Chapter 91: Rings of Evasion and Shifting Tactics

As Imeline stood at a loss, she suddenly felt a light touch on her fingertips.

“Put this on.”

Seizing a momentary lull in the black-haired girl’s assault, Lovelenica gently took Imeline’s hand, intending to slip the ring she had prepared onto Imeline’s slender finger.

“W-what are you doing!”

Startled by Lovelenica’s abrupt action, Imeline recoiled her hand. Even though she knew the ring Lovelenica offered was merely a Holy Ring exchanged from the Sanctuary, the gesture itself had taken her by surprise.

‘Having someone put a ring on her finger… it felt far too much like…’

“Stop with the nonsense.”

Lovelenica frowned in displeasure, then used a touch more force. She held Imeline’s hand firmly, sliding the Ring of Arrow Evasion onto Imeline’s delicate finger.

“We’re wasting time. This is a Ring of Arrow Evasion. It’ll handle her regular shots without a problem. You just need to focus on defending against the bullets she can control. Those hit harder, and they’re purplish-black. You can tell the difference, right?”

“Mm.”

Imeline fell silent for a moment, then responded with a barely audible murmur.

Despite her irritation, she understood that this was not the time to argue with Lovelenica. With the Ring of Arrow Evasion, she could deflect many attacks that would otherwise be lethal.

Yet, even with this understanding, Imeline couldn’t help but tremble slightly when Lovelenica’s fingers brushed against her own.

Lovelenica, for her part, harbored no extraneous thoughts. Her sole concern was stopping the black-haired girl.

If Imeline remained solely focused on defense, her offensive capabilities would be entirely wasted. She and Lucia would even have to protect Imeline, leaving them completely on the defensive and unable to pursue the black-haired girl effectively.

Furthermore, Lovelenica hadn’t prepared just one Ring of Arrow Evasion. She had acquired several, anticipating various contingencies.

Frankly, had it not been for the Crimson Family’s private soldiers, Lovelenica’s preparations would have allowed them to easily subdue the black-haired girl by now.

They had lost Attestor, a crucial combatant, which had forced them into this predicament.

If everyone were in their usual state, with Attestor protecting Imeline while Imeline cast disruptive magic, and Lovelenica and Lucia jointly pursued the black-haired girl, the situation would undoubtedly be far more manageable.

It was fortunate that Lovelenica had prepared extra Holy Rings. With the Ring of Arrow Evasion, Imeline could at least divert some energy to cast offensive magic and provide cover for them.

****

“Lucia, go protect Attestor. Give this to her, and try to bring her over here. She’s very weak right now. It would be dangerous if she’s surrounded by Specters or attacked by that Bloodkin. I’ll engage the Bloodkin!”

As Lovelenica spoke, she pulled out another Ring of Arrow Evasion and handed it to Lucia. Then, she turned her gaze towards Imeline.

“Imeline, you’ll have to rely on your own defenses from now on. Be careful. Also, your Spatial Magic can deflect attacks. If you use it well, your defense will be far stronger than any ice wall or ice shield.”

“Y-you think Spatial Magic is that easy! Of course I know I can use it to deflect attacks, but Spatial Magic requires calculations! How can I calculate everything in such a short amount of time!”

“You don’t need to calculate the landing point. Just shift it away.”

“Tch… I’ll try!”

After a brief lull, the black-haired girl had reloaded her ammunition, and a new volley of shots began once more.

This time, protected by the Ring of Arrow Evasion, Imeline didn’t need to dedicate all her energy to defense. She symbolically conjured one or two ice walls to block, but a few bullets slipped through the gaps, hurtling straight towards her.

Yet, with a flash of silver light in Imeline’s eyes, those bullets vanished into thin air.

Imeline didn’t know where the bullets went. She had merely made a rough estimate of the space in front of her, then, as the bullets arrived, shifted that section of space away. She had no idea where the transfer’s destination was.

Several other bullets that hadn’t been shifted away were deflected by an invisible barrier before they could strike Imeline.

While Imeline couldn’t guarantee shifting every bullet, the double protection of the Ring of Arrow Evasion and the Ring of Barriers provided her ample room for error, ensuring that even a mistake wouldn’t endanger her life.

Seeing that Imeline could, for the time being, calmly handle the black-haired girl’s barrage, Lovelenica and Lucia initiated their own movements.

Purple streaks of light were strikingly visible in the night sky. Lovelenica weaved through the curtain of purple projectiles, dashing towards the black-haired girl’s position.

Lucia, meanwhile, agilely scaled a building on the other side of the street, making her way to Attestor’s side.

By then, after a brief rest and the healing effects of Lovelenica’s Holy Healing Scroll, Attestor had regained some strength. As Lucia arrived, Attestor was already able to stand and walk on her own.

Clasping her shield with both hands, she slowly shuffled step by step towards the direction where Lucia and the others had vanished.

To move more freely, Attestor had discarded her greatsword, leaving it cast aside.

She knew her limits; the speed the black-haired girl had displayed earlier was definitely beyond her ability to match. Her own speed was even inferior to Lucia’s.

If she were to wield her sword, she likely wouldn’t even touch the hem of the black-haired girl’s clothes.

However, while Attestor felt she couldn’t reach their opponent, she also knew there were ways she could still contribute.

Since their adversary fought with firearms, she would focus entirely on defense with her Holy Shield. In her current physical condition, she probably couldn’t wield a shield with one hand and a sword with the other.

In that case, it would be better to hold the shield with both hands, which would significantly enhance its defensive capabilities. This was why she had discarded her greatsword.

“Thor! Are you alright!?”

Seeing Attestor, slowly moving and dragging her Holy Shield, Lucia quickly darted to her side, offering to help support her.

In response to Lucia’s offer of support, Attestor simply raised her arm and gently waved twice, declining Lucia’s kindness.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I can still fight… Lovelenica, even you probably can’t take on that Vampire alone. Go support her quickly.”

Attestor slowly shuffled towards Imeline’s position, instructing Lucia to go aid Lovelenica.

Although Attestor had always harbored questions and suspicions about Lovelenica, Lovelenica had undeniably given her all in the recent battle.

Objectively speaking, Lovelenica genuinely seemed to have no ulterior motives at present.

Attestor felt the same. Any doubts or questions could wait. What they needed to do now was unite and confront the Vampire.

Noticing Attestor’s stubborn expression, Lucia didn’t try to dissuade her. Instead, she pressed the Ring of Arrow Evasion into Attestor’s hand.

“…Alright. Teacher told me to give this to you. Protect Imeline well. I’m going to support Teacher now!”