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Chapter: Kill the Lord

"What?" Forseti didn't understand.

Ander explained, "There's a Skrins Lord. Be cautious; their weapons are sharp and deadly. Lords of Skrins are especially cunning; they strike when you're vulnerable."

Forseti felt his heart sink.

Just then, he glanced down and noticed a golden pointer of holy light emerging from Verrigan, pointing directly to his left rear.

Not only that, the pointer flickered rapidly, reacting intensely to something.

The Sin Perception Light Pointer? It resembled the one he used to track the thief Yarlin, only much more intense.

Forseti hesitated, then asked urgently, "Ander, is the Skrins Lord right ahead?"

"How did you know?" Ander was surprised.

Forseti's suspicion grew; the Holy Light Pointer confirmed the approach of the Skrins Lord.

The pointer's reaction indicated the Lord's significant sins. But why did the Sanctuary not react similarly to other Skrins? Was this Lord particularly malevolent, exploiting others?

Forseti pushed these thoughts aside. "Let's change positions."

"You intend to kill that Lord?" Ander asked.

Forseti queried, "Is there a problem?"

"Avoiding their attacks won't be easy. Skrins Lords are cautious; they wait for the perfect moment to strike, offering no chance for retaliation."

"During large-scale attacks, several Lords may be involved, even a Grand Lord. Usually, we manage to kill one or two at most, sometimes none."

"I want to try."

Forseti didn't elaborate. He intended to test the Sword of Justice's power, fueled by the remaining Holy Light within him.

"Alright. I don't understand your confidence, but I hope you succeed," Ander replied.

"Prepare—turn!"

The two swiftly exchanged positions. Forseti glimpsed the Skrins Lord standing nearby, the Light Pointer fixed on him.

Observing Forseti and Ander's switch, the Lord narrowed his eyes, stepping back cautiously while surveying the area.

Very cautious indeed, Forseti thought.

Let's see if your caution can shield you from my Sword of Justice!

Gripping Verrigan's handle, Forseti summoned the Holy Pact.

The Sword of Justice's effect: "point and swing left," "point and swing right," "thrust downward."

Forseti roared, ignoring the Skrins around him. Verrigan's hammer surged forward, aimed directly at the Skrins Lord, wreathed in holy light.

Sword of Justice!

The energy sword, radiant with holy light and flames, materialized behind the Lord!

The Holy Light's power amplified against those steeped in sin.

The Skrins Lord, no stronger than an ordinary Skrins, had no defense against the enhanced Sword of Justice. The blade pierced through his chest in an instant!

Blood spattered!

The Lord of Skrins screamed and collapsed.

His demise threw nearby Skrins into disarray; some fled, others screamed before meeting their end.

"What?"

Heimdall, in the midst of combat, paused briefly, eyes narrowing in surprise.

But he swiftly returned his focus to the battle.

Brandishing his massive battle axe, he surged forward, continuing his relentless assault on the Skrins.

Though his movements seemed erratic, his gaze remained sharp.

Suddenly, Heimdall bellowed, altering his trajectory. Leaping over foes, he charged towards a specific Skrins.

This Skrins, fully armored with a spear, wore a distinctively composed expression—not a mere soldier but another Lord.

Hidden among the Skrins, he hadn't anticipated Heimdall's sudden approach. Startled, he raised his spear to retaliate.

But against Heimdall, surprise was futile.

The giant battle axe cleaved through him, the blow so immense that the Lord was bisected on impact, dark green blood splattering.

In swift succession, two Skrins Lords fell, sending shockwaves through the Skrins ranks.

Observing this, the Protoss soldiers intensified their onslaught. The deadlock broke.

However, Forseti and Ander's situation didn't improve. Despite chaos among the surrounding Skrins, Ander, exhausted and wounded, collapsed unconscious.

Forseti struggled, surrounded by Skrins on all sides, overwhelmed.

Heimdall's axe swung like a tempest, reaping Skrins in pairs.

Relieved at Heimdall's arrival, Forseti sensed a moment ago that death loomed.

Skrins ranks faltered, scattering in disarray, leaving a sea of green corpses in their wake.

Dark green blood stained the earth, turning patches into quagmires.

Forseti entrusted Ander to Sigurd's care.

Though Sigurd seemed about to speak, Forseti was too weary to engage, waving him off and retreating to his quarters. He slumped to the ground in exhaustion.

He'd prefer to rest on a bed, but drenched in foul Skrins blood, sleep seemed impossible.

In the Mind-Scape, he had fought countless battles, slain many foes. Yet this marked his first real-world combat, his first kills.

His hands trembled from prolonged tension and exertion, taking time to steady.

Forseti opened the Holy Pact.

[Completed vengeance, receiving vengeance reward.]

The Book of Apologies rewarded justice for lesser sins. But for grave sins, the Holy Pact's requirements were straightforward: identify and eliminate. This form of retribution was called vengeance, its reward—vengeance reward.

Typically, vengeance rewards surpassed those for justice. Rubbing his hands in anticipation, Forseti turned to the Devout Store to collect his vengeance reward...