Parallel Memory

"Zero! She has led the entire Church here!"

Saintess Amelia warned.

The sheer size of the enemy army was staggering, with over 50 Rank-A Holy Knights and countless lower-ranked ones, totaling nearly 300 soldiers. Normally, the numbers are even higher, however, many had left the Church to go with the Pope.

Though still the number was very high. Almost 300 hundred or maybe more.

"Haha… You lose!"

Cardinal Hildred exclaimed. Cardinal Hildred's taunting laughter filled the room as she gloated over her supposed victory. She felt that she had finally regained the control that she lost.

She had ordered everyone that she had controlled to come to the Cathedral. She was going to overwhelm Zero with numbers.

Most were those people who are mind-controlled by Nexus Scepter while others were those who were on Cardinal side from the start.

"So what if you are strong? In front of so many of us, you don't stand a chance."

Cardinal Hildred continued.

"You have underestimated me too much!" Cardinal Hildred sneered. "You were so focused on fighting them that you didn't even realize you were surrounded."

Cardinal Hildred said.

"The Church and their hypocrites. Even if the world changed, there would always be people like you who think that one can win with numbers."

Zero said. There was no worry on his face. He waited casually for Cardinal Hildred and her army to make a move.

"Attack!"

Cardinal Hildred gave the command.

-THUD! -THUD! -THUD!

With Cardinal Hildred's command, the army charged forward with thunderous footsteps, led by the fast and powerful Rank-A+ Holy Knights.

Rank-A + Holy Knights were one of the strongest among the Holy Knights. Despite them being weak as they could not use Art and Skill due to the mind control, they still had the same stats as before their mind got controlled.

[ "Demonic Emperor Sword: Demonic Force Manipulation" ]

-SLASH! -SLASH!

But Zero was ready. With a swift and powerful strike, he unleashed his "Demonic Emperor Sword: Demonic Force Manipulation," cutting off the limbs of the five Holy Knights who had reached his attacking range.

They had no time to react and before they knew anything, the attack got them.

"So?"

Zero said casually as he stood in the same position. There was no mercy from him as he brutally cut their limbs despite them being mind-controlled.

"ARGH!"

Only one of the Holy Knights whose legs were cut off screamed. Among the five of them, only he seemed to be the loyal dog of Cardinal Hildred. Others were all people who had their mind controlled by Nexus Scepter.

!!!

This display of ruthless power frightened many of the Holy Knights who weren't under the influence of the Nexus Scepter, but the controlled ones continued to attack without any regard for their own lives.

They only had one thing to do and that was to listen to Cardinal Hildred's command. It was advantageous for Cardinal Hildred who didn't want the attack on Zero to stop.

Cardinal Hildred was not too surprised as she had already seen the same scene before. She continued to order her men to attack Zero. She believed that sooner or later Zero would become weak and vulnerable.

-SLASH! -SLASH! -SLASH!

Zero didn't care and cut up those who dared to attack him.

Most people didn't stand a chance against Zero and with them not being able to use their Art and Skill, they were basically just a moving target for Zero.

It was especially true for those followers that were not even Holy Knights and specialized in healing and support spells.

But Saintess Amelia could not bear to watch any longer. "P-Please, can you spare them?" she begged, her voice trembling with fear and desperation.

She knew that Zero was only defending himself but she couldn't bear to see innocent lives being taken.

Earlier, she was scared that Zero would die because of the huge number of Holy Knights but unexpectedly, Zero took care of them easily. Now, she has to worry about the people who are brainwashed.

"I-If you can, can you try to not kill them?"

Saintess Amelia requested. She didn't want to burden Zero after all that happened was her fault. But she also couldn't just watch as Zero started killing innocent people as well.

She couldn't help it if Zero had to kill someone because of his life being in danger but those believers and Rank-B and below Holy knights posed no threat to Zero at all. She wants, if possible for Zero to spare them.

Though of course, even if she was rejected, she would understand. She wants to Zero's life a

"..."

Saintess Amelia looked at Zero, hoping for a positive response to her request. But instead of a clear answer, Zero just stared at her without saying a word.

