Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 272

Following Harald’s lead, Theo traversed the underground passage cutting through the heart of the Beastlands, marveling at the power of the Holy Church of Light.

“They really built something like this here in the Beastlands?”

The thought lingered in Theo’s mind as they continued their journey. After walking for what felt like an eternity, a faint light appeared ahead. Emerging from the passage, his eyes were momentarily blinded by the brilliance of the sun. When his vision cleared, a massive cliff loomed before them.

At the foot of the cliff stretched a vast sea of trees that extended in all directions. As they crossed the forest to approach the cliff, they found an ominous dark cave gaping at its center, its depths unknowable.

Lodbrok glanced briefly at the entrance and stepped forward.

“These damn long-eared pests,” she muttered with disdain. “Even I’d find a setup like this tedious, but they’ve done it without a second thought.”

As Harald guided them deeper into the cave, a network of intricate magic circles and barriers became visible. Lodbrok examined the elaborate array and smirked.

Theo, standing near the entrance, could feel the subtle flow of mana in the air.

“Looks complicated.”

Unfortunately, his limited knowledge of magic left him unable to discern the specifics, which he found mildly frustrating.

“The Second Apostle used to boast that no one could break these defenses,” Harald remarked, holding up a necklace shaped like a black wing. “With this, the Church said we could pass through without trouble. But you two don’t have one.”

“Do you know who I am?” Lodbrok scoffed, snapping her fingers dismissively.

Shhhh-

Mana that had been stagnant began to stir, scattering as one of the barriers revealed itself before dissipating into the air in faint ripples.

“Did she just neutralize it? That fast?”

With a single gesture, Lodbrok had rendered the barrier useless. Theo was astounded by the sheer ease with which she accomplished it.

Harald’s mouth hung open, his shock evident.

“...Impressive,” he muttered.

Lodbrok, as if to flaunt her superiority, continued to dismantle the barrier with precision and confidence.

Even Harald, who knew these barriers had been personally crafted by the Second Apostle, was left speechless by how quickly they were undone.

However, breaking one barrier wasn’t their true objective. Lodbrok had done it merely to alleviate some boredom.

Their purpose here wasn’t a rescue mission but an annihilation.

Speed was of the essence.

Harald threw the necklace to the ground.

“I’ll take the lead,” he declared, gripping his axe with both hands.

The energy radiating from him grew thick and oppressive as if his fury were boiling over. For Harald, this battle was not just an extermination—it was personal vengeance.

The Church had manipulated him using his daughter, and now his wrath sharpened his axe with every breath.

As they entered the cave, two guards stood at the ready, heavily armed.

“Who goes there—? Wait! Harald? What’s the meaning of this?!”

The guards recognized Harald and initially seemed pleased to see him, but their faces twisted in terror upon noticing his murderous intent.

Harald didn’t respond.

With a single swing of his massive axe, their spears and armor were cleaved apart, their bodies reduced to lifeless halves.

Fweeeeet!

“Intruders!”

The sound of a whistle echoed through the cave, followed by the pounding of countless footsteps rushing toward them.

* * *

The beginning of the battle was nothing short of thunderous. Harald’s declaration of war left no room for subtlety, boldly announcing their intrusion to every member of the Church.

It was intentional. His fury wasn’t meant for one individual—it was directed at the Church itself.

If anyone wanted to stop him, they would have to throw everything they had at him.

Traps embedded in the cave walls unleashed volleys of poisoned arrows, and spells exploded in an attempt to stop the invaders.

“Kill them! Don’t let them defile this sanctuary!”

Through the smoke and chaos, Church soldiers surged forward.

“Hmph!”

Harald’s axe rendered their efforts meaningless. Each swing sent shockwaves through the air, sweeping aside everything in his path like a tidal wave.

“If it’s too much, you can switch out,” Lodbrok offered nonchalantly.

“I’m far from done!” Harald roared in reply.

His stamina seemed limitless, his strength growing with each step forward. Harald embodied the very definition of an unstoppable force, his overwhelming presence leaving no doubt about his capability.

“We’re almost at their base,” Theo noted.

As they exited the cave, a massive cavern opened before them, at its center stood a church—a structure wholly out of place in the desolate expanse.

“How fitting,” Lodbrok sneered, her face twisted in disgust.

Theo nodded in agreement. “Parasites.”

The Church was an infestation, its followers akin to pests.

“But there’s barely any movement,” Theo observed.

The Second Apostle was nowhere to be seen, and even the guards they had encountered seemed weaker than expected for defenders of a holy sanctuary.

“Likely because most of them are out on missions,” Harald speculated.

Although the commotion was designed to draw them back, Theo felt disappointed that there wasn’t more blood to spill.

“Heretics defiling the Church! All disciples, gather here!”

Despite the reduced numbers, the Church’s forces still swarmed like ants, crawling out of every crevice to form a defensive line.

“Ever played with ants as a child?” Lodbrok asked, spreading her arms.

“Yes,” Theo replied, and even Harald gave a subtle nod.

“Watch closely. Let’s see how these insects behave.”

Zzzzt!

Above the cavern, an enormous magic circle began to take shape. Lines of light curved with elegance and speed, painting a masterpiece in the air.

The speed of Lodbrok’s casting defied belief.

“Is that ancient magic?” Theo thought, astonished. Even without extensive knowledge of magic, he recognized its immense power.

“I’m the product of that era,” Lodbrok said smugly. “Prepare to charge. You’ll only have cleanup duty after this.”

As she poured mana into the circle, sparks crackled along its surface. The onlookers froze in awe, while a few desperately tried to erect counter-barriers.

But how could they possibly stand against the might of a dragon who had lived for millennia?

Rumble!

A deep sound reverberated through the cavern as the magic circle unleashed a torrent of water. The flood erupted like a cannon, swirling into whirlpools that tore through the sanctuary.

“They really do look like ants,” Theo thought, now understanding Lodbrok’s earlier question. The Church soldiers scrambled desperately as if their nest had been flooded.

The water raged on, carving deeper into the cavern as if cleansing it of filth.

“It’s a shame the fun has to end here,” Lodbrok said, watching as the cavern began to collapse under the pressure. She dispelled the magic, allowing the circle’s light to fade and the water to vanish as if it had never existed.

All that remained was the ruined church, its destruction proving the magic’s reality.

As the dust settled, two streaks of light shot forward like meteors, converging on a metal door embedded in the ground.

“Persistent pests,” Harald grumbled, kicking the door with disdain.

“To think this door withstood Lodbrok’s magic...” Theo mused, noting the intricate defense magic layered over it.

But it was still just a door. After cutting down the Sublimation Gate, this would hardly pose a challenge.

As Theo prepared to destroy it, Harald stepped forward, axe in hand.

“I’ll handle this,” Harald said, his gaze resolute.

The weight of his determination was clear—whatever lay beyond the door, he was ready to face it.

Raising his axe high, Harald channeled his mana into it, the sound of his heartbeat echoing through the chamber as raw energy surged.

With a final swing, the door was obliterated.

Harald charged through the debris, followed closely by Theo and Lodbrok. Inside, they found a group of Church disciples, their bodies already torn apart by the force of Harald’s attack.

Further ahead, a temple-like structure adorned with ritual altars and grand pillars came into view.

Dozens of disciples stood guard, their energy leagues above the average Church soldier.

“At least a bishop’s strength, with a few cardinals mixed in,” Theo estimated.

While they lacked the bloodlight abilities granted by the Nameless Sovereign, their power was still formidable.

Harald sneered at the familiar faces. “I see the same vermin again.”

His contempt was palpable. The slaughter was far from over.