A large group of heavily armored guards had gathered around the VIP seats. Most of the nobles present were momentarily distracted from the battle on the field.
They hadn't seen the light of the incantations. They only saw that "Jerome" had somehow attacked, and Grumblebundo's heavy shield and war hammer were shattered one after another, and the man himself was knocked out.
Nordic, whose arm had been broken by Grumblebundo, was even more surprised. Was this still the same "Fire Dragon Knight" who had fought him? Why, in the current state of the "Fire Dragon Knight," could I have matched him?
Or... is this knight simply too strong?
Nordic thought of another possibility and couldn't help but touch his chin and ponder.
Manifico beside him was so scared that he kept urging the people next to him to flee together.
But Federigo, Madame Vandimion, Zulchio, Polidiaro, and the others simply looked coldly at the incompetent third son of the Vandimion family. They didn't shout and panic like him.
They just continued to observe the situation with serious expressions.
Among them, only Madame Vandimion's brows were slightly raised. She couldn't help but say playfully, "It seems I was right after all. The winner this time might not be Grumblebundo."
Everyone was silent.
Farnese and Serpico were probably the only ones who could vaguely see Nidhogg counterattacking and instantly repelling Grumblebundo.
Among them, Farnese's shock was much greater than Serpico's.
Serpico, at least, had followed Nidhogg to Castle Morne and Stormveil City, seeing Nidhogg fight and defeat beings that existed only in fantasy stories.
He knew that Nidhogg hadn't fully demonstrated his power yet.
Farnese had only learned from the sidelines that Nidhogg was very powerful. For example, he had captured her from the Holy Iron Chain Knights and destroyed the vengeful spirits attracted by the brand during the journey to the Spirit Tree Pavilion.
But this was only child's play.
Now, Nidhogg's real battle opened her eyes. It was no less than the true gestures of Flora and Schierke—the first time she had witnessed magic firsthand.
There was another person here who, though blindly foolish due to his dogma, was instinctively provoked by the possibility of "pagan mystical powers."
The "Bloodstained Holy Book"—Mozgus—stood up. His originally friendly face suddenly flushed with blue veins, as if insects were burrowing beneath his skin.
"I can feel it! This is the power of evil! This is the absolute power of impurity and blasphemy against the teachings of the Holy See!"
He nearly gritted his teeth and called out to his six torturer disciples. Ignoring the dissuasions of Zulchio, Polidiaro, and others, he left the VIP seats and hurried down.
"Leave him alone."
Federigo glanced at him and waved his hand to stop his two sons.
"But, Father, how should this end now?" Zulchio asked.
"Don't panic. Mobilize the crossbowmen and watch. But no matter what happens, the Vandimion family cannot be scared like a child in front of so many people."
"Tell Manifico that he either sits down and remains calm as the third son of the Vandimion family, or he leaves here."
"Yes, Father."
After replying, Zulchio looked coldly at Manifico.
Manifico had indeed heard his father's voice. He cautiously swallowed a mouthful of saliva, wanting to explain a few words. But in the end, he sat down silently, not daring to say anything more.
On the battlefield, Nidhogg waited a while but didn't see Grumblebundo appear. He thought, The "Fire Dragon Knight" shouldn't be defeated so easily, right?
He was about to check when he saw a group of people running faster than him.
At the head were Mozgus and his six disciples. Behind them followed a group of knights. Judging by the insignia on their attire, they must all be members of the Holy Iron Chain Knights under his command.
Mozgus and the others first surrounded the hole in the hall that Grumblebundo had smashed through. Then they pointed at Nidhogg, clearly trying to arrest him.
This heresy inquisitor truly never stopped.
ROAR—!
Suddenly, the entire hall shook. A roar unlike any ordinary beast came from the hole.
Nidhogg heard it. This was undoubtedly the roar of a dragon.
It's just that Mozgus and the others, who were on the verge of danger, were unaware. They looked down into the hole and saw it suddenly crack. A huge crimson creature burst out from within!
Mozgus and the others on top of it were thrown into the air, then crashed embarrassingly to the ground.
The crimson creature roared again to the sky before the stunned eyes of everyone present.
It was a fire dragon, resembling Grumblebundo's heavy shield!
Most of the fire dragon's body was covered in crimson crystals. Only a small part was covered in scales. But wherever it was, it was extremely hard!
On either side of its bloody maw, two sharp fangs were exposed. Flashes of fiery breath, accompanied by white vapor, burst from its mouth and spread throughout the hall!
At this moment, everyone could see this scene. But no one could believe that such a thing could happen.
A fire dragon—a creature appearing only in legends—had actually appeared, right before their very eyes!
Most of the spectators had already dispersed. The only ones remaining near the fire dragon were the members of the Holy Iron Chain Knights, specifically led by Mozgus, who had hurried to arrest Grumblebundo. They had never expected to encounter this!
Almost every knight was terrified. The smart ones had already turned and run. But most were stunned on the spot!
Mozgus stood up and was momentarily shocked by the fire dragon before him. But then he suddenly flew into a rage.
"What blasphemy! This must be an evil illusion created by pagans! Go! Kill it for me!"
His six disciples answered him, one after another. Holding their torture instruments, they agilely rushed towards the fire dragon.
They were confident in Mozgus's words. They were sure that the fire dragon before them was just an illusion. If they, as devout believers of the Holy See, approached, they could dispel this illusion with the power of God!
However, the fire dragon ruthlessly charged at the approaching crowd and unleashed its dragon's breath!
FWOOSH—!
The terrible flames immediately engulfed all six people. The six howled in intense pain. The next moment, they all lost their voices, burned to charcoal, and tumbled to the ground.
People who saw this scene were in shock!
Mozgus's expression also changed drastically.
However, staring at the bodies of his six disciples, he still refused to acknowledge the existence of the fire dragon. He tore off his priestly robes, revealing his extremely strong upper body!
"My devotion to God is a lesson from the sun, moon, and stars! This body is what I worship a thousand times a day! This is the power God has given me! This is proof that I have God's protection! You pagan evil..."
Before he could finish, the fire dragon took its four thick legs, turned like a chariot, trampled the members of the Holy Iron Chain Knights who still remained near the audience, turning them into meat paste. It opened its huge maw and bit Mozgus!
CRUNCH—!
The fire dragon bit off the upper part of Mozgus's body, chewed it in its mouth, and spat it out again, leaving only fragile flesh and blood.
"It seems your God doesn't bless you..."
The fire dragon spat out human words, then looked at the knight who was still standing on the battlefield—Nidhogg.
Everyone else is just a dog. Only this man is a real threat!
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