(Author's note: Three more chapters coming up after this one.)
...
In the afternoon, Nolan and Hepta arrived at the adventurer's guild. It was bustling and lively with many people coming and going.
The adventurer's exam usually took place in the afternoon, so they didn't have to worry about being late.
"Hello. Are you here to take the test?" The receptionist asked as they entered the guild.
Certified adventurers were required to wear their rank badges on their chest when coming to the guild.
Considering today was the day to take the adventurer's exam, anyone without a badge could be considered an examination candidate.
"Yes. We're here for the exam." Hepta answered beside Nolan.
The receptionist glanced at Nolan, "Both of you are taking the test?"
"Yes. Is there a problem with that?"
"No. It's just rare to see someone so young take the adventurer's exam. Is she a relative of yours?" She asked, pointing at Nolan.
"She's my little sister. Don't worry, she is more than capable of protecting herself despite her age." Hepta answered with pride while Nolan looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.
"I see, please follow me this way." The receptionist led them to the testing area.
...
Elsewhere, within the Moonspire of Luna.
All the priests were excited; the prince had just arrived.
As soon as he entered the city, he went straight for the temple.
He was clearly here to see Saintess Elaria. And many within the temple marvelled at the idea of coming across him, even for a short while.
Selia, Elaria, and the other high priests on the other hand were worried.
The revelation Elaria received had clearly stated that the "child of royalty" would be involved in the city's chaos.
There was no doubt as to who that child was at this moment.
Upon arriving at the temple, Elaria along with every high priest in the temple welcomed him.
Elric stated the purpose of his visit immediately after.
Elaria, having already guessed it. Immediately began using her magic to analyse and begin healing him.
Although it was a temporary treatment, it helped alleviate Elric's sickness for the moment.
The prince's entourage was stationed outside the temple, with the 2 heroes close by Elric's side. Closely protecting him even inside the temple.
After treating Elric, Elaria led him along with the 2 heroes to Selia's study.
Entering the study, Selia said her greetings as she stood up and bowed slightly.
"Greetings, your highness."
"Ah, no need to be so formal. My mother told me a lot about you, High Priestess Selia." Elric replied with a polite smile.
"I see your highness. In that case, I won't beat around the bush. There are some important matters we need to discuss related to your visit. Let's talk over a cup of tea." Selia said as she led Elric to a tea set in the middle of the room.
A short while later, Selia and Elaria were done explaining the revelation to Elric.
Carlos and Lina were shocked, while Elric frowned as he fell into deep thought.
"I see," he said after a short while. "Are you saying that I'm going to be the cause of this coming chaos?" He asked as he looked at Elaria.
"Not exactly your highness, the revelation was too vague, so I'm not sure."
"Since that's the case, then we should return to the capital immediately!" Carlos chimed in, worry written all over his face.
"I agree. The prince's safety is of utmost importance." Lina backed up her brother.
"No." Elric suddenly spoke.
"But your highness..." Lina tried to persuade him.
"We've already come this far. Besides, how can I run away while the city's people suffer. With the royal knights and magicians here, we can minimize the casualties should the city fall into chaos. Either way, I came here for treatment. How can I leave before I'm healed." Elric explained.
Carlos' face darkened at this moment as he stepped forward, "I'm sorry your highness. But the emperor personally entrusted your safety to us, since this place is not safe. We have to leave," his voice was cold and firm.
Lina also stepped forward, her gaze lingering on Elaria." My brother is right your highness, it's not safe to stay here. As for your treatment... the Saintess can just come with us."
The room temperature suddenly dropped. Selia stood up and shielded Elaria behind her as the atmosphere in the room became tense.
"The Saintess is not going anywhere." Selia said in a cold voice, feint fluctuations of her magic pulsing in the air.
Just then, Elaria felt something and looked out the window with a frown on her face.
"I'm afraid it's too late, none of us can leave the city now," she spoke.
Her statement stunned everyone in the room, "What do you mean―" Carlos was about to ask when the entire city suddenly shook.
RUMBLE...RUMBLE...
Low demonic chants began echoing throughout the city from every corner, growing louder with every second as the city shook.
"Zar'goth… In’thel… Nah’raa..."
"Zar'goth… In’thel… Nah’raaa..."
"Zar'goth… In’thel… Nah’raaa..."
BOOOOOM!!!—FWWOOOOOOOOHHHHH!
