Moro accelerated immediately.0

Diana tensed inwardly, caught off guard, but the beast didn’t charge straight toward the Amalgamation of Chaos. Instead, it seemed intent on circling the periphery, tracing a wide arc like a whirlpool.1

Clip-clop, clip-clop—0

Holding Lucia's waist with one arm, Diana's body naturally tilted sideways. The whole area had changed, seeming to sink inwards around the amalgamation. The entity was simultaneously compressing the space around it while also pushing it away.0

“Damn it…” Feeling like she had stepped into a giant antlion pit, Diana let out an involuntary groan. The reality probably wasn't much different—especially the part where stepping further in might mean never getting out.0

“I should try praying to the Sacred Blood,” said Lucia, with a calm voice.0

Diana’s head snapped around to look at the back of Lucia’s head. “What? Now? In this situation?”0

“Exactly because it’s this situation. It'll only take a moment. Protect me, Diana.” With that, Lucia placed her right hand on her breastplate, lowered her head slightly, and closed her eyes. Her left hand still held Moro’s reins firmly.0

“But... even if you ask me to protect you....” Diana muttered blankly. 0

All she could really do was hold onto Lucia, maybe shield her with her own body.0

Is that what she expected in the first place?0

Diana clicked her tongue at the thought. She readjusted her grip on the Truesilver Steel Sword in her right hand and turned her gaze back toward the hill.0

Crack!0

At that moment,...0