Emeric looked around nervously and, making sure that the few guards still hadn't noticed his presence, muttered his question into the void. It wasn't necessary, but the mixed results Wisdom was giving him were frustrating.
«I... - He bit his lip in frustration. - Would I be able to successfully use the Royal Figure...?
The answer didn't come right away, but even the slight pause didn't change the results, no matter how much he wriggled out of it.
... Probably not...
It was a rough summation of all the indecisive signals that came from his gift. It was clear to Emeric that the internal computing power had been calculating the situation, but it was more likely that the young demon would just give up, as Dichauser had done earlier. And all because Wisdom never stopped messing up its functionality! To be honest, he didn't even feel much 'progress'! Nothing close to the 'boost' he had gotten in the battle with the Emperor. When is this damn gift going to heal?!
No matter how pissed off he was, it wouldn't change any results. He wouldn't be able to use the Royal Figure in a battle against an incredibly strong hundred year old man! That's alright, he'll think of something....
Especially since time was getting shorter and shorter by the minute. No matter what they did, sooner or later someone would come to check on the prison. And Vasco Strada was almost impossible to fool, he could feel it in his bones.
Wisdom, by the way, was leading him to the obvious general gathering place of the entire Templar Order. The huge throne room of the entire Temple of Solomon.....
*****
In the huge throne room, seated almost all the crusaders and the highest ranks of the order.
On their sides, kneeling on their knees, exorcists in lacquered armor put their palms together and prayed frantically. The whole action took on a kind of ritualistic and sacred character. And all their attention was drawn to the very beginning of the throne room, where the great artifact and the white-winged angel stood instead of the throne.
A huge ornate chest, no, an ark, which from the looks of it should have been carried by at least two people. A dazzling glow that should have vaporized its demonic essence, if not Wisdom, emitted in all directions from this legendary artifact. It was adorned on top by two cherubim who joined their wings in some sort of protective gesture. The whole sight of the Ark of the Covenant was awe-inspiring not only to those around him, but even to Emeric himself.
Yes, it was the legendary repository of the Ten Commandments that helped the Jews escape the oppression of Egypt. According to the Old Testament, the Ark was considered the place where God dwelt and was worshipped.
Emeric didn't know how true this information was, but it didn't take a genius to piece together the incredible healing of the crusaders and the angel who stood before the Ark of the Covenant. Unlike everyone else, even Vasco and Ewald kneeling but in the front row, Theodore spread his arms in front of them, standing with his back to the Ark of the Covenant. Some channels of sacred power connected directly to his wings.
«Ave Maria! - Theodore proclaimed before the kneeling crowd. - Hail Mary!
«AVE MARIA! - All the others echoed him with religious fire within. Pride and sincere righteousness in their own cause was evident in every voice present.
«Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam! - Theodore continued. - Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory!
«NON NOBUS, DOMINE, NON NOBIS, SED NOMINI TUO DA GLORIAM!
A thin trickle of blood came out of Emeric's nostril, only to travel slowly down his lip and drip onto the dark stone. His eyes began to roll upward on their own.
... VILE! ...
The pressure inside his skull was so high that the blood began to beat a drum rhythm that drowned out all the shouts of the Templar Order.
«Deus Vult! - A glow began to envelope everyone present. Small streams of it flowed through Theodore's wings and connected with everyone present. It should have been noted that such a thing did not go unnoticed by Wonder Child, blood was pouring tears down the young half-man's face. - God Wants!
«DEUS VULT!
At any other time Emeric would have noticed it, but in these moments his mind was on the verge of madness. The exorcists' ritual had awakened something deep and primordial in him.....
... I WILL BIND YOU WITH EVERY CHAIN KNOWN TO THE UNIVERSE! YOU WILL NEVER AGAIN BE ABLE TO CORRUPT MY SCHEMES!...!
Emeric began to gulp air greedily with an abrupt regaining of consciousness. The attack of unknown visions had completely stiffened his body. The marks of his fingernails digging into his palms wouldn't let on. The small remaining cramps made it uncomfortable, but he was still able to stand up on solid legs.
The current scene was caused by the abrupt interruption of Theodore Legrenzi's mass. Now all the exorcists with their weapons bared were looking directly at him. For a moment his attack had caught their attention, which was why the sacred action had ended. Ewald was just supporting the unconscious Theodore with his hands, not forgetting to cast searing glances at him.
«Emeric Gremory... - A two-meter tall giant stepped forward, holding Durandal at the ready. He turned toward Ewald. - We are compromised... Prepare to evacuate the Order and take the hostages with you!
«Ahem," Emeric caught their attention with a deliberately loud cough. - I wouldn't be in a hurry, we've only just met, haven't we...? - The demon snapped his fingers.
The prepared bombs from the force of destruction he had placed in front of the entrance to the throne room worked as they should. Loud explosions, which caused an even greater response in the foundations, collapsed the wide passageway. Those who remained outside would be dealt with by Barakiel and Dulio, but the rest, along with the ringleaders, he had locked up with him.
Emeric stretched his neck and with an exhale released all of his power into the surrounding space. A riot of destructive power spread out from him in a circle and flashed like fire that scattered several dozen crusaders away from him. The burns from the power of destruction began to immediately overgrow, favoring the influence of the Ark of the Covenant, but this short exchange made it clear that only one intelligent person would be able to approach him out of those present. The others were simply not qualified.
