Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 552: Sins and Virtues

Chapter 552: Sins and Virtues

The rivalry that existed between the Divine and Devil Wheels was a tale even older than Salem Theocracy and Judah Dynasty, both of whom currently held monopolies over each Wheel.

Just as the Devil Wheel held seven domains corresponding to the seven deadly sins, the Divine Wheel held seven domains corresponding to the seven core virtues.

They served as the perfect poster children of the concepts of yang and yin, which were essential to the presence of Balance on Eventide.

With the Virtues presiding over the Divine Wheel and the Devils presiding over the Devil Wheel, they were opposites in every way possible, ensuring that there could be no chance of ever coming together.

In any case, due to this peculiar rivalry that had stood the test of time, waxing stronger as the years went by, the denizens of these two enigmatic Wheels had gotten the opportunity to study one another extensively ensuring that there were no secrets between them.

As it was said, only an enemy knows one best.

And as Aelenius was a member of the Divine Wheel, a Mystic that had just concluded his second trial, graduating to become a Knight of the Divine Wheel, he was quick to deduce Nadia’s intention for appearing in Albanum based on her actions thus far.

"You wish to be regarded as a Terrorist," Aelenius muttered in faint amusement.

Nadia was hardly surprised as she was also aware of the Divine Wheel and its varying intricacies.

Seeing Aelenius’s exaggerated knightly attire, she could tell that he was at least at the second Lock of the Divine Wheel, and judging from his attack that ended his subordinate’s life, she deduced that he had received the Grace of the Virtue of Diligence, which granted him access to the Domain of Combat manipulation.

Aelenius scrutinized her for a moment, his gaze lingering on her chest briefly only to be disappointed to find that her Stigma had been obscured by her attire.

One’s Stigma was a good way to quickly figure out the domain they held control over if the person knew about the 43 Domains of Mysticism.

Clicking his tongue, the Knight no longer decided to waste time as he knew that with preparations, a Devil Wheel Mystic was the worst kind of Mystic to face off against.

But then again, that was only if they could keep their distance.

Save for the Warrior and Beast Wheels, no other Wheel came close to the Divine Wheel with regards to boosting one’s physical capabilities.

And considering the Devil Wheel had very little in terms of physical boosts, Mystics of the Wheel were still human until they ascended.

The fact that the Mystic before him still dared to stand so close to him despite being of the Devil Wheel proved that she was beyond arrogant, a usual trait that those contracted to the Devil of Pride held in abundance.

"You will pay for your arrogance," Aelenius remarked as he pulled out his sword.

The next moment, he disappeared from where he stood, a crater emerging a moment later.

Before Nadia could react, he had already closed the distance, swinging his blade with the intent to decapitate her in one swift motion.

Nadia muttered a spell in deviltongue.

Remotio

The scenery around them immediately changed, switching from the front of the Albanum church to a massive throne room illuminated by scarlet flames with tall and imposing pillars with thousands of statues kneeling in reverence while facing the same direction.

Aelenius didn’t even pay any attention to the change as he swung his blade without hesitation, taking off Nadia’s head in one strike though her image turned illusory the next moment before quickly dissipating.

Snorting derisively, he intoned. "Did you think I’d fall for your party tricks?... Your petty illusions are nothing before me."

Expecting a counterattack, Aelenius found that Nadia was nowhere within his sensory range, which, mind you, was quite wide, causing his expression to shift ever so slightly.

His intuition told him that something was wrong.

Immediately, he quoted scripture while exerting his Will. "As it is said, he has given us the power to trample upon all adversaries, marching ever forward toward paradise!"

His aura changed, allowing him to take on an indomitable form as he waited for whatever was coming.

Well, well, what do we have here?... Not just a man, but one blessed by those betrayers?... Pathetic.

Aelenius froze before slowly turning in the direction the statues were bowing toward.

There, he found a purple succubus, dressed in regal attire with a crown on her head, seated on a grand throne that seemed to scream, I am Queen of the World!

Before her, all one could do was kneel.

Aelenius stood his ground for a moment as he quoted scripture yet again with an exertion of Will. "As it is said, he has not given us a fearful heart, but one filled with courage!"

Oh shut up.

Alas, as quickly as he felt his ability manifest, it dissipated like a lie.

Now beg.

Aelenius dropped to his knees, trembling as the cold hands of death came upon him. "Ah, ah..."

***

The knights didn’t know what had happened.

One moment, Aelenius had attacked Nadia and the next, both Mystics had disappeared without a trace.

Of course, they had no reason to think that Aelenius would lose after all; in a close-quarters match, no Devil Wheel Mystic would be able to best a Divine Wheel Mystic.

So all they had to do was wait for their Captain’s return, and it didn’t take long for him to return, though it was hardly in the form or manner they expected.

Nadia appeared alongside Aelenius’s corpse, the latter’s expression frozen in despair, almost like his last moments had been nothing short of terrifying.

Still maintaining her malevolent form, it almost seemed like Nadia had had no trouble with dispatching Aelenius and if that were the case, what hope did they have of defeating such a fearsome foe?

Just like that, the knights had their courage taken from them, leaving them at the mercy of Nadia who uttered a spell in deviltongue as she gazed upon them.

Missa hystoria

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