Witch Redemption

Race: Giant

Class: Greatsword Warrior

Secondary Profession: Moon Knight

Level: LV36

Regarding Sophia's professional skills, her initial skills are the support-type "Mind's Eye" and "Monstrous Strength" and the attack-type "One-Word Slash". After upgrading to level 10 of the Magic Book, she gains the following skills: the amplification-type "Giant's Strength", "Hardened Skin", and "Unyielding Bloodline"; the passive-type "Rapid Recovery", "Battle Continuation", "Explosive Power", and "Explosive Speed"; and only two attack-type skills, "Destruction Whirlwind" and "Dance of Killing Intent".

The four skills added from level 10 to level 30 of the magic book can be considered the strongest trump card unique to giants, possessing terrifying power, but also huge side effects.

For example, the "Ancient Bloodline" skill, unlocked at level 30, has a strict daily limit of only one use. Once used, it transforms the user into a colossal giant reaching a height of fifty meters, and even their class artifact is amplified, displaying unparalleled power. The side effect is that the back of the neck is the only vulnerable point; striking that area will cause ten times the normal damage. Upon returning to normal after using this skill, Sophia will also be in a weakened state for eight hours.

As for the other three skills, the offensive skills "Slashing Wind Shockwave" and "Trembling Earth" and the defensive skill "Breaking Army" will all put a great burden on the user. They are all class skills that cannot be used casually and have strict usage limits.

High power, high risk—that's what makes Sophia special. Fortunately, with the two great priests, Li Lan and Yin Anni, she is now far superior to what she was ten months ago. Even her professional skills, which have huge side effects, have been honed to perfection. Whether it's timing of use or fearless attacks, she is more than capable, and every move she makes is sure to be fatal.

Unlike the two super warriors, Sophia and Violet, Yin Anni, though not as aggressive, is now a completely different person.

Name: Yin Anni

Race: Rabbit-type Orc

Occupation: Pastor

Secondary Profession: Moon Knight

Level: LV36

Like Li Lan, Yin Anni's skills are mostly not offensive. Although her profession is priest, all her skills are actually geared towards nature, so she doesn't have the side effects unique to Li Lan's faith skills. Unfortunately, healing skills are generally not very effective, so they cannot completely replace recovery potions to some extent.

The initial skills are the support-type "Slow Healing", "Natural Aura", and "Slow Light". When upgraded to level 10 of the Magic Book, the skills are the support-type "Revival Wind", "Healing Arcane", "Dispel Arcane", and "Swift Aura"; the passive-type "Powerful Self-Healing"; the special-type "Finger Poison"; the defensive-type "Natural Impact" and "Life Descent"; and the control-type "Path of Thorns".

After leveling up to level 30 in the Magic Book, four more skills that are close to being trump cards are added, but these four skills are still not offensive skills. They are the control skill "Forest of Rebirth", the support skill "Life Burst", the special skill "Life Absorption" and the defense skill "Dawn Blessing".

Like Li Lan, Yin Anni, as a priest, also focuses on teamwork. However, unlike Li Lan, her professional skills have an excellent buffing effect on others, which is something that Li Lan, a "lone wolf" who can only apply to summoned creatures, cannot match.

Because she lacked offensive skills, the biggest gain from venturing into this underground temple was actually the "Moon Knight" sub-profession. With the training of this sub-profession, Yin Anni's swordsmanship skills far surpassed those of Violet and Sophia. Even the powerful Bangusen once praised her, saying that if Yin Anni were in ancient times, she would definitely be a genius in swordsmanship.

Now, under Li Lan's instructions, the three spirited witches not only took out their respective weapons, but also checked the limits on the number of uses of their respective spellbook skills, ready to face the fierce battle that might come next.

"If what Miss Celine says is true, then we are about to face an unprecedented crisis."

Violet felt a strong sense of unease. Ever since she was suddenly summoned by Roman Hydra, she had a premonition of what might happen next.

