Chapter 9: The Final Escape
While Rin fought with the colossal phoenix deep within his mental domain, completely unaware of the events outside, the real world stood witness to a miracle that few had ever seen.
The moment Rin accepted the Phoenix’s power, something extraordinary happened.
Above the little settlement, a golden phoenix’s brilliant figure materialized out of nowhere. Like a second sun, its wings spread wide, bathing the area in a glistening golden glow. Like an ancient god, the ghost hung there, announcing to the world that a new master had been chosen and that a contract had been made.
Rin’s little baby body throbbed with overpowering energy as the covenant took shape.As though the Phoenix’s whole essence were exploding from within him, he shone like a miniature sun, his skin filled with pure golden light.
As spiritual energy spiraled into the air, graceful arcs of flame swept across the sky. After flying high into the heavens, the Phoenix’s spiritual essence descended in a wide arc, circling the town like a protecting halo.
The brutal massacre that had been unfolding came to an immediate halt. Knights and soldiers who had moments earlier been executing the king’s cruel decree froze in place.
Swords slipped from trembling hands, clattering uselessly to the ground. Some collapsed to their knees without meaning to, crushed by an invisible weight—like a giant unseen force had pressed down on their backs, stealing the air from their lungs.
Even Robert and Marissa, battle-hardened knights who had faced death more times than they could count, bowed low as the presence passed over them. They didn’t dare lift their eyes. Whatever strength they’d once relied on meant nothing in the face of this overwhelming power.
It wasn’t just a vision. They all felt it—deep in their bones. This was no illusion. This was the presence of a Holy Beast.
The Phoenix had come.
Around them, the people fell into prayer, their hands clasped and faces pressed to the dirt, streaked with mud and tears. But their fear was slowly turning into awe. The air, once thick with dread, now pulsed with a comforting warmth.