Chapter 317 - 277: Besieging the Fear Knight! A Clash of Powerhouses

A violent wind howled.

Flames of the Abyss roared and surged.

Though Reinhardt and Flayer Du Ma fought in a hangar on the Demon Mother Ship—a space no more than three hundred meters across—thousands of Slaughter Demons and Convicted Demons swarmed within it.

But the aftershocks from the clash of these supreme combatants’ Mighty Power became a terrifying pressure that permeated every inch of the hangar.

Their duel had carved out a clearing over twenty meters across in the hangar warzone, which was otherwise packed with corpses and Demons.

The mingled blood of Imperial Knights and Demons ran in surging currents beneath Reinhardt’s feet, like living crimson veins.

Fragments of bone and flesh were ground into the seams of the steel-cast floor.

The tyrannical Mighty Power of Avernus was omnipresent, its soul-corroding presence inescapable.

Bathed in a dim, crimson light, the hangar now resembled a massive butcher’s block.

It seemed that every person, every Demon, was nothing more than meat on that block, at the mercy of the truly powerful—the unspeakable beings who wielded the Slaughter Knife.

BOOM—!

The Black War Axe and the Iron Lock Hook clashed violently.

Reinhardt was sent flying backward like a cannonball. When his Power Boots hit the floor, he skidded across the ground, scraping a shower of sparks from the steel.

The Fear Knight, Flayer Du Ma, with his colossal, mountain-like frame, was also forced back three steps.

The Steel Execution Rack bolted to his back groaned under the strain, letting out a screech of protesting metal.

Ten meters from Reinhardt, Albert knelt on one knee amidst a pile of corpses, leaning on his Knight’s Broadsword as he coughed up great mouthfuls of blood. Though the aura of his Knight Power remained at its peak, the flame of his life had burned down to its last embers.

"Albert!"

Ten seconds ago.

The two had joined forces to fight this unprecedentedly powerful foe.

But even though the Seven-star Earth Military Rank Fear Knight had been grievously wounded in his battle with Sedon, he was still no match for Earth Knights of their caliber!

Domain Power.

It was a towering mountain they could never hope to climb!

After covering the Emperor’s Shield Knight and the three surviving Radiant Angels as they rendezvoused with reinforcements, Iron Crown Florian and Second Company Commander Stearns charged without a moment’s hesitation. Roaring a cry for the Emperor, they brought their swords down on Flayer Du Ma.

Seeing that they had disrupted Flayer Du Ma’s offensive rhythm, Reinhardt crossed ten meters in two strides and knelt beside Albert.

And this.

This was possibly the first and last chance for Reinhardt to speak with his sworn Battle Brother since charging into the hangar.

Once the battle was joined.

To create an opening for the rescue team, Reinhardt had faced the Fear Knight Du Ma alone. The pressure from the monster had kept his nerves stretched taut every second, his adrenaline pumping!

’There could be no letting up.’

As he reached Albert’s side, the Radiant Angel gripped his left hand forcefully.

Blood stained his chin and Power Armor, and the pain in his body had long since gone numb, but he still turned his head to look directly at Reinhardt’s Full Coverage Helmet. He flashed a bold grin. "Brother."

As hardened men of the Empire.

Even as Battle Brothers who had faced life and death together, and even now at the moment of their final parting, their exchange was free of sentimental nonsense.

To fight shoulder to shoulder.

And then to die a glorious death like an Imperial Knight.

That was the final moment for one of their own.

Albert gripped Reinhardt’s hand, using it for leverage to struggle to his feet. He took a deep breath. His brow furrowed as he stared into the distance, where Du Ma had just sent Stearns flying with a single punch. His voice was exceptionally grave.

"I personally executed the Angels in our Battle Group whose minds and flesh had been corrupted, Reinhardt.

After my death, they will surely try to corrupt my soul to defile the glory of the Great Angel.

So now, in the name of the Radiant Angels, I order you. If I fall in this battle, you must use your Divine Emperor’s Flame to burn my body and soul to nothing.

The glory of the Great Angel will not suffer any desecration."

Having delivered his final words, Albert forced his spent body upright. He gripped his Knight’s Broadsword, the blade tracing a practiced arc through the air. He fixed his gaze on Flayer Du Ma, a silent fury burning in his eyes.

"It has been an honor to fight beside you, brother."

Reinhardt was silent for a long moment. He turned to look at Iron Crown Florian, who was still locked in combat with Flayer Du Ma but was at a clear disadvantage. In a low voice, he replied.

"That bottle of wine you owe me is still waiting, Albert."

The Radiant Angel’s hair had turned dry and yellow and his skin had lost its luster from burning away his life force, but his bold personality remained unchanged. He let out a hearty laugh. "Haha, you actually remembered that.

I left it in storage at the Silver Moon Flower Tree Vineyard. It’s all paid for. If you want it, just go and get it."

Just then.

Matthias appeared beside Albert in a flash of lightning. He glanced at Reinhardt and said in a low voice, "Sir, the evacuation ship is on its way. It will arrive within a minute."

He then turned to Albert, his expression turning exceptionally grave as he seemed to sense the Radiant Angel’s death wish.

"You must evacuate the Demon Mother Ship with us, Lord Albert. The Grand Governor’s orders were to bring you back—dead or alive. That’s a direct military command."

Albert replied, his face devoid of expression, "An evacuation needs a rear guard, Matthias. Get the others on board. Reinhardt and I will cover you. Just leave one ship behind for us."