The ground beneath their feet began to tremble, as if some giant creature was stretching its body underground, and the supporting pillars of the cave also spread terrifying cracks under the unbearable weight.
There were certainly no monsters underground here, but instead, there were certain more violent and barbaric things.
Violet had noticed early on that beneath this innermost, vast cave, lay a plethora of magically modified magic crystals that were in a state of chaotic turmoil due to the magical disturbances.
Magic crystals were quite valuable rare items in themselves. Typically, they could only be refined from magic crystal mines deep within the earth, and were rich in magical energy. Even the lowest quality, Tier 1, was worth more than gold in terms of weight.
Just like the way Felina handled the payment after the auction on the Spryce Island, magic crystals were a basic form of universal currency on the continent.
Whether it was for casting magical equipment, refining magic potions, or any other processes related to the concept of “mana,” magic crystals were indispensable.
Only the largest of powers could afford to modify them directly for use as explosives, and even large organizations like the Ghost Thief Group might not have the financial means to do so.
Previously, Lester mentioned that the legendary adventurer team called the 【Reaper’s Scythe】 also encountered similar incidents. Although no one died, they suffered serious injuries and are still recuperating. As a result, they even had a falling out with the authorities of the Demon Suppression City.
This same situation obviously isn’t a coincidence. It seems highly likely that both times, the authorities of the Demon Suppression City secretly provided financial support. Being legendary adventurers, the 【Reaper’s Scythe】 team certainly isn’t foolish, and they probably have realized this by now.
So, it’s possible that the adversaries they faced last time were also affiliated with the Ghost Thief Group. Was it just a coincidence...?
Just as Violet was extrapolating some information from the situation here, she heard the emotionally neutral inquiry from Little Dragon Girl.
“Master, are we not going to intervene? This place is probably about to collapse.”
At these words, the priestess redirected her attention to the immediate surroundings.
The rumbling and explosions grew louder and more intense. Several of the thickest beams had completely collapsed, and countless boulders began to fall one after another. Although the remaining members of the Ghost Thief Group had not been wiped out, the fighting had been forcibly terminated.
Even if the demons were foolish, they could now understand that this was a trap and that they were merely meaningless pawns. Even if they were left alone, the imminent series of explosions and collapses would still claim their lives.
It was better to take the opportunity now to find a way to save their own lives before it was too late.
Standing at the entrance of the cave, Violet casually knocked away a piece of rubble falling straight down with her priest’s staff and shook her head.
“There’s no need. Taking this opportunity, it’s a good chance to see what the guys from the Ten Thousand Demons Mountains are made of. If we really can’t handle them, it’s not too late to save their lives.”
The one wielding the machete, with a spiral horn on his head, known as “South Blade,” seemed to be shouting loudly. Though there was a considerable distance between them, Violet could still make out his voice. He was probably calling out to other demons to gather around him.
These demons showed remarkable cooperation and adaptability. Sensing the changes around them, they almost simultaneously abandoned their current opponents, remaining vigilant against the last-ditch counterattack of the remnants of the Ghost Thief Group. They quickly gathered together, back to back, forming a circle.
Just as Violet was curious about what they would do next...
“Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!”
Accompanied by a terrifying rumble far exceeding before, countless flames tore through the ground, roaring and gushing out, engulfing everything in the cave, burying the fleeing thieves and demons, who were cursing and swearing, in an instant!
At this moment, a peculiar yet somewhat familiar ripple spread out, but it was masked by the countless falling rocks and flames in the cave.
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Violet instinctively erected the barrier of 【Light Protection】, facing the intense explosion head-on. These bombings, comparable to fifth-tier large-area magic in an enclosed space, even higher in power, continued to strike against the golden curtain, but they couldn’t inflict any harm.
As if sensing something, the black-haired girl within the barrier furrowed her brow. Despite the overwhelming resistance, she forcibly pushed the barrier in the opposite direction until it spread to the position where the demons had been.
There was nothing there anymore, as if the opponents had never been there from the beginning.
“...Playing this trick again?”
There was no fluctuation of spatial magic, but Violet was quite certain she had encountered this feeling before.
This time, the priestess wouldn’t just stand idly by.
In her palm, fantastical and mysterious trees sprouted and grew branches, swiftly transforming into a shining silver surgical blade. Violet grasped it, a hint of nostalgia flashing in her silver-blue eyes.
This was one of the signature equipments of her friend, who excelled in spatial magic – the demi-artifact 【Blade of Hollow Mark】. Though it looked like a blade, it was actually an auxiliary equipment, very useful in certain situations.
Ignoring the intense collapsing and the continuous chain of explosions outside, and paying no heed to the wails of the hunters, Violet adjusted 【Light Protection】 and, together with the young dragon girl, moved to the spot where the demons had vanished, lightly swiping the surgical blade through the air.
“Swish~”
Accompanied by a crisp sound akin to a blade cutting through cloth, a visible crack tore open in the space beneath the blade.
Unlike the deep and unstable fissures that typically accompany the collapse of normal space, the interior slashed by the 【Blade of Hollow Mark】 shimmered with silver light. Defying the laws of the world, it expanded outward gradually, eventually forming a peculiar doorway just large enough for one person to enter.
This was one of the special abilities of the 【Blade of Hollow Mark】. It could capture the coordinates of a connected space from a certain period and, using its own power, create a special passage that allowed the user to actively reach the corresponding location.
To put it more concretely, suppose Violet had previously used an 【Invisible Space Portal】. If someone wielded this demi-artifact, they could open a portal to the same location for a short time after she had activated hers.
Because such means indeed existed, Violet had understood why Felina had expressed concern about the safety of having the portal near the queen.
Whether it was spatial jumping or traversing through minor dimensions, although fundamentally different concepts, both required coordinates. As long as there were recent coordinates that had been opened, one could leap over using this special demi-artifact.
Temporarily holding the simulated 【Blade of Hollow Mark】, which imitated the 【Kabbalah’s Tree of Life】, Violet needed to retain this change just in case. This ensured that no matter what happened on the other side, they could at least guarantee a return to the present world.
With a nod to Xiao Guang, the two girls stepped into the silver doorway one after the other.
Shortly after, the golden curtain and the silver door disappeared simultaneously, as the suppressed surge of chaotic magic and the collapsing boulders surged forth, engulfing everything in the cave.