The Upstart’s Bluff and the Turn of the Tide

The reason was simple enough: he was nothing more than an upstart, completely devoid of any real background.

His earlier pronouncements had merely been a bluff, an attempt to intimidate Yodel and secure more bargaining chips for himself. After all, in this sealed-off place, nothing could be verified, so he might as well fabricate whatever he wished—even claiming to be divinely chosen would suffice.

Out in the world, one’s identity was simply what one chose to declare.

Following this line of thought, Bob began to concoct a background for himself on the spot.

So, which background possessed the greatest deterrent power? Bob knew without a second thought:

“Hmph, I have a partnership with the Chant Church (TL Note: Referring to the time he tossed a single copper coin into their donation box). Cross me, and you’ll find your home raided by inquisitors!”

Indeed, Bob reasoned that the Chant Church, with its fearsome—no, its awe-inspiring—reputation, a name so formidable that even nobles and wealthy merchants would go out of their way to avoid it, was naturally his best choice.

However, he was facing Yodel.

Consequently, the divinely chosen one’s expression transitioned from surprise to confusion, then to dawning realization, before finally settling into a smile.

Waiting for rescue had become exceedingly tedious, so Yodel decided to extract some amusement from this idiot.

“That’s quite impressive, connecting with the Chant Church,” Yodel remarked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Perhaps you even know the newly appointed bishop?”

Seeing Yodel’s playful smirk, Bob momentarily froze, but by then, it was too late to backpedal and admit his bluff.

“Hm? Uh… yes, Bishop Cooper, of course I know him.”

It was clearly Bishop Cooper, and Bob hadn’t even gotten the surname right. Yodel was now one hundred percent certain this fool was merely posturing.

Just as Yodel was about to expose his lie, a burst of golden light erupted near the distant wall, immediately followed by the crackle of gunshots.

“Wh-what’s happening?” Bob stammered, frantically looking towards the source of the commotion.

Yodel, standing beside him, recognized the streak of gold as the holy light of the Chant Church at a single glance. Ignoring Bob, he quickly alerted the survivors.

“Everyone, those are people from the Chant Church over there, and it seems the army outside has also broken through!”

His words sparked a ripple of cheers.

“Really? We’re saved!”

“The rescue team is here? They truly didn’t abandon us!”

“My conversion to the Holy Light was indeed the right choice. I hope Ms. Yelica is the one who’s come to save us this time too.”

There was no time to lose; they had to move towards the rescue team immediately. At Yodel’s command, the group swiftly moved towards the rescue forces without further delay.

What they didn’t know, however, was that the eagerly awaited rescue team they so desperately yearned for was currently embroiled in a fierce battle.

No sooner had the small squad entered the campus than they were ambushed by Eternal Life Society cultists and a vast army of living corpses; both sides were now locked in a desperate struggle.

Ordinary clerics and soldiers found themselves besieged by thousands of living corpses. With their backs against the wall, they had successfully formed a semicircular defensive line.

Holy light, crackling lightning, and the fiery bursts of machine guns illuminated the battlefield as if it were day. Thunderous roars and whistling howls converged into a shrill symphony, as the surging living corpses fell in swathes, like mown grass.

Yet, these assault team members were at a severe numerical disadvantage. Under the relentless onslaught, their defensive line was forced to shrink repeatedly, a clear sign it wouldn’t hold out for much longer.

Beyond the encirclement of living corpses lay another battlefield, where Yelica, single-handedly, challenged Balin and five Eternal Life Society extraordinaries, holding her own with impressive resilience.

However, that was the extent of her capability. Completely tied down, she had no remaining strength to support the besieged assault team members, and without external aid, it seemed inevitable she would be worn down and perish in the fight.

Although the battle seemed to favor his side, Balin dared not be careless; in fact, he felt a pang of anxiety within his heart.

He had severely underestimated Yelica’s combat prowess before, and reality now confirmed that even a bishop with limited experience was still a bishop, capable of slaughtering ordinary living corpses and Eternal Life Society cultists.

Had he not heeded The Elder’s advice and personally entered the fray, this newly appointed bishop before him would likely have already cut a swathe through the horde of living corpses.

Nevertheless, at present, the Eternal Life Society had essentially secured its victory.

‘As soon as the assault team and this bishop are turned into living corpses, breaking through the Royal Army’s defenses will be effortless,’ Balin mused.

Yelica, with her extensive combat experience, was keenly aware of Balin’s little scheme. She had already resolved that if she couldn’t defeat him, she would drag Balin down with her. In the worst-case scenario, she would self-destruct, thereby eliminating any chance of being transformed into a living corpse.

Furthermore, another thought solidified her resolve to die: Yodel’s presence.

She believed that given Yodel’s nature, he would never allow her to truly die. Most likely, she would simply take another trip to Thanatos’s realm and then be retrieved by Yodel.

“Stop your daydreaming,” Yelica retorted. “I’d rather commit martyrdom than give you the chance to convert me.”

Realizing Yelica had seen through his thoughts, Balin let out a cold snort.

“You Chant Church fanatics, what do you take life for?” he sneered. “We are striving for eternal life—what a magnificent endeavor! Yet you constantly resort to self-destruction.”

“Building your eternal life upon the deaths of others? What kind of magnificent endeavor is that?”

Yelica had no desire to waste any more words. She began chanting the final Holy Fire spell, preparing to fight Balin to the death.

Balin and the five extraordinaries also began to gather their strength, ready to counterattack at any moment. As long as they weathered this final desperate push, victory would be theirs.

“Oh, you all seem to be having quite a strenuous fight!”

A sudden round of applause broke the air, and a clear male voice shattered the tense, bristling atmosphere.

Both sides simultaneously glanced sideways, turning their attention to the newcomer.

“Who are you?” “Yodel?!”

Joy immediately spread across Yelica’s face, and she temporarily ceased her spellcasting.

These sudden reinforcements instantly shattered the balance of power between the two sides, allowing Yelica to glimpse the possibility of victory.

Balin, meanwhile, gazed intently at Yodel. The latter’s slightly curly black hair and azure blue eyes sent a jolt of alarm through him.

‘Isn’t this the exact appearance of the divinely blessed individual The Elder encountered?’

“Everyone, retreat to my side!” Balin bellowed.

The five individuals who had been encircling Yelica immediately dispersed, regrouping around Balin, while Yodel seized this opportune moment to move to Yelica’s side.

A delicate balance was now established. The Eternal Life Society members, wary of Yodel’s combat prowess, dared not advance, while Yelica needed some time to recover her stamina, and Yodel’s direct combat strength was not particularly formidable.

Thus, both sides resumed their standoff.

This equilibrium, however, could not last indefinitely. The assault team was still fighting desperately, and if they were annihilated, the living corpse army would turn to encircle Yodel, inevitably causing the situation to take a sharp downturn.

After a period of stalemate, the duo decided to take the offensive.

“Yelica, just hand me any ranged weapon.”

Upon hearing this, Yelica drew a Springfield rifle from behind her shoulder and a revolver from a holster at her waist.

“These are all issued to me by the Royal Army, but they are ordinary weapons, without any extraordinary power…”

Yodel raised the gun barrel, watching the deathly illusions slowly appearing on the Eternal Life cultists.

“They’re enough.”