Chapter 97: Chapter 82: So, the Holy Grail War Just Can’t Proceed Normally

"Habari-naka, kabari-bana! Hanuna~ retsisiyiri! Kunkun simida &*%&~"

In a river valley outside Philis Town, Isaac stood before a Magic Array that glowed with golden light, chanting a long and complex Spell. In the center of the Magic Array, the Little Divine Lamp emitted a dazzling golden radiance, floating slowly in mid-air as it radiated waves of immense Magic Power!

It was still the standard circle and Hexagram. It seemed Legendary Mages were all fond of using this basic Magic Array, unlike Arcanists. Of course, Isaac liked it too; this type of Magic Array was very convenient to modify.

A moment later, Isaac gradually stopped chanting the Spell, and the golden light within the Magic Array slowly dissipated. Above the array, a Knight’s Longsword materialized—Relics: All Things Severed!

Unlike normal Relics, Isaac, as the summoner, could know this one’s name and ability without even needing to hold it. It was an extremely simple yet terrifying ability—just as its name implied, chanting its Liberation Magic Spell would allow it to cleave anything in the world in two!

Of course, the creator was just full of it.

In reality, it was simply Relics created with a slashing-type Magic at its core. The stronger its owner, the more things the sword could cut. In theory, it truly had the potential to sever all things—but that was only a possibility.

Besides, that was a case of the wielder being strong, not the sword. Not everyone was some legendary green-haired swordsman who carried a whole arsenal on his back.

But in any case, having a powerful weapon was still pretty nice.

"Liu Li, this is for you."

"Yes, Master."

Behind Isaac, Liu Li nodded gently. She walked forward and took All Things Severed, examining it for a moment before fastening it to her waist. She then returned to Isaac’s side, and together they waited quietly for the other eight rituals to conclude. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Indeed, Isaac wasn’t the only one who had chosen to summon Relics. Just as he’d guessed, many of the factions that had previously vied for the Little Divine Lamp in Philis Town hadn’t been acting for themselves, but for the powers that backed them.

The Terra Empire was an empire in its ascendancy—healthy and brimming with vigor. As such, most of its geniuses were concentrated among the officials, which is to say, the Nobility. Even geniuses who emerged from the common folk were quickly recruited into the fold.

A ritual like the Divine Lamp Grand Trial, in particular, was distributed as a premium resource for Cultivation. Only people like Philo, who was out of favor, or Isaac, who was far from the Empire’s political center, needed to fight for a spot on their own.

Thus, many of the participants likely had their own Servant Demons who were no worse than what the Divine Lamp ritual could provide. However, in this case, the ones acting as Servant Demons were more often the Knights they had brought with them.

Almost all of them were at the Knight Peak, a hair’s breadth away from becoming a Great Knight. By doing this, they could exploit a loophole and possess a Tier Two combat unit in a Tier One ritual.

Including themselves, that meant they would have two Tier Two combat units!

When pitted against other Trial Takers who had no backing, wouldn’t that be an absolute slaughter?

This was also one of the reasons why the major powers monopolized spots in the Divine Lamp Trial. For anyone else, participating was just a pointless sacrifice.

However...

’Eight? So many spots got out this time?’ Isaac’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the eight pillars of light that were still shining. ’Even for a Grand Trial, there are only fourteen spots in total. This is more than half of them!’

’Philis Town is right near the Imperial Capital. How could things get so out of control?’

Isaac sensed that something was off, but he didn’t make a move, simply standing his ground and waiting quietly.

Soon, the other eight Trial Takers summoning their Servant Demons also completed their rituals. The instant their eight pillars of light dissipated, fourteen pillars of light shot into the sky once more!

They wove together above Philis Town to form a massive, golden Magic Array, and a golden firmament instantly replaced the night sky!

At the same time, an oil lamp-like object quietly coalesced in the center of the Magic Array!

The battle had begun!

WHOOSH!

The moment the battle began, a piece of condensed flesh slid from Isaac’s hand. Under his Talent Witchcraft, Flesh Conversion, it rapidly twisted and expanded. In the blink of an eye, a Magic Giant Eagle appeared at his side.

It was a Golden-winged Eagle, a Tier One Upper-rank Demon, skilled in flight and possessing outstanding defensive capabilities.

Isaac and Liu Li quickly mounted the Golden-winged Eagle and flew toward the center of Philis Town, heading for the decisive battleground!

"Hm?" Just as he took to the sky, Isaac’s brow furrowed. ’The three nearest Trial Takers all seem to be rushing toward me. They’re all from the opposing camp, sure, but isn’t this a little too convenient?’

Isaac’s eyes narrowed, the feeling of unease in his heart growing stronger. ’But it doesn’t matter,’ he thought. ’We’d have to fight sooner or later. Them coming all at once just saves me the trouble of hunting them down!’

"Liu Li!"

"Here!"

"Prepare for battle!"

"Yes!"

...

Meanwhile, one of the Knights rushing toward the giant eagle in the sky frowned. ’Why do I get the feeling... that person has changed direction? Are they... heading right for us?’

"Attention! The target may have discovered our intentions! Everyone, activate your Magic Items now! Boost your Magic Resistance!"

"Roger!"

"Roger!"

Following the brief, decisive replies, waves of magical light flashed over them and the Servant Demons they had summoned—the spirits of fallen Knights.

