Shaltear Vs First Seat
It was the Black Scripture, the Slane Theocracy's final trump card, a special forces unit comprising individuals with heroic-level abilities. One could even think of them as a group made up of Adamantite-ranked adventurers.
When they sensed the presence of an unknown intruder, their gazes, filled with hostility, turned to Shalltear.
Shalltear also took notice of them, especially a man among them with long, flowing black hair and crimson eyes.
'Is he the one whose level Albedo estimated to be in the 80s?' she wondered.
The handsome black-haired man took a low stance, ready to attack at any moment, his spear held straight up.
An uneasy silence passed.
Following the lead of the black-haired man, the rest of the humans, sweating and cautious, took combat stances.
Shalltear looked at them with an amused gaze.
She spoke to the handsome black-haired man, who seemed to be the strongest.
"You look pretty strong."
"What are you talking about?" he replied, his eyes narrowing.
"Estimated level is in the 80s. The rest are just minnows. And the old lady over there... Hmm? The World Item Albedo mentioned. It's similar to that. So, it's that dress, I see..."
At Shalltear's self-talk, the black-haired man tilted his head, puzzled. He, the first seat of the Black Scripture, observed Shalltear's aim intently.
She only looked at Kaire.
'Is she aiming for the Sacred Treasure?' The first seat couldn't help but think.
The Sacred Treasure, an item left by the Six Great Gods, was a powerful relic. The 1st seat believed that the girl radiating an undead aura in front of them was targeting the Sacred Treasure—the Downfall of Castle and Country.
Having grasped the situation, the 1st seat shouted to everyone in the unit.
"From now on, destroy the target! Everyone, prepare for battle! The target's goal is the Sacred Treasure Downfall of Castle and Country! Concentrate on protecting Kaire-sama and activating the Sacred Treasure!"
At the command, the Black Scripture moved in unison.
Their captain, the 1st seat, known as the strongest in the Black Scripture, focused on activating Downfall of Castle and Country while maintaining a grim expression.
What did this mean?
It meant that the petite girl before them was an opponent so formidable that even the 1st seat couldn't handle her alone.
To prepare for Shalltear's surprise attack, the 8th rank, Myriad Barriers—Cedran, raised his shield with both hands.
Next to him, the 9th seat, Divine Chain—Beaurmarchais, spun his chain and stood beside Cedran, ready for the impending confrontation.
The rest of the members quickly formed a battle formation, and immediately the 1st seat rushed towards Shalltear.
Except for the 1st seat, the rest of the members focused on protecting Kaire to ensure the activation of Downfall of Castle and Country.
Meanwhile, the 1st seat engaged in battle with Shalltear.
He activated his martial arts, causing a blue light to glow at the tip of his spear, which emanated tremendous power. Few in the Black Scripture could stop this attack. The only one who had ever completely blocked it was the former Extra Seat, Antilene Heran Fouche, known as "Certain Death."
No one else could completely block this attack. The skillful spear strike of the 1st seat aimed straight for Shalltear's heart.
-Shaaaaa!!
The speed of the spear slicing through the air was incredible. The attack was fierce, with enough momentum to pierce Shalltear's heart, but strangely, it was effortlessly deflected. The spear strike was rendered ineffective.
Clank!
A heavy crash resounded as Shalltear moved behind the 1st seat in an instant, brandishing her divine-class weapon, the Spuit Lance.
Swoosh!
The 1st seat pierced through the afterimage of Shalltear, who had vanished before his eyes. A chill ran down his spine, sharpening his senses. He struggled to block the attack aimed at his back by angling his spear obliquely.
Clank!
As another crash erupted, the 1st seat retreated significantly.
He let out a rough breath and looked at Shalltear with an expression of disbelief, especially at her weapon, which was a lance.
The Spuit Lance was a Divine Class Weapon, Shalltear's main weapon, and it was impervious to the 1st seat's attack.
Shalltear smiled at him with an intrigued look, noting that he was much stronger than the blue-haired human, Brain Unglaus, whom she had fought earlier.
No, it wasn't just about being strong. This opponent was incomparably stronger than Brain Unglaus. Shalltear grotesquely stretched the corners of her mouth up to her ears, struggling to contain her joy.
As expected by Albedo, the 1st seat was indeed at the 80s level. In a world so weak that Shalltear had grown bored of encountering creatures that died as easily as slicing tofu, this was a thrilling change.
Finally, she had met a truly strong human.
Shalltear instinctively knew from the force of his blow that killing this man would make her happy.
"Come on, come on!"
-Quaang!
Shalltear moved like a gale, disappearing from sight as if she had teleported. The 1st seat missed her afterimage at that tremendous speed.
He was wary of his surroundings and raised his spear, ready to stab unconditionally if she approached.
But even the sharp eyes of the 1st seat couldn't follow Shalltear's movements.
"Ahahahaha! I am here!!"
-Kaang!
Splash!
Blood splattered.
A gaping wound appeared on his shoulder, and his blood flowed down her arm. The 1st seat struggled to support himself, grabbing his trembling right arm.
"Ah, sorry. I tried to tear off the arm itself, but it seems like you were careful—well, it won't be the same this time."
Declaring that, Shalltear vanished again.
Splash!
"Ugh!"
Again, blood stained the ground. The 1st seat let out a short scream and looked at his now-empty right side.
His right arm was severed at the shoulder, exposing pure white bone. Blood gushed out in torrents, soaking the ground.
"I was going to say something, but... excuse me. Hehe..."
Shalltear raised the severed arm of the 1st seat to her mouth and licked the blood. The taste was sweet on her tongue.
"Haa. Even strong human blood is quite sweet."
Shalltear, drenched in blood with a crazed expression, reveled in the moment. The 1st seat glared at her, his expression filled with pain and disgust. The bleeding was so severe that he struggled to remain conscious.
However, the 1st seat knew that if he fell, all his comrades would be in danger. He reflected on his own complacency. This monster was stronger than him, perhaps on par with an extra seat or a True Dragon Lord.
He couldn't afford to collapse here. As the captain of the Black Scripture, he had to fight to protect humanity from this evil. That was his duty as the protector of humanity—the Captain of the Black Scripture.
The 1st seat managed to stop the bleeding and held his spear with his left hand. He risked further injury, even death.
Martial arts were activated one after another.
Stab!
But the martial arts didn't activate; their remnants scattered like particles.
The 1st seat clutched his abdomen, which had been suddenly pierced. He vomited blood and fell backward.
Cold air seeped through the hole in his body.
"I won't kill you. You're a pretty important sample. You guys are an offering to my beloved Lord."
Shalltear walked past the collapsed 1st seat, holding her Spuit Lance.
"You...!"
The 1st seat struggled to get up, but the bleeding was so severe that he collapsed again. He didn't have the strength to speak.
Nonethless, somehow, he squeezed out his last strength and roared.
"N-now... Uh, shoot it now!!"
Kaire, who had been preparing, finally activated the Downfall of Castle and Country. A blinding light enveloped the area, and the power was aimed directly at Shaltear.