novelraw Chapter 1653 - 1651: The Paladin’s Battle (The Snow Stopped After Only Half a Day?)
Chapter 1653 - 1651: The Paladin’s Battle (The Snow Stopped After Only Half a Day?)
Originally, Fang Zheng thought the opponents would come knocking at his door, allowing him to finish it all quickly. However, to his slight embarrassment, night fell, and Fang Zheng still hadn’t encountered any enemies offering themselves up for a fight, which was somewhat unexpected.
Could it be that they were truly scared off by him?
With this question in mind, Fang Zheng opened the "Ratziel" and conducted an investigation, finally understanding the situation.
"So, it turns out we’re not the only ones targeting the Eight Fingers."
Staring at the answer given by the "Ratziel," Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t expected that the leaders of this country also intended to seize the opportunity to eradicate these old mice hidden in the dark. Because of this, the Kingdom’s troops were now ready to mobilize. Under these circumstances, officials associated with the Eight Fingers were likely finished too.
Although he could stop here...
"Let’s go."
Fang Zheng closed the "Ratziel" and spoke up.
"Since they aren’t coming to us, we’ll take the initiative instead."
Though he planned to take the initiative, capturing the entire Eight Fingers was not possible. That was the Kingdom’s mission. Fang Zheng’s target was a woman named Silma within the Eight Fingers. She was responsible for slave trading and running underground brothels, and she was the prime culprit who harmed Kiare.
The saying goes, "Righting the wrong," since Fang Zheng was seeking justice for a girl, he naturally had to target the prime culprit.
Determining his target, Fang Zheng immediately set off with his team, heading to Silma’s manor on the outskirts of town.
But to their misfortune, when they arrived, they found that someone had already beaten them to it.
"No way! Someone else is competing with us?"
Watching the ongoing battle below, Fang Zheng was speechless. Among the combatants, one side looked like adventurers. Leading them was a petite figure wrapped in a red robe, wearing a mask. Next to her was a female warrior, wielding a heavy hammer, more robust than a man, and another girl who appeared to be a ninja.
Their opponent was a creature dressed like a maid, but it looked like a large bug monster.
"Whoa... could that be the leader of the Eight Fingers?"
Seeing the bug monster launching a wild attack, Megumin gasped, while Fang Zheng shrugged his shoulders.
"Who knows? But it’s fairly common for the leader of dark underground organizations to be a creature in tales."
"True, that makes sense."
While Fang Zheng and Megumin chatted, the battle seemed to have reached its climax. The bug monster lay defeated on the ground, while the other three adventurers were heavily wounded, gasping for breath.
"It seems there’s no chance for us to join the fight here."
Seeing this, Megumin complained, while Fang Zheng squinted his eyes.
"Not necessarily, look over there."
"Huh?"
Hearing Fang Zheng, Megumin turned her gaze back to the battlefield and was surprised to see a man in a red suit and mask standing in front of the bug monster.
"That is...!"
"A demon, a high-rank demon... Well, having a high-rank demon as the mastermind fits adventure tales pretty well."
As he spoke, Fang Zheng raised his right hand.
"Are you ready? Those three adventurers are no match for that creature."
"So what?"
Hearing this, Megumin gripped her magic wand tightly, her eyes sparkling.
"So... it’s our turn to take the stage!"
Meanwhile, looking at the demon before her, the masked girl couldn’t stop trembling.
"Run!"
"What?"
Hearing the masked girl’s words, her two companions instinctively turned to look at her.
"Run! That’s not an enemy you can fight! Quick! I’ll buy you time!"
Upon hearing this, the other two didn’t hesitate and quickly turned to flee.
At that moment, the high-rank demon stood up, watching them.
"Parting so soon after meeting is too sad. Allow me to keep you a little longer."
As he spoke, the demon raised his hand.
"Hellflame Wall!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the masked girl saw a blaze shoot past her, and realizing this, she was shocked.
No!
At this very moment...
"Great Earth Mother Goddess, please grant us the strength to ward off evil forces! Holy Shield!"
A pillar of flame shot skyward, yet it failed to reach its target. A golden Holy Shield appeared just in time, blocking the terrifying flames.
"Who is it?"
Both sides were startled, quickly turning their heads. Then they noticed not far away, a cleric in a white robe, holding a staff. Panting heavily, she gazed ahead with a relieved expression.
"Who are you?"
