Vale knew that something crazy was about to happen.

He instinctively covered his eyes as golden light burst forth, dispelling part of the red energy that the Chaos Practitioners were gathering…

When the light faded, a man wearing golden armor hovered above the Chaos Immortals who had just appeared out of the cathedral…

This man in gold armor carried a spear that seemed to be made of light.

It was an incredible sight, even for the people below…

However, what made Vale even more surprised was the emblem on his cape. It was unmistakable. It was three intersecting halos, burning with holy brilliance.

Vale's eyes widened slightly. "...That symbol. Don't tell me--"

Suddenly, another tear opened in space behind the man, and more figures emerged. This time, they were all clad in silver armor and bearing long swords…

A total of seven Sacred Knights descended beside him, forming a defensive circle in the air.

Indeen, they were sacred knights of one specific orthodox church.

The city froze as they all realized the identity of these figures.

Even the Chaos Immortals hesitated as the oppressive holiness filled the entire area.

"By decree of the Church of the Three Paragons, this territory is to be purged…" the gold armored man declared, and his voice was like a magistrate passing his judgment.

"Those who serve the chaos gods will not take another step on human soil."

The Chaos Immortals didn't like those words.

There were only six of them currently within the city, but they didn't mind it at all. The Sacred Knights were, at most, Half Immortals. The man in golden armor may be a stronger Immortal but he was alone.

They even used their Divine Sense to search around, but they confirmed that there was only one Immortal on their side, the Chaos Immortals knew that they could win this easily.

"The Church of Paragons dare interfere?! How bold… This city is under Chaos Dominion!"

"Not anymore," the knight replied coldly.

In the distance, Vale watched silently, his crimson eyes narrowing.

'The Three Paragons Church... so they made a move before even I did…' he thought. 'For them to act here means they've sensed what's being built in that cathedral too.'

He couldn't help but wonder what was happening inside it.

As he looked at the Sacred Knights, Vale couldn't help but wonder where they had gotten so powerful.

Furthermore, he didn't expect that the church actually had a powerful Immortal on its side. This was something he had never considered at all.

He was sure that it was not an Avatar of the Paragons after all.

Soon, the ground trembled as the Chaos Immortals began to gather their power.

Black lightning streaked through the sky and it clashed with the golden light radiating from the knights.

Vale crouched low, observing every surge of energy.

He couldn't interfere yet. Not until he understood the scale of what was happening.

Boom!

Suddenly, a huge explosion of light and chaos energy erupted as both sides clashed in midair. The sound tore through the city, glass shattered, walls cracked, and the people screamed below!

There were a few arcanists working to protect the citizens but if this battle continued, there would be casualties for sure!

Vale steadied himself against a wall, watching the spectacle unfold.

"...A war between the Church of the Paragons and Chaos, right in front of me…" he muttered. "This will get interesting."

He turned his gaze back toward the cathedral.

Even with the battle raging above, the runes on its walls were still filled with power…

Something inside was still active…

Vale's lips curved slightly. "Then while they're distracted…"

His figure blurred, slipping into the shadows once more as he moved toward the cathedral's rear entrance.

Whatever ritual they were preparing, Vale would uncover it before they could complete or claim it…

***

With his Presence Shift, Vale was about to enter the cathedral…

"Hmm?" He couldn't help but feel worried as the air was filled with the stench of blood…

Soon, he realized that the floor was covered in dried corpses, their faces were filled with agony and there weren't just a few of them...

Hundreds, maybe more, had been sacrificed for something.

'What ritual is this?' Each body was marked by faint red runes and it was feeding energy toward the altar at the center.

Vale's eyes narrowed.

"...A mass summoning? But what are they calling?"

The runes on the floor suddenly activated...

It wasn't because he was detected.

Soon, red mist rose, and it started swirling upward to form a crown made entirely of blood!

Vale watched all of this secretly while hiding his presence…

Then, after a few moments, a translucent figure emerged from the mist.

It was a woman with long, silver hair and slender, tribal markings across her body. Her ears were long and curved upward…

Her expression was calm, but it was almost sorrowful.

Vale froze as he recognized her.

"Mennena…" he whispered. He was in disbelief. "The Arch Fey of the Mirror…"

He didn't understand. Mennena was supposed to be sealed.

Nonetheless, the fey's ethereal form reached toward the floating red crown, her fingers trembled as if she was so excited at what was about ot come.

'I don't think I can let her do that…' Vale thought quickly.

Soon, his shadow surged outward.

His disguise melted away, revealing his true form.

Suddenly, the aura of the Shadow Immortal instantly warps the air around him.

Before the crown could touch Mennena's hands, Vale's triggered one of his Celestial Arts

"True Astral Chains!"

Black chains that seemed to have been infused with starlight appeared and wrapped around the red crown in the blink of an eye!

The summoning circle shook violently as the spell clashed against the ritual's power.

The walls cracked, and the red mist screamed as if alive!

Mennena was obviously not happy about this!

"Stop him!" a Chaos Practitioner shouted, but Vale was already gone, vanishing with Traceless Shift.

In the next heartbeat, he reappeared right before the altar and just like that, the red crown was now struggling within his grasp!

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