A loud explosion of demonic energy exploded, engulfing the city as powerful waves of wind shot out.
At the centre of the city, a little girl with bloody eyes floated in the air. Runes of ancient magic drawn all over her body.
Cloaked figures surrounded her.
Casting numerous demonic spells, beneath them was a large magic circle. Drawn with blood.
At the centre, just below the floating girl.
The High Inquisitor stood with his eyes closed and his hands clasped together, silently chanting an unknown spell.
In every corner of the city, the dark-red crystals began to glow even brighter with sinister demonic power pouring out.
Whuuuuummmm~~
A deep magical hum echoed as a blood-red barrier rose from the city's edges. Replacing the city's barrier.
People stopped. Heads turned. The entire city, once bustling with people's chatter fell into an eerie silence. Children in the streets clung to their mothers in fear.
Then it began.
A crimson light tore across the sky above—KZZZRT! BOOOM! Bloody-red magic circles blazed above the sky all over the city.
At the centre of everything, the High Inquisitor opened his eyes with a sinister smile as he looked at the little girl who was now floating high up at the centre of the city.
"Hahaha! Although this brat is a half-complete core, her effectiveness is much greater than expected!" he laughed wildly like a maniac.
At the same time, in the adventurer's guild.
Nolan and Hepta were already done with their tests and were waiting for the guild to announce the results when the city was suddenly plunged into chaos.
Every adventurer within the guild was frightened and shaken while Nolan and Hepta slightly frowned. Seemingly curious about what was happening.
Feeling the magic fluctuations, Nolan's gaze suddenly shifted in the direction of the city centre. She could clearly tell that the source of this magic was coming from there.
Swoosh... Boom! Boom! Boom!
While everyone was confused, monsters suddenly fell from the magic circles in the sky.
In every corner of the city, they descended like rain from the sky upon the people below.
Many were crushed by the falling monsters, those who survived were immediately attacked and devoured by the monsters.
Cries of agony and suffering filled the city as many were eaten alive.
"Protect the people!!"
Suddenly, within the crowds of panicking people, many of the temple's holy knights revealed themselves. Drawing their weapons and protecting the people all over the city.
This was the plan prepared by Elaria and Selia after receiving the revelation.
Although they couldn't protect everyone within the city, most of the holy knights were gathered in spots where there were a lot of people.
But even with the holy knights defending them, the scale of the monsters falling from the sky was too large.
Blood was spilled throughout the city, many killed and devoured by the monsters while some scrambled for safety behind the knights.
The city fell into chaos; the people's blood flowed on the streets like a flood. Children were separated from their parents while parents desperately searched for their children in the chaos.
In a corner of the city, a talented holy knight held his own against the coming onslaught of monsters falling from the skies as he commanded his subordinates.
"Lead the people to the city's shelter!" he shouted.
The city's shelter was an underground armoured escape route channel, with many openings and exits leading out the city and usually guarded by 5th circle magicians.
It was by far the safest way to exit the city during emergencies.
Unfortunately, due to the large number of monsters falling from the sky. Most of these underground channels were closed off before everyone could enter. This left many people stuck within the city.
At the adventurers' guild, many of the seasoned adventurers grabbed their weapons and rushed out to help the citizens while the exam candidates were urged to stay within the guild.
Watching the scene unravel. Nolan frowned, then stepped forward as she issued an order to Hepta, "Stay here and protect the guild." She spoke as she walked towards the guild's fortified doors.
"Yes master!" Hepta replied as he pulled out his sword with a solemn expression.
Not far away, the receptionist saw Nolan heading out and tried to stop her.
Whoosh... Boom!!
Before she could even speak, Nolan shot out the guild with a loud sonic boom. Leaving everyone stunned, her speed was beyond anything they had ever seen.
"What was that?!"
"Did someone just go out?"
"Such speed..."
The remaining adventurer candidates were dumbfounded and confused.
Meanwhile, the receptionist and some experienced adventurers were shocked. Such speed was not something an ordinary adventurer could pull off, much less a young girl like Nolan.
'What did I just see?' The receptionist thought to herself, her gaze turning to Hepta and remembering what he had said about Nolan being able to "protect" herself despite her age.
Shortly after Nolan left, Hepta drew out his sword and stepped forward. Walking to the guild's door and stopping just outside.
"Have fun, master." He muttered to himself as he smiled.