Seeing the unexpected reinforcements, the masked girl was stunned. She was certain they weren’t from the Kingdom Army nor part of her group!
However, at that moment, beside the cleric, a girl wearing a black cloak and a mage hat had already raised her magic wand.
"Cursed by pitch black fire, lament your fate, mourn your death. The scorching flames will descend, and all will be reduced to ashes before them!"
As the girl chanted, magic power began to surge, and realizing this, the high-rank demon’s voice changed.
"What is this?!"
"Even the stars cannot stop it; they will be thoroughly crushed by this blow — behold! Explosion!"
"No!"
Seeing this, the high-rank demon was shocked, hastily raising his hand, but the blistering flame burst from the sky, engulfing him along with the bug monster.
"Burst Magic."
Seeing this, the three adventurers from Blue Rose showed a knowing expression. If they were doubtful of these people’s identities before, now they were certain Fang Zheng’s group was the one who had destroyed the Eight Fingers Base. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have appeared here now.
"Ah... so satisfying."
After casting the Burst Magic, Megumin collapsed as usual, while Ais silently shielded her.
Meanwhile, within the flames, the high-rank demon and the bug monster’s figures reemerged.
"I didn’t expect to encounter unexpected opponents."
The high-rank demon dusted off his suit and looked up.
"However, just this won’t be enough to defeat me."
"Even Burst Magic couldn’t..."
Seeing this, the masked girl gritted her teeth and charged at the high-rank demon.
"I’ll buy time, you all run!"
"A futile struggle."
Seeing the masked girl rushing toward him, the high-rank demon shook his head.
"Demon Aspects: Giant Arm of Luxury Demon."
With a low chant, his right hand transformed into a massive pitch black magic fist. As the masked girl charged at him, the high-rank demon mercilessly swung his fist.
"Uwaah!!"
Unable to dodge the unavoidable blow, the masked girl bit her lip, trying to back away, but was sent flying instead.
"Damage Transfer!"
The flying masked girl cried out, landed, and raised her hand.
’Ultimate Magic Resistance: Crystal Dagger!’
As she chanted, a crystal dagger shining with magic radiance emerged from her palm, flying towards the high-rank demon. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, the high-rank demon stood unmoved, unperturbed. The next moment, the crystal dagger shattered completely before the high-rank demon, vanishing without a trace.
"How could this be?!"
Seeing this, the female warrior and the ninja widened their eyes in shock. They were companions of the masked girl and naturally understood how powerful she was.
But for that demon, even such power couldn’t hurt him at all?
"It seems this is as far as it goes,"
said the High-Rank Demon, raising his hand.
However, at this moment...
"No, this is just the beginning!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
"Above!"
Hearing this sudden voice, the demon quickly looked up, only to see in the night sky, a figure clad in knight armor leaping down, holding a pitch-black greatsword that blazed with a crimson flame, stabbing straight at him!
"Demon Aspects. Sharp Claw!"
Facing this unexpected strike, the High-Rank Demon hastily raised his hands, and his fingernails instantly extended, turning into blade-like sharp weapons, and slashed at the knight in mid-air!
Bang!!
The pitch-black greatsword, burning with flames, easily shattered the sharp claws into fragments. Landing, Fang Zheng swung his sword without hesitation, forcing the demon back.
"I didn’t expect to see a demon at the Eight Fingers base... Hmm, I guess this is a pattern."
Is he the knight from the intelligence?
Seeing Fang Zheng easily forced back the High-Rank Demon, whom even they struggled against, the masked girl was also shocked. Though she had learned from the Adventurers’ Guild that this knight had once defeated a vampire, she understood his strength, but she didn’t expect him to be even more powerful than she imagined.
"Sir Knight!"
Thinking of this, the masked girl quickly spoke up.
"I’m Ibiriuai of Blue Rose, requesting assistance as an adventurer! Please, help us!"
"Of course, that’s why I’m here,"
said Fang Zheng, raising the greatsword, pointing at the High-Rank Demon before him. The High-Rank Demon stared at Fang Zheng, then slightly bowed.
"I never thought I’d encounter such a strong combatant who could drive me back here. Could I ask for your name? I am Adabao."
Facing the demon’s inquiry, Fang Zheng swung his sword.
"I am an Abyssal Watcher, a knight of the Farron Undead Legion, Fang Zheng."
Farron Undead Legion?
Hearing this name, the masked girl and others were puzzled; it seemed they had never heard of it.
