Chapter 16: The Wind Rises~

The eye of the storm, centered around the Extraterrestrial Inferno, instantly swept the surrounding Silvermane Guards into the air, while the rings of fire passed beneath them, incinerating everything in their path.

Just one second later, and they too would have been consumed by the sea of flames. For a moment, it felt surreal and almost unbelievable.

It wasn’t until the smell of melting rubber from their boots reached their noses that they snapped back to reality. This wasn’t a hallucination before death—it was undeniably real.

“Did Lady Bronya save us?”

This thought almost simultaneously arose in the hearts of the Silvermane Guards.

However, some also noticed Bronya, who had been pulled away by Officer Dunn, looking equally stunned.

“Was it not Lady Bronya’s power?”

A young guard murmured instinctively.

But then, a playful laugh seemed to echo in their ears, both endearing and startling them.

“Alright, get ready to land! Don’t sprain your ankles!”

The voice gently reminded them, prompting the guards to brace for landing.

The wind swirling around them cushioned their descent, releasing them at just the right height before wrapping around their feet to prevent their melted soles from sticking to the ground and making them easy targets.

This level of precise control left even the seasoned veterans in awe. More importantly, this power also bestowed upon them a blessing that made their movements swifter.

The fireballs that were once difficult to dodge now floated as slowly and lightly as children’s balloons.

Some guards, after dodging, instinctively assumed defensive postures.

Who could it be?

Who could accurately convey their voice on such a battlefield, lift them to safety from the flames, and grant them such blessings?

Regardless of who it was, the surviving guards felt a surge of hope.

However, perhaps sensing that its enemies had suddenly become more troublesome, the Extraterrestrial Inferno quickly reignited its core.

At the same time, elemental crystals began to materialize in the areas repeatedly swept by the fire rings, rapidly assembling into bird-like crystalline constructs.

“This is bad—it’s summoning reinforcements!”

A veteran urgently called out, hoping to offer even the slightest assistance.

This move was the primary reason why the Silvermane Guards had suffered heavy casualties in every past confrontation with the Extraterrestrial Inferno.

As the core of the fiery domain, the Extraterrestrial Inferno could endlessly draw upon crystalline elements as long as it remained within the rift.

Whether using this power as fuel for itself or summoning “allies,” it was as effortless as breathing.

In an instant, the once spacious street was filled with blazing constructs.

They soared into the sky like flocks of birds, their intense heat rapidly transforming the surroundings into an environment more suitable for their existence.

No matter how many of them were killed, within moments, new blazing constructs would emerge. Moreover, they used the energy released from their deaths as “beacons,” continuously attracting more elemental aggregation.

Thus, once the blazing domain was formed, the constructs would only multiply until they blotted out the sky like a dark cloud.

No matter how skilled the Silvermane Guards were, they would eventually be overwhelmed and worn down by the endless horde. This was a significant reason for their high casualty rates.

To solve this problem, a decapitation strategy was necessary.

However, based on the earlier situation, the person aiding them from behind the scenes seemed to be more adept at support, likely following the Path of Harmony.

In that case, they couldn’t address the root of the problem.

Just as the guards were about to grit their teeth and urge their mysterious savior to abandon them, a serene melody rang out.

It flowed like a mountain stream, winding its way into a lake, its refreshing coolness washing over their souls and rejuvenating their spirits. Their burns, varying in severity, were completely healed in that moment.

The gentleness of this power made the veterans even more determined not to let such a “gifted individual” perish here.

As one of them prepared to shout out, a cyan arrow of light streaked across the sky like a shooting star…

The moment the cyan arrow struck the ground, a massive wind vortex formed, far larger than before. The intense suction pulled in the blazing constructs and the Extraterrestrial Inferno alike, and the guards witnessed the birth of a colossal whirlwind.

The monsters that had once plagued the Silvermane Guards were now tossed around like rags in a washing machine, utterly helpless. The cyan elemental energy within the vortex suddenly took on a frosty hue, transforming into an icy whirlwind laced with freezing blades.

By the time the vortex dissipated, all the blazing constructs had vanished. The clash of elements had reduced them to their most basic particles, and the Extraterrestrial Inferno at the core of the vortex was left barely alive, its once-burning flames completely extinguished.

Its massive body slumped to the ground, utterly devoid of resistance.

As the guards stared in disbelief at this incredible scene, the voice spoke again, snapping them out of their daze.

“Sorry, it took me a while to find a suitable Everwinter Monument Shard, but I made it just in time.”

This time, the voice didn’t come through the wind—it was real, coming from nearby.

The guards instinctively turned toward the source, where a charming bard stood.

“Hey there, good evening! I’m Venti, the best bard in Belobog—and possibly the whole world!”

“She” shamelessly boasted, making it seem as though they were listening to “her” performance on a street corner.

Perhaps noticing their lack of reaction, the bard chuckled mischievously.

“Huh? Why do you all look like you’ve seen a ghost? Was my entrance not dramatic enough?”

This made a few of the more bashful guards avert their eyes, no longer daring to stare so rudely.

The most seasoned veteran among them solemnly thanked Venti for her help.

Meanwhile, Dunn and Bronya, who had been preparing to retreat, naturally witnessed this scene. They hurried back, and the latter locked eyes with Venti.

“…It’s you, Venti…”

Bronya didn’t know how to describe her current emotions.

There was guilt, joy, and a complex mix of feelings that left her momentarily speechless.

“Long time no see, Miss Bronya.”

In contrast, Venti seemed completely at ease, cheerfully greeting her. However, the distant “Miss” in her tone made Bronya’s heart ache slightly.

Their story began a month ago…