Vasco Strada sighed with irritation and, having thought out the whole new arrangement, gave new orders.
«Evacuate...
«But...
«You'll come when I'm done with this demon! Just leave Theodore behind, so that the defense from the Temple won't give our high-ranking hostages a "way out"! - Cut off all of Vasco's objections. In this matter, even Ewald couldn't say anything to his more experienced colleague, Strada's authority was too high. The exorcists reluctantly began to leave into the portal that opened near the Ark. - You'll be in the way...
Emeric didn't let Vasco finish, and with demonic energy in his veins, he drew close to the giant in an instant and struck him with a swing. The arm, fully charged with all the amplifications and the concept of destruction, collided and exposed, as a shield, Durandal. The momentum from the collision once again scattered the exorcists who had not had time to port, but Vasco stood his ground.
With a grunt, he took the blow that should have sent him straight to the other end of the hall. Only the meter-long furrows from his feet in the floor made it clear that Emeric had really hit the bull's-eye.
«It will be... - Emeric smiled awkwardly at the old man's stone face. - Not just...
«That's an understatement, brat!.....
A huge fist rested against his crossed arms in a block. Enchantments for protection, momentum dampening, the power of destruction aimed at 'destroying might', and just all the strengthening measures... None of this stopped the fist of a man who, with full intent, decided to charge into flight.
«Kha!... - Emeric spat out blood as he felt Vasco's punch traveled with momentum through his entire body. Unlike the old man who took his blow with incredible resilience, in a similar situation, Emeric lost. It wasn't about strength or holy energy. No matter how big your muscles were, you couldn't just go around smashing mountains with them. It was about Will...
Just recently, he had spoken to Ichika about this aspect of combat. An inner strength that can't be measured or timed, but it's there. When you think of it that way, it's no surprise that Vasco Strada makes excellent use of this aspect of human existence, is it!
On pure intent he did not let his fist dissolve into a thick and corrosive layer of the power of destruction. On pure intent, Vasco suffered through his many defenses. On pure intent he was able to withstand a blow that would have sent anyone else flying, just because of the effects of physics.
That's why Vasco Strada was so strong. His Will was stronger than any opponent he faced....
Emeric groaned as he "unhooked" himself from the wall he had been driven into by a single blow. He landed on the floor and looked apprehensively at Vasco Strada, who was slowly walking toward him. Surprisingly, he had not begun to use his sword for its intended purpose, only as a measure of defense.
Shit!...
He has to use the Royal Figure or that terminator will just kill him!.....
... The Royal Figure will start irreversible processes, which our Wisdom will not be enough to stop ....
Then what the hell do you need you for?!
«All right, man. How about this.
Bringing his hands together, he created a concentrated ball of the power of destruction. The repeated press of demonic power produced an incredible source of pure destruction.
With a shout, Emeric pointed it toward Vasco. A meter-diameter beam emerged from the small ball of completely black color and roared toward Vasco, who was holding Durandal in front of him. The concentration of energy was so great that the stone at the epicenter and at the destination point of the reception began to simply evaporate from reality. But...
Vasco Strada was alive.
Durandal showed simply incredible resilience. A beam of concentrated destruction was shattered and redirected in multiple directions as it collided with the edge of the holy sword. It could not be said that this technique did not have its effect, for the skin on Vasco's torso and arms began to simply fade from reality, revealing an unpleasant sight of red muscle fibers. But that was all...
«A-A-A-A-A! - Vasco Strada, with a roar, added to his own effort. Emeric could see how reality, as if echoing his roar, began to adjust to his 'intention'. His skin began to overgrow and his posture became more stable. Whereas before it had seemed that Vasco couldn't stand and would fly away under the pressure of the immense demonic force, now he was simply waiting out the end of this hold. Yes, with tired exhalations, but that was not what Emeric wanted to get on one of his strongest holds, which was supposed to destroy "everything" in front of him... A concentrated ball of destruction power turned into a high-pressure beam. The power alone for this technique was immense, more than several high-class demons combined.
Vasco Strada is truly terrifying, but it was in his plans.....
«What?"- Vasco Strada noticed with consternation that after the flow of the power of destruction ended, Emeric was not in his seat.
After all, one of the main advantages of this technique is autonomy. While Vasco was distracted, Emeric bypassed him and headed straight for the unconscious Theodore who was controlling the Ark of the Covenant! The young demon realized that the fight might drag on, and his original goal was different! If he could stop the activity of the great artifact, then the others could escape from here!
Emeric was a few meters away from the angel lying on the ground with triumph in his eyes. He only needed one touch, and with Wisdom would arrange the rest!.....
It was a pity that Emeric couldn't see Vasco's face had taken on an intimidating expression. It was obvious that Emeric was a very unpleasant surprise to him....
But there was no way Vasco was going to let Emeric touch Wonder Child!
«Almost!.... - Impatiently whispered Emeric and his outstretched arm was literally two steps short of the cherished goal. - What?....
A gust of tremendous force blew him aside. It would have been a great reminder to never underestimate the legendary exorcist, but Emeric wasn't interested....
Emeric watched with eyes full of shock as his hand still flew through the air. It was severed in one easy motion and fell mockingly beside Theodore.
His arm has been chopped off! The natural defense inherent to his level of strength said goodbye to Vasco Strada's lightning lunge!
This is what happens when Vasco Strada starts using Durandal for its intended purpose.
***
patreon.com/posts/124888009