And what is an Abyssal Watcher?
"Then, Sir Knight,"
the High-Rank Demon spoke again.
"Can we end it here? In fact, we are not with the Eight Fingers; we, like you, came to deal with the Eight Fingers, but... we have our own reasons."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Hearing this, Fang Zheng paused.
"I’m not saying I couldn’t let you go, but..."
Looking at the demon in front of him, Fang Zheng pondered for a moment.
Still, resolving this the way a true Paladin would be best.
Thinking so, Fang Zheng reached out.
"Evil Detection."
The next moment, Holy Light flashed before Fang Zheng’s eyes, and he saw the demon in front and the Bug Monster behind him glowing with a purplish red radiance.
"I’ve decided."
Seeing this, Fang Zheng made up his mind. He stepped forward, raising his pitch-black greatsword in the right hand and the silver short sword in the left.
"Prepare for Death’s Embrace."
He didn’t finish speaking when Fang Zheng’s figure disappeared in a flash and appeared in front of the demon, stabbing with the pitch-black greatsword once more.
However, the demon was evidently prepared as well, spreading his wings and flying into the air while raising his right hand.
"Nether Strike!"
The deadly magic flashed past, hitting Fang Zheng. Yet, just as the masked girl’s magic had no effect on the demon, the magic released by the demon was effortlessly crushed before Fang Zheng.
"Magic Nullification? Such high magic resistance?"
The demon was surprised. Meanwhile, Fang Zheng also raised his hand.
"Magic isn’t used like that—Ultimate Magic Missile Storm!"
"Demon Aspects. Wings of Tentacles!"
Facing the incoming magic missiles, the demon’s face changed slightly. He spread his wings wide, and countless pitch-black spikes shot down, meeting the magic missiles Fang Zheng launched. Soon, a series of explosions and firelight appeared in the sky. Meanwhile, the demon quickly turned and evaded Fang Zheng, heading toward the masked girl.
The enemy before him couldn’t be defeated directly. Considering the opponent’s strength, escaping would be difficult. In such a situation, the only option was to take a hostage and force him to let them go!
A shadow flashed.
In just an instant, the demon appeared in front of the masked girl, reaching out to grab her!
Oh no!
Seeing the demon suddenly appear before her, the masked girl was shocked. Though she knew they were vastly different in strength, she hadn’t expected the demon to be so powerful once he got serious! Before him, she was completely powerless!
However, just as the demon was about to seize the masked girl, suddenly, a hand reached out from the side, grabbing the demon’s wrist.
"Hey, be gentle with girls, demon."
When?
Seeing Fang Zheng appear beside him, the demon was shocked, then tightened his right hand again.
"Demon Aspects: Giant Arm of Luxury Demon!"
Soon, the demon’s right hand transformed into a massive fist, punching at Fang Zheng!
"Sir Knight!"
Seeing Fang Zheng in front of her, the masked girl screamed. Yet, facing this sudden punch, Fang Zheng only snorted coldly.
"Is that all."
He said, raising his left hand and clenching it, then punching.
Compared to the demon’s giant fist, Fang Zheng’s fist seemed like comparing a basketball to a ping-pong ball. No matter how one looked at it, no one believed Fang Zheng could withstand such a full-force blow.
However, the truth was far different.
Bam!!
At the moment when the fists collided, a tremendous shockwave burst forth with a dull collision sound, forcing others in the distance to cover their ears. Then, they saw the demon’s giant fist shatter like an egg, with the hand, wrist, arm, skin cracking apart, muscles twisting, bones breaking. The powerful shockwave penetrated the demon’s body, extending all the way to the manor house behind, completely demolishing it!
"Ugh!!"
Accompanied by a scream, the demon flew like a cannonball, crashing into the ruins of the house behind.
"To think they dare show up with just this level... Demons these days have such guts."
He said, picking up the greatsword, Fang Zheng walked toward the Bug Monster that lay beside him.
"Dimi... Ugos... Master..."
The Bug Monster watched the demon who had been blasted into the ruins, desperately trying to stand up. However, even as she attempted to rise, the pitch-black greatsword mercilessly pierced her body, pinning her to the ground.
The next moment, the Primordial Fire erupted.
"Ahhhhhhh!!!!!"
With a scream, the Bug Monster turned to ash in the flames.
"Alright, that’s one done."
He said, turning to face the demon emerging from the ruins once more.
"Next, it’s your turn."