Although they have undergone such long-term trials, they have not yet encountered a true life-or-death choice at the level of will. They now have a strong instinct to survive, but what they lack is the awareness to face death.

This is the biggest difference between them and their witch predecessor.

"Um, you're so calm, senior..."

Quietly observing the profile of the witch seniors, whether it was Violet, or Ian and Sophia who were following along, their admiration was boundless.

At that moment, they seemed to be infected by the virus, and their emotions began to calm down.

This senior colleague is so reliable!

...... ...... ......

"Shab, how many demigod-level powerhouses can you face at most?"

Considering that there would definitely be a large number of guards at the exit, and that the god-level powerhouse Yennefer might not have left at all, Li Lan needed to plan ahead.

Just like when she escaped the British Empire, Li Lan disliked making any gambles without preparation, and this time was no different.

The difference is that he is no longer as powerless as before. He has two strong and powerful backers by his side, and he has a large number of followers. Although he can unleash the power to crush ordinary legendary adventurers, he is not a problem except for being defeated by beings of demigod level or above.

"One, my domain can only pull in one demigod-level powerhouse at most, but there's no need to go to that much trouble. After all, we already have an even more explosive, suicidal trump card. It's up to you whether you want to use it or not."

Black-haired Yu Hui stopped, "Gentlemen, I love war! Especially suicidal war!"

"What kind of trump card?" Li Lan asked.

“Detonate Miss Celine Belluman, look…”

“Seriously,” Li Lan said, taking Hei Fa Yu Hui’s words as a joke, “no matter the cost, I want them to leave here alive.”

The three witches, as well as Ms. Celine Bellman, whom he had finally managed to win over and make her an ally, were all people that Li Lan could not abandon at the moment.

"Tch," Yu Hui, with her black hair, also saw through Li Lan's determination and found it a bit hard to understand. She complained in the soundproof area, "You're a bit silly. As long as you can survive, isn't it best to abandon everything else? Human survival instincts are not for you to waste. You don't need to be so hypocritical."

Upon hearing this, Li Lan's thoughts drifted back to a very distant past, to the painful time when he and Lana had just transmigrated to this world.

"Hypocritical?" He could never forget the faces of those predecessors, all the words they had spoken, every smile and frown, all of which were deeply engraved in his soul and were now guiding him forward.

Everything seemed to have happened yesterday, which made Li Lan look somewhat bewildered, but that bewilderment quickly disappeared without a trace, replaced by a strong obsession.

“Shub, you once said that I was a little different from others. I didn’t answer that question back then, but I think I can give you a clear answer today.”

He was serious, more serious than he had been since he met the ancient will, Shub-Nicholas.

"For me, what I fear more than death is losing myself and sinking into the darkness of this world. I long to return to my homeland, I long to save all my compatriots who can trust me, and I am willing to give everything in my life for them. This is my will. Faced with this will, if necessary, I will not have any complaints even if I am asked to die peacefully."

"So, Shub, one day in the future—no, perhaps today—I will take you with me to our deaths. Even then, will you resent me?"

"Resentment?" As if he had heard the biggest joke of his life, Yu Hui's smile became somewhat sinister. "You mean, you will be like those fanatics, rushing to your death at the call of those ancient gods?"

This ancient will had seen and grown tired of such dramas since ancient times. It was called "the most sublime will of intelligent beings," but in reality, it was nothing more than a group of slaves controlled by faith. It was not hypocritical, but it was ugly enough.

"No, I do not believe in any god, nor do I pledge allegiance to any god. My actions are merely to satisfy my own selfish desires. Saving these witches is my selfish desire, the only remaining yearning in my heart since I escaped from the British Empire. As long as I can save them, even if I die here today, I will gain intense pleasure. This is my true self!"

Once upon a time, influenced by these two ancient wills, Li Lan was able to slightly raise such a pleasant smile, "In other words, to some extent, we may be the same kind, both beings who follow their inner desires, it's just that the desires I pursue seem a bit silly compared to yours."

"The same kind?" The expression of disdain that should have appeared on Yu Hui's black hair gradually disappeared.

