Hans stood on the walls of New Habsburg, at the top of the tower, where a branch of the Tree of Life had just made its way in.

He carefully extended his hand.

Unexpectedly, the branch of the Tree of Life did not reject him but gently wrapped around his palm, the leaves brushing against his palm.

Hans chuckled, "The master asked me to protect you, you don't need to thank me."

In the palm of his other hand, he held a Double-headed Eagle emblem; just by channeling Spiritual Power into it, he could establish contact with Anna—this was the one originally belonging to Losa.

The purpose was, of course, to guard against the strategy of luring the tiger away from the mountain.

Suddenly, from afar, came a loud bang.

In the next moment, a monster covered entirely in pitch-black scales, its arms thick like those of a giant gorilla, crawled out from the ground—it was driven by the effect of digging brought by the arms of the Russian giants.

The giants are children of the earth, living on the vast Eastern European grassland, the Russian giants, though no longer possessing the great Power of their ancestors, are still beasts comparable to Middle Tier Giant Dragons.

Standing on the tower, Hans's mouth twitched slightly, "Why am I always so unlucky?"

He tried to send a message to Anna, but over there, there was no response at all.

Bam!

The branch of the Tree of Life lashed out like a whip, the wind it carried sounded like a piercing shriek.

Yet Nidhogg had no intention of dodging, it opened its wide mouth, inside which a ball of flame rapidly enlarged.

Then, forming a pillar of fire, it was spewed out, incinerating the branches of the Tree of Life entirely.

Feeling the slightly fearful will transmitted by the Tree of Life.

Hans sighed lightly and came to the window of the tower, skillfully grabbed a few protruding rocks, and quickly descended onto the walls.

"Lord Hans, what should we do?"

Leonard's face was filled with anger and fear, angry at the attack on the Holy Tree, and fearful of the power of this "Demon," which was by no means an opponent humans could match.

"You retreat, don't get involved, this is not your fight."

Hans bent his knees and flew off the wall like a cannonball, soon he blended into the night.

Leonard rubbed his eyes, "No wonder Hans is so valued by the master, is he perhaps the Saint Apostle following the master?"

…

The reason Anna wasn't answering the communication was simple, because she had already been drawn into a battle.

Ragman, draped in a black Wizard Robe, was putting up a massive shield defending against Anna's Flame Magic attacks as she tried to destroy the place.

"You're really here!"

"Honestly, I can't fathom how you figured it out?"

Ragman shrugged, as if this outcome was not beyond his capacity to accept.

"Hand over Nishaya, drop your Magic Staff, and return to Constantinople with me, I will plead with Your Majesty to spare your life."

Ragman's face slowly curled into a smile, "What an enticing offer, but alas, your Nishaya, I've sliced off a piece of her soul—just a shame that time was too tight for me to fetch her eyeballs."

"But she, has become a living dead."

The fire on Anna's face ignited instantly, terrifying magic power surged out from her body.

Furin secretly swallowed, was this woman originally this fierce?

"Kill him!"

Anna screamed sharply, and in the sky, fiery balls the size of basins rapidly condensed, their scorching heat almost making Losa's breath a bit labored.

Bang bang bang—

The fireballs slammed into the magic shield Ragman had conjured.

"Take action, finish it quickly, I have a bad feeling."

Losa spoke up.

He opened his hand, golden rays of light gathered, Jeanne came before him, smiling as she said, "Master, you'll have to wait a bit—let me demonstrate first."

More intense and dazzling golden light converged in her hand.

The rusty Holy Spear once again emitted golden brilliance, the ancient runic inscriptions on it were clearly visible.

"In the name of God, I judge you as—guilty!"

The Holy Spear transformed into a stream of light.

In an instant, it pierced through the shield set by Ragman and stabbed straight into his chest.

Terrifying golden patterns rapidly spread across his entire body.

"Why are you standing around? Master, hurry and give the finishing blow!"

Jeanne patted Losa's shoulder, realizing that personally killing a wizard at the very least would support him advancing another level.

He raised his hand, in the distance, the Holy Spear suddenly disappeared and reformed in Losa's palm.

His muscles tensed throughout, like a bow filled with Power.

The Holy Spear released, he exhaled heavily from exertion.

Ragman lowered his head, looking at his chest pierced again, murmuring softly, "What formidable force."

His mouth curled in a slight smile, the next moment, the golden Holy Flame consumed him completely.

The system notification sound heard nearby induced a surreal feeling in him.

"Resolved so easily?"

You have accomplished the milestone: Wizard Slayer. (You've successfully killed an enemy wizard with "a middle tier of magic power.")

You obtained a special reward: Cherinita's cookie box.

Effect: From it, you can extract a hundred random flavored chocolate cookies daily.

Evaluation: The perfect gift for Miss Cherinita; possessing it greatly increases your odds of recruiting Miss Cherinita the next time you draw a card.

But don't expect the cold Miss Cherinita to send a tender kiss—she's a timid girl whose relationship with you won't progress unless you take initiative.

…

Observing the slightly sluggish two people, Anna frowned slightly:

"Your original condition is still intact, but severely restricted…I don't understand how you got hurt, but if you need any magic potion for healing, feel free to come to me."

Furin asked, "Resolved so easily?"

Anna paused, "It was indeed somewhat too easy, Ragman, though a scholar wizard, was quite capable.

However, the Divine Artifact in your and this lady's hands is indeed powerful, seems to contain some sort of Power of Rules, it's normal he couldn't withstand it."

This latter part was said to Losa and Jeanne.

"Sister Anna."

Anna's expression changed slightly; she looked into the sea of flames, where her gaze rested, the flames dissipated entirely.

Thereupon, she saw a little Witch pinned to the wall, pierced by a Demon-Blocking Golden Dagger through her limbs.

She hadn't suffered from the flames, instead surrounded by a shield supported by a Magic Array, though the radiance was now very faint.

"It's good you're alright!"

Anna's eyes warmed, rushing to the little Witch's side, "Did Ragman do anything to you?"

Nishaya weakly shook her head, "I don't know, I've been unconscious all along—but he did say about implanting my brain and soul into Nidhogg's body."

"Nidhogg?"

Anna, while dismantling the Demon-Blocking Golden Dagger from the wall, turned pale.

"Didn't you encounter that fusion monster?"

Nishaya weakly whispered.

In the next moment, a giant Magic Array underneath Anna's feet illuminated.

Anna gritted her teeth, cursed angrily, "That cunning brute, I know why he was dealt with so effortlessly, because he was feigning death and escaped."

…

Boom!

The Werewolf Hans was sent flying hard.

Nidhogg's face showed a slightly human-like smile, it turned to look afar.

Let that decrepit body be destroyed.

What a pity! I was planning to use that cute little Witch's brain and soul to invigorate this body.

But, alas, there wasn't enough time.

Regardless of why, the Warlock disguised as a Secular Lord and his Witches truly showed remarkable skill.

Had it been Nidhogg not yet devoured the ancient tree rich in Life Force, it wouldn't be their rival.

The plan had already changed since Losa first visited his cabin.

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