Chapter 223

As soon as Theo reached the surface, he began organizing a pursuit team.

“Erica and Hulcus, stay here with Arin to escort Master Newitz and the citizens to the evacuation site. Kincarnon, Lezé, and Ancio, follow me.”

Theo divided the 6th Unit into two groups: one to ensure the safety of the civilians, and the other to join him in the pursuit.

“The Holy Demon Church is moving a large group of abducted children not far from here. We’ll track them down and eliminate them.”

Even Ancio, usually self-serving and pragmatic, showed a flicker of anger on her face. Though her actions were often driven by personal gain, the Church’s abduction of innocent children was an unforgivable act.

“Let’s go.”

With a sharp cry, the wyverns soared into the sky, their wings beating powerfully as they took off.

「Be careful.」

Before Umbra, Theo’s mount, fully ascended, Newitz transmitted a parting thought.

「If the rumors are true, then even as the heir of Ragnar, you are strong—especially with someone like Kincarnon, once called a Sword Emperor, at your side. But even so, this might not be enough.」

The tone of Newitz’s voice was devoid of his usual mischief or sarcasm. It was solemn and serious, which made Theo tense all the more.

「If my suspicions are correct, among their number is…」

Newitz’s words trailed off, but the implication made Theo’s eyes widen briefly before he nodded in understanding. If those suspicions were true, the 6th Unit might indeed be outmatched.

However.

‘This might be our best chance.’

Rather than being discouraged, Theo saw it as an opportunity—a chance to uncover the Church’s stronghold.

「The only silver lining is that it seems there’s discord among them. Use that to your advantage.」

Theo recalled the disarray he had observed in the traces left behind in the city. It hadn’t made sense at first, but now it fit.

“Thank you for the advice.”

Theo tugged on Umbra’s reins.

Kraaah!

Umbra let out a powerful screech and ascended swiftly into the sky.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Newitz stood silently, watching until Theo and his wyvern disappeared into a distant speck. Only then did he turn back toward the others.

He didn’t know why, but there was a heavy feeling in his chest.

For a boy he had just met today, this strange weight in his heart was inexplicable.

***

It took about twenty minutes of searching before Theo’s pursuit team spotted the fanatics of the Holy Demon Church.

「Theo, I’ve found them.」 Lezé gestured toward a procession moving through the forest.

Clad in the crimson robes of the Holy Demon Church, the group was escorting a line of children who trudged forward, dazed and unsteady as if hypnotized. The cultists, seemingly oblivious at first, eventually noticed the shadows of wyverns covering the sky and began to murmur among themselves.

One figure at the front, however, didn’t flinch. Instead, he smirked coldly, as if the situation was unfolding just as he had planned.

Too late. This will only endanger the innocent children, his lips seemed to say, though no sound carried to Theo.

Theo felt a surge of fury ignite within him, the words striking a nerve.

「Everyone, descend now.」

At Theo’s command, the unit spurred their wyverns downward, initiating a swift aerial assault.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The wyverns landed with resounding thuds as the knights leaped into action.

“Dirty fanatics! I’ll slaughter you all!” Kincarnon was the first to charge. Wielding a sword custom-forged by the renowned Basque Workshop, his strikes radiated immense power, amplifying his formidable skill.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The air filled with the hum of sword auras slicing through enemies as Kincarnon led the charge, carving a path through the cultists. Meanwhile, Lezé and Ancio spread out with their respective guards, sweeping through the enemy flanks.

“Those who defy the teachings of the Nameless Lord shall pay with their lives!”

“Glory to the Holy Light!”

“Glory to the Holy Light!”

The cultists’ cries grew fervent as a man clad in black robes rallied them. A blood-red glow began emanating from the group—a ritual of Bloodlight Convergence.

Theo recognized the sinister aura instantly.

‘A cardinal? They’re pulling no punches.’

A cardinal, second only to apostles and the Nameless Lord, was a rare and dangerous figure to encounter. Their involvement signified the Church’s determination to succeed at all costs.

‘I need to gain the upper hand before engaging directly.’

