The first wave of undead rushed forward with shrieks that tore across the sky. Ethan's men did not flinch. They formed lines and shields locked together and then blades crashed downward.

"Crush them!"

"Crush them!"

"CRUSHHH!CRUSHHH!"

Zombies burst apart as swords cut them clean. Rotting flesh scattered across the dirt. The soldiers moved quickly and some pushed forward while others guarded the rear. Their faces were hard and calm. They showed no fear even when the dead threw themselves against them again and again.

The clash of metal and bone echoed again and again while more undead kept pouring out like an endless flood.

From the front line of the enemy, three Master Rank Mages stood watching. They paused and looked at one another. Their expressions held both interest and caution.

"This is troublesome."

"Hmm...He looks strong."

"Should we finish him off?" Loan spoke softly with a sharp look in his eyes.

Bernard shook his head as if thinking deeply. He tapped his fingers against his arm.

"Let him play a bit. We have so many resources. Isn't it unjust to not use them?"

His voice was calm and almost relaxed. He watched Ethan fighting below with mild amusement.

"Let these tire him out," Bernard spoke again and then looked at Kai. Kai nodded firmly.

"I also agree with that."

Loan's expression fell a bit with disappointment. His gaze lowered slightly.

"I have a puppet. I will mingle among them and cast the attack."

"Hmm, that's a good plan, go."

Bernard then turned his attention toward the priest among the dark mages. His tone grew colder and firmer.

"Time to act."Kai raises his hand to signal the dark priest from his side to act.

The mages cloaked in dark robes stepped forward. Their movements were slow and deliberate. The air grew thicker around them.

Their lips moved and they began chanting spells, rough and deep like a growl from the earth. Their voices layered together and dark symbols formed in the air. Black smoke crawled from their hands and then burst outward.

A wave of miasma poured across the battlefield. It rolled like fog and made the sky dim. The smell of decay grew stronger. The miasma rushed toward Ethan's soldiers. Some men coughed. Their steps wavered. Cuts on flesh burned like acid. The undead grew more violent as if fed by the poison.

Emma stepped forward at once and raised her staff high. Her eyes were firm and commanding.

"Priests of the Temples. Cast healing light."

Priests answered instantly. Their holy chants spread through the air, gentle yet powerful. A warm gold glow flowed from their hands. It washed over the wounded soldiers and eased their pain. Cuts closed slowly. Breathing steadied. Men gasped with relief and their grips on weapons became strong again.

Joseph, the Bishop of the Goddess of Light, moved to stand beside them. His voice rose clearly through chaos.

"It's time for us to act and show the benevolence and power of the Goddess."

Joseph and the priests continued chanting. A huge golden layer shot out from their palms and then spread wide. It formed a barrier that covered the entire fortress like a giant shield. Light rippled across its surface like sunlight over water.

A pillar of beam rose upward and pierced the sky. Clouds parted as if forced aside. Then a holy rain of light fell down over the field in gentle drops. The ground shimmered. The undead hissed as light touched them and their rotting bodies crumbled into dust. The miasma was wiped clean where the rain touched and air became fresh and clear.

Soldiers felt renewed strength surge through them. Their fatigue faded and their swords felt light. They charged forward with a roar this time. Holy rain continued to fall and every drop was like strength in their blood. Their attacks were sharper. They move faster. The battlefield turned bright under the blessing of the Goddess of Light.

The undead were pushed back. Steel and holy power cut them down. The tide of battle began to shift as Ethan's army fought stronger than ever.

Emma then quickly commanded the Priests of the Temples to cast healing light. Their warm glow washed over wounded soldiers who gasped in relief as their pain eased.

Meanwhile, Ethan did not slow down.

He charged directly into the thickest cluster of brainwashed attackers near the broken wall. His sword moved so fast that it blurred.

Left…Right….Upward. Each strike did not just pierce flesh. Every blow exploded with shockwaves cleaning everything.

People were flung back like ragdolls just from the release of his aura.

Thanks to the system gift of Sacred Luminous Art, he could use light elements. He controlled his mana and formed light blasts that burst out from his palms and sword. They shot into the mad crowd wreaking havoc all around him.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Each burst of light crashed into groups of attackers and sent them flying.

The crowd that rushed toward Ethan flicked away the moment he snapped his fingers. His aura hit them like a strike of lightning.

Roen, who saw this from a distance, clapped once in appreciation even in the middle of battle.

"Great skills."

Ethan did not kill everyone. Some people were only knocked unconscious. The cursed symbols on their foreheads dispersed the moment the holy aura touched them.

As for zombies they were burnt to dust from holy power.

The gates of Vancouver City were opened and through them,Salvos Soldiers shot out following Roen's and Julia's leadership.

"Kill…Kill…Kill…Kill.."

"Kill."

His men followed behind him. One squad consisting of knights and Priests from Goddess of Light dismounted and began setting up a purification barrier. It expanded outward into a glowing dome that pushed back the corrupted fog.

SWOOSH!

The pillar of golden light purified the darkish mass of fog.

Roen gritted his teeth and turned to his troops.

"Everyone! Rally with Baron Ethan's force! Push forward!"

Their morale soared. Reinforcements had arrived and the fight regained life. Soldiers surged ahead with shouts of determination.

Roen dove into the chaos. He cut down two attackers lunging for a priest. The soldiers behind him yelled as they pushed through the insanity in coordination with Ethan's knights.

Together, the Church forces, the city guard, and the Baron's private army formed a three-layered line.

Julia fought hard beside her brother, her movements sharp and quick. She spun her blade and struck down a zombie that tried to grab Roen's arm. Her breath was heavy, but her eyes were burning with resolve.

"Stay sharp, Brother " she shouted while cutting down another attacker as she noticed Roen getting ahead of himself.

"I am trying!" Roen replied, pushing forward again.

The zombies, still massive in number, had begun to waver.

It was then that Roen saw Ethan approaching the inner wall on horseback. Blood stained his cloak, yet there was not a single cut on his skin. He stopped briefly near Roen.

"You held up well," Ethan said, his eyes sharp.

"I nearly lost it," Roen admitted, panting.

"You didn't and that's what matters."

Ethan's gaze moved toward the battlefield again. His expression turned cold.

"This is far from over."

Roen felt it too.

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