Instantly, the dome-like Holy Light Barrier emitted sharp cracking sounds, as spiderweb-like fissures spread continuously from behind Zesshi Zetsumei.
"I can't hold it anymore!"
Calca desperately channeled Holy Light to repair the cracks in the barrier, but it was still useless.
With a loud bang, the entire barrier shattered into countless particles of light, dissipating into the air.
The city, which had been as bright as day, was once again exposed beneath the blood-red night sky.
The moment the barrier broke, Calca reacted quickly, channeling mana to catch the falling Zesshi Zetsumei.
Looking at her clearly dazed state, Calca asked with concern, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Zesshi shook her head, clutching her aching abdomen as she gritted her teeth.
"Fortunately, that demon didn't go for the kill, or I would have been seriously injured."
Then she turned her gaze toward Helant, a trace of heartache flashing in her eyes.
Helant had clearly reached the most critical moment.
The platinum-gold light radiating from him grew increasingly holy and warm.
However, the aura he emitted was becoming weaker and weaker, as if it were being drained away at every moment.
If the previous Helant had been as radiant as the sun in her eyes, then the current Helant was like a flame whose oil was being steadily consumed.
"There's still one minute left. Calca, we must buy time for Helant!" Zesshi turned toward the mountains and spoke through gritted teeth.
She thought that if she had possessed greater power, she might have been able to protect Helant properly.
Her trump card originated from a skill within the weapons of the Six Great Gods. Without that weapon, although she was strong, her strength was limited.
Just like this time, Bastello had nearly knocked her unconscious with a single blow.
"Don't worry, I will give it my all," Calca nodded solemnly.
At the same time, she silently calculated in her heart, "Judging by the power that shattered the Holy Light Barrier, this demon's strength far exceeds my limits. Even a barrier created by sacrificing my own life probably wouldn't withstand more than a few hits…"
She glanced at the city, her resolve hardening. Sacrifice was inevitable. Helant had to be the priority now.
"Haah~ I've had enough play, Sir Helant. Prepare to die."
Bastello flew over leisurely from the mountains, the mockery and ease on his face clearly visible on the light screen.
However, everyone believed that beneath that mockery and ease lay the demon's absolute confidence in killing Helant.
Their hearts could not help but tighten.
Especially Quaiesse. When he saw Zesshi being repelled, a sense of despair rose within him.
He clearly saw Helant's face beginning to turn pale, just like during the previous Lich King incident.
"The demon's strength is truly formidable. Even Zesshi struggles to contend with him without using her trump card!"
Bastello hovered in the sky, blood-red runes spread across heaven and earth, flickering with a faint crimson glow.
He slowly raised his arm, looked at the three figures on the city wall, and shouted, "Fivefold Maximize Magic: Blood Moon!"
Vroom—!
Countless blood-red runes instantly lit up, extending thousands of chains that stared at the three like venomous snakes.
Before Zesshi and Calca could react, five blood-red full moons appeared in the sky one after another.
These five blood-red moons rapidly expanded, growing to a thousand meters in just a few breaths as they slowly revolved around Bastello.
The sky above the city was completely filled by the five massive blood moons, each a thousand meters wide, making even the light screen in the sky impossible to see.
The oppressive weight of those colossal objects hanging overhead made everyone in the city struggle to breathe.
Not to mention the terrifying aura of destruction they contained.
Someone, pale with fear, cried out, "He's practically stronger than a god!"
Neia looked at the five thousand-meter blood moons on the light screen, her heart tightening with worry.
"Lord Helant, if it really doesn't work, just dodge. You can take revenge later, but don't force yourself now!"
'Excellent, it took thirty seconds to cast this. Now I only need to stall for another thirty seconds, and Lord Helant will be able to summon his clone as planned!'
A trace of excitement flashed in Bastello's eyes, as if he were about to kill Helant in the next moment.
"Heroic Spirit Warrior!"
Zesshi let out a sharp cry and summoned an energy-based clone directly from the void.
The scythes in their hands ignited with pale flames as they looked coldly at Bastello.
She said fiercely, "Calca, hold on for as long as you can, even if it's just one more second!"
"Understood!" Calca poured all her mana and Holy Light into enveloping Helant in a thick barrier. She then summoned a Holy Light War Spear, aimed it at Bastello, and thrust it forward with all her strength.
"An attack of this level can't even pierce my skin!" A look of contempt flashed in Bastello's eyes as he puffed out his chest, completely ignoring Calca's attack.
The Holy Light War Spear became a slender streak of platinum light, vanishing from sight and arriving in an instant. But just as it was about to pierce Bastello's chest, the spear suddenly paused for a moment.
Then it abruptly exploded.
Boom!
A brilliant light burst forth in front of Bastello. The platinum-gold glare dazzled everyone, causing them to instinctively close their eyes.
At that very moment, Zesshi Zetsumei and her Heroic Spirit Warrior appeared behind Bastello like ghosts. Their scythes were positioned at the demon's neck like a guillotine, one in front and one behind, as if they could decapitate him in the next second.
Those who regained their vision felt their hearts leap into their throats.
Could they succeed?!
'Ten more seconds!'
A sizzling sound came from his neck where the pale flames burned. Bastello's lips curled into a smirk. He reached back, grabbed the Heroic Spirit Warrior's scythe, and crushed its head with his large hand, causing it to explode.
Zesshi Zetsumei ignored the destruction of the Heroic Spirit Warrior. She focused entirely on forcing her scythe blade into Bastello's neck, sawing at it with all her strength.
"I'm done playing with you. Time is running out."
Bastello slowly raised his right hand, then curled his index finger, pointing directly at Helant.
The five thousand-meter blood moons suddenly flared with light and began to descend slowly toward the city.
Whoosh—!!
The immense mass of the blood moons created hurricanes and waves of heat as they pressed against the air. Standing on the city wall, Calca's breathing became rapid and uneven.
She quickly stepped in front of Helant, once again exhausting her mana to cast several layers of shields.
"It's too late!"
Outside the light screen, everyone fell silent.
At that moment, Helant slowly opened his eyes and said softly, "I humbly invite you to descend!"
Crack!
A corner of the sky shattered at the sound.
____
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