CRASH!!!

Thunder split the sky as Lawrence plummeted from above, landing on Sky Nation's battlefield. After recovering some strength, the Alliance Commander had rushed down to ground level.

Lawrence wanted to assess Sky Nation's damage, but more importantly, he had to resolve the massive confusion gnawing at him.

The moment he touched down, Lawrence didn't have time to marvel at the battlefield's devastation. An ominous aura immediately grabbed his attention, putting him instantly on high alert as he traced its source.

"What... what is that?!"

Under Lawrence's shock and grave gaze, a stunning black-haired girl crouched on the ground in obvious pain.

Two completely different powers swirled around her body, the terrifying crimson light of Shadow power, and the golden-red holy light representing the Judgment Saint's strength.

The scarlet aura reeking of evil and hatred surged wildly around the girl, trying to corrupt every inch of her skin, every cell. Meanwhile, the golden-red light seemed to protect her essence, radiating warm, sacred brilliance against the crimson erosion. A silent, fierce battle raged between them.

As the two forces clashed continuously, the black-haired girl's beautiful face twisted with agony. Her expression overflowed with struggle and unwillingness. Her fingers clawed desperately at the dirt, as if that could give her support against the soul-corrupting power. Her body trembled constantly while crimson and golden light formed intersecting halos around her, halos that seemed to contain destructive energy, making Lawrence feel pressure just from approaching.

Sensing that evil crimson light, Lawrence clenched his fists.

So it was this bastard... who injured the Lady Saint...

But why was her aura like this?

Shadow power and the Judgment Saint's divine force, why would these two utterly conflicting powers appear in the same person?

Along with wariness, confusion surged through Lawrence's heart like a spring flood.

He turned his gaze toward a familiar face near Barrier Master Vinova, with whom he'd had some dealings.

Vinova completely ignored the violently clashing forces, standing silently beside the black-haired girl.

Light gathered in her palms as she activated powerful support magic, Savir's Holy Light Soul Blessing. This spell constructed a light shield from six prismatic crystals that surrounded the black-haired girl, providing spiritual strength and reinforcing her soul to help resist the crimson abyssal power trying to corrupt her.

Vinova also channeled all her remaining strength, trying to help Yumo suppress the Shadow power.

Vinova's brow furrowed with pain, this support casting was continuously draining her stamina and soul force.

As time passed, Vinova's complexion turned pale, sweat sliding down her forehead. But her eyes blazed with unwavering determination. Her hands held steady in the magic formation as light poured from her fingertips into the shield surrounding Yumo. Though each magical supplement drained her further, her resolve never wavered.

Her body shook violently, showing extreme exhaustion and pain, but Vinova's eyes remained filled with resolve and determination. She showed no intention of backing down.

"Lady Saint, you... you must hold on..."

Vinova said firmly.

She was so focused on helping Yumo that she didn't notice Lawrence behind her until he spoke anxiously.

"Lady Vinova, what are you doing?!"

Hearing this, Vinova finally noticed the newcomer. After turning to see his face clearly, she didn't bother with pleasantries but urgently called for Lawrence's help:

"Lawrence! Quick, help me, I can barely suppress it anymore!"

"Hah?..."

Faced with Vinova's plea, Lawrence hesitated, frozen in place. His gaze toward the black-haired girl filled with conflict.

"This Abyssal Lord... what exactly is she..."

"Lawrence! Watch your attitude!! This lady is not an Abyssal Lord!!"

Hearing Lawrence's words, Vinova endured her pain and snapped at him harshly, her eyes blazing with murderous intent.

"She's the Judgment Saint! Not some monster like an Abyssal Lord!"

"Huh? What!?..."

The rebuke stunned Lawrence, even sending him stepping back several paces from Vinova's killing intent. Then he looked at the black-haired girl with confusion.

"Is she really the Judgment Saint? Then what about that Shadow power around her? Just 10 minutes ago, she was attacking our fleet so viciously..."

After hesitating a moment, Lawrence voiced his concerns.

"The one who attacked us before wasn't the Lady Saint, it was that bastard Abyssal Lord trying to possess her body!"

"Possess her body?"

Lawrence frowned as he didn't understand her word compleatly.

"What's going on?"

"An Abyssal Lord's consciousness corrupted the Judgment Saint's body. That bastard wants to steal the Judgment Saint's body and abilities, then use her form to slaughter Alliance members and turn us against her. Earlier, with the Guiding Saint's help, the Judgment Saint barely managed to regain control of her body. That damned Abyssal Lord is so vicious..."

"Is this really true?"

"Of course it's true!"

Hearing Lawrence's doubt about her savior, Vinova roared angrily:

"I personally fought that Abyssal Lord! Those rainbow-colored eyes, that violent aura, completely different from the current Lady Saint! Obviously two different beings! Besides, Lady Saint just saved us from Lena! You're only alive because her holiness scared off the demon hordes! If she really was an Abyssal Lord, why would she save us? Is she stupid?!!!"

"So that's how it is..."

Understanding flashed in Lawrence's eyes upon hearing Vinova's explanation.

He gradually grasped the current situation.

No wonder the Guiding Saint's attacks had all been suppressive rather than lethal strikes against that Abyssal girl. He'd wondered why the Guiding Saint seemed so hesitant. So it was to awaken the Judgment Saint's consciousness?!!

I see... I see...

Lawrence felt like he understood the situation now.

Realizing she was one of the great Three Saints, Lawrence immediately dropped his wariness. He bowed to Yumo with sincere respect and apology.

"I'm terribly sorry, your holiness. I was discourteous just now."

However, Lawrence's formal bow nearly drove Vinova to distraction.

"Forget the bowing!! Get over here and help me!! That Abyssal consciousness is trying to steal her body again!!!"

"Oh, coming, coming!!"

After stumbling slightly, Lawrence rushed to Vinova's side and immediately channeled what little strength he had left, trying to help Yumo suppress the Abyssal Lord's consciousness within her.

Of course, the two lv9 powerhouses busy channeling spiritual energy to suppress the crimson blood-light, along with the anxious Alliance survivors watching from a distance, had no capacity to notice certain details.

For a moment...

The black-haired girl who was supposedly suffering terribly while fighting fiercely against the Abyssal consciousness now had a meaningful smile playing at the corners of her lips.

...

...

Hehe~~ They took the bait~~