Master Of Astral Summoner

Chapter 224: Before it’s too late

In the blink of an eye, a horde of creatures of darkness—giant blue lizards—crawled rapidly toward them. Shaan, realizing this, instantly commanded Robin Hood to stop the creatures before they could reach them.

"Robin Hood, use Swift Quiver!"

[Understood]

Robin Hood released a volley of arrows in rapid succession, each one racing toward the charging beasts. The blue lizards moved with terrifying speed. They twisted, leaped, and weaved through every arrow with ease. The creatures suddenly blended into their surroundings. One after another, they vanished from sight.

[Damn it!] Robin Hood clicked his tongue in frustration. [Now we’ve lost track of them.]

"Stay alert."Shaan tightened his grip on his swords and scanned every corner of the courtyard. "They’re still here. and waiting for the right moment."

"Uhm... leave it to me. I’ll try to track them down." Chelsie swung her staff through the air. "Carmen, use the Vivus Vitae skill right now."

[As you wish, Romani Girl.]

Moments later, several pulses of light spread across the battlefield like beating hearts. Each glowing pulse searched the area at incredible speed. Suddenly, one pulse stopped only a few steps from Shaan.

"There!"

Before anyone could react, a giant blue lizard burst out of its camouflage and lunged straight at him.

’CLING!’

"Argh!"

Shaan raised both swords just in time and blocked the creature’s razor-sharp claws. Argh, dammit!" He gritted his teeth as he forced the beast back. "I’ll make sure you die!"

Shaan shoved the creature back with all his strength, forcing it to stumble. He immediately spun both of his short swords and slashed at the beast.

"Take this, you damn monster!"

The blue lizard sprang into the air before its blades could reach it. In the next instant, dozens of razor-sharp spikes burst from its body and shot toward him.

Realizing this, Shaan threw himself to the side and rolled across the ground, dodging all the attacks just in time.

’That was close. If I had been one second late—’

"Shaan! On your left!"

Chelsie’s warning echoed across the battlefield. Shaan snapped his head to the side. His expression froze. Another blue lizard had already closed the distance. The creature swung its massive claws straight at him.

’This is bad, I can’t possibly—’

[Shaan, duck now!]

The moment Robin Hood shouted, Shaan dropped flat without hesitation, and an arrow instantly whizzed past him at high speed. The arrow struck one of the lizard’s body parts, and in an instant, a loud explosion occurred. The lizard’s body was immediately flung back with great force, slamming into a building column nearby.

"Nice shot, Robin Hood."

[Naturally.] Robin Hood flashed a smug grin and puffed out his chest. [My arrows never miss.Never.]

’Same as always.’Shaan let out a helpless sigh and shook his head.’His confidence is off the charts.’

"...Shaan, we’re in trouble." Nalira parried another blue lizard’s claws before turning toward him. "We can’t stay here." She knocked another creature back with a swift slash.

"They outnumber us. We need to get out of here. Now."

"I-I agree." Chelsie quickly nodded from behind Nalira. "B-But how are we supposed to escape?" Her face turned pale as several giant blue lizards closed in from every direction. "They’ve almost surrounded us." She tightened her grip on her staff. "We don’t have an escape route."

"...I can make one." Nalira swung her sword to the side and cut across the chest of another giant lizard that suddenly leaped at her. "Satan, use Fire Burst and drive them back."

[Understood, Princess]

Satan opened his jaws. A roaring torrent of crimson flames erupted from his mouth and swept across the battlefield. The blazing inferno engulfed several blue lizards at once.

The remaining creatures instinctively recoiled from the scorching heat. For the first time since the battle began, a narrow path opened before them.

"Move!" Nalira pointed toward the opening. "We don’t have much time. Satan’s flames won’t hold them back for long. We need to find a place to hide."

"B-But where?" Chelsie frantically searched the courtyard. "Where can we possibly run right-"

Shaan cut Chelsie off and pointed toward a dense cluster of trees a short distance away. "There. We can hide there for a while." He narrowed his eyes as he studied the area. "I’m sure those monsters won’t find us that easily."

"...Good observation." Nalira nodded without a moment’s hesitation. "Then let’s move before it’s too late."

While Satan continued to unleash his blazing flames, the three of them sprinted toward the thick grove, hoping its dense canopy would conceal them from the giant blue lizards.

As Shaan ran, something caught his attention. The Resistance leader and his followers disappeared through the entrance of the massive building they had seen moments earlier.

’Damn it... We have to stop them before it’s too late.’

"... hold on."

"S-Shaan?" Chelsie slowed to a stop and looked at him in confusion. "What’s wrong? Did you see something in the trees?"

"No." Shaan quickly shook his head. "I didn’t see anything."

He clenched his fists. "But the Resistance leader already entered that building." His voice grew tense. "That means we’re running out of time. If we don’t stop them now..." He stared at the towering Gothic structure in the distance."Twilight Sanctum will fall into the wrong hands."

"You’re right."As Nalira spoke, she gave a firm nod. "Then... we’ll have to split up. One of us needs to lure those lizards away while the others chase the Resistance leader."

"Sp-split up?" Chelsie immediately shook her head. "No... no, that’s a terrible idea." Panic filled her voice. "We have to stay together. I’m sure help will arrive soon."

"...No." Nalira’s calm reply silenced everyone. "Help won’t reach us in time." She tightened her grip on her sword. "The battle outside the cathedral has already thrown everything into chaos. The reinforcements will focus on the fighting outside. We have to act now."

Chelsie lowered her head and gave a reluctant nod.

"Uhm... I understand."

"All right." Shaan tightened his grip on his twin short swords and stepped forward with confidence. "Robin Hood and I can distract them while you two—"

"...No." Nalira cut him off without hesitation. Her expression never changed. "I’ll distract them."She glanced toward the blazing wall of fire. "As long as Satan keeps breathing fire, the flames will hold those lizards back. That will give the two of you enough time to chase the Resistance leader."

Nalira took a determined step forward and swung her sword to the side. Flames danced along the blade."Go. Before it’s too late."

"L-Lira..." Chelsie stared at her with worry. "Are you sure?"

"...I am."Nalira walked toward the pack of giant blue lizards without looking back.m"Now go. Get out of here."

"I understand."

Without another word, Shaan and Chelsie broke into a sprint. They left Nalira behind and rushed after the Resistance leader, who had already entered the massive building. Neither of them noticed the red-haired woman watching from the branches of a towering tree. A sly smile spread across her lips. "Good..." she whispered. "Now the real game begins."