"Interesting. A mere lowly ant dares to presume to be one of us? However, I don't dislike your arrogance! In fact, seeing a different side of you is a supreme pleasure! Hahaha!"

Li Lan was met with Yu Hui's usual sarcastic remark. Indeed, along the way, this witch was unlike any other intelligent being she had ever encountered. She often couldn't see through her true thoughts, only knowing that she was very courageous and had won the favor of her, the ancient creator.

Little did anyone know, upon hearing these words, the black-haired Yu Hui was overjoyed. "Perhaps it's time to let him die once. What will he think when he realizes he's close to immortality?"

"Very well, I will do everything I can to help you. So, what do you want me to do?"

Li Lan breathed a sigh of relief. Although he knew from the beginning that these true gods would return to their original forms after death, and that it was just an incredibly long dream for them, they were currently residing in their servants and sharing life and death with them. Therefore, he couldn't help but feel guilty.

“I suspect that the enemy we are about to face will be an army of thousands. If it reaches that level, we will surely die. If I want to save them, I must stay behind as bait and use the Book of Judgment to cover their whereabouts and help them escape successfully.”

Li Lan was no fool. Ever since he came into contact with the documents of the underground temple, he had already made a judgment about the general power here. This place was also a huge cage, and the size of this cage was far more exaggerated than he had imagined.

Even if what's blocking the exit isn't that god-level being Yennefer, it certainly's something they can't withstand in their current state.

Therefore, he had to be mentally prepared when the messenger Bangusen suddenly disappeared and left them to return to the earth world alone.

Chapter 54 Preparations Before the Escape

After Li Lan and the black-haired Yu Hui had been talking for nearly half an hour, their group was finally about to reach the last checkpoint to leave the underground world.

Because each witch's natal grimoire has unique growth potential, not only the witch's personal abilities, but also the "survey" ability attached to the grimoire will evolve as the witch's level increases.

After advancing to the Gold Magic Tome, the range of "Survey" reaches over two hundred meters, giving witches ample time to take preventative measures. Moreover, "Survey" doesn't just display a three-dimensional interface; terrain and any living creature can be presented within the Magic Tome.

At this moment, following Li Lan's thoughts, the "Survey" interface on her natal magic book was slowly moving, passing over an incredibly long spiral staircase, and soon arriving at a somewhat dim space.

Is this the export route?

When this entire space was fully revealed to these witches, almost all of them changed their expressions.

"Isn't that too many?"

The dimly lit space was enormous, with towering stone pillars supporting the ceiling and stretching for nearly a thousand meters. Within this vast space, numerous "clergy" dressed in black robes and hoods, presumably belonging to the Restoration Divine Court, sat near the exit, seemingly busy with something. Their numbers likely exceeded three thousand.

Besides these suspected clergymen, there were also a large number of heavily armed orcs, all dressed in heavy armor and carrying fine swords or daggers. Their total number must have exceeded ten thousand, and they were scattered in small groups, giving off a "bloodthirsty" vibe from afar.

Leaving aside the clergy, it was these fully armed pig-headed beastmen that caused all the witches to gasp.

"The Rune Orcs I remember don't look like this!"

Li Lan noticed that the three witches, Violet and the others who were more familiar with the Duchy, also looked completely bewildered. They replied, "Yes, are these Rune beastmen on hormones?"

These were definitely not normal Rune orcs. They were more than three times stronger than the pig-headed men Li Lan had ever seen, and their tusks, which were not particularly exaggerated before, now reached for the sky. Combined with their fat and strong physiques, the crisscrossing muscles and bulging veins on their bodies, they exuded a strong sense of oppression and were not to be underestimated.

Li Lan consulted Celine Bellman beside her briefly, and the latter immediately understood, "They are all special warriors who have received the glory of the gods. They are extremely powerful. If we were to classify them according to the military ranks of the British Empire, they would be close to the rank of major general, or equivalent to lieutenant major general!"

