The crimson blood, gem-like in its magnificence, merged into the blood-drenched chest as if adding fuel to the flames of rage.
Maye's eyes became angry once again, and bloodstains slowly emerged on his sclera like disgusting, twisted threadworms while the muttering from his mouth changed, no longer calling out Margaret's name but instead becoming a series of unconscious murmurs.
Next to him, Naris looked at the monster now completely under his control with satisfaction and nodded his head contentedly.
'Barely reaching the power of a Basic Level Second Rank, still not too bad… and it was worth expending a drop of my precious true blood.'
'It's just a pity that there wasn't enough time for a meticulous preparation.'
Naris slightly shook his head with a touch of regret.
A wizard fallen to corruption and mutation, although the favorite offering to the divine and the best material for the transformation Divine Arts bestowed by the Lord… was equally troublesome to process.
Such conditions obviously didn't exist on the battlefield.
"Go, pursue the remaining wizards," Naris withdrew his gaze and once again ordered Mayer.
Although it took some time to restabilize Mayer's condition and Colin's figure had disappeared from sight, Naris did not worry in the slightest about being unable to catch up to Colin.
Naris reached out his hand.
Margaret's body was immediately pulled into his grasp, her eyes wide open in death, her face still bearing the remnants of reluctance and… rage.
"Rage—" Naris said solemnly, holding up Margaret's corpse with one hand and clutching the Divine Emblem to his chest with the other as he softly declared: "Rage shall guide my way!"
No sooner had his words fallen than the Divine Emblem in his hand emitted a faint red glow.
The red light flickered in the wind like mist.
Moments later, under the guidance of an inexplicable force, it pointed in a definitive direction…
At the thought, the three-meter-tall monster beside Naris lifted him and Margaret, before tearing through the night sky, becoming a streak of red light, and flying swiftly and silently towards the direction indicated by the red mist!
*
*
*
The night breeze blew gently as the slaughter on Gubier Island continued.
Orange light was visible everywhere, the fire burning.
Colin, with his keen eyesight, could still plainly see, in the glow of the flames, blood and limbs falling like rain…
At this moment, he was fleeing on the west side of Gubier City.
Although Mayer's figure was not visible behind him for the time being, Colin felt no sense of relief.
The ghost-like speed Mayer had shown earlier was something he hadn't forgotten.
Moreover… he always felt a kind of inexplicable malice, like an incurable disease in the bones, which had been following him since a while ago.
Thinking this, Colin involuntarily increased his output of Magic Power a little more, and his flying speed suddenly quickened.
He was looking toward the outskirts of Gubier City, not far ahead.
'It's close, once I get there, perhaps I can encounter our side's High Rank wizards…'
On Gubier Island, the ground battles mainly consisted of First Rank and below wizards, whereas the fights above First Rank primarily took place mid-air.
About a five-minute flight ahead was the nearest High Rank battlefield he had observed.
It was, of course, very dangerous for him... but now, he didn't have much choice, and only hoped that the gaunt Priest would know better and retreat.
After all, as dangerous as the High Rank battlefield was for him, for the peculiar Priest who deliberately hid himself, it was clearly even more perilous!
Whoosh!
But just then, a piercing shriek sounded as a streak of red light flew towards him!
As if his heart was being squeezed, Colin's face changed, and he swiftly dodged to the right.
Swish!!
With the Swift Skill enhanced by the Foolishness Scepter and his own ultra-high reaction, he narrowly avoided the attack at the very last moment.
'He's come so fast!' Colin's heart sank as he watched Mayer in front of him.
But the crimson monster didn't pause at all and turned around to grab at him again.
Mechanical Mind allowed Colin to cast aside any unnecessary emotions, Superbrain working furiously fast!
The next moment.
Swish!
He shifted slightly to the left, and the massive claw swung by once more, missing him as it grazed past his side.
The gust of wind it brought up stirred Colin's blond hair, but it didn't affect his movements in the slightest.
Boom!!
An orange Fireball shot out precisely from his hand, striking the chest.
The blast caused Mayer to stagger, giving Colin the chance to retreat backwards.
But before Colin could catch his breath, the angry monster attacked again!
Swish!
The same scenario played out once more, and with the combination of various witchcrafts and Talent that suited him, Colin was like a dancer balancing on the edge of a knife, constantly engaging the monster Mayer.
"Truly astonishing," a voice suddenly came.
Whoosh!
Mayer's attacking motion abruptly halted.
Colin keenly seized the moment, shooting out another Fireball.
Boom!
The Fireball struck Mayer's head with pinpoint accuracy, yet Mayer seemed not to notice, nonchalantly moving back to the side, next to Naris.
Meanwhile, his scorched face restored to its original state in the blink of an eye… such a recovery ability, probably even more extraordinary than his own Strong Life Talent!
Colin watched Mayer, not pursuing, but standing in place, warily watching the frail Priest in front of him holding Margaret's body, taking the opportunity to catch his breath.
Meanwhile, inside the wide sleeves of his Wizard Robe, he discreetly pulled out the Demon Release Ring and Magic Stone, taking the chance to replenish his Magic Power.