THE VILLAIN'S POV Chapter 746: The Saint Against the Joker

The instant Gehrman uttered those words ..

Amon's gaze widened a bit while sensing the void quiver .. a ripple extending over a vast stretch.

"Gehrman’s Style .. Supreme Art: Blue World."

The technique was deployed by Gehrman.

An immense aura pressure burst forth throughout the area ..

so intense that Abraham Starlight, chasing after them, halted in terror and fled rapidly, pulling out of the strike's reach.

Within under a second ..

Over a huge span covering scores of miles ..

A hue of blue aura expanded, unleashing a horrifying frost surge that iced over all in its path.

Ice rushed everywhere, fully encasing Amon and trapping him within a massive block of Gehrman’s frozen essence.

Abraham remained rooted, gazing in shocked amazement at the unfolding sight.

Now, the frozen mass spanned a gigantic territory.

"How did he even ready an assault like that?"

Deploying such a move drained enormous aura and demanded preparation time.

Nevertheless, Gehrman executed it amid constant pursuit from Amon, all while dodging his strikes.

And regarding Gehrman ..

He had positioned himself in front of Abraham, striding beside the enormous ice formation born from his strength.

The Engineer appeared unwell.

As he advanced, he rested against the frozen pillar, using it for balance.

"Hey... are you okay?" Abraham inquired, stepping nearer.

Gehrman lifted a hand, halting him.

"I’m alright... but we must get away from this spot. This frost won’t contain him much longer."

"So what’s our next step?" Abraham questioned, seeing no clear path forward.

Gehrman’s frost wasn’t mere ice .. it was tougher than steel and possessed a trait that destroyed all life upon touching its victim.

Abraham knew that if he had been caught in even a sliver of that ice in Amon’s place, instant death would follow.

Yet even this powerful move could only grant them a brief delay.

"He’s probably at the pinnacle of Stage Five in SSS rank... or perhaps surpassing it. We lack the means to overcome him."

"You mean we should flee?" Abraham remarked, voicing the evident choice.

"If that’s our strategy, it won’t succeed against a foe like him. He’d pursue us across the entire world if needed."

Gehrman offered no contradiction.

"I’m aware. And fleeing isn’t the plan."

He drew in a steadying breath, attempting to stabilize his weakened form.

"All we require... is to gain some time."

Upon hearing this, Abraham understood that Gehrman was indeed concealing a secret.

"So we simply endure, then..."

"Correct."

Gehrman replied briefly, as a soft, sky-blue glow enveloped his frame.

"Thanks to Fulghor sharing half his aura with me... spiritual depletion won’t hit me. But bodily fatigue remains an issue."

Gehrman was astonished himself at lasting this far .. and Fulghor’s essence deserved the praise.

"Though he shared only half... that portion surpasses my maximum aura capacity. It appears his prowess endures, even after so many years..."

Fulghor the Planet—his moniker stemmed from a purpose.

It reflected the colossal, planet-like volume of aura he commanded.

In the Shadow Sect, Fulghor boasted the greatest aura stores of anyone .. even surpassing Nameless.

"The Shadow Sect is full of beasts," Abraham grumbled while he and Gehrman distanced themselves from the ice structure.

Suddenly ..

Without any prior sign ..

They both halted as a murmur echoed near their ears.

"Indeed... I fully concur."

The voice arrived first.

Right after, the noise of breaking resounded.

Fractures raced over the whole glacier .. then it burst apart fiercely, jolting the entire landmass.

Dark aura billowed outward in every direction, swallowing the surroundings as Amon emerged once more.

"An impressive technique. No one has confined me for such a duration before," Amon remarked offhandedly, while Gehrman and Abraham braced for combat.

"Such a duration?! It’s barely been five minutes!" Abraham swore, crafting a much stronger light blade in his grasp.

Simultaneously, Gehrman unleashed his energy again, steeling himself.

Time needed to be purchased ..

However, Amon proved an adversary too formidable to restrain for extended periods.

Still, Gehrman held his ground.

Once more, this fascinated Amon.

"Such determination... such devotion," Amon declared, advancing a step while extending both arms.

"Your Shadow Sect fighters battle for your leader just like we demons do for our sovereign," he noted, directing a finger toward Gehrman.

"Despite your leader’s shameful loss to our sire, the Demon King, eons ago... you remain devoted. I ponder .. what fuels such allegiance?"

Answering that query ..

For the initial time in the conflict ..

Gehrman’s voice grew grave, exposing a hint of his authentic emotions to Amon.

"You’re mistaken about one thing, foul demon," Gehrman stated, moving ahead too, his emitted pressure surging intensely.

"Don’t equate us with your kind. No similarities exist between us."

"High-ranking demons obey Agaroth from terror, or merely because he bestowed power. What devotion do you mean, when your sovereign pursues only his whims?"

"Your sovereign is a mighty fighter .. but a flawed leader. The Dukedoms of Hell’s refusal to merge into your supposed order proves it."

Demons in Helmond split into groups.

Agaroth, as Demon King, wielded command—but the Dukedoms of Hell operated independently, defying submission .. with entities like Gael or Maskith as clear cases.

"We differ from you," Gehrman pressed on, his tone laden with resolve and real fervor.

"We don’t serve Nameless from dread... nor from affection or respect."

Saint Gehrman.

Fulghor the Planet.

They were fighters capable of forging empires alone.

Then why would such entities pledge to Nameless voluntarily .. without his request?

"Each soul Nameless resurrected... every fighter entering the Shadow Sect... we all harbor aims. Pursuits we crave ..

pursuits beyond our solo grasp. Some perished in the attempt. Others just faltered."

Every member of the Shadow Sect nursed personal aspirations, hidden longings.

Some remained straightforward.

Others intricate and burdensome.

Yet none attained them.

"Until his arrival."

From obscurity, Nameless emerged—and forged the way ahead.

"We trail him, we honor him... for he alone can realize those forsaken yearnings, those seized cravings.

We’ve entrusted our aspirations and visions to him. We’ve laid all upon his back .. imposing a load no one here could shoulder."

"Yet he does. He endures it silently, without reproach for any of us. To him, we stood as equals.

He shouldered our loads and battled on our behalf in the Great War ages past. Thus, we’ll keep fighting for him. Death costs little in return."

Gehrman stood ready to perish.

This held no deception, no empty vow.

Amon grasped that truth.

Yet the words irked him.

"You actually dared to disparage my father before me... yes, you have."

Gradually, Amon’s unleashed pressure escalated sharply.

Gehrman sensed it at once ..

Amon now regarded them with true gravity. Full strength was imminent.

"Nameless fell before. And should he rise now—or later—facing the Demon King, defeat awaits him always. None in this realm can topple the demon king ."

"Nameless perishes each instance."

"As will you... right now."

At this juncture ..

The atmosphere shifted entirely.

The air thickened.

Gehrman’s and Abraham’s sight hazed momentarily.

Then, the following instant ..

BOOOOM!!!

An deafening blast rang out next to Abraham.

As he glanced over ..

His face turned utterly grim upon witnessing Gehrman’s form erupt right in front of him.

"Perish ... Saint Gehrman."