In other words, it's equivalent to a lower-tier legendary adventurer, easily crushing a diamond-level adventurer.

Celine Belluman also mentioned that these orcs are highly conscious. After they swear allegiance to the Moon God, they are injected with a black liquid similar to blood. This liquid will drive them into madness immediately. Only their unwavering faith in the god can bring them back to their senses and restore their sanity.

"Diluted divine essence?"

Li Lan never imagined that the divine essence of this ancient god could be diluted.

"You're overthinking it. How could it be a godhood?" Black-haired Yu Hui retorted, then said as if to himself, "The dark origin created by the ancient creator cannot be diluted. As the highest level of pure power, humans can only absorb it directly. I think the blood they injected must be the blood of that ancient god of moonlight himself. Only something impure like that can be diluted."

Indeed, it's not surprising to think about using the blood of a goddess. If even the Hand of Abhoth, a limb from an ancient creator, can be transplanted, then the blood of a goddess of even lower status is even more likely.

"Let's call them the army of the Rune Orcs for now. If their strength is truly only at the level of Imperial Major General, then they certainly wouldn't be a match for us in a one-on-one fight. It's just that their numbers are..."

Before Li Lan could finish speaking, Celine Bellman quickly reminded her, "It sounds exaggerated, doesn't it? But there are only a little over ten thousand stationed here. You don't know what has happened in the world above. Right now, the Rune tribe is at war with the United Duchy of Ries. The battlefield is up there, and the army up there is probably more than you can imagine."

“If I could, I would never want to leave that underground world,” said Li Lan, a witch who felt uneasy ever since the god-level powerhouse Bangusen left. Celine Bellman was also inexplicably uneasy to the extreme. The sense of crisis that felt like a thorn in her side made her embark on this road to the outside world without saying a word. “There’s no turning back now, so I’m counting on you guys to do your part.”

Breaking through shouldn't be a problem, but Celine Bellman doesn't know how far she and these witches are capable of.

"If only we could have Lord Bangusen's help! Why did he suddenly disappear and send his men here?" Despite her many doubts, Celine Bellman was helpless. All she could think of was that she could act as the vanguard to hold off the orc army and hope that these witches would escape as soon as possible and not hold her back.

Li Lan's expression remained normal, but in reality, his heart was incredibly heavy, even filled with a sense of despair. "Approximately how many of these are there on Earth?"

"Two hundred thousand, or three hundred thousand? In short, they're all this strength, and they've all mutated. They're not the kind of Rune beastmen you knew before."

No one could have imagined that in less than a year, the entire Rune tribe, with the help of the restored Divine Court, would become so terrifying, turning the entire Lanogulin into a meat grinder for the United Duchy of Ries, and is still resisting the orc army from the duchy.

“The biggest threat may not be the Rune orcs, but those religious figures who have restored the divine court, who are also a branch of the gods’ descendants,” Celine Bellman briefly explained those “clergy” who do not show their true faces. She felt it was a miracle that she could still be so calm. “Judging from the Imperial military ranks, their strength is probably below lieutenant general, let’s call them lieutenant general for now.”

I'll beat your mother to a pulp!

Li Lan had a terrible headache. At first, he had a glimmer of hope that the situation wasn't so bad, but now, the more he listened, the more uneasy he felt.

"S-Senior, what should we do?"

Violet and the other two witches immediately looked worried. They had been through countless battles during this period, but these battles were mostly one-on-one, unlike the current battles with thousands of troops. They were very good at fighting, but that did not mean they could face such a large orc army alone.

If it weren't for the senior's calmness and composure inspiring them, these three witches would probably have lost their senses long ago.

"Don't worry, there's still a chance. Let's plan ahead. The first thing we need to do is get through this level. We can deal with the rest when we return to the surface world."

Indeed, according to Celine Bellman's intelligence, this is the only road leading to the outside world. That checkpoint is the last checkpoint of the underground temple. After passing through that checkpoint, there are still hundreds of meters to go before reaching the surface.

They were only half safe once they reached the ground.