Reborn As Noble Chapter 1251: Statues of Divine Judgment ( 1251 )

The fierce battle raged on, the sheer intensity of their confrontation causing the surrounding atmosphere to become thick and heavy. The shockwaves emanating from their attacks shattered walls, sending debris skittering across the grand hall.

A smirk played on Angrar's lips as he surveyed the scene, his gaze sweeping over the two opponents with a mocking glint. "I had assumed that holding the position of vice leader would have imbued you with considerable strength... but it appears I was mistaken, wasn't I?"

He casually deflected Karue's aggressive lunge, his posture remarkably relaxed as he systematically parried and blocked their combined assaults.

"And you, Karue? I find myself questioning how you ascended to leadership among the thirteen summoned heroes under your so-called Goddess Maekaria. If this is the caliber of leader-level might, then your other subordinates must surely be utterly incompetent."

A wave of indignation surged through Karue's other subordinates. All eleven of them simultaneously drew their weapons and launched a unified, ferocious charge towards Angrar.

Angrar skillfully parried and evaded, yet even his considerable abilities were stretched thin confronting so many adversaries at once. A well-aimed kick connected with his ribs, propelling him backward into a wall with a resounding thud. The stone fractured under the impact, a cloud of dust and fragments settling over his form.

He emerged from the rubble with an air of unconcern, rolling his shoulder as he prepared to unleash a counteroffensive.

Vane let out a superior chuckle, his arms crossed resolutely. "Well, well, well... it seems the formidable Angrar is not as invincible as he purported. All that boasting, and you're already being tossed about like a mere plaything. Whatever happened to that unwavering confidence of yours?"

Karue emitted a low, dark laugh, her crystalline blade still humming with crackling lightning. "Not quite so composed now, are we, Mr. Calm and Collected? It appears your boasts far outstrip your ability to deliver."

Three of Angrar's own contingent drew their weapons and advanced on Karue's group, only to be met head-on by Vane's members, swiftly transforming the hall into a maelstrom of multi-faceted combat.

The struggle wore on, and the immense strain began to take its toll on Angrar and his allies as they faced the relentless onslaught of superior numbers. Superficial wounds and bruises accumulated, their movements becoming noticeably slower and more labored with each passing moment.

Vane and Karue exchanged smug glances upon observing Angrar audibly panting, his breaths coming in short, ragged bursts as he desperately parried another incoming blow.

"It appears your demise is imminent today, Angrar," Vane declared, his voice laced with palpable satisfaction.

"Indeed. Furthermore, we have no need for a subordinate associated with a weak, insignificant goddess," Karue chimed in, her tone sharp and derisive.

"Precisely. Even without your presence and that of your followers, we are quite confident in our ability to achieve the primary objective," Vane stated with unbridled arrogance. "We possess an abundance of chosen individuals, not to mention the finest knights and soldiers perfectly suited for the task."

"Next time, Angrar," Karue sneered, "perhaps you should understand your station as a subordinate with a paltry number of followers. Learn to heed instructions and exhibit subservience rather than engaging in empty rhetoric."

Vane smirked once more, his aura flaring as he concentrated his full might. "The time has come for you to meet your end, Angrar."

"Next time, ensure you have prepared your own burial vessel before attending any such meetings," Karue added, her lightning-infused aura crackling with volatile energy.

Angrar let out a low, dark chuckle, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Do you genuinely believe that by overwhelming us with your combined numbers, you can actually succeed in ending my life?"

He bellowed a chilling laugh as his aura ignited. His twin scimitars elongated, becoming wreathed in roaring infernal flames. "Who indicated that I had yet to unleash my full capabilities?"

Karue responded with her own burst of laughter. "And do you imagine for a moment that I have expended my ultimate power? Such thoughts are mere fantasy!" Her electrical aura erupted outwards, crackling with lethal intensity.

"Allow me to demonstrate the consequences when I commence employing my genuine strength, Angrar," Vane proclaimed, his aura surging as he braced himself for a decisive strike.

