Science/Magic

Chapter 456: Five Nodes (3)

Sorry for the lack of releases. I was a bit unwell for the last few days. I plan to post double chapters over the weekend to make up for the chapters lost.

Apologetic, Aidka~

...

Bloed watched with a wry smile as Regina killed the creatures casually and destroyed the barrier as though it was made of paper.

'As expected, it would have been better if Regina comes alone.'

Actually, the best way to divide the groups was Regina going alone to one node and Bloed going with Eres, Liu Ying, and Aya.

Regina was so powerful that Bloed going with her didn't make a difference. Bloed could even be considered a burden. If she would have been alone, she would have needed much less time to arrive at the location of the node.

On the other hand, he would have been of great help if he went with Eres's group.

'If the same number of devourers is protecting the other nodes, then the girls could be in danger. As expected, I should have gone with them.'

Unfortunately, Bloed could not distribute the groups like that.

Regina would have refused if he tried to.

'I almost died once today, so there is no way that Regina will leave my side.' Bloed thought to himself and chuckled. 'I guess there is nothing I can do about it.'

In the end, Regina was programmed by Camilla to protect Bloed. Regina's priority was Bloed's safety, not the well-being of Academy City.

Regina's slash cut the barrier into two. It scattered immediately under the terrified gaze of the demigod, leaving the node unprotected.

"W-Who are you?" The demigod asked with a pale face. "Impossible. That power"

Regina ignored him and swung her energy blade, but when it cut through the demigod's body, the demigod was unscathed.

"An illusion?" Regina was slightly surprised.

The expression of the demigod became solemn.

"You are very strong. Normally, I would have escaped immediately. But unfortunately, I can't escape this time. I can't let you destroy the node."

Then, he raised his staff and a magic circle appeared below him.

"[Ice Prison]!" He chanted.

In the next instant, a terrifying chill assaulted Bloed!

Everything around the demigod froze completely. Then, the moisture in the air gathered around Bloed and Regina before freezing and solidifying in an ice barrier.

But Regina just swung her energy blade indifferently, shattering the barrier instantly.

The demigod was not done, though. As soon as the barrier was destroyed, hundreds of ice arrows greeted Bloed and Regina. The arrows did not give the pair time to react and rained on them.

Once more, though, the arrows shattered before they could reach the pair.

However, to Regina's surprise, she could not locate the demigod.

Regina frowned and looked around trying to find his location. Unfortunately, she failed to find him.

In the meanwhile, a thick fog had filled the surroundings, blocking Bloed and Regina's sight and hindering their senses.

Moreover, Bloed's enhanced eyes allowed him to see millions of microscopic ice needless inside the fog. The ice needless seemed harmless, but thanks to his eyes, Bloed realized how dangerous they were.

They were as sharp as metal blades.

If Regina and he were trapped in the fog, they would have to deal with countless minuscule ice needless trying to kill them.

And according to Bloed's observation, the fog was expanding towards them and would shroud them in a few seconds.

But at that moment, Regina snorted.

"Idiot."

She then extended her hand and a small ball of energy appeared on it.

The ball of energy lit up with a brilliant glow. Quickly, its glow became bigger and bigger, until finally

*BOOOOMMMM!!!*

It exploded, devouring the fog completely.

When the effects of the explosion faded away, Bloed saw the demigod kneeling on the ground with grave injuries on his body as he vomited blood crazily.

"You should have run away as soon as you realized that I was stronger than you," Regina said indifferently, making the demigod smile bitterly.

Then, she walked towards him and swung her energy blade again.

One second later, the head of a demigod rolled on the ground.

Bloed said nothing and instead continue walking towards the location of the node.

Unlike the nodes in Diadel Duchy, this nodded seemed like a magic circle hovering in the air. It emitted a soft blue hue as it absorbed the souls of the people that died in Academy City.

"Can you destroy it?" Bloed asked Regina when he saw the node. The silver-haired Valkyrie nodded and created a blade of energy on her hand before slashing it.

Just like that, the node was destroyed.

Bloed felt that the magic array around the city shook slightly, making him sigh in relief.

"It looks like this method is working."

"We were the first to destroy a node, right?"

Bloed nodded before walking away.

"Let's go. We should go to help Eres, Liu Ying, and the others. They could have trouble defeating the creatures protecting the node."

Regina nodded. The pair then climbed on Leto's back to go towards the next node.

But just then, someone rushed towards them.

It was one of the men of the Church of Fate.

"Sir Bloed, I have a message from the saintess!"

"A message? What is it?" Bloed asked surprised.

"Headmistress Evelyn and Miss Eve are fighting a powerful enemy, so they can destroy only one of the nodes. They will leave the node in the northeast to us."

Bloed was startled before furrowing his brows.

"Master, should we go towards the node in the northeast instead?" Regina asked.

Bloed hesitated briefly before shaking his head.

"We need to help the girls first. They could be in danger, and they are more important to me than Academy City."

Bloed was regretting allowing them to go alone. He did not expect the nodes to be so well-guarded.

But just when he was to leave towards the node where the girls went, a message from Gina resounded in his mind.

[My hero, you don't need to worry about them.]

"Huh?"

[Trust them, my hero. Liu Ying, Eres, and Aya will be alright. You should go to the remaining node.]

Bloed hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he sighed.

" Okay, I'll trust them."

[You won't be disappointed, my hero.] Gina giggled. [They are stronger than you think.]

Bloed chuckled.

"I'm sure they are."

Then, he left towards the remaining node.