CHAPTER 568: CHAPTER 386: SHALIVAN AND THE BACK COURTYARD

"Final check of your equipment!"

Standing in front of the Yilushier Cathedral, Ceder shouted loudly.

The members of the crusade team began to inspect their equipment and supplies.

Each person had undergone the Fire Injection Secret Ceremony’s Spiritual Enhancement upon arriving here, received an Elemental Bottle, and carried no fewer than five Anti-Fire Liver Jerky and anti-magic liver jerky, three Spirit Uplifting Potions, along with several other potions.

The equipment must be enchanted with Fire and Magic Power Resistance, ensuring the enchantments on the equipment are functioning properly.

Some members in the crusade team were acquaintances, Ceder, Leon, Luluwo, Elsa, and the Hasavi Team who joined for the excitement.

Upon hearing news of the Demon Clan surfacing somewhere, the Fran Guard mobilized collectively, so Dal didn’t make it as he was likely still on the way.

Steeran, to repay her aunt for kindness during the Meteor Shower, was currently working enthusiastically under Vienma, so she couldn’t come either.

Apart from a few familiar faces, the rest were carefully selected adventurers chosen by President Ceder, each outstanding and naturally reliable, as Sain Dungeon couldn’t have attracted only renowned adventurers like Leon and company.

After numerous comparisons, adventurers such as Maru and Tami, not captain-level within the Strategy Group, didn’t make the crusade team.

Count Charon specially recommended a capable subordinate upon hearing the news, allegedly a mercenary named Stan, now promoted to Guard Commander of the Bed Family.

Ceder assessed Stan, finding his skills fairly decent, initially planning to enlist him, but Stan fell ill the night after meeting the team, forcing his withdrawal.

Reportedly, upon seeing Elsa, Stan reacted like a startled wild cat, huffing, and then excused himself away.

The cooperation among crusade team members wasn’t a worry, everyone was skilled, and after a few days of coordination—namely teaming to challenge all Sain Dungeon bosses—effective teamwork was achieved, with some even forming bonds.

Before today, at Ceder’s request, all but Fingerley unwillingly vowed as Sun Warriors because...

"Sunshine Nourishment."

As "Princess Guardian" Ceder released a miracle capable of continuously restoring life force, surprising everyone as no team member was injured, revealing why he hypothesized rightly about the link between "Princess Guardian" and "Sun Warrior" vows.

Sunshine Nourishment was typically a surface-level effect on others, but empowered Sun Warriors miraculously, drastically enhancing strength and inducing mental excitement, equivalent to an Advanced Revitalization Technique and Battle Frenzy Technique, collectively saving magic power.

Unlike with buffs imposed on Solar, Ceder didn’t over-apply beneficial magic to the team, instead casting a few general spells before turning to push open the cathedral doors.

Sacred, solemn music resounded, and Pope Shalivan’s phantom appeared in the scene’s center.

"Just like rehearsed, commence action!"

Matilda and another adventurer wielding two big shields at the front charged ahead, wearing necklaces strung with multiple Enemy Attraction Skulls, resembling Sha Wujing from the Flowing Sand River.

So many Enemy Attraction Skulls gathered that even Shalivan’s phantom had to glance their way, yet bore the allure and turned towards the lightly armored Ceder, the only one present.

"So it was like this,"

Ceder waved a hand, commanding, "Odorous bomb, launch!"

Luluwo flung her arms out, with chains snaking from under her cloak, casting many odorous bombs at Shalivan’s phantom, capable of expelling enemies with pungent explosions, creating an impression similar to Octopus Doctor.

Numerous odorous bombs indeed affected Shalivan’s phantom, a conclusion drawn from numerous adventurers’ trials.

As expected, confronting the stench, the opponent visibly agitated, shifting target to Matilda and the shield-bearing adventurer.

Curiously, dung jars attracted hostility, similar-smelling odorous bombs could expel monsters; the underlying reason remained unknown.

While the vanguard duo withstood attacks, several adventurers dashed to pre-rehearsed positions, striking the ground with the magic scrolls in hand.

Every scroll etched a complex Magic Array onto the ground, and with a raised hand, Ceder interlinked these arrays, enveloping Shalivan’s phantom in the center!

Even idiots could feel the anomaly; the phantom tried fleeing the Magic Array, but a sudden, overwhelming pressure tripped and pinned him to the ground, immobilized.

He resembled an omen-imp suppressed by shackles, though seemingly ready to break free anytime.

Only two seconds were given to attack, with all adventurers needing to exert full effort to inflict proper damage, essentially granting just one strike opportunity!

Leon hoisted the Calia Straight Sword high, as Great Calia’s light blade converged on the sword; Fingerley hefted the Night and Fire Sword, fire enveloping its blade. Magic light flickered in Ceder’s eyes, and as he raised his hand, a colossal ice spike or mountain came into form, reaching the cathedral’s dome as other adventurers displayed their finest moves.