In the Name of Empress

Chapter 726 404: Fortunately Unconscious

The Nether Knights surged like a tide, then receded like it as well.

They were not illusions, but genuine Nether Knights responsible for patrolling, chasing, and capturing enemies. Surely, being hit by their long sabers would hurt, it could kill.

Unfortunately for them, today's luck wasn't on their side; they picked the wrong opponent.

Before Sofia, their steadfastness, bravery, and strength amounted to nothing.

At first, Sofia seriously drew her sword, but by the third wave of Nether Knights' charge, she was already fusing the power of Destruction and Rebirth into her hands and slaying them barehanded.

Roland stood behind Sofia, admiring her slaughter show.

Whether intentionally or not, the force Sofia employed was nearly identical to the power Roland could control during combat.

In other words, Sofia hadn't even used thirty percent of her strength, yet these Nether Knights fell.

To be fair, the Nether Knights wore black heavy armor all over, and their offensive and defensive capabilities were quite impressive, making excellent heavy cavalry—far superior to the human cavalry on Theia Plane.

But they were, after all, just a regular troop type from the Netherworld, not top-tier in strength.

Even Sif, who escaped in disgrace, could turn around and easily defeat the Nether Knights, let alone a well-prepared Sofia.

Even if it were Roland, he could easily fend off these pursuers, though it might be a bit more embarrassing compared to Sofia.

Roland understood very well that Sofia was providing him with on-site training.

He appreciated Sofia's goodwill but still felt like complaining.

There was really no need to clash with these mindless underworld soldiers; just bypass them.

They didn't need to cross the Nether River; it would be enough to quickly leave after concealing their presence.

Watching Sofia indulge in the joy of battle, Roland was a bit speechless.

Sure, fighting was fun, but shouldn't it depend on the situation?

Was now really the time to be absorbed in battle?

Seeing that Sofia had no intention of leaving, patiently waiting like a seasoned gamer camping for monster respawn, Roland finally couldn't help but remind:

"Sofia, shouldn't we be leaving by now?"

"By now? Far from it."

Sofia abruptly refused, raising her hand to interrupt Roland's explanation, and said solemnly, "I know you're worried about Sif, but worrying is useless, even unnecessary."

"The Sea of Annihilation has no life, but it consumes little. She's in spirit body state; hence, her energy is virtually undissipated and can last a long time. She simply can't get out, but she won't die."

Not dying doesn't mean it's not painful!

Roland felt a bit displeased, about to stress this point when Sofia blandly said, "If you want to save someone, listen to me."

"As you command."

Though deeply concerned, he respected Sofia's decision.

When Sofia hadn't made up her mind, opinions could be offered, objections could be raised. Once she made a decision, the only thing left was executing it.

She risked her life to help; naturally, Roland wouldn't go against her.

Seeing Roland's grim expression, Sofia's tone also turned colder.

"You think I'm someone who's addicted to fighting to the point of not leaving?"

"No, I just..." Of course, these words couldn't be directly taken up, or it would seem like finding fault.

However, Sofia's next words nearly choked Roland.

"Yes, you guessed it right."

Roland was genuinely a bit angered. Sif's life hung in balance, struggling painfully in the Sea of Annihilation, and you're here treating it like some monster-hunting game?

If these Nether Knights could drop any equipment, Roland wouldn't be as upset, but there was none.

The Nether Knights were the manifestation of the resentful energy accumulated by the Nether Sea. After being defeated, they'd return to the Nether Sea, recovering swiftly, practically endless, impossible to kill off completely.

Just as he was about to question her, a sudden realization struck his mind.

It didn't make sense; although Sofia had a bad temper, she wouldn't joke around with Sif's life.

Maybe she didn't care about Sif but at least would consider his feelings.

In an instant, Roland thought of a possibility.

Could it be that while Sofia maintained her ease slaughtering three waves of Nether Knights, instead of adapting, she was actually getting stronger?

As expected of a battle maniac, she could indeed power up by monster hunting.

Roland tentatively asked, "Are you gaining a lot from the battle?"

"Yes."

Sofia softly explained, "Roland, have you noticed that upon entering the Netherworld, the plane's lock on Transcendents' power vanished."

"Oh, sorry, you haven't yet touched the power ceiling of similar levels, so you shouldn't feel it."

Roland sighed somewhat speechlessly, "In just two short sentences, you've hurt me twice."

"The Nether Knights are here again; it's your turn this time."

Sofia stepped back behind Roland, turning into an observer with no intention of intervening.

Roland steeled himself, gave a light shout, grabbed the manifested Scepter, and charged forward.

"Bang!"

The Scepter accurately hit the Nether Knight's head, producing a dull thudding sound.

He was a bit surprised.

Watching Sofia deal with them so casually, he held a bit of contempt for the Nether Knights; who would've thought they were this sturdy?

"Don't be surprised; they've advanced." Sofia softly explained.

So that's it.

After three waves of Nether Knights got wiped out, even the dumbest of their controllers would notice something amiss.

Roland carefully observed, indeed noticing differences in this batch of Nether Knights. Their eyes weren't empty sockets but replaced with red mist.

The previous Nether Knights looked like shriveled skeletons, while the new influx were at least skeletal kings.

They'd also gone for a change in their swords.

From black heavy sabers to shiny black semi-transparent long blades, with much longer handles.

Clearly, the destructive power of the new swords far exceeded before.