Chapter 1319: 77. The Last to Appear

The Holy Light rapidly filled the entire room, then, under Liya's control, condensed into a Holy Light Cross capable of purifying everything. There was no overwhelming display of power in any of her movements, but that was precisely what made it so terrifying.

The Goddess's grace descended upon this place alone!

Like a spring breeze, like a gentle rain, yet at the same time fully displaying the authority of a god!

"Evil dragon, give Muen back to me!"

Liya gripped the Holy Light Cross. Her delicate body, which did not even appear voluptuous compared to Hamreign, seemed to grow countless times taller at this moment. Although she was a frail Saintess, there was not the slightest hesitation in her movements. In an instant, she thrust straight into that darkness!

The Holy Light turned piercingly sharp. All of its original warmth and sanctity vanished, leaving behind only absolute killing intent. Relying upon the Church's Holy Light, Liya erupted in this instant with an attack far beyond her own realm!

"Interesting."

Even Hamreign praised it:

"The Life Goddess, is it? Such a high degree of affinity. I truly don't know whether to call that fortunate... or unfortunate."

"......"

Liya did not possess Anna's composure, and her little face immediately changed slightly."

Because she could clearly feel that her Holy Light Cross had struck the other party head-on. Under such an enormous amount of Holy Light, even a veteran Crowned One would temporarily avoid its edge......

Yet that evil dragon did not budge in the slightest.

No, saying she did not move only meant that she did not change position. Even while receiving Liya's strongest attack, that evil dragon was still wantonly ravaging Muen, squeezing out his essence!

Damn it!.

This was simply the greatest humiliation!

"What are you still waiting for?"

Liya looked toward the other side and said anxiously, "It's your turn!"

"I'm coming."

Celicia, the one being questioned, responded lightly.

She stood there, her silver-white hair moving without wind, like a swaying snow lotus.

Her aura was cold and aloof, utterly incompatible with the entire room. Her eyes were like frozen lakes, as though she had not even seen Muen's miserable state at this moment.

She moved very slowly. Although in reality the difference was only a few breaths, for someone with her temperament to suppress herself for this long meant that she was undoubtedly preparing something.

And now, with that black flame restraining the enemy and with An and Liya launching their attacks beforehand, her preparations were finally complete.

Buzz......

A brilliant crown descended from the sky and landed atop her head, spinning slowly.

But what appeared upon that crown now was not the projection of the sun, moon, stars, time, and all things...

It was endless territory and countless living beings!

A projection of the Empire!

"I——am the Empire!"

A solemn chant praised the glorious achievements of the Empress of the Empire.

Carrying the phantom of the Empire upon her back, Celicia surveyed her own lands as Emperor. Every step she took seemed to carry the weight of mountains. Even Hamreign appeared so small before her at this moment——because an entire nation was bearing down upon her!

Celicia raised her hand and drew the longsword at her waist. Originally, it had merely been an ordinary sword, but now, it was the Sword of the King that symbolized Imperial authority!

She tightened her grip on the Sword of the King and slashed vertically toward the purple bed!

Clang!

In an instant, the darkness constructed from Anna's Authority was forcibly split apart. Those golden eyes saw the light of day once again and met hers.

Two pairs of equally indifferent, equally calm eyes met once more after several months.

A few months ago, she had carried humiliation with her and had been effortlessly driven back.

And now, several months later, carrying that same humiliation, she had come to take back the lover who should have belonged to her alone!

"He is mine."

Celicia spoke one word at a time, as though issuing an Imperial decree:

"Give him——back to me!"

Radiant authority surged. Carrying the might of the Empire, Celicia crushed down upon the evil dragon!

The other three women reacted extremely quickly as well. Anna continued using the Authority of the Silent Moon to weaken Hamreign, while the other two regrouped and charged forward once more!

Aside from Anna, who was responsible for control, there were three people attacking from three directions.

No matter how powerful that evil dragon was, she only had two hands. How could she possibly......

"Foolish."

Hamreign remained expressionless.

Whether it was the Anti-Origin Armor, the Authority of the Silent Moon, the Life Goddess's Holy Light......or even the authority of the Empire.

All of it could earn a little admiration from her, yet none of it could cause even the slightest ripple in her expression.

It seemed that all of these things combined still had less effect on her than one tiny worry she had experienced not long ago.

"I already told you......do not use human standards to judge me!"

Hamreign extended her hands once more.

One hand forced back An's enormous scythe. One hand caught Liya's Holy Light Cross. And as for Celicia......

Under Celicia's slightly frozen gaze, a thick, powerful tail suddenly emerged from somewhere and casually blocked the might of the Empire!

"What?"

Liya's beautiful eyes widened in shock:

"She even has a tail?"

Of course she had a tail.

Their enemy was not human.

She was......a dragon.

"Tch."

An gritted her teeth:

"She would rather use her tail than stop moving and get off Young Master. As expected, she's nothing but a lewd female beast!"

"B-But......that other one's tail wasn't this powerful either......"

"Mine was only a pleasure toy, of course it couldn't compare......"

Anna sighed as she stroked the side of her face:

"It seems we still underestimated this evil dragon."

"Then what do we do now?"

Liya struggled to mobilize the Holy Light, but she could clearly feel that doing so was becoming more and more difficult. The evil dragon before them was not merely blocking their attacks.

She was slowly but steadily......pushing them back!

Even Celicia on the other side was not having an easy time. Even with the Imperial authority she could currently mobilize, she still could not shake the evil dragon's overwhelming strength. As the Empress of the Empire, and with this being her own home ground, she could naturally disregard everything and draw upon even more......

But that really would shake the very foundation of the Empire.

Although she could technically be said to be fighting for another kind of national foundation right now, dragging the entire Empire into a fight over stealing back a man was something her pride would never permit.

What could they do now......

The four of them simultaneously fell silent. Just moments ago, they had been overflowing with confidence, convinced that they would definitely be able to rescue Muen. But before this power that transcended the age itself, if even giving everything they had was not enough to shake this giant dragon......

Then what were they supposed to do?

"There's still me."

Suddenly, a voice that had nearly been forgotten cut directly into the battlefield.

Everyone was startled and abruptly turned around.

Outside the battlefield, the young woman who had just moments ago been disheveled and tearfully lamenting now stood perfectly straight within the howling night wind.

Her hair whipped in the wind, messy yet giving her a somewhat heroic air. Her skirt snapped loudly like an unfallen battle flag.

Flames burned fiercely, illuminating the side of her face.

Both her hands gripped the massive sword that was nearly as tall as a person, and her momentum rose higher and higher!

"How could a story about defeating an evil dragon possibly be missing my name?"

Ariel opened her eyes.

One eye was pure black, deeper than Anna's night.

The other was pure light, more dazzling than Liya's Holy Light.

Black and white, light and darkness, intertwined with one another.

And upon the crimson-gold greatsword she held, flames condensed to their absolute limit also °• N ?? v ?? l i g h t •° began to merge with that light and darkness.

Two colors became three.

Yet upon Ariel's beautiful face, only determination remained.

"Muen, wait for me. I'm coming to save you......"

The wind carried her voice to that purple bed.

And she, as the protagonist.

Naturally always appeared at the most crucial moment.