Chapter 307: Vlad vs Aola (I)
Vlad opened his mouth and retrieved a space ring that had been hidden there. Swiftly, he sent the orb inside before pulling out his armor and swords.
The obsidian metallic armor expanded across his body, perfectly accommodating his physique. Gripping both swords tightly, Vlad gazed at Aola with coldness and killing intent. She had deceived an entire town into surrendering their souls, preying on their despair and hope, and who knew how many more had fallen to her tricks. There was no way he would let her leave this place alive.
Aola felt similarly resolute. She knew it would be better to die than to return without the orb; the wrath of the deity she served was not something she or her family could withstand.
With a single thought, a thin white armor spread across the angel’s form, perfectly suited to her body. Vlad’s eyes narrowed as he observed the armor—it was impressive, equal to his own Peak Rank 2 Alchemy Artifact. But what she drew next surprised him even more.
In Aola’s hand appeared an exquisite halberd. It wasn’t large or cumbersome, perfectly balanced for her stature, and the energy emanating from it was immense. The weapon’s edge resonated with a power that triggered Vlad’s instincts.
"A Rank 3 Alchemy Artifact?" Vlad muttered, his gaze sharpening as he analyzed the weapon. He recognized that the piercing and slashing capabilities of the halberd were formidable enough to threaten his life.
Silence reigned for a few tense seconds as the Depravita and the angel gauged each other. Then, in a burst of motion, they lunged forward at shocking speeds—Vlad leaving arcs of red lightning in his wake while Aola streaked like a beam of light.
"BOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!"
Their initial clash was cataclysmic. The sword met halberd in an explosion of lightning, fire, and luminescence that spread in all directions.
Vlad’s arms trembled under the force of the impact, the sheer power behind Aola’s halberd nearly overwhelming him. The weapon’s speed granted it immense momentum, each swing accompanied by a massive wave of energy.
Aola wasted no time. She twisted her halberd with deft precision and launched a swift attack from the left. Vlad barely managed to bring his second sword up in time, the clash sending sparks flying. The force pushed him back, his boots digging furrows into the ground as he slid.
She pressed her advantage, unleashing a flurry of strikes. Her movements were a blur, the halberd cutting through the air with lethal grace. Vlad parried and dodged, his lightning-enhanced speed barely keeping pace. He channeled demonic fire into his blades, the crimson flames licking along the edges as he countered with his own series of attacks.