Theo raised his hand, channeling his mana into a familiar formation.

Rumble! Rumble!

A second sun appeared in the sky, spinning with blinding intensity.

Whoosh!

Four swords materialized midair, surrounding the cardinal before shooting toward him with deadly precision.

The cardinal sneered, baring glinting fangs from a pale face.

“You’ve made quite the name for yourself, Theo Ragnar. The Holy Church would love to present your head. Imagine the celebrations if I delivered it!”

His fangs sparkled menacingly—a vampire.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With a flick of his clawed hand, the cardinal deflected Theo’s incoming swords, each clash creating violent explosions. However, the strikes left wounds on the cardinal, and blood trickled down his arm.

The vampire gathered the blood from his injuries, condensing it into dozens of projectiles that shot toward Theo like crimson bullets.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Theo deflected the blood bullets with deft swings of Drake’s Blade, dodging and sliding beneath the cardinal to sweep at his legs.

But the vampire leapt gracefully into the air, mocking Theo’s efforts. “Is that the best the so-called ‘superstar’ can manage? Your attacks lack imagination!”

The cardinal prepared to dive at Theo like a hawk, aiming for a fatal strike.

“You’re the one lacking imagination,” Theo countered, his voice sharp.

“What?!”

As the cardinal glanced behind him, his eyes widened in shock. The swords he had deflected earlier had realigned and were now converging on him like a guillotine.

The vampire twisted desperately, evading the blades—but two struck true, pinning his shoulders and slamming him into the ground.

“No! This can’t be!”

Realizing his life was in danger, the cardinal’s body split into dozens of bats, attempting to escape.

The radiant orb in the sky erupted, sending waves of fiery destruction across the battlefield. The bats disintegrated in the searing flames, leaving no trace of the cardinal. The explosion also eradicated nearby cultists, throwing the Holy Demon Church’s forces into chaos.

As Theo’s team secured the children, the remaining fanatics were swiftly eliminated.

However, Theo’s battle was far from over.

A figure stood in the distance, watching the battle unfold with a calm demeanor, arms crossed. Unlike the cultists, he bore no sense of urgency, as if the outcome didn’t concern him.

Crash!

The figure finally moved, uncrossing his arms and raising a hand to block Theo’s incoming sword strike with effortless ease.

“Impressive,” the man said with a cold smile. “The cardinal, though ancient and formidable, was weak compared to me. I had hoped for more from a supposed prodigy.”

Theo’s heart sank as he took in the man’s bloodless, ghostly complexion and the crimson energy swirling around him.

‘An apostle?’

Newitz’s earlier words echoed in Theo’s mind.

- If my suspicions are correct, there’s at least one apostle among them.

Apostles were the closest beings to the Nameless Lord, entrusted with spreading his will.

“You recognize me?” The man smirked, his aura suffocating. “Yes, I am the Vampire King, ruler of all bloodsuckers. You may also know me as the Fourth Apostle of the Holy Demon Church.”

Theo’s expression hardened as he considered the implications. ‘This entire operation was a trap to lure me here.’

The abduction of children, the visible trail—it had all been bait.

“Impressive deduction,” the Vampire King said mockingly. “Your intellect does you credit. But intellect alone won’t save you.”

Behind the Vampire King, another figure emerged—a massive werewolf with silver fur and a towering frame. His presence was equally overwhelming.

‘They sent two apostles?’

The werewolf was none other than Turanji, the Wolf Emperor and leader of all werewolves.

“This stage was prepared especially for you, Theo Ragnar. Tell me, how do you like our little game?” The Vampire King smiled icily as the Wolf Emperor snarled beside him.

The odds had drastically shifted against Theo.

‘I’ve walked into their trap, but I won’t let them win.’

With a heavy rumble, the ground split open, revealing a massive gateway to the underworld. From within emerged Lodbrok, spreading his wings wide as his roar echoed across the battlefield.

“I’ve come, parasite of darkness. Let’s finish this.”

Lodbrok’s arrival reignited hope, but even he seemed tense.

‘They’ve truly sent their best. This will be no ordinary fight.’