-SLASH! -SLASH!

Meanwhile, he continued to fend off the attackers with brutal efficiency, cutting them down one after another.

"..."

Zero didn't immediately reject Saintess Amelia.

( Oh ya? Is The Emperor Of Destruction listening to a girl? )

A voice asked amused.

( … )

Zero/The Emperor Of Destruction didn't reply to the voice in his head.

( But she really resembles that girl. She also seems to have the same personality. No wonder you are hesitating. )

However the voice continued talking.

"Stop reading other peoples' memories!"

The Emperor Of Destruction spoke in a disgruntled voice.

???

This confused Saintess Amelia who was hoping for a positive response. She couldn't understand what Zero meant by saying that.

( You know that it is not in my control. )

-SLASH!

Meanwhile, Zero continued to fight off the attackers, but this time it seemed like he was holding back his strength. The injuries inflicted on the attackers were less severe, as if Zero was trying not to kill them.

( She might be this word version of her just like you and me. )

( … )

-WHOOSH!

-CLANK!

Finally the Rank-S Holy Knight who Zero had previously beat had recovered and once again came to battle him.

-CLANG! -CLANG! -CLANG!

At the same time, other people had also taken this opportunity to attack Zero. Because Zero was occupied with S-Rank Holy Knights, they were fairly safe. However, that was Rank-A and Rank-B + people.

Weaker people were swept away from the force of their clash. They were not even allowed to stay close to them.

-CLANG! -CLANK!

"This is getting annoying!"

Zero disgruntled as he glared at the S-Rank Holy Knight. There were also all other people who had been attacking him which made the situation irritating. Though they were hardly doing any damage to him, it was becoming annoying for him to defend.

-CLANK! -CLANK!

He increased his power and forced the Rank-S Holy Knight to back away a bit. Then he proceeded to increase his power even more. He channeled Dark Energy into the sword even more.

[ "Demonic Emperor Sword: Cataclysmic Destruction"]

A destructive slash was launched. Compared to Extermination Blast, the attack was not impressive in size at all. However, it was several times stronger than the Extermination Blast.

At first it looked as if he was aiming the attack at the Rank-S Holy Knight and other people surrounding him. However, when he fired off, the direction of the attack was heading toward Cardinal Hildred.

!!!

The Cardinal was obviously startled. She thought that she would be safe as there was quite a distance between herself and Zero.

However, at hoc, Zero attacked her.

"Quick!"

She ordered other people to come and shield her. But with the speed of the attack, they could hardly have time to be there.

Even so, Cardinal Hildred was not very powerless as she still had Rank-S holy Knight guarding her.

The Rank-S Holy Knight stood before Cardinal Hildred and readied his shield. He was ready to block anything that comes his way.

[ "Holy Shield!" ]

Knowing the danger, the Rank-S Holy Knight pulled off his strongest defensive skill. He poured all the mana he could to manifest a giant shield protecting him and the Cardinal.

-BANG!

His shield took on the full force of Zero's attack. It felt like the Rank-S holy knight had managed to stop Zero's slash but the power had not decreased at all.

The Rank-S Holy Knight poured in even more mana, in order to block the attack.

-SWIISH!

Zero's attack was not the one to halt easily. It continued despite clashing with the Rank-S Holy Knights strongest defensive skill.

"AAAAAHHHH!"

The Rank-S Holy Knight screamed as he tried to fend off the attack. He poured even more mana. The shield became even bigger.

*CRACK!

There was a sound of something breaking. However, the Giant Shield manifested by the Rank-S Holy Knight was still there and with no cracks.

*CRACK! *CRACK!

However, the sound continued.

*CRACK!

It was not the sound of shield breaking rather the sound of the Rank-S holy knight's bones breaking. The force of the slash was too powerful and his body was slammed into the ground.

"AAAAAHHHH!"

Even so, he persisted. He persisted as his life was on the line. Sweat was dripping like rain and he could not feel his hand and leg.

-SLASH!

However, despite his best effort, it was of no use. His shield was split in two as was his body. Then Zero's slash made its way toward the terrified Cardinal Hildred.