Beneath the dark sun, resembling a total solar eclipse.
Golden hair that still emitted a bright lustre fluttered in the wind.
Black wings, like those of a fallen angel, stretched out slightly.
Looking up at the petite figure in the sky, Marco adjusted his glasses, then said with a calm expression:
"If I remember correctly, that appearance should belong to the Thirteen Apostles of the British Union, the Gospel of Immortality Evangeline A.K. McDowell..."
"Starting with techniques that alter the weather, and moves that freeze the earth..."
Marco frowned as he surveyed the snow-covered ground around them.
Although he knew the so-called Thirteen Apostles were all exaggerated sorcerers, these nature-altering moves were indeed somewhat surprising to Marco.
But it was only surprising.
Marco didn't think he couldn't do the same things himself.
After all, the so-called Thirteen Apostles were merely the top-ranked individuals from each of the Five Great Powers according to their rankings.
But the differences between countries could sometimes be greater than those between humans and dogs.
While both the French Union, which still maintained its condition, and the long-fallen British Union were among the Five Great Powers, they weren't opponents on the same level.
Of course, compared to dissing the British Union's Apostle, Marco was currently more concerned about something else.
Thinking this, half of Marco's glasses were covered with white light, as if he had activated some kind of detection technique:
"Speaking of which, I don't recall the intelligence mentioning that the Gospel of Immortality's skin tone was grey-white, and..."
Marco looked at the grey-white, fine scales on the exposed forearm of the 'Evangeline' in the sky, then silently adjusted his glasses:
"With power at this level, she shouldn't qualify as one of the Thirteen Apostles, should she?"
"It's a replica created by some means."
Just then, a silver-haired, red-eyed girl wearing a light purple gothic dress standing nearby said in a somewhat cold tone: "It seems the real Gospel of Immortality is closer to the core of this Abyss world than we are."
Hearing this, Marco froze for a moment, then hurriedly adjusted his glasses to conceal his inner anxiety:
"Lady Maiden, what do you mean by that?"
At that moment, Joan of Arc calmly watched Evangeline gathering power in the sky, preparing to bring down the dark sun above. Her tone carried a hint of emotion as she said:
"That should be a replica born under the influence of the True Dragon Legacy's power."
"According to some information circulated within the Five Great Powers..."
"The most important treasure within the True Dragon Legacy - the True Dragon Sorcerer Class - requires absorbing vast amounts of species concept information to fully take form."
"Such absorption likely works best with the death of an individual, followed by being in this peculiar Abyss world that slowly absorbs personal power."
"Absorbing power..." Marco couldn't help but frown upon hearing this. "Then why don't I feel anything?"
"That's because I've used my technique to isolate you from its effects."
Joan of Arc explained with complete composure:
"Even so, Marco, when you summon Michael to attack, a portion of your power will still be absorbed and taken away."
"However, you have substantial reserves of Spiritual Power, and the burden of summoning Michael is considerable to begin with, so you don't particularly notice this consumption."
"Based on my deductions, this absorption likely grows stronger the closer one gets to the core of the True Dragon Legacy."
"What about that thing in the sky..." Marco looked up at the false Gospel of Immortality, his expression grave. "Where did this replica come from?"
Hearing this, Joan of Arc lowered her head and said calmly:
"We all know the True Dragon Legacy absorbs power from every individual in this world, but this absorption may not be perfect."
"From certain powerful beings who have also entered this world, the True Dragon Legacy may have absorbed some powers that cannot be easily digested."
"I suspect the True Dragon Legacy is using some method whose principles I don't understand to separate these powers and create replicas to intercept us."
"This is both an attempt to interfere with us, causing us to consume more power, and a way to help it digest these powers."
Hearing this, Marco's expression immediately darkened:
"So that's how it is?"
"Nothing but disgusting little tricks."
Though he said this, Marco understood he needed to quickly deal with the Gospel of Immortality replica before him.
According to Lady Joan's explanation, since the replica of the Gospel of Immortality Evangeline had appeared here, it meant she was closer to the core of the True Dragon Legacy than Marco was.
If they were delayed here too long and the True Dragon Legacy was taken by Evangeline, that would be a real problem.
Thinking this, Marco immediately drew the pistol at his waist, preparing to control Michael to swiftly eliminate the replica in the sky.
As Marco raised his gun, the glorious mechanical angel in the sky also lifted its building-sized sword high.
But at that moment, Joan of Arc suddenly stepped forward and said:
"Stand down, Marco."
"What's most troublesome about Evangeline is her unkillable immortality."
"Though we don't know how much the replica can replicate, trying to force a kill here would consume a massive amount of Spiritual Power, even for you."
"If you severely deplete your power here, in the battles to come, you'll only become a burden to justice."
As Joan of Arc spoke, she slightly clenched her right palm, then slowly opened it.
The next instant, a silver thumbtack fell from Joan of Arc's hand.
With a bang!
Terrible Spiritual Power, surging like tidal waves, spread outwards in all directions with Joan of Arc at its centre.
At that moment, the atmosphere seemed to bear an invisible, heavy pressure, distorting into trembling ripples.
Just then, a drawing pin fell to the ground with a faint clink.
Crack! Crack!
A cage formed of silver metal enveloped the 'Evangeline' in the sky, locking her firmly within.
Faced with this situation, 'Evangeline' raised both hands as if to command the long-gathered dark sun above to descend.
Yet at that very moment, Joan of Arc said calmly:
"Vanish!"
A sharp blade flash swept through!!
In the void, a chubby little hand gripping a massive golden axe silently cleaved down through the centre of the cage without a sound.
The ashen-white Evangeline seemed to realise something only then, looking up at the axe-wielding hand slowly fading into the void before lowering her gaze to the Joan of Arc below. Her body visibly transformed into wisps of black smoke.
After Evangeline dissipated, Joan of Arc resumed walking, saying to Marco:
"Let's go, Marco. We don't have much time."
"Yes, Lady Joan."
Marco adjusted his glasses and quickly followed in Joan of Arc's footsteps.
And at that very moment.
Deep within the true dragon's body.
Two figures slowly materialised here.