Chapter 223: Chapter 153: The Strength of the Church (Two-in-One Mega Chapter) _3
A highly anticipated battle erupted unexpectedly!
The recent attack by the opponent, a Riding Spear surrounded by black aura, had rudely cases Rudolph, the head of the Church of the Ocean Goddess who oversees demon hunting and exorcism, to turn serious.
He, as the head in charge, immediately identified that the Black Armored Knight was indeed an Evil Spirit Knight, the swirling black aura around his body and the steed below him serving as the best proof.
At that moment, the remaining three Templar Knights clad in silver armor seized the opportunity created by their companion and charged toward the Black Armored Knight.
They quickly surrounded the Black Armored Knight and engaged in fierce combat.
The whooshing noise made by the opponent when swinging the Riding Spear allowed Rein to easily determine that the opponent's strength was above that of a senior knight, reaching the power of a Peak Knight, quite similar to his own.
The black aura accompanying each of the opponent's strikes was exceedingly strange, enhancing his strength under its influence.
No wonder Lagaray's brother, a barbarian renowned for his strength and who had reached forty percent of his ferocious physical transformation, was also killed by the opponent's Riding Spear!
Luckily, although the Black Armored Knight evidently possessed superior individual strength, the Templar Knights worked well together, managing to exchange blows and making the battle tense.
However, Rein's purpose for coming to Nightingale Forest was partly to fulfill Lagaray's wish and partly to gain experience, so if not now, then when?
Just as Rein was about to draw the 'Indomitable Strength' from behind and join the fight, Rudolph smiled and said, "Rein, arrange for the Night Watchman to handle watch duties to prevent interference from ogres or werewolves."
"This..." Rein hesitated.
Clearly, Rudolph meant well but performed a disservice; he was giving Rein and the other Night Watchmen a chance to watch the battle easily. Of course, he might also have intended to showcase the Church's strength, laying the groundwork for persuading Rein to join the Church later.
Not having to combat the Evil Spirit Knight directly was, of course, beneficial to the Night Watchman.
After all, they, being the elite among ordinary people, would find it difficult to contribute in such a high-level battle.
But for Rein, this meant a huge wave of experience about to slip through his fingers...
"Well, Rudolph, maybe I can lend a hand to the Templar Knights," Rein still tried to argue.
After all, if there were no surprises, the experience from this battle should be enough for Rein's Knight (Transcendent) Profession Level to advance another level.
"Haha, trust these young fellows of the Church," Rudolph chuckled as he stroked his beard and rejected Rein's suggestion.
"Alright then. All Night Watchman, on guard!" Rein thought for a moment, then gave the command.
Since Rudolph refused, Rein did not insist, especially since this mysterious incident was primarily under the control of the Church of the Ocean Goddess.
Besides, with half a month left until his knighthood evaluation, there was still a chance to level up.
Upon hearing Rein's command, the Night Watchman, who were initially looking for opportunities to assist in the fight, instantly relaxed their tense expressions and began to keep watch and observe the battle from the sidelines.
Just when the four Templar Knights collectively managed to suppress the Evil Spirit Knight wielding the Riding Spear, suddenly, the tide of battle turned.
The black aura that had been enveloping the Evil Spirit Knight exploded violently, and the powerful shockwave forced the four Templar Knights to stagger back several steps.
Seizing the opportunity, the Black Armored Evil Spirit Knight prompted his steed to charge at a Templar Knight, performing a lunge combined with a Riding Spear stab.
"Bang!"
Not only was the Templar Knight knocked back, but he was severely injured!
Rein clearly saw the unnatural twist in the left elbow of the injured Templar Knight, who had been holding a shield, indicating a probable fracture.
This scene obviously caused Rudolph, who had just refused Rein's request to join, to turn solemn. He began to flip through the book he had been holding all along. Amidst the rustling of pages, he loudly exclaimed:
"...Invoke the mighty Ocean Goddess. Divine Arts: Protective Blessing!"
As Rudolph recited the incantation, Rein felt as if an unknown rift in the surrounding space had opened beside him, a surging, vast, and holy energy directly infused into Rudolph nearby!
Then, with a wave of Rudolph's right hand, the four Templar Knights suddenly shone brightly.
Their silver armor revealed intricate, milky-white designs, as if the armor were originally engraved with special patterns that were usually hidden but responded automatically when Divine Arts were employed.
At that moment, the four Templar Knights, in combination with their silver armor, appeared as shimmering little silver figures.
The silvery glow diminished the destructive power of the black aura. "Clang clang clang," the Black Armored Knight was surrounded again, but this time, he was unable to break free.
It seemed the battle was decisively settled!
While Rein stood by, intently observing the scene, deep in thought.
If it were just the four Templar Knights, Rein believed he could defeat them if he unleashed his full power.
But now, with the Templar Knights working in conjunction with Rudolph's Divine Arts, it had caused an effect far greater than the sum of their parts.