Chapter 168 - Claire Confesses Her Love
Chapter 168 – Claire Confesses Her Love
As soon as one of the Bishops gave an offer to Claire, Azzy spoke, "Go, Claire. I'll take care of this situation on my own."
He thought it was for the best as he doesn't want Claire to get involved in this mess.
The girl became silent for a few moments while clenching her fist. She knew that it might be impossible to get away with life with so many rank-6 enemies. Claire regretted not listening to Gideon.
Watching her silence, the leader of the mercenary group got annoyed how they are only wasting the time. He asked in an impatient tone that why bother convincing the little girl. He suggested killing both of them.
As the mercenaries stepped forward, Angelica, who was appointed as the acting leader in absence of the Arch Bishop, raised her hand. "We will decide what to do with the both of them."
They stopped in their tracks and the female Bishop looked at Claire. She thought the girl might be in a dilemma.
"Ms. Lefeuvre, as a person who was blessed by Goddess Thea, you can't side with her enemies." The Bishop once again tried to convince her. After all, it is against the ideals of the church to harm a fellow light attribute user.
Moreover, in their eyes, Claire was a stepdaughter of the heavens. So, she was destined to reach the realm of nine-star. If they play their cards right, who knows, she could become their cardinal.
So, the female Bishop tried to press her further, "All of us combined can even take the life of a peak-rank-7 expert. So, his death is already decided. Because you are one of us, I'm giving you one last chance to repent your sins. Move away from the devil's incarnate."
"Claire…" Azzy once again called her.
She turned her head and looked at him. Tears started to well up in her eyes. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have brought you here."
Patting her shoulder, he replied, "It's alright. I won't blame you. So, leave when you have the chance. It's my mess. I will resolve it somehow. Go to the other compartment and wait for me."
"Ms. Lefeuvre, I'm waiting for your answer." The Bishop calmly asked her.
Claire wiped her tears away and then, suddenly, she caught Azzy's t-shirt and pulled him towards her.
As Azzy was involuntarily moved towards her, she then, grabbed his face and planted her lips on his lips.
Azzy was stunned by her actions and at the same time, for some reason, he didn't feel like moving away even though it's not what you call even a proper kiss.
Only his lower lip was in contact with her upper lip.
For a few seconds, both of them closed their eyes before she backed away.
Azzy didn't know what he should say. His mind is completely in a mess.
Meanwhile, a smile appeared on Claire's face. "Earlier, you asked me whether I like you. Well, here's your answer, and…"
She then turned her face towards the Bishops who had the looks of seriousness. Her expression also turned hard. "The same answer to you too. And since you want to kill him…"
Suddenly, the holy sword appeared in her hands. She raised it and pointed the blade at the Bishop who gave the offer to her. "Then, I guess you are an enemy that I must kill."
The sword in her hand was brimming with holy aura and yet, for some reason, Azzy didn't feel any kind of suppression on him.
Meanwhile, watching the sword in Claire's hand, the female Bishop got enraged, "Girl, you are a gifted child blessed by Goddess Thea, yet, you betrayed her by siding with this spawn of the devil. For this sin, there's no forgiveness." "Everyone, send them to the afterlife."
"Now, this is what I told you before." The mercenary captain mumbled to himself as he gestured one of his subordinates to go forward.
Three of the Bishops summoned their Arcana. However, only one of them came forward. Like Claire, this Bishop also had a weapon in his hand.
After all, they are an entire realm above Azzy and Claire. They have their own pride.
Claire's eyes were fixed on the enemy with a spear in his hand. She glanced at Azzy and spoke in a serious tone, "Rael, the only way to escape this situation is through the sky. Can you blow up the roof?"
Azzy wasn't in a situation that he wonders about how she was addressing with a different nickname. Somehow, he also it also felt a bit natural, although it's the first time someone calling him like that.
Putting the matter of earlier incident aside, he glanced at the roof.
Meanwhile, one of the Bishops burst out into laughter, "Do you think we didn't consider it? A hidden barrier was placed on this compartment by His Excellency Caleb. It's impossible to break it. Moreover, the engine driver is also our man. The train will not stop no matter what kind of commotion you make and with all of us here, you can't step outside of this compartment."
As Claire's expression darkened, suddenly, something clicked in her mind. At the same time, Azzy finally gave a response, "It is possible but it might take some time."
"Eh?" Even including Claire, everyone was taken aback to hear that Azzy was confident in breaking a barrier that was created by a peak-rank-7.
Claire believed him, "How much longer?"
"Not sure. Might take a few minutes." Azzy replied as he thought of a plan.
While others thought he might be bluffing, Claire believed that Azzy but she isn't someone who wants to depend on Azzy and put a burden on him.
"I guess I have to use it." Claire took out a skill card.
It was only a four-star card. This was the mysterious card that she showed to Azzy back when she revealed the Holy ground skill to Azzy.
She intended to use it in the Annual tournament finals but because of Mia's soul skill, she didn't get the chance.
After that, she wanted to use it in the Champions League and so far, she hadn't got a chance.
Now, she felt like it was the time to use it.
Looking at the card in her hand, Azzy wondered what's she intended to do. However, he didn't focus on her actions and proceeded with raising his hand above his head with his palm facing towards the roof. His entire soul energy from the soul orb was now gathered inside his hand, waiting to erupt out.
Feeling the changes in Azzy's body, the mercenary who was given the opportunity to kill Azzy now halted his steps. He wanted to act after Azzy was out of soul power.
With his speed, he was confident to tackle interrupt him before he recovers with the recovery card.
However, just then, something unexpected happened.
"Activate Skill card: Rainbow Drive," Claire spoke while pouring the soul energy into the card.
Upon activation, the skill card brimmed with seven colors before they were absorbed by her holy sword.
The golden aura around the sword now appeared in seven different colors.
She then raised her sword, pointing horizontally, and poured 50% of her soul energy into it.
Her eyes were fixed on the narrow path that leads to the next compartment and the other narrow path that leads to the other, and so on.
As she thrusts the sword into the air, a beam of light comprising of seven colors shot out of it.
The Bishop who stepped forward found that it only contains the power of mid-rank-5. As a person of the higher realm, he didn't think much of it and raised his hand to block it head-on.
However, to his surprise, even as it hit his palm, the beam didn't stop. Rather, it was the Bishop who had been pushed away, crashing onto the other Bishops.
While a few Bishops dodged him, the beam continued its way through the path.
As all the compartments are connected to each other through the gangway, it went straight through the narrow passage until it hit the foremost passenger compartment's end causing an explosion, blowing up the coal car as well as the engine.
With the train moving at a blazing speed, it jerked vigorously before several compartments of the train fell off the tracks, along with the one where the battle is supposed to happen.
Azzy's energy eruption was also disrupted and everyone fell on the floor, although none of them harmed.
"Claire, you alright?" Azzy hurriedly stood up on his feet and helped out the girl.
"Yeah," Claire let out a laugh, "It's only been ten minutes, so, I bet we aren't that away from the city. Surely, this explosion will notify everyone."