The townsfolk’s worries were not unfounded.
The power that the Black-armored Knight had just displayed was truly terrifying, like a force of nature that could easily crush the entire Knights.
The “Holy Lady” in their eyes, although capable of wielding miraculous Light-element magic to dispel plagues and purify the undead, still embodied a power of life and healing.
Could she really stand against such a purely powerful undead Black-armored Knight?
Many in their hearts had already lost hope, silently praying for a miracle to happen again, yet feeling the chance was slim.
Could it be that the Holy Lady—so beautiful and divine as if descended from the heavens—would fall today at the hands of this terrifying undead knight?
No, please!
***
On the wooden stage.
Su Nian stared at the fearsome Black-armored Knight preparing to charge, and even though she knew it was all an act, she instinctively tensed up.
Just standing there, that knight exuded a suffocating, deathly pressure.
To confront head-on a charge from such a tireless and deathless undead knight required tremendous courage.
Even if it was just a performance.
She steadied herself, but inside her mind raced.
The Horned Demon Bastard’s order was for this to be a show—to have her “repel” this giant brute and maintain her “Holy Lady” image.
She still didn’t know what nasty scheme the Horned Demon Bastard was plotting this time.
The details of the act were a trivial matter; after all, she was skilled by now.
But… this was also a chance to test strength.
Since this terrifying knight was now the Horned Demon Bastard’s subordinate, when the time came for her revenge, this dreadful knight would be an unavoidable powerful enemy.
So now, under the guise of “acting,” she could probe its true strength.
Her thoughts racing, Su Nian slowly raised her hands, her slender, pale fingers elegantly intertwining before her chest.
The Light elemental energy floating in the air seemed to respond silently to her call, converging like a gentle stream to form a visible, soft halo around her.
Pure and warm energy flowed and condensed inside her body.
Her new Light-element Magic Robe billowed slightly, the hems fluttering as if moved by a breeze, the sacred radiance growing ever more intense.
“In the name of the Holy Light, purify all evil in this world!”
Su Nian’s voice pierced through the glow, clear and resolute, echoing over the silent square with undeniable authority.
She didn’t actually need to chant—the mastery of an S-class mage over the elements long transcended the need for words.
But since it was a performance, she had to give it her all.
Otherwise, how could she satisfy the frightened yet hopeful “audience” below?
This “chant” before the “ultimate move” would better highlight her forthcoming “feat” of repelling the mighty enemy.
A pillar of radiant, blinding Holy Light suddenly burst forth from her intertwined palms!
The pillar was thick and solid, containing overwhelming power to purify all things, roaring straight toward the colossal, steel-like fearsome knight—the Black-armored Knight known as Da Hei!
The power was carefully controlled at a critical point.
It had to be grand and dazzling enough to look like it would “deal a heavy blow” and “repel” the powerful undead knight, but not truly injure it, lest that Horned Demon Bastard come back to cause trouble for her.
“Roar—!!!”
In response to the terrifying impact of the Holy Light, the fearsome knight let out a hoarse roar filled with pain and unwillingness.
It raised its massive Heavy Black Iron Greatsword, blocking in front of its body, as dark energy swirled, trying to fend off the purifying radiance.
“Boom—!!!”
The collision of Holy Light and dark energy exploded instantly into a deafening roar.
The dazzling white light instantly swallowed everything in the center of the square.
A violent shockwave radiated outward in visible circular ripples, wildly spreading in all directions!
Wherever the shockwave passed, stones scattered and flew.
The townsfolk hiding at a distance instinctively shut their eyes tight, shielding their faces with their arms.
As the light faded, everyone hurriedly opened their eyes.
On the wooden stage, the “Holy Lady” still stood proudly, her Light-element Magic Robe flowing with a soft glow.
Her sacred and untouchable aura remained undiminished.
If anything, it was even more majestic after demonstrating such great power.
But the fearsome knight—Da Hei—struck by the Holy Light head-on, looked somewhat “disheveled.”
Its arm gripping the greatsword trembled slightly, and across the heavy black armor on its chest was a large scorch mark where the Holy Light had burned and melted the metal.
Thin wisps of black smoke still rose from the armor’s edges, emitting a pungent burnt smell.
Da Hei let out another low growl, full of unwillingness and caution.
It glared deeply at Su Nian, then dragged its heavy Heavy Black Iron Greatsword, moving with noticeably “sluggish” steps, slowly retreating.
Each step left a heavy footprint on the stone slabs, as if to emphasize the “serious wounds” it had suffered.
Finally, it withdrew to the edge of the fissure pit it had emerged from.
Its massive body, filled with reluctance, fell back into the depths below.
With a rumbling of tumbling earth and stones, the pit rapidly sealed itself, and the ground smoothed out as if the black knight that had brought death and fear had never appeared.
