Pillar of Yita

Their individual strength lies between level thirty-five and forty, and what is even more terrifying is that they often excel in pack hunting tactics.

When these ’hounds’ of the Shadow Realm quietly infiltrated the battlefield, Tang De was actually trying to locate them as well—Ghost Wolves are undead creatures, but they are also shadow creatures—regular undead necromancy couldn’t summon them, and Tang De was no exception.

Thus, while he could sense undead creatures, these uninvited guests from the Shadow Realm were somewhat beyond his reach.

Moreover, the Shadow Staff in the hands of the Messenger continually interfered with his control over the dark forces.

The Messenger watched this scene from afar, unable to suppress a sneer. He watched as the shadow spread in the direction of Summer’s End Tower, yet the two people on top still remained oblivious. Then suddenly, he raised the Shadow Staff in his hand and pointed in that direction.

The shadow suddenly transformed into seven or eight robust black giant wolves, their eyes alight with white phosphorus flames, leaping towards the Female Knight Commander standing on the steps.

But in the next moment, the Messenger’s face suddenly turned dark.

In his surprised gaze, that Papalarian lady seemed to have anticipated everything, turning around and raising her sword blade.

As a cross-shaped sword light blossomed among the ghost wolves, wherever the blade passed, it cut through with unstoppable force. The golden light blade tore apart a section of the pitch-black shadow, sending the ghost wolves flying back, scattering them across the ground.

Then Leiya turned again, setting up her great shield, causing the pouncing ghost wolves to crash squarely into it. Despite their giant mouths biting into the shield, a ring of golden light suddenly burst out from the Female Knight Commander’s giant shield.

Any ghost wolf touched by this golden light exploded from the head backwards, finally disintegrating into a rain of light.

Shield counter.

Among the Iron Guards, any top Invoker is deeply familiar with this move, though Leiya had never actively used it during her training with Fang Hong.

Because it is one of the trump cards of the Iron Guards, and almost indefensible, even if she taught Fang Hong, based on his level, he wouldn’t have any way to counter it. However, for the Combat Artisan, the threat of the shield counter isn’t that significant.

Just like at this moment, she could only counterattack these ghost wolves and couldn’t threaten the Undead Wizard directly.

But that’s enough.

”Watch out behind you,” Tang De reminded: ”Miss Leiya.”

A ghost that slipped through the net was phasing through the wall, coming straight at her.

But Leiya actually didn’t need his reminder; the small-statured Female Knight Commander seemed to have eyes on her back, swinging her sword in reverse—a sheet of golden rain scattered from her blade before it even hit, and any undead or nearby ghosts in its light were vaporized into ash in an instant.

”Dragon Knight Domain.”

The Messenger finally felt it was a bit tricky, this Holy Chooser was much more formidable than he imagined.

This was a Dragon Knight.

And the kind of Dragon Knight most vexing to the Summoning System—the Protection System Dragon Knight.

The Summoning System—including the Undead System—excelled at fewer against many, yet although the quantity was there, just like the Combat Artisans’ Constructs, the quality might not be high. Low-quality creatures often seemed too fragile when facing Protection System professions.

Especially someone like Leiya, who had risen through the ranks of the Iron Guards as a dedicated Protector. The undead creatures summoned by the Messenger could indeed approach, yet every attack they made left her unscathed, while they themselves perished from the reflected damage.

If Fang Hong were here, he might have laughed out loud at the sight. He would never tell these two—the Female Knight Commander does not only represent the pinnacle of domestic protection roles but is also the one who popularized the counter-damage style.

The Steadfast Knight, not a hollow title at all?

Moreover, in this style, Leiya is one of the few who excels in both offense and defense.

”Miss Leiya,” Tang De clearly noticed the Female Knight’s ease and spoke: ”The Shadow Staff can continuously summon undead from the Shadow Realm, so continuing like this is not a solution. I’ll hold off the attacks; you find a way to deal with the Undead Wizard.”

Leiya said nothing in response to those words, but answered with her actions alone. Suddenly she sheathed her sword into the great shield, then lifted her head and raised the great shield in front of her.

The young Alchemist saw this scene, his face changed: ”Watch out, that’s—!”

But the Messenger, of course, knew what this move was. His expression only changed slightly as he turned his head back.

”Petrification Shield.”

A blinding light radiated from Leiya’s great shield, and all bathed by this light—whether spirit or non-spirit, friend or foe—were petrified entirely. Without pause, Leiya raised the great shield with both hands, then placed it heavily before her.

”Vengeance.”

A huge roar came, and with the Female Knight Commander as the center—or with her giant shield as the center—it seemed a giant fist stretched from the void, punching directly at the ground—the steps and the earth sunk downwards, and a shockwave swept out in all directions.

At that moment, all the damage she had previously absorbed seemed to be released in one strike, and where the shockwave passed, the undead creatures were pulverized into ash.

The descended ground extended forward in a conical shape, stretching nearly a hundred meters before finally stopping. At this moment in the courtyard, apart from the Black Knight barely standing, only a field of wreckage remained.