Chapter 116: Kado City’s Catastrophe

“Sophie!”

Lights flickered to life behind Sophie, followed by the arrival of several more figures.

Via focused her gaze and realized these were members of the Holy Knight Order—including Knight Captain Yuwen.

Yuwen led his knights to Via and Sophie, his expression one of surprise.

“Miss Via is here too?”

“Yeah, I found her,” Sophie said, glancing at Yuwen. “Via got lucky—no injuries.”

“I see. That’s a relief,” Yuwen paused. “Miss Sophie, this is grave. On Saint Prayer Day of all times, abyss-corrupted beasts show up and unleash this nightmare. Kado City’s packed with civilians!”

Sophie’s face grew solemn.

“Miss Sophie, we have to confront that monster now—protect the people of Kado City!”

“Yeah.”

Sophie agreed with Yuwen’s words.

After an incident like this, it was the duty of the Holy Land’s clerics to battle the beasts and safeguard the innocents.

Whether Holy Knights or saintess candidates.

“Sir Yuwen, I’ll join you in fighting the monster,” Sophie said. “But I want you to assign some men to escort Via out of Kado City safely.”

“Miss Via?”

Yuwen frowned.

The other Holy Knights showed clear displeasure at that.

Everyone here had steeled themselves to risk their lives against the abyss, to offer themselves for the faith.

And yet Sophie wanted her fellow saintess candidate Via to flee the field?

“Miss Via is a cleric too.”

“Yes, I know. But this is my one request.”

Sophie stood firm, even after Yuwen’s reminder.

She’d grown suspicious of Via, but she wouldn’t gamble on it—not even a one percent chance. She couldn’t let mere doubt put her sister in harm’s way.

“Via’s different from me. She has no holy power; she won’t contribute to the fight. Having her on the battlefield would only distract me. If I’m not at full strength because of that…”

“Fine.”

Yuwen relented.

“Sis, you’re going… to face that monster?!”

Via clutched Sophie’s hand.

She knew full well how terrifying an abyssal beast was. Even at the same tier, it outclassed other beasts by far.

Because abyssal beasts could wield Abyssal Force.

Letting Sophie—who hadn’t even reached Transcendent-tier—confront a Transcendent-tier abyssal beast meant certain death.

“Yes.” Sophie nodded.

“No way—that’s impossible! Come with me!”

“Via, be good. Don’t throw a fit.”

“But—”

“No buts. You have to survive.”

Sophie ignored Via’s pleas. She glanced at Yuwen.

He nodded and signaled his subordinates to escort Via from the cavern.

Kado City had become an inferno of chaos, shrill alarms wailing overhead.

Abyss-corrupted beasts rampaged through the streets, attacking all living things indiscriminately, spreading their foul aura.

Holy Knights of the Holy Land joined forces with Saint Luo Empire soldiers in desperate resistance against the horde.

Terrified civilians fled everywhere, bolting down every alley and avenue.

But with every exit sealed, where could they run?

“…Miss Via, there’s a secret passage from the City Lord’s Mansion leading outside the city. It hasn’t been blocked yet.”

A Holy Knight escorted Via toward the City Lord’s Mansion.

“Once you reach it, you can slip through the underground tunnel to safety beyond Kado City.”

“There’s a secret passage?” Via asked, surprised.

“Yes. The city lord prepared it in secret. Who knew it’d come in handy like this.”

“Then why aren’t these people heading to the mansion?” Via gestured at the fleeing crowds on the street, puzzled.

“The passage is narrow—too small for this many. If word got out to the desperate masses, they’d swarm it without mercy. It’d clog up in no time, trapping everyone. Better to keep it quiet, ensure a few key figures make it out.”

Via got the point.

Those with status and connections could escape via the tunnel.

The common folk? They were left to face the monsters.

“Once word of Kado City’s crisis reaches the Holy Land and the Empire, reinforcements will come. If the people can just hold out until then, they’ll be saved.” The Holy Knight added.

“Yeah.”

Via didn’t call him out. In a mess like this, empty words changed nothing.

In this hellscape, the strong would seize survival from the weak.

“Mommy, Mommy—what’s wrong with Daddy…? Waaah…”

“Don’t touch my husband! He isn’t dead yet! What are you Holy Knights planning?!”

“Ma’am, step away from him. He’s been corrupted by abyssal aura—he’s turning into a monster. Let us handle this!”

Voices of helplessness and despair echoed endlessly down the streets.

In this apocalyptic nightmare, people wept and begged for miracles from the gods.

But no divine aid came. The only response was the savage snarls of the beasts.

“Ha!”

“Wait!”

Via stopped the Holy Knight cold. She’d just caught the sound of a kitten.

No mistaking it—that was Little Ha.

She followed the noise to an alleyway and spotted a blue-haired girl cradling a yellow kitten.

It was Stella and Little Ha.

Before Stella stood a civilian twisted by abyssal aura, eyes glowing red, reason long gone—now a full monster.

Little Ha hissed at it relentlessly.

“Ha! Ha! Ha!“

The corrupted man ignored the cat entirely, inching closer to Stella, poised to strike.

“Protect her!” Via told the Holy Knight.

“What?”

“Hurry—that’s the Princess of the Saint Luo Empire!” Via urged.

“Understood.”

The Holy Knight drew his weapon, charging the corrupted man. He thrust his sword through the foe’s body, pinning it to the wall, and unleashed holy power.

Under the holy power’s assault, the infected wretch let out a guttural wail as its flesh burned away.

Stella seized the moment and dashed from the alley. Spotting Via, her face lit up.

“Via!”