IBHJ Chapter 981

But then Mordred pursed her lips and said, "We should defend the Sanctuary!"

He froze, caught off guard by her words.

A difference of opinion arose.

Artoria looked from Shirou to Mordred, then said, "Both sis and I are already at Level 9. We don't need to do the advancement quest. You go complete it; we'll defend the Sanctuary."

Shirou nodded. There was no other option at this point. He grabbed Mordred's wrist and took off towards the Resurrection Pyramid. Kiara hurried after them.

Artoria glanced at the ominous cross-shaped UO hanging overhead, then drew her two Holy Swords.

Morrigan said with a sigh, "Of all the times for this to happen..."

"Shouldn't you be used to this sort of thing by now, sis?" Artoria said with a smile.

"Absolutely not, I hate surprises," Morrigan grumbled as she pulled out her staff.

A relentless barrage of light arrows, each a harbinger of doom, poured from the sky like a merciless storm. Those struck were either maimed or killed, their souls lingering in the air as if seeking resurrection. But the Resurrection Pyramid, the bridge between life and death that sustained this cycle, was weakening; its power waned with each passing moment.

Gazing at the flickering Pyramid in the distance, Shirou knew he had to reach it before it vanished completely.

On the outskirts, the divine light of the Resurrection Pyramid shimmered, its radiance flickering in and out like a fleeting illusion. Only its glowing outline, radiating a sacred aura, confirmed its existence. As he raced towards the pyramid with all his might, he saw countless adventurers charging towards the Sanctuary walls along the way.

These were top-tier adventurers, whose abilities far surpassed ordinary Heroic Spirits under the virtual rules of the MoonCell. But on this battlefield, against an enemy of UO level, they were reduced to the role of common soldiers guarding the wall.

Outside the white walls of the Sanctuary, with a series of ominous "whoosh" sounds that split the air, terrifying flying dragons rose into the sky, roaring as they swooped towards the Sanctuary, shrouded in storms.

The powerful adventurers exchanged knowing glances, a silent understanding passing between them. Without a word, they instinctively fanned out, each warrior charging towards a different part of the sky now dominated by the dragons.

"Ahhh—!" A beastman adventurer, muscles rippling beneath his fur, leapt into the sky with a wild roar. His giant axe gleamed in the light, seeming to transform mid-swing into a heaven-shaking hammer. It fell from above with terrifying speed, cleaving through scales, flesh, and bone.

The dragon let out a shriek as the weapon tore through its body. Scales exploded outward like shrapnel as the beast was violently bisected at the waist. A fountain of dark blood erupted from the gaping wound, painting the sky crimson.

With a sickening "boom," the dragon corpse plummeted to the ground, spraying gore and viscera in all directions. The two halves of the beast twitched grotesquely, internal organs spilling out onto the blood-soaked earth.

"May the Almighty bless and guide us to everlasting peace." The Archbishop's voice resonated through the Sanctuary as he raised his scepter high from the altar.

The next moment, the white walls of the Sanctuary emitted a hazy, aurora-like glow, forming a protective barrier that enveloped the Sanctuary, keeping the external enemies at bay.

"Go forth, brave souls! Defend our sacred homeland!" The Archbishop's commanding voice rang out as he brandished his scepter.

The adventurers either rushed to the city walls or charged outside the city, engaging in fierce combat with the attacking monsters.

Amidst the chaos, a voice pierced through the noise, "Premium weapons! Top-grade potions! Buy now and live to fight another day! Buy two items and get a 5% discount!"

It was Koyanskaya, somehow wheeling her loaded cart through the chaos, hawking her wares as if it were market day.

The scene was a swirling snapshot of humanity - blood and bravery mingled with fear and cunning. Noble warriors fought shoulder-to-shoulder with opportunistic merchants. For those beyond the screen, it was just another game event. But here, within this digital world, it was a desperate struggle for survival, a frantic battle to preserve their home.

If the monsters successfully attacked the city and destroyed the Sanctuary, the Resurrection Pyramid would disappear. At the same time, the monsters from the Sanctuary would pass through and attack the lower world.

Fairies, vampires, beastmen, humans... the origins of all races were on that land. With great power comes great responsibility. Although the adventurers in the Sanctuary were top-tier, having reached Lv 8 or 9, they faced the most terrifying enemy, UO and its created minions. But none of this mattered to Shirou anymore. His gaze was fixed intently on the flickering Resurrection Pyramid, his steps quickening. It held Mordred's intellect and age, and he had to break in before the pyramid disappeared. Otherwise, who knows how long it would take for Mordred to return to normal.

At this moment—,

"Crack crack crack!"

The ground suddenly split open with a sickening sound, as if the earth itself was being ripped apart. From these cracks emerged beautiful, yet ominous flowers – vibrant red lotuses that unfurled their petals and swayed gracefully in an unfelt wind. These blossoms danced like flying moths before an unseen Emperor.

Large swaths of red mist poured out from the flowers, spreading outward in rolling waves. The air filled with a sickeningly sweet fragrance, cloying and overwhelming. Yet wherever this crimson fog touched, devastation followed.

Houses crumbled and decayed in moments, their structures withering like plants in a drought. Spells flickered and vanished, dissolving like sugar in water. Most horrifying of all was its effect on living flesh. As the mist caressed skin, it sloughed away in wet strips, leaving only stark white bone behind. Screams of agony pierced the air as victims watched their own bodies disintegrate, helpless against these beautiful, terrifying flowers.

"Red Spider Lily!" The cry of terror rippled through the crowd.

Morrigan's eyes widened. "But... that's impossible. It only grows in the Hidden Map!"

"Oh, you're still so behind, Morgan le Fay."

The sultry whisper in her ear made Morrigan whirl around. Koyanskaya stood there, a coy smile playing on her lips.

"What did you do?" Morrigan demanded.

Koyanskaya's eyes danced with amusement. "Changing the game rules? Please. I don't have that kind of ability." She gazed at the crimson mist swirling around them, then up at the looming cross-shaped entity blotting out the sky. "It seems our 'supreme beings' are in quite a panic with the God's Brain missing. They've started bending the game rules now."

"But what does that have to do with me?" With a faint smile, Koyanskaya's figure gradually faded away.

"Wait, Koyanskaya!" Morrigan lunged forward, only to be swatted back by a shadowy tail that lashed out from nowhere.

"Tsk tsk. I'm in the middle of doing business here." Koyanskaya's voice was fading. "Wartime is great for business, you know. But since we're guild-mates, I'll throw you a bone. My little junior seems to have disappeared without anyone noticing."

As her cryptic words faded, so did her presence. The Mysterious Merchant had lived up to her name once again.

Morrigan scanned the area, knowing full well she wouldn't find her. No doubt she was already sidling up to the wealthiest adventurers, peddling her wares with that ever-present smile.

But Koyanskaya's parting hint nagged at her. A missing junior? Morrigan's brow furrowed as she looked around. Her eyes landed on the Resurrection Pyramid, now shrouded in an unnaturally thick, almost solid crimson mist. A chill ran down her spine. Shirou and the others were heading straight for it.

"Morrigan! Focus!" Artoria's sharp call snapped her back to reality.

"Right, sorry!" Morrigan shook off her distraction. Part of her wanted to warn Shirou, but one glance at Artoria's resolute face told her everything. There was no trace of doubt in her sister's eyes – only unwavering trust in their companions.

Morrigan took a deep breath, steeling herself. They had their roles to play, and right now, that meant holding the line. She gripped her staff tighter, pushing her worries aside.