"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

Pouring every drop of spiritual power into the formation while burning fragments of their souls, Vinova and Lawrence channeled everything they possessed, desperate screams echoing through chaos as the magical construct blazed with their combined will.

Sweat drenching her face, brow furrowed in concentration, Vinova focused her remaining strength into the magic array, magical light tracing complex runes through air while constructing defenses against the crimson abyssal assault, lips pressed tight with resolve as she fought to protect the Judgment Saint, the living symbol of everything she believed in.

For one breathtaking moment, golden light flickered between heaven and earth.

The demonic power spilling from the black-haired girl wavered, showing first signs of suppression.

"Can we, can we succeed?!" Hope blazed in Vinova's eyes.

But that hope lasted mere heartbeats.

Crimson abyssal power's fury exploded beyond expectations, tearing at Vinova's magical defenses like a savage beast while each thunderous impact made the light shield tremble, cracks spreading like spider webs as Vinova's face grew pale, cold sweat streaming down her cheeks.

In one violent collision, the magic formation blazed with brilliant light before shattering like glass, fragments scattering around them as crimson blood-light erupted, overwhelming everything and plunging Alliance survivors back into despair.

Backlash struck like an invisible sledgehammer, slamming into Vinova's chest as her face turned ghastly pale, blood spilling from her mouth while staining her robes, the broken formation delivering a crushing blow to both body and spirit.

Staggering backward as strength failed her, the Barrier Master collapsed to the ground, her eyes filled with bitter sorrow as blood trickled from her lips.

Lawrence, who had been supporting her efforts, felt his face drain of color the moment the formation shattered, clenching his hand into fists with veins bulging before he spat blood, the crimson liquid arcing through air as his knees slammed into the ground with a dull thud, hands bracing against earth.

"Damn it..." They had underestimated this Shadow power.

***

Using her staff for support while struggling against despair, Vinova rose from the ground, body swaying though her eyes remained firm, filled with regret as she looked toward the black-haired girl with a gaze brimming with self-blame.

Without the barrier's protection, crimson abyssal power spread unrestrained around the black-haired girl, suppressing the golden-red divine force while coiling around Yumo like a living thing, releasing a suffocating aura that proclaimed its complete possession of her.

Every crimson tendril mocked their efforts as the black-haired girl became isolated, surrounded by terrifying crimson glow.

Despair spread like poison.

"I'm sorry, Lady Saint... we're useless..." Biting her lip hard, Vinova blamed herself for her weakness.

But then a gentle female voice drifted into her ears.

"Don't blame yourselves. This isn't your fault."

"Lady Saint?!"

Even as crimson Shadow power devoured her consciousness, the black-haired girl looked at Vinova with gentle eyes, no trace of blame, only tolerance and holiness befitting a real Saint.

"This is power that Lena couldn't suppress. You've held out well."

Vinova's eyes moistened, looking at the black-haired girl with complex emotions, gratitude and sorrow intertwined as she bit her lip, trying to suppress feelings while unable to hide the turmoil in her heart.

"Lady Saint, please wait, I'll create another barrier..." Spitting blood while channeling spiritual power, Vinova spoke with desperate determination.

"No need. You can't help me anymore..." The black-haired girl smiled bitterly, voice weak and desolate. "Stop wasting your life force. Leave while I can suppress that bastard... Otherwise, you'll be in danger."

"Hold on, Lady Saint!! Emergency reinforcements are coming!!"

"There's no time..."

"But..." Vinova bit her lip in anguish.

For the first time, this lv9 Barrier Master felt insignificant.

However, faced with Yumo's urging, Lawrence rose from the ground, shaking his head.

"No, Lady Saint... We can't leave. If we go, that Abyssal Lord will take over your consciousness. The consequences would be unthinkable."

Having witnessed the Abyssal Lord's power firsthand, Lawrence was shaken, understanding what terrible things would happen if the Judgment Saint's body was possessed again.

No matter the cost, they had to stop that Abyssal Lord here.

"Milady, is there anything we can do?!" Pressing his chest while speaking with reverence, Lawrence pleaded.

"Yes!! Anything!!" Vinova echoed.

Hearing this, Yumo shrouded in crimson blood-light paused, curving her lips in an imperceptible evil smile.

They finally asked.

Hiding that smile while enduring pain throughout her body, Yumo trembled as she raised her head, gazing over Vinova and Lawrence before settling on the terrified Alliance soldiers in the distance, focusing on Vinova.

"Your ability is related to teleportation, right?"

"Yes!! My Authority is Raphael's Spacetime Wheel! It transfers objects within visual range to designated areas!" Vinova answered without hesitation, though Authority was a lv9 powerhouse's greatest secret, she had no thought of concealment when facing the Lady Saint.

Vinova's eyes lit up with understanding.

"I get it, Lady Saint!! You want me to teleport you to Alliance Headquarters! The strong people there can suppress that Abyssal Lord's consciousness! My stamina is enough for one more use."

"No..." Yumo shook her head, rejecting the suggestion.

"No? Then what do you mean?"

"Teleport me... into the Trial Space..."

"Trial Space?!" Vinova and Lawrence exchanged shocked glances, both seeing incomprehension in the other's eyes.

"What are you going there for?"

"This guy... is vicious..." Pressing her chest while speaking with pain, the black-haired girl continued: "We cannot let her escape... I have to seal her away. Using the Judgment Temple and all my life force might not be enough... The Trial Space is isolated from the outside world. If I merge the entire space into the seal, that should suppress this monster..."

"Lady Saint, you don't need to do this!! I'll teleport you to Alliance Headquarters, they can help you!"

"Are you sure?!! This is a monster that Lena couldn't suppress!!" Yumo's face showed fierce intensity as she roared. "This is the last chance. If we fail... my body will be occupied by this Abyssal Lord, and then the entire Alliance Headquarters will be finished!"

Shocked by this outburst, Vinova lowered her head.

"But if that happens, won't you... also be sealed inside?"

The black-haired girl shrouded in crimson blood-light raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a tragically beautiful smile.

"Isn't eliminating Abyssal monsters... the Saint's duty?"

"Your holiness..." Sensing Yumo's spirit of self-sacrifice, Vinova wiped her eyes and nodded.

"I understand!"