The square returned once more to a deathlike silence.
Only Leon Morsen, the Knight Commander who had been struck by Da Hei, lay collapsed on the broken wooden platform like a puddle of mud, the grotesque dent in his chest and the steady seep of blood proving that everything that had just happened was not a hallucination.
After the brief silence, “W-we won…?” A trembling voice sounded, filled with incredulous joy.
“The Holy Lady… repelled that monster!” another voice quivered with tears, filled with relief after surviving the ordeal.
“Oh my god! The Holy Lady saved us!”
“Long live the Holy Lady!”
The townsfolk who had regained their composure erupted into cheers even more fervent and loud than before.
The way they looked at Su Nian was no longer just gratitude and admiration—their eyes now held a nearly fanatical reverence and awe.
Having witnessed the “Holy Lady” dispel the plague, purify the undead, and now repel that terrifying Black-armored undead knight,
This was truly a miracle!
Proof that light had triumphed over darkness!
Countless people knelt again, worshiping Su Nian on the wooden stage, their foreheads pressed against the cold, dirty ground.
They kept chanting “Holy Lady” with voices trembling in excitement and tears streaming down their faces, as if they had found the only light in their lives.
Su Nian stood amidst the fervent worship and cheers, bathed in countless devout gazes, listening to those heartfelt cries of “Holy Lady,” and a subtle, almost dizzying feeling rose in her heart.
This sensation of being admired by thousands, treated like a deity, was indeed… a little intoxicating.
However… the Lover’s Prison Collar around her neck gave a faint but continuous vibration, instantly shattering that fragile, fleeting euphoria.
A strange tingling sensation stirred deep within her body, causing her brows to knit slightly and her fingertips to curl subconsciously.
That damned collar was a constant reminder that she was nothing but the Horned Demon Bastard’s property, a prize to be controlled.
Ha… Holy Lady? How ironic.
She was still completely under the Horned Demon Bastard’s control, forced to cooperate in this absurd play, with no end in sight.
“Ding dong, Humiliation Value increased by 8654.”
“Ding dong, Annoyance Value +8654.”
The cold System Notification sounds echoed in her mind, dragging her back to reality.
Now, having inadvertently gained Humiliation Value, she didn’t know how to feel.
Embarrassed, yet somehow… with a hint of satisfied accomplishment?
No matter.
At least now, she still needed to collect Humiliation Value to deal with the Horned Demon Bastard.
Once she defeated him, she wouldn’t have to endure this anymore.
Hopefully, that day would come soon.
Thankfully, this act was over.
And for her, it wasn’t a bad thing.
She had successfully shaped herself as the town’s savior—the “Holy Lady” who repelled a powerful enemy.
Perhaps in the future, this identity would come in handy against the Horned Demon Bastard.
Though she hadn’t yet figured out exactly how.
As Su Nian pondered, The Knight Commander Leon Morsen, who had been collapsed on the ground like a dead dog, suddenly stirred.
More precisely, it was a dying flicker of life.
He struggled to open his swollen, bloodied eyelids, his blurred vision focusing on Su Nian standing not far from him, bathed in radiance.
He knew his own condition—his sternum shattered, internal organs likely ruptured in many places—and if he didn’t receive the most expert treatment immediately, he wouldn’t survive the day.
Preferably… treatment from a Light-element healing mage.
And right before him was exactly that!
A powerful Light-element healing mage who had just displayed miraculous power!
The instinct to survive overrode all fear and lingering pride.
Leon Morsen summoned his last strength, wheezing, and weakly pleaded, “Save… me…”
His voice was feeble but clear enough for the nearby townsfolk and Su Nian to hear.
“Holy… Holy Lady… please… please save me…” He weakly raised a bloodstained, trembling hand toward Su Nian, his eyes filled with fear of death and desperate will to live.
The once majestic Knight Commander, who had drawn his sword against her just moments ago, was now as humble as dust.
His half-broken sword slipped powerless to the side.
The cheers in the square gradually faded as all eyes focused on the wooden stage.
The townsfolk looked at the pitiful Knight Commander on the ground, then at their revered Holy Lady, their expressions complex.
Some showed satisfaction, feeling that the wicked got what they deserved.
Others revealed pity—it was still a life.
But most simply waited quietly to see how the Holy Lady would deal with the villain who had just sought to harm her.
Su Nian lowered her eyelids, her long lashes concealing a flash of disgust and coldness deep within her amber eyes.
Save this wicked knight?
She wanted nothing more than to unleash a fireball right now.
But… she glanced at the expectant, reverent gazes of the townsfolk below.
Now that she was the “Holy Lady,” she was supposed to show mercy… otherwise, her persona would crumble.
When in doubt…
Activate System!