I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist

Chapter 83 Cattleya Starlight Taken Hostage [4]

james raised his hand, and corrupted mana oozed from it, coalescing into a long, black spike that writhed with dark mana and emitted an ominous black smoke. he raised the weapon at them with a smile hidden beneath his mask.

"try to entertain me at least a bit, exorcists."

"willias, snap out of it!" isabel shouted breaking through the haze clouding willias's mind. the priest stood frozen, stunned to silence as he faced a devil that had appeared out of nowhere.

"yes... yes!" willias stuttered, shaking himself free from his stupor. beads of sweat slid down his brow as he gripped his staff tightly, his knuckles white with tension. his gaze locked onto james, glaring at him. "the savior must have a purpose for this encounter. to face a devil today—this must be my calling."

james laughed. "your faith blinds you, old man. you're overestimating yourself."

"...!"

in the blink of an eye, james vanished, his body dissolving into a trail of black, pulsating mana. the air hissed as he closed the gap between them in an instant.

"rank eight light spell: holy wall!" willias roared, slamming his staff into the ground. a radiant wall of shimmering light erupted before him, glowing with holy mana.

this wasn't a defensive spell meant for mere protection—it was an exorcist's weapon, forged to annihilate demons, to purify them with light. but james wasn't a mere devil. he was something far more stronger.

the devil's lance surged with dark, corrupted mana as he thrust it forward.

-crack!

the holy barrier fractured upon contact, fissures spreading like lightning bolts across its surface before shattering entirely in a blinding burst of mana.

"what?!" willias gasped, disbelief etched into his face. one of his strongest spells, destroyed as if it were nothing.

a sudden gust of wind marked james's reappearance. he was mere inches away now, his eyes gleaming with greedy intent, but it wasn't willias's life that caught his attention. his gaze fell on the staff clutched in the priest's trembling hands.

"that's a beautiful staff you've got there," james said with wide eyes. "i think i'll take it. off your dead body, of course."

without waiting for a response, james's eyes turned murderous, and his lance moved—swift and lethal—a blur aimed to sever willias's head from his shoulders.

but before the strike landed, two brilliant light flared to life on either side of james.

sealing circles.

they radiated the craftsmanship of master exorcists, designed to target and subdue demonic entities. though their power was calibrated to bypass human allies like willias, their true purpose was to strike demoninc entities with crushing force.

isabel and reynold had timed their attack perfectly, their coordination impeccable. the circles ignited with a burst of mana, closing in on james from both sides like a vice.

unfortunately for them, they were far too slow for him.

james leapt back, but to the others, it appeared as though he had simply vanished into thin air.

reappearing a moment later, he twirled his lance with a swift movement he pointed it at willias. a smug smirk appeared on his lips as dark mana began to gather.

none of them answered.

"no need to be so frightened," he said, his tone almost mocking. in an instant, he disappeared and reappeared directly behind cattleya.

cattleya stiffened, her breath catching at his sudden proximity. for all her usual composure, she now seemed strangely subdued, almost meek.

"i'll keep my word," james murmured, his voice low as he reached for her. gently, he removed the tape sealing her lips.

"cattleya!"

sina immediately called.

before cattleya could respond, james tilted her chin upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. the only thing visible behind his mask were his piercing crimson eyes.

"i kept my word, cattleya starlight," he murmured. "i trust you'll keep yours as well."

cattleya bit her lip, overwhelmed by his presence. she had never felt this small or powerless in front of anyone—not her parents, not even the sternest of her elders. yet, she nodded, her movements stiff and reluctant.

"good." james released her, his fingers leaving a lingering chill on her skin.

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without another word, cattleya turned and hurried toward her parents, her steps quick and unsteady.

"cattleya!" sina cried, rushing forward to envelop her daughter in a tight embrace. tears streamed down her face as she clung to her.

sina pulled back just enough to inspect her daughter frantically, her hands moving to check for any injuries. "are you hurt? he didn't harm you, did he?"

"no, mother," cattleya replied, her voice strained. "he didn't harm me... he only wanted the holy coins."

reynold stepped closer, his stern gaze searching his daughter for any signs of distress. "even so, we must ensure you're unharmed, cattleya."

"yes, father," she replied, though her voice carried a faint grimace.

"stay alert," isabel interrupted the reunion, her eyes still fixed on james. "don't lower your guard for even a second."

meanwhile, james's attention was fixed on the holy coins nestled inside the open box before him. his gloved fingers hovered over them as if he were savoring their presence.

"i love them," he whispered, his crimson eyes narrowing beneath his mask. "i want more holy coins..."

after a moment of ogling the coins, he spoke up.

"put them away, gin."

"yes, lord astaroth," gin replied. kneeling reverently, he gathered the boxes into his arms and vanished.

james gave a last glance at 'leon cromwell' before he disappeared.