"Liu Li, go. Leave none of them alive." A moment later, the golden giant eagle halted its advance and began to circle in the air. Isaac looked down at the six Knights gathering on the street below, his eyes ice-cold.

"As you command!" Liu Li answered. Then, as an Invisible Hand held down the hem of her skirt, she leaped!

Falling along with her were three thumb-sized Rubies!

"Prepare to engage!"

A Knight, who had been preparing to nock an arrow and shoot down the giant eagle, saw Liu Li leap straight down. His pupils shrank. He instantly abandoned his bow and shouted for his comrades to draw their longswords!

Bows and arrows, unless they were Magic Arrows or Relics, were only effective against squishy targets. They were practically useless against a Knight; it was better to just draw a sword.

Six against two. The advantage was theirs!

"Flesh Transformation: Two-Headed Gale Demon Wolf!" X... 12!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

As Liu Li and the Rubies neared the ground, Isaac’s Flesh Transformation Magic followed. The three Rubies, each containing a vast amount of condensed Flesh Essence, instantly swelled, intertwined, and transformed into twelve two-headed Gale Demon Wolves that landed on the ground alongside Liu Li!

The six Knights: "???"

’Hey, buddy... are you cheating? Where did these wolves come from?’

A bead of cold sweat trickled down the lead Knight’s forehead as he stared at the Gale Demon Wolves that had surrounded the six of them. ’Before we came,’ he thought, ’no one told us the Wizard of Ten Thousand Spirits had a trick like this up his sleeve!’

The instant they landed, Liu Li and the Demon Wolves gave them no chance to ask questions, immediately blasting them with twenty-four Wind Blades to the face!

Liu Li then drew All Things Severed and, like a streak of golden light, charged directly into the group, which had been thrown into disarray by the Wind Blades!

"Forward, my keen blade!"

As Liu Li recited the Magic Spell, a blinding golden radiance gathered on the Knight’s Longsword. Combined with her physical strength, which was enhanced by Magic Power to a level comparable to Tier Two, Liu Li flashed past the six men in an instant!

SHLIIIIICK!

Six jets of blood erupted as six heads flew high into the air, looks of dazed confusion still lingering in their eyes...

’Is this the rookie Wizard the higher-ups said knew nothing but a few bizarre Witchcraft spells?’

’What the hell is "rookie" about that?’

Unfortunately, their questions would go unanswered. A moment later, another volley of Wind Blades from the Demon Wolves tore their six headless corpses to shreds!

The entire fight, from landing to finish, took only two seconds. One of those seconds was spent on the Demon Wolves’ finishing blow. Although their cooldown time was now extremely short, the delay, however brief, still existed. Nothing could be done about that.

The moment the six heads hit the ground, six streams of golden light drifted up from their corpses. They then merged in pairs, forming three pillars of golden light that shot toward the Divine Lamp hanging over Philis Town.

This sudden development caused the expressions of the other onlookers to change drastically. They had expected Isaac to be strong, but not this strong!

Six Knights working together, and they couldn’t even survive the initial clash!

"Let’s go! Take him out first!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, another six Trial Takers simultaneously changed course and rushed toward Isaac’s position!

Two of them had summoned Servant Demons, while the other four had summoned Relics. In other words, these were the true geniuses!

’But,’ Isaac mused, ’this is supposed to be a seven-versus-seven Trial. So why have nine teams rushed me so far?’

’Six more?’ The corners of Isaac’s mouth curled up. ’As expected... His Highness Philo, what game are you playing at?’ He glanced in Philo’s direction.

’But this is fine, too. It makes things more interesting. Let’s see just what the Empire’s so-called geniuses are made of!’

CLICK~

As he thought this, Isaac reached into a pouch at his waist, grabbed a handful of Rubies, and tossed them out, simultaneously clamping a vial of green Magic Potion between his teeth.

RRRIP!

Harmon burst from the nape of Isaac’s neck, wantonly stretching its five fingers. A large mouth split open in its palm, letting out a cackle that reeked of the Soul Hall. As the other side of Isaac’s coin, his Magic Pet could already feel the surging battle lust roiling within its master!

"Flesh Transformation: Great Sword Ghost!"

"Heh heh heh!!!"

Isaac abruptly downed the green Magic Potion. All of his surging Magic Power flooded into Harmon. In an instant, an unprecedented torrent of Magic Power coursed through the Demon Claw’s veins, causing Harmon’s five fingers to stretch until they began to contort!

The dazzling red light was exceptionally conspicuous beneath the golden firmament. Everyone who witnessed this scene frowned, a sudden sense of foreboding blooming in their hearts.

’But we’ve come this far. The plan is at its final stage, on the verge of success. How can we give up now?’

’Would that be worthy of the Eldest Princess’s patronage?’

With that thought, the group picked up their pace, speeding toward Isaac as if their feet had grown wings!

...

Elsewhere, Angel stood silently in the middle of a street at the town’s entrance. She glanced at the enemies approaching from three directions, her expression perfectly calm, as if she had long foreseen this moment.

A moment later, looking at the three teams that had appeared on the rooftops on either side, Angel sighed. She gently stroked the Magic Book resting on her lap, then suddenly began to laugh. It was a brazen, unrestrained sound.

"So, after all these years, in the eyes of His Highness Philo, am I truly just your equal?"