Chapter 41

After Ruri unleashed the Meteor Burst on Army spell, five hundred royal guards in identical armor collapsed like dominoes.

Stepping over the fallen guards, nothing now blocked their path to the palace gates.

The words "Meteor Burst on Army" vanished one by one from Ruri’s grimoire, burning away as if consumed by flames.

"I still have Freezing Touch available," she murmured, studying its description—*Shift the body temperature of the first touched target from positive to negative*.

"I don’t quite understand this description... but judging by the name, it should be a restraining spell?"

"Save it for critical moments," Leon said. "Your magic has already done us a huge favor. Leave the rest to us!"

Ruri bowed deeply. "As long as I can be of help."

Just then, Anya returned from scouting—her feline form darting back in a flash. "I found something! Adventurers are surrounding the Aeon Grand Cathedral—!"

*Adventurers surrounding the cathedral?* Naya frowned. *It’s not a dungeon—why would they blockade it?*

"Could the Adventurer Guild be behind this?" Naya’s voice tightened with unease.

"Crown Prince Ivan Reyes founded the Guild," Aile hissed. "He’s hailed as the King of All Adventurers. So he’s finally mobilized them, has he?"

*Tonight, the Aeon Grand Cathedral truly becomes a dungeon.*

The final battle between Crown Prince Ivan Reyes and the Aeon Sect had begun!!!

"To the Aeon Grand Cathedral first!" Leon ordered.

"I’ll scout the Adventurer Guild," Anya meowed, already slipping into shadows.

"Be careful," Leon called after her.

"Relax—I’m just a cat now—!" Her voice faded as she vanished.

The Aeon Grand Cathedral stood in Dawn City’s noble district—the Palace Quarter—northeast of the royal palace on the map. Completed barely a year ago, its splendor rivaled the palace itself, though its scale paled in comparison.

Now, Naya’s group stood at the base of its forty-eight stone steps. Blocking their way was a newly promoted one-star adventurer team.

Spotting them, the team’s rogue leader swaggered forward. "You’re too late. We’ve already claimed this spot."

"...Claimed?" Aile’s icy glare locked onto him.

"Yeah. We and another team have secured it. If you’re here for the bounty, know your place and—"

He never finished. A gigantic silver hand slammed four of them aside—leaving only the Aeon Sect priestess trembling in shock.

"Consider this mercy for sharing Aio’s faith!" Aile snapped. "Heal your teammates and go hunt goblins. Don’t meddle further!" She stormed up the steps first.

The rogue captain crashed through the cathedral doors—slammed open—the heavy oak doors revealing a scarred greatsword wielder inside. He had an Aeon priestess by the throat, lifting her off the ground.

The evening cathedral was nearly empty. The Aeon Sect had been caught off guard.

"Where did you hide the demons?!" he snarled.

Gritting her teeth, the priestess choked out, "I... don’t know... any demons..."

"Why are all Aeon Sect members girls?" The greatsword user grinned lecherously. "How about we farm *this* dungeon tonight?"

This was Gloomy Gruss of the one-star team "Hawk’s Talon," his comrades laughing as they watched.

Aile charged in, fury radiating.

Hawk’s Talon’s leader, Falcon, sensed danger instantly.

"What’s going on—?" He glanced at the fallen rogue captain, then at Aile. "*A Holy Knight of Aio?*" His hand flew to his sword hilt.

"You have three seconds to leave," Leon announced coldly.

"Are you joking?!" Falcon lunged, assuming Aio reinforcements had arrived—only to clash blades with Leon. Recognition flashed in his eyes. "*Hero Leon?!* Shouldn’t you be on *our* side?!"

Leon said nothing. His free hand swung the Mystic Silver Sword—a blur of motion—and struck Falcon. Shadow Flash Slash followed, cutting down two more. Arrows from the enemy hunter clattered harmlessly against Aile’s shield before she smashed him unconscious with it.

The greatsword user dropped the priestess and swung his massive blade at Leon. Expressionless, Leon sidestepped. *Too slow.* The blow carried power but no speed. *Dream on.* In the next heartbeat, Leon appeared behind him—the greatsword user collapsed, blood spraying.

Two one-star teams wiped out in moments.

"You adventurers understand nothing," Leon said flatly.

Shouts erupted outside—the first wave of bounty hunters flooding toward the cathedral.

*Looks like we’ll have to cut our way to the palace.*

To be continued.