109 Chapter 108: Hugo's Intervention

"Funny bastard." Balir's aura changed as the imprint of a bandaged tower emerged behind him. Atop its grand spire was a flame composed of vertical eyes, and the sensation of being watched washed over Juther like a tsunami.

A wide sweep slashed the very wall apart, and the ceiling began to tilt as it fell downwards towards them. But Balir and Juther kept up with the exchanges, Juther wielding a corrupting golden cane with tenacious fury as sparks shot towards the horizon with their necks as the skyline.

Sizzling burned into skin as red welts appeared, though both had such fearsome regeneration that the wounds squirmed as they disappeared just as rapidly as they came.

Amber cloth shot out as it expanded into a shield, the ducking demon hunter flashing behind the ex priest with a vertical chop. Juther's white hair was stained with vibrant green blood as the blade dug into his head, though it wasn't because he couldn't dodge the attack.

No, it was because the man head-butted into it, forcing Balir to readjust his rhythm as he jabbed the end of the cane into his sternum. Stepping into his stance, he crazily contorted around as he escaped Balir's range, a confident look on his face.

"Fallen Tenthinian, The Veil Piercing Spear!" The cane became fully corrupted at this point, transforming into a short spear made out of green bloodstone. The depictions of wailing angels and impaled wings traced the bodice of the weapon, that was soon cloaked in luminous green radiance as it pierced forth, an energy attack smashing into an axe head brought over the heart.

"Tch." Juther was disappointed that it wasn't an instant kill, but was reinvigorated when he saw Balir stumbling and faltering. Though this didn't last long, as the amber light of the halos washed over him.

"My turn." The flames of the tower materialized as it wreathed around his great axe, and the insignia of the horn emitted dark green particles. Sucking in a cool breath under the onslaught of energy filled attacks, two arms of amber cloth carried the handle of the axe forward in addition to his grasping hands, and an intense shockwave blasted apart the foundations beneath their feet!

Falling towards the ground level, Balir sliced and diced skillfully with the hefty weapon, Juther barely able to parry as he was sliced into ribbons. A deep crater formed as Balir stood atop his opponent's chest, ready to cleave the head off with a triumphant smile when suddenly.

"REVEREND!!!" A chorus of voices accompanied with the powerful tide of crimson angelic energy interrupted him as it battered against his aura. Unable to utilize his energy, and knowing his physical strength wasn't enough to beat the regeneration of the fallen priest, he could only bring a hand to his face as he wiped away tears with a smirking countenance.

"Come here, small fry. Let me show you the dangers of engaging in demonic rituals…" Wagging his finger, he squatted on Juther's struggling form as he batted away the spear with one hand and tapped the pole of his great axe over his shoulder with the other. As if that was the invitation they were waiting for, hundreds of priests hurtled towards the now young Balir, swarming like a hornet's nest.

Blood splattered everywhere as each swing displaced bones and flesh, instead spreading them all over the sides of the crater. Regeneration techniques were used without consideration as they pelted the demon hunter, tearing away at his defenses as a war of attrition began in earnest.

With one hand, bones were crushed. With another, heads were cleaved and rolled along the floor. Stomps battered Juther and kept him from moving, and the heavy swing brought out a feeling akin to a rotary blade.

Gusts pressed the crushed bodies against the ground, pummeling them into pancakes. Clergy shivered in fear witnessing this, unable to process the overbearing strength the demon hunter displayed.

"Just abandon your faith! Hurry!"

"But…reverend…"

"Shut up and do what I say!"

Juther spat out these words along with blood as his lungs rapidly regenerated and were repeatedly destroyed. Some of the priests rebelled, running away as they could not beat to give up their gods…

But more than three fourths hurriedly listened to the fallen priests, undergoing weaker transformations as the red in the room was replaced with weaker vibrant green.

"Bring it."

The ragged tower enveloped his body as the horn insignia fluctuated. A sense of brokenness pervaded his body, almost as if he was willingly grinding his bones into powder in order to bring out the maximum power possible.

Veins burst as blood poured out from Balir, who swung without care for the sake of his body. Luckily, he regenerated fast enough so that he would have enough time to return to peak before unleashing continuous slashes against the advancing horde of fallen clergy.

—

In a dark room, the image of Balir's rampaging form appeared before a man with crimson eyes. The kind middle aged look Bie had seen earlier was entirely gone, instead replaced with a calculating disposition that seemed to only want to act when assured of victory.

"So that is where those lords placed their grace. In a demon hunter…bahahaha…! How hysterical."

Shifting on his podium, Hugo couldn't help but reveal a smile teeming with the cunningness of a fox. Watching skin litter the ground, a pure red aura leaked from his shadowed body as he overlooked the battle.

A floating beast with thick furry hide and lacked any limbs pointed its loach-like head towards the Red Angel in irritation. Wings flapped as it surrounded him, and a deep, androgynous voice was transmitted inside of Hugo's mind.

-Shouldn't you be doing something?

"You know better than anyone that I currently cannot."

-That's an excuse and you know it. Are you going to let the Autumnal Three's cherished fall to the wayside?

"Oh? Then what would you suggest I do? Those traitors and the spawn of Gant have developed a resistance to the Red Angel's energy."

-Since when has a resistance been absolute? You just want to force someone else to do the work.

"Old friend, aren't you too critical?"

-You sicken me sometimes. Hurry up and do something before that child dies.

"Fearsome woman. Tch."

And with that, Hugo stepped off of his seat and materialized a rouge door. In the pane before the now alone slithering beast, the man emerged from the doorway and flicked his hand.

Tens of feathers fell towards the ground, and hazy reddish figures took their place as they aided Balir in mowing down the traitorous demons.

Hugo and Balir's eyes met, the prior holding an uncomfortable grimace and the latter struggling to contain intense rage. Using the opponents as an outlet, the young man raged towards the skies with powerful sweeps that bifurcated two to three demons at a time!

In mere minutes, only three people were left. And in a second, there were only two.

Balir carried Juther's head, arriving before Hugo as he lobbed it at him. The Red Angel in question effortlessly caught it, face contorting in a frown as he did so.

"What. Your flock, your problem."