Chapter 231: The Key

The officer slowly pointed his index finger forward. His lips began to move as if he were preparing to speak. However, as soon as he uttered a single word, he immediately lost consciousness.

"Sir?" Shaan shook the officer’s body while patting his cheek. "Sir, I didn’t understand what you were trying to tell me."

Shaan could only let out a long sigh and shake his head when he realized the officer wasn’t responding to him at all. He slowly cleared away the chunks of rock surrounding the man, then laid his body near one of the columns nearby.

’I just hope the rescue team gets here soon and helps all these guards before—’

"Shaan!"

Nalira’s voice came from behind him, followed by the sound of her approaching footsteps. "...The Resistance leader and her followers. This must be their doing."

"Yeah, I think so."

Shaan nodded. "I managed to speak with one of the guards. He told me that Madam Catarina was in danger and that we needed to protect her immediately."

"...The leader of the Twilight Ecclesia?" Nalira fell silent. A faint crease appeared between her brows as she processed Shaan’s words. "Then we need to find her quickly."

Without wasting any time, they continued down the corridor until they reached a large door at the end. Shaan slowly pushed it open. His eyes immediately caught the scene inside. The Resistance leader stood before the altar, facing Madam Catarina. The two of them appeared to be in the middle of a conversation.

’Good. This is our chance.’ Mana began swirling around Shaan’s twin short swords as he prepared to attack.

"We can take her down right now—"

Just as Shaan moved forward, Nalira suddenly grabbed his arm and stopped him. Before he could protest, she pulled him behind one of the long rows of wooden benches inside the vast chamber. "Nalira, what are you doing?" Shaan whispered, confusion spreading across his face. "That was our chance. Why didn’t you let me attack her?"

"...We need to hear their conversation first."

Nalira carefully peeked through the gap between the benches. "There must be a reason she attacked Madam Catarina."

’Yeah... Nalira has a point.’

"We wait and listen to everything," Nalira continued, keeping her eyes fixed on the Resistance leader. "But if things get worse, we attack."

"I understand."

"Now, tell me." The Resistance leader walked toward the altar table directly in front of Madam Catarina. "Where did you hide the second key?"

"...."

’Second key?’ Shaan fell silent for a moment. ’I wonder what key he’s talking about.’

’BAM!’

"You damn old hag! Answer my question!"

"How dare you defile this sacred altar with your filthy hands." Madam Catarina glared at the Resistance leader.

"I swear, I will never tell someone as despicable as—"

The Resistance leader suddenly grabbed her by the throat.

Shaan held his breath as the man lifted the elderly woman off the ground and raised her above the altar.

’Ghk—!’

"Let me ask you one more time." The Resistance leader tightened his grip around her throat. "Where did you hide that damn key?"

"Khk—ptui!" Madam Catarina spat directly into his face. "D-Die, you bastard!"

"Damn it! You filthy old hag." The resistance leader wiped the spit from his face. "It’s time for you to die!"

He squeezed her throat harder. Madam Catarina’s face gradually turned pale as her breathing grew weaker. She desperately tried to pry his hand away, striking his arm with what little strength she had left. But her frail body couldn’t overpower him.

"That bastard..." Shaan clenched his teeth. Anger surged through him as he watched the scene unfold. "This has gone too far. That bastard needs to—"

"...Now."

Nalira’s voice cut through his anger. Mana surged around the sword in her hand. In an instant, she launched herself forward and sprinted between the rows of benches. Without hesitation, Nalira burst through the gap and struck at the Resistance leader from behind.

’SHFF!’

The Resistance leader swiftly dodged Nalira’s attack just before her blade could reach him. Even though Nalira missed her strike, she managed to save Madam Catarina, who collapsed weakly to the floor.

"Madam Catarina!" Shaan rushed toward the elderly woman as soon as he saw her condition. "Damn you! What did you do to her?"

"Ah, so there are more pests." The Resistance leader calmly brushed the fine dust from his clothes. "I never expected you to track me down."

"You bastard!" Shaan glared at the Resistance leader. "I’ll make sure I defeat you."

[Activating the Aspira Ignis]

Mana erupted around Shaan’s body. He shot forward and unleashed a barrage of attacks at the Resistance leader. Nalira joined him, and together they attacked from both sides, striking relentlessly in an attempt to overwhelm their opponent.

But defeating the Resistance leader proved far more difficult than Shaan had expected. The man’s movements were incredibly fast—far faster than those of the enemies they had fought earlier. He effortlessly blocked and deflected every attack from Shaan and Nalira.

’Cling! Cling!’

’Damn it...’ Shaan’s breathing grew heavier. ’Our attacks are working perfectly together. So how can he dodge them so easily?’

His smile turned sly as he watched the two of them begin to tire. "Oh, is that all you’ve got?" the Resistance leader laughed. "Well then, now it’s my turn."

As Shaan and Nalira launched another attack, a dark aura suddenly engulfed the Resistance leader. Then, he vanished. Before either of them could react, he reappeared directly behind them.

"What?!"

They spun around and immediately tried to counterattack. Too late. The Resistance leader struck first. A powerful blow slammed into both of them, sending their bodies flying across the chamber.

"Ug-ugh!" Shaan crashed hard against the floor. He slowly pushed himself up, blood filling his mouth.

’Damn it... This guy is incredibly strong.’

"I told you from the beginning." The Resistance leader calmly walked toward them. "Your strength can never match—"

’Cling!’

"Interesting." He raised one hand and blocked Nalira’s sudden attack with his bare palm. "I didn’t expect you to still have enough strength to attack me after taking that hit."

"...Where is She?" Nalira clenched her jaw and glared at him. "Where is Elsie?!"

"Oh, do you mean that foolish girl?" The Resistance leader burst into laughter. Don’t worry. I locked her away somewhere safe."His grin widened. "She’ll make a perfect bait for the dark creature."

"You son of a b*tch!"

Nalira lunged at him. She unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks, each strike faster than the last. At the same time, she ordered Satan to join the fight and help overwhelm the Resistance leader. But none of it worked. The Resistance leader effortlessly blocked every attack. Then, with frightening speed, he counterattacked.

’WHAM!’

Nalira’s body went flying across the chamber. The punch slammed into Nalira’s stomach.

"Gah—!"

The Resistance leader’s fist slammed into Nalira’s stomach and sent her crashing through a nearby statue. Nalira collapsed among the rubble. She didn’t move.

"Na-Nalira!"

Shaan clenched his fists and desperately tried to stand. "I swear I’ll—"

’CRASH!’

His legs suddenly gave out. "My... body..." Shaan collapsed onto the floor, blood pouring from his mouth. "D-Damn it... I can’t move." His arms trembled as he tried to push himself up, but his exhausted body refused to respond.

"Now..." The Resistance leader slowly approached Nalira, raising his sword into the air. "I’ll finish you off first—"

He suddenly stopped. Something glimmered among the fragments of the shattered statue. "Hm?"

The Resistance leader lowered his sword and crouched down. He reached between the pieces of rubble and picked up the mysterious object. His eyes widened.

"Finally... the key." A wide grin spread across his face as he stared at the key in his hand. "At last..." He tightened his grip around it. "Now, I can take control of everything."