PARALLEL MEMORY

As the smoke cleared, Cardinal Hildred looked around in horror. The once-beautiful Cathedral was now a scene of devastation, with rubble and debris strewn everywhere. The stained glass windows lay shattered on the ground, and the walls were blackened from the blast.

The bodies of the Holy Knights lay scattered throughout the Cathedral, their once-bright armor now dented and bloodstained.

Cardinal Hildred couldn't help but feel that at that moment, Zero was the epitome of destruction. A person who, in his wake, would devastate an entire country. She awakened something she should have never.

The Holy Knights, who had been slowly standing up, were paralyzed by fear. They had never witnessed such power before, and they knew that they were no match for Zero.

Zero turned to face them, his eyes filled with a cold, merciless killing intent.

"You should have never crossed me," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Cardinal Hildred watched in horror and was a little late in responding. However, she forced herself to regain composure as she looked at the situation carefully.

The situation had totally stacked against her. The hostage that she had been threatening Zero was freed and she had to fight Zero who seemed stronger than Rank-S.

But she was far from giving up. She assumed that Zero's unexpected power was temporary and he would soon lose that power.

"You can keep bluffing! You should've used most of your mana for that attack."

Cardinal Hildred said. The more she thought, the more plausible she thought it was.

If he was already that strong, why didn't he kill me during the ceremony and run away? Why sneak around if you are so powerful? There is only one answer. He can maintain this power for only a short period of time. Cardinal Hildred excitedly thought.

She still believed that victory was in her hands. She still had her guards and the Nexus Scepter. She believed that she still had her advantage.

"..."

.

Hearing no response from Zero, Cardinal Hildred thought that Zero was basically confirming what she had said.

"Holy Knights! Attack him together!"

Cardinal Hildred commanded.

Rank-A Holy Knights hesitated for a moment. Even if what Cardinal Hildred said was right, they couldn't forget what had just happened. An exhausted tiger was, at the end of the day, still a tiger.

"Follow me!"

However, one of the Rank-S Holy Knights led the attack. This reassured them as even if Zero were fired off the same attack, they believed that Rank-S Holy Knight should be able to protect them.

Cardinal Hildred, despite thinking that Zero lost most of his power, was still scared. She didn't dare stay without any protection from the Rank-S Holy Knight.

Even so, she didn't just stand by and watch the Holy Knights attack Zero. She picked up the Nexus Scepter and transmitted a message for all the Holy Knights and believers to come to where she was.

"Charge!"

The Rank–S Holy Knight yelled as he lunged forward to attack Zero. Rank-A Holy Knight also followed closely behind.

Saintess Amelia who was healing herself looked nervously at the enemies charging toward them. Then she looked at Zero who didn't seem to think much about the situation.

She was worried but didn't know what to say or do. The Zero in front of her was too different from the one she knew. Anyway, despite Zero unleashing Dark Energy that might have even surpassed what she felt during her childhood, she didn't feel scared at all.

Rather there was a sense of safety when being beside Zero even if his Dark Energy was flaring like crazy.

-WHOOSH!

Zero took action. He disappeared from sight and appeared before the Holy Knights.

And the first one to notice that was the Rank-S Holy Knight that was leading the charge. It was because Zero appeared before him in that instant.

He was startled but didn't let that stop him. He quickly lifted his shield and tried to protect himself. He positioned himself to protect the swing from Zero's sword which was coming from his left hand.

-BANG!

However, he was sent flying. Zero actually used his sword to distract the Rank-S Holy Knight and aimed to attack with his right hand all along.

While Rank-S Holy Knight did manage to stay alive because Zero just used his hand. But that put him out of battle for a few seconds which was enough for Zero to reduce the number of enemies.

Zero stared at the bunch of Rank-A Holy Knights who were shivering in fright.

Just now, they thought that the Rank-S Holy Knight would protect them and the next second, they were too left to face the beast themselves.

*GLUP!

"Ahhhh!"

One of the Rank-A Holy Knights lifted his sword and proceeded to swing his sword at Zero.

-SLASH!

