable than those who enslaved her to build the R-System.
Although that time was painful, at least they were allowed to live.
These guys planned to kill thirty thousand people in a blood sacrifice. Such a crime deserved death ten thousand times over.
Erza rushed into the crowd of cultists, attacking them relentlessly.
Cultist after cultist was taken down.
The masked man spoke indifferently, "Ignore her. Continue the Purification Ritual!"
"Yes!!"
Aside from the dozen or so people dealing with Erza, everyone else raised their wands, magic energy gathering at the tips.
"STOP————!!!"
Seeing this, Erza shouted desperately. There were too many enemies; fighting them alone was already difficult. Even more troublesome was the sheer number of hostages—over thirty thousand people. She couldn't protect them all.
The Dark Magic Cult naturally ignored Erza, firing their Magic Missiles toward the innocent crowd in the center.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!!!
Hundreds of people firing magic together created terrifying destructive power.
The Legion Effect.
Magic Missiles rained down on the center one after another, creating a carpet bombing effect.
This feeling made every member of the Dark Magic Cult incredibly excited.
Erza's face was pale, and her body trembled uncontrollably. They actually did it. Thirty thousand people! Thirty thousand innocent lives! These guys weren't human; they were devils.
"Great Zeref! We offer you this bountiful sacrifice! Accept these pure souls!"
The masked man spread his arms and shouted to the sky in a fanatical tone.
After a while, thinking that almost everyone must be dead, the cultists gradually stopped.
"Wait! What's that?!"
Before the smoke cleared, the cultists saw something white glowing within.
Erza looked over as well.
Soon, the smoke dissipated, and everyone saw the situation clearly.
A massive protective barrier composed of hexagonal pieces had appeared, encasing everyone inside. All the previous attacks had hit the barrier, leaving the people inside completely unharmed.
"Lucas!"
Seeing this, Erza's face instantly filled with surprise and joy.
She was very familiar with this move. Lucas had used it during their duel a week ago to block all her attacks.
She hadn't expected Lucas could expand the barrier to cover thirty thousand people.
"Impossible?!"
The Dark Magic Cultists stared in disbelief.
"Well done!!"
Seeing that Lucas had protected all the civilians, Erza no longer had any worries and immediately resumed her attack.
"Damn it! You dare obstruct my sacred Purification Ritual! Kill her! Offer her soul to the great Black Mage Zeref!!"
The masked man was furious at this sight and waved his hand to give the order.
All the cultists launched attacks at Erza, firing Magic Missiles at her one after another.
The sheer volume of missiles was so dense that Erza was forced to dodge.
Seeing Erza running for her life in such a sorry state, the cultists grew excited again.
Just then, the night sky lit up, and everyone felt a scorching heat.
Looking toward the source of the light, they saw a scene that left them dumbfounded.
"That... What is that?!!!"
Lucas stood atop the spherical shield.
His right hand was raised high, and above his palm hovered a gigantic fireball over ten meters in diameter. It looked as if he were holding a miniature sun.
Lucas spoke with a cold expression:
"Die!"
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