No! Carl's expression was solemn.

The Divine Blood warrior's resistance to witchcraft was equally astonishing; the Petrification Skill on the broadsword was utterly ineffective. Even with the gravitational field suppressing Joseph, and Carl himself undergoing Giantification, it merely narrowed the gap between them. It was far from enough to gain the upper hand.

Carl's eyes flickered. He suddenly retreated while once again activating a Seal—Chain Fireball.

A gigantic Fireball, one meter in diameter, appeared out of thin air. It hurtled towards the man and horse with extreme heat. Like a meteor falling from the sky, it exploded on impact with the man and horse with a deafening BOOM!

There wasn't just one Fireball. It was one after another. A total of six!

BOOM!

RUMBLE...

By the time the six Fireballs had exploded in succession, the ground was scarred with a blackened crater. A battered figure stood in the midst of it.

As for the warhorse beneath him? It had already been torn to shreds by the explosions and intense heat.

Eighty Magic Stones, the life savings of an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, could achieve this effect.

Carl took a step back and signaled to Yana, "Continue. Kill him!"

Although Joseph appeared to have sustained severe injuries and his strength should be greatly reduced, Carl did not plan to take any chances. What if the other party has some kind of trump card? After all, I'm just a Great Knight; it's safer to let Yana take the lead.

A glimmer of daze flickered through Yana's eyes. She had never imagined that the Divine Blood warrior who had fought her to a draw would be reduced to such a state in mere moments. This Guardian... Is he really just a Great Knight? How can he have so many tricks up his sleeve?

Despite the doubt in her heart, Yana's movements did not slow. She brandished her Great Sword and charged at Joseph.

CLANG...

PFFT!

After several clashes, Joseph, already gravely injured, couldn't hold on any longer. He staggered back, spitting blood.

Panic filled his eyes; he knew that if this continued, he would certainly die. Suddenly, a red glow flared from his body. Secret Skill—Blood Sacrifice! Run!

PFFT!

A blood mist erupted from Joseph. His body instantly shriveled, while his speed dramatically increased—even slightly faster than when he had been on horseback.

WHOOSH!

In a flash, as he swung his long whip to block Yana, he turned to flee into the distance. Just then, a wave of panic suddenly washed over him.

THUMP!

THUMP!

His heart pounded, and extreme fear made his eyes bulge and his movements sluggish.

Fear Aura!

Carl had appeared nearby at some unknown point, a broadsword in each hand, slashing down at Joseph.

PFFT!

The Longsword sliced through his throat, piercing his heart.

A warm current flowed into Carl's body. Source Material! 0.2.

But that wasn't the priority. Before the surrounding merfolk could arrive, he quickly searched Joseph's body.

Great Divine Grace! A full fifteen stones! Carl's eyes lit up, and his breath hitched. I've struck it rich! This guy actually carried all the Great Divine Grace he'd collected on his person!

「City of Death.」

This city, with its one million inhabitants, was a place of coexisting opulence and decay. In the Duke Territory, no other city boasted such a large population. Likewise, no other city had residents with such a low average lifespan.

All of this stemmed from a peculiar regulation in the City of Death: once residents reached a certain age, they had to die. This regulation was also known as the Mandatory Death Law!

Two hundred years ago, the age limit was seventy-five, and most people were indifferent.

One hundred years ago, the age limit was sixty-five. Some protested, but they were quickly and forcefully suppressed, then executed.

Now, the age limit is fifty-three.

And with the whole world in decline, living peacefully to the age of fifty-three had become a cherished dream for many.

It is said that next year, the limit will be lowered to fifty.

「City North.」

It was the monthly public sacrificial day once again.

A massive Stone Gate stood upon the land.

One by one, elders over the age of fifty were herded by the city guards through the Stone Gate to the graveyard, halting before their chosen grave pits. Some of the elderly were battered and bruised, their eyes filled with terror, clearly having been beaten by the city guards after failed escape attempts.

The City of Death had a rule: anyone who had lived in the city for more than a year had to comply with the Mandatory Death Law. Only Divine Blood warriors were exempt.

Outside the towering Stone Gate, scattered cries of grief could be heard. Inside, elder after elder stood by the pits, awaiting execution. It had been so for centuries.

"Bury them!"

Following a loud shout, the young city guards standing behind the elders raised their weapons and struck down fiercely. Even if their own relatives stood before them, they showed no mercy. Otherwise, they would be the ones to die.

PFFT!

PFFT! PFFT!

Elder after elder was beheaded, their bodies tumbling into the bottomless grave pits.

Some screamed, others wailed, but most were numb, accepting their fate.

In the dark and profound depths underground, corpse after corpse fell upon piles of bones, creating eerie thuds.

In the midst of the myriad skeletal remains stood a bone throne. A young girl lay askew on this massive throne.

The girl's closed eyelids trembled slightly before slowly opening. Her voice was crystal clear, like birdsong, yet in this place, it sounded particularly horrific.

One of my followers has died.

Is it you? My dear brother, Sodan!

Shaking her head, the girl closed her eyes once more. Just an insignificant follower. That its death allowed me to awaken from my slumber is already the greatest boon.

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