Chapter 247 (2): Phoenix

If possible, Ottilia didn’t want to fight Veronica and Wayne, but her master’s command was law. Besides, Regina had received the same mission. It wasn’t her call whether to act or not.

“It’s been a while, Ottilia. You’ve gotten even more beautiful.” Wayne approached her with Veronica, pulling two photos out with a sappy look. “Fate is cruel. Not long ago, we were cuddling and whispering sweet nothings to each other, even pondering marriage, but now, we’re suddenly rivals.”

Veronica glared at him furiously.

Bastard, why did you keep those photos?

She knew that the scumbag was using psychological warfare to undermine their opponents, so she suppressed her indignation, planning to take out the trash once they got back. He was not going to enter the bedroom if he didn’t give a satisfactory explanation as to why he kept the photos!

His ability to taunt people was first-rate. In an instant, Veronica entered battle mode, complete with a rage buff.

He tossed the photos with a wave, carrying them to Ottilia and Regina with wind elements. Looking at the couple cuddling in the photos, Ottilia made a resigned face, while Regina’s mouth opened in an O as she pointed an accusatory finger at her teammate, then at Wayne.

You’re not pure!

“Don’t fall for it. The photos were taken from a misleading angle...” Ottilia explained weakly. When she saw Wayne’s smug face, she lunged for the photos out of furious embarrassment.

She missed.

A breeze brought the photos back to Wayne’s hand. While talking about the night of passion they shared, he tucked the precious mementos back into his pocket.

Sensing her teammate’s questioning gaze, Ottilia nearly died of anger. She said through clenched teeth, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. He has several girlfriends. He’s best at deceiving women.”

Several girlfriends?

x2

Veronica cocked her head. Really? How did she not know?

Regina was even more skeptical. Although Wayne was never going to be the Anointed One, the church strictly required the bodyguards to be pure, too. How could he possibly have several girlfriends?

“You don’t have to explain, Ottilia. It sounds like covering up, which means you’re hiding the truth.” Wayne swung his arm. “Remember our promise to get married in Londan once we’re eliminated?”

“Only in your dream! I’d have to be mad to marry you!”

Ottilia lost it and fired a ray of green light at Wayne’s chest. And when she couldn’t take it, Veronica could take it even less. She took a step forward and swung her fist to scatter the parasitic spores. Quick as lightning, she grabbed Ottilia around the waist and charged into the mansion behind them, mansion number three.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Demolition time.

Wayne took a peek, hoping that Veronica would go easy. After all was said and done, the two of them would be sisters sharing the same bed. They shouldn’t make things awkward for everyone.

Regina moved to block his sight, introducing herself meticulously, “Regina Miller, Holy Maiden candidate from the Prussia District.”

She wore all black over her white shirt, paired with black boots and straight-cut pants. Her attire was refined and practical, without any flair.

“So you’re a candidate from Prussia. I’m Wayne. It’s an honor to be your opponent.” Wayne smoothly switched to Prussian. He hadn’t known the foreign language, but somehow picked it up at some point. He wasn’t sure where he had learned it—could be Windsor’s MI6, or Franc’s intelligence agency.

The familiar language made Regina feel considerable goodwill for him. She said, “Friendly warning: the leadership has crossed off your and your teammate’s names from the list due to your excellent performance. You’ll be eliminated today.”

“Is it really okay for you to say that? Many people are listening!” Wayne sighed. The girl didn’t appear very bright.

“Don’t worry. No one’s paying attention to this place right now...” Regina smiled. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Wayne frowned. Then his expression relaxed. “Thanks for the warning. As a gesture of gratitude, I’ll let you lose the fight with dignity.”

“You seem decent enough aside from being boastful. No wonder you managed to make Ottilia your girlfriend...” Regina raised both fists. “This is the moon. Faith magic and elemental magic are both weakened here. I’m sorry that you aren’t given the chance to show your power properly before your exit.”

“That’s enough. Stop talking, or I’ll figure out who’s the one targeting me.” Wayne shook his head. “You seem decent, too. If you don’t become the Holy Maiden, find me in Londan. I’ll give you a passionate fling.”

Since no one was watching, he didn’t have to pretend to be a gentleman.

Regina scoffed. White sand exploded from beneath her feet. With her life essence far surpassing the ordinary candidates, her white-gloved fist reached Wayne’s face in the blink of an eye.

Smack!

Wayne caught her punch steadily, his fingers tightening to twist her fist aside. “Not bad. You almost hit me, but you should use more force. Your future boyfriend likes it hard.”

Regina’s eyes glinted with surprise, but she didn’t dwell on it. A faint red glow emanated from her body, and intense flames enveloped her fist, making her attack three times more powerful.

It didn’t work well. Wayne’s grasp remained firm, and grunting, she failed to pull free.

Sweating now, sis?

Wayne thought.

Regina stared at her fist in confusion. The fire elements were draining away, and the flames were going out. Where she was in contact with or in proximity to Wayne, the fire elements she controlled were cut off from her.

It was hard to put into words. She had never had the same experience. It was as if her bloodline had betrayed her, eagerly defecting out of fear of being too slow.

No, rather than betrayal, it seemed more like her bloodline was being suppressed.

“Wayne, your bloodline...”

“I’m just a regular guy, with a slightly stronger elemental affinity,” Wayne explained kindly. His gaze shifted past Regina to look at the now demolished number-three mansion.

Ottilia and Veronica were engaged in a purely physical combat without using magic. Although Ottilia was at a disadvantage, she still managed to trade blows with Veronica, entering a gridlock with her.

Wayne spotted the same flames on Ottilia with his keen eyes.

“Look here. Pay attention.” Regina politely warned him before swinging her other fist.

The attack remained ineffective. Both her fists were now firmly in Wayne’s grasp. The way she twisted her body and struggled made them look like a couple play-fighting on the street.

Realizing that she couldn’t compete with Wayne in a battle of raw strength, Regina looked at his vulnerable front torso with glinting eyes, headbutting him.

Wayne released both her hands and opened his arms to pull Regina into his arms as she threw herself at him. Her gaze sharpened. Flames erupted around her, blazing and melting the white sand around them. The sheer heat created a molten crater with colorful crystals hardening on the edges.

The red gem Wayne could not establish contact with responded to Regina. A red beam of light five meters in diameter shot down, manifesting as a blazing red bird behind her.

The firebird folded its wings. Just as Wayne had embraced Regina, the bird embraced Wayne.

Surging waves of scorching heat swept over Regina and burned her, leaving her helpless. She continued to unleash the power of her bloodline, pushing it to the limit to call to the phoenix, yet Wayne remained intact, not even a single hair singed.

Which one of us has the bloodline of the phoenix?

Regina gave up. The higher-ups had told her that her opponent was strong and had to be eliminated early, but they didn’t mention that he shared the same bloodline as her. Moreover, his bloodline was purer, and his life essence overwhelmingly greater than hers.

With the beauty in his arms, Wayne mumbled sweet nothings carelessly while tightening his grip, making her complexion darken. She was so tough that she refused to beg for mercy even when she was trembling from pain, not letting out a single pained groan.

Boom!!

On the pale moon, two pillars of fire shot toward the dome, converging in midair to form a phoenix with a hundred-meter wingspan. It was entirely red with its head held high, wearing a crown of blazing golden flames. Its beak was sharp, and its curled talons gleamed with a metallic shine like swords.

With an ear-splitting cry, it unfurled its wings and brandished rows of golden feathers, stirring up waves of scorching air. Wreathed in intense enough heat to distort the air, the bird looked like a slowly rising small sun.

Beautiful yet dangerous!

***

Meanwhile, two figures were hiding outside the barrier, quietly observing the battle.

“They are the Pope’s people. He doesn’t want Wayne to continue with the selection and plans to kick him out. Thus, the letter and...”

“The one who created the portal in the Prophet Sanctuary wasn’t the Pope.”

“Perhaps not. It doesn’t matter now. Take him out and frame the Pope.”

“I know. It’s all his fault. He shouldn’t have appeared!”