Before Riemann could even react, an emerald-green poison arrow shot through the air and struck the hidden Mermaid Divine Chosen with flawless precision.

"Ugh..."

A muffled groan escaped her lips.

The Mermaid Divine Chosen, who had remained concealed behind the army in a blue robe without ever revealing herself, was pierced clean through the lung.

She collapsed to the ground with a thud as blood streamed from the wound. She could no longer maintain her human form, and a massive mermaid tail replaced her slender white legs.

The sight left Riemann’s group completely stunned.

Even Shelley was distracted for a brief moment, allowing the Executioner to seize the opportunity. A brutal kick sent her crashing to the ground, and the enormous executioner’s blade came crashing down toward her.

At the critical moment, however, the Executioner caught sight of the greatsword behind Phield.

A sudden, inexplicable sense of dread welled up inside her, causing her to withdraw her weapon.

Marianne immediately grabbed Shelley and retreated at top speed, returning to Riemann’s side.

What a pity.

Phield sighed inwardly.

If they had continued exhausting each other’s strength, he could have harvested the survivors with ease.

Now that they had regained their senses, things would become much more troublesome.

"Mr. Phield, what’s with that expression?"

Farlo raised an eyebrow.

"They attacked the righteous knights. They’re no ordinary criminals anymore. They deserve swift justice. As a knight, you should be fighting alongside us."

"If you wipe them out, I’ll be next, won’t I?"

Phield replied with a faint smile.

"I’m helping neither side. Just open the treasure chest already. Once it’s opened, there’ll be nothing left worth fighting over. Besides, can’t you see? The trial’s difficulty is rising rapidly. Every bit of strength matters now."

"Fighting over the chest beforehand is understandable because of the rewards. Fighting after it’s already been opened is nothing but a waste of energy."

His words gradually calmed everyone down.

"Hm."

Farlo opened the treasure chest.

A silver-white shield slowly floated into the air.

Divine Artifact: Arbiter’s Floating Shield (Tier 2)

Origin: Order Divine Chosen

Effect: Creates a small floating shield that hovers nearby and blocks incoming projectiles.

Special Effect: Usable only by Order Divine Chosen.

"Not bad. It’ll make a perfect birthday present for the commander’s daughter."

Farlo smiled with satisfaction.

Although a Tier Two artifact was useless to him personally, it was obvious that the next treasure chest would contain an even higher-tier Divine Artifact.

With the treasure chest opened and the artifact claimed, everyone immediately ended the confrontation.

Just as Phield had said, fighting before opening the chest made sense because the reward was still undecided.

Afterward, continuing the battle accomplished nothing except wasting strength that would be desperately needed against the enemies waiting on the next floor.

"The next treasure chest is mine."

Phield took a deep breath as his aura slowly intensified.

He had begun taking control of the situation.

He could clearly feel the greedy gazes surrounding him.

Everyone had already set their sights on him.

There was no point pretending any longer.

But there was no way he would give up a Tier Three Divine Artifact.

"Take the injured Divine Chosen back outside. I’ll continue the rest of the trial."

After barely stabilizing her companion’s condition, Contily instructed the Mermaid warriors to escort the wounded Divine Chosen out of the dungeon while she stubbornly pressed on in search of the treasure.

"Another loss of combat strength..."

Riemann’s anxiety continued to grow as he constantly compared the remaining forces on the battlefield.

Upon entering the next underground chamber, countless Rat Demons swarmed toward them.

Their pale violet skin, covered in twisted markings, made them look especially horrifying.

Even more Half-Blood Demons filled the skies.

Phield could already feel the mounting pressure.

Fortunately, Tisiana excelled in both offense and defense.

Once her wings spread open, they became two towering walls that blocked the majority of the enemy attacks.

"Tisiana, expand your defensive line as much as possible. We’ll head straight for the central platform."

"We can’t hold back anymore, or the treasure will be stolen."

"Rosalia, clear out the cannon fodder."

Phield noticed that the Twilight Knights were also advancing toward the central stone platform.