But he suddenly stopped, leaving his fellow members confused as to why he had halted his attack.

And the next second, his head was on the ground followed by his body.

!!!

Then only did others realize that their fellow Holy Knight was already dead. His head was already severed from his body. They couldn't see nor sense any movement from Zero at all.

Then only did they finally realize that they were of no match to Zero. They had no chance at all. If they couldn't even see his movement, how could they defend or attack? It meant that the opponent far outclassed them.

"What are you doing? Attack him!"

Cardinal Hildred ordered. She didn't know why her guards were there just because one of the Holy Knights died. Even though she was surprised that Zero sent her Rank-S Holy Knights flying, 𝒃𝒆𝒅𝙣𝒐𝒗𝙚𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝒎

She didn't think much as the Rank-S Holy Knight was not very injured, showing that Zero indeed had lost the power that he showed earlier.

"AHHHH!"

One of the Holy Knights began running away. He was scared! As were the other Holy Knights who were standing still trembling.

-SLASH!

The one running away had his head severed as well. That movement was also something that they had failed to see through.

Explore the extended edition on 𝒃𝙚𝙙𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝒍.𝒐𝙧𝒈.

-WHOOSH!

They thought that they would be the next victim, but luckily the Rank-S Holy Knight managed to come back.

[ "Divine Strike" ]

Rank-S Holy Knight didn't hold anything back and poured his all into his attack.

Zero also raised his sword which was enhanced by his Dark Energy.

-CLANG!

The clash of two powerful swords echoed through the cathedral, sending shockwaves in all directions. Other people could feel the intensity of the battle as they watched from a safe distance.

The Holy Knight knew that their being there made no difference. They couldn't do anything to help Rank-S Holy Knight.

Zero's sword clashed with the Holy Knight's, sending sparks flying in all directions. The force of the impact was so strong that it caused the Rank-A Holy Knight to stagger backward.

-CLANNNNG!

Rank-S Holy Knight gritted his teeth and pushed harder, pouring even more energy into his attack. However, Zero still stood, not moving an inch from his initial position.

Rather than affecting Zero, it was the Holy Knight who was suffering because of Zero's destructive energy.

[ "Divine Strike" ]

Once again, he tried to attack Zero from a different direction.

-SLASH!

Zero countered with a swift movement, deflecting the attack and landing a strike on the Holy Knight's armor.

The armor cracked under the force of the blow, and the Rank-S Holy Knight stumbled backward, his sword arm trembling with exertion.

"What? How can he still be so strong?"

Cardinal Hildred exclaimed in disbelief. She could also tell that Zero was easily winning against the Rank-S Holy Knight. Her previous assumption about Zero weakening was totally wrong.

"Damn it! Where did this monster come from?"

Cardinal Hildred cursed. Everything was going perfectly for her and now it was in ruin because of Zero.

"Hey! You all! What are you doing? Attack him!"

Cardinal Hildred yelled at the Rank-A Holy Knights. She knew that they couldn't do anything to salvage the situation but she still insisted.

The Rank-A Holy Knights looked at each other, their faces filled with fear and uncertainty. However, they knew that standing still would only get them killed.

-SLASH!

Just when they thought of launching an attack, another Rank-A Holy Knight died.

What are we thinking? Win against him? That is impossible! The Rank-A Holy Knight thought. They knew that they were going to die today.

-SLASH!

Within seconds, Zero killed the remaining Rank-A Holy Knights. The Rank-S Holy Knights who fought Zero only stood up after they were dead.

"Haha… "

Then suddenly Cardinal Hildred began laughing hysterically. This confused Priestess Helena who was hiding in the corner without showing her face at all.

( Did the Cardinal finally lose it? Was the fear too much? )

Priestess Helena thought but she did not think there was anything wrong. She was also so frightened that she was on the brink of pissing herself as well.

Saintess Amelia, who had recovered from her injuries to a great extent, gazed at Cardinal Hildred with bewilderment. Then, she began to feel something ominous and then saw the mana signature of many people. She instantly alerted Zero.

"Zero! She has led the entire Church here!"