Just as the combined forces were poised to launch their final assault and overwhelm Angrar and his dwindling group, a sudden, absolute stillness befell them. Actions halted mid-gesture; those who had already leapt found themselves suspended immovably in the air. Others felt their weapons grow impossibly heavy, their limbs utterly unresponsive to their will.

An icy dread permeated their beings. An overwhelming, suffocating presence descended upon them, rendering the lifting of weapons or even the simple act of drawing breath an insurmountable challenge.

"What exactly do you all believe you are doing?"

A voice, calm and unwavering, resonated throughout the vast hall.

Vane's blood ran cold, his entire body locked in place as an unseen force held him suspended. His scattered subordinates throughout the hall were equally immobilized, their faces contorted in sheer terror as they struggled in futile desperation.

Karue exerted her utmost to move, her muscles straining against an invisible restraint, yet she remained rigidly fixed. The lightning aura surrounding her blade flickered with diminished vigor.

Angrar, still gasping for air, forced himself to regain composure. He slowly turned his head towards the origin of the profound, resonant voice.

"Julius, why must you invariably intervene precisely when I am on the verge of eliminating your subordinates?"

Julius approached with a serene smile, his movements fluid and graceful. He was clad in resplendent golden plate armor, elaborately decorated with divine engravings and accented by crimson trim along its edges. A formidable golden tower shield was secured to his back, while an oversized golden divine sword lay across his shoulders, too grand to be carried at his waist.

"Aw~ Don’t be like that, Angrar. We’re all on the same team, right?" Julius inquired, his tone warm and amicable, his smile disarming.

"Who said we’re a team?" Angrar retorted, drawing his sword and swiping a trickle of blood from his lip with his hand.

Karue and Vane, along with the others present, widened their eyes in surprise. Despite the overwhelming aura Julius exuded, Angrar managed to move, albeit with visible effort.

"Uuu~ Don’t be like that. Hey, hey~" Julius sauntered over and casually placed an arm around Angrar's shoulder, as if they were close companions, despite Julius's superior stature. "Don’t be so cold."

"Get your hand off my shoulder," Angrar commanded, attempting to shrug off Julius's arm, but it remained firmly in place.

"Aw~ Don’t sulk like that. Hey, next time we’ll go drink together, okay? My treat," Julius proposed with a playful grin, tapping Angrar's cheek with a finger.

"Ugh! Don’t touch me like that. It’s disgusting."

"Aw~ Don’t be that mad, Angrar."

"If you don’t remove your hand from my shoulder, I’ll kill you right here, Julius."

"Uuu~ So cold~" Julius pouted, narrowing his eyes at Angrar before finally removing his arm from Angrar’s shoulder. He then turned to face the assembled group, his smile calm and genuine.

"Alright, party’s over. Everyone, take a seat." His voice was light, yet the force of his presence bore down on them. "And please~ put away your weapons."

The instant his skill was released, everyone present collapsed to the floor, drawing ragged breaths as their bodies shook with exhaustion and apprehension. Some clutched their chests, others leaned on their weapons for support, their faces ashen and slick with cold sweat.

Julius looked back at Angrar. "You too, Angrar. Take a seat. The meeting is about to start."

"No. I’m not in the mood for a meeting." Angrar made to move towards the exit but stopped short as he noticed something.

Julius snapped his fingers.

Hundreds of knights clad in gleaming golden armor materialized throughout the hall, sealing off all exits and forming an imposing perimeter. Each knight wore full golden plate armor, a golden sword at their hip, and a shield on their back, standing perfectly still like statues of divine judgment.

Angrar glared at Julius. "Do you think just because you summoned your knights, you’ll be able to stop me?"

Julius offered a calm, charming smile. "Now, now~ Let’s have the meeting first, shall we? They won’t bite."

He proceeded towards the head of the table but paused, glancing back over his shoulder.

"No one should skip an important meeting like this. Besides..." He smiled, his gaze drifting across everyone in the room. "We have new information about our enemy."

He continued his walk to the head of the table and took his seat. As he touched the table's cracked surface, every fissure, chip, and broken piece instantly mended, restoring it to perfect condition.

He looked at Angrar, Vane, and Karue with a serene, knowing smile.

"And you know... even one of them is on par with the combined power of the three of you."