"Endless Severance!"

His greatsword roared through the air before crashing downward.

A rippling wave of sword energy rolled forward, and the chaotic currents of annihilating blade aura instantly shredded every demon before him into pieces.

The already ruined structures along its path were erased alongside them.

The crackling sound of flesh being torn apart echoed endlessly.

A perfectly straight path soaked in blood was carved open by Endless Severance.

"What a terrifying Divine Skill."

Farlo’s expression became serious.

"It seems I’ve underestimated him."

"Move!"

Phield sprinted toward the central stone platform.

Just as he was about to confront the overwhelming horde of demons surrounding it, a series of explosive air bursts erupted behind him.

"So you finally couldn’t hold yourselves back."

Phield had expected this all along.

He let out a cold laugh and immediately released control of his greatsword.

"Rosalia, there’s no need to stay hidden anymore. Some fools have come looking for death."

"Hehe... it’s been quite a while since I’ve had the chance to fight."

Rosalia emerged from within the greatsword.

The first thing she saw was a black-robed Divine Chosen wielding a massive battle axe.

Wrapped in countless overlapping axe shadows and carrying overwhelming force, the attacker came crashing down.

Rosalia casually raised her greatsword and blocked the strike without moving an inch.

"A battle axe?"

The black-robed Divine Chosen belonged to the Necromancer Association.

Despite dressing like a mysterious mage, she was actually a warrior wielding an enormous axe.

She had concealed herself until now, only to choose Phield as her target.

Then again, who said a necromancer had to be some eccentric old man carrying a staff?

"So you reacted in time."

The black-robed Divine Chosen waved her hand.

"But unfortunately, this Divine Artifact belongs to me."

Every Demonkin in the surrounding area suddenly rose from the dead.

Completely unaware of Rosalia’s true strength, she declared confidently,

"Can you survive being surrounded by all of us? Die!"

At the same time, she attacked again.

Gripping her battle axe tightly, she swung it in a full circular arc before bringing it crashing down.

"Surrounded?"

Rosalia laughed so hard that her entire body trembled.

"Don’t think telling me a joke is enough to make me spare your life."

"Tier Three Divine Skill, Endless Severance!"

She didn’t even bother summoning her dragon claws.

With a simple swing of her greatsword, a fan-shaped wave of sword energy erupted.

The terrifying blade aura tore across the battlefield.

The chaotic annihilating sword energy produced deafening sonic booms as it ripped through the air.

Everything in its path, whether ruined buildings, Demonkin, or demons, was blown into countless fragments.

"Waaagh!"

The black-robed Divine Chosen spat out a mouthful of filthy blood.

Her condition was utterly miserable.

It looked as though she had been thrown into an industrial meat grinder.

Not a single patch of skin on her body remained intact.

Before she could even hit the ground, Rosalia rushed forward and slammed her greatsword down with crushing force.

Crunch!

The greatsword smashed directly into the Divine Chosen’s face.

Her head exploded instantly.

The blade continued downward without losing momentum, shattering the earth into a vast web of cracks.

To make absolutely certain she was dead, Rosalia stepped forward gracefully and crushed her chest beneath one delicate foot.

A Divine Artifact slowly condensed into existence.

Phield had never even learned the woman’s name before Rosalia killed her.

"It seems the Border Fortress battle really helped her mature."

Phield smiled with satisfaction.

"The progress of Incarnate Synergy Battle is already remarkably high."

"Stepping on your kill."

Rosalia spun around playfully and flashed Phield a radiant smile.

Every member of the alliance witnessed the entire scene.

Riemann’s group, in particular, felt as though invisible hands had tightened around their hearts.

"She... she killed a Tier Three Divine Chosen instantly..."

Marianne stared in disbelief.

"Is this really the strength of a baron from the Sacred Griffin Empire?"

Riemann’s pupils shook violently.

"But... but I’ve traveled across countless lands, and I’ve never even heard of this man. Could it be that someone this powerful is considered nothing more than an ordinary fighter in the